“Sir Nicholas again!” cried I, and we went forward to meet him.
“All is well,” said he briefly, but briskly. “I wish you to disembark your men——” and here he stopped; “but where is Richard Burke?”
“He is with Grace O’Malley,” said Eva.
Sir Nicholas stood for an instant lost in thought.
“Rumours have reached us,” said he, at length, “that the MacWilliam is greatly desirous of allying himself with Grace O’Malley more nearly than as a mere comrade and friend in war.”
His words were a question, and I could almost have sworn there was a twinkle in those fierce eyes of his.
“Yes, that is true,” I answered, seeing no need for any equivocation or denial.
“It would be no bad thing,” said he, “for after what has passed they will surely be loyal to her Highness.”
“Yes,” said I, somewhat drily, “but that will also depend upon her Highness.”
“Her Highness,” cried he, “can mean nothing but good to this her realm of Ireland. Peace and quiet are essential to its prosperity, and these she will have, and so, by God, shall I.”