she
was gone. There was no time to search for her at such a moment, and
I was about to ride away, when a 'carcasse,' exploding on one of the
redoubts, lit up the whole scene for a considerable space around,
and whom should I see but Jack Kellett's sister, cheering the men and
encouraging them to hold their ground?

[Illustration: 406]

I could have sworn to her features, as I could now to yours; but that
she could really be there seemed so utterly impossible that I fancied
it was a delusion. Nay," added he, after a pause, "let me tell the whole
truth. I thought it was a warning! Ay, doctor, the weight is off my
heart now that I have confessed this weakness." As Conway spoke, he
seemed, indeed, as though he had relieved himself of some mighty care;
for already his eye had regained its lustre, and his bold features
recovered their wonted expression. "Now," cried he, with a renovated
vigor, "I have done with false terrors about second sight, and the rest
of it I am myself again."

"You can listen to my tidings, then," said Reggis, seating himself at
the bedside, and at once beginning a narrative, to which I am obliged to
own Conway did not always pay a becoming attention, his thoughts still
reverting to very different scenes and incidents from those which the
lawyer recounted. Indeed, more than once was the narrator's patience
sorely tried and tested. "I am doing my very best to be brief, sir. I
am limiting myself strictly to a mere outline of the case," said he, in
something of pique: "It _might_ interest you,--it _ought_ to interest
you!"

"If the doctor yonder will promise me health and years to enjoy all this
same good fortune, so it will interest me," cried Conway. "What does the
income amount to?"

"If we only recover the English estates, it will be something under
twelve thousand a year. If we succeed with, the Irish, it will be about
three more."

"And how far are we on the road to this success?" "One verdict is
already won. The first action for ejectment on title has been brought,
and we are the victors. Upon this, all your counsel are agreed, your
claim to the Viscounty rests."

"I can scarcely credit--scarcely picture it to myself," said Conway,
half aloud. "My mind is confused by the thought of all the things I wish
to do, if this be true. First of all, I want to purchase Jack Kellett's
commission."

"If you mean Miss Kellett's brother, he is already gazetted an ensign,
and on his way to join his r