on such matters; for, as you are aware, his grandfather, Sir Thomas Forster, was a celebrated judge, and also his uncle, Sir Robert, who settled at Egham, in Surrey."

"Yes," said Dermot Oge, "I am fully cognizant of that already; but, as you are not inclined to hear the deed read at present, may I ask what is the nature of the despatch you have received?”

The Chieftain handed him the letter, saying, “This will afford you an opportunity of satisfying yourself.”

Dermot Oge then trimmed the lamp, and, taking the proffered packet, read aloud the address

“To Roger O'Shaughnessy, Esquire, of Gortinsiguara, These," and, taking off the cover, continued as follows:

"By His Excellency Richard Earl of Tyrconnell, Lord Lieutenant General, and General Governor of Ireland.

"SIR,-His Excellency regrets much your ill health, but hopes daily to hear you are better. Indeed, he knows well your zeal in the King's cause, which is now your country's cause also. His Majesty is daily expected at Cork, and, of course, will call a Parliament to meet in May next. I need not urge you to give every assistance in providing recruits for the army, as you are well aware that the ranks of the several regiments should be filled at once, owing to disturbances arising in the North. Captain Forster will take charge of recruits from your estates. His father, the present High Sheriff of the county of Galway, stands high in the confidence of the Government, and he can now be of great service to the King. You are likely soon to be restored to the former honours of the O'Shaughnessy family, and his Excellency hopes soon to see you, and thereby renew former acquaintance.

"By His Excellency's command,

"RICHARD NAGLE (18).

"Given at Dublin Castle, this the 28th day of February, 1689."

"I care but little," said O'Shaughnessy, "either for his promises or rewards. Nothing makes me act but a sense of my duty to my religion and my country. Restore me to the honours of the family, indeed! Why! my sept held their position till the time of Henry VIII.”

"Yes," said Dermot Oge, "in Anno Domini 1543, King Henry of England granted to Sir Dermot O'Shaughnessy, Chief of his Name and Nation, and to his heirs male in capite, by service of a knight's fee, the lands of Gortinsiguara, with their several manors, namely—'

"Dermot," interrupted O'Shaughnessy, "you need not repeat them. at present. I was mentioning the fact that my sept maintained their

rights against all, and even the Burkes of Clanrickard could not root us out of our territory; and if my ancestor, Dermot O'Shaughnessy, Chief of his Name, and of Cineal Aodh, did then reluctantly submit to the power of England, it was because all the odds were against him. The Chief of the O'Briens accepted the title of Earl of Thomond, and laid aside the crown of his father. Burke of Clanrickard also submitted, throwing the name of MacWilliam Eighter aside on being created Baron of Dunkellin and Earl of Clanrickard. As to the title of knighthood which my family held under the patent granted by King Henry, you know, Dermot, that the patent of the 20th December, 1676, to me did not confirm it."

"I know that," said Dermot Oge, "inasmuch as your patent commenced as if a de noro grant, you paying certain quit or crown rents, instead of knight's service in the camp. Therefore, unless the honour of knighthood is conferred on you, you are not entitled to bear it. Nevertheless, wherever you are known you are esteemed and respected as the descendant of the Chiefs of Hy Fiachrach. Aidhne, and the ancient monarchs of our country."

"I feel I am, Dermot Oge," said O'Shaughnessy; "but, as supper hour has arrived, we will defer discussing the subject until to-morrow."

"As you please," said Dermot Oge, who commenced to arrange the papers on the table; and, having carefully tied each packet with divers coloured tape, conveyed them to the Muniment Chamber, where he placed them on their respective shelves, and, after locking the door, returned to the room.

Here he found Lady Helena O'Shaughnessy seated at the foot of the supper table, which was well supplied with beef, mutton, and the choicest wines; and even tea, which was then considered such a great luxury, had found its way to the Castle of Fidane.

Lady Helena O'Shaughnessy, who was in the full bloom and freshness of womanhood, possessed many admirable qualities, and those enviable charms of personal beauty for which her noble family were long remarkable. Her ladyship was dressed in the gay costume of the Court of the late King Charles, and on her fingers, which were white and tapering, she wore many valuable rings. From a green ribbon which encircled her neck was suspended a miniature of her noble father, the late Lord Clare, while her auburn hair was divested of all artificial ornaments. Lady Helena O'Shaughnessy possessed great wit, which contributed materially to increase the natural vivacity of her disposition; while, at the same time, her conversation was elegant and engaging. Indeed, it would be difficult to find a lady whose demeanour and accomplishments were superior to hers.

Her ladyship received Dermot Oge with great cordiality, and inquired most anxiously after the health of his family.

"Margaret Lynch," said Dermot Oge, who was accustomed to call his wife by her maiden name, "is well, and so are all the little ones. My eldest daughter, Mrs. Conor O'Hogan, of Kilkeedy, also enjoys good health; and I know your ladyship will be glad to hear that Conor is a kind husband, and in independent circumstances."

"The O'Hogans," remarked O'Shaughnessy, who up to this was actively engaged in carving a large joint of beef, "suffered terribly in former times."

"Yes," replied Dermot Oge; "but a few of them have received patents for small portions of their hereditary properties in the barony of Inchiquin-the O'Hogans of Kells and Cross amongst the number."

"I am aware of that already, my friend," said O'Shaughnessy, "but why waste time in talking of the past, while the best part of our supper is getting cold ?"

"I was waiting, sir, for the young lady to join us," said Dermot Oge. The Chief was about replying, when he was prevented by the entrance of his daughter.

