She raised her glass to her lips and sipped the wine. All the four listeners stood and raised their glasses.
"'Ireland,'" said Lord Dunseveric gravely. "I drink to Ireland."
Then, with the glass at his lips, he paused. There was a noise of horse hoofs on the gravel outside. A horseman, in military uniform, cantered by. He was followed by another, a trooper. The little company in the diningroom stood still and silent. The bell at the door of the house was rung violently. Its sound reached them. A vague uneasiness came upon them. One by one they sat down and laid their glasses--the wine untasted--on the table before them. A servant entered the room.
"Captain Twinely, my lord, of the Killulta Company of Yeomanry, wishes to see your lordship on important business."
"Ask him to come in here," said Lord Dunseveric.
"No," said Lord Dunseveric, "stay where you are, and do you stay, too, Estelle. This Captain Twinely must drink a glass of wine with us. He passes for a gentleman. Then if he has business with me I shall take him away. I must not break up our little party. It is not every day that we have the pleasure of listening to such charming speeches as your's, Estelle."
Captain Twinely entered the room with a swagger. He made a great noise with his heavy boots and with his spurs as he crossed the polished floor.
"I ask your pardon, my lord. I ask the ladies' pardon. I am not fit for your company. I have ridden far today, and the roads are bad, damned bad. I rode on the king's business."
"The ladies," said Lord Dunseveric, "will be pleased if you will drink a glass of wine with them. Are you alone?"
"I left my troop in Ballintoy. The sergeant will see that they obtain refreshment. My servant holds my horse outside."
"I shall send him some refreshment," said Lord Dunseveric. "And your horses must be stabled here till you have told me how I can serve you."
Captain Twinely drank his wine, bowed to the ladies, and then said--
"I come at an inconvenient hour, my lord. You have just dined and you have pleasant company, but I must crave your attention for a letter which I bring you. The king's business, my lord."
Lord Dunseveric rose, and led the way to the library.
"I don't doubt," said Captain Twinely, "no one could be such a fool as to doubt the loyalty of every member of your lordship's household and of every guest in your lordship's house; but in deliver-ing my letter and my message I prefer to be where there is no chance of eavesdropping. Will you allow me to make sure that we are not overheard?"
