"Ellen," said he, "how is this? Has any thing frightened you? Merciful
mother! aunt, look at her!"

The distracted girl sank before him on her knees, locked her hands
together, and while her eyes sparkled with an unsettled light,
exclaimed--

"John!--John!--Lamh Laudher Oge--forgive me, before you die! I have
murdered you!"

"Ellen love, Ellen"--

"Do you forgive me? do you? Your blood is upon me, Lamh Laudher Oge!"

"Heavens above! Aunt, she's turned! Do I forgive you, my heart's own
treasure? How did you ever offend me, my darling? You. know you never
did. But if you ever did, my own Ellen, I do forgive you."

"But I murdered you--and that was because my brother said he would do
it--an' I got afraid, John, that he might do you harm, an' afraid to
tell you too--an'--an' so you promise me you won't fight the Dead Boxer?
Thank God! thank God! then your blood will not be upon me!"

"Aunt, she's lost," he exclaimed; "the brain of my _colleen dhas_ is
turned!"

"John, won't you save me from the Dead Boxer? There's nobody able to do
it but you, Lamh Laudher Oge!"

"Aunt, aunt, my girl's destroyed," said John, "her heart's broke!