rlikely to mak' ye a
confidant, if they intend a rising," was the dry observation of M'Nab.

"True; but could they conceal their intentions from me--that is the
question? Think you that I should not have discovered them long since,
and made them known to the government?"

"I trust you'd have done no such thing, sir," interposed Fred. "I heard
Maitland say, there never was a chance of keeping this country down,
if we had not a brush with them every thirty or forty years; and, if I
don't mistake, the time for a lesson has just come round."

"Is it so certain on which side is to be the teacher?" said Kate, with a
voice whose articulate distinctness actually electrified the party; and,
as it drew their eyes towards her, heightened the flush that mantled on
her cheek.

"It never occurred to me to doubt the matter," said Fred, with an air of
ill-dissembled mortification.

"No more than you anticipated it, perhaps," retorted she, quickly; "and
yet events are happening every day which take the world by surprise. See
there!--look. That mountain-peak was dark but a moment back; and now,
see the blazing fire that has burst forth upon it!"

The whole party started to their feet, and drew near the window, from
which, at a distance of about two miles, the red glare of a fire was
seen. It burned brightly for some minutes, and then decaying, became
extinguished, leaving the dark mountain black and gloomy as before.

"What can it mean?" said Sir Marmaduke, in amazement. "Can it be some
signal of the smugglers? I understand they still venture on this coast."

"That mountain yonder is not seen from the bay," said Sir Archy,
thoughtfully. "It can scarcely be that."

"I think we must ask Miss O'Donoghue for the explanation," said Fred
Travers. "She is the only one here not surprized at its appearance."

"Miss O'Donoghue is one of those who, you assert, are to be taught, and,
therefore, unable to teach others," said she, in a low whisper, only
audible to Frederick, who stood beside her, and he almost started at the
strange meaning the words seemed to convey.

CHAPTER XXIV. A WALK BY MOONLIGHT

The visit alluded to in the last chapter formed the first step to an
acquaintance which speedily ripened into intimacy. Seldom a day passed
without some interchange of civilities; and as they progressed in
knowledge of each other, they advanced in esteem, so that, ere long,
they learned to regard themselves as members of a single fam