"But really I heard something like footsteps
on the gravel, round the gable-end-- I
wish "—

A knock at the parlour door interrupted
her.

"Come in."

The door opened, and Tim Gahan, Mr.
Hewson's confidential steward and right-hand
man, entered, followed by a fair-haired
delicate-looking boy of six years' old, dressed in
deep mourning.

"Well, Gahan, what do you want?"

"I ask your Honour's pardon for disturbing
you and the mistress; but I thought
it right to come tell you the bad news I
heard."

"Something about the rebels, I suppose?"

"Yes, Sir; I got a whisper just now that
there's going to be a great rising intirely,
to-morrow; thousands are to gather before
daybreak at Kilcrean bog, where I'm told
they've a power of pikes hiding; and then
they're to march on and sack every house in
the country. I'll engage, when I heard it,
I didn't let grass grow under my feet, but
came off straight to your Honour, thinking
maybe you'd like to walk over this fine evening
to Mr. Warren's, and settle with him
what's best to be done."

"Oh, James! I beseech you, don't think of
going."

"Make your mind easy, Charlotte; I don't
intend it: not that I suppose there would be
much risk; but, all things considered, I think
I 'm just as comfortable at home"

The steward's brow darkened, as he glanced
nervously towards the end window, which
jutting out in the gable, formed a deep angle
in the outer wall.

"Of course 'tis just as your Honour plases,
but I'll warrant you there would be no harm
in going. Come, Billy," he added, addressing
the child, who by this time was standing
close to Mrs. Hewson, "make your bow, and
bid good night to master and mistress."

The boy did not stir, and Mrs. Hewson
taking his little hand in hers, said—

"You need not go home for half-an-hour,
Gahan; stay and have a chat with the
servants in the kitchen, and leave little Billy
with me-- and with the apples and nuts"-- she
added, smiling as she filled the child's hands
with fruit.

"Thank you, Ma'am," said the steward
hastily. "I can't stop-- I 'm in a hurry
home, where I wanted to leave this brat
tonight; but he would follow me. Come, Billy;
come this minute, you young rogue."

Still the child looked reluctant, and Mr.
Hewson said peremptorily—

"Don't go yet, Gahan; I want to speak to
you by and by; and you know the mistress
always likes to pet little Billy."

Without replying, the steward left the
room; and the next moment his hasty footsteps resounded through the long flagged
passage that led to the offices.

"There's something strange about Gahan,
since his wife died," remarked Mrs. Hewson.
"I suppose 'tis grief for her that makes him
look so darkly, and seem almost jealous when
any one speaks to his child. Poor little
Billy! your mother was a sore loss to you."

The child's blue eyes filled with tears, and
pressing closer to the lady's side, he said:—

"Old Peggy doesn't wash and dress me as
nicely as mammy used."

"But your father is good to you?"

"Oh, yes, Ma'am, but he's out all day busy,
and I've no one to talk to me as mammy
used; for Peggy is quite deaf, and besides
she's always busy with the pigs and chickens."

"I wish I had you, Billy, to take care of
and to teach, for your poor mother's sake."

"And so you may, Charlotte," said her
husband. "I'm sure Gahan, with all his odd
ways, is too sensible a fellow not to know
how much it would be for his child's benefit
to be brought up and educated by us, and the
boy would be an amusement to us in this
lonely house. I 'll speak to him about it
before he goes home. Billy, my fine fellow,
come here," he continued, "jump up on my
knee, and tell me if you 'd like to live here
always and learn to read and write."

"I would, Sir, if I could be with father
too."

"So you shall ;-- and what about old
Peggy?"

The child paused—

"I 'd like to give her a pen'north of snuff
and a piece of tobacco every week, for she said
the other day that that would make her quite
happy."

Mr. Hewson laughed, and Billy prattled on,
still seated on his knee; when a noise of
footsteps on the ground, mingled with low
suppressed talking was heard outside.

"James, listen! there's the noise again."

It was now nearly dark, but Mr. Hewson,
still holding the boy in his arms, walked
towards the window and looked out.

"I can see nothing," he said,-- " stay-- there
are figures moving off among the trees, and a
man running round to the back of the house
—very like Gahan he is too!"

Seizing the bell-rope, he rang it loudly,
and said to the servant who answered his
summons :—

"Fasten the shutters and put up the bars,
Council; and then tell Gahan I want to see
him."

The man obeyed; candles were brought,
and Gahan entered the room.

Mr. Hewson remarked that, though his
cheeks were flushed, his lips were very white,
and his bold dark eyes were cast on the
ground.

"What took you round the house just
now, Tim? " asked his master, in a careless
manner.

"What took me round the house, is it?
Why, then, nothing in life, Sir, but that just
as I went outside the kitchen door to take a