to reach, we'll inquire," said the old man, with a well-affected
indifference.

"I must not create any suspicion among the servants," said Hemsworth,
cautiously, "I have reason to believe that some danger is impending over
him, and that he had better leave this house for a day or two."

The apparent frankness of the tone in which he spoke, threw the
O'Donoghue completely off his guard, and taking Hemsworth's hand, he
said--

"Thank you sincerely for this, the poor boy got wind of it this morning,
and I trust before now, has reached some place of safety for the
present--but what steps can we take? is there anything you can advise us
to do?--I'm really so bewildered by all I hear, and so doubtful of what
is true and what false, that I'm incapable of an opinion. Here comes the
only clear head amongst us. Kate, my sweet child, Mr. Hemsworth, like a
kind friend, has come over about this affair of Mark's--will you and Sir
Archy talk it over with him?"

"I beg your pardon for the interruption, sir, but I must recall to your
memory that I am a magistrate, charged with your son's arrest, and if by
an unguarded expression," here he smiled significantly, "I have
betrayed my instructions--I rely on your honour not to expose me to the
consequences."

The O'Donoghue listened, without thoroughly comprehending the
distinction the other aimed at, and then, as if disliking the trouble of
a thought that puzzled him--he shook his head and muttered, "Aye, very
well--be it so--my niece knows these matters better than I do."

"I agree with that opinion, perfectly," said Hemsworth, in an undertone,
"and if Miss O'Donoghue will favor me with her company for a few minutes
in the garden, I may be able to assist her to a clear understanding of
the case." Kate smiled assentingly, and Hemsworth moved towards the door
and opened it; and then, as if after a momentary struggle with his own
diffidence, he offered her his arm; this Kate declined, and they walked
along, side by side.

They had nearly reached the middle of the garden before Hemsworth broke
silence. At last he said, with a deep sigh--"I fear we are too late Miss
O'Donoghue. The zeal, real or affected, of the country magistrates,
has stimulated them to the utmost. There are spies over the whole
country--he will inevitably be taken."

Rate re-echoed the last words in an accent of deep anguish, and was
silent.

"Yes," resumed he, "escape is all but impossible--for even if he should