m not afeard
of death, and if it comes, I trust I will meet it humbly but firmly."

"I believe," said the sheriff, "you need entertain little apprehension
of death; I'm inclined to think that that part of your sentence is not
likely to be put in execution. I have heard as much."

"I think, sir, by your manner, that you have," returned Connor; "but I
beg you to tell me without goin' about. Don't be afeared, sir, that I'm
too wake to hear either good news or bad."

The sheriff made no reply; but placed in his hands the official document
which remitted to him the awful penalty of his life. Connor read it over
slowly, and the other kept his eye fixed keenly upon his countenance, in
order to observe his bearing under circumstances that are often known
to test human fortitude as severely as death itself. He could, however,
perceive no change; not even the unsteadiness of a nerve or muscle was
visible, nor the slightest fluctuation in the hue of his complexion.

"I feel grateful to the lord lieutenant for his mercy to me," said he,
handing him back the letter, "as I do to the friends who interceded for
me; I never will or can forget their goodness. Oh, never, never!"

"I believe it," said the sheriff; "but there's one thing that I'm
anxious to press upon your attention; and it's this, that no further
mitigation of your punishment is to be expected from government; so that
you must make up your mind to leave your friends and your country for
life, as you know now."

"I expect nothing more," returned Connor, "except this, that the hand
of God may yet bring the guilt of burning home to the man that committed
it, and prove my innocence. I'm _now_ not without some hope that such a
thing may be brought about some how. I thank you, Misther Sheriff, for
your kindness in coming to me with this good news so soon; all that I
can say is, that I thank you from my heart. I am bound to say, too, that
any civility and comfort that could be shown was afforded me ever since
I came here, an' I feel it, an' I'm grateful for it."

Both were deeply impressed by the firm tone of manly sincerity and
earnestness with which he spoke, blended as it was by a melancholy which
gave, at the same time, a character of elevation and pathos to all he
said. They then shook hands with him, after chatting for some time on
indifferent subjects, the jailer promising to make his situation while
he should remain in prison as easy as the regulations would allow h