ivity. Yet was it an
unusual occurrence upon Yule night, when these disturbers were supposed
to be prevented from walking the earth, being confined for a space to
their own kingdom. But the desperate character of their lord, who was
thought to fear neither man nor devil, might in some sort account for
this unwelcome intrusion.

The guests grew cautious. Whispers and unquiet looks went round, while
the little devil would ever and anon frisk about, to the great detriment
and dismay of his companions.

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. Each
looked on the face of his neighbour, hoping to find there some
indication of the felicity which his own had failed to exhibit.

The countenance of their chief grew more dark and portentous. Just as
they were expecting the full burst of his fury, up trotted the merry
imp, and irreverently crept behind Sir Ralph. Before their almost
incredulous eyes did he lay hold on the tail of the knight's cloak, and
twisting it round his arm, by a sudden jerk he brought this dignified
personage backwards upon the floor. The oaken beams trembled at this
unlooked-for invasion of their repose. Deep, deadly, and abominable
curses, rang through the hall. Livid and ghastly by turns, the knight's
features wore that ludicrous expres