ram announcing it was published in the morning
papers, with many strong comments. Although some blamed the young
officer for his rashness, and others held Lord Raglan directly
responsible for his loss, all agreed in execrating the vindictive
cruelty of the uncompromising foe.

General sympathy was expressed for Mr. McKay; the most august person
in the land sent a message of condolence to his mother through Lord
Essendine, who added a few kindly words on his own account.

"What curse lies heavy on our line? It seems fatal to come within
reach of heirship to the family-honours. Ere long there will be no
Wilders left, and the title of Essendine will become extinct," wrote
the old peer to Mrs. McKay. "Your boy, a fine, fearless young fellow,
whom I neglected too long and who deserved a nobler fate, is the
latest victim. Pray Heaven he may yet escape! I will strive hard to
help him in his present dire peril."

Lord Essendine was as good as his word. He had great influence,
political and diplomatic: great friends in high place at every court
in Europe. Among others, the Russian ambassador at Vienna was under
personal obligations to him of long standing, and did not hesitate
when called upon to acknowledge the debt.

Telegrams came and went from London to Vienna, from Vienna to St.
Petersburg, backwards and forwards day after day, yet nothing was
effected by Lord Essendine's anxious, energetic advocacy. The Czar
himself was appealed to, but the Autocrat of All the Russias would not
deign to intervene. He was inexorable. The law military must take its
course. Stanislas McKay was a traitor and the son of a traitor; he had
been actually taken red-handed in a new and still deeper treachery,
and he must suffer for his crime.

At the end of the first fortnight McKay's relations and friends in
England had almost abandoned hope. This was what Mr. Faulks told Mrs.
Wilders, who called every day two or three times, always in the
deepest distress.

"Poor boy! poor boy!" she said, wringing her hands. "To be cut off
like this! It is too terrible! And nothing--you are sure nothing can
be done to save him?"

"Lord Essendine is making the most strenuous efforts; so are we. Even
Sir Humphrey Fothergill has been most kind; and the War Minister has
repeatedly telegraphed to Lord Raglan to leave no stone unturned."

"And all without effect? It is most sad!" She would have feigned the
same excessive grief with the Essendine lawyers, to wh