that I can do will be done." Her lover's eyes had been fixed upon her,
and with a feeble voice--for the agitation had exhausted him--he added
his solicitations for her departure to theirs.

"I hope I will soon be better, dear Mave, and able to get up too--but
may God bless you and take care of you till then!"

Mave again went round and took his hand, on which he felt a few tears
fall.

"I came here, dear Con," she said, "to take care of you all, and why
need I be ashamed to say so--to do all I could for yourself. Sarah here
wishes me to spake the truth, an' why shouldn't I? Think of my words
then, Con, and don't let me or the thoughts of me occasion you one
moment's unhappiness. To see you happy is all the wish I have in this
world."

She then bade them an affectionate farewell, and was about to take her
departure, when Sarah, who had been musing for a moment, went to Dalton,
and having knelt on one knee, was about to speak, and to speak, as
was evident from her manner, with great earnestness, when she suddenly
restrained herself, clasped her hands with a vehement action, looked
distractedly from him to Mave, and then suddenly rising, took Mave's
hand, and said:

"Come away--it's dangerous to stop where this fever is--you ought to
be careful of yourself--you have friends that loves you, and that would
feel for you if you were gone. You have a kind good father,--a lovhin'
mother--a lovin' mother, that you could turn to, an' may turn to, if
ever you should have a sore heart--a mother--oh, that blessed word--what
wouldn't I give to say that I have a mother! Many an' outrage--many a
wild fit of passion--many a harsh word, too--oh, what mightn't I be now
if I had a mother? All the world thinks I have a bad heart--that I'm
without feelin'; but, indeed, Mave Sullivan, I'm not without feelin',
an' I don't think I have a bad heart."

"You have not a bad heart," replied Mave, taking her hand; "no one, dear
Sarah, could look into your face and say so; no, but I think so far from
that, your heart is both kind and generous."

"I hope so," she replied, "I hope I have--now come you and leave this
dangerous house; besides I have something to say to you."

Mave and she proceeded along the old causeway that led to the cabin, and
having got out upon the open road, Sarah stood.

"Now, Mave Sullivan," said she, "listen--you do me only justice to say
that I love truth, an' hate a lie, or consalement of any kind. I ax you
now thi