ghlin, "to what a hardened state
the strong temptations of the devil has brought them."

"It is not that," said John; "it is affection for our injured sister,
whom he has doubly murdered--it is also hatred of himself, and of the
oppression we are receiving in so many shapes at his hands. He must
die."

"Yes," repeated the two brothers, "he must die, it is now too late."

"Ha!" said the priest, "I understand you; there is an oath here."

The three brothers smiled, but spoke not.

"Are ye my sons?" said the father, in tears, "and will you, who were
ever obedient and dutiful, disregard me now?"

"In this one thing we must," said John "we know you not now as our
father. Am I right?" said he, addressing his brothers.

"You are right," they replied, "in this thing he is not our father."

"Great God!" said the priest, trembling with absolute dread at a scene
so different from any he had ever witnessed, "Merciful Father, hear our
prayers, and drive the evil spirits of vengeance and blood out of the
hearts of these wicked men!"

"Amen!" said their father, "and rescue them from the strong temptations
of the devil which are in them and upon them. Why do you not even pray
to God--"

"--For strength to do it--we did, and we do," said John, interrupting
him.

Father Roche looked at them, and there they stood, pale, silent, and
with a smile upon their lips which filled him with a description of
awe and fear that was new to him. Their father was little better; the
perspiration stood on his brow, and as he looked at them, he at times
began to doubt their very identity, and to believe that the whole
interview might be a phantasma, or a hideous dream.

"You have sworn an oath," said the priest. "Rash and sinful men, you
dared blasphemously to take, as it were, the Almighty into a league of
blood! Do you not know that the creature you are about to slay is the
work of your Creator, even as you are yourselves, and what power
have you over his life? I see, I see," he added, "you have taken a
sacrilegious oath of blood!"

"We have taken an oath of blood," said they, "and we will keep it."

"But is this just to your sister?" said the priest; "do you believe in
the justice of an Almighty Providence? Is there no probability that, if
this man lives, circumstances may come to light by which her fair and
spotless character may be vindicated to the world? On the contrary,
should you now take his life, you prevent any such possibility