man whom the devil
tried to kill, and how near he came to kill the devil instead."

I had thought it strange enough he should bring the child into that
scene; that he should actually be discoursing of his act, passed
measure. But the worst was yet to come: for he added, turning to his
son--"You can ask Mackellar; he was here and saw it."

"Did you really see the devil?" asked the child.

"I have not heard the tale," I replied; "and I am in a press of
business." So far I said, sourly, fencing with the embarrassment of the
position; and suddenly the bitterness of the past, and the terror of
that scene by candle-light, rushed in upon my mind. I bethought me that,
for a difference of a second's quickness in parade, the child before me
might have never seen the day; and the emotion that always fluttered
round my heart in that dark shrubbery burst forth in words. "But so much
is true," I cried, "that I have met the devil in these woods, and seen
him foiled here. Blessed be God that we escaped with life--blessed be
God that one stone yet stands upon another in the walls of Durrisdeer!
And, O! Mr. Alexander, if ever you come by this spot, though it was a
hundred years hence, and you came with the gayest and the highest in the
land, I would step aside and remember a bit prayer."

My lord bowed his head gravely. "Ah!" says he, "Mackellar is always in
the right. Come, Alexander, take your bonnet off." And with that he
uncovered, and held out his hand. "O Lord," said he, "I thank Thee and
my son thanks Thee, for Thy manifold great mercies. Let us have peace
for a little; defend us from the evil man. Smite him, O Lord, upon the
lying mouth!" The last broke out of him like a cry; and at that,
whether remembered anger choked his utterance, or whether he perceived
this was a singular sort of prayer, at least he suddenly came to a full
stop; and, after a moment, set back his hat upon his head.

"I think you have forgot a word, my lord," said I. "'Forgive us our
trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. For Thine is
the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.'"

"Ah! that is easy saying," said my lord. "That is very easy saying,
Mackellar. But for me to forgive!--I think I would cut a very silly
figure if I had the affectation to pretend it."

"The bairn, my lord!" said I, with some severity, for I thought his
expressions little fitted for the ears of children.

"Why, very true," said he. "T