such a favorite with the sex in general, who were ready to tear each
other's caps about him, as they sometimes actually did; and indeed this
is not at all to be wondered at. The fellow was one of the most open,
hardy liars that ever lived. Of shame he had heard; but of what it
meant, no earthly eloquence could give him the slightest perception;
and we need scarcely add, that his assurance was boundless, as were
his powers of flattery. It is unnecessary to say, then, that a man so
admirably calculated to succeed with the sex, was properly appreciated
by them, and that his falsehood, flattery, and assurance were virtues
which enshrined the vagabond in their hearts. In short, he had got the
character of being a rake; and he was necessarily obliged to suffer
the agreeable penalty of their admiration and favor in consequence. The
fellow besides, was by no means ill-looking, nor ill-made, but just had
enough of that kind of face and figure which no one can readily either
find fault with or praise.

This gallant and Sally M'Gowan, were in fact, the life of the meeting;
and Sally, besides, had the reputation of being a great favorite with
him--a circumstance which considerably diminished her popularity with
her own sex. She herself felt towards him that kind of wild, indomitable
affection, which is as vehement as it is unregulated in such minds as
hers. For instance, she made no secret of her attachment to him, but on
the contrary, gloried in it, even to her father, who, on this subject,
could exercise no restraint whatsoever over her. It is not our intention
to entertain our readers with the history of the occurrences which took
place at the dance, as they are, in fact, not worth recording. Hanlon,
at its close, prepared to see Sally home, as is usual.

"You may come with me near home," she replied; "but I'm not goin' home
to-night."

"Why, where the dickens are you goin' then?" he asked.

"To Barny Gorrnly's wake; there 'ill be lots of fun there, too," she
replied. "But come--you can come wid me as far as the turn-up to the
house; for I won't go in, nor go home neither, till afther the berril,
tomorrow."

"Do you know," said he, rather gravely, "the Grey Stone that's at the
mouth of the Black Glen?"

"I ought," said she; "sure that's where the carman was found murdhered."

"The same," added Hanlon. "Well, I must go that far to-night," said he.

"And that's jist where I turn off to the Gormly's."

"So far, then, we'l