evening, at least. We must not molest the
police; but there's no great harm done if we mislead them.'

'Once in the drawing-room, if Mademoiselle Kostalergi will only condescend
to aid us,' added Atlee, 'I think Curtis will be more than a chief
constable if he will bethink him of his duty.'

'You are a strange set of people, you Irish,' said Nina, as she walked
away. 'Even such of you as don't want to overthrow the Government are
always ready to impede its march and contribute to its difficulties.'

'She only meant that for an impertinence,' said Atlee, after she left
the room; 'but she was wonderfully near the truth, though not truthfully
expressed.'

CHAPTER LXXXIII

THE GARDEN BY MOONLIGHT

There was but one heavy heart at the dinner-table that day; but Nina's
pride was proof against any disclosure of suffering, and though she was
tortured by anxiety and fevered with doubt, none--not even Kate--suspected
that any care weighed on her.

As for Kate herself, her happiness beamed in every line and lineament
of her handsome face. The captain--to give him the name by which he was
known--had been up that day, and partaken of an afternoon tea with his aunt
and Kate. Her spirits were excellent, and all the promise of the future was
rose-coloured and bright. The little cloud of what trouble the trial might
bring was not suffered to darken the cheerful meeting, and it was the one
only bitter in their cup.

To divert Curtis from this theme, on which, with the accustomed _mal a
propos_ of an awkward man, he wished to talk, the young men led him to the
subject of Donogan and his party.

'I believe we'll take him this time,' said Curtis. 'He must have some close
relations with some one about Moate or Kilbeggan, for it is remarked he
cannot keep away from the neighbourhood; but who are his friends, or what
they are meditating, we cannot guess.'

'If what Mademoiselle Kostalergi said this morning be correct,' remarked
Atlee, 'conjecture is unnecessary. She told Dick and myself that every
Irishman is at heart a rebel.'

'I said more or less of one, Mr. Atlee, since there are some who have not
the courage of their opinions.'

'I hope you are gratified by the emendation,' whispered Dick; and then
added aloud, 'Donogan is not one of these.'

'He's a consummate fool,' cried Curtis bluntly. 'He thinks the attack of
a police-barrack or the capture of a few firelocks will revolutionise
Ireland.'

'He forgets that t