CHAPTER IV.
Woodward meets a Guide--His Reception at Home--Preparations for a Fete.
Woodward rode slowly, as he indulged in those disagreeable reflections to which we alluded, until he reached a second crossroads, where he found himself somewhat at a loss whether to turn or ride straight onward.

While pausing for a moment, as to which way he should take, the mellow whistle of some person behind him indulging in a light-hearted Irish air, caused him to look back, when he saw a well-made, compact, good-looking young fellow approaching, who, finding his attention evidently directed to him, concluded his melody and respectfully touched hia hat." "Pray, my good friend," said Woodward, "can you direct me to Rathfillan, the residence of Mr.Lindsay, the magistrate ?" "Misther Lindsay's, is it ?" "Yes; I said so." "Well, I think I can, sir." "Yes; but are you sure of it ?" "Well, I think I am, sir." "You think! why, d--n it, sir, do you not know whether you are or not ?" "May I ax, sir," inquired the other in his turn, "if you are a religious character ?" "WHy, what the devil has that to do with the matter in question ?" said Woodward, beginning to lose his temper.

"I ask you to direct me to the residence of a certain gentleman, and you ask me whether I am a religious character?
What do you mean by that ?" "Why, sir," replied the man, "not much, I'm afeard--only if you had let me speak, which you didn't, God pardon you, I was going to say, that if you knew the way to heaven as well as I do to Misther Lindsay's you might call yourself a happy man, and born to luck." Woodward looked with something of curiosity at his new companion, and was a good deal struck with his appearance.

His age might be about twenty-eight or from that to thirty; his figure stout and well-made; his features were decidedly Milesian, but then they were Milesian of the best character; his mouth was firm, but his lips full, red, and handsome; his clear, merry eyes would puzzle one to determine whether they were gray or blue, so equally were the two colors blended in them.
After a very brief conversation with him, no one could doubt that humor formed a predominant trait in his disposition.

In fact, the spirit of the forthcoming jest was visible in his countenance before the jest itself came forth; but although his whole features bore a careless and buoyant expression, yet there was no mistaking in them the unquestionable evidences of great shrewdness and good sense.