"Sir, you have no right in my father's house; and, to tell you the
truth, I did not expect such outlawry from a man who had shown himself
to be a gentleman."

"Thank you for that, Lord Strepp; but, nevertheless, tell your father
to try to cultivate a conciliatory frame of mind, and let us talk the
matter over as sensible men should."

"We cannot compromise with you, O'Ruddy," said Lord Strepp in a very
determined tone, which for the first time made me doubt the wisdom of
my proceedings; for of course it was a compromise I had in mind all
the time, for I knew as well as Father Donovan that if he refused to
settle with me my position was entirely untenable.

"We cannot compromise with you," went on the young man. "You have no
right, legal or moral, to this place, and you know it. I have advised
my father to make no terms with you. Good day to you, sir."

And with that he galloped off, while I drew a very long face as I
turned away.

"Father Donovan," I said, when I had closed the window, "I am not sure
but your advice to me on the way here was nearer right than I thought
at the time."

"Oh, not a bit of it," cried Father Donovan cheerfully. "You heard
what the young man said, that he had advised his father not to make
any terms with you. Very well, that means terms have been proposed
already; and this youth rejects the wisdom of age, which I have known
to be done before."

"You think, then, they will accept a conference?"

"I am sure of it. These men will not stand fire, and small blame to
them. What chance have they? As your captain says, he could annihilate
the lot of them before they crushed in the front door. The men who ran
away have far more sense than that brainless spalpeen who led them on,
although I can see he is brave enough. One or two more useless attacks
will lead him to a more conciliatory frame of mind, unless he appeals
to the law, which is what I thought he would do; for I felt sure a
sheriff would be in the van of attack. Just now you are opposed only
to the Earl of Westport; but, when the sheriff comes on, you're
fornenst the might of England."

This cheered me greatly, and after a while we had our dinner in peace.
The long afternoon passed slowly away, and there was no rally in the
village, and no sign of a further advance; so night came on and
nothing had been done. After supper I said good-night to Father
Donovan, threw myself, dressed as I was, on the bed, and fell into a
doze. It was