endered a hasty retreat out of
it necessary. A sudden trembling of the walls and upper joists was felt,
the crowd rushed out, and the next moment the whole building was one
fallen mass of smoking ruins.

The females now found themselves prisoners; but still their brother and
M'Carthy kept near them, and seemed to act as a portion of those to whom
their guardianship! had been entrusted. Julia found herself committed,
as if by general consent, to the care of one individual, who kept her
a little in advance of the accompanying crowd--to! whom, from time to
time, he waved his hand without looking behind him to intimate that
they should not press close upon them, but afford him an opportunity of
holding what he wished to be considered some confidential conversation
with her.

"That I may be blest, Miss Julia, but you're a lucky girl this
night--an' I think I may say that I'm a lucky boy myself. I'm to take
care of you, and to bring you to a safe place; which I'll do, never
fear. You know what I told you afore about my family--how we wor ever
an' always doin' our best against the Sassanach Laws--an ould family
it is--an' sure ould blood is betther than riches any day--an' it isn't
complexion aither, Miss Julia, that a--this way, darlin'--this way--an'
how long now is it since you fell in consate with me? Well, darlin' that
I may die a happy death in a good ould age, if I can blame you for not
spakin'--especially afther havin' lost your father and two brothers this
night. Howandiver, we can have a lob of their wealth, anyhow, yourself
and myself--this way, darlin', there's a party of friends waitin' for
us--wisha' thin, but I'm lookin' forrid to a happy life wid you--but
sure you might say a single word to me, darlin'--jist to let me know you
hear me."

Whether Julia heard this one-sided dialogue or not, it is difficult
to say. She seemed passive and inattentive, and walked on with an
abstracted and mechanical motion. Her brother and lover could only get
near her occasionally, having found it necessary to watch her mother and
sister also. They could perceive, however, not only that the crowd which
followed Mogue appeared to be a good deal in his confidence, and under
his sway, but that it increased so rapidly as he went along, that they
became alarmed, especially as the Cannie Soogah had not yet made his
appearance.

At this moment they were met by a body of men, who on looking at Mogue
and Julia, exclaimed, "You are brin