"I was a little frightened at first," continued Nora; "but I am not
now. I would rather you pushed me into that pool, I would rather
sink and die, than take an awful vow like that. I won't take it.
I'll do my very best to save you, but I won't make a vow."

"Faix, then, miss, it's you that has the courage; but now if I let
yez off this time, will ye do yer best?"

"Yes, I'll do my best."

"If yer don't, bonny as you are, and the light of somebody's eyes,
you'll go out of the world. But, come, I trust yez, and we must be
turning back."

The man took the matches from his pocket, struck one, and lit the
candle. Then, Andy going in front of Nora, they both turned in the
direction where the boat was waiting for them.




CHAPTER VII.


THE MURPHYS.

It was between two and three in the morning when the girls found
themselves back again in the desolate mansion of Cronane. Biddy had
left a window open; they had easily got in by it and gone up to