“My dear Julia,” said he, “I see that you are offended with me, but indeed you need not; I can give you a full and satisfactory explanation of my black face, if that be the cause of offence.”

“Some other time, Mr. M’Carthy, I may hear your explanation; but not just now.”

“I cannot bear your displeasure,” he added; “and you know it.”

“I wish you had felt as anxious not to deserve it.”

“I am unconscious of having deserved it—­but hear me, dearest
Julia------”

“Well, sir, I do.”

“Do you not go to see Widow Lynch’s poor sick daughter this evening?”

“No, sir.”

“No, sir, and well, sir—­good heavens! what means this all?—­I am anxious, I say, to give you a full explanation, and if you would only pay a visit this evening to the widow’s, I could meet you and explain everything.”

The Cannie Soogah’s warning here pressed upon her mind with peculiar force.

“But,” she replied, “I shall not go this evening.”

“Well, will you say what evening you intend to go?”

“No, sir,” she replied; “I don’t intend to go in future, either morning or evening.  Good-bye, Mr. M’Carthy, some time must elapse before I can listen to your explanation.”

“Is this generous, Julia?”

“I believe it is just, Frank.  Ask your own conscience, whether you are entitled to any confidence from me—­good-bye.”

And with these words, she tripped up to the drawing-room, where she joined her mother and sister.

M’Carthy, after having settled down from the tumult occasioned by these cowardly and murderous attempts upon his life, could not help indulging in the deepest indignation against the vile and unmanly systems of secret confederation in crime, by which the country was infested and disgraced; its industry marred, its morality debauched, and its love of truth changed into the practice of dissimulation, falsehood, and treachery.  He accordingly determined, as far as in him lay, to penetrate the mystery, and ascertain the danger by which he was surrounded, and if possible, to punish his unmanly and ferocious enemies.  He consequently lodged informations against Frank Finnerty, for whose apprehension a warrant was issued; but thanks to the kind services of his friend Mogue Moylan, Finnerty was duly forewarned, and when our friend, the heroic O’Driscol, armed to the teeth, and accompanied by as many police as would have captured a whole village, arrived at and surrounded his house, he found that the bird had flown, and left nothing but empty walls behind him.

CHAPTER XIV.—­State of the Country

—­O’Driscol rivals Falstaff—­Who Buck English was supposed to be.