Part 9 (2/2)
”No!” replied the squire, dreadfully alarmed at this piece of information, ”he was not; by the great Boyne, he wasn't.”
This mighty a.s.severation, however, was exceedingly feeble in moral strength and energy, for, in point of fact, it came out of the squire's lips more in the shape of a question than an oath.
”It is unquestionably true, sir,” said the baronet; ”ask himself, and he will admit it.”
”Well, and granting that he was,” replied the squire, ”what else could he do, when the laws would not permit of his being educated here? I speak not against the laws, G.o.d forbid, but of his individual case.”
”We are travelling from the point, sir,” returned the baronet. ”I was observing that Reilly is an accomplished person, as indeed every Jesuit is. Be that as it may, I again beg to a.s.sure you that your life stood in no risk.”
”I don't understand you, Sir Robert. You're a perfect oracle; by the great Deliverer from Pope and Popery, wooden shoes, and so forth, only that Reilly made his appearance at that moment I was a dead man.”
”Not the slightest danger, Mr. Folliard. I am aware of that, and of the whole Jesuitical plot from the beginning, base, ingenious, but diabolical as it was.”
The squire rose up and looked at him for a minute, without speaking, then sat down again, and, a second time, was partially up, but resumed his seat.
”A plot!” he exclaimed; ”a plot, Sir Robert! What plot?”
”A plot, Mr. Folliard, for the purpose of creating an opportunity to make your acquaintance, and of ingratiating himself into the good graces and affections of your lovely daughter; a plot for the purpose of marrying her.”
The Squire seemed for a moment thunderstruck, but in a little time he recovered. ”Marrying her!” he exclaimed; ”that, you know, could not be done, unless he turned Protestant.”
It was now time for the baronet to feel thunderstricken.
”He turn Protestant! I don't understand you, Mr. Folliard. Could any change on Reilly's part involve such a probability as a marriage between him and your daughter?”
”I can't believe it was a plot, Sir Robert,” said the squire, s.h.i.+fting the question, ”nor I won't believe it. There was too much truth and sincerity in his conduct. And, what is more, my house would have been attacked last night; I myself robbed and murdered, and my daughter-my child, carried off, only for him. Nay, indeed, it was partially attacked, but when the villainy found us prepared they decamped; but, as for marriage, he could not marry my daughter, I say again, so long as he remains a Papist.”
”Unless he might prevail on her to turn Papist.”
”By the life of my body, Sir Robert, I won't stand this. Did you come here, sir, to insult me and to drive me into madness? What devil could have put it into your head that my daughter, sir, or any one with a drop of my blood in their veins, to the tenth generation, could ever, for a single moment, think of turning Papist? Sir, I hoped that you would have respected the name both of my daughter and myself, and have foreborne to add this double insult both to her and me. The insolence even to dream of imputing such an act to her I cannot overlook. You yourself, if you could gain a point or feather your nest by it, are a thousand times much more likely to turn Papist than either of us. Apologize instantly, sir, or leave my house.”
”I can certainly apologize, Mr. Folliard,” replied the baronet, ”and with a good conscience, inasmuch as I had not the most remote intention of offending you, much less Miss Folliard--I accordingly do so promptly and at once; but as for my allegations against Reilly, I am in a position to establish their truth in the clearest manner, and to prove to you that there wasn't a. single robber, nor Rapparee either, at or about your house last night, with the exception of Reilly and his gang.
If there were, why were they neither heard nor seen?”
”One of them was--the Red Rapparee himself.”
”Do not be deceived, Mr. Folliard; did you yourself, or any of your family or household, see him?”
”Why, no, certainly, we did not; I admit that.”
”Yes, and you will admit more soon. I shall prove the whole conspiracy.”
”Well, why don't you then?”
”Simply because the matter must be brought about with great caution.
You--must allow me a few days, say three or four, and the proofs shall be given.”
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