to Thady--at any rate till after the verdict had been
given. If he should be condemned it would only be a useless cruelty
to increase his sufferings by telling him of his sister's disgrace.
Should he be acquitted, it would then become a question whether or
no he might still be suffered to live in ignorance of that which, if
known, would so deeply embitter the remainder of his life.

On the Friday morning the two friends again took their seat in court,
waiting anxiously till the jury should send in word that they had
come to a unanimous decision.

Thady was again in the dock, and Father John was just enabled to say
one word to him over the wooden paling;--to bid him still keep up his
courage, and to press his hand closely within his own.

Hour after hour passed on, and the dull stupid work of the week
went on. Mr. Allewinde's eloquence, Mr. O'Malley's energy, and Mr.
O'Laugher's wit, sounded equally monotonous to the anxious priest and
his good-natured friend. Though they seemed to listen, and indeed
endeavoured to do so, yet at the close of each trivial case that
was tried, they had no idea impressed upon them of what had just
been going on. One o'clock struck--two--three--four--five--and yet
they remained in the same position; and still the jury who had been
considering the subject remained undecided.

The business in the Record Court had been closed on the Thursday, and
therefore both the judges heard criminal cases during the whole of
Friday; and by six o'clock the business of the assizes was finished,
and the prisoners are all disposed of with the exception of poor
Thady. It was absolutely necessary that the judges should commence
their business at Sligo on the following Saturday, and if the jury
did not agree to a verdict before eleven on that morning, they would
have to be discharged, and the case must stand over for a fresh trial
at the summer assizes. This now seemed almost desirable to Father
John and McKeon. Immediately after hearing Mr. O'Malley's defence
they had felt sure of success; but the judge's charge had dreadfully
robbed them of their hopes, and they began to fear the arrival of the
foreman.

At six Baron Hamilton left the court, saying that either he or his
brother would be within call till twelve o'clock to receive the
verdict, and that he would remain in town till eleven the next
morning, should the jury not have decided before then. Thady was yet
once more taken back to prison in doubt, an