has been
the enemy of my own. The epaulette which _you_ wear with honour, would
be a badge of disgrace upon _my_ shoulder. Good-bye, I can afford to
thank you, because you have not made a service take the form of an
'amende.'"

Travers forbore to press him further. He wisely judged that enough had
been done for the present, and that his safety being provided for, time
and opportunity would both present themselves for the remainder. He
shook his proffered hand with cordiality, and they separated, Frederick
to return to Dublin, Mark to wander wherever chance might incline him.

"He said truly," exclaimed Mark, as soon as he once more found himself
separated from his companion--"he said truly, the chances were never
in our favour, and at present we have not a single one left. The cause
which depends on such elements as these is worse than hopeless." Such
were the words that broke from him, as, in sorrow and humiliation, he
remembered the character of his associates, and felt, in deep shame, the
companionship he had fallen into. "Had there been but one true to me!"
exclaimed he, in accents of misery, "I could have stood against the
shock, stout hearted; but to find all false--all!"

Seeking out some of the least frequented lanes, he rode on for
several miles, caring little which way, so long as he turned from the
capital;--for although as yet no personal danger threatened him,
a nervous sense of shame made him dread the sight of his former
acquaintances. Again and again did the thought recur to him: "How will
Kate hear me spoken of? In what light will my actions be displayed to
her? Is it as the miserable dupe of such a wretch as Lawler, or is it
as the friend and chosen companion of Barrington, I would be known? And
yet, what have I to fear, to whom no hope is left!"

Among the many sources of his sorrow, one recurred at every moment, and
mingled itself with every other thought: "What would their noble-hearted
friends in France say of them?--how would they speak of a land whose
struggle for freedom is stained with treachery, or which cannot number
in the ranks of its defenders but the felon or the outlaw?"

For the deceit practised on the people he felt bitterly. He knew with
what devotedness they followed the cause--the privations they had borne
in silence, awaiting the time of retribution--how they had forborne all
ebullitions of momentary passion, in expectation of the day of a greater
reckoning--with what trust th