, on finding her sitting calmly on the rock
where Raymond had placed her, at the risk of his life. Poll Doolin, now
seeing that her idiot son was safe, and feeling that she was indebted
for his life to the son of that man on whom she is said by many to have
wreaked such a fearful vengeance, through the ruined reputation of
his only daughter, now approached the young man, and with her features
deeply convulsed by a sense probably of her obligation to him, she
stretched out her hand, 'John M'Loughlin,' said she, 'from this day out
may God prosper me here and hereafter, if I'm not the friend of you and
yours!'

"'Bad and vindictive woman,' replied the other indignantly, whilst he
held back the hand she sought, 'our accounts are now settled--I have
saved your son; you have murdered my sister. If you are capable of
remorse I now leave you to the hell of your own conscience, which can be
but little less in punishment than that of the damned.'

"Raymond, whose attention had been divided between them and Mary
O'Regan, now said--

"'Ha, ha, mother--there--that's one--you'll sleep sound now I hope,
for you didn't lately--that little thing that comes to your bedside at
night, won't trouble you any more, I suppose. No, no, the thing you say
in your sleep, that is black in the face, has its tongue out, and the
handkerchief drawn tight about its neck. You'd give back the money in
your dhrame; but sorry a penny while you're waken, I'll engage.'

"Poll turned away rebuked, but not, if one could judge, either in
resentment or revenge. Raymond's words she had not heard, and of course
paid no attention to what he said; but the latter, now seeing that
the river had fallen considerably, again dashed into the stream, and
crossing over, lifted the poor insane widow off the rock, and setting
her down in safety on the other side, they both proceeded onwards
together.

"'The ford, sir, will not be passable for at least another hour,' said
young M'Loughlin, addressing me, 'but if you will have the kindness to
step up to my father's, and rest a little after your mountain journey,
for I think you have been up the hills, you will find it at least more
comfortable than standing here, and less fatiguing than going round
by the bridge, which would make it at least five miles added to your
journey.'

"I thanked him, said I felt obliged, and would gladly avail myself of
his very civil invitation.

"'Perhaps,' he added, 'you might wish to see our