The members being sworn, the Judge Advocate arose, and in a hurried, humdrum kind of voice, read out what purported to be the commission under which I was to be tried; the charge being, whether I had or had not acted treacherously and hostilely to his Majesty, whose natural born subject I was, being born in that kingdom, and, consequently, owing to him all allegiance and fidelity. "Guilty or not guilty, sir?" "The charge is a falsehood; I am a Frenchman," was my answer. "Have respect for the Court, sir," said Peters; "you mean that you are a French officer, but by birth an Irishman." "I mean no such thing;--that I am French by birth, as I am in feeling--that I never saw Ireland till within a few months back, and heartily wish I had never seen it." "So would General Humbert, too, perhaps," said Daly, laughing; and the Court seemed to relish the jest. "Where were you born, then, Tiernay?" "In Paris, I believe." "And your mother's name, what was it?" "I never knew; I was left an orphan when a mere infant, and can tell little of my family." "Your father was Irish, then?" "Only by descent. I have heard that we came from a family who bore the title of 'Timmahoo'--Lord Tiernay of Timmahoo." "There was such a title," interposed Peters; "it was one of King James's last creations after his flight from the Boyne. Some, indeed, assert that it was conferred before the battle. What a strange coincidence, to find the descendant, if he be such, laboring in something like the same cause as his ancestor." "What's your rank, sir?" asked a sharp, severe-looking man, called Major Flood. "First Lieutenant of Hussars." "And is it usual for a boy of your years to hold that rank; or was there any thing peculiar in your case that obtained the promotion?" "I served in two campaigns, and gained my grade regularly." "Your Irish blood, then, had no share in your advancement?" asked he again. "I am a Frenchman, as I said before," was my answer. "A Frenchman, who lays claim to an Irish estate and an Irish title," replied Flood. "Let us hear Dowall's statement." And now, to my utter confusion, a man made his way to the table, and, taking the book from the Judge Advocate, kissed it in token of an oath. "Inform the Court of any thing you know in connection with the prisoner," said the Judge.