Page:Allan the freebooter, or, The witch of Glenross (2).pdf/17

17 passage. This incident brought her to remembrance, that on her return, she herself would be a prisoner for life within these rocky caverns; she trembled and almost fainting leaned on the arm of Allan. The cold evening breeze whistled shrilly through the luxuriant foliage, and they proceeded in silence, till Helen fancied she observed several figures cross the extremity of an avenue they were emerging from, and concealed themselves in the underwood: Allan, informed of her apprehensions, halted, whilst he sent several of the band to reconnitre the spot; they searched narrowly, but no human being was to be descried, and Helen almost convinced that her fears had formed the shadowy figures she fancied she had beheld, drew the hood of her mantle closer over her face and proceeded in silence.

They soon reached the chapel, and Allan placed himself by her on a low beanch, just within the entrance, endeavoured to sooth and re-assure her, whilst the band erected by father Austin, placed lights round the altar.

In a few minutes Helen became more composed, and throwing off her mantle, gave her hand to Allan to lead her to the altar; at this instant, the door of the chapel was closed with violence, Helen shrieked, and threw herself into the expanded arms of Allan, whilst the band drawing their swords rushed out tumultuously to ascertain the cause, they instantly returned, and gave as their opinions that the wind alone had caused the noise. The venerable father had commenced the ceremony, which was almost immediately interupted by the chapel door being thrown violently open, and a commanding voice loudly exclaimed, "Forbear!" Panic struck, the whole troupe cast their eyes toward the portal, and beheld a tall martial figure wrapt in a dark mantal, hastily approached them. When he arrived at the altar, he threw off his cloak, and with horror both Helen and Allan recognized the laird of Glenross: his form appeared dilated with passion. "Approach," he cried, and a numerous retinue of armed men rushed up the aisle: “seize the traitor", he exclaimed, drawing his sword and pointing to the astonished Allan; "seize the wretch who would ally the