My Lords of Strogue, Vol. 3 (of 3): A Chronicle of Ireland, from the Convention to the UnionWingfield, Lewis
History
My Lords of Strogue, Vol. 3 (of 3): A Chronicle of Ireland, from the Convention to the Union
Wingfield, Lewis
Historical fiction; Ireland -- History -- 18th century -- Fiction
It was a singular cavalcade which journeyed south from Donegal. There
was a posse of rollicking yeomen to guard the prisoners, headed by
Lord Glandore (in the blue and orange uniform of the Hillsborough
club), at whose right hand rode Cassidy. My lord was not certain
whether to be offended with the squireen or not. With regard to
Theobald, he had, as usual, followed his mother's cue, who, when she
set eyes on him, determined instantly that he should not be betrayed
through her. Shane's good impulse bade him follow suit. He had known
the fellow when a youth. To jump upon the fallen is at best a dirty
trick. But there was no doubt that such voluntary blindness was more
romantic than expedient. By the help of the English admiral, Shane
fully intended to make capital out of this sea-fight, and win for
himself an English peerage, and possibly some convenient sinecures. As
it was, he was already rich and great. But the richer we are, the
poorer we often believe ourselves to be. Shane fancied himself quite a
pauper--a worthy subject for eleemosynary grants. Now, supposing that
Tone had left Glas-aitch-é with the other prisoners unrecognised,
there were ten chances to one against his so escaping in Dublin. A
start of surprise, an involuntary exclamation, would have aroused
suspicion and settled his fate; and then what would have been said of
the candidate for charity who, knowing the traitor well, had failed to
denounce him? There was little doubt that Government would have
laughed at my lord's craving for an English peerage--that he would
have sighed for a pension in vain. On the whole he was not sorry that
Cassidy should have shown himself a man of the world by exhibiting
such laudable presence of mind. Tone had been denounced under his roof
(he would make the most of this), but not by him, therefore was his
conscience clear. Nothing could be better. On the whole he concluded
to be charmed with Cassidy, chattering with him as he rode, and
laughing at the giant's stories with a condescension that filled the
latter's soul with joy. The giant took occasion to instil fears into
the selfish mind of my lord with reference to Terence. How would his
Majesty look on the brother of a rebel? Of course it follows not that
one brother should wield the smallest influence over another. But
would the King admit this; or would he frown on the elder, despite his
grovelling, because of the sins of the audacious junior? The sins of
the fathers are to be visited on the children--at least the Jews have
said so; but nothing has been said about the enormities of one brother
being visited on another. Such a rule would be very inconvenient. Now
Shane had never shown any genuine affection for Terence. Under no
circumstances whatever was he prepared to make a personal sacrifice
for him. Why should he? Cassidy's hints therefore fell upon fertile
ground. His selfishness took alarm. Indifference turned to
indignation. He had languidly regretted that Terence should be making
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