ancing, but that is
all."

"But how is he to meet her, when, in this cursed place of yours, if men
and women keep at arm's length?"

"That must depend upon her. Tell me, does she love him?"

"Well, now, that's a home question: she never told him she did, and she
never told me, that's certain; but still I've an idea that she does."

"Then all I can say, Macshanovich, is, that your master had better be
very careful what he is about. Of course, he knows not that you have
told me anything; but as soon as he thinks proper to trust me, I then
will do my utmost in his service."

"You speak like a very rational, sensible, intelligent courier," replied
McShane, "and so now let us finish the bottle. Here's good luck to
Captain O'Donahue, alive or dead: and now--please the fleas--I'll be
asleep in less than ten minutes."

CHAPTER FOURTEEN.

GOING TO COURT, AND COURTING.

When McShane awoke the next morning he tried to recall what had passed
between him and Dimitri, and did not feel quite convinced that he had
not trusted him too much. "I think," said he, "it was all upon an _if_.
Yes, sure; _if_ O'Donahue was in love, and _if_ she was. Yes, I'm sure
that it was all upon _ifs_. However, I must go and tell O'Donahue what
has taken place."

McShane did so; and O'Donahue, after a little thought, replied, "Well, I
don't know: perhaps it's all for the best; for you see I must have
trusted somebody, and the difficulty would have been to know whom to
trust, for everybody belongs to the police here, I believe: I think,
myself, the fellow is honest; at all events, I can make it worth his
while to be so."

"He would not have told me he belonged to the police if he wished to
trap us," replied McShane.

"That's very true, and on the whole I think we could not do better. But
we are going on too fast; who knows whether she meant anything by what
she said to me when we parted; or, if she did then, whether she may not
have altered her mind since?"

"Such things have been--that's a fact, O'Donahue."

"And will be, as long as the world lasts. However, to-morrow I am to be
presented--perhaps I may see her. I'm glad that I know that I may
chance to meet her, as I shall now be on my guard."

"And what shall I say to Dimitri?"

"Say that you mentioned her name, and where she was, and that I had only
replied, that I should like to see her again."

"Exactly; that will leave it an open question, as the saying is,"
replied