now no miracle. The impression so long entertained of his connection
with the fairies was thus confirmed, and the black stranger was no
other, perhaps, than the king of the fairies himself.

At this period of the proceedings Mrs. Lindsay, in consequence of some
significant whispers which were directly levelled at her character,
suggested to Maria that having seen enough of these wild proceedings,
it would be more advisable to return home--a suggestion to which Maria,
whose presence there at all was in deference to her father's wishes,
very gladly consented. They accordingly placed themselves under the
escort of the redoubtable and gallant twins, and reached home in safety.

It was now expected that the quality would go down to the inn, where the
largest room had been fitted up for refreshments and dancing, and into
which none but the more decent and respectable classes were admitted.
There most of the beauties of the town and the adjoining neighborhood
were assembled, together with their admirers, all of whom entered into
the spirit of the festivity with great relish. When Lindsay and his
company were about to retire from the great bonfire, the conductors of
the pageant, who also acted as spokesmen on the occasion, thus addressed
them:

"It's right, your honors, that you should go and see the dancin' in
the inn, and no harm if you shake a heel yourselves, besides taking
something to wash the dust out o' your throats; but when you come out
again, if you don't find a fresh and high blaze before you still, the
devil's a witch."

As they proceeded toward the inn, the consequences of the drink, which
the crowd had so abundantly received, began, here and there, to manifest