my name to your two comrades. After all, things are not so settled
across the water that I can dispense with old friends on whom I can
rely. Paolo, of course, goes with me, and will be my right hand."

"I will think it all over, Hector, and maybe one of these days
I and the other two may knock at your door. It is hard if seven
old fellow soldiers could not end their days happily and quietly
together."

As soon as the meal had been eaten Hector went to say goodbye to the
governor, and heard how Vendome's men had been refused entrance.
After thanking him for the courtesy that he had shown him, he
returned to the inn. As the party would require horses on landing,
and there was plenty of room on board the vessel that he had engaged,
Hector shipped the three horses that Conde had given him, and four
others for the use of his men, and after a hearty farewell to
MacIntosh on his part and that of the ladies, they went on board,
and a few minutes later the sails were set and the vessel started
down the river. The wind was favourable, and they made a fast
voyage down to the sea. Before they reached the mouth of the river,
however, Hector had ascertained to his satisfaction that Norah
O'More returned the feeling that he felt for her.

"I have loved you," she said, "from the moment when you came to us
as our saviour from death on the summit of the turret; and though
as time went on I did not venture to think that you, who had so
fair a future before you, would ever think of the girl who with
her mother you had so nobly entertained and treated, I should
never have loved any other man to the end of my life."