“It will be strange if Mr. Vosburgh’s home escapes,” he thought.  “Some one must know enough of his calling to bring upon him and his the vengeance of the mob.  I shall do the best I can for him and his daughter, but to-day has slain the last vestige of hope beyond that of compelling her respect.  Wholly off her guard, she showed her deep-rooted detestation, and she can never disguise it again.  Regret and mortification at her conduct, a wish to make amends and to show gratitude for such aid as I may give her father, will probably lead her to be very gracious; at the same time I shall ever know that in her heart is a repugnance which she cannot overcome.  A woman can never love a man towards whom she has entertained thoughts like hers;” and with much bitter musings, added to his reckless impulses, he made his way to the region in which Mrs. Ghegan had her rooms.

Finding a livery stable near he hired a hack, securing it by threats as well as money, and was soon at the door of the tenement he sought.

Mrs. Ghegan showed her scared, yet pretty face in response to his knock.

“Ye’s brought me bad news,” she said, instantly, beginning to sob.

“Yes, Mrs. Ghegan; but if you love your husband you will show it now.  I have come to take you to him.  He has been wounded.”

“Is it Mr. Merwyn?”

“Yes; I’ve just come from Mr. Vosburgh, and he will do what he can for you when he has a chance.  They know about your trouble.  Now make haste, for we’ve not a moment to lose in reaching the hospital.”

“The Lord knows I love Barney as me loife, an’ that I’d go to him through fire and blood.  Oi’ll kape ye no longer than to tie me bonnet on;” and this she was already doing with trembling fingers.

Locking the door, she took the key with her, and was soon in the hack.  Merwyn mounted the box with the driver, knowing that openness was the best safeguard against suspicions that might soon prove fatal.  At one point they were surrounded and stopped by the rioters, who demanded explanations.

“Clear out, ye bloody divils!” cried Sally, who did not count timidity among her foibles; “wud ye kape a woman from goin’ to her husband, a-dyin’ beloikes?”

“Oh, let us pass,” said Merwyn, in a loud tone.  “A cop knocked her husband on the head, and we are taking her to him.”

“Och! ye are roight, me mon.  We’ll let onybody pass who spakes in her swate brogue;” and the crowd parted.

Reaching the hospital, Sally rushed into the office with the breathless demand, “Where’s Barney?”

Merwyn recognized the surgeon he had met before, and said:  “You know the man I brought a few hours since.  This is his wife.”

The surgeon looked grave and hesitated.

“What have ye done wid him?” Sally almost screamed.  “Are ye no better than the bloody villains in the strates?”

“My good woman,” began the surgeon, “you must be more composed and reasonable.  We try to save life when there is life—­”