Helena O'Shaughnessy was a young, blushing girl, and in manner and appearance resembled her mother. Her hair, however, was of a different colour, being a rich brown, and on the whole she bore a greater resemblance to the O'Shaughnessys than to her maternal ancestors, the Viscounts Clare. She now smilingly advanced, and cordially greeted Dermot Oge, with whom she was a great favourite.

"I am daily expecting the return of my son," said the Chieftain. "He was very uneasy until we gave him permission to visit his uncle, Lord Clare, who is at present busily engaged drilling his regiment of dragoons at Carrigahoult Castle."

"I saw," said Dermot Oge, "the Yellow Dragoons at Clare Castle last year, and certainly they are a very fine body of men, well officered by loyal gentlemen of bravery and discrimination; and your son William must be proud to see his uncle, the Right Honourable Daniel Lord Viscount Clare, the colonel of such a splendid regiment. The sight, I have no doubt, will kindle martial ardour in his veins."

"I do not think he requires to be excited in that way," said O'Shaughnessy," as he appears to be a youth of spirit and resolution, bold and daring. Some time ago I missed him from the castle, and, on going to the court-yard, to my astonishment beheld him throwing his ball high into the air while standing on the top of the western chimney."

Here Lady Helena, whose maternal affection overcame her, exclaimed

"Oh, the rash boy! I fear nothing can tame his wild, impetuous spirit. What shall become of me should anything unfortunate happen to him ?"

"He is a very good hurler, considering his youth," said Dermot Oge, "and well skilled in spearing the speckled trout, which amusement he often pursues at Lough-a-Torig; nor is he deficient in the knowledge of the classics, as far as I am capable of judging."

Yes," said O'Shaughnessy. "I had him at school in Galway, where Latin and Greek are well taught; and he is instructed in French by Father Malony, who is a perfect master of that language, from his long residence on the Continent. He is also an excellent man, and was much beloved by my father."

Glynn, the major-domo, now entered the room, and, bowing low to his Chief, said, "Master Theobald Butler, of Ballygegan, wishes to see you, sir."

"Admit him at once," said O'Shaughnessy, without, however, noticing the deep blush which overspread the countenance of his daughter at the mention of this young gentleman's name, for Theobald had latterly paid her much attention, and she felt that he loved her. Lady Helena, who observed, with the discerning eye of a mother, the attention Theobald had been latterly paying her daughter, smiled meaningly at her; for, as she countenanced his suit, she did not care about concealing her knowledge from Helena. The Butlers of Ballygegan were a family of great antiquity, much respected, and were Jacobites. Theobald was therefore justified in aspiring to the hand of O'Shaughnessy's daughter. Glynn withdrew, and in a few moments after Theobald Butler entered the room.

He was young, not more than twenty years of age-had fair hair, a florid complexion, and was rather tall and stout. He was greeted heartily by all the family, and invited to partake of supper.

"Come, Butler," said O'Shaughnessy, "first take a goblet of wine to whet your appetite."

"Few of my family would refuse a goblet of wine," said Theobald merrily, at the same time filling the measure and draining it to the dregs.

The minstrel, Mac Brody, now entered the room, to the satisfaction of all. Placing him in an arm chair near the fire, the Chieftain handed him a large goblet of wine. After taking a few draughts he commenced to play several well-known Irish airs, while O'Shaughnessy, Dermot Oge, and Theobald engaged the ladies in conversation, until the hour for retiring had arrived.

CHAPTER II.

CLOONEENE.

NEXT morning, after breakfast, O'Shaughnessy said to Dermot Oge— "We will now talk over our affairs in the Muniment Chamber."

Leaving the dining-room they mounted the narrow, winding staircase that led to the closet in which, for many years, were deposited the family documents. Dermot Oge unlocked the door, and, entering, sat down with the Chief.

The roof was a good height. The walls all round were lined with shelves of oak; some dark oak presses and black oak chests, with strong brass rivets, were at the corners. In the centre was an oak table, and distributed in various parts of the room were several chairs of the same material. A silver inkstand, a strong brass-mounted desk, a large silver seal, with the O'Shaughnessy arms engraved on it, and sealingwax of various colours, were placed on the table.

"This room is always kept in good order," said the Chieftain.

"I pique myself on its being so," said Cloran, who, standing up, continued-" Here, O'Shaughnessy, is shelf No. 1, containing acts and deeds of Sir Roger O'Shaughnessy, Strafford's Survey, in 1637-Black Tom, as he was called, who was ill rewarded by his countrymen for his tyranny to us (19). And here are letters from the Supreme Council of the Catholic Confederation to Dermot O'Shaughnessy, Esquire, of Gortinsiguara, one of its members for the county of Galway, in 1643. Your father was not a knight then, as his father, Sir Roger, lived till 1650. This ledger here contains proceedings of the Court of Claims at Loughrea, 1654-7, afterwards held at Athlone; memorandums from France and Flanders during Sir Dermot O'Shaughnessy's exile; claim of Lady Margaret O'Shaughnessy in the Roll of Innocents, 1662-3; the same of Lady Sheela,'-that is to say, Lady Julia-O'Shaughnessy, widow; King Charles's officers, 1649-claim of Sir Dermot O'Shaughnessy therein; same of Adventurers and Soldiers; and same of Connaught Certificates; Court of Claims again, 1662-3; No. 118, Sir Dermot O'Shaughnessy, question as to contiguity-affidavit of Dermot Cloran thereon: my poor father, sir, who well knew all the lands, their bounds and value, and all the law and confiscations which your family were forced to suffer in the past days of spoliation."

"I hope we may never have a recurrence of them," said O'Shaugh