, and the commentaries upon
the ceremony they had witnessed, instantly settled into a most profound
silence, and every eye was turned towards it with an interest absolutely
fearful. "Let," said the curate, "none of those who have sworn depart
from within the ring, until they once more clear themselves upon this;"
and as he spoke, he held it up--"Behold," said he, "and tremble--behold
THE DONAGH!!!"

A low murmur of awe and astonishment burst from the people in general,
whilst those within the ring, who with few exceptions, were the worst
characters in the parish, appeared ready to sink into the earth. Their
countenances, for the most part, paled into the condemned hue of guilt;
many of them became almost unable to stand; and altogether, the state
of trepidation and terror in which they stood, was strikingly wild and
extraordinary.

The curate proceeded: "Let him now who is guilty depart; or if he
wishes, advance and challenge the awful penalty annexed to perjury upon
this! Who has ever been known to swear falsely upon the Donagh, without
being visited by a tremendous punishment, either on the spot, or in
twenty-four hours after his perjury? If we ourselves have not seen such
instances with our own eyes, it is because none liveth who dare incur
such dreadful penalty; but we have heard of those who did, and of
their awful punishment afterwards. Sudden death, madness, paralysis,
self-destruction, or the murder of some one dear to them, are the marks
by which perjury upon the Donagh is known and visited. Advance, now, ye
who are innocent, but let the guilty withdraw; for we do not desire to
witness the terrible vengeance which would attend a false oath upon the
Donagh. Pause, therefore, and be cautious! for if this grievous sin be
committed, a heavy punishment will fall, not only upon you, but upon the
parish in which it occurs!"

The words of the priest sounded to the guilty like the death-sentence
of a judge. Before he had concluded, all, except Meehan and his brother,
and a few who were really innocent, had slunk back out of the circle
into the crowd. Denis, however, became pale as a corpse; and from time
to time wiped the large drops from his haggard brow: even Anthony's
cheek, despite of his natural callousness, was less red; his eyes
became disturbed; but by their influence, he contrived to keep Denis in
sufficient dread, to prevent him from mingling, like the rest, among
the people. The few who remained along with