bell, ordered four horses, and in a state little short of madness, penned a hasty note to the village surgeon, of which the words "thanks," "kindness," "enclosed trifle," "sudden departure," associated with a bank post-bill for twenty pounds, informed the son of Apollo that the best patient he had met with, since he first "dabbled in galenicals, was off."

Leaving our hero for a time to pursue his rapid journey with all the haste of quick relays and double-paid postillions, we shall nevertheless anticipate him, and return to his cheerless home.

The Irish executive had long been well aware that political meetings of the revolutionary leaders were regularly held at Castle Carra. An agent in their pay (he still lives, and lives in lavish splendour, spending in Paris the wages of his infamy) was a constant attendant, and as he ranked high in the military organization of the conspirators, he was without suspicion enabled to penetrate their secret plans and councils. Durton (the Colonel whom Mahony accompanied on the night of Henry's return) was a traitor to the party, and from his superior

intelligence, and the deep confidence reposed in him by the United Irishmen, government determined to the last to keep him undiscovered by the party he had betrayed, and avail themselves of his talents and information to crush those of their enemies in whom the real or fancied danger lay. Hence the arrest of Major O'Hara was postponed in consequence of Durton's welcome intelligence that Lord Edward (of whom the government had long since lost every trace) had been at the meeting of the Ulster Baronial Committee. Anxious to secure his victim, Durton left the room without remark, having made some plausible excuse; but, on searching for his horse, he had the mortification to find that the animal had strayed from his stable. In his attempt to reach Newbridge by crossing the lake, he was equally unfortunate; for, contrary to the usual custom, the boats were chained and the oars removed. While thus engaged, he saw the delegates retire, and as a second meeting was to be holden on the following night, he determined to wait till then, and surprise Lord Edward, whom he confidently calculated on finding at Castle

Carra. He accordingly concealed a military force in the neighbourhood, and proceeded to the appointed rendezvous; but his chagrin was inexpressible on finding the object he had so long pursued had again eluded his vigilance, and left the north for Dublin. Thither he de

cided on following him, and knowing that Henry had been the companion of his journey, he had his movements assiduously observed. But, as our reader is already informed, young O'Hara knew nothing of Lord Edward from the night of their arrival, and thus Durton again was disappointed. Having obtained intelligence that the Leinster committee would meet on a certain night, he naturally concluded that Fitzsteven, if he still remained in Dublin, would be there. In the mean time, Henry left that place for London, and the celebrated arrest of the committee at Bond's took place, and once more the government and their indefatigable agent failed in the chief object of their pursuit. Durton, conscious that the mask must now be withdrawn, openly denounced the rebel leaders, and fearful that his life would be the forfeit of his treachery, he claimed the protection of his

employers, and was accommodated with apartments in the castle. Major O'Hara, and others of the principals, were immediately arrested, and the government, hoping to deter those who were as yet but partially engaged in the conspiracy, by a terrible example, decided on bringing O'Hara to instant trial, and for this purpose the severe and summary provisions of the Insurrection Act were resorted to.

CHAPTER V.

"Tis sweet to hear

In good greenwood the bugle blown,
But sweeter to Revenge's ear,
To drink a tyrant's dying groan.

Scott.

THE Coach which bore him to London had been the subject of many a querulous complaint from O'Hara. The horses were slow as tops-the

very

coachman kept no time-the wheels were locked, and they should be an age upon the road. But now returning, what a change!he, who a month ago would have thought one of Sadler's flights but tardy travelling-who was fidgetty and uncomfortable at every delay, now reclined in the carriage, unconscious of its rapid motion, his eyes resting on vacancy, and

taking no note of time;" village and town succeeded each other unremarked, and the bustling waiter was obliged to remind him