第83章

"It is indeed!" she said--"it is the features as well as the voice of Ravenswood--the high lines of pride, as well as the bold and haughty tone. But what do you here, Master of Ravenwsood?--what do you in your enemy's domain, and in company with his child?"As Old Alice spoke, her face kindled, as probably that of an ancient feudal vassal might have done in whose presence his youthful liege-lord had showed some symptom of degenerating from the spirit of his ancestors.

"The Master of Ravenswood," said Lucy, who liked not the tone of this expostulation, and was desirous to abridge it, "is upon a visit to my father.""Indeed!" said the old blind woman, in an accent of surprise.

"I knew," continued Lucy, "I should do him a pleasure by conducting him to your cottage.""Where, to say the truth, Alice," said Ravenswood, "I expected a more cordial reception.""It is most wonderful!" said the old woman, muttering to herself; "but the ways of Heaven are not like our ways, and its judgments are brought about by means far beyond our fathoming.

Hearken, young man," she said; "your fathers were implacable, but they were honourable, foes; they sought not to ruin their enemies under the mast of hospitality. "What have you to do with Lucy Ashton? why should your steps move in the same footpath with hers? why should your voice sound in the same chord and time with those of Sir William Ashton's daughter? Young man, he who aims at revenge by dishonourable means----""Be silent, woman!" said Ravenswood, sternly; "it is the devil that prompts your voice? Know that this young lady has not on earth a friend who would venture farther to save her from injury or from insult.""And is it even so?" said the old woman, in an altered but melancholy tone, "then God help you both!""Amen! Alice," said Lucy, who had not comprehended the import of what the blind woman had hinted, "and send you your senses, Alice, and your good humour. If you hold this mysterious language, instead of welcoming your friends, they will think of you as other people do.""And how do other people think?" said Ravenswood, for he also began to believe the old woman spoke with incoherence.

"They think," said Henry Ashton, who came up at that moment, and whispered into Ravenswood's ear, "that she is a witch, that should have been burned with them that suffered at Haddington.""What is it you say?" said Alice, turning towards the boy, her sightless visage inflamed with passion; "that I am a witch, and ought to have suffered with the helpless old wretches who were murdered at Haddington?""Hear to that now," again whispered Henry, "and me whispering lower than a wren cheeps!""If the usurer, and the oppressor, and the grinder of the poor man's face, and the remover of ancient landmarks, and the subverter of ancient houses, were at the same stake with me, Icould say, 'Light the fire, in God's name!'"

"This is dreadful," said Lucy; "I have never seen the poor deserted woman in this state of mind; but age and poverty can ill bear reproach. Come, Henry, we will leave her for the present;she wishes to speak with the Master alone. We will walk homeward, and rest us," she added, looking at Ravenswood, "by the Mermaiden's Well.""And Alice," said the boy, "if you know of any hare that comes through among the deer, and makes them drop their calves out of season, you may tell her, with my compliments to command, that if Norman has not got a silver bullet ready for her, I'll lend him one of my doublet-buttons on purpose."Alice made no answer till she was aware that the sister and brother were out of hearing. She then said to Ravenswood: "And you, too, are angry with me for my love? It is just that strangers should be offended, but you, too, are angry!""I am not angry, Alice," said the Master, "only surprised that you, whose good sense I have ehard so often praised, should give way to offensive and unfounded suspicions.""Offensive!" said Alice. "Ay, trust is ever offensive; but, surely, not unfounded.""I tell you, dame, most groundless," replied Ravenswood.

"Then the world has changed its wont, and the Ravenswoods their hereditary temper, and the eyes of Old Alice's understanding are yet more blind than those of her countenance.

When did a Ravenswood seek the house of his enemy but with the purpose of revenge? and hither are you come, Edgar Ravenswood, either in fatal anger or in still more fatal love.""In neither," said Ravenswood, "I give you mine honour--I mean, I assure you."Alice could not see his blushing cheek, but she noticed his hestitation, and that he retracted the pledge which he seemed at first disposed to attach to his denial.