they are."

While this conversation was going forward, the ship rapidly approached
the shore, under a wide spread of canvas. They had soon an opportunity
of ascertaining her character. At length she stood into the bay, and,
furling her sails, came to an anchor. The wind was at that time
sufficiently from the north to enable her to obtain perfect shelter, and
she floated calmly on the smooth waters. It was still early in the day.
They watched for a short time, but no boat could put off to approach
the Castle, though they fancied they saw one standing in for another
part of the bay.

At that time Ireland was suffering, as she had long been, from her usual
chronic disorder--discontent. Disturbances had occurred here and there
in the west and south among the Riband Men, or White Boys, or United
Irishmen, by which names the rebels were at different times and places
known. The Government, therefore, had considered it necessary to send
vessels of war to cruise up and down the coast, that their blue-jackets
and marines might render such assistance as might be required. This was
so generally the case at present, that the arrival of the corvette did
not cause any unusual sensation among the inhabitants of the coast who
lived near enough to the sea to observe her. Several men-of-war had in
the same way entered the bay of late, and, after remaining a few days,
had taken their departure. The young ladies had arranged that, later in
the day, they would take a ride over the downs, and, after calling on
Miss O'Reilly, at the Vicarage, look in upon some of the poor people
whom they were in the habit of visiting.

Meantime, we must go to the other end of the bay, where an old man might
be seen descending the narrow gorge which led down to the small cove
where the Widow O'Neil resided. It was Father O'Rourke. He proceeded
on in a somewhat meditative mood, until he reached the cottage. He
opened the door, and found the widow sitting on the usual stool,
employed in mending her nets.

"And what brings you here, Father O'Rourke?" she said, looking up at him
with a glance which showed that he was not a favourite of hers.

"Widow, I have come to speak about a matter of importance," he answered.
"I hear, in spite of all my warnings, and all the instruction I have
given you, by which you would be sure to find your way to heaven, that
you still go to that heretic minister, Mr Jamieson, as you used to do
when I before warned you.