give you?'

'The times we are living in give most of us excitement enough,' said
Donogan. 'The man who wants to gamble for life itself need not be balked
now.'

'You mean that a man can take a shot at an emperor?' said Kearney
inquiringly.

'No, not that exactly; though there are stakes of that kind some men would
not shrink from. What are called "arms of precision" have had a great
influence on modern politics. When there's no time for a plebiscite,
there's always time for a pistol.'

'Bad morality, Mr. Daniel,' said Kearney gravely.

'I suspect we do not fairly measure what Mr. Daniel says,' broke in Kate.
'He may mean to indicate a revolution, and not justify it.'

'I mean both!' said Donogan. 'I mean that the mere permission to live under
a bad government is too high a price to pay for life at all. I'd rather go
"down into the streets," as they call it, and have it out, than I'd drudge
on, dogged by policemen, and sent to gaol on suspicion.'

'He is right,' cried Nina. 'If I were a man, I'd think as he does.'

'Then I'm very glad you're not,' said Kearney; 'though, for the matter of
rebellion, I believe you would be a more dangerous Fenian as you are. Am I
right, Mr. Daniel?'

'I am disposed to say you are, sir,' was his mild reply.

'Ain't we important people this evening!' cried Kearney, as the servant
entered with another telegram. 'This is for you, Mr. Daniel. I hope we're
to hear that the Cabinet wants you in Downing Street.'

'I'd rather it did not,' said he, with a very peculiar smile, which did
not escape Kate's keen glance across the table, as he said, 'May I read my
despatch?'

'By all means,' said Kearney; while, to leave him more undisturbed, he
turned to Nina, with some quizzical remark about her turn for the telegraph
coming next. 'What news would you wish it should bring you, Nina?' asked
he.

'I scarcely know. I have so many things to wish for, I should be puzzled
which to place first.'

'Should you like to be Queen of Greece?' asked Kate.

'First tell me if there is to be a King, and who is he?'

'Maybe it's Mr. Daniel there, for I see he has gone off in a great hurry to
say he accepts the crown.'

'What should you ask for, Kate,' cried Nina, 'if Fortune were civil enough
to give you a chance?'

'Two days' rain for my turnips,' said Kate quickly. 'I don't remember
wishing for anything so much in all my life.'

'Your turnips!' cried Nina contemptuously.

'Why not? If you we