The spirit of that man haunts the family from that day to this; it is always a messenger of evil to them whenever he appears, and it matters not where they go or where they live, he is sure to follow them, and to fasten upon some of the family, generally the wickedest, of course, as his victim.

Now, Mr.Woodward, what do you think of that family tradition ?" "I think of it," replied Woodward, "with contempt, as I do of everything that proceeds from the lips of an ignorant and illiterate Roman Catholic priest." "Sir," replied the friar, "I am not the inventor of this family tradition, nor of the crime which is said--however justly I know not--to have given rise to it; but this I do know, that no man having claims to the character of a gentleman would use such language to a defenceless man as you have just used to me.

The legend is traditionary in your family, and I have only given it as I have heard it.

If I were not a clergyman I would chastise you for your insolence; but my hands are bound up, and you well know it." "Friar," said Greatrakes, "when you know that your hands are bound up, you should have avoided insulting any man.

You should not have related a piece of family history--perhaps false from beginning to end--in the presence of a gentleman so intimately connected with that family as you knew him to be.