Product Description
This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1888. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... THE NUN'S CURSE. CHAPTER I. A DEAD LION. Thirty-four years ago there was joy in Donegal-- joy too deep to find expression in jesting and langhter; which was felt rather than spoken; which could be traced in looks and tones, in the way men went about their daily work and exchanged greetings with one another. Did they but remark, "It is a rough day, or a 'saft' day, or a wild day," the melodies of hope and thankfulness ran through the words; when they bade their horses "ga-an," a geniality underlay the command that form of address often lacked; while those natives of Donegal who had been absent for a short time from the country could tell by a sort of VOL. I. B stir in the air, like the rising of the sap in spring, that something unusual had occurred. "Any news going?" was the question put by one such returned traveller to his neighbour. "Not much--only old Duke Conway is gone at last-" "No! Is he, now?" "He is so. They say he was a week dying; his was a fearsome death-bed." "Well, he had more nor eighty years of life." "He had that." And then both went on their way, content because one man had passed to his long account. There was joy in Donegal, deep joy and no sorrow. From Derry to Donegal Bay, from Malin Head to Fermanagh, there prevailed but one feeling --thankfulness. Not a voice was raised in lamentation; not a mourner cried, "Ah, my brother, or my master, or my friend!" He had been powerful, and he used his power to oppress; he had been rich, and he used his wealth to scourge; and now he was dead, and the Ieople were glad. The sky, and the ocean, and the stern mountains, and the stony unfruitful land all looked to them different; all bore a softer and lovelier aspect because Marmaduke Conway was sleeping that sleep which knows no waking; but they did not t...
