subsistence, nor, indeed,
did he seem strongly devoted to life, or to the pleasures it afforded.
He was not addicted to those intemperate habits which characterise
"Blessed Priests" in general; spirits he never tasted, nor any food that
could be termed a luxury, or even a comfort. His communion with the
people was brief, and marked by a tone of severe contemptuous
misanthropy. He seldom stirred abroad except during morning, or in the
evening twilight, when he might be seen gliding amidst the coming
darkness, like a dissatisfied spirit. His life was an austere one, and
his devotional practices were said to be of the most remorseful
character. Such a man, in fact, was calculated to hold a powerful sway
over the prejudices and superstitions of the people. This was true. His
power was considered almost unlimited, and his life one that would not
disgrace the highest saint in the calendar. There were not wanting some
persons in the parish who hinted that Father Felix O'Rourke, the parish
priest, was himself rather reluctant to incur the displeasure, or
challenge the power of the _Lianhan Shee_, by driving its victim out of
the parish. The opinion of these persons was, in its distinct
unvarnished reality, that Father Felix absolutely showed the white
feather on this critical occasion--that he became shy, and begged leave
to decline being introduced to this intractable pair--seeming to
intimate that he did not at all relish adding them to the stock of his
acquaintances.

Father Philip they considered as a decided contrast to him on this
point. His stern and severe manner, rugged, and, when occasion demanded,
daring, they believed suitable to the qualities requisite for
sustaining such an interview. They accordingly waited on him; and after
Bartley and his friends had given as faithful a report of the
circumstances as, considering all things, could be expected, he told
Bartley he would hear from Mrs Sullivan's own lips the authentic
narrative. This was quite satisfactory, and what was expected from him.
As for himself, he appeared to take no particular interest in the
matter, further than that of allaying the ferment and alarm which had
spread through the parish.

"Plase your Reverence," said Bartley, "she came in to Mary, and she
alone in the house, and for the matther o' that, I believe she laid
hands upon her, and tossed and tumbled the crathur, and she but a sickly
woman, through the four corners of the house. Not that Mar