Charlotte Yonge - A Reputed Changeling стр 14.

The evil spirit.  You will have it that Im not one ofone of themso it must be as my father says, that I am possessedthe evil spirit.  I was at peace with youso happyhappier than ever I was beforeand nowthose boys.  It has me againI could not help itIve even hurt herMistress Anne.  Let me alonesend me hometo be scorned, and shunned, and brow-beatenand as bad as everthen at least she will be safe from me.

All this came out between sobs such that Mrs. Woodford could not attempt to speak, but she kept her hand on him, and at last she said, when he could hear her: Every one of us has to fight with an evil spirit, and when we are not on our guard he is but too apt to take advantage of us.

The boy rather sullenly repeated that it was of no use to fight against his.

Indeed!  Nay.  Were you ever so much grieved before at having let him have the mastery?

Nobut no one ever was good to me before.

Yes; all about you lived under a cruel error, and you helped them in it.  But if you had not a better nature in you, my poor child, you would not be happy here and thankful for what we can do for you.

I was like some one else here, said Peregrine, picking a daisy to pieces, but they stirred it all up.  And at home I shall be just the same as ever I was.

She longed to tell him that there was hope of a change in his life, but she durst not till it was more certain, so she said

There was One who came to conquer the evil spirit and the evil nature, and to give each one of us the power to get the victory.  The harder the victory, the more glorious! and her eyes sparkled at the thought.

He caught a moments glow, then fell back.  For those that are chosen, he said.

You are chosenyou were chosen by your baptism.  You have the stirrings of good within you.  You can win and beat back the evil side of you in Christs strength, if you will ask for it, and go on in His might.

The boy groaned.  Mrs. Woodford knew that the great point with him would be to teach him to hope and to pray, but the very name of prayer had been rendered so distasteful to him that she scarce durst press the subject by name, and her heart sank at the thought of sending him home again, but she was glad to be interrupted, and said no more.

At night, however, she heard sounds of moaning and stifled babbling that reminded her of his times of delirium, and going into his room she found him tossing and groaning so that it was manifestly a kindness to wake him; but her gentle touch occasioned a scream of terror, and he started aside with open glassy eyes, crying, Oh take me not!

My dear boy!  It is I.  Perry, do you not know me?

Oh, madam! in infinite relief, it is you.  I thoughtI thought I was in elfland and that they were paying me for the tithe to hell; and he still shuddered all over.

No elfno elf, dear boy; a christened boyGods child, and under His care; and she began the 121st Psalm.

Oh, but I am not under His shadow!  The Evil One has had me again!  He will have me.  Arent those his claws?  He will have me!

Never, my child, if you will cry to God for help.  Say this with me, Lord, be Thou my keeper.

He did so, and grew more quiet, and she began to repeat Dr. Kens evening hymn, which had become known in manuscript in Winchester.  It soothed him, and she thought he was dropping off to sleep, but no sooner did she move than he started with There it is againthe black wingsthe claws then while awake, Say it again!  Oh, say it again.  Fold me in your prayersyou can pray.  She went back to the verse, and he became quiet, but her next attempt to leave him caused an entreaty that she would remain, nor could she quit him till the dawn, happily very early, was dispelling the terrors of the night, and then, when he had himself murmured once

he fell asleep at last, with a softer look on his pinched face.  Poor boy, would that verse be his first step to prayer and deliverance from his own too real enemy?

CHAPTER VII

The Envoy

Mrs. Woodford was too good a housewife to allow herself any extra rest on account of her vigil, and she had just put her Juneating apple-tart into the oven when Anne rushed into the kitchen with the warning that there was a grand gentleman getting off his horse at the gateway, and speaking to her uncleshe thought it must be Peregrines uncle.

Mrs. Woodford was of the same opinion, and asked where Peregrine was.

Fast asleep in the window-seat of the parlour, mother!  I did not waken him, for he looked so tired.

That was right, my little maiden, said Mrs. Woodford, hastily washing her hands, taking off her cooking apron, letting down her black gown from its pocket holes, and arranging her veil-like widows coif, after which, in full trim for company, she sallied out to the front door, to avert, if possible, the wakening of the boy, whom she wished to appear to the best advantage.

She met in the garden her brother-in-law, and Sir Peregrine Oakshott, on being presented to her, made such a bow as had seldom been seen in those parts, as he politely said that he was the bearer of his brothers thanks for her care of his nephew.

Mrs. Woodford explained that the boy had had so bad a night that it would be well not to break his present sleep, and invited the guest to walk in the garden or sit in the Doctors study or in the shade of the castle wall.

This last was what he preferred, and there they seated themselves, with a green slope before them down to the pale gray creek, and the hill beyond lying in the summer sunshine.

I have been long in coming hither, said the knight, partly on account of letters on affairs of State, and partly likewise because I desired to come alone, thinking that I might better understand how it is with the lad without the presence of his father or brothers.

I am very glad you have so done, sir.

Then, madam, I entreat of you to speak freely and tell me your opinion of him without reserve.  You need not fear offence by speaking of the mode in which they have treated him at home.  My poor brother has meant to do his duty, but he has stood so far aloof from his sons that he has dealt with them in ignorance, and their mother, between sickliness and timidity, is a mere prey to the folly of her gossips.  So speak plainly, madam, I beg of you.

Mrs. Woodford did speak plainly of the boys rooted belief in his own elfish origin, and how when arguing against it she had found the alternative even sadder and more hopeless, how well he comported himself as long as he was treated as a human and rational being, but how the taunts and jests of the young Archfields had renewed all the mischief, to the poor fellows own remorse and despair.

Sir Peregrine listened with only a word of comment, or question now and then, like a man of the world well used to hearing all before he committed himself, and the description was only just ended when the clang of the warning dinner-bell sounded and they rose; but as they were passing the window of the dining-parlour a shriek of Annes startled them all, and as they sprang forward, Mrs. Woodford first, Peregrines voice was heard, No, no, Anne, dont be afraid.  It is for me he is come; I knew he would.

Something in a strange language was heard.  A black face with round eyes and gleaming teeth might be seen bending forward.  Anne gave another shriek, but was heard crying, No, no!  Get away, sir.  He is our Lord Christs!  He is!  You cant! you shant have him.