ment might be over--when he would still be alive--still
sensible to the thoughts of life--but when the light of the sun would
have been for ever excluded, and his last thoughts would be wandering
between doubtful hopes of Heaven's mercy, and awful fears of his
coming agony.

The cold sweat stood upon his brow as he endeavoured to explain his
feelings to the priest. And assiduously, patiently, warmly, and
kindly, did that friend endeavour to allay his sufferings, and make
him feel as confident of God's pardon for his sins as he was of the
executioner's doom. He told him also that, if possible, no crowd
should be assembled to gaze at his death; and he promised himself to
stand by him, and hold his hand to the last moment of his life.

At six the priest left him promising to see him again on the Sunday,
and on every day till it was all over. He then returned to McKeon's,
where he dined.

At about ten they were sitting together with Mrs. McKeon by the fire
talking over the affairs of Ballycloran, and consulting as to what
had better be done with Larry after the execution, when the girl
entered and said a man was waiting outside wishing to speak to Mr.
McKeon. Tony accordingly went out; and standing at the back-door, for
he would not enter the kitchen, with his hat slouched over his face,
he found Pat Brady. He was very much astonished at seeing this man;
more especially so, as since the trial Brady's name had been
mentioned with execration by almost every one, and particularly by
those, who like McKeon, had taken every opportunity of showing
themselves Macdermot's friends; and it would have been thought
therefore that McKeon's house was one of the last places to which he
would be likely to come.

Pat was the first to speak.

"There's a word or two I want to spake to you, Mr. McKeon."

"To speak to me," said Mr. McKeon; "well, what is it?"

"I couldn't just be telling you here; av you wouldn't mind stepping
out, a minute or so--it's not five minutes I'd be keeping you."

McKeon accordingly went out into the dark yard, about thirty paces
from the house, and Brady continued--

"It's about the young masther, yer honor."

"You've said enough about him; you've hanged him; now, what more have
you?"

"May I niver see the Blessed Virgin in glory av I towld a word of a
lie agin the masther. Av I iver towld the truth it was that day; an'
worse luck--av I'd lied then maybe it'd been betther for Mr. Thady."

"It wasn't t