she, "I will open the back-door; there is no one here
to-night--it is too early for them."

I entered, followed by Timothy, and, as I stepped over the threshold, I
fainted. As soon as I recovered, Mrs McShane led me up stairs into her
room for security, and I was soon able to take the refreshment I so much
required. I stated what had passed to Mrs McShane and Kathleen, who
were much shocked at the account.

"You had better wait till it is late, before you go on," said Mrs
McShane, "it will be more safe; it is now nine o'clock, and the people
will all be moving till eleven. I will give your horses some corn, and
when you are five miles from here, you may consider yourselves as safe.
Holy saints! what an escape!"

The advice was too good not to be followed; and I was so exhausted, that
I was glad that prudence was on the side of repose. I lay down on Mrs
McShane's bed, while Timothy watched over me. I had a short slumber,
and then was awakened by the good landlady, who told me that it was time
for us to quit. Kathleen then came up to me, and said, "I would ask a
favour of you, sir, and I hope you will not refuse it."

"Kathleen, you may ask anything of me, and depend upon it, I will not
refuse it, if I can grant it."

"Then, sir," replied the good girl, "you know how I overcame my feelings
to serve you, will you overcome yours for me? I cannot bear the idea
that anyone, bad as he may be, of the family who have reared me, should
perish in so miserable a manner; and I cannot bear that any man, bad as
he is, even if I did not feel obliged to to him, should die so full of
guilt, and without absolution. Will you let me have the key, that Sir
Henry de Clare may be released after you are safe and away? I know he
does not deserve any kindness from you; but it is a horrid death, and a
horrid thing to die so loaded with crime."

"Kathleen," replied I, "I will keep my word with you. Here is the key;
take it up to-morrow morning and give it to Lady de Clare; tell her
Japhet Newland sent it."

"I will, and God bless you, sir."

"Good-bye, sir," said Mrs McShane: "you have no time to lose."

"God bless you, sir," said Kathleen, who now put her arms round me, and
kissed me. We mounted our horses and set off.

We pressed our horses, or rather ponies, for they were very small, till
we had gained about six miles, when we considered that we were,
comparatively speaking, safe, and then drew up, to allow them to recover