Page:Irish assassin, or, The misfortunes of the family of O'Donnel (3).pdf/20

 with was lady O'Donnell, she was leaning on the arm of Maria, who was spending a few days with her adored benefactress. Without a moment's hesitation he seized the unfortunate Maria by the hair, dragged her round the hall, kicked her with the most execrable brutality, and acted like a mad man. His wretched victim soon became senseless, and on lady O'Donnell's flying to her assistance he dashed her from him with horrible execrations, and then fastening on his terrified wife, who could only ascribe the husband's conduct to madness, he drew her towards a trap-door, which led to the cellars beneath the house, and opening it, threw her down the stairs, and then following, lifted her lifeless body from the dark ground, and deposited it within a cell. Having done this, he returned to the hell at the moment when the exhausted Maria was returning to a sense of her wretchedness. Perceiving her rise from the cold flags he again ran to her, and with refinement of cruelty, he throw her out on the gravel walk in the midst of a heavy shower of rain, and shut the door with a thundering clap.

The worthy Captain Farrell was entertaining a few friends at the cottage. In the midst of their conviviality a knock at the door disturbed them. Captain Farrell arose and opened it; but, oh God! who can describe the horror of his feelings, when his lovely Maria fell into his arms drenched with rain and void of all sense. She was seized with the most dreadful fits, which quickly succeeded each other. Her agonised parent carried her to her apartment, where sho continued in the most melancholy state, and at length tho premature birth of a child unfolded her unhappy secret, and gave to the heart of Farrell a pang of which he never got the better.

Towards the close of tho evening the shrieks of the servant girl attracted the attention of Farrell, he ran to ascertain the cause, and was soon woefully convinced of his eminent danger. The outhouses were all in one mass of flame. Swift as his enfeebled limbs would permit did he fly to the chamber of his daughter, and