My heart was lifted by news that reached me one evening as I was about to leave the little room at the workhouse in which I had established a base from which to operate. Young Lillis accosted me, proffering an envelope the hand writing upon which I instantly recognised. What glorious tidings it brought! Georgina, Elizabeth and Niamh, the governess, had reached Limerick and would be arriving by steamer the next day.

I had already established myself in the house at Cappagh, having engaged two local w...