ite free, and here we
have the principal secured."

"Yes, that was very clever of Brian," says Mr. Kelly.

"Did he capture him, then, single-handed? Were not you with him? Were
_you_ in no danger of your life, too?" exclaims Hermia, with such
unwonted animation that every one looks at her. She takes no notice of
their regard, but fixes her kindling eyes on Kelly, who, in returning
her mute protest, forgets that any other more open answer may be
required of him. Then she lets her eyes fall from his, and her face
grows calm and statuesque again, and only the rapid clicking of her
needles show the perturbation of the mind within.

"Did the fellow give you much trouble, Kelly?" asks Ronayne, who in his
secret soul is bitterly regretful he had not been on the scene of
action.

"Not he, the fool!" says Mr. Kelly, with something approaching a smile.
"Brian fired his revolver and grazed his arm slightly,--a mere scratch,
you will understand,--and the miserable creature rolled upon the ground,
doubled himself in two, and, giving himself up as dead, howled dismally.
Not knowing at that time that the poor squire was hurt, Brian and I
roared with laughter: we couldn't help it, the fellow looked so absurd."

They all laugh at this, but presently Olga, holding up her finger, says,
seriously,--

"Owen, recollect yourself. You said you _laughed_. Oh! it _can't_ be
true."

"I regret to say it is," says Mr. Kelly, with intensest self-abasement.
"For once I forgot myself; I really _did_ do it; but it shan't occur
again. The exquisite humor of the moment was too much for me. I hope it
won't be placed to my account, and that in time you will all forgive me
my one little lapse."

"Well, Owen, you are the drollest creature," says Madam O'Connor, with a
broad sweet smile, that is copied by Olga and Ronayne. Mrs. Herrick
remains unmoved, and her needles go faster and faster: Mr. Kelly stares
at them uneasily.

"They'll give out sparks in another minute or so," he says, warningly,
"and if they do there will be a general conflagration. Spare me that: I
have had enough excitement for a while."

Mrs. Herrick lets her knitting fall into her lap.

"The squire may be thankful he got off so easily," says Madam O'Connor
at this moment.

"He may, indeed," says Kelly. "Fay," to the child who is standing at a
distance gazing thoughtfully with uplifted head at the blue sky without,
"what are you wondering about now?"

The child turns upon