The Highland monthly - National Library of Scotland

726 Ihe Highland Monthly.
" You cannot see Miss Flora's remains to-night, Elspeth;
you must come to-morrow and take a last look. I
believe
"
" The morn !" broke in Elspeth with an expressionless
laugh, " I've tae meet Auld Nick the morn when Peter
Ferguson's cock craws ! Ken ye that ? It's cauld an*
deep ; cauld an' deep— I saw't the nicht an' shivered
shivered ! Quick, whaur's the room she lies in ? Tak's
till her, or her ghaist '11 come again ; and I'll run, run awa'
—and sJiell dee /"
There was something pathetic and imploring in the
witch's manner as she uttered the last of her incoherences.
" If I take you to see Miss Flora," said David, " will
you promise to be quiet, and then leave the castle
immediately."
" As still's the kirkyard—but they'll no bury me there,,
will they ? Na ! Ony thing'll be guid eneuch for the
Wutch," she went on in a moaning voice.
Every moment the conviction had been growing
stronger in David's mind that he must comply with
Elspeth's request, and now the impulse came upon him to
do so with all haste. It was a peculiar feeling, but he had
no time to analyse it.
"Quick!" shouted Elspeth, and the command seemed
to echo and re-echo in his brain.
On the excuse of procuring a light, he took the pre-
caution to arouse John, and that individual hastily
appeared, half clad, and lantern in hand. When he saw
the Witch, and noticed the open window, John, alarmed at
the unexplained summons from bed at the ghostly hour,
started back with a cry of amazement.
"Quick!" said Elspeth again, not heeding John, "the
time's up."
" Lead the way to Miss Flora's chamber, John,'
instructed David, in reassuring tones, " Elspeth wants to
have a last look."
" They's awfu' ongauns, Master ," expostulated poor
John, his teeth clattering with cold and terror combined.
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