"Go on; go on; don't stop!" cried the earl. "He may hear you--who
can tell!"
Donal went down on his knees again.
"O God!" he said, "thou knowest us, whether we speak to thee or not;
take from this man his hardness of heart. Make him love thee."
There he stopped again. He could say no more.
"I can't pray, my lord," he said, rising. "I don't know why. It
seems as if nothing I said meant anything. I will pray for you when
I am alone."
"Are there so many devils about me that an honest fellow can't pray
in my company?" cried the earl. "I will pray myself, in spite of the
whole swarm of them, big and little!--O God, save me! I don't want
to be damned. I will be good if thou wilt make me. I don't care
about it myself, but thou canst do as thou pleasest. It would be a
fine thing if a rascal like me were to escape the devil through thy
goodness after all. I'm worth nothing, but there's my wife! Pray,
pray, Lord God, let me one day see my wife again!--For Christ's
sake--ain't that the way, Grant?--Amen."
Donal had dropped on his knees once more when the earl began to
pray. He uttered a hearty Amen. The earl turned sharply towards him,
and saw he was weeping. He put out his hand to him, and said,
"You'll stand my friend, Grant?"
CHAPTER LXXX.
AWAY-FARING.
Suddenly what strength lady Arctura had, gave way, and she began to
sink.
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