Evening approached, and the busy crowd of idlers had passed away, some to brood over what they had seen, and others to forget, in the bustle of life, that there were woes and miseries in the hearts of their fellow-beings.  Owen was remanded to prison, as his execution was not to take place till the commission was over, thus giving him more than a week to prepare for that final doom.  The light that struggled through the bars of his cell rested fully on the stooping figure of his wife, as she bent over the rude bed on which he lay; and her hot tears fell fast down her cheeks, as she thought how soon they were doomed to part for ever.  Hope was not, however, entirely dead within her, for the jury had strongly recommended him to mercy; and ignorant as she was of forms and ceremonies—­helpless as a lone woman in misfortune always is—­she had determined on going to Dublin, to kneel at the feet of the Lord Lieutenant--then the proud and whimsical Duke of ------, and there to solicit his pardon.  Having hesitated for some time as to the manner in which she should break it to him, and ask his advice, she thus began—­

“Owen, dear Owen! do you know what I’ve been thinkin’ ov, an’ where I’ve been thinkin’ ov goin’?”

[Illustration:  Page 120—­ One long and lingering look of affection]

There was no answer returned for some time, and on looking at him more earnestly, she was astonished to find that he had sank into a profound slumber.  “Guilt,” thought she, “is not there!” and her resolution was taken instantly—­she would not wake him—­she would not let him know her purpose—­and if she succeeded, her eyes flashed through her tears at the anticipation of his rapturous surprise.  Stooping lower, she gently pressed her lips to his; and kneeling beside his bed, poured forth a short but fervent prayer to Him in whom alone we can put our trust—­“In whose hand is the soul of every living-thing, and the breath of all mankind”—­“Who preserveth not the life of the wicked, but giveth right to the poor.”  There was something exceedingly and touchingly beautiful in the attitude of that young wife—­her hands clasped, her lips moving with her prayer, like rose-leaves with the evening breeze, and her upturned face, with its holy and deep religious expression.  Having concluded her fervent petition, she noiselessly arose, and giving her sleeping husband one long and lingering look of affection, that death could not estrange, she silently glided from the cell.

On the third night from the events which we have narrated, a poor woman was observed wending her toilsome way through the streets of the metropolis.  Her appearance bespoke fatigue and long travel; and as she neared the Upper Castle gate, she had to lean against the railing for support.  The lamps were lighted, carriages rolling to and fro, and all the buzz of life was ringing in her ears; but, oh! from the expression of pain and suffering in her face, and the shrinking