," or sent; probably to St.
Patrick's Purgatory at Lough Derg, to do penance. Those who did not
choose to stop in the whiskey-houses now hurried home with all speed,
to take some sleep before early Mass, which was to be performed the next
morning about daybreak. The same number of lights might therefore
be seen streaming in different ways over the parish; the married men
holding the torches, and leading their wives; bachelors escorting their
sweethearts, and not unfrequently extinguishing their flambeaux, that
the dependence of the females upon their care and protection might more
lovingly call forth their gallantry.

When Mike Reillaghan considered with due attention the hint which Darby
More had given him, touching the necessity of collecting his friends
as an escort for Peggy Gartland, he had strong reasons to admit its
justness and propriety. After Mass he spoke to about two dozen young
fellows who joined him, and under their protection Peggy now returned
safely to her father's house.

Frank M'Kenna and his wife reached home about two o'clock; the dance
was comparatively thin, though still kept up with considerable spirit.
Having solemnized himself by the grace of so sacred a rite, Frank
thought proper to close the amusement, and recommend those whom he found
in the barn to return to their respective dwellings.

"You have had a merry night, childher," said he; "but too much o' one
thing's good for nothin'; so don't make a toil of a pleasure, but go all
home dacently an' soberly, in the name o' God."

This advice was accordingly followed. The youngsters separated, and
M'Kenna joined his family, "to have a sup along wid them and Barny, in
honor of what they had hard." It was upon this occasion he missed his
son Frank, whose absence from the dance he had not noticed since his
return until then.

"Musha, where's Frank," he inquired: "I'll warrant him, away wid his
blackguards upon no good. God look down upon him! Many a black heart has
that boy left us! If it's not the will o' heaven, I fear he'll come to
no good. Barny, is he long gone from the dance?"

"Troth, Frank, wid the noise an' dancin', an' me bem' dark," replied
Barny, shrewdly, "I can't take on me to say. For all you spake agin him,
the sorra one of him but's a clane, dacent, spirited boy, as there
is widin a great ways of him. Here's all your, healths! Faix, 'girls,
you'll all sleep sound."

"Well," said Mrs. M'Kenna, "the knowledge of that Darby Mor