red Desborough, hotly, "though I 'd
soil a sword by passing it through you. What was Dunmore thinking of
when he put you in charge of this party and sent you to do this work, I
wonder? Give your orders to your men to unhand this gentleman
instantly. You will give your parole, sir? I regret that we are
compelled to secure your person, but those were the orders; and you,
madam," turning to Katharine, "I believe no order requires you to be
taken prisoner, and therefore you shall go free."

But Katharine had knelt down by her prostrate lover as soon as the
space in front of her had been cleared, and was entirely oblivious to
all that was taking place about her.

"Allow me to introduce myself, colonel," he resumed. "I am Lord
Desborough. I have often heard my father, the Earl of Desmond, in
Ireland, speak of you. I regret that we meet under such unpleasant
circumstances, but the governor's orders must be carried out, though I
wish he had sent a more worthy representative to do so. I will see,
however, that everything is done for your comfort in the future."

"Sir," said the colonel, bowing, "you have rendered me a service I can
never repay. I know your father well. He is one of the finest
gentlemen of his time, and his son has this day shown that he is worthy
of the honored name he bears. I will go with you cheerfully, and you
have my parole of honor. Katharine, you are free; you will be safe in
the house, I think, until I can arrange for your departure."

She looked up from the floor, and then rose. "Oh, father, he is dead,
he is dead," she moaned. "Yes, I will go with you; take me away."

"Nay, my child, I cannot."

"Enough of this!" broke in the sneering voice of Johnson. "She has
been taken in open resistance to the king's forces, and, warrant or no
warrant, orders or no orders, or court-martial either," this with a
malevolent glance at Desborough, "she goes with us as a prisoner."

"I will pledge my word, Colonel Wilton, that no violence is offered
her," exclaimed Desborough, promptly, and then, turning to Katharine,--

"Trust me, madam."

"I do, sir," she said faintly, giving him her hand. "You are very
kind."

"It is nothing, mistress," he replied, bowing low over it, as he raised
it respectfully to his lips. "I will hold you safe with my life."

"Very pretty," sneered Johnson; "but are you coming?"

"What shall we do with these two, captain?" asked the sergeant, kicking
the prostrate fo