iption of malady peculiar to the human frame,
and without another word slunk out of the room. On hearing his name
Mr. and Mrs. Goodwin rushed to him, seized his hands, and with the
enthusiasm of grateful hearts each absolutely wept upon his broad and
ample bosom. He was at this period about forty-six; but seeing Alice's
face lit up with joy and delight, he stooped down and kissed her as a
father would a daughter who had recovered from the death struggle. "My
dear child," he said, "you are now saved; but you must remain here for
some time longer, because I do not wish to part with you until I shall
have completely confirmed the sanative influence with which God
has enabled me to reinvigorate you and others. As for your selfish
persecutor, he will trouble you no more. He knows now what the
consequences would be if he attempt it."

CHAPTER XXII.

History of the Black Spectre.

Woodward returned to the public room, where he was soon followed by
Father Mulrenin and Greatrakes, who were shortly joined by Mr. Goodwin;
Mrs. Goodwin having remained at home with Alice. The dancing went on
with great animation, and when the hour of supper arrived there was a
full and merry table. The friar was in great glee, but from time to time
kept his eye closely fixed upon Woodward, whose countenance and conduct
he watched closely; It might have been about the hour of midnight, if
not later, when, after a short lull in the conversation, Father Mulrenin
addressed Mr. Goodwin as follows:--

"Mr. Goodwin, is there not a family in your neighborhood named Lindsay?"

"There is," replied Goodwin; "and a very respectable family, too."

"By the way, there is a very curious tradition, or legend, connected
with the family of Mr. Lindsay's wife: have you ever heard of it?"

"That such a tradition, or legend, exists, I believe," he replied, "but
there are many versions of it--although I have never heard any of
them distinctly; something I did hear about what is termed the
_Shan-dhinne-dhuv_, or the Black Spectre."

"Well, then," proceeded the friar, "if the company has no objection to
hear an authentic account of this fearful apparition, I will indulge
them with a slight sketch of the narrative:

"When Essex was over here in the Elizabethan wars--and a nice hand he
made of them; not, God knows, that we ought to regret it, but I like a
good general whether he is for us or against us--devil a doubt of that:
well, when Essex was over here c