Page:Allan the freebooter, or, The witch of Glenross (2).pdf/3

3 shades of twilight, while his thoughts were employed on the subject nearest his heart. He had stood several minutes in an attitude of listless langour, when he was suddenly aroused from his reverie by a voice which exclaimed, in a deep hollow tone that vibrated on his heart—"Why has Roderick of Glenross left the festive board to wander amidsts these shades?" He started and beheld at a few paces distance a female figure, wild ind uncouthy habited, the superabundance of her black draperies almost concealed her form, yet it appeared of a gigantic height; long tresses, dark as the raven's wing, flowed in disorder over her shoulders; one of her arms was enveloped beneath her sable habiliments, whilst the other, which was naked, held extended an ebony wand; her face appeared haggard and cadaverous; the deepening gloom obscured her features, but her fierce dark yes possessed the power of enchantment, and she had repeated her question before Roderick could gain sufficient composure to answer her. At length, "Who art thou," he exclaimed, and by what right dost thou question Roderick of Glenross?" "By the right of a superior," replied the figure: "Roderick, I know thy inmost thoughts; the want of an heir dashes with poison the balmy cup which fortune places at thy lip, yet ere the anniversary of this day, Roderick, thy ardent wish shall be accomplished; but its fulfilments will prove the bane of all thy hopes, thy child shall be thine heir, yet not thine heir, and the ineturity of thy darling shall level the towers of Glenross with the dust! See! Behold!—the pride of the mighty one is fallen.—the owering falcon seeks a shelter beneath the wing of the ravening kite—the flames burst forth!—the night raven screams round the devoted battlements and all is accomplished!" Wildly she shrieked as if beholding what her words foretold;—terrified and appalled, Roderick cast his eyes towards the castle. almost expecting to see it wrapped in flames: the turrets still frowned in gloomy grandeur, and he turned again towards the denouncer of future evils, but she was no more to be seen: he looked around, a steep precipice was before him, a