‘I understand them well enough,’Arthur replied evenly.‘But I do not condone rebellion. Nor treachery. The rebels got what they deserved.’

‘I suppose so, sir. I understand that you were not here at the time. In which case you might not know the full details of the revolt, and its aftermath.’

‘I was told that the rebels were treated harshly enough.’

‘Harshly?’ Stoper replied bitterly. ‘A fine euphemism, if I may say so, sir. The truth of it is that the British army, the militia and the loyalist mobs committed all manner of atrocities. Thousands of prisoners were massacred, hundreds of wounded burned alive in their beds.Then there was the rape and murder of women as well as the cold-blooded cutting down of hundreds of women and children after the battle at Vinegar Hill.’

‘I’ve heard all this,’ Arthur cut in. ‘I have also heard of the atrocities carried out by the rebels.’

‘That’s right, sir. There were some reprisals.’ Stoper nodded and continued carefully.‘It would be surprising if there were not. However, the numbers of casualties suffered by each side speak for themselves. The suppression of the rebels was out of all proportion to the harm they did. And even those of us here in the castle who were loyal servants of the crown were moved by the suffering of the rebels.There are some who still question the treatment of the common people and wonder if it is fair to discriminate against the majority of those living in Ireland solely on the basis of their religion. It is no wonder that the rebellion took over a year to quell. Still less that there was another uprising here on the very streets of Dublin four years ago, after the Act of Union.The reasons for abolishing the Irish Parliament were clear for all to see. A crude attempt to remove any prospect of independence. The members of Parliament were promised Catholic relief measures in exchange for supporting the abolition. Now that his majesty has quashed any prospect of such measures the people feel that they were cheated, sir.’

Arthur stared at the senior clerk for a moment before replying in a low tone. ‘I’d be careful what you say, Stoper. It strikes me that your words could be construed as lacking in loyalty to the Crown.’

‘I know that, sir. But it is my intention to retire within the year, and such a prospect tends to loosen the shackles that bind a man’s tongue.’

‘That may be so, but I would urge you to be careful of speaking too freely on such matters again.You sound like a Catholic.’

‘I am no Catholic, sir. I am an Anglican.Yet I am also an Irishman, and I have compassion for the people of my country, no matter what their religion may be.’