“In this case, sir, I think you are right; for it has been generally observed that, in no instance, has she ever been known to make any reference to the past in her character of fortune-teller.  She affects to hold intercourse with the fairies, or good people, as we term them, and insists that it is from them that she derives the faculty of a prophetess.  She also works extraordinary cures by similar aid, as she asserts.  The common impression is, that her mind is burdened with some secret guilt, and that it relieves her to contemplate the future, as it regards temporal fate, but that she dares not look back into the past.  I know there is nothing more certain than that, when asked to do so, in peculiar moods of mind, she manifests quite as much of the maniac as poor Fenton.”

“Away with the old impostress!” exclaimed the stranger; “I will have none of her!  Can you think of no one else?”

“Of course, you have not had time to become acquainted with our parish priest?” replied Birney.  “Since ‘Aroint thee, witch,’ is your creed, I think you had better try him.”

“Not an unnatural transition,” replied the stranger, smiling; “but what is he like?  Give me an outline.”

“He is named the Rev. Peter M’Mahon,and I forewarn you, that you are as likely, if he be not in the mood, to get such a reception as you may not relish.  He is somewhat eccentric and original, but, at the same time, his secret piety and stolen benevolence are beyond all question.  With his limited means, the good he does is incalculable.  He is, in fact, simple, kind-hearted, and truly religious.  In addition to all, he is a considerable bit of a humorist; when the good man’s mind is easy, his humor is kindly, rich, and mellow; but, when any way in dudgeon, it is comically sarcastic.”

“I must see this man,” said the stranger; “you have excited my curiosity.  By all accounts he is worth a visit.”

“He is more likely to serve you in this matter than any one I know,” said the attorney; “or, if he can’t himself, perhaps he may find out those that can.  Very little has happened in the parish within the last thirty-five years with which he is not acquainted.”

“I like the man,” replied the other, “from your description of him.”

“At all events, you would if you knew him,” replied Birney.  “He is both a good priest and a good man.”

He then directed him to the worthy clergy-man’s residence, which was not more than a mile and a half from the town, and the stranger lost little time in reaching it.

On approaching the house, he was much struck with the extraordinary air of neatness, cleanliness, and comfort, which characterized not only the house itself, but everything about it.  A beautiful garden facing the south, stretched down to the left, as you approached the elegant little whitewashed dwelling, which, placed on a green knoll, literally shone for miles over the beautiful and serene country by which it was surrounded.