In the meanwhile let our hearts be guided by hope and constancy." After a mournful and tender embrace they separated.
It would be impossible to describe the agony of the lovers after a separation which might probably be their last.

Our readers, however, may very well conceive it, and it is not our intention to describe it here.

At this stage of our story, Reilly, who was, as we have said, in consequence of his gentlemanly manners and liberal principles, a favorite with all classes and all parties, and entertained no apprehensions from the dominant party, took his way homewards deeply impressed with the generous affections which his _Cooleen Bawn_ had expressed for him.

He consequently looked upon himself as perfectly safe in his own house.

The state of society in Ireland, however, was at that melancholy period so uncertain that no Roman Catholic, however popular, or however innocent, could for one week calculate upon safety either to his property or person, if he happened to have an enemy who possessed any influence in the opposing Church.