The Highland monthly - National Library of Scotland

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The Highland Monthly.
governed by reason ; the whole countenance was expec-
tant and purposeful.
" Quick !" she whispered.
The chamber was lit by two rush-lights, so placed that
the features of Flora were visible from the doorway in their
deathly repose. For a brief second Elspeth gazed upon
the solemn scene.
" How like it," she whispered.
" Like what ?"
" Her ghaist !" was Elspeth's reply, as she seized the
lantern and rushed towards the bed. She held the light
close to the face, and with the other hand raised an eye-
lid, her expression meanwhile betokening intense anxiety.
It changed to one of satisfaction as she perceived that the
eye-lid slowly closed of its own accord. Then she thrust a
pin into one of the veins of the wrist, rubbed the part
vigorously, and watched the result. A small speck of
blood appeared on the surface !
" Leave the room," she said, turning to David and
pointing her finger sternly doorwards. '' Nane but Elspeth
kens the cure, an' nae e'en but hers on this earth will ever
see hoo it works."
Without waiting to see whether David complied,
Elspeth turned and snatched the head cloth from the body.
David at once sprang forward with a cry of dismay and
protest, seized the old woman by the shoulders, and hurled
her to the floor.
'• Do you mean to insult the dead with your mad
pranks," he demanded fiercely, " begone this instant or I'll
kick you to the door."
The Witch rose slowly, uttering a whine as of dispair ;
then she fixed her eyes upon her assailant with a look
which implied unuttered curses, long and deep.
" It's ye that are mad !— She's no dead yet, d'ye hear ?
She's no dead yet ; but she'll be dead afore mornin' ; aye,
as dead as the wutch hersel'. An' listen : you'll be her
murderer" she hissed. " Ye think me mad ; at times I