Will you promise this ?" "Meenaul has threatened to strike me, has he?
An' I, a Lamh Laudher, am to take a blow from a Neil, an' to thank him, I suppose, for givin' it." Ellen rose up and stood before him.
"Lamh Laudher," said she, "I must now try your love for me in earnest.
A lie I cannot tell no more than I can cover the truth.

My brother has threatened to strike you, an' as I said afore, you must bear it for his sister's sake." "No, _dher Chiernah_, never.

That, Ellen, is goin' beyant what I'm able to bear.

Ask me to cut off my right hand for your sake, an' I'll do it; ask my life, an' I'll give it: but to ask a Lamh Laudher to bear a blow from a Neil--never.

What! how could I rise my face afther such a disgrace?
How could I keep the country wid a Neil's blow, like the stamp of a thief upon my forehead, an' me the first of my own faction, as your brother is of his.