“Had advantage been taken of the enthusiasm excited when King James landed; had he himself been wise and prudent, disinterested for himself, and desirous of obtaining the affections of all classes; and had he brought with him none of these French adventurers, he would, long ere this, have been undisputed King of Ireland from end to end, and we should have stood as one people in arms, ready to oppose ourselves to any force that England could send against us.  Never were chances so frittered away, never such a succession of blunders and folly.  It is enough to break one’s heart.”

“I do hope, father, that when the troop marches again you will take me as cornet.  I am six months older than I was, and have learned a lot in the last campaign.  You have not filled up the place of Cornet O’Driscoll.  I did think, when he was killed in that last fight you had before Derry, you would have appointed me.”

“In some respects I am less inclined than ever, Walter,” Captain Davenant said; “for I begin to regard success as hopeless.”

“It will make no difference, father, in that way, for if we are beaten they are sure to hand all our land over to the Protestants.  Besides, things may turn out better than you think; and whether or no, I should certainly like to do my best for Ireland.”

“Well, we will think about it,” Captain Davenant said; and Walter was satisfied, for he felt sure that his father would finally accede to his wishes.

It was late at night, when the mounted messenger dashed up to the door of the castle and handed in an order.  Captain Davenant opened it.

“We are to march, in half an hour’s time, to Drogheda.  The whole army is to assemble there.”

“Hurray!” Walter shouted.  “Something is going to be done, at last.”

A man was sent down to the village at once, to order the twenty men quartered there to saddle and mount instantly, and ride up to the castle; while another, on horseback, started for Bray to get the main body under arms.  Mrs. Davenant busied herself in packing the wallets of her husband and son.  She was very pale, but she said little.

“God bless you both,” she said, when all was finished, “and bring you back again safely.  I won’t ask you to take care of yourselves, because, of course, you must do your duty, and with all my love I should not wish you to draw back from that.  When home and religion and country are at stake, even we women could not wish to keep those we love beside us.”

There was a last embrace, and then Captain Davenant and his son sprang on their horses, which were waiting at the door, took their place at the head of the party which had come up from the village, and rode away into the darkness, while the two Mrs. Davenants gave free vent to the tears which they had hitherto so bravely restrained.

At Bray, Captain Davenant found the rest of his troop drawn up in readiness, and after a brief inspection, to see that all were present with their proper arms and accoutrements, he started with them for Dublin, and after a few hours’ rest there continued his way towards Drogheda.