mine and myself----will not
desert him nor see him wronged. And, above all, tell him to say nothing
whatever to the magistrates. Mind me well,--not a syllable of any kind."

"I mistake him greatly," said the turnkey, "or he 's the man to take a
hint quick enough, particularly if it's for his own benefit."

"And so it is,--his own, and no other's," rejoined the priest. "If he
but follow this advice, I 'll answer for his being liberated before the
week ends. Say, also, that I 'd send him some money, but that it might
draw suspicion on him; and for the present it is better to be cautious."

Before Cahill left the prison, he reiterated all his injunctions as to
caution, and the turnkey faithfully pledged himself to enforce them on
the prisoner.

"I will come again this evening," said the priest, "and you can tell me
what he says; for, as he has no friend but myself, I must not forsake
him."

As Cahill gained the street, a heavy travelling-carriage, whose
lumbering build bespoke a foreign origin, passed by with four posters,
and, sweeping across the market-place, drew up at the chief inn of the
town. The priest, in idle curiosity, mingled with the lounging crowd
that immediately gathered around the strange-looking equipage, where
appliances for strength and comfort seemed blended, in total disregard
to all facilities for motion. A bustling courier, with all the
officiousness of his craft, speedily opened the door and banged down
the steps, and a very tall old man, in what appeared to be an undress
military frock, descended, and then assisted a young lady to alight.
This done, they both gave their arm to a young man, whose wasted form
and uncertain step bespoke long and severe illness. Supporting him at
either side, they assisted him up the steps into the hall, while the
bystanders amused themselves in criticising the foreigners, for such
their look and dress declared them.

"The ould fellow with a white beard over his lip is a Roosian or a
Proosian," cried one, who aspired to no small skill in continental
nationalities.

"Faix! the daughter takes the shine out of them all," cried another.
"She's a fine crayture!"

"The brother was a handsome man before he had that sickness," observed a
third. "'Tis no use of his legs he has!"

[Illustration: 459]

These frank commentaries on the new arrivals were suddenly interrupted
by the appearance of the old man on the steps of the hall door, where he
stood gazing down the s