CHAPTER XXII.
History of the Black Spectre.
Woodward returned to the public room, where he was soon followed by Father Mulrenin and Greatrakes, who were shortly joined by Mr.Goodwin; Mrs.Goodwin having remained at home with Alice.

The dancing went on with great animation, and when the hour of supper arrived there was a full and merry table.

The friar was in great glee, but from time to time kept his eye closely fixed upon Woodward, whose countenance and conduct he watched closely; It might have been about the hour of midnight, if not later, when, after a short lull in the conversation, Father Mulrenin addressed Mr.Goodwin as follows:-- "Mr.Goodwin, is there not a family in your neighborhood named Lindsay ?" "There is," replied Goodwin; "and a very respectable family, too." "By the way, there is a very curious tradition, or legend, connected with the family of Mr.Lindsay's wife: have you ever heard of it ?" "That such a tradition, or legend, exists, I believe," he replied, "but there are many versions of it--although I have never heard any of them distinctly; something I did hear about what is termed the _Shan-dhinne-dhuv_, or the Black Spectre." "Well, then," proceeded the friar, "if the company has no objection to hear an authentic account of this fearful apparition, I will indulge them with a slight sketch of the narrative: "When Essex was over here in the Elizabethan wars--and a nice hand he made of them; not, God knows, that we ought to regret it, but I like a good general whether he is for us or against us--devil a doubt of that: well, when Essex was over here conducting them (with reverence be it spoken) it so happened that he had a scoundrel with him by name Hamilton--and a thorough scoundrel was he.

O Lord! if I had lived in those days, and wasn't in Orders to tie my hands up--but no matter; this same scoundrel was one of the handsomest vagabonds in the English camp.
Well and good; but, indeed, to tell God's truth, it was neither well nor good, because, as I said, the man was a first-rate, tiptop scoundrel; but you will find that he was a devilish sight more so before I have put a period to my little narration.

Mr.Woodward, will you hob or nob?
I think your name is Woodward ?" "With great pleasure, sir," replied Woodward; "and you are right, my name is Woodward; but proceed with your narrative, for, I assure you, I feel very much interested in it, especially in that portion of it which relates to the Black Spectre.