men met, it was with similar mystery and fear. "Vread, (*
Margaret) do you know what's at the Cassidys'?"

"Whisht, ahagur, I do; but let what will happen, sure it's best for us
to say nothin'."

"Say! the blessed Virgin forbid! I'd cut my hand off o' me, afore I'd
spake a word about it; only that--"

"Whisht! woman--for mercy's sake--don't----"

And so they would separate, each crossing herself devoutly.

The meeting at Cassidy's was to take place that day at twelve o'clock;
but, about two hours before the appointed time, Anne, who had been in
some of the other houses, came into her father's, quite pale, breathless
and trembling.

"Oh!" she exclaimed, with clasped hands, whilst the tears fell fast
from her eyes, "we'll be lost, ruined; did yez hear what's in the
neighborhood wid the Cassidys?"

"Girl," said the father, with more severity than he had ever manifested
to her before, "I never yet riz my hand to you, but _ma corp an duowol_,
if you open your lips, I'll fell you where you stand. Do you want that
cowardly uncle o' yours to be the manes o' hanging your father? Maybe
that was one o' the lessons Martin gave you last night?" And as he spoke
he knit his brows at her with that murderous scowl which was habitual
to him. The girl trembled, and began to think that since her father's
temper deepened in domestic outrage and violence as his crimes
multiplied, the sooner she left the family the better. Every day,
indeed, diminished that species of instinctive affection which she had
entertained towards him; and this, in proportion as her reason ripened
into a capacity for comprehending the dark materials of which his
character was composed. Whether he himself began to consider detection
at hand, or not, we cannot say; but it is certain, that his conduct
was marked with a callous recklessness of spirit, which increased in
atrocity to such a degree, that even his daughter could,only not look on
him with disgust.

"What's the matter now?" inquired Denis, with alarm: "is it anything
about us, Anthony?"

"No, 'tisn't," replied the other, "anything about us! What 'ud it be
about us for? 'Tis a lyin' report that some cunnin' knave spread, hopin'
to find out the guilty. But hear me, Denis, once for all; we're goin' to
clear ourselves--now listen--an' let my words sink deep into you
heart: if you refuse to swear this day--no matther what's put into your
hand--you'll do harm--that's all: have courage, man; but should you