Their lord's presence was anxiously looked for. The ruddy glow of their
mirth had become dim. Sir Ralph, they hoped, would either unmask this
mischievous intruder, or eject him from the premises; he having the
credit of being able to master aught in the shape of either mortal or
immortal intelligences.
At length he came, clad in his usual suit of black velvet. A swarthy and
ill-favoured wight he was, with a beard, as the story goes, that would
have swept off the prickly gorse-bush in its progress. He was received
with a great show of humility, and all made their best obeisance. But
this deputy, representative, or vicegerent of "Old Hornie," he stood
erect, among the obsequious guests, in a posture not at all either
respectful or becoming.
"Now, knaves, to your sport. Ye be as doleful as a pack of pedlars with
a full basket after the fair. I'll make ye play, and be merry too; or,
e' lady, ye shall taste of the mittens. Dan, give these grim-faced
varlets a twinge of the gloves there just to make 'em laugh."
His tyrannous and overbearing temper would even make them merry by
compulsion. But the terrified hearers did not manifest that intense
feeling of gratification which this threat was intended to produce.
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