“I trust you got it,” said his lordship.

“I did not,” said I; “the Provincial Directory of Ulster is to deal with the case.”

Lord Edward stopped short.

“You don’t mean—” began he, and stopped.

“I mean that I love Maurice Gorman’s daughter—a hopeless quest perhaps—but the prize—”

“The most charming lady in Ireland,” said he. “Your name is Barry, I believe?”

“Barry Gallagher, my lord.”

“Are you a kinsman of Tim Gallagher of Fanad?”

“Twin-brother. Is he alive then?” and in my eagerness I seized his lordship’s arm.

He did not resent the liberty at all.