whose courage and
gallantry he stood indebted for his escape from murder. The uncertainty
of Folliard's character, however, was so well known, and his whimsical
changes of opinion such a matter of proverb among the people, that many
persons said to each other:

"The cracked old squire is in one of his tantrums now; he'll be a proud
man if he can convict Reilly to-day; and perhaps to-morrow, or in a
month hence, he'll be cursing; himself for what he did--for that's his
way."

"Well, Miss Folliard," said Fox, "we will not detain you any longer;
this to you must be a painful scene; you may retire, madam."

[Illustration: PAGE 175--Give that ring to the prisoner]

She did not immediately withdraw, but taking a green silk purse out of
her bosom, she opened it, and, after inserting her long, white, taper
fingers into it, she brought out a valuable emerald ring, and placing it
in the hands of the crier, she said:

"Give that ring to the prisoner: I know not, William," she added,
"whether I shall ever see you again or not. It may so happen that this is
the last time my eyes can ever rest upon you with love and sorrow." Here
a few bright tears ran down her lovely cheeks. "If you should be sent
to a far-off land, wear this for the sake of her who appreciated your
virtues, your noble spirit, and your pure and disinterested love; look
upon it when, perhaps, the Atlantic may roll between us, and when you
do, think of your _Cooleen Bawn_, and the love she bore you; but if a
still unhappier fate should be yours, let it be placed with you in your
grave, and next that heart, that noble heart, that refused to sacrifice
your honor and your religion even to your love for me. I will now go."

There is nothing so brave and fearless as innocence. Her youth, the
majesty of her beauty, and the pathos of her expressions, absolutely
flooded the court with tears. The judge wept, and hardened old
barristers, with hearts like the nether millstone, were forced to put
their handkerchiefs to their eyes; but as they felt that it might be
detrimental to! their professional characters to be caught weeping, they
shaded off the pathos under the hypocritical pretence of blowing their
noses. The sobs from the ladies in the gallery were loud and vehement,
and Reilly himself was so deeply moved that he felt obliged to put his
face upon his hands, as he bent over the bar, in order to conceal his
emotion. He received the ring with moist eyes, kissed it, a