CHAPTER IV.
THE TOWN.
Donal was queer, some of my readers will think, and I admit it; for the man who regards the affairs of life from any other point than his own greedy self, must be queer indeed in the eyes of all who are slaves to their imagined necessities and undisputed desires.
It was evening when he drew nigh the place whither he had directed his steps--a little country town, not far from a famous seat of learning: there he would make inquiry before going further.

The minister of his parish knew the minister of Auchars, and had given him a letter of introduction.

The country around had not a few dwellings of distinction, and at one or another of these might be children in want of a tutor.
The sun was setting over the hills behind him as he entered the little town.

At first it looked but a village, for on the outskirts, through which the king's highway led, were chiefly thatched cottages, with here and there a slated house of one story and an attic; but presently began to appear houses of larger size--few of them, however, of more than two stories.

Most of them looked as if they had a long and not very happy history.