“Oh yes, and we long to see them,” exclaimed Paul, believing that he had moved her heart.
She sighed. “Ah, I once had many, but they are all now in the world of spirits; they cannot come to me, but for their sakes I will try to serve you,” answered the girl.
“Oh, thank you, thank you!” said Paul. “If you could help us to get out of this house, and to hide away till the pursuit is over, we should be eternally grateful.”
She smiled as she answered—
“You are too precipitate. If you were to escape from this house, my father would be punished. Means may be found, however. We have no love for these regicides, and owe them no allegiance; but you must have patience.”
“It is a hard thing to exercise; however, we are very much obliged to you,” said Paul.
“Just ask her her name,” put in O’Grady. “Tell her we should wish to know what to call one who for ever after this must dwell like a bright star in our memories, especially one who is so lovely and amiable.”
“That’s rather a long speech to translate, and perhaps she won’t like all those compliments,” remarked Paul.
“Won’t she, though?” said O’Grady, who had seen rather more of the world than his companion; “try her, at all events.”
Paul translated as well as he could what Paddy had said, and as the latter stood with his hand on his heart, and bowed at the same time, the young lady was not left in doubt as to who was the originator of the address. Paddy was remarkably good-looking and tall for his age, and the young lady was in no way displeased, and replied that her name was Rosalie, and that she was her father’s only daughter. She had had two brothers, both of whom had been carried away by the conscription. One had been killed in a battle with the Austrians, and the other was still serving in the ranks, though he ought long ago to have been promoted.