The story of Henry Bertram, son of the Laird of Ellangowan, is
kidnapped at the age of five by smugglers, soon after witnessing
the murder of a customs officer. It follows the fortunes and
adventures of Henry and his family in the subsequent years, and
the struggle over the inheritance of Ellangowan. The novel
vividly depicts the lawlessness which existed at the time, when
smugglers operated along the coast and thieves frequented the
country roads. With Introductory Essay and Notes by Andrew Lang.
the Prince of Darkness. As the fated and influential hour rolled
on, the terrors of the hateful Presence grew more confounding to
the mortal senses of the victim, and the knot of the accursed
sophistry became more inextricable in appearance, at least to
the prey whom its meshes surrounded. He had not power to explain
the assurance of pardon which he continued to assert, or to name
the victorious name in which he trusted. But his faith did not
abandon him, though he lacked for a time the power of expressing
it. 'Say