she, showing a deep niche or alcove in the
wall, 'this was evidently meant for the sentry who watched the wicket: he
could stand here out of the reach of all fire.'

'Would you not say she was longing for a conflict?' said Nina, gazing at
her.

'No, but if it comes I'll not decline it.'

'You mean you'll defend the stair?' asked Walpole.

She nodded assent.

'What arms have you?'

'Plenty; come and look at them. Here,' said she, entering the dining-room,
and pointing to a large oak sideboard covered with weapons, 'Here is
probably what has led these people here. They are going through the country
latterly on every side, in search of arms. I believe this is almost the
only house where they have not called.'

'And do they go away quietly when their demands are complied with?'

'Yes, when they chance upon people of poor courage, they leave them with
life enough to tell the story.--What is it, Mathew?' asked she of the old
serving-man who entered the room.

'It's the "boys," miss, and they want to talk to you, if you'll step out on
the terrace. They don't mean any harm at all.'

'What do they want, then?'

'Just a spare gun or two, miss, or an ould pistol, or a thing of the kind
that was no use.'

'Was it not brave of them to come here, when my father was from home?
Aren't they fine courageous creatures to come and frighten two lone
girls--eh, Mat?'

'Don't anger them, miss, for the love of Joseph! don't say anything hard;
let me hand them that ould carbine there, and the fowling-piece; and if
you'd give them a pair of horse-pistols, I'm sure they'd go away quiet.'

A loud noise of knocking, as though with a stone, at the outer door, broke
in upon the colloquy, and Kate passed into the drawing-room, and opened
the window, out upon the stone terrace which overlooked the yard: 'Who is
there?--who are you?--what do you want?' cried she, peering down into the
darkness, which, in the shadow of the house, was deeper.

'We've come for arms,' cried a deep hoarse voice.

'My father is away from home--come and ask for them when he's here to
answer you.'

A wild, insolent laugh from below acknowledged what they thought of this
speech.

'Maybe that was the rayson we came now, miss,' said a voice, in a lighter
tone.

'Fine courageous fellows you are to say so! I hope Ireland has more of such
brave patriotic men.'

'You'd better leave that, anyhow,' said another, and as he spoke he
levelled and fired, but evide