mother's misconduct from lips which duty should for ever seal-but to you, whom I have injured, that satisfaction is due; and while nature revolts, justice demands the atonement.

"You have possibly heard Lady Sarah heavily and justly censured for inordinate love of play; it was carried by her to the most blamable excess; and mental peace and respectability were alike surrendered to a ruling passion. She became the dupe of more practised gamblers, and without suspicion on my part, she had become hopelessly embarrassed. I observed latterly that many letters she received were carefully concealed, and her spirits became alarmingly depressed. I ventured to inquire the cause. She burst into tears, and left me. The following morning disclosed the dreadful mystery. I was summoned to her apartment. She lay in violent hysterics on the bed, and in frightful agony pointed to an open letter. I read it. It was from Mr. McCullogh. He informed her that a Jew, with whose name I was well acquainted, had placed a writ in his hands, as sheriff, against her, for several thousand pounds. A postscript was added, entreat

ing her not to be alarmed; but should she allow the writer the honour of an interview, matters might yet be favourably arranged. I pressed her to an immediate compliance with the request, little imagining that I was then hastening the consummation of my misery. sought-for interview took place. I was not present, but remarked a singular change in my

mother's conduct.

another succeeded.

The

Another interview and

All this to me was inex

plicable. At last the fatal truth was disclosed. My mother could be saved from a prison-her honour and her character preserved; and all that was required to effect it was the sacrifice of her child. Why need I continue a narrative of this horrid business-why need I relate the scenes of anguish and distress which I underwent? The victim was at last obtained; and at the altar I solemnly abandoned every hope of future happiness, to shield a parent's fame from obloquy and reproach. I have injured you, Henry, but will a miserable existence sufficiently satisfy my crime? I have sinned against love, and love shall pay the penalty."

VOL. II.

R

The sun had sunk upon his burning bed, and the distant waters hid him from mortal view; but a rich stream of light crimsoned the lake, and, like a warrior's fame, remained behind, to tell how glorious had been his departure! The mellowed twilight glanced through sumachs and lauristinas, and the wood-pigeon, nestled in the tall ash which overhung the lowlier shrubs, told that all was stillness and security. Emily hung over the wanderer. Her eyes, suffused with tears, rested upon his features, now glowing with returning love, now darkening with thoughts of vengeance. She watched the conflicting passions, and woman, in all her loveliness, bent down her lip to his, and murmured her prayer for pardon and for pity. The fever of the morning's conflict still raged in the rebel's veins. Beauty was before him, and wine had lent its maddening flush-unconsciously the arm which supported her fell, and he felt her bosom wildly throb against his breast. The smouldering flame of love was rekindled by the torch of revenge; and while his deadly foe exulted in the utter ruin of a hated

name, O'Hara outstripped him in the race of vengeance-for that night consummated M'Cullogh's disgrace, and witnessed Emily's dishonour.

R$

CHAPTER XIV.

A steed―a steed, of matchlesse speede!

A sword of metal keene!

Al else to noble heartes is drosse

Al else on earth is meane.

The neighing of the war-horse proude,
The rowleing of the drum,

The clangour of the trumpet loude,

Be soundes from Heaven that come.

Old Ballad.

WHILE O'Hara remained in safe concealment, the vengeance of the Government fell heavily upon many of the minor leaders. Munro, after a nominal trial, was executed in Lisburn, and, in his last moments, evinced so much calmness and intrepidity, as atoned, in some degree, for the fatal consequences which his imbecility in the hour of danger had brought upon the cause. Immediately before his death, recollecting that he had an unsettled account with a friend, which was of a difficult and complicated nature, he entreated a few minutes' delay, when having