In the meantime, a tithe auction was to take place at a distance of some three or four miles from the Proctor's.

On the morning when it was to take place, Mogue Moylan told Alick Purcel that he wished to speak to him.

This scoundrel's plausibility was such, that he had continued to act the spy and traitor in the family, without exciting suspicion in the mind of any one, with the exception only of Jerry Joyce, who being himself involved in Whiteboyism, was placed in a position of great difficulty and danger.

To have discovered Mogue's treachery, would not only criminate himself, by the necessity of admitting his connection with this illegal combination, which was a felony at the time, but it would also have probably occasioned the loss of his life, by betraying the designs of his confederacy, and thus proving himself, as it would have been termed, a traitor to the people, and to the cause of his country.

Such, in truth, are the multifarious evils that result from illegal conspiracies among our impulsive and unreasoning countryman.
"It's a word or two I'd wish to spake to you, Mr.Alick." "Well, Mogue, what's the matter?
Are you still determined to be hard-hearted to poor Letty Lenehan ?" "That I may never sup sorrow, Mr.Alick, if I can help the foolish creature! I do all I can to let her see that we are not aiquils; but the thoughtless girl won't be convinced.