I, while you
were popping like schoolboys out of the window, pursued their leader
single-handed into the coal-hole, for I'm sure he's in it, or if not,
he must have escaped some other way--d--n the villain, I hope he
hasn't escaped, at all events--here, lights, I say, and guard all the
passes--d--n it, let us do our business with proper discipline and
skill--fall back, Fergus--and you, John, advance--steady now--charge the
coal-hole, boys, and I'll lead you on to the danger.' Of course he was
half drunk, but at the same time he managed to conceal his cowardice
with considerable adroitness. I need not say that upon examining the
coal-hole, and every other possible place of concealment there was no
desperate leader found, nor any proof obtained that an entrance had
been effected at all. 'Well, come,' exclaimed O'Driscol, 'although the
villain has escaped, we managed the thing well--all of us--he must have
given me the slip from the kitchen and leaped out of a window. You acted
well, boys; and as I like true courage and resolution--ay, an' if you
like, downright desperation--being a bit of a dare-devil myself--I say
I will give you a glass of brandy-and-water each, and the intrepid old
veteran will take one himself. Ah! wait till my friend the Castle hears
of this exploit--upon my sowl and honor, it will be a feather in my
cap.' Fergus whispered to me, 'It ought to be a white one, then.' We
accordingly adjourned in the dining-room, where after having finished
a tumbler of brandy-and-water each, we at length went to bed, and thus
closed the seige of O'Driscol Castle."

Julia on hearing of this attack and its object, felt her mind involved
in doubt and embarrassment. She could not reconcile the desire of the
Whiteboys to injure M'Carthy, with the fact of his having, by his own
admission, spent the night among them. Or what if the attack was a mere
excuse to prevent any suspicion of his connection with them at all? She
knew not, and until she had arrived at some definite view of the matter,
she resolved to keep as much aloof from M'Carthy as she could possiby
do without exciting observation. In the course of the morning, however,
they met accidentally, and the short dialogue which took place between
her and him did not at all help to allay the suspicions with which her
mind was burdened and oppressed.

"My dear Julia," said he, "I see that you are offended with me, but
indeed you need not; I can give you a full and satisfact