one have occasioned him, under the peculiar circumstances which drew
it forth, to be avoided and branded with contumely. There was, in
fact, then in existence among the rival factions in Ireland much of the
military sense of honor which characterizes the British army at this
day; nor is this spirit even yet wholly exploded, from our humble
countrymen. Poor Lamh Laudher was, therefore, an exile from his father's
house, repulsed and avoided by all who had formerly been intimate with
him.

There was another individual, however, who deeply sympathized in all he
felt, because she knew that for her sake it had been incurred; we allude
to Ellen Neil. Since the night of their last interview, she, too, had
been scrupulously watched by her relations. But what vigilance can
surpass the ingenuity of love? Although her former treacherous confidant
had absconded, yet the incident of the Dead Boxer's arrival had been the
means of supplying her with a friend, into whose bosom she felt that she
could pour out all the anxieties of her heart. This was no other than
the Dead Boxer's wife; and there was this peculiarity in the interest
which she took in Ellen's distress, that it was only a return of
sympathy which Ellen felt in the unhappy woman's sufferings. The conduct
of her husband was indefensible; for while he treated her with shameful
barbarity, it was evident that his bad passions and his judgment were at
variance, with respect to the estimate which he formed of her character.
In her honesty he placed every confidence, and permitted her to manage
his money and regulate his expenses; but this was merely because her
frugality and economic habits gratified his parsimony, and fostered one
of his strongest passions, which was avarice. There was something about
this amiable creature that won powerfully upon the affections of Ellen
Neil; and in entrusting her with the secret of her love, she she felt
assured that she had not misplaced it. Their private conversations,
therefore, were frequent, and their communications, unreserved on both
sides, so far as woman can bestow confidence and friendship on the
subject of her affections or her duty. This intimacy did not long escape
the prying eyes of Nell M'Collum, who soon took means to avail herself
of it for purposes which will shortly become evident.

It was about the sixth evening after the day on which the Dead Boxer had
published his challenge, that, having noticed Nell from a window as she