Page:Allan the freebooter, or, The witch of Glenross (2).pdf/19

19 become the wife of Allan, in the chapel of the forest. Scarcely could Roderick give credence to the tale.—Conviction at length flashed on his mind;—a thousand recollections confirmed it, and, indignant at the intended insult he flew to the hall, giving orders for the assemblage of his vassals the following morning, and for the careful ending of his friendly informer. Tho fiercest love for Helen had implanted itself in the ferocious soul of Donaldblain, and temeted him to use this means of tearing her from the arms of his ribel.]

When they arrived at Glenross castle, she immediately retired to her apartment; she had remained alone nearly two hours, when the door of her apartment opened, and old Janet; an attached and favorite servant of the Lady Malvina's, entered, bearing a small tray with refreshments, the old woman placed the breakfast on the table, and then approached Helen, viewed her very attentively for several minutes, then lifting up her eyes, exclaimed in a tone of astonishment, "is it indeed possible, that I live to see the heir of Glenross changed into a woman?—ah well a day, sad doings, sad doings, no wonder we all heard the BANSHE!—Old Maud was a good friend of mine, but I pray the Holy virgin that I may never see her again, for I am certain she cannot rest in her grave after such a wicked action; Our good lady too, who could have thought it, I am not surprised she could not die in peace," "Die!" exclaimed Helen, starting from her couch, "of what lady are you speaken of?" "Your mother, my lord," replied the old woman, "heaven help me, my lady, I should have said, but I am sure I shall never recollect it" "Die!" interrupted Helen, " did you say my mother was dead?" "Aye, alas the day, and buried too," replied Janet. A terrific shriek was the only answer that Helen made to this unwelcome intelligence, but hastily springing to the floor, she flew to the apartment of her mother, to ascertain the truth of old Janet's report; all here was cold and dreary, the rooms was stript of their accustomed furniture, and above the canopy under which the body of Malvina had reposed, still waved the sable plumbs; this