"Have you promised what you wanted me to promise?" asked Nessa.
"That we have; sworn it!" cried the children, eagerly, regaining their voices.
"That was what I thought," said Nessa, beginning to unfasten the ribbon from her arm. "That is why I cannot be one of your tribe."
"Oh, stop a minute! stop a minute!" cried Rosie and the children, while Murtagh asked, "What do you want us to do?"
"I want you to undo the promise you have made, and to try never to hate any one," said Nessa, resolutely, her cheeks flushing a little, and her eyes dark and bright. "Do you not feel wicked when you hate?"
There was a pause; but for the moment Nessa had the little crowd in her power. Pat O'Toole was the first to speak.
"'Deed and she's right," he exclaimed. "When my paddy's up, it's little I care what I do."
"Faix, and it's little good we get by hating them," remarked another of the elder followers.
But to Murtagh himself the question was a more personal one. He was thinking deeply. Then, his whole countenance opening out into a sunny smile, he turned to Nessa and said, "I'll try."
That was all that was needed.