a people so much our superiors."

Kate's eyes flashed with an unwonted fire, and for an instant she felt
almost unable to control the temptation to answer this taunt; but a
quiet smile of half acquiescence on Hemsworth's face so adequately
expressed what she wished but dared not say, that she merely returned
the smile, and was silent.

Had Hemsworth's whole object been on that evening to disabuse Kate
O'Donoghue of her dislike to him--to obliterate all memory of the wrongs
with which she had heard him charged towards her family--he could
not have chosen a more successful path. There was the very degree of
firmness and decision she admired in the manner he gave his opinions,
and yet all the courtesy of one who would not be supposed capable of
advancing them as incontrovertible or irrefutable. They were merely
his sentiments--his mode of seeing and estimating particular events, of
which another might judge differently. For all he advanced he was
ready to show his reasons--they might be shallow, they might be
inconclusive--but they were _his_, and, fortunately for his chance of
winning her favour, they were _her_ opinions also.

"So you think we shall have no outbreak, Hemsworth," said Sir Marmaduke,
as they sat at tea.

"I scarcely go so far," said he, gravely. "There are too many reasons
for an opposite fear, to say so much, even if the Secretary of State did
not assure us that the danger is over. The youth of Ireland will always
be dangerous, when left without a career, or a road to their ambition;
and from them, any peril that may now be apprehended will certainly
come. Many young men of the best families of the country, whose estates
are deeply incumbered--heavy mortgages and large dowries weighing them
down--are ready to join in any bold attempt which promises a new order
of things. They see themselves forgotten in the distribution of all
patronage--excluded from every office---sometimes for reasons of
religion--sometimes for family, even for a mere name's sake. They are
ready to play a bold game, where losing is only quicker ruin, and to
gain would be a glorious victory."

"But what could a few rash and desperate young men like these effect
against a power so great and so consolidated as England?"

"Little, perhaps, as regards the overthrow of a Government; but a world
of injury to the prospect of future quiet. The rebellion of a week--ay,
a day--in Ireland, will sow the seeds of fifty years of misery, and
re