MacCarthy more, or, The fortunes of an Irish chief in the reign of ...

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Thr Fortunes of an Imsn Chirp. 17&
that Doiial hath been inlaying his wild pranks,
worse than ever of late,—the which you may have
hoard, and that there are signs of trouble gathering
in the Xorth !—For these reasons I am graciously
permitted to return liitlier, on condition that I help
Her Majesty's servants to keep the peace here in
Miinster."
" And for that only hath your long imprisonment
ended ?" said the Countess.
" I pray your ladyship, when was favor bestowed
by Eli.^abeth of England on one of our race or
creed, save to further her own interests ?—How
fares MacCarthy More ?"
" Donald is well," said the Countess, her pale
cheek faintly flushing; " we see as little of him now
as ever. Alas ! Florence, thhigs are no better here
than when you left us five long years ago !"
" Courage, dear lady !" said Florence, kindly and
cheerfully. " Courage—the clouds v/ill clear away
at last, and light will succeed to darkness. Now
that I have come back, things may go better."
The Countess shook her head. " An' his heart be
not changed, Florence, I have nouglit to hope I
Natheless, I trust in God
—
tu>l in him ! Go
son, you have need of rest and refreshment.'*
" Is MacCarthy in the castle ?"
—
now, my
" I knov not if he be. Florence !" said the Countess.
'* Methinks he rode out tliis morning."
A few hours lat(: Florence and his father-in "'iiw
were sitting tetenjhtete by the bog-wood fire in the
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