On the same evening, namely that immediately before the trial, Father John visited Thady in prison, and it was the last time that they were to meet before the fate of the latter was decided¹. The priest had constantly visited the young man in his confinement², and had done all in his power to support and cheer his spirits under the horrible circumstances in which he was placed, and not without success. Thady had borne his incarceration³ and distress⁴ with the greatest courage. When remaining at Aughacashel among the lawless associates with whom he had so foolishly looked for safety, he had completely lost his fortitude⁵ and power of endurance; he was aware that he was doing what was in every sense culpable⁶, and he then could not but look on himself as a murderer flying from justice; but now he had learned to see what was really criminal in what he had done, and what was venial⁷; and though the last five months had been spent in prison, and though he felt by no means sanguine⁸ of his acquittal, he had, nevertheless, never regretted that he had given himself up.

Father John had again today seen Mr. O’Malley, who now that he had the affair thoroughly⁹ at his fingers’ ends, seemed to be almost sanguine of success, and consequently the good priest himself was correspondingly elated.

“I trust in God, Thady,” said he, “I confidently trust you will be with me at the Cottage tomorrow night, or at any rate the next. The Cottage shall be your home for some time, my boy, if they allow you any home in the country. I don’t want to give you false hopes, but I don’t think any jury can convict you. I’m sure Mr. O’Malley thinks so too.”

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