t were, by a gloomy presentiment of some change, which
disturbed and depressed their hearts. They slept, however, in peace and
tranquillity, free from those snake-like pangs which coil themselves
around guilt, and deaden its tendencies to remorse, whilst they envenom
its baser and blacker purposes.

M'Slime himself at this crisis was beginning privately to feel some of
the very natural consequences of his own oft acknowledged frailty. Phil,
who had just left Constitution Cottage a few minutes before Darby's
arrival, had not seen him that morning. The day before he had called
upon his grandfather, who told him out of the pallor window to "go to
h---; you may call tomorrow, you cowardly whelp, if you wish to see
me--but in the meantime," he added as before, "go where I desired you."

Phil, who possessed a great deal of his father's selfishness and also of
his low cunning, but none at all of his ability, turned back indignantly
and rode home again. He had not passed more than about a hundred yards
from the avenue out into the highway, when he met Sharpe, one of the
heroes of the cabin.

We shall not detail their conversation, which, of course, embraced
many of the circumstances connected with their duties, excepting a few
interjectional imprecations which Phil in an occasional parenthesis
dutifully bestowed upon his grandfather.

"So, Sharpe, the fool Rimon made such a devil of a fight (the infernal
old scoundrel)--and took the gun."

"Why, Captain Phil, if he hasn't the strength of ten men, I'll never
manoeuvre on parade while I live--he's a bloody rascal."

"(A double distilled old scoundrel, and I wish the devil had him,)--he's
a bad bird, Sharpe, fool and all as he is, there's no doubt of that.
What did the priest do?"

"Why, your honor, I can't say that he took much part in it, barrin' once
that he went between us and the woman."

"He had no right to do that--(the blaspheming old vagabond,)--none at
all, Sharpe, and he ought to be prosecuted."

"He ought, Captain, and will, I hope."

"But then, Shaj-pe, if we swing Harman it will be enough, for
Harman--(he'll fiz for it, and that soon I hope)--is another bad bird."

"Oh, devil a worse, Captain, but even if he escapes us now, we'll manage
him yet."

They now came to a turn in the road, and found themselves at a bridge, a
little beyond which two roads met. On approaching, they observed an old
woman sitting on a large stone that lay a little beyond the arch