ure of each of those other
younger ladies who were all clinging so fondly to their respective lovers.
The sight of Mrs. Russell in that languishing attitude came home to the
hearts and consciences of the younger ladies, who all relinquished their
lovers' arms, and insisted on standing by themselves.

Brooke had listened thoughtfully to all that had thus far been said. The
Carlist chief was a puzzle to him, but he saw that there was talk of
holding to ransom, which to him had an ugly sound.

"Sir," said he, "are we to be kept prisoners in this tower?"

"This tower, is it?" said "His Majesty." "Begorra, I hope not. There's
another tower a dale betther nor this. It's mesilf that 'ud be the proud
man til let yez all go, an' yez 'ud all be prouder, I'll go bail; but in
that case, shure to glory, I'd be a loser; but I hope to find yez
comfortable quarthers in a foine stone house not a thousand moiles from
this. Ye'll all be as comfortable as ould Dinny M'Divitt in the song:

"'In a beautiful palace av stone
Resoided ould Diuny M'Divitt;
He wore a most beautiful ring
That were filed round his wrist wid a rivet.
'Twas the judge, shure, that sintinced him there,
An' there all the boys wint til view him,
For the jury considhered him dull
At discernin' twixt "mayum" and "chuum."
So fill up for the toast an' I'll give it:
Here's a health to bowld Dinny M'Divitt!'"

At this the monarch raised the bottle to his mouth and took another long,
long pull.

From this Brooke gathered that they were to be taken to the castle. He
asked "His Majesty" if this were so.

"Begorra, ye've hit it," said "His Majesty.

"Is there anything to prevent our being taken there at once?" asked
Brooke.

"Bedad, there's iverything in loife. Shure, I've come on a surprise-party
til capture the castle."

It occurred to Brooke that this was a curious way to surprise a castle--by
kindling torches, dancing, and singing songs; but he made no remark upon
that. He saw that the chief supposed the castle to be defended, and so he
hastened to undeceive him.

"His Majesty" listened in amazement to Brooke's story.

"Begorra," said he, "here's another surprise! Didn't I say we were a
surprised party? Shure, an' ye've all showed pluck, ivery man jack av yez,
includin' the ladies. An' that same 'll have to be considhered in our
thraitmint wid yez about the ransom. Shure, I'll deduct five per cint., so
I will