by
a blow aimed at the devoted representative from the infernal court; but
it failed to dismount him, for he merely shrunk aside, and it was
rendered harmless. Another and a more contumelious laugh announced this
failure. Even the Black Knight grew alarmed. The being was surely
invulnerable. He stayed a moment ere he repeated the attack, when, to
his unspeakable horror and astonishment, there issued a thin squeaking
voice from underneath the disguise.

"The heriot, Sir Ralph--the heriot! We'll have a heriot at Easter!"

Had a thunderbolt fallen at his feet, the knight could not have been
more terrified. He let the weapon fall. His hands dropped powerless at
his side. His countenance was like the darkly rolling sea, strangely
tossed by some invisible tempest. The cause of this sudden and
unexpected termination of the assault we will now proceed briefly to
unfold.

The morning of this day, being the eve of the Blessed Nativity, had been
employed by the Black Knight in the laudable occupation of visiting a
poor widow; who, though recently bereaved of her husband, had not
rendered the customary heriot. Unfortunately, the only valuable she
possessed was a cow, the produce of which formed the chief support of
the family; four young children, and a boy of about fourteen, whose
brains were generally supposed more or less oddly constructed than those
of his neighbours, depended on this supply for their daily support.
Cold, bitter cold, was the season, and it had set in with more than
common severity. Day after day the payment was delayed. Every morning
the widow and her son fondled the poor beast, as though it were the
last; but another morning and evening succeeded. Supper could not supply
the place of breakfast, nor breakfast contend against the wants of
supper; and how could the already half-famished ones be sustained, when
their only resource should be taken away?

"Go down upon your knees, Will, and thank God for another morning's
meal. It is the eve of our blessed Lord's incarnation, and I think He
will not leave us to perish in this world, who has made such a bountiful
provision for our well-being in the next. The knight has not sent for
the heriot, and I think that He alone who succours the widow and the
fatherless can have inclined his heart to mercy."

Scarcely were the thanksgivings finished, when they were alarmed by the
rapid approach of their persecutor. The door flew open, and in
thundering accents the Black