"Alley, asthore agruc machree," said she, "don't give way to this, for
it's sinful; it's wrong to cry so bitterly for the livin'. You know that
while there's life there's hope. God is merciful, and may think fit to
pity you, anien machree, and to spare him for the sake of our prayers,
that your heart mayn't be broken. Here's the priest, too, an' sure it's
a comfort, if the Lord does take him from us, that he's not goin' widout
the holy sacraments of the Church, to clear away any stain of sin that
may be on him."

Felix, tranquilized by the satisfaction that always results from the
consciousness of having received the rites of the Church, yet moved
by the deep sobbings of his miserable brother, took his hand, and thus
addressed him--

"Hugh dear!"

"Oh, Felix, Felix, Felix darling, if you spake kind to me my brain will
turn, and my heart will burst to pieces! Harsh, harsh, avourneen, speak
harshly, cruelly, blackly--oh, say you won't forgive me--but no, that I
couldn't bear--forgive me in your heart, and before God, but don't spake
wid affection to me, for then I'll not be able to bear it."

"Hugh," said Felix, from whose eyes the keenness of his brother's
repentance wrung tears, despite his burning agony; "Hugh dear"--and he
looked pitifully in the convulsed face of the unhappy man. "Hugh, dear,
it was only an accident, for if you had thought--that it would turn
out--as it has done----But no matter now--you have my forgiveness--and
you deserve it; for Hugh dear, it was as much and more my own
thoughtlessness and self-will that caused it. Hugh dear, comfort and
support Alley here, and Maura, too, Hugh; be kind to them both for poor