, and he
hastily inquired into the cause of the commotion. Before he could
receive a reply, however, the house was almost crowded; and it was not
without considerable difficulty that, by the exertions of Mrs Sullivan
and Bartley, sufficient order and quiet were obtained to hear distinctly
what was said.

"Plase your Reverence," said several voices at once, "they're comin',
hot-foot, into the very house to us! Was ever the likes seen! an' they
must know right well, sir, that you're widin it."

"Who are coming?" he inquired.

"Why, the woman, sir, an' her _good pet_, the _Lianhan Shee_, your
Reverence!"

"Well," said he, "but why should you all appear so blanched with terror?
Let her come in, and we shall see how far she is capable of injuring her
fellow-creatures: some maniac," he muttered, in a low soliloquy, "whom
the villainy of the world has driven into derangement--some victim to a
hand like m----. Well, they say there _is_ a Providence, yet such things
are permitted!"

"He's sayin' a prayer now," observed one of them; "haven't we a good
right to be thankful that he's in the place wid us while she's in it, or
dear knows what harm she might do us--maybe _rise_ the wind!"

As the latter speaker concluded, there was a dead silence. The persons
about the door crushed each other backwards, their feet set out before
them, and their shoulders laid with violent pressure against those who
stood behind, for each felt anxious to avoid all danger of contact with
a being against whose power even a blessed priest found it necessary to
guard himself by a prayer.

At length a low murmur ran among the people--"Father O'Rourke!--here's
Father O'Rourke!--he has turned the corner after her, an' they're both
comin' in." Immediately they entered, but it was quite evident, from the
manner of the worthy priest, that he was unacquainted with the person of
this singular being. When they crossed the threshold, the priest
advanced, and expressed his surprise at the throng of people assembled.

"Plase your Reverence," said Bartley, "_that's_ the woman," nodding
significantly towards her as he spoke, but without looking at her
person, lest the evil eye he dreaded so much might meet his, and give
him "the blast."

The dreaded female, on seeing the house in such a crowded state,
started, paused, and glanced with some terror at the persons assembled.
Her dress was not altered since her last visit; but her countenance,
though more meagre