ed, and was thus enabled to hear your awful, your
guilty, your blasphemous proceedings. Justice belongs to God, and in
mocking justice you mock the God of Justice."

"But you don't know, Father Roche," said O'Regan, "you couldn't imagine
all the villany he and his son have been guilty of, and all they've made
the people suffer."

"I do know it too well; and these are grievances that God in his own
good time will remove; but it is not for us to stain our souls with
guilt in order to redress them. Now, my children, do you believe that
I feel an interest in your welfare, and in your happiness hereafter? Do
you believe this?"

"We do, sir; who feels for us as you do?"

"Well, then, will you give me a proof of this?"

"Name it, sir, name it."

"I know you will," continued the old man; "I know you will. Then, in the
name of the merciful God, I implore, I entreat--and, if that will
not do, then, as his servant, and the humble minister of his word and
will--I command you to disavow the murderous purpose you have come to
this night. Heavenly Father," said he, looking up with all the fervor
of sublime piety, "we entreat you to take from these mistaken men the
wicked intention of imbruing their guilty hands in blood; teach them a
clear sense of Christian duty; to love their very enemies; to forgive
all injuries that may be inflicted on them; and to lead such lives as
may never be disturbed by a sense of guilt or the tortures of remorse!"
The tears flowed fast down his aged cheeks as he spoke, and his deep
sobbings for some time prevented him from speaking. Those whom he
addressed were touched, awakened, melted. He proceeded:--

"Take pity on their condition, O Lord, and in thine own good time, if it
be thy will, let their unhappy lot in this life be improved! But,
above, all things, soften their hearts, inspire them with good and pious
purposes, and guard them from the temptations of revenge! They are my
flock--they are my children--and, as such, thou knowest how I lave and
feel for them!"

They were more deeply moved, more clearly awakened, and more
penetratingly touched. Several sobs were heard towards the close of his
prayer, and a new spirit was diffused among them.

"Now, my children," said he, "will you obey the old man that loves you?"

"We will," was the universal response, "we will obey you."

"Then," said he, "you promise in the presence of God, that you will not
injure Valentine M'Clutchy and his son?"

"