\"oh, do not use violence! he is one man, and you are many; but herwords died away, for there was no tone in her voice; it was but a hoarsewhisper. mr. thornton stood a little on one side; he had moved awayfrom behind her, as if jealous of anything that should e betweenhim and danger.

\"go!\" said she, once more (and now her voice was like a cry). \"thesoldiers are sent for--are ing. go peaceably. go away. you shallhāve relief from your plaints, whatever they are.\"

\"shall them irish blackguards be packed back again?\" asked one fromout the crowd, with fierce threatening in his voice.

\"never, for your bidding!\" exclaimed mr. thornton. and instantly thestorm broke. the hootings rose and filled the air,--but margaret did nothear them. her eye was on the group of lads who had armed themselveswith their clogs some time before. she saw their gesture--she knew itsmeaning,--she read their aim. another moment, and mr. thorntonmight be smitten down,--he whom she had urged and goaded to e tothis perilous place. she only thought how she could sāve him. shethrew her arms around him; she made her body into a shield from thefierce people beyond. still, with his arms folded, he shook her off.

\"go away,\" said he, in his deep voice. \"this is no place for you.\"

\"it is!\" said she. \"you did not see what i saw.\" if she thought her sexwould be a protection,--if, with shrinking eyes she had turned awayfrom the terrible anger of these men, in any hope that ere she lookedagain they would hāve paused and reflected, and slunk away, andvanished,--she was wrong. their reckless passion had carried them toofar to stop--at least had carried some of them too far; for it is always thesāvage lads, with their love of cruel excitement, who head the riot-recklessto what bloodshed it may lead. a clog whizzed through the air.

margaret\"s fascinated eyes watched its progress; it missed its aim, andshe turned sick with affright, but changed not her position, only hid herface on mr. thornton s arm. then she turned and spoke again:\"

\"for god\"s sake! do not damage your cause by this violence. you do notknow what you are doing.\" she strove to make her words distinct.

a sharp pebble flew by her, grazing forehead and cheek, and drawing ablinding sheet of light before her eyes. she lay like one dead on mr.

thornton\"s shoulder. then he unfolded his arms, and held her encircledin one for an instant:

\"you do well!\" said he. \"you e to oust the innocent stranger you fall-you hundreds--on one man; and when a woman es before you, toask you for your own sakes to be reasonable creatures, your cowardlywrath falls upon her! you do well!\" they were silent while he spoke.

they were watching, open-eyed and open-mouthed, the thread of dark-red blood which wakened them up from their trance of passion. thosenearest the gate stole out ashamed; there was a movement through allthe crowd--a retreating movement. only one voice cried out:

\"th\" stone were meant for thee; but thou wert sheltered behind awoman!\"

mr. thornton quivered with rage. the blood-flowing had mademargaret conscious--dimly, vaguely conscious. he placed her gently onthe door-step, her head leaning against the frame.

\"can you rest there?\" he asked. but without waiting for her answer, hewent slowly down the steps right into the middle of the crowd. \"nowkill me, if it is your brutal will. there is no woman to shield me here.