inquiries as to how Mrs. Llyn and Sheila were; first
because he chose not to do so, and also because Darius Boland, at one
time or another, would of his own accord tell what Mrs. Llyn and Sheila
were doing. One day Boland brought word that the governor had, more than
once, visited Salem with his suite; that he had sat in judgment on a
case in Kingston concerning the estate of Salem, and had given decision
in its favour; and that Mrs. Llyn and Sheila visited him at Spanish Town
and were entertained at King's House at second breakfast and dinner--in
short, that Lord Mallow was making hay in Salem Plantation. This was no
surprise to Dyck. He had full intuition of the foray the governor would
make on Sheila, her estate and wealth.

Lord Mallow had acted with discretion, and yet with sufficient passion
to warrant some success. He was trying to make for himself a future
which might mean the control of a greater colony even. If he had wealth,
that would be almost a certainty, and he counted Sheila's gold as a
guarantee of power. He knew well how great effect could be produced at
Westminster and at the Royal Palace by a discreet display of wealth. He
was also aware that no scandal could be made through an alliance with
Sheila, for she had inherited long after the revolutionary war and with
her skirts free from responsibility. England certainly would welcome
wealth got through an Irish girl inheriting her American uncle's
estates. So, steadily and happily, he pressed his suit. At his
dinner-parties he gave her first place nearly always, and even broke the
code controlling precedence when his secretary could be overruled. Thus
Sheila was given honour when she did not covet it, and so it was that
one day at Salem when the governor came to court her she was able to
help Dyck Calhoun.

"Then you go to Enniskillen?" Lord Mallow said to Darius Boland, as he
entered the plantation, being met by the astute American.

"Sometimes, your honour," was the careful reply. "I suppose you know
what Mr. Calhoun's career has been, eh?"

"Oh, in a way, your honour. They tell me he is a good swordsman."

The governor flushed. "He told you that, did he?"

"No, no, your honour, never. He told me naught. He does not boast. He's
as modest as a man from Virginia. He does not brag at all."

"Who told you, then?"

"Ah, well, I heard it in the town! They speak of him there. They all
know that Kingston and Spanish Town, and all the other places, woul