The Regeneration of Lord Ernie by Algernon Blackwood

Pasteur Leysin Hendricks remembered very well. Even now in his old age he was a vigorous personality, but in his youth he had been almost revolutionary; wild enough, too, it was rumoured, until he had turned to God of his own accord as offering a larger field for his strenuous vitality. The little man was possessed of tireless life, a born leader of forlorn hopes, attack his "metier", and heavy odds the conditions that he loved. Before settling down in this isolated spot "pasteur de l'eglise independente" in a protestant Canton he had been a missionary in remote pagan lands. His horizon was a big one, he had seen strange things. An uncouth being, with a large head upon a thin and wiry body supported by steely bowed legs, he had that courage which makes itself known in advance of any proof. Hendricks slipped over to "la cure" about nine o'clock and found him in his study.

Lord Ernie was asleep; at least his light was out, no sound or movement audible from his room. The "joran" had swept the heavens of clouds. Stars shone brilliantly. The fires still blazed faintly upon the heights.