Whenthelastflaskwasemptied，theytooktheirleavewithdeepprotestations——tobeforgottenonthemorrow，if，indeed，thosewhomadethemshouldnotthinkitnecessaryfortheirsafetytomakeamoresolemnretractation。
Acceptingtheriadieuswithanairofcontemptwhichhecouldscarceconceal，Ravenswoodatlengthbeheldhisruinoushabitationclearedoftheirconfluenceofriotousguests，andreturnedtothedesertedhall，whichnowappeareddoublylonelyfromthecessationofthatclamourtowhichithadsolatelyechoed。Butitsspacewaspeopledbyphantomswhichtheimaginationoftheyoungheirconjuredupbeforehim——thetarnishedhonouranddegradedfortunesofhishouse，thedestructionofhisownhopes，andthetriumphofthatfamilybywhomtheyhadbeenruined。Toamindnaturallyofagloomycastherewasampleroomformeditation，andthemusingsofyoungRavenswoodweredeepandunwitnessed。
Thepeasantwhoshowstheruinsofthetower，whichstillcrownthebeetlingcliffandbeholdthewarofthewaves，thoughnomroetenantedsavedbythesea-mewandcormorant，evenyetaffirmsthatonthisfatalnighttheMasterofRavenswood，bythebitterexclamationsofhisdespair，evokedsomeevilfiend，underwhosemalignantinfluencethefuturetissueofincidentswaswoven。Alas！whatfiendcansuggestmoredesperatecounselsthanthoseadoptedundertheguidanceofourownviolentandunresistedpassions？
CHAPTERIII。
OverGodsforebode，thensaidtheKing，Thatthoushouldstshootatme。
WilliamBell，Clim’otheCleugh，etc。
Onthemorningafterthefuneral，thelegalofficerwhoseauthorityhadbeenfoundinsufficienttoeffectaninterruptionofthefuneralsolemnitiesofthelateLordRavenswood，hastenedtostatebeforetheKeepertheresistancewhichhehadmetwithintheexecutionofhisoffice。
Thestatesmanwasseatedinaspaciouslibrary，onceabanqueting-roomintheoldCastleofRavenswood，aswasevidentfromthearmorialinsigniastilldisplayedonthecarvedroof，whichwasvaultedwithSpanishchestnut，andonthestainedglassofthecasement，throughwhichgleamedadimyetrichlightonthelongrowsofshelves，bendingundertheweightoflegalcommentatorsandmonkishhistorians，whoseponderousvolumesformedthechiefandmostvaluedcontentsofaScottishhistorian[library]oftheperiod。Onthemassiveoakentableandreading-desklayaconfusedmassofletters，petitions，andparchments；totoilamongstwhichwasthepleasureatonceandtheplagueofSirWilliamAshton’slife。Hisappearancewasgraveandevennoble，wellbecomingonewhoheldanhighofficeinthestate；anditwasnotsaveafterlongandintimateconversationwithhimupontopicsofpressingandpersonalinterest，thatastrangercouldhavediscoveredsomethingvacillatinganduncertaininhisresolutions；aninfirmityofpurpose，arisingfromacautiousandtimiddisposition，which，ashewasconsciousofitsinternalinfluenceonhismind，hewas，fromprideaswellaspolicy，mostanxioustoconcealfromothers。
Helistenedwithgreatapparentcomposuretoanexaggeratedaccountofthetumultwhichhadtakenplaceatthefuneral，ofthecontemptthrownonhisownauthorityandthatofthechurchandstate；nordidheseemmovedevenbythefaithfulreportoftheinsultingandthreateninglanguagewhichhadbeenutteredbyyoungRavenswoodandothers，andobviouslydirectedagainsthimself。Heheard，also，whatthemanhadbeenabletocollect，inaverydistortedandaggravatedshape，ofthetoastswhichhadbeendrunk，andthemenacesuttered，atthesusequententertainment。Infine，hemadecarefulnotesofalltheseparticulars，andofthenamesofthepersonsbywhom，incaseofneed，anaccusation，foundedupontheseviolentproceedings，couldbewitnessedandmadegood，anddismissedhisinformer，securethathewasnowmasteroftheremainingfortune，andevenofthepersonalliberty，ofyoungRavenswood。
Whenthedoorhadclosedupontheofficerofthelaw，theLordKeeperremainedforamomentindeepmeditation；then，startingfromhisseat，pacedtheapartmentasoneabouttotakeasuddenandenergeticresolution。”YoungRavenswood，”hemuttered，”isnowmine——heismyown；hehasplacedhimselfinmyhand，andheshallbendorbreak。Ihavenotforgotthedeterminedanddoggedobstinacywithwhichhisfatherfoughteverypointtothelast，resistedeveryeffortatcompromise，embroiledmeinlawsuits，andattemptedtoassailmycharacterwhenhecouldnototherwiseimpugnmyrights。Thisboyhehasleftbehindhim——thisEdgar——thishot-headed，hare-brainedfool，haswreckedhisvesselbeforeshehasclearedtheharbor。Imustseethathegainsnoadvantageofsometurningtidewhichmayagainfloathimoff。Thesememoranda，properlystatedtotheprivycouncil，cannotbutbeconstruedintoanaggravatedriot，inwhichthedignitybothofthecivilandecclesiasticalauthoritiesstandscommitted。Aheavyfinemightbeimposed；anorderforcommittinghimtoEdinburghorBlacknessCastleseemsnotimproper；evenachargeoftreasonmightbelaidonmanyofthesewordsandexpressions，thoughGodforbidIshouldprosecutethemattertothatextent。No，Iwillnot；Iwillnottouchhislife，evenifitshouldbeinmypower；andyet，ifhelivestillachangeoftimes，whatfollows？Restitution——perhapsrevenge。
IknowAtholepromisedhisinteresttooldRavenswood，andhereishissonalreadybandyingandmakingafactionbyhisowncontemptibleinfluence。Whatareadytoolhewouldbefortheuseofthosewhoarewatchingthedownfallofouradministration！”
Whilethesethoughtswereagitatingthemindofthewilystatesman，andwhilehewaspersuadinghimselfthathisowninterestandsafety，aswellasthoseofhisfriendsandparty，dependedonusingthepresentadvantagetotheuttermostagainstyoungRanveswood，theLordKeepersatedowntohisdesk，andproceededtodrawup，fortheinformationoftheprivycouncil，anaccountofthedisorderlyproceedingswhich，incontemptofhiswarrant，hadtakenplaceatthefuneralofLordRavenswood。
Thenamesofmostofthepartiesconcerned，aswellasthefactitself，would，hewaswellaware，soundodiouslyintheearsofhiscolleaguesinadministration，andmostlikelyinstigatethemtomakeanexampleofyoungRavenswood，atleast，interrorem。
