The conversation had turned principally on the coming election, and Mr. Miller gave a flourishing account of his success as a canvasser, and even went the length of doubting if any opposition would be offered to him. ‘Ain’t you and young Kearney going on the same ticket?’ asked Gorman, who was too new to Ireland to understand the nice distinctions of party. ‘Pardon me,’ said Miller, ‘we differ essentially. _We_ want a government in Ireland--the Nationalists want none. _We_ desire order by means of timely concessions and judicious boons to the people. They want disorder--the display of gross injustice--content to wait for a scramble, and see what can come of it.’ ‘Mr. Miller’s friends, besides,’ interposed Father Luke, ‘would defend the Church and protect the Holy See’--and this was said with a half-interrogation. Miller coughed twice, and said, ‘Unquestionably. We have shown our hand already--look what we have done with the Established Church.’ ‘You need not be proud of it,’ cried Miss Betty. ‘If you wanted to get rid of the crows, why didn’t you pull down the rookery?’ ‘At least they don’t caw so loud as they used,’ said the priest, smiling; and Miller exchanged delighted glances with him for his opinion. ‘I want to be rid of them, root and branch,’ said Miss Betty. ‘If you will vouchsafe us, ma’am, a little patience. Rome was not built in a day. The next victory of our Church must be won by the downfall of the English establishment. Ain’t I right, Father Luke?’ ‘I am not quite clear about that,’ said the priest cautiously. ‘Equality is not the safe road to supremacy.’ ‘What was that row over towards Croghan Castle this morning?’ asked Gorman, who was getting wearied with a discussion he could not follow. ‘I saw the constabulary going in force there this afternoon.’ ‘They were in pursuit of the celebrated Dan Donogan,’ said Father Luke. ‘They say he was seen at Moate.’ ‘They say more than that,’ said Miss Betty. ‘They say that he is stopping at Kilgobbin Castle!’ ‘I suppose to conduct young Kearney’s election,’ said Miller, laughing. ‘And why should they hunt him down?’ asked Gorman. ‘What has he done?’ ‘He’s a Fenian--a head-centre--a man who wants to revolutionise Ireland,’ replied Miller. ‘And destroy the Church,’ chimed in the priest. ‘Humph!’ muttered Gorman, who seemed to imply, Is this all you can lay to his charge? ‘Has he escaped? asked he suddenly. ‘Up to this he has,’ said Miller. ‘I was talking to the constabulary chief this afternoon, and he told me that the fellow is sure to be apprehended. He has taken to the open bog, and there are eighteen in full cry after him. There is a search-warrant, too, arrived, and they mean to look him up at Kilgobbin Castle.’ ‘To search Kilgobbin Castle, do you mean?’ asked Gorman. ‘Just so. It will be, as I perceive you think it, a great offence to Mr. Kearney, and it is not impossible that his temper may provoke him to resist it.’