THE LEGEND OF ROSE ROCHE. 265 



to a merry roundelay from Edwin's lute than to the deeds 

 of Cormac's grandfather, as set out in song by Connor 

 O'Cahan. The bard, it is true, was blind, and the page 

 had the blackest eyes imaginable. 



This unhappy predilection was not concealed from her 

 lord. His jealousy instantly took fire, and the handsome 

 page was suddenly removed, and none knew whither. 

 The absence of an heir had now become matter for 

 serious complaint : it was whispered among the Baron's 

 followers that there was no cause for hope, and malici- 

 ously insinuated, moreover, that the close coif adopted 

 by the dame was worn to conceal some natural deformity. 

 Cormac, a slave to suspicion, and instigated by his rude 

 companions, insisted that the hood should be discarded, 

 or that Rose Roche should retire in disgrace to the 

 convent from whence she came. 



On the alternative being proposed, the lady proved 

 positive, and the coif was peremptorily retained. 

 Cormac, irritated by opposition to his commands, 

 was obstinate in his determination, and Rose Roche 

 left the Castle of her lord a repudiated wife, and once 

 more returned to the convent of the Ursulines. 



From the hour of their separation, the Baron seldom 

 smiled. To part from his wife was a trifle ; but, 

 unluckily, he had embroiled himself with the church. 

 The Abbess espoused the lady's quarrel fiercely, and 

 ave and credo were no longer offered up for Cormac 

 More ! Notwithstanding past largess, beeves and wine- 

 butts were forgotten ; the candlesticks upon the altar 

 no longer elicited a prayer ; and his soul's health was 

 no more attended to by the community than the lowest 

 horse-boys of his train. 



Thus matters stood, when one dark evening, returning 



