He awoke from a fearsome nightmare, and, unable to remain longer in the cottage, ran home with the speed of one distracted.  There he rebuked his mother wildly, telling her that she had forced him into madness, and that he was free to execute her will—­to marry or hang, whichever she pleased.  His love of Anne now became entirely dormant, and he was able to estimate the greatness of his guilt without even the suggestion of a palliative.  Anne returned to Castle Chute, and preparations were soon being made for the wedding.  Hardress and his mother went to stay there, and Kyrle Daly heard for the first time that he had won the girl’s love, instead of pleading his fellow-collegian’s cause as he had promised.  The anger he felt was diverted by a family tragedy—­the death of his mother.  At her wake Hardress appeared, and found himself face to face with old Mihil O’Connor, his father-in-law.  The ropemaker, who had only a faint recollection of having met him before, told him of his heart-break because of Eily’s disappearance, and misread his agitation for sympathy.

Some while afterwards the gentry of the neighbourhood hunted the fox, and the dogs found on the bank of the Shannon a body covered with a large blue mantle that was drenched with wet and mire.  A pair of small feet in Spanish leather shoes appearing from below the end of the garment showed that the body was that of a female, whilst a mass of long, fair hair which escaped from the hood proved that death had found the victim untimely in her youth.

IV.—­Exiled for Life

Hardress confided the mournful story to his mother, assuring her that he was Eily’s murderer.  After the first extreme agitation, the lady declared that he overrated the measure of his guilt.  She reproached him for his lack of confidence, after all the love she had showered upon him.  He clenched his hand, and she affected to fear that he intended to strike her.  At her outcry of fear he sank to her feet, lowering his forehead to the very dust.

“There is one way left for reparation,” he said.  “I will give myself up.  There is peace and comfort in the thought.”

He was interrupted by the entrance of Anne.  Mrs. Cregan accounted for her son’s excitement by saying that he was ill.  Later in the evening they heard that the coroner had not even found anyone to identify the body, and that the jury had returned a verdict of “Found Drowned.”  Some days afterwards Hardress went shooting to the creek, and, believing that he had killed a serving-man, fled panic-stricken back to the house.  The fellow, however, was unhurt, but his cries attracted the attention of a stranger who had lain concealed under a bank.  A party of soldiers appeared now and fired at this unknown man, and soon he staggered and was taken prisoner.

Mrs. Cregan came to Hardress’s room with fearful tidings.  Eily’s dress had been recognised, and suspicion had fallen upon Danny Mann.  Hardress told her that his former servant had left the country, but soon the soldiers arrived at the house with the hunchback in charge.  Late that night Hardress left his bed, and entered the stable where Danny was confined.  The hunchback advanced towards him slowly, his hands wreathed together, his jaw dropped, and his eyes filled with tears.  He offered Hardress the glove.