then again—­he, the noble-minded, the brave, the generous, the disinterested—­alas!  I know not what to do, Lanigan, nor how to act.  If I remain here, they will strive to force this odious marriage on me; and then some fearful catastrophe will happen; for, sooner than marry Whitecraft, I would stab either him or myself.  Either that, Lanigan, or I should go mad; for do you know, Lanigan, that there is insanity in our family, by my father’s side?”

“Unfortunately I know it, Miss Folliard; your uncle died in a mad-house, and it was in that way the estate came to your father.  But remember what you say Mr. Reilly told you; be calm; I will send up some light nourishing dinner to you, at the usual hour; and in the meantime I will see him before then, and forge some excuse for bringing it up myself.”

“Stay, Lanigan, I am sadly perplexed; I scarcely know what I say; I am in a state of inconceivable distraction.  Suppose I should change my mind; it is not unlikely; I am whirled about by a crowd of contending emotions; but—­well—­let me see—­oh, yes—­it will be as well, Lanigan, to have two horses ready saddled; that is no crime, I hope, if we should go.  I must, of course, put on my riding habit.”

“Begging your pardon, Miss Folliard, you’ll do no such thing; would you wish to have yourself discovered in the first inn you might put up at?  No, dress yourself in one of Connor’s dresses so that you may appear as humble as possible, and any thing but a lady of rank; otherwise, it will be difficult for you to escape observation.”

“Well, Lanigan, all I can say is, that he and I shall place ourselves under your advice and guidance.  But my father—­oh, my dear father!” and again she wrung her hands and wept bitterly.

“Miss Helen,” said he, “as sure as the Lord’s in heaven, you will discover yourself; and, after all, how do you know that Sir Robert has found out Mr. Reilly?  Sure it’s nothing but bare suspicion on both your parts.  At any rate, I’ll saddle Paudeen O’Rafferty wid my own hands, and I’ll put on Molly Crudden’s big pillion, for you know she’s too fat to walk to mass, and you will feel yourself quite easy and comfortable in it”

“No, no, Lanigan; I know not why the impression is on me; but I feel as if I were never to experience comfort more.  Go to Mr. Reilly; make what arrangements he and you may think proper, and afterwards you can acquaint me with them.  You see, Lanigan, in what a state of excitement and uncertainty I am.  But tell Reilly that, rather than be forced into a marriage, with Whitecraft—­rather than go distracted—­rather than die—­I shall fly with him.”

CHAPTER XIX.—­Reilly’s Disguise Penetrated

—­Fergus Reilly is on the Trail of the Rapparee—­He Escapes—­Sir Robert begins to feel Confident of Success.

Lanigan, on passing the dining parlor, heard what he conceived to be loud and angry voices inside the room, and as the coast was clear he deliberately put his ear to the key-hole, which ear drank in the following conversation: