"No! _Dher Chiernah_, he had not; an' he may thank Nell M'Collum for
that. I put the weakness over him. But I've not done wid him yet. I'll
make that family curse the day they crossed Nell M'Collum, if I should
go down for it. Not that I have any ill will to the boy himself, but the
father's heart's in him, an' that's the way, Meehaul, I'll punish the
man that was the means of lavin' me as I am."

"Nell, the devil's in your heart," replied Meehaul, "if ever he was in
mortal's. Lave me, woman: I can't bear your revengeful spirit, an' what
is more, I don't want you to interfere in this business, good, bad, or
indifferent. You bring about harm, Nell; but who has ever known you to
do good?"

"Ay! ay!" said the hag, "that's the cuckoo song to Nell; she does harm,
but never does good! Well, may my blackest curse wither the man that
left Nell to hear that, as the kindest word that's spoke either to her
or of her! I don't blame you. Meehaul--I blame nobody but him for it
all. Now a word of advice before you go in; don't let on to Ellen that
you know of her meetin' him this night;--an' reason good,--if she thinks
you're watchin' her, she'll be on her guard--'ay, an' outdo you in spite
of your teeth. She's a woman--she's a woman. Good night, an' mark him
the next time betther."

Meehaul himself--had come to the same determination and from the same
motive.

The consciousness of Lamh Laudher's public disgrace, and of his
incapability to repel it, sank deep into his heart. The blood in his
veins became hot and feverish when he reflected upon the scornful and
degrading insult he had just borne. Soon after his return home, his