confidence of the Irish of all classes.  If he were in supreme command there would, I am sure, be a complete change in our tactics.  Instead of waiting everywhere to be attacked, we should take the offensive, and, even if we were unable to meet William’s forces in pitched battles, and I believe that we are perfectly capable of doing so, we should be able to harass and exhaust them, to such a point that William would be only too glad to grant us any terms we might demand, to bring the war to an end.”

After having dined, Captain Davenant went with Walter to call upon Mrs. Conyers.  Hearing that he was about to march with his troop to Cork, Mrs. Conyers said: 

“Oh, Captain Davenant, will you not take us under your protection there?  I am afraid of travelling with Claire to Galway, in the present disturbed state of the country, and I should find it easier to take a passage to England from Cork than from Galway.”

“You certainly would, Mrs. Conyers.  There is no formal war between England and Ireland, and trading vessels still ply between Cork and Bristol.  I agree with you that it would not be safe for two Protestant ladies to travel, without protection, from here to Galway, and I shall be only too glad for you to journey with us.  Your daughter, I know, can ride any of the country ponies; and for yourself—­”

“I can ride, too, if there is an occasion.  One of our horses is perfectly quiet, and I have often ridden him by the side of Mr. Conyers, so there will be no difficulty on that score.”

“In that case,” Captain Davenant said, “consider the matter as arranged.  Will you be ready to start tomorrow, early?”

“Certainly, Captain Davenant; I have no preparations to make.  All our furniture—­which, thanks to Walter, was saved—­has been stowed away in the cellars of a warehouse here, and is safe unless William returns and batters the whole town to pieces.  The silver and other valuables our friends here will take care of, till better times, so we have only to pack two valises and mount.  The servants will all find situations here.  My daughter’s maid, Bridget, and two or three others have offered to accompany us to England, but we have decided to take no one.  Directly we get to Bristol, I shall write to my husband, who has given me an address both in London and Dublin, so that he will doubtless join us in a very short time.”

The party started the next morning, and reached Cork without adventure, as there were no English troops in that part of the country.  Three days after their arrival, Mrs. Conyers took a passage for herself and Claire in a trader about to sail for Bristol.  The evening before they sailed, Mrs. Conyers had a long talk with Captain Davenant, while the two young people had slipped off for a last walk together.

“Of course, Captain Davenant,” she began, “you have seen, as well as I have, how things stand between Claire and Walter.  They are both very young, but the strange circumstances of the times, and the manner in which they have been thrown together, have combined to render their position peculiar, and I believe, nay, I am sure, that on both sides their affection is deep and will be lasting.”