CHAPTER XVIII

Cathfa had gone away, and Conachúr strode to his prisoners.

“So! Naoise,” he said.

“So! uncle,” said Naoise.

“I win in the end. I always win at last,” said Conachúr.

He looked at each with his stern smile, and when he spoke again it was to Deirdre.

“Little fawn! you have run wild for a long time. You shall rest at last.”

But she made only the reply that a fawn makes, the reply of parted lips and terror-stricken eyes.

“You shall come to me,” he said.

Then she moistened her trembling lips and looked at Naoise.