l man of Macroom was soon with him, and partly confirmed his
own first impressions, but strictly enjoining rest and quiet, as in the
event of any unusual excitement, the worst consequences might ensue.
Hemsworth bore up under the injunction with all the seeming fortitude
he could muster, but in his heart he cursed the misfortune that thus
delayed the hour of his long-sought vengeance.

"This may continue a week, then?" cried he, impatiently.

The doctor nodded an assent.

"Two--three weeks, perhaps?"

"It will be a month, at least, before I can pronounce you out of
danger," said the physician, gravely.

"A month! Great Heaven!--a month! And what are the dangers you
apprehend, in the event of my not submitting?"

"There are several, and very serious ones---inflammation of the brain,
fever, derangement even."

"Yes, and are you sure this confinement will not drive me mad?" cried
he, passionately; "will you engage that my brain will hold out against
the agonizing thoughts that will not cease to torture me all this
while?--or can you promise that events shall stand still for the moment
when I can resume my place once more among men?"

The hurried and excited tone in which he spoke was only a more certain
evidence of the truth of the medical fears; and, without venturing on
any direct reply, the doctor gave some directions for his treatment, and
withdrew.

The physician's apprehensions were well founded. The first few hours
after the accident seemed to threaten nothing serious, but as night
fell, violent headache and fever set in, and before day-break, he was
quite delirious.

No sooner did the news reach Carrig-na-curra, than Kerry was dispatched
to bring back tidings of his state; for, however different the
estimation in which he was held by each, one universal feeling pervaded
all--of sorrow for his disaster, Day after day, Sir Archy or Herbert
went over to inquire after him; but some chronic feature of his malady
seemed to have succeeded, and he lay in one unvarying condition of
lethargic unconsciousness.

In this way, week after week glided over, and the condition of the
country seemed like that of the sick man--one of slumbering apathy.
The pursuit of Mark, so eagerly begun, had, as it were, died out. The
proclamations of reward, torn down by the country people on their
first appearance, were never renewed, and the military party, after an
ineffectual search through Killarney, directed their steps northwa