visit to be careful that they might not chance to go home with their heels foremost.  This, indeed, was setting them completely at defiance, and would, no doubt have been fatal to Vesey, were it not for a circumstance which I will now relate:—­In a little dell, below Vesey’s house, lived a poor woman, called Doran, a widow; she inhabited a small hut, and was principally supported by her two sons, who were servants, one to a neighboring farmer, a Roman Catholic, and the other to Dr. Ableson, rector of the parish.  He who had been with the rector lost his health shortly before Vengeance succeeded the Grogans as occupier of the land in question, and was obliged to come home to his mother.  He was then confined to his bed, from which, indeed, he never rose.

“This boy had been his mother’s principal support—­for the other was unsettled, and paid her but little attention, being like most of those in his situation, fond of drinking, dancing, and attending fairs.  In short, he became a Ribbonman, and consequently was obliged to attend their nightly meetings.  Now it so happened that for a considerable time after the threatening notice had been posted on Vengeance’s door, he received no annoyance, although the period allowed for his departure had been long past, and the purport of the paper uncomplied with.  Whether this proceeded from an apprehension on the part of the Ribbonmen of receiving a warmer welcome than they might wish, or whether they deferred the execution of their threat until Vengeance might be off his guard, I cannot determine; but the fact is, that some months had elapsed and Vengeance remained hitherto unmolested.

“During this interval the distress of Widow Doran had become known to the inmates of his family, and his mother—­for she lived with him—­used to bring down each day some nourishing food to the sick boy.  In these kind offices she was very punctual; and so great was the poverty of the poor widow, and so destitute the situation of her sick son, that, in fact, the burden of their support lay principally upon Vengeance’s family.

“Vengeance was a small, thin man, with fair hair, and fiery eyes; his voice was loud and shrill, his utterance rapid, and the general expression of his countenance irritable.  His motions were so quick, that he rather seemed to run than walk.  He was a civil, obliging neighbor, but performed his best actions with a bad grace; a firm, unflinching friend, but a bitter and implacable enemy.  Upon the whole he was generally esteemed and respected—­though considered as an eccentric character, for such indeed he was.  On hearing of Widow Doran’s distress, he gave orders that a portion of each meal should be regularly sent down to her and her son; and from that period forward they were both supported principally from his table.

“In this way some months had passed, and still Vengeance was undisturbed in his farm.  It often happened, however, that Doran’s other son came to see his brother; and during these visits it was but natural that his mother and brother should allude to the kindness which they daily experienced from Vesey.