This was by no means the case with O'Driscol, who was much more the object of amusement to the people than of enmity.

The mask of bluster, and the cowardly visage it covered, were equally well known in the neighborhood; and as the Irish possess a quick and almost instinctive perception of character, especially among their superiors, we need scarcely say that they played off, on more than one occasion, many ludicrous pranks at his expense.

He was certainly a man of great importance, at least in his own opinion, or if he did understand himself, he wished, at all events, to be considered so in the eyes of others.

He possessed, however, much more cunning than any one would feel inclined to attribute to him, and powers of flattery that were rarely ever equalled.

He was, in fact, one of the few men who could administer that nauseating dose, without permitting the person who received it to become sensible that he did so.