y the sunlight was streaming over
the western ocean, as they lay down side by side, and slept.

CHAPTER XLIII. THE CONFEDERATES.

The paroxysm which Sir Archibald had witnessed, formed the crisis of
Hemsworth's malady; and on the evening of the same day, his disease
had so far abated of its violence, that his delirium had left him, and
excessive debility was now the only symptom of great danger remaining.
With the return of his faculties, came back his memory, clear and
unclouded, of every incident up to the very moment of his accident; and
as he lay, weak and wasted on his bed, his mind reverted to the plans
and projects of which his illness had interrupted the accomplishment.
The excitement of the theme seemed rather to serve than be hurtful to
him; and the consciousness of returning health gave a spring to his
recovery; fatigue of thought induced deep sleep, and he awoke on the
following day refreshed and recruited.

The lapse of time in illness is, probably, one of the most painful
thoughts that await upon recovery. The lethargy in which we have been
steeped simulates death; while the march of events around us show how
insignificant our existence is, and how independently of us the work of
life goes on.

When Wylie was summoned to his master's bed-side, the first question
put to him was, what day of the month it was? and his astonishment was,
indeed, great, as he heard it was the 16th of December, and that he had
been above two months on a sickbed.

"Two months here!" cried he; "and what has happened since?"

"Scarcely anything, sir," said Wylie, well knowing the meaning of the
question. "The country is quiet--the people tranquil. Too much so,
perhaps, to last. The young O'Donoghue has not been seen up the glen
for several weeks past; but his brother passes frequently from
Carrig-na-curra to the coast, and back again, so that there is little
doubt of his still being in his old hiding-place. Talbot--Barrington I
mean--has been here again, too."

"Barrington!---what brings him back? I thought he was in France."

"The story goes that he landed at Bantry with a French agent. One thing
is certain, the fellow had the impudence to call here and leave his card
for you, one day I was at Macroom."

"That piece of boldness bodes us no good," said Hemsworth. "What of the
others? Who has called here from Carrig-na-curra?"

"A messenger every day; sometimes twice in the same day."

"A messenger!--not one of the