When Sir Ralph got home, his ill-humour vented itself with more severity
than usual. On joining the sports, he was at the first somewhat
startled, on perceiving a representation of the personage which the
morning's conversation had by no means prepared him to recognise either
with admiration or respect. Still, as it was nothing out of the common
usage, he took no apparent notice, farther than by remarking the general
gloom that prevailed, contrary to the usual course of these festivities.
Then came the unlooked-for aggression upon his person, provoking his
already irritated feelings into vehement action. But, when the last
unfortunate blow had failed in its purpose, appearing to the furious
knight to have been warded off by a charm, a sudden misgiving came
across him, which, with the speech of this supposed imp of darkness, so
strangely alluding to his adventure with the boy, wrought powerfully
upon his now excited imagination, so that he stood aghast, unable to
grapple with its terrors. He hastily departed from the hall, leaving the
enemy in undisputed possession of the field.
What occurred subsequently we are not told, save that on the following
morning the widow's heriot was sent back, with an ungracious message
from the knight, showing his unwillingness to restore what terror only
had wrung from him.
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