Page:Laird of Ardenoaige and the Ghost of Fenhaglen.pdf/7

7 involved, on account of the minority of James the third. His wife was anxious that colin would accompany his father, thinking in herself that, happily, he might fall in the field of battle. But his father absolutely refused to take him away, on account of his parental affections towards him. However, the absence of his father, appeared to her a fit opportunity for puling her inhuman design against him into execution. And among the many plans she had formed in her mind, the Ghost of Fenhaglen appeared to her the most likely to put an end to his life. If she could invent some scheme, to put him that way. She at length disclosed her mind to some of her more intimate ond trust-worthy friends, and they agreed, that she should invite them and all that she could trust, to a dinner, and also to have the young laird present, that they might have an opportunity of imposing upon him. Accordingly, splendid preparations was made, and they all met on the day appointed. In the course of conversation they turned on the Ghost of Fenhaglen, remarking the hononr aud piaise that would be due to the man, that would put a stop to the formidable proceedings of the Ghost, and one of the boldest began to reproach the laird for his unmanly conduct, in allowing the Ghost to do so much harm without endeavouring to stop its progress. He that was become the theme of the whole country for his bravery and accomplishments! but he feared that his fame would come to nought, for now he was believed to be an indolent person, that direful were the effects of that infernal spirit, and in short if he would not go and dispatch it, he would soon become the most despised person in the country. Sensible of his mother’s, and the whole company’s disposition towards him, he left the room without giving them much satisfaction, and retired to his own room, to meditate on the subject at his own leisure, as he never thought a Ghost could be conquered by the strength of man, he was therefore thunder-sruck with what he heard, and as his noble mind could ill put up with such insulting reproofs, and being unaccustomed to such reproachful language, his mind did arouse,