signed by those who subscribed to the former one in his behalf.
I think it is certainly necessary, for, to tell you the truth, I doubt
whether they are in possession of funds sufficient for the expenses of
so long a journey."

"I know," said the sheriff, "that there is little time to be lost, for
S----," naming the governor of the gaol, "tells me that the next convict
ship sails in a fortnight. We must, therefore, push forward the business
as rapidly as we can."

Well and truly did they keep their words, for we have the satisfaction
of adding, that on the seventh day from the date of that conversation,
they received a communication from the Castle, informing them that,
after having taken the peculiar hardships of O'Donovan's singular case
into mature consideration, they deemed the prayer of the memorial such
as they felt pleasure in complying with; and that the Colonial Secretary
had been written to, to take the proper steps for the return of the
young man and his parents to their own country at the expense of the
Government.

This was enough, and almost more than O'Brien expected. He had now done
as much as could be done for the present, and nothing remained but to
await their arrival with hope and patience. In truth, the prospect that
now presented itself to the Bodagh's family was one in which, for the
sake of the beloved Una, they felt a deep and overwhelming interest.
Ever since Connor's removal from the country her spirits had gradually
become more and more depressed. All her mirth and gayety had abandoned
her; she disrelished reading; she avoided company; she hardly ever
laughed, but, on the contrary, indulged in long fits of bitter grief
while upon her solitary rambles. Her chief companion was Biddy Nulty,
whom she exempted from her usual employment whenever she wished that
Connor should be the topic of their conversation. Many a time have they
strolled together through the garden, where Una had often stood, and,
pointing to the summer--house, where the acknowledgments of their
affection were first exchanged, said to her humble companion,--

"Biddy, that is the spot where he first told me that he loved me, and
where I first acknowledged mine to him."

She would then pull out from her heart the locket which contained his
rich brown hair, and, after kissing it, sit and weep on the spot which
was so dear to her.

Biddy's task, then, was to recount to the unhappy girl such anecdotes as
she remembered of him;