The O'Donoghue Part 60

"I have been unable to r.e.t.a.r.d any longer the course of proceedings against your cousin. It would seem that the charges against him are far more grave and menacing than either of us antic.i.p.ated, at least so far as I can collect from the information before me. The Privy Council has determined on arresting him at once. Orders to support the warrant by a military force have been transmitted to officers commanding parties in different towns of the south, and there is no longer a question of the intentions of the crown regarding him. But one, of two, chances is now open to him--to surrender and take his trial--or, should he, as he may, without any imputation on his courage, dread this, to make his escape to the coast, near Kenmare, where a lugger will lie off, on Wednesday night. By this means he will be able to reach some port in France or Flanders; or, probably, should the wind change, obtain protection from some of the American vessels, which are reported as cruising to the westward.

"In making this communication to you, I need scarcely observe the implicit faith I repose in the use you make of it. It is intended to be the means of providing for your cousin's safety--but should it, by any accident, fall under other eyes than yours, it would prove the inevitable ruin of your very devoted servant,

"Wm. Hemsworth."

"And they will not believe this man's integrity?" exclaimed Kate, as she finished reading the note. "He who jeopardies his own station and character for the sake of one actually his enemy! Well, _their_ injustice shall not involve _my_ honor." "Was it you brought this letter?" said she to Wylie, who stood, hat in hand, at the door.

"Yes, my lady, and I was told there might, perhaps, be an answer."

"No--there is none; say 'very well'--that I have read it. Where is Mr.

Hemsworth?"

"At Macroom. There was a meeting of magistrates there, which delayed him, and he wrote this note, and sent me on, instead of coming himself."

"Say, that I shall be happy to see him--that's enough," said Kate, hurriedly, and turned back again into the house.

Through all the difficulties that beset her path hitherto, she had found Sir Archy an able and a willing adviser; but now, the time was come, when not only must she act independently of his aid, but, perhaps, in actual opposition to his views--taking for her guidance one distrusted by almost every member of her family. Yet what alternative remained--how betray Hemsworth's conduct in a case which, if known, must exhibit him as false to the Government, and acting secretly against the very orders that were given to him? This, she could not think of, and thus by the force of circ.u.mstances, was constrained to accept of Hemsworth as an ally. Her anxious deliberations on this score were suddenly interrupted by the sound of horses galloping on the road, and as she looked out, the individual in question rode up the causeway, followed by his groom.

The O'Donoghue was alone in the drawing-room, musing over the sad events which necessitated Mark's concealment, when Hemsworth entered, heated by a long and fast ride.

"Is your son at home, sir--your eldest son?" said he, as soon as a very brief greeting was over.

"If you'll kindly ring that bell, which my gout won't permit me to reach, we'll inquire," said the old man, with a well-affected indifference.

"I must not create any suspicion among the servants," said Hemsworth, cautiously, "I have reason to believe that some danger is impending over him, and that he had better leave this house for a day or two."

The apparent frankness of the tone in which he spoke, threw the O'Donoghue completely off his guard, and taking Hemsworth's hand, he said--

"Thank you sincerely for this, the poor boy got wind of it this morning, and I trust before now, has reached some place of safety for the present--but what steps can we take? is there anything you can advise us to do?--I'm really so bewildered by all I hear, and so doubtful of what is true and what false, that I'm incapable of an opinion. Here comes the only clear head amongst us. Kate, my sweet child, Mr. Hemsworth, like a kind friend, has come over about this affair of Mark's--will you and Sir Archy talk it over with him?"

"I beg your pardon for the interruption, sir, but I must recall to your memory that I am a magistrate, charged with your son's arrest, and if by an unguarded expression," here he smiled significantly, "I have betrayed my instructions--I rely on your honour not to expose me to the consequences."

The O'Donoghue listened, without thoroughly comprehending the distinction the other aimed at, and then, as if disliking the trouble of a thought that puzzled him--he shook his head and muttered, "Aye, very well--be it so--my niece knows these matters better than I do."

"I agree with that opinion, perfectly," said Hemsworth, in an undertone, "and if Miss O'Donoghue will favor me with her company for a few minutes in the garden, I may be able to a.s.sist her to a clear understanding of the case." Kate smiled a.s.sentingly, and Hemsworth moved towards the door and opened it; and then, as if after a momentary struggle with his own diffidence, he offered her his arm; this Kate declined, and they walked along, side by side.

They had nearly reached the middle of the garden before Hemsworth broke silence. At last he said, with a deep sigh--"I fear we are too late Miss O'Donoghue. The zeal, real or affected, of the country magistrates, has stimulated them to the utmost. There are spies over the whole country--he will inevitably be taken."

Rate re-echoed the last words in an accent of deep anguish, and was silent.

"Yes," resumed he, "escape is all but impossible--for even if he should get to sea, there are two cruisers on the look-out for any suspicious sail.

"And what if he were to surrender and stand his trial," said Kate, boldly.

Hemsworth shook his head sorrowfully, but never spoke. "What object can it be with any Government to hunt down a rash, inexperienced youth, whose unguarded boldness has led him to ruin? On whom would such an example tell, or where would the lesson spread terror, save beneath that old roof yonder, where sorrows are rife enough already?"

"The correspondence with France--that's his danger. The intercourse with the disturbed party at home might be palliated by his youth--the foreign conspiracy admits of little apology." "And what evidence have they of this?"

"Alas! but too much--the table of the Privy Council was actually covered with copies of letters and doc.u.ments--some, written by himself--almost all, referring to him as a confidential and trusty agent of the cause.

This cannot be forgiven him! When I heard a member of the Council say, 'Jackson's blood is dried up already,' I guessed the dreadful result of this young man's capture."

Kate shuddered at these words, which were uttered in a faint tone, tremulous through emotion. "Oh, G.o.d," she cried, "do not let this calamity fall upon us. Poverty, dest.i.tution, banishment, anything, save the death of a felon!"

Hemsworth pressed his handkerchief to his eyes, and looked away, as the young girl, with upturned face, muttered a brief but fervent prayer to heaven.

"But you, so gifted and experienced in the world's ways," cried she, turning on him a glance of imploring meaning--"can you not think of anything? Is there no means, however difficult and dangerous, by which he might be saved? Could not the honor of an ancient house plead for him? Is there no pledge for the future could avail him."

"There is but one such pledge--and that"--here he stopped and blushed deeply, and then, as if by an effort, resumed--"Do not, I beseech you, tempt me to utter what, if once spoken, decides the destiny of my life?"

He ceased, and she bent on him a look of wondering astonishment. She thought she had not heard him aright, and amid her fears of some vague kind, a faint hope struggled, that a chance of saving Mark yet remained.

Perhaps, the mere expression of doubt her features a.s.sumed, was more chilling than even a look of displeasure, for Hemsworth's self possession, for several minutes, seemed to have deserted him; when, at last recovering himself, he said--

"Pray, think no more of my words, I spoke them rashly. I know of no means of befriending this young man. He rejected my counsels when they might have served him. I find how impossible it is to win confidence from those whose prejudices have been fostered in adverse circ.u.mstances.

Now, I am too late--my humble task is merely to offer you some advice, which the day of calamity may recall to your memory. The Government intends to make a severe example of his case. I heard so much, by accident, from the Under Secretary. They will proceed, in the event of his conviction--of which there cannot be a doubt--to measures of confiscation regarding his property--timely intervention might be of service here."

This additional threat of misfortune did not seem to present so many terrors to Kate's mind as he calculated on its producing. She stood silent and motionless, and appeared scarcely to notice his words.

"I feel how barbarous such cruelty is to an old and inoffensive parent,"

said Hemsworth, "whose heart is rent by the recent loss of a son."

"He must not die," said Kate, with a hollow voice, and her pale cheek trembled with a convulsive motion. "Mark must be saved. What was the pledge you hinted at?"

Hemsworth's eyes flashed, and his lip curled with an expression of triumph. The moment, long sought, long hoped for, had at length arrived, which should gratify both his vengeance and his ambition. The emotion pa.s.sed rapidly away, and his features a.s.sumed a look of subdued sorrow.

"I fear, Miss O'Donoghue," said he, "that my hope was but like the straw which the drowning hand will grasp at; but, tortured as my mind has been by expedients, which more mature thought has ever discovered to be impracticable, I suffered myself to believe that possible, which my own heart forbids me to hope for."

He waited a few seconds to give her an opportunity of speaking, but she was silent, and he went on--

"The guarantee I alluded to would be the pledge of one, whose loyalty to the Government stands above suspicion; one, whose services have met no requital, but whose reward only awaits the moment of demanding it; such a one as this might make his own character and fortune the recognizance for this young man's conduct, and truck the payment of his own services for a free pardon."

"And who is there thus highly placed, and willing to befriend us."

Hemsworth laid his hand upon his heart, and bowing with deep humility, uttered, in a low, faint voice--

"He who now stands before you!"

"You," cried Kate, as clasping her hands in an ecstacy, she fixed her tearful eyes upon him. "You would do this?" Then growing suddenly pale, as a sick shudder came over her, she said, in a deep and broken voice, "At what price, sir?"

The steady gaze she fixed upon him seemed to awe and abash him, and it was with unfeigned agitation that he now spoke.

"A price which the devotion of a life long could not repay. Alas! a price I dare no more aspire to, than hope for."

"Speak plainly, sir," said Kate, in a firm, collected tone, "this is not a moment for misconception. What part have I to play in this compact, for by your manner I suppose you include me in it?"

"Forgive me, young lady, I have not courage to place the whole fortunes of my life upon one cast; already I feel the heaviness of heart that heralds in misfortune. I would rather live on with even this faint glimmer of hope than with the darkness of despair for ever." His hands dropped powerless at his side, his head fell forward on his bosom, and as if without an effort of his will, almost unconsciously his lips muttered the words, "I love you."

Had the accents been the sting of an adder they could not have called up an expression of more painful meaning than flashed over Kate's features.