? How is the charming fair one?"
said he.

"The charming fair one," said I, with a bitterness that startled him,
"is a victim in the hands of your lordship's followers. She has been
decoyed away and carried off to Holland as an act of reprisal against
her father."

"What?" said he. "Tell me what you mean."

And I told him my story. He listened, switching his cane against his
leg, and watching my face with keen interest.

"It is part of the fortune of war," said he, "that the innocent suffer
for the guilty. But this must be seen to at once. The _Scheldt_ will
probably make for Holland by the north route. If so, she will not
arrive at Rotterdam for a week or two. By that time I will communicate
with some one I know near there, and see she is taken care of. Hang the
fools!" muttered he. "What good can come to any one by such an act?"

"Indeed, my lord," said I, "if I may venture to say so; Ireland has
little to look for from her professed friends in Donegal, where private
spite and greed are the main support of your confederacy."

"You are not the first who has told me that," said he gloomily. "No
doubt you are glad to see our weakness in this quarter."

"I should be but that my brother, although absent, is the nominal head
there, and it's little credit to him."

"Tim Gallagher is too good a man to be wasted."

"Do you know where he is?" I inquired.

"Abroad on his country's service," said Lord Edward. "You must be
content with that. Here our ways part. Good-bye, my lad." And he gave
me a friendly nod.

"Your lordship will pardon me one question. Have you any objection to
tell me the address of the friend in Holland to whose care you propose
to commend Miss Gorman?"

"She is an old retainer in a kinswoman's family, one Biddy McQuilkin.
She keeps a little inn on the outskirts of the Hague, called the 'White
Angel.'"

"Biddy McQuilkin!" exclaimed I with excitement. "Why, she was servant
to the Lestranges in Paris, who perished in 'the terror.'"

"The same. This Biddy was overlooked, and finally escaped, and by the
interest of Madame Sillery got to Holland, and set up at this small inn,
frequented by English and Irish visitors."

It was difficult to disguise the joy which this unexpected discovery
afforded me. I bade adieu to his lordship with a grateful salute, and
then betook myself in a state of wonder and jubilation to the harbour.

In Biddy McQuilkin were centred any hopes I entert