Father, I am--a COWARD! It is said at last, and the secret of my disgrace is in keeping of another!" The young man sunk back in a species of syncope, produced by the agony of his mind as he made the fatal communication.

The glover, moved as well by fear as by compassion, applied himself to recall him to life, and succeeded in doing so, but not in restoring him to composure.

He hid his face with his hands, and his tears flowed plentifully and bitterly.
"For Our Lady's sake, be composed," said the old man, "and recall the vile word! I know you better than yourself: you are no coward, but only too young and inexperienced, ay, and somewhat too quick of fancy, to have the steady valour of a bearded man.

I would hear no other man say that of you, Conachar, without giving him the lie.

You are no coward: I have seen high sparks of spirit fly from you even on slight enough provocation." "High sparks of pride and passion!" said the unfortunate youth; "but when saw you them supported by the resolution that should have backed them?
The sparks you speak of fell on my dastardly heart as on a piece of ice which could catch fire from nothing: if my offended pride urged me to strike, my weakness of mind prompted me the next moment to fly." "Want of habit," said Simon; "it is by clambering over walls that youths learn to scale precipices.