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Nature and labor required the refreshment of rest, and, as the
coach proceeded at its steady pace, the varied evidences of waking life
became few and far between. One after another the lights, both near and
at a distance, disappeared. The roads became silent and solitary, and
the villages, as they passed through them, were sunk in repose, unless,
perhaps, where some sorrowing family were kept awake by the watchings
that were necessary at the bed of sickness or death, as was evident by
the melancholy steadiness of the lights, or the slow, cautious motion by
which they glided from one apartment to another.
The moon had now been for some time up, and the coach had just crossed a
bridge that was known to be exactly sixteen miles from the town of which
the stranger had made inquiries.
"I think," said the latter, addressing the guard, "we are about sixteen
miles from Ballytrain."
"You appear to know the neighborhood, sir," replied the guard.
"I have asked you a question, sir," replied the other, somewhat
sternly, "and, instead of answering it, you ask me another.


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