Page:Allan the freebooter, or, The witch of Glenross (2).pdf/20

20 confirmation of the dreadful intelligence struck like a bolt of ice to the heart of Helen, and she fell senseless on the floor. For several days Helen remained too ill to quit her apartment, and was left intirely to the care of old Janet: but at the expiration of a week, Roderick—unannounced, entered the room; Helen instantly arose, and threw herself weeping on her knees before him; he gently raised her, and seating her on the couch, placed himself beside her: he continued silent, and Helen raising her tearful eyes to his face, beheld him gazing on her with a smile. This unexpected kindness completely subdued the heart of the innocent girl, and she threw herself into his expanded arms; he pressed her to his heart, saying, “be calm my love, I come to sooth, not to wound your lacerated feelings, you have been an innocent imposter, and ought not to suffer on that account; for the future we will avoid a subject so replete with disappointment and mortification; with regard to your intended marriage with the freebooter, I doubtless look upon it in the right light—force and necessity, and congratulate myself that I arrived in time; to save you from the dreadful degradation."

An hour before Helen thought her misery complete, she now found it might receive addition; but toward evening, old Janet pressed her to walk up the battlements to enjoy the fresh air. When they reached the summit of the battlement, Janet enquired if she had seen the pilgrims, Helen answered in the affirmative. "I did not like to begin the subject before," replied Janet, "but they arrived at the castle last night, and they have brought word that our blessed lady is a saint in heaven." Helen's tears flowed at the mention of her mother, and she besought Janet to explain her meaning. “Why I can tell you no more lady, when they were both doing penance at the shrine of Saint Sybil, when our dear lady Malvina appeared to them, and told them their sins shou'd be forgiven then, if they came to Glenross, and watched nightly at her tomb nine following nights. Our lord believes it, and has given orders, that thy shall have free admission to the chapel nightly. She had scarcely reached the foot of the grand staircase, when one of the