"Would you be able to interfere in behalf of my friend while the trial
was on, say, just before the summing up, when the informers had sworn to
one thing, and the witnesses for the defense to another, if they are not
shut out altogether?"

"Impossible. I might as well interfere now."

"Then on the score of sentiment. Ledwith is failing into age. Even a
brief term in prison may kill him."

"He took the risk in returning to Ireland at this time. I would be
willing to aid him on that score, but it would open the door to a
thousand others, and we are unwilling to embarrass the English
government at a trying moment."

"Were they so considerate when our moments were trying and they could
embarrass us?"

"That is an Irish argument."

"What they said of your Excellency in New York was true, I am inclined
to believe: that you accepted the English mission to be of use to the
English in the present insurrection."

"Well," said the Minister, laughing in spite of himself at the audacity
of Arthur, "you will admit that I have a right to pay back the Irish for
my defeat at the polls."

"You are our representative and defender," replied Arthur gravely, "and
yet you leave us no alternative but to appeal to the English
themselves."

Livingstone began to look bored, because irritation scorched him and had
to be concealed. Arthur rose.

"We are to understand, then, the friends of Ledwith, that you will do
nothing beyond what is absolutely required by the law, and after all
formalities are complied with?" he said.

"Precisely."

"We shall have to depend on his English friends, then. It will look
queer to see Englishmen take up your duty where you deserted it."

The Minister waved his hand to signify that he had enough of that topic,
but the provoking quality of Arthur's smile, for he did not seem
chagrined, reminded him of a question.

"Who are the people interested in Ledwith, may I ask?"

"All your old friends of New York," said Arthur, "Birmingham, Sullivan,
and so on."

"Of course. And the English friends who are to take up my duties where I
desert them?"

"You must know some of them," and Arthur grinned again, so that the
Minister slightly winced. "Captain Sydenham, commanding in Donegal----"

"I met him in New York one winter--younger brother to Lord Groton."

"The Dowager Countess of Skibbereen."

"Very fine woman. Ledwith is in luck."

"And Lord Constantine of Essex."

"I see you know the value of a c