They were standing in the darkness by the wall.  He drew her more closely to him and his only answer was a kiss.

‘If he does escape,’ she said, ’I will go into court and tell what I know, if it will help your brother.  Perhaps I ought to tell the truth now in justice and honour, but I cannot desert my father.  There is something here will not let me do that,’ She pressed a hand to her bosom.

’No, you can’t do that.  I’m sorry for you, Chris. It’s a hard fight.  I want to fight with you.  By Heaven! you don’t know how I could fight for you.’

Her head had fallen upon his breast again; he felt her sob, and broke into vehement speech—­passionate assurances of love half spoken, ejaculations, fierce endearments, tender words—­then was as suddenly silent again, and stood over her with his lips amongst her hair until her mood passed.

‘I will come to-night,’ he whispered, when at length she ceased weeping.

‘No,’ she said, and she was strong again.  ’In asking you to be silent I make you false to your people.  I do ask that, but no more.  Harry, you must not come again.  Promise me you will not.’

‘You’ll come to me—­we’ll see each other?’

‘No, dear.  Better not, till this terrible business is over.’

Chris, I can’t part like that.’

’You must, you must.  Would you make it harder for me?  Would you give me a new burden of shame and grief?’

’I’d die for you!  There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you!

‘Then do this, my true love.  Promise me you will not come here again.’

‘Will it be for long?’

‘No, it cannot be for long.  Promise me.  Promise me.  Promise!’

‘You know if he’s-taken an’ tried I will have to give evidence against him.’

‘I do,’ she answered, shuddering.

‘An’ that’ll make no difference to our love?’

‘I will always love you, Harry.’

‘This trouble’s making a great change in you, Chris,’ he said yearningly.  ‘You’re pale and ill.  It’ll wear you out.’

She felt herself weakening again, but summoned all her resolution and stood true to her purpose.

‘I can bear it,’ she said.  ’I must!  Promise me.  Harry, the troopers are coming—­your promise!’

‘I promise.’  He held her a moment caught to his heart, they exchanged a long kiss, and she slipped from him and into the house.

CHAPTER XXI.

A minute later, when Casey rode up out of the darkness, Harry was sitting alone by the window.

‘You’ve seen nothing?’ he said.

Divil a see,’ replied the trooper.  ’It’s sartin to me he ain’t within fifty moiles av us this blessed minute.’

‘It doesn’t seem likely he’d hang round here, does it?’

‘The man ud be twin idyits what ud do it, knowin’ we’d be sartin sure to nab him, Misther Hardy.’

Harry was not disposed to smile, indeed he scarcely heeded Casey’s words; he thought he detected a faint sound of weeping within the house, and his heart was filled with a passionate longing to stand by his dear love in defiance of everything.  Casey, looking down upon him, noted the convulsive movements of his clenched hands, and said with a laugh: