ithout
plan or project."

"What is to become of poor Mark?" cried the O'Donoghue, all suspicions
of treachery forgotten in the anxiety of his son's safety.

"I have thought of that," said Hemsworth, hastily. "The movement must
be put down at once. As a magistrate, and in the full confidence of the
Government, I have no second course open to me, and therefore I have
ordered up the military from Macroom. There are four troops of cavalry
and an infantry regiment there. With them in front, this ill-disciplined
rabble will never dare to advance, but soon scatter and disband
themselves in the mountains--the leaders only will incur any danger.
But as regards your son, you have only to write a few lines to him, and
dispatch them by some trusty messenger, saying that you are aware of
what has happened--know everything--and without wishing to interfere or
thwart his designs, you desire to see and speak with him, here, at once.
This he will not refuse. Once here safe, and within these walls, I'll
hasten the pursuit of these foolish country fellows; and even should
any of them be taken, your son will not be of the number. You must take
care, however, when he is here, that he does not leave this until I
return."

"And are these brave fellows, misguided though they be, to be kidnapped
thus, and by our contrivance, too?" said Kate, on whom, for the first
time, a dread of Hemsworth's duplicity was fast breaking.

"I did not know Miss O'Donoghue's interest took so wide a range, or that
her sympathies were so Catholic," said Hemsworth, with a smile of double
meaning. "If she would save her cousin, however, she must adopt my plan,
or at least suggest a better one."

"Yes, yes, Kate, Mr. Hemsworth is right," said the O'Donoghue, in whom
selfishness was always predominant; "we must contrive to get Mark here,
and to keep him when we have him."

"And you may rely upon it, Miss O'Donoghue," said Hemsworth, in a
whisper, "that my pursuit of the others will not boast of any excessive
zeal in the cause of loyalty. Such fellows may be suffered to escape,
and neither King nor Constitution have any ground of complaint for it."

Kate smiled gratefully in return, and felt angry with herself for even a
momentary injustice to the honourable nature of Hemsworth's motives.

"Mr. Hemsworth's horses is at the door," said Kerry, at the same moment.

"It is, then, agreed upon, that you will write this letter at once,"
said Hemsworth, leaning over th