cattle, ruining crops, injuring peaceable farmers, who did not do
their bidding and shooting at landlords and prominent people
connected with the government.

Crime is not a means to honourable victory and O'Connell was ashamed
of the miscreants who blackened the fair name of his country by
their ruthless and despicable methods.

He avoided the possibility of imprisonment again for the sake of
Peg. What would befall her if he were taken from her?

The continual thought that preyed upon him was that he would have
nothing to leave her when his call came. Do what he would he could
make but little money--and when he had a small surplus he would
spend it on Peg--a shawl to keep her warm, or a ribbon to give a
gleam of colour to the drab little clothes.

On great occasions he would buy her a new dress, and then Peg was
the proudest little child in the whole of Ireland.

Every year, on the anniversary of her mother's death, O'Connell had
a Mass said for the repose of Angela's soul, and he would kneel
beside Peg through the service, and be silent for the rest of the
day. One year he had candles, blessed by the Archbishop, lit on our
Lady's altar and he stayed long after the service was over. He sent
Peg home. But, although Peg obeyed him, partially, by leaving the
church, she kept watch outside until her father came out. He was
wiping his eyes as he saw her. He pretended to be very angry.

"Didn't I tell ye to go home?"