the touch of her hand took
away his strength; and what had he within or about him to depend upon?
could he look in upon his wicked heart, and be strong? could he look
upon the darkness of a bad conscience, and be strong? could he look on
me--upon my dead husband, and his bed of death, and be strong? No--and
above all, could he look up to the Almighty God in heaven, and be
strong--no--no--no--but from all these I gained strength--for surely,
surely, I had it not in myself!"

She uttered these sentiments with wonderful energy, and indeed, from
the fire in her eye, and the flush of her cheek, it was evident she
was highly excited. Father Roche, who had been engaged, and indeed, had
enough to do in keeping the poor child quiet and aloof from the fray,
especially from his mother--now entreated that she would endeavor to
compose herself, as she had reason to thank God, he said, that neither
she herself nor her resolute defenders had sustained any personal
injury. She did not seem to have heard him--for on looking on the body
of her husband she almost bounded over to the bed, and kneeling down
rapturously, and in a spirit of enthusiastic triumph, kissed his lips.

"Now, my husband," said she, "we have fought and gained the victory--no
insult did you get--no dishonor on your lowly bed where you're sleepin'
your last sleep. Hugh, do you know, asthore, how the wife of your heart
fought for you? Your own poor, weak, sorrowful, heart-broken, but loving
wife, that was as feeble as an infant this mornin'! But who gave her
the strength to put down a strong and wicked man'? The God--the good
God--and to him be the glory!--in whose bosom you are now happy. Ay, we
conquered--ha--ha--ha--we conquered--we conquered--ha--ha--ha!"

The dead body of Harpur in the meantime had been removed by his
companions, who it was evident felt as much, if not more bitterness at
their own defeat, than they did by the fatal accident which deprived him
of life.

Scarcely had the wild triumph of O'Regan's wife time to subside, when
it soon became evident that the tragical incidents of this bitter and
melancholy morning were not yet completed.

The child alluded to by Harman in his first brief conversation with
Father Roche, had been for some time past in a much more dangerous state
than his parents suspected, or at least than his unhappy mother did,
whose principal care was engrossed by the situation of her husband.
The poor boy, at all times affectionat