his fingers through it. When all was over, and the fearful cap drawn
off, Ellen seemed only then to awake to consciousness. Her eyes
slowly opened to their fullest extent--their expression of despair was
absolutely frightful--a low, gurgling, half-choking sob forced itself
from between her lips, and ere a hand could be outstretched to save her,
she fell, as if quickly dashed to the ground by no mortal power--her
piercing shriek of agony ringing through the court-house, with a
fearful, prolonged cadence.

Evening approached, and the busy crowd of idlers had passed away, some
to brood over what they had seen, and others to forget, in the bustle
of life, that there were woes and miseries in the hearts of their
fellow-beings. Owen was remanded to prison, as his execution was not
to take place till the commission was over, thus giving him more than
a week to prepare for that final doom. The light that struggled through
the bars of his cell rested fully on the stooping figure of his wife, as
she bent over the rude bed on which he lay; and her hot tears fell fast
down her cheeks, as she thought how soon they were doomed to part for
ever. Hope was not, however, entirely dead within her, for the jury had
strongly recommended him to mercy; and ignorant as she was of forms and
ceremonies--helpless as a lone woman in misfortune always is--she
had determined on going to Dublin, to kneel at the feet of the Lord
Lieutenant--then the proud and whimsical Duke of ------, and there to
solicit his pardon. Having hesitated for some time as to the manner in
which she should break it to him, and ask his advice, she thus began--

"Owen, dear Owen! do you know what I've been thinkin' ov, an' where I've
been thinkin' ov goin'?"

[Illustration: PAGE 120-- One long and lingering look of affection]