e old man's chair, as he whispered the
words into his ear.

The O'Donoghue nodded an assent.

"Without knowing that," continued Hemsworth, "I should be uncertain how
to proceed. I must not let the Government suppose me either ignorant or
lukewarm. Lose no time, therefore; send off the letter, and leave the
rest to me."

"You are not going to ride, I hope," said Kate, as she looked out of the
window down the glen, where already the rain was falling in torrents,
and the wind blowing a perfect hurricane. Hemsworth muttered a few words
in a low tone, at which Kate coloured, and looked away.

"Nay, Miss O'Donoghue," said he, still whispering, "I am not one of
those who make a bargain for esteem; if I cannot win regard, I will
never buy it."

There was a sadness in his words, and an air of self-respect about him,
as he spoke them, that touched Kate far more than ever she had been
before by any expression of his feelings. When she saw him leave the
room, her first thought was, "It is downright meanness to suspect him."

"Is it not strange, Kate," said the O'Donoghue, as he took her hand in
his, "he never mentioned the French landing to us? What can this mean?"

"I believe I can understand it, sir," said Kate, musingly; for already
she had settled in her mind, that while Hemsworth would neglect no
measures for the safety of Carrig-na-curra, he scrupled to announce
tidings which might overwhelm them with alarm and terror. "But let us
think of the letter; Kerry, I suppose, is the best person to send with
it."

"Yes, Kerry can take it; and as the way does not lead past Mary's door,
there's a chance of his delivering it without a delay of three hours on
the road."

"There, sir, will that do?" said Kate, as she handed him a paper, on
which hastily a few lines were written.

"Perfectly--nothing better; only, my sweet Kate, when a note begins
'my dear son,' it should scarcely be signed 'your own affectionate Kate
O'Donoghue.'"

Kate blushed deeply, as she tore the paper in fragments, and without A
word reseated herself at the table.

"I have done better this time," said she, as she folded the note and
sealed it; while the old man, with an energy quite unusual for him,
arose and rung the bell for Kerry.

"Did I ever think I could have done this," said Kate to herself, as a
tear slowly coursed along her cheek and fell on the letter; "that I could
dare to recall him, when both honour and country demand his services;
tha