Itwasapointofdelicacy，however，toselectsuchexpressionsasmightinfertheyoungman’sculpability，withoutseemingdirectlytourgeit，which，onthepartofSirWilliamAshton，hisfather’sancientantagonist，couldnotbutappearodiousandinvidious。Whilehewasintheactofcomposition，labouringtofindwordswhichmightindicateEdgarRavenswoodtobethecauseoftheuproar，withoutspecificallymakingsuchacharge，SirWilliam，inapauseofhistask，chanced，inlookingupward，toseethecrestofthefamilyforwhoseheirhewaswhettingthearrowsanddisposingthetoilsofthelawcarvedupononeofthecorbeillesfromwhichthevaultedroofoftheapartmentsprung。Itwasablackbull’shead，withthelegend，”Ibidemytime”；andtheoccasionuponwhichitwasadoptedmingleditselfsingularlyandimpressivelywiththesubjectofhispresentreflections。
ItwassaidbyaconstanttraditionthataMalisiusdeRavenswoodhad，inthe13thcentury，beendeprivedofhiscastleandlandsbyapowerfulusurper，whohadforawhileenjoyedhisspoilsinquiet。Atlength，ontheeveofacostlybanquet，Ravenswood，whohadwatchedhisopportunity，introducedhimselfintothecastlewithasmallbandoffaithfulretainers。Theservingoftheexpectedfeastwasimpatientlylookedforbytheguests，andclamorouslydemendedbythetemporarymasterofthecastle。Ravenswood，whohadassumedthedisguiseofasewerupontheoccasion，answered，inasternvoice，”Ibidemytime”；andatthesamemomentabull’shead，theancientsymbolofdeath，wasplaceduponthetable。Theexplosionoftheconspiracytookplaceuponthesignal，andtheusurperandhisfollowerswereputtodeath。PerhapstherewassomethinginthisstillknownandoftenrepeatedstorywhichcameimmediatelyhometothebreastandconscienceoftheLordKeeper；for，puttingfromhimthepaperonwhichhehadbegunhisreport，andcarefullylockingthememorandawhichhehadpreparedintoacabinetwhichstoodbesidehim，heproceededtowalkabroad，asifforthepurposeofcollectinghisideas，andreflectingfartherontheconsequencesofthestepwhichhewasabouttotake，ereyettheybecameinevitable。
InpassingthroughalargeGothicante-room，SirWilliamAshtonheardthesoundofhisdaughter’slute。Music，whentheperformersareconcealed，affectsuswithapleasuremingledwithsurprise，andremindsusofthenaturalconcertofbirdsamongtheleafybowers。Thestatesman，thoughlittleaccustomedtogivewaytoemotionsofthisnaturalandsimpleclass，wasstillamanandafather。hestopped，therefore，andlistened，whilethesilvertonesofLucyAshton’svoicemingledwiththeaccompanimentinanancientair，towhichsoemonehadadaptedthefollowingwords:”Looknotthouonbeauty’scharming，Sitthoustillwhenkingsarearming，Tastenotwhenthewine-cupglistens，Speaknotwhenthepeoplelistens，Stopthineearagainstthesinger，Fromtheredgoldkeeptheyfinger，Vacantheart，andhand，andeye，Easyliveandquietdie。”
Thesoundsceased，andtheKeeperenteredhisdaughter’sapartment。
Thewordsshehadchosenseemedparticularlyadaptedtohercharacter；forLucyAshton’sexquisitelybeautiful，yetsomewhatgirlishfeatureswereformedtoexpresspeaceofmind，serenity，andindifferencetothetinselofwordlypleasure。Herlocks，whichwereofshadowygold，dividedonabrowofexquisitewhiteness，likeagleamofbrokenandpallidsunshineuponahillofsnow。Theexpressionofthecountenancewasinthelastdegreegentle，soft，timid，andfeminine，andseemedrathertoshrinkfromthemostcasuallookofastrangerthantocourthisadmiration。SomethingtherewasofaMadonnacast，perhapstheresultofdelicatehealth，andofresidenceinafamilywherethedispositionsoftheinmateswerefiercer，moreactive，andenergeticthanherown。
Yetherpassivenessofdispositionwasbynomeansowingtoanindifferentorunfeelingmind。Lefttotheimpulseofherowntasteandfeelings，LucyAshtonwaspeculiarlyaccessibletothoseofaromanticcast。hersecretdelightwasintheoldlegendarytalesofardentdevotionandunalterableaffection，chequeredastheysooftenarewithstrangeadventuresandsupernaturalhorrors。Thiswasherfavouredfairyrealm，andheresheerectedheraerialpalaces。Butitwasonlyinsecretthatshelabouredatthisdelusivethoughdelightfularchitecture。Inherretiredchamber，orinthewoodlandbowerwhichshehadchosenforherown，andcalledafterhername，shewasinfancydistributingtheprizesatthetournament，orrainingdowninfluencefromhereyesonthevaliantcombatants:
orshewaswanderinginthewildernesswithUna，underescortofthegenerouslion；orshewasidentifyingherselfwiththesimpleyetnoble-mindedMirandaintheisleofwonderandenchantment。
Butinherexteriorrelationstothingsofthisworld，Lucywillinglyreceivedtherulingimpulsefromthosearoundher。Thealternativewas，ingeneral，tooindifferenttohertorenderresistancedesirable，andshewillinglyfoundamotivefordecisionintheopinionofherfriendswhichperhapsshemighthavesoughtforinvaininherownchoice。Everyreadermusthaveobservedinsomefamilyofhisacquaintancesomeindividualofatempersoftandyielding，who，mixedwithstrongerandmoreardentminds，isbornealongbythewillofothers，withaslittlepowerofoppositionastheflowerwhichisflungintoarunningstream。Itusuallyhappensthatsuchacompliantandeasydisposition，whichresignsitselfwithoutmurmurtotheguidanceofothers，becomesthedarlingofthosetowhoseinclinationsitsownseemtobeoffered，inungrudgingandreadysacrifice。
ThiswaseminentlythecasewithLucyAshton。Herpolitic，wary，andwordlyfatherfeltforheranaffectionthestrengthofwhichsometimessurprisedhimintoanunusualemotion。Herelderbrother，whotrodethepathofambitionwithahaughtierstepthanhisfather，hadalsomoreofhumanaffection。A
soldier，andinadissoluteage，hepreferredhissisterLucyeventopleasureandtomilitaryprefermentanddistinction。Heryoungerbrother，atanagewhentrifleschieflyoccupiedhismind，madehertheconfidanteofallhispleasuresandanxieties，hissuccessinfield-sports，andhisquarrelswithhistutorandinstructors。Tothesedetails，howevertrivial，Lucylentpatientandnotindifferentattention。TheymovedandinterestedHenry，andthatwasenoughtosecureherear。
HermotheralonedidnotfeelthatdistinguishedandpredominatingaffectionwithwhichtherestofthefamilycherishedLucy。Sheregardedwhatshetermedherdaughter’swantofspiritasadecidedmarkthatthemoreplebeianbloodofherfatherpredominatedinLucy’sveins，andusedtocallherinderisionherLammermoorShepherdess。Todislikesogentleandinoffensiveabeingwasimpossible；butLadyAshtonpreferredhereldestson，onwhomhaddescendedalargeportionofherownambitiousandundaunteddisposition，toadaughterwhosesoftnessoftemperseemedalliedtofeeblenessofmind。Hereldestsonwasthemorepartiallybelovedbyhismotherbecause，contrarytotheusualcustomofScottishfamiliesofdistinction，hehadbeennamedaftertheheadofthehouse。”MySholto，”shesaid，”willsupporttheuntarnishedhonourofhismaternalhouse，andelevateandsupportthatofhisfather。
PoorLucyisunfitforcourtsorcrowdedhalls。Somecountrylairdmustbeherhusband，richenoughtosupplyherwitheverycomfort，withoutaneffortonherownpart，sothatshemayhavenothingtoshedatearforbutthetenderapprehensionlesthemaybreakhisneckinafoxchase。Itwasnotso，however，thatourhousewasraised，norisitsothatitcanbefortifiedandaugmented。TheLordKeeper’sdignityisyetnew；itmustbeborneasifwewereusedtoitsweight，worthyofit，andprompttoassertandmaintainit。Beforeancientauthoritiesmenbendfromcustomaryandhereditarydeference；inourpresencetheywillstanderect，unlesstheyarecompelledtoprostratethemselves。Adaughterfitforthesheepfoldorthecloisterisillqualifiedtoexactrespectwhereitisyieldedwithreluctance；andsinceHeavenrefusedusathirdboy，Lucyshouldhaveheldacharacterfittosupplyhisplace。Thehourwillbeahappyonewhichdisposesherhandinmarriagetosomeonewhoseenergyisgreaterthanherown，orwhoseambitionisofaslowanorder。”
Someditatedamothertowhomthequalitiesofherchildren’shearts，aswellastheprospectoftheirdomestichappiness，seemedlightincomparisontotheirrankandtemporalgreatness。But，likemanyaparentofhotandimpatientcharacter，shewasmistakeninestimatingthefeelingsofherdaughter，who，underasemblanceofextremeindifference，nourishedthegermofthosepassionswhichsometimesspringupinonenight，likethegourdoftheprophet，andastonishtheobserverbytheirunexpectedardourandintensity。Infact，Lucy’ssentimentsseemedchillbecausenothinghadoccurredtointerestorawakenthem。Herlifehadhithertoflowedoninauniformandgentletenor，andhappyforherhadnotitspresentsmoothnessofcurrentresembledthatofthestreamasitglidesdownwardstothewaterfall！”So，Lucy，”saidherfather，enteringashersongwasended，”doesyourmusicalphilosopherteachyoutocontmntheworldbeforeyouknowit？Thatissurelysomethingpremature。Ordidyoubutspeakaccordingtothefashionoffairmaidens，whoarealwaystoholdthepleasuresoflifeincontempttilltheyarepresseduponthembytheaddressofsomegentleknight？”
Lucyblushed，disclaimedanyinferencerespectingherownchoicebeingdrawnfromherselectionofasong，andreadilylaidasideherinstrumentatherfather’srequestthatshewouldattendhiminhiswalk。
Alargeandwell-woodedpark，orratherchase，stretchedalongthehillbehindthecastle，which，occupying，aswehavenoticed，apassascendingfromtheplain，seemedbuiltinitsverygorgetodefendtheforestgroundwhicharosebehinditinshaggymajesty。Intothisromanticregionthefatheranddaughterproceeded，arminarm，byanobleavenueoverarchedbyemboweringelms，beneathwhichgroupsofthefallow-deerwereseentostrayindistantperspective。Astheypacedslowlyon，admiringthedifferentpointsofview，forwhichSirWilliamAshton，notwithstandingthenatureofhisusualavocations，hadconsiderabletasteandfeeling，theywereovertakenbytheforester，orpark-keeper，who，intentonsilvansport，wasproceedingwithhiscross-bowoverhisarm，andahoundledinleashbyhisboy，intotheinteriorofthewood。”Goingtoshootusapieceofvenison，Norman？”saidhismaster，ashereturnedthewoodsman’ssalutation。”Saul，yourhonour，andthatIam。Willitpleaseyoutoseethesport？””Ohno，”saidhislordship，afterlookingathisdaughter，whosecolourfledattheideaofseeingthedeershot，although，hadherfatherexpressedhiswishthattheyshouldaccompanyNorman，itwasprobableshewouldnotevenhavehintedherreluctance。
Theforestershruggedhisshoulders。”Itwasadishearteningthing，”hesaid，”whennoneofthegentlescamedowntoseethesport。HehopedCaptainSholtowouldbesoonhame，orhemightshutuphisshopentirely；forMr。Harrywaskeptsaeclosewi’hisLatinnonsensethat，thoughhiswillwasverygudetobeinthewoodfrommorningtillnight，therewouldbeahopefulladlost，andnomakingamanofhim。Itwasnotso，hehadheard，inLordRavenswood’stime:whenabuckwastobekilled，manandmother’ssonrantosee；andwhenthedeerfell，theknifewasalwayspresentedtotheknight，andhenevergavelessthanadollarforthecompliment。AndtherewasEdgarRavenswood——MasterofRavenswoodthatisnow——whenhegoesuptothewood——therehasnabeenabetterhuntersinceTristrem’stime——
whenSirEdgarhaudsout，downgoesthedeer，faith。Butwehaelosta’senseofwoodcraftonthissideofthehill。”
TherewasmuchinthisharanguehighlydispleasingtotheLordKeeper’sfeelings；hecouldnothelpobservingthathismenialdespisedhimalmostavowedlyfornotpossessingthattasteforsportwhichinthosetimeswasdeemedthenaturalandindispensableattributeofarealgentleman。Butthemasterofthegameis，inallcountryhouses，amanofgreatimportance，andentitledtouseconsiderablefreedomofspeech。SirWilliam，therefore，onlysmiledandreplied，”Hehadsomethingelsetothinkuponto-daythankillingdeer”；meantime，takingouthispurse，hegavetherangeradollarforhisencouragement。Thefellowreceiveditasthewaiterofafashionablehotelreceivesdoublehisproperfeefromthehandsofacountrygentleman——thatis，withasmile，inwhichpleasureatthegiftismingledwithcontemptfortheignoranceofthedonor。”Yourhonouristhebadpaymaster，”hesaid，”whopaysbeforeitisdone。WhatwouldyoudowereItomissthebuckafteryouhavepaidmemywood-fee？””Isuppose，”saidtheKeeper，smiling，”youwouldhardlyguesswhatImeanwereItotellyouofacondictioindebiti？””NotI，onmysaul。Iguessitissomelawphrase；butsueabeggar，and——yourhonourknowswhatfollows。Well，butIwillbejustwithyou，andifbowandbrachfailnot，youshallhaveapieceofgametwofingersfatonthebrisket。”
Ashewasabouttogooff，hismasteragaincalledhim，andasked，asifbyaccident，whethertheMasterofRavenswoodwasactuallysobraveamanandsogoodashooterastheworldspokehim。”Brave！——braveenough，Iwarrantyou，”answeredNorman。”IwasinthewoodatTyninghamewhentherewasasortofgallantshuntingwithmylord；onmysaul，therewasabuckturnedtobaymadeusallstandback——astoutoldTrojanofthefirsthead，ten-tynedbranches，andabrowasbroadase’erabullock’s。
Egad，hedashedattheoldlord，andtherewouldhavebeeninlakeamongtheperrage，iftheMasterhadnotwhiptroundlyin，andhamstrunghimwithhiscutlass。Hewasbutsixteenthen，blesshisheart！””Andisheasreadywiththegunaswiththecouteau？”saidSirWilliam。”He’llstrikethissilverdollaroutfrombetweenmyfingerandthumbatfourscoreyards，andI’llholditoutforagoldmerk；
whatmorewouldyehaveofeye，hand，lead，andgunpowder？””Oh，nomoretobewished，certainly，”saidtheLordKeeper；”butwekeepyoufromyoursport，Norman。Goodmorrow，goodNorman。”
And，humminghisrusticroundelay，theyeomanwentonhisroad，thesoundofhisroughvoicegraduallydyingawayasthedistancebetwixtthemincreased:”Themonkmustarisewhenthematinsring，Theabbotmaysleeptotheirchime；
Buttheyeomanmuststartwhenthebuglessing’Tistime，myhearts，’tistime。
There’sbucksandraesonBilhopebraes，There’saherdonShortwoodShaw；
Butalily-whitedoeinthegardengoes，She’sfairlyworththema’。””Hasthisfellow，”saidtheLordKeeper，whentheyeoman’ssonghaddiedonthewind，”everservedtheRavenswoodpeople，thatheseemssomuchinterestedinthem？Isupposeyouknow，Lucy，foryoumakeitapointofconsciencetorecordthespecialhistoryofeverybooraboutthecastle。””Iamnotquitesofaithfulachronicler，mydearfather；butI
believethatNormanonceservedherewhileaboy，andbeforeheewnttoLedington，whenceyouhiredhim。Butifyouwanttoknowanythingoftheformerfamily，OldAliceisthebestauthority。””AndwhatshouldIhavetodowiththem，pray，Lucy，”saidherfather，”orwiththeirhistoryoraccomplishments？””Nay，Idonotknow，sir；onlythatyouwereaskingquestionsofNormanaboutyoungRavenswood。””Pshaw，child！”repliedherfather，yetimmediatelyadded:”AndwhoisOldAlice？Ithinkyouknowalltheoldwomeninthecountry。””TobesureIdo，orhowcouldIhelptheoldcreatureswhentheyareinhardtimes？AndastoOldAlice，sheistheveryempressofoldwomenandqueenofgossips，sofaraslegendaryloreisconcerned。Sheisblind，pooroldsoul，butwhenshespeakstoyou，youwouldthinkshehassomewayoflookingintoyourveryheart。IamsureIoftencovermyface，orturnitaway，foritseemsasifshesawonechangecolour，thoughshehasbeenblindthesetwentyyears。Sheisworthvisiting，wereitbuttosayyouhaveseenablindandparalyticoldwomanhavesomuchacutenessofperceptionanddignityofmanners。Iassureyou，shemightbeacountessfromherlanguageandbehaviour。
Come，youmustgotoseeAlice；wearenotaquarterofamilefromhercottage。””Allthis，mydear，”saidtheLordKeeper，”isnoanswertomyquestion，whothiswomanis，andwhatisherconnexionwiththeformerproprietor’sfamily？””Oh，itwassomethignofanouriceship，Ibelieve；andsheremainedhere，becausehertwograndsonswereengagedinyourservice。Butitwasagainstherwill，Ifancy；forthepooroldcreatureisalwaysregrettingthechangeoftimesandofproperty。””Iammuchobligedtoher，”answeredtheLordKeeper。”Sheandherfolkeatmybreadanddrinkmycup，andarelamentingallthewhilethattheyarenotstillunderafamilywhichnevercoulddogood，eithertothemselvesoranyoneelse！””Indeed，”repliedLucy，”IamcertainyoudoOldAliceinjustice。Shehasnothingmercenaryabouther，andwouldnotacceptapennyincharity，ifitweretosaveherfrombeingstarved。Sheisonlytalkative，likealloldfolkwhenyouputthemuponstoriesoftheiryouth；andshespeaksabotutheRavenswoodpeople，becauseshelivedunderthemsomanyyears。
ButIamsuresheisgratefultoyou，sir，foryourprotection，adntahtshewouldratherspeaktoyouthantoanyotherpersoninthewholeworldbeside。Do，sir，comeandseeOldAlice。”
AndwiththefreedomofanindulgeddaughtershedraggedtheLordKeeperinthedirectionshedesired。
CHAPTERIV。
ThroughtopsofthehightreesshediddescryAlittlesmoke，whosevapour，thinandlight，Reekingaloft，uprolledtothesky，Whichcheerfulsigndidsenduntohersight，Thatinthesamedidwonnesomelivingwight。
SPENSER。
LUCYactedasherfather’sguide，forhewastoomuchengrossedwithhispoliticallabours，orwithsociety，tobeperfectlyacquaintedwithhisownextensivedomains，and，moreover，wasgenerallyaninhabitantofthecityofEdinburgh；
andshe，ontheotherhand，had，withhermother，residedthewholesummerinRavenswood，and，partlyfromtaste，partlyfromwantofanyotheramusement，had，byherfrequentrambles，learnedtoknoweachlane，alley，dingle，orbushydell，Andeveryboskybournefromsidetoside。
WehavesaidthattheLordKeeperwasnotindifferenttothebeautiesofnature；andweadd，injusticetohim，thathefeltthemdoublywhenpointedoutbythebeautiful，simple，andinterestinggirlwho，hangingonhisarmwithfilialkindness，nowcalledhimtoadmirethesizeofsomeancientoak，andnowtheunexpectedturnwherethepath，developingitsmazefromglenordingle，suddenlyreachedaneminencecommandinganextensiveviewoftheplainsbeneaththem，andthengraduallyglidedawayfromtheprospecttoloseitselfamongrocksandthickets，andguidetoscenesofdeeperseclusion。
ItwaswhenpausingononeofthosepointsofextensiveandcommandingviewthatLucytoldherfathertheywereclosebythecottageofherblindprotegee；andonturningfromthelittlehill，apathwhichledaroundit，wornbythedailystepsoftheinfirminmate，broughttheminsightofthehut，which，embosomedinadeepandobscuredell，seemedtohavebeensosituatedpurposelytobearacorrespondencewiththedarkenedstateofitsinhabitant。
Thecottagewassituatedimmediatelyunderatallrock，whichinsomemeasurebeetledoverit，asifthreateningtodropsomedetachedfragmentfromitsbrowonthefrailtenementbeneath。
Thehutitselfwasconstructedofturfandstones，andrudelyroofedoverwiththatch，muchofwhichwasinadilapidatedcondition。Thethinbluesmokerosefromitinalightcolumn，andcurledupwardalongthewhitefaceoftheincumbentrock，givingthesceneatintofexquisitesoftness。
Inasmallandrudegarden，surroundedbystragglingelder-
bushes，whichformedasortofimperfecthedge，satneartothebeehives，bytheproduceofwhichshelived，that”womanold”
whomLucyhadbroughtherfatherhithertovisit。
Whatevertherehadbeenwhichwasdisastrousinherfortune，whatevertherewasmiserableinherdwelling，itwaseasytojudgebythefirstglancethatneitheryears，poverty，misfortune，norinfirmityhadbrokenthespiritofthisremarkablewoman。
Sheoccupiedaturfseat，placedunderaweepingbirchofunusualmagnitudeandage，asJudahisrepresentedsittingunderherpalm-tree，withanairatonceofmajestyandofdejection。
Herfigurewastall，commanding，andbutlittlebentbytheinfirmitiesofoldage。Herdress，thoughthatofapeasant，wasuncommonlyclean，forminginthatparticularastrongcontrasttomostofherrank，andwasdisposedwithanattentiontoneatness，andeventotaste，equallyunusual。Butitwasherexpressionofcountenancewhichchieflystruckthespectator，andinducedmostpersonstoaddressherwithadegreeofdeferenceandcivilityveryinconsistentwiththemiserablestateofherdwelling，andwhich，nevertheless，shereceivedwiththateasycomposurewhichshowedshefeeltittobeherdue。Shehadoncebeenbeautiful，butherbeautyhadbeenofaboldandmasculinecast，suchasdoesnotsurvivethebloomofyouth；yetherfeaturescontinuedtoexpressstrongsense，deepreflection，andacharacterofsoberpride，which，aswehavealreadysaidofherdress，appearedtoargueaconscioussuperioritytothoseofherownrank。Itscarceseemedpossiblethataface，deprivedoftheadvantageofsight，couldhaveexpressedcharactersostrongly；buthereyes，whichwerealmosttotallyclosed，didnot，bythedisplayoftheirsightlessorbs，marthecountenancetowhichtheycouldaddnothing。Sheseemedinaruminatingposture，soothed，perhaps，bythemurmursofthebusytribearoundhertoabstraction，thoughnottoslumber。
Lucyundidthelatchofthelittlegardengate，andsolicitedtheoldwoman’sattention。”Myfather，Alice，iscometoseeyou。””Heiswelcome，MissAshton，andsoareyou，”saidtheoldwoman，turningandincliningherheadtowardshervisitors。”Thisisafinemorningforyourbeehives，mother，”saidtheLordKeeper，who，struckwiththeoutwardappearanceofAlice，wassomewhatcurioustoknowifherconversationwouldcorrespondwithit。”Ibelieveso，mylord，”shereplied；”Ifeeltheairbreathemilderthanoflate。””Youdonot，”resumedthestatesman，”takechargeofthesebeesyourself，mother？Howdoyoumanagethem？””Bydelegates，askingsdotheirsubjects，”resumedAlice；”andIamfortunateinaprimeminister。Here，Babie。”
Shewhistledonasmallsilvercallwhichungaroundherneck，andwhichatthattimewassometimesusedtosummondomestics，andBabie，agirloffifteen，madeherappearancefromthehut，notaltogethersocleanlyarrayedasshewouldprobablyhavebeenhadAlicehadtheuseofheryees，butwithagreaterairofneatnessthanwasuponthewholetohavebeenexpected。”Babie，”saidhermistress，”offersomebreadandhoneytotheLordKeeperandMissAshton；theywillexcuseyourawkwardnessifyouusecleanlinessanddespatch。”
Babieperformedhermistress’scommandwiththegracewhichwasnaturallytohavebeenexpected，movingtoandfrowithalobster-likegesture，herfeetandlegstendingoneway，whileherhead，turnedinadifferentdirection，wasfixedinwonderuponthelaird，whowasmorefrequentlyheardofthanseenbyhistenantsanddependants。Thebreadandhoney，however，depositedonaplantainleaf，wasofferedandacceptedinallduecourtesy。
TheLordKeeper，stillretainingtheplacewhichhehadoccupiedonthedecayedtrunkofafallentree，lookedasifhewishedtoprolongtheinterview，butwasatalosshowtointroduceasuitablesubject。”Youhavebeenlongaresidentonthisproperty？”hesaid，afterapause。”ItisnownearlysixtyyearssinceIfirstknewRavenswood，”answeredtheolddame，whoseconversation，thoughperfectlycivilandrespectful，seemedcautiouslylimitedtotheunavoidableandnecessarytaskofreplyingtoSirWilliam。”Youarenot，Ishouldjudgebyyouraccent，ofthiscountryoriginally？”saidtheLordKeeper，incontinuation。”No；IambybirthanEnglishwoman。””Yetyouseemattachedtothiscountryasifitwereyourown。””Itishere，”repliedtheblindwoman，”thatIhavedrankthecupofjoyandofsorrowwhichHeavendestinedforme。Iwasherethewifeofanuprightandaffectionatehusbandformorethantwentyyears；Iwasherethemotherofsixpromisingchildren；itwasherethatGoddeprivedmeofalltheseblessings；itwasheretheydied，andyonder，byyonruinedchapel，theylieallburied。Ihadnoocuntrybuttheirswhiletheylived；Ihavenonebuttheirsnowtheyarenomore。””Butyourhouse，”saidtheLordKeeper，lookingatit，”ismiserablyruinous？””Do，mydearfather，”saidLucy，eagerly，yetbashfully，catchingatthehint，”giveorderstomakeitbetter；thatis，ifyouthinkitproper。””Itwilllastmytime，mydearMissLucy，”saidtheblindwoman；”Iwouldnothavemylordgivehimselftheleasttroubleaboutit。””But，”saidLucy，”youoncehadamuchbetterhouse，andwererich，andnowinyouroldagetoliveinthishovel！””ItisasgoodasIdeserve，MissLucy；ifmyhearthasnotbrokewithwhatIhavesuffered，andseenotherssuffer，itmusthavebeenstrongenough，adntherestofthisoldframehasnorighttocallitselfweaker。””Youhaveprobablywitnessedmanychanges，”saidtheLordKeeper；”butyourexperiencemusthavetaughtyoutoexpectthem。””Ithastaughtmetoendurethem，mylord，”wasthereply。”Yetyouknewthattheymustneedsarriveinthecourseofyears？”saidthestatesman。”Ay；asIknewthatthestump，onorbesidewhichyousit，onceatallandloftytree，mustneedsonedayfallbydecay，orbytheaxe；yetIhopedmyeyesmightnotwitnessthedownfallofthetreewhichovershadowedmydwelling。””Donotsuppose，”saidtheLordKeeper，”thatyouwillloseanyinterestwithmeforlookingbackwithregrettothedayswhenanotherfamilypossessedmyestates。Youhadreason，doubtless，tolovethem，andIrespectyourgratitude。Iwillordersomerepairsinyourcottage，andIhopeweshalllivetobefriendswhenweknoweachotherbetter。””Thoseofmyage，”returnedthedame，”makenonewfriends。I
thankyouforyourbounty，itiswellintendedundoubtedly；butIhaveallIwant，andIcannotacceptmoreatyourlordship’shand。””Well，then，”continuedtheLordKeeper，”atleastallowmetosay，thatIlookuponyouasawomanofsenseandeducationbeyondyourappearance，andthatIhopeyouwillcontinuetoresideonthispropertyofminerent-freeforyourlife。””IhopeIshall，”saidtheolddame，composedly；”IbelievethatwasmadeanarticleinthesaleofRavenswoodtoyourlordship，thoughsuchatriflingcircumstancemayhaveescapedyourrecollection。””Iremember——Irecollect，”saidhislordship，somewhatconfused。”Iperceiveyouaretoomuchattachedtoyouroldfriendstoacceptanybenefitfromtheirsuccessor。””Farfromit，mylord；IamgratefulforthebenefitswhichI
decline，andIwishIcouldpayyouforofferingthem，betterthanwhatIamnowabouttosay。”TheLordKeeperlookedatherinsomesurprise，butsaidnotaword。”Mylord，”shecontinued，inanimpressiveandsolemntone，”takecarewhatyoudo；youareonthebrinkofaprecipice。””Indeed？”saidtheLordKeeper，hismindrevertingtothepoliticalcircumstancesofthecountry。”Hasanythingcometoyourknowledge——anyplotorconspiracy？””No，mylord；thosewhotrafficinsuchcommoditiesdonotcalltotheircouncilstheold，blind，andinfirm。Mywarningisofanotherkind。YouhavedrivenmattershardwiththehouseofRavenswood。Believeatruetale:theyareafiercehouse，andthereisdangerindealingwithmenwhentheybecomedesperate。””Tush，”answeredtheKeeper；”whathasbeenbetweenushasbeentheworkofthelaw，notmydoing；andtothelawtheymustlook，iftheywouldimpugnmyproceedings。””Ay，buttheymaythinkotherwise，andtakethelawintotheirownhand，whentheyfailofothermeansofredress。””Whatmeanyou？”saidtheLordKeeper。”YoungRavenswoodwouldnothaverecoursetopersonalviolence？””GodforbidIshouldsayso！Iknownothingoftheyouthbutwhatishonourableandopen。Honourableandopen，saidI？I
shouldhaveadded，free，generous，noble。ButheisstillaRavenswood，andmaybidehistime。RememberthefateofSirGeorgeLockhart。”
TheLordKeeperstartedasshecalledtohisrecollectionatragedysodeepandsorecent。Theoldwomanproceeded:”Chiesley，whodidthedeed，wasarelativeofLordRavenswood。
InthehallofRavenswood，inmypresenceandinthatofothers，heavowedpubliclyhisdeterminationtodothecrueltywhichheafterwardscommitted。Icouldnotkeepsilence，thoughtospeakitillbecamemystation。’Youaredevisingadreadfulcrime，’I
said，’forwhichyoumustreckonbeforethejudgmentseat。’
NevershallIforgethislook，ashereplied，’Imustreckonthenformanythings，andwillreckonforthisalso。’ThereforeImaywellsay，bewareofpressingadesperatemanwiththehandofauthority。ThereisbloodofChiesleyintheveinsofRavenswood，andonedropofitwereenoughtofirehiminthecircumstancesinwhichheisplaced。Isay，bewareofhim。”
Theolddamehad，eitherintentionallyorbyaccident，harpedarightthefearoftheLordKeeper。Thedesperateanddarkresourceofprivateassassination，sofamiliartoaScottishbaroninformertimes，hadeveninthepresentagebeentoofrequentlyresortedtounderthepressureofunusualtemptation，orwherethemindoftheactorwaspreparedforsuchacrime。
SirWilliamAshtonwasawareofthis；asalsothatyoungRavenswoodhadreceivedinjuriessufficienttoprompthimtothatsortofrevenge，whichbecomesafrequentthoughfearfulconsequenceofthepartialadministrationofjustice。HeendeavouredtodisguisefromAlicethenatureoftheapprehensionswhichheentertained；butsoineffectually，thatapersonevenoflesspenetrationthannaturehadendowedherwithmustnecessarilyhavebeenawarethatthesubjectlaynearhisbosom。Hisvoicewaschangedinitsaccentasherepliedtoher，”ThattheMasterofRavenswoodwasamanofhonour；and，wereitotherwise，thatthefateofChiesleyofDalrywasasufficientwarningtoanyonewhoshoulddaretoassumetheofficeofavengerofhisownimaginarywrongs。”Andhavinghastilyutteredtheseexpressions，heroseandlefttheplacewithoutwaitingforareply。
CHAPTERV。
IssheaCapulet？
Odearaccount！mylifeismyfoe’sdebt。
SHAKESPEARE
THELordKeeperwalkedfornearlyaquarterofamileinprofoundsilence。Hisdaughter，naturallytimid，andbredupinthoseideasoffilialaweandimplicitobediencewhichwereinculcatedupontheyouthofthatperiod，didnotventuretointerrupthismeditations。”Whydoyoulooksopale，Lucy？”saidherfather，turningsuddenlyroundandbreakingsilence。
Accordingtotheideasofthetime，whichdidnotpermitayoungwomantoofferhersentimentsonanysubjectofimportanceunlessrequiredtodoso，LucywasboundtoappearignorantofthemeaningofallthathadpassedbetwixtAliceandherfather，andimputedtheemotionhehadobservedtothefearofthewildcattlewhichgrazedinthatpartoftheextensivechasethroughwhichtheywerenowwalking。
Oftheseanimals，thedescendantsofthesavageherdswhichancientlyroamedfreeintheCaledonianforests，。itwasformerlyapointofstatetopreserveafewintheparksoftheScottishnobility。Specimenscontinuedwithinthememoryofmantobekeptatleastatthreehousesofdistinction——Hamilton，namely，Drumlanrig，andCumbernauld。Theyhaddegeneratedfromtheancientraceinsizeandstrength，ifwearetojudgefromtheaccountsofoldchronicles，andfromtheformidableremainsfrequentlydiscoveredinbogsandmorasseswhendrainedandlaidopen。Thebullhadlosttheshaggyhonoursofhismane，andtheracewassmallandlightmade，incolouradingywhite，orratherapaleyellow，withblackhornsandhoofs。Theyretained，however，insomemeasure，theferocityoftheirancestry，couldnotbedomesticatedonaccountoftheirantipathytothehumanrace，andwereoftendangerousifapproachedunguardedly，orwantonlydisturbed。Itwasthislastreasonwhichhasoccasionedtheirbeingextirpatedattheplaceswehavementioned，whereprobablytheywouldotherwisehavebeenretainedasappropriateinhabitantsofaScottishwoodland，andfittenantsforabaronialforest。Afew，ifImistakenot，arestillpreservedatChillinghamCastle，inNorthumberland，theseatoftheEarlofTankerville。
Itwastoherfindingherselfinthevicinityofagroupofthreeorfouroftheseanimals，thatLucythoughtpropertoimputethosesignsoffearwhichhadariseninhercountenanceforadifferentreason。Forshehadbeenfamiliarisedwiththeappearanceofthewilcattleduringherwalksinthechase；anditwasnotthen，asitmaybenow，anecessarypartofayounglady’sdemeanourtoindulgeincauselesstremorsofthenerves。
Onthepresentoccasion，however，shespeedilyfoundcauseforrealterror。
Lucyhadscarcelyrepliedtoherfatherinthewordswehavementioned，andhewasjustabouttorebukehersupposedtimidity，whenabull，stimulatedeitherbythescarletcolourofMissAshton’smantle，orbyoneofthosefitsofcapriciousferocitytowhichtheirdispositionsareliable，detachedhimselfsuddenlyfromthegroupwhichwasfeedingattheupperextremityofagrassyglade，thatseemedtoloseitselfamongthecrossingandentangledboughs。Theanimalapproachedtheintrudersonhispastureground，atfirstslowly，pawingthegroundwithhishoof，bellowingfromtimetotime，andtearingupthesandwithhishorns，asiftolashhimselfuptorageandviolence。
TheLordKeeper，whoobservedtheanimal’sdemeanour，wasawarethathewasabouttobecomemischievous，and，drawinghisdaughter’sarmunderhisown，begantowalkfastalongtheavenue，inhopestogetoutofhissightandhisreach。Thiswasthemostinjudiciouscoursehecouldhaveadopted，for，encouragedbytheappearanceofflight，thebullbegantopursuethematfullspeed。Assailedbyadangersoimminent，firmercouragethanthatoftheLordKeepermighthavegivenway。Butpaternaltenderness，”lovestrongasdeath，”sustainedhim。Hecontinuedtosupportanddragonwardhisdaughter，untilherfearsaltogetherdeprivingherofthepowerofflight，shesunkdownbyhisside；andwhenhecouldnolongerassisthertoescape，heturnedroundandplacedhimselfbetwixtherandtheraginganimal，which，advancinginfullcareer，itsbrutalfuryenhancedbytherapidityofthepursuit，wasnowwithinafewyardsofthem。TheLordKeeperhadnoweapons；hisageandgravitydispensedevenwiththeusualappendageofawalkingsword——couldsuchappendagehaveavailedhimanything。
Itseemedinevitablethatthefatherordaughter，orboth，shouldhavefallenvictimstotheimpendingdanger，whenashotfromtheneighbouringthicketarrestedtheprogressoftheanimal。Hewassotrulystruckbetweenthejunctionofthespinewiththeskull，thatthewound，whichinanyotherpartofhisbodymightscarcehaveimpededhiscareer，provedinstantlyfatal。Stumblingforwardwithahideousbellow，theprogressiveforceofhispreviousmotion，ratherthananyoperationofhislimbs，carriedhimuptowithinthreeyardsoftheastonishedLordKeeper，whereherolledontheground，hislimbsdarkenedwiththeblackdeath-sweat，andquiveringwiththelastconvulsionsofmuscularmotion。
Lucylaysenselessontheground，insensibleofthewonderfuldeliverancewhichshehadexperience。Herfatherwasalmostequallystupified，sorapidandunexpectedhadbeenthetransitionfromthehorriddeathwhichseemedinevitabletoperfectsecurity。Hegazedontheanimal，terribleevenindeath，withaspeciesofmuteandconfusedastonishment，whichdidnotpermithimdistinctlytounderstandwhathadtakenplace；
andsoinaccuratewashisconsciousnessofwhathadpassed，thathemighthavesupposedthebullhadbeenarrestedinitscareerbyathunderbolt，hadhenotobservedamongthebranchesofthethicketthefigureofaman，withashortgunormusquetooninhishand。
Thisinstantlyrecalledhimtoasenseoftheirsituation:aglanceathisdaughterremindedhimofthenecessityofprocuringherassistance。Hecalledtotheman，whomheconcludedtobeoneofhisforesters，togiveimmediateattentiontoMissAshton，whilehehimselfhastenedtocallassistance。Thehuntsmanapproachedthemaccordingly，andtheLordKeepersawhewasastranger，butwastoomuchagitatedtomakeanyfartherremarks。
Inafewhurriedwordshedirectedtheshooter，asstrongerandmoreactivethanhimself，tocarrytheyoungladytoaneighbouringfountain，whilehewentbacktoAlice’shuttoprocuremoreaid。
Themantowhosetimelyitnerferencetheyhadbeensomuchindebteddidnotseeminclinedtoleavehisgoodworkhalffinished。HeraisedLucyfromthegroundinhisarms，andconvenyingherthroughthegladesoftheforestbypathswithwhichheseemedwellacquainted，stoppednotuntilhelaidherinsafetybythesideofaplentifulandpellucidfountain，whichhadbeenoncecoveredin，screenedanddecoratedwitharchitecturalornamentsofaGothiccharacter。Butnowthevaultwhichhadcovereditbeingbrokendownandriven，andtheGothicfontruinedanddemolished，thestreamburstforthfromtherecessoftheearthinopenday，andwindeditswayamongthebrokensculptureandmoss-grownstoneswhichlayinconfusionarounditssource。
Tradition，alwaysbusy，atleastinScotland，togracewithalegendarytaleaspotinitselfinteresting，hadascribedacauseofpeculiarvenerationtothisfountain。AbeautifulyoungladymetoneoftheLordsofRavenswoodwhilehuntingnearthisspot，and，likeasecondEgeria，hadcaptivatedtheaffectionsofthefeudalNuma。Theymetfrequentlyafterwards，andalwaysatsunset，thecharmsofthenymph’smindcompletingtheconquestwhichherbeautyhadbegun，andthemysteryoftheintrigueaddingzesttoboth。Shealwaysappearedanddisappearedclosebythefountain，withwhich，therefore，herloverjudgedshehadsomeinexplicableconnexion。Sheplacedcertainrestrictionsontheirintercourse，whichalsosavouredofmystery。Theymetonlyonceaweek——Fridaywastheappointedday——andsheexplainedtotheLordofRavenswoodthattheywereunderthenecessityofseparatingsosoonasthebellofachapel，belongingtoahermitageintheadjoiningwood，nowlongruinous，shouldtollthehourofvespers。Inthecourseofhisconfession，theBaronofRavenswoodentrustedthehermitwiththesecretofthissingularamour，andFatherZacharydrewthenecessaryandobviousconsequencethathispatronwasenvelopedinthetoilsofSatan，andindangerofdestruction，bothtobodyandsoul。HeurgedtheseperilstotheBaronwithalltheforceofmonkishrhetoric，anddescribed，inthemostfrightfulcolours，therealcharacterandpersonoftheapparentlylovelyNaiad，whomhehesitatednottodenounceasalimbofthekingdomofdarkness。
Theloverlistenedwithobstinateincredulity；anditwasnotuntilwornoutbytheobstinacyoftheanchoretthatheconsentedtoputthestateandconditionofhismistresstoacertaintrial，andforthatpurposeacquiescedinZachary’sproposalthatontheirnextinterviewthevespersbellshouldberunghalfanhourlaterthanusual。Thehermitmaintainedandbuckleredhisopinion，byquotationsfromMalleusMalificarum，Sprengerus，Remigius，andotherlearneddemonologists，thattheEvilOne，thusseducedtoremainbehindtheappointedhour，wouldassumehertrueshape，and，havingappearedtoherterrifiedloverasafiendofhell，wouldvanishfromhiminaflashofsulphurouslightning。RaymondofRavenswoodacquiescedintheexperiment，notincuriousconcerningtheissue，thoughconfidentitwoulddisappointtheexpectationsofthehermit。
Attheappointedhourtheloversmet，andtheirinterviewwasprotractedbeyondthatatwhichtheyusuallyparted，bythedelayofthepriesttoringhisusualcurfew。Nochangetookplaceuponthenymph’soutwardform；butassoonasthelengtheningshadowsmadeherawarethattheusualhourofthevesperschimewaspassed，shetoreherselffromherlover’sarmswithashriekofdespair，bidhimadieuforever，and，plungingintothefountain，disappearedfromhiseyes。Thebubblesoccasionedbyherdescentwerecrimsonedwithbloodastheyarose，leadingthedistractedBarontoinferthathisill-judgedcuriosityhadoccasionedthedeathofthisinterestingandmysteriousbeing。Theremorsewhichhefelt，aswellastherecollectionofhercharms，provedthepenanceofhisfuturelife，whichhelostinthebattleofFloddennotmanymonthsafter。But，inmemoryofhisNaiad，hehadpreviouslyornamentedthefountaininwhichsheappearedtoreside，andsecureditswatersfromprofanationorpollutionbythesmallvaultedbuildingofwhichthefragmentsstillremainedscatteredaroundit。FromthisperiodthehouseofRavenswoodwassupposedtohavedateditsdecay。
Suchwasthegenerally-receivedlegend，whichsome，whowouldseemwiserthanthevulgar，explainedasobscurelyintimatingthefateofabeautifulmaidofplebeianrank，themistressofthisRaymond，whomheslewinafitofjealousy，andwhosebloodwasmingledwiththewatersofthelockedfoundtain，asitwascommonlycalled。Othersimaginedthatthetalehadamoreremoteoriginintheancientheathenmythology。All，however，agreedthatthespotwasfataltotheRavenswoodfamily；
andthattodrinkofthewatersofthewell，orevenapproachitsbrink，wasasominoustoadescendantofthathouseasforaGrahametoweargreen，aBrucetokillaspider，oraSt。ClairtocrosstheOrdonaMonday。
ItwasonthisominousspotthatLucyAshtonfirstdrewbreathafterherlongandalmostdeadlyswoon。BeautifulandpaleasthefabulousNaiadinthelastagonyofseparationfromherlover，shewasseatedsoastorestwithherbackagainstapartoftheruinedwall，whilehermantle，drippingwiththewaterwhichherprotectorhadusedprofuselytorecallhersenses，clungtoherslenderandbeautifullyproportionedform。
Thefirtsmomentofrecollectionbroughttohermindthedangerwhichhadoverpoweredhersenses；thenextcalledtoremembrancethatofherfather。Shelookedaround；hewasnowheretobeseen。”Myfather，myfather！”wasallthatshecouldejaculate。”SirWilliamissafe，”answeredthevoiceofastranger——”perfectlysafe，adnwillbewithyouinstantly。””Areyousureofthat？”exclaimedLucy。”Thebullwasclosebyus。Donotstopme:Imustgotoseekmyfather！”
Andsherosewiththatpurpose；butherstrengthwassomuchexhaustedthat，farfrompossessingthepowertoexecuteherpurpose，shemusthavefallenagainstthestoneonwhichshehadleant，probablynotwithoutsustainingseriousinjury。
Thestrangerwassoneartoherthat，withoutactuallysufferinghertofall，hecouldnotavoidcatchingherinhisarms，which，however，hedidwithamomentaryreluctance，veryunusualwhenyouthinterposestopreventbeautyfromdanger。Itseemedasifherweight，slightasitwas，provedtooheavyforheryoungandathleticassistant，for，withoutfeelingthetemptationofdetainingherinhisarmsevenforasingleinstant，heagainplacedheronthestonefromwhichshehadrisen，andretreatingafewsteps，repeatedhastily”SirWilliamAshtonisperfectlysafeandwillbehereinstantly。Donotmakeyourselfanxiousonhisaccount:Fatehassingularlypreservedhim。You，madam，areexhausted，andmustnotthinkofrisinguntilyouhavesomeassistancemoresuitablethanmine。”
Lucy，whosesenseswerebythistimemoreeffectuallycollected，wasnaturallyledtolookatthestrangerwithattention。Therewasnothinginhisappearancewhichshouldhaverenderedhimunwillingtoofferhisarmtoayoungladywhorequiredsupport，orwhichcouldhaveinducedhertorefusehisassistance；andshecouldnothelpthinking，eveninthatmoment，thatheseemedcoldandreluctanttoofferit。Ashooting-dressofdarkclothintimatedtherankofthewearer，thoughconcealedinpartbyalargeandloosecloakofadarkbrowncolour。A
monterocapandablackfeatherdroopedoverthewearer’sbrow，andpartlyconcealedhisfeatures，which，sofarasseen，weredark，regular，adnfullofmajestic，thoughsomewhatsullen，expression。Somesecretsorrow，orthebroodingspiritofsomemoodypassion，hadquenchedthelightandingenuousvivacityofyouthinacountenancesingularlyfittedtodisplayboth，anditwasnoteasytogazeonthestrangerwithoutasecretimpressioneitherofpityorawe，oratleastofdoubtandcuriosityalliedtoboth。
Theimpressionwhichwehavenecessarilybeenlongindescribing，Lucyfeltintheglanceofamoment，andhadnosoonerencounteredthekeenblackeyesofthestrangerthanherownwerebentonthegroundwithamixtureofbashfulembarrassmentandfear。Yettherewasanecessitytospeak，oratlastshethoughtso，andinaflutteredaccentshebegantomentionherwonderfulescape，inwhichshewassurethatthestrangermust，underHeaven，havebeenherfather’sprotectorandherown。
Heseemedtoshrinkfromherexpressionsofgratitude，whileherepliedabruptly，”Ileaveyou，madam，”thedeepmelodyofhisvoicerenderedpowerful，butnotharsh，bysomethinglikeaseverityoftone——”Ileaveyoutotheprotectionofthosetowhomitispossibleyoumayhavethisdaybeenaguardianangel。”
Lucywassurprisedattheambiguityofhislanguage，and，withafeelingofartlessandunaffectedgratitude，begantodeprecatetheideaofhavingintendedtogiveherdelivereranyoffence，asifsuchathinghadbeenpossible。”Ihavebeenunfortunate，”
shesaid，”inendeavouringtoexpressmythanks——Iamsureitmustbeso，thoughIcannotrecollectwhatIsaid；butwouldyoubutstaytillmyfather——tilltheLordKeepercomes；wouldyouonlypermithimtopayyouhisthanks，andtoinquireyourname？””Mynameisunnecessary，”answeredthestranger；”yourfather——I
wouldrathersaySirWilliamAshton——willlearnitsoonenough，forallthepleasureitislikelytoaffordhim。””Youmistakehim，”saidLucy，earnestly；”hewillbegratefulformysakeandforhisown。Youdonotknowmyfather，oryouaredeceivingmewithastoryofhissafety，whenhehasalreadyfallenavictimtothefuryofthatanimal。”
Whenshehadcaughtthisidea，shestartedfromthegroundandendeavouredtopresstowardstheavenueinwhichtheaccidenthadtakenplace，whilethestranger，thoughheseemedtohesitatebetweenthedesiretoassistandthewishtoleaveher，wasobliged，incommonhumanity，toopposeherbothbyentreