"These McDonnells," said he, "have the lives of cats. You shall see your lordling back yet. He oweth me a bout, and is too honest a man to rob even an enemy. But, Humphrey lad," added he, "I pray you see to these women. There is sore distress in their camp, and I durst not put in my head. Besides, I know not if they have so much as a crust of bread to eat." The honest fellow was right. When I went in, the maiden was in strange woe, pacing up and down her chamber with pale face and heaving breast. "Humphrey," said she, and her voice was dry and hoarse, "this is my fault, my fault! He will love me no more! I tempted him to stay when he should have been at his brother's side. I, for my own comfort, made a woman of him, who should have helped make him a hero." "Nay," said I, "you are wrong, maiden. Had he been there he could not have helped this. It was in nature he should--" "Humphrey!" she exclaimed, in a voice which staggered me, "talk not like a fool. I have forfeited his love. He did well to leave me without a word! I have been worse to him than his worst enemy. I dare not see him again, for he will loathe me. You must take me hence, or, truly, I will go without leave." "Maiden," said I, "have patience. This is the act of God, not of man; and Ludar when he returns may need your comfort sorely." She laughed bitterly. "I know Ludar," she said; "you know him not. Think you the sight of me will not drive him mad when he comes back, brotherless?" "At least," said I, "be content to wait here till to-morrow. I should be a traitor to him and myself were I to let you depart unattended; and I may not leave, here till he or the old chief comes." "Will Sorley Boy be here to-morrow?" asked she. "He will; he has said so." "Then," said she, "I stay on this condition. Tell him naught of me but that I am an O'Neill, a prisoner here, who demand to be restored to my father, Turlogh Luinech O'Neill. Ludar will not return yet. When he does, he shall find me gone. Go back to the wall, Humphrey. No man shall say again I stood between him and his duty." I returned sadly enough to my post; and all that night we kept weary watch on the walls, straining our ears for Ludar's call or news of the battle. But neither Ludar nor news of him came. At daybreak, however, as the sun rose over the headlands, there came a noise of pipes and shouting, and a flutter of pennons on the hill-tops. Then we knew Sorley Boy had come. Before him fled scattered parties of the enemy, yet far enough beyond our range; nor, when they sped away into the hills westward, did the chief allow his men to continue the chase. The McDonnells gave a wild, mighty cheer, when they saw the heather of the clan flying aloft on their ancient castle; and in the silence that followed I could see the old chief stand a moment to pass his hand across his eyes, as if to make sure he saw aright.