What will become of you now?
If you're caught, you must die a shameful death." "Devil a fear of it, my darlin' Ellen.

I could tell you something, if I thought myself at liberty to do so--something _mavourneen_, that 'ud give you a light heart." "Indeed, Fergus, I don't wish to hear any of your secrets.

It's my opinion they would not be fit for me to hear.

But in the mane time," she added--prompted by the undying principle of female curiosity, and, let us add, a better and more generous feeling--"in the mane time, Fergus, if it's any thing about yourself, and that it would give me a light heart, as you say it would, and that there is nothing wrong and dishonorable in it, I would, for your sake, be glad to hear it." "Well then, Ellen, I will tell it; but it must, for reasons that there's no use in mentionin' to you, be a secret between us, for some time--not a long time, I hope.

I am, thank God, free as the air of heaven, and may walk abroad, openly, in the face of day, if I like, without any one darin' to ask me a question." "But, Fergus," said Ellen, "I don't undherstand this.