come quick and change your dress. We will go
and see what is happening. Oh, this is most exciting, and the day has
been so dull and long. Come, Una, come; we will not let anyone see
us. We will take the most delightful short cuts. We will lie hidden in
ditches while they pass. We must see everything. Come, come, come."

"But--my father----"

"Oh, you dear dutiful child! Just for once don't mind about your father.
I am sure something thrilling is going to happen. Haven't you a duty
of obedience towards your aunt? I cannot go without you, for I should
certainly lose my way."

The arrival of Captain Twinely, Lord Dun-severic's grave face, and his
summons to Neal had filled Una's mind with an undefined dread of some
threatening evil. She was nearly as anxious as her aunt to know what
was to happen. The prospect of a scamper across country through the
rain daunted her very little. She had no doubt of her ability to keep in
touch with the horsemen without being discovered. They would keep to the
high road. To her every short cut was known, every hill for observation,
and every possible hiding-place were as familiar to her as the lawn of
Dunseveric House.

Lord Dunseveric led the way to his own dressing-room, beckoning Neal to
follow him.

"Sit down, Neal," he said, "and listen. I must talk while I boot and
change my coat. This Twinely, who takes rank as a captain of yeomen, and
has, as I suppose, a following of blackguards, brings me orders which I
cannot disobey--at least which I mean to disobey in only one particular.
I am bidden to search your father's meeting-house for cannon supposed
to be concealed there. I am going to search, and search thoroughly. Your
answer will make no difference to my action; but I should like you to
tell me, are the cannon there?"

"I do not believe there are any cannon," said Neal; "I never heard of
them, or had any reason to suspect their existence."

Lord Dunseveric watched him keenly as he replied. Then he said--

"I believe what you say, of course. If there are cannon there you know
nothing of it. Now, another question. I am to arrest several persons
whose names have been sent to me; your name stands second on the list.
Are you a United Irishman? Have you sworn the oath?"

"No," said Neal, without hesitation. "I have not sworn. I have not been
enrolled as one of the society."

"I may take it that the Government has acted on false information in
ordering your arrest?"

"Yes. The