19 The letter was as follows: Donegal, Sunday night. My ever respected master, I have only time to exhort you to proceed hither without delay. The villain M'Pherson, after the most diabolical attempt to force any young mistress to his odious purposes. in which he was happily prevented by her father, has gone to Dublin, and informed Sir Neale of your marriage, who has ar- rived 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. My poor lady is now at Murphy's cabin extremely ill, attended by her unhappy father, whose cottage was burned down last night. Come as swift as you can, as I fear my young mistress is in great danger, and raves continually of you. In laste, your devoted servant, HENRY M'GUIRE. When Arthur had received this agonizing letter he had just returned from riling. His agitation for some time was very great. At length be rang for a servant, whom he desired to get his horse to the door in a moment land to fix the travelling holsters with a brace of loaded pistols to the saddle, as lie was going a long journey. While the unhappy Arthur is winging his speed to the house of his forefather's, we will return to Sir Neale, who arrived at his estate on the afternoon of the third day, bloated with contending passions of injured pride, and inveterate hatred towards all who he conceived were privy to the conduct of his son. Amongst others includ- ed in the curses he was incessantly venting, his amiable wife was foremost. To her he attributed much of his supposed dishonour, and on her innocent head he deter- mined to take the most signal revenge. "On his en- tering the hall of the chateau, the first person he met
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