“Now, what can I do for you?”

“It is a long story, my lord.”

“Then I cannot listen to it now; but if you will sup with me here, at nine o’clock this evening, I shall be glad to hear it.  I am so harassed by the backstair intrigues of my enemies, that it would be a relief to me to have something else to think of.”

Gerald returned at the appointed time.  Nothing was said as to his affairs while supper was served, but after the table had been cleared, decanters of port placed on the table, and the servants had retired, Godolphin said: 

“Now, Captain Kennedy, let us hear all about it.”

Gerald related the history of his younger days, and of the manner in which he had discovered his real parentage, producing the certificate of his baptism, a statement which had been drawn up at Cork and signed by Norah Rooney, and the testimony of the Duke of Berwick and the other Irish officers.

“There can be no doubt whatever, in the mind of any fair man,” Lord Godolphin said, after listening attentively to the whole story, and examining the documents, “that your uncle, John O’Carroll, is a villain, and that you have been most unjustly deprived of your rights.  I know him by name, and from the reports of our agents in Ireland, as one of the men who turned his coat and changed his religion to save his estates.  Those men I heartily despise; while those who gave up all, and went into exile in order, as they believed, there to serve the cause of their rightful sovereign, are men to be admired and respected.  Be assured that justice shall be done you.  Of course, you will take action in the courts?”

“I shall first summon him to give up the estate, shall let him know that I have indisputable evidence to prove that I am the son of his elder brother, and shall say that, if he will give up possession peaceably, I will take no further steps in the matter, for the sake of the family name.  If he refuses, as I fear is probable, I must then employ a lawyer.”

“Yes, and a good one.  I will furnish you with letters to the lord lieutenant, and to Lord Chief Justice Cox, strongly recommending you to them, and requesting the latter to appoint one of the law officers of the crown to take up your case.  I should say that, when this John O’Carroll sees that you have such powerful friends, he will perceive that it is hopeless for him to struggle in so bad a cause, and will very speedily accept your terms, though methinks it is hard that so great a villain should go unpunished.

“Now, it will be as well that you should have something stronger than the safe conduct that I sent you.  I will therefore draw out a document for Her Majesty to sign, granting you a full and free pardon for any offences that you may have committed against her and the realm, and also settling upon you the estates to which you are the rightful heir, in and about the barony of Kilkargan; being influenced in so doing by the great services rendered by you, both to Her Majesty’s well-beloved and faithful minister and counsellor, myself, and to her trusty general, the Earl of Galway.