, I hope, be got
over soon."

While she was yet speaking, the door softly opened, and Kerry, with
a noiseless step, slipped in, and approaching the table unseen and
unheard, was beside the O'Donoghue's chair before he was perceived.

"Whisht, master dear--whisht, Miss Kate," said he, with a gesture of
warning towards the door. "There's great news without. The French is
landed--twenty-eight ships is down in Bantry Bay. Bony himself is with
them. I heard it all, as Sam Wylie was telling Hems-worth; I was inside
the pantry door."

"The French landed!" cried the O'Donoghue, in whom amazement overcame
all sensation of joy or sorrow.

"The French here in Ireland!" cried Kate, her eyes sparkling with
enthusiastic delight; but before she could add a word, Hemsworth
reentered. Whether his efforts to seem calm and unmoved were in
reality well-devised, or that, as is more probable, Hemsworth's own
pre-occupation prevented his strict observance of the others, he never
remarked that the O'Donoghue and his niece exhibited any traits of
anxiety or impatience; while Kerry, after performing a variety of very
unnecessary acts and attentions about the table, at last left the room,
with a sigh over his inability to protract his departure.

Hemsworth eye wandered to the door to see if it was closed before he
spoke; and then leaning forward, said, in a low, cautious voice--

"I have just heard some news that may prove very important. A number of
the people have assembled in arms in the glen, your son Mark at their
head. What their precise intentions, or whither they are about to direct
their steps, I know not; but I see clearly that young Mr. O'Donoghue
will fatally compromise himself, if this rash step become known. The
Government never could forgive such a proceeding on his part. I need
not tell you that this daring must be a mere hopeless exploit; such
enterprises have but one termination--the scaffold."

The old man and his niece exchanged glances--rapid, but full of
intelligence. Each seemed to ask the other, "Is this man false? Is
he suppressing a part of the truth at this moment, or is this all
invention? Why has he not spoken of the great event--the arrival of the
French?"

Kate was the first to venture to sound him, as she asked--

"And is the rising some mere sudden ebullition of discontent, or have
they concerted any movement with others at a distance?"

"A mere isolated outbreak--the rash folly of hair-brained boys, w