270 WILD SPORTS OF THE WEST. 



moments flew, the beautiful widow became paler and 

 more dejected ; and breasts which had never quailed 

 amid the roar of battle, now throbbed as nervously as 

 a maiden's, when she listens to the first tale of love. 

 The harps were mute, the revel became less loud, for 

 all were deeply interested in that event which a brief 

 space must determine. At this embarrassing moment, 

 a loud blast was heard at the grand gate, and the seneschal 

 rushed in, to announce the arrival of the Thane of 

 Connaught, attended by a noble following of, at least, 

 one hundred horse. 



The sudden and opportune appearance of him of the 

 West seemed to affect the company variously. His 

 rivals heard the news with mingled feelings of jealousy 

 and alarm, which was in no way abated when the 

 number of his attendants was announced, which exceeded 

 that of their united folio wings. Rose Roche felt a 

 secret pleasure at his coming ; not that her sentiments 

 towards O'Connor were more favourable than to her 

 suitors generally, but his late arrival must necessarily 

 occasion some delay, and postpone, though but for brief 

 space, that dreaded moment when she should surrender a 

 hand, without a heart, to her future lord. 



While O'Connor, as the greatest stranger, was placed 

 beside the lady of Dhu Castle, his bard stood behind 

 his master, and his train bestowed themselves where 

 they could best find room. As Rose Roche looked 

 carelessly around to see that the band were fitly accom- 

 modated, her eyes met those of the young minstrel : — 

 the blood rushed to her brow ; for, excepting those of 

 her own loved page, she never looked upon a pair so 

 black and sparkling as the stranger's. 



When the Thane of Connaught had feasted to his 



