Henry Vincent, Esq.

“ On the third morning after the decease of the angelic Maria, the villagers were assembled on the green opposite poor Murphy's cabin and on their faces dwelt the sentiments of pity and regret. In the bed-room of the cabin was placed the coffin of Maria, and beside it knelt the unfortunate Farrell. It was then carried out upon the green, where half a dozen young women dressed in black supported it, whilst as many more walked two and two before, and the like number behind. ”

“ The villain McPherson after the most diabolical attempt to force my young mistress to his odious purposes, in which he twas happily prevented by her father, has gone to Dublin, and informed Sir Neale of your marriage, who has arrived here in the most dreadful passion; he has locked your mother in the vault below the left wing, and your dear unfortunate wife, who was on a visit to her, he has treated with unparalleled brutality, turning her out of doors in a rainy night, and even striking her some severe blows in the heat of his anger. ”

“ An agreeable conversation soon took place, into which the amiable Maria, for such she was called, entered with tho most frank and bewitching simplicity, speedily convincing our hero, that her heart and her understanding were as lovely as her form. As they chatted together, the reserve natural to strangers wore off, and Arthur having expressed much satisfaction, mingled with some curiosity, as to their modo of life, the old man with great affability told him his short but melancholy tale. ”

“ Ho cursed himself, his wife, his son, all the world, and seizing McPherson by the throat nearly strangled him, observing, that if he had done his duty, by transmitting an account of the first interview between Arthur and Maria in the summer-house, all might have been well. "What do I say?" continued he, "all shall be well if I wash from the face of the earth, in their own gore, all those who have thus conspired to sully the blood of the O’Donnells." Ho then rang the bell, ordered his post-carriage, and drove towards Donegal. ”

“ During the whole night, Arthur conld not divest himself of the idea of Maria, whose bewitching figure was constantly in his mind. He rose with the lark, and impatiently awaited the rising of his mother. He was soon called to breakfast, at which he scarcely eat a mouthful, and at eight o'clock the carriage was ordered, and lady O'Donnell, accompanied by her son, were driven to the foot of the hill on which the cottage of Farrell stood, where they alighted and walked up the path which Arthur had taken the preceding night. ”

“ Sir Neale looked with astonishment at M'Pherson, then at the casket. "What," said he, "am I to understand from this?" "Open ye the casket," replied McPherson, "and you will be informed." Sir Neale opened the Casket, and took from it the papers it contained. The first of those that he examined was a short note from Arthur to Maria, couched in the following terms:
⁠"Dearest Maria,
⁠"The moments seem ages until I can again press to my heart my ever-adored wife. A few hours and I shall be with you. Oh! Maria, you know not how I love you. Scarcely can I exist but in your presence. ”

“ They had by this time reached the cottage, when Arthur would have taken his leave, but Farrell begged ho would step in and grace his humble shed. Ho could not refuse; there was an air of gentleness and sincerity about him, that would not admit of a denial, he stepped therefore into a very neat little parlour, where, sitting down, the worthy host desired his daughter to bring some of the best wine; "If you can excuse," he said, "what an old soldier can afford, you are welcome." ”

“ McPherson, after Arthur and Maria had left the garden, came from his hiding place, resolving in his own mind that the intentions and wishes of his young master should never be accomplished. This determination he adopted from a twofold reason: first, because he knew it would be in direct opposition to the will of Sir Neale; and next, because he felt a desire for Maria himself, conceiving that her father would accept with avidity, any proposition he should make, holding, as he did, a lucrative and advantageous situation, which his own (illegible text) shonesty rendered doubly profitable. ”

“ A calm resignation was apparent in the countenance of Farrell. The service had proceeded a considerable way, and the corpse, was made ready to to be laid in the earth, when suddenly tho folden doors of the church flew open, and a young man rushed vehemently in, exclaiming. "Where is my Maria? I will see her once more! I come to die with thee my love! Stand off ye inhuman wretches and give me way!" He then broke through tho crowd, and seeing the coffin started some paces backwards. "Help me, she is murdered! my gentle love is murdered!" ”

“ During that period McPherson was continually urging his suit, but was invariably treated with indignation. Still, however, he did not despair, and felt a confident hope his purposes would yet be attained, from the knowledge he had of Sir Neale's ambitious views for his son.
Arthur had now arrived at the age of manhood, and began to think of some expedient to induce his father to agree to his connection with Maria. ”

“ An intelligenco the most expressive sat on the features of the young woman,-an intelligence so, divine, so mild, so graceful, that Raphael might have studied it with rapture. She had on a gown of white cotton, and round her waist there was a green sash ”

“ Approach!" he cried in a voice of smothered rage. "thou cursed villain, who (illegible text) blasted machinations have for ever destroyed the fa (illegible text) and the family of my forefathers and let the last existing branch of that once proud and distinguished clan fini (illegible text) the cataloguo of his crimes, of which thou hast been t (illegible text) primary cause, by sheathing his trusty weapon in t (illegible text) blackened heart, in which has been engendered all those hell-born schemes of mischief that have mado him the wreteh ho is!" ”