"The house is full of your friends, Padraig, and there's nobody here with me at all; there's no man could want better than that for himself."
Patsy's voice was hoarse.
"You're looking for fight?"
"I'm looking for whatever is coming," she replied steadily.
"I'm coming, then," he roared, and he strode to her. He lifted his hands above his head, and brought them down so heavily on her shoulders that she staggered.
"Here I am," said he, staring into her face.
She closed her eyes.
"I knew it wasn't love you wanted, Padraig; it was murder you wanted, and you have your wish."
She was swaying under his weight as she spoke; her knees were giving beneath her.
"Eileen," said Patsy, in a small voice, "I'm going to tumble; I can't hold myself up, Eileen; my knees are giving way under me, and I've only got my arms round your neck."