sooner to your aid. Cathbarr died as he would have wished, and
indeed as he always thought he would die. But now listen, Brian, for I
have news."

So, leaning over him, she swiftly told him of what had passed. The
O'Donnells had been defeated and slain to the last man; one of their
ships was sunk, and the other three captured, and her men held Bertragh.
As she and Shaun O'Malley lay refitting and gathering their wounded that
same afternoon, a Parliament ship had come in from the south, bearing an
answer to the appeal she had sent to Blake at the Cove of Cork.

He had not only sent her powder and supplies, but had sent her a blank
commission from Cromwell, which would be filled in upon her definite
allegiance to the Commonwealth. The commission guaranteed her possession
of Gorumna and Bertragh and the lands she claimed, and promised that
when the royalists were driven from Galway the grant would be confirmed
by Parliament.

"I am to answer Captain Peyton to-night, Brian," she finished, her eyes
dancing. "And Shaun is going to remain and hold Bertragh for me--"

"What's that?" cried Brian. "Hold Bertragh? Am I then wounded so sore
that I cannot draw sword again?"

"No," and her laugh rippled out. "Turlough says that you will be as well
as ever in a month, Brian. But since you withdrew your fealty to me, I
had to find another servant!"

"I had forgotten that," answered Brian moodily. He stared up at her
face, and as he met her eyes saw the color flow up to her temples.

"You have slain the Dark Master as you promised, Brian," she said
quietly. "And have you forgotten also that you meant to claim a reward
from me for that deed?"

Brian laughed, and his face softened as happiness laid hold upon his
heart.

"I have not forgotten that, Nuala; but now I am not going to ask that
reward in the same way I had intended."

"How do you mean, Brian?" she asked gravely, though her eyes widened a
trifle as if in quick fear.

"This, dear lady," he smiled. "When you answer Captain Peyton, let the
commission be made out in the name of Nuala O'Neill--and take my fealty
for what is left to me of life, Nuala."

He looked up steadily, knowing that all things hung on that instant.

"Well, to tell the truth, Brian," and for a moment she seemed to
hesitate, so that Brian felt a sudden shock, "I--I delayed answering him
in--in that hope!"

And her face came down to his.

[Transcriber's Note: The following synopsis origin