when, looking up, she
saw a light in a window. Instantly she gave forth one of her wild
songs. Some of those within who had heard of the famed Banshee were
fully persuaded that it was a phantom visitor singing outside the gates,
indicative of the speedy death of some one of consequence within. At
length the window opened.

"Who's there?" asked a feminine voice. "Surely it is some mortal, and
not a spirit from another world."

"I'm sure it is," said another voice.

"It's the poor girl Miss O'Reilly was telling us about. What is it you
want, Kathleen?" asked the speaker in a tender tone.

"Is it you who calls me, my lady?" answered Kathleen from below.

"Yes, it is I; what brings you here at this hour of the night?"

"A message--a paper for the Earl, my lady," said the mad girl. "It is
from one who would serve him, and it is of great importance he told me.
I cannot say more now; but if you will let me into the castle I will
place it in your hands, and tell you all I know."

"Come round to the front door," said a voice, which was that of Lady
Sophy. "We will come down with a light, and admit you."

Some time was occupied by the young ladies in putting on their dresses,
and then arousing the Earl with the information that a message of
importance was brought for him, they hastened down stairs.

At first, from the incoherent way in which poor Kathleen spoke, Lady
Sophy and Nora could not understand what had occurred. At length the
truth dawned upon them, and by the time the Earl appeared, they were
able to explain to him what they had learned.

He at once clearly understood that Dermot had been seized by those who
intended to carry off his own son, and he felt not a little grateful to
the young fisher-boy for the way he had behaved in the matter. He saw
likewise that no time was to be lost, and that it would be necessary
both to send off messengers to procure troops from the nearest place
where they were quartered, and also immediately to put the castle into a
state of defence. He regretted the absence of the frigate, and could
only hope that she might return sooner than it had been Captain
Falkner's intention of doing.

In vain Lady Sophy pressed poor Kathleen, after her exertions, to remain
and rest at the castle.

"No, no," she answered; "I will be back again at my home. If I am
absent, they will suspect that I have taken a part in this matter; and
though they can do me no harm, they may injure tho