The Heart of Mid-Lothian - Penn State University

melancholy boat-song of the rowers, coming on the ear
with softened and sweeter sound, until the boat rounded
the headland, and was lost to her observation.
Still Jeanie remained in the same posture, looking out
upon the sea. It would, she was aware, be some time ere
her companions could reach the Lodge, as the distance
by the more convenient landing-place was considerably
greater than from the point where she stood, and she
was not sorry to have an opportunity to spend the interval
by herself.
The wonderful change which a few weeks had wrought
in her situation, from shame and grief, and almost despair,
to honour, joy, and a fair prospect of future happiness,
passed before her eyes with a sensation which
brought the tears into them. Yet they flowed at the same
time from another source. As human happiness is never
perfect, and as well-constructed minds are never more
sensible of the distresses of those whom they love, than
when their own situation forms a contrast with them,
Jeanie’s affectionate regrets turned to the fate of her
poor sister—the child of so many hopes—the fondled
The Heart of Mid-Lothian
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nursling of so many years—now an exile, and, what was
worse, dependent on the will of a man, of whose habits
she had every reason to entertain the worst opinion, and
who, even in his strongest paroxysms of remorse, had
appeared too much a stranger to the feelings of real penitence.
While her thoughts were occupied with these melancholy
reflections, a shadowy figure seemed to detach itself
from the copsewood on her right hand. Jeanie
started, and the stories of apparitions and wraiths, seen
by solitary travellers in wild situations, at such times,
and in such an hour, suddenly came full upon her imagination.
The figure glided on, and as it came betwixt her
and the moon, she was aware that it had the appearance
of a woman. A soft voice twice repeated, “Jeanie—
Jeanie!”—Was it indeed—could it be the voice of her
sister?—Was she still among the living, or had the grave
given uly its tenant?—Ere she could state these questions
to her own mind, Effie, alive, and in the body, had
clasped her in her arms and was straining her to her
bosom, and devouring her with kisses. “I have wandered