This
circumstance, however, was not observed on that occasion by any of the
family. His general manners, though courteous, were cold, and by no
means such as were calculated either to bestow or inspire confidence.
His language, too, was easy enough when he spoke, but a cold habit of
reserve seemed to permeate his whole being, and to throw a chill upon
the feelings of those to whom he addressed himself. So much was this the
case that when ever he assumed an air of familiarity a dark, strange,
and undefinable spirit, which was strongly felt, seemed not only to
contradict his apparent urbanity, but to impress his auditors with a
sense of uneasiness sometimes amounting to pain--an impression, however,
for which they could not at all account.
"Sir," said Mr. Goodwin, "I hope you slept well after what you suffered
under the tempest of last night?"
"I assure you, sir, I never enjoyed a rounder night's sleep in my life,"
replied their guest; "and were it not for the seasonable shelter of
your hospitable roof I know not what would have become of me. I am
unacquainted with the country, and having lost my way, I knew not where
to seek shelter, for the night was so dreadfully dark that unless by the
flashes of the lightning nothing could be seen.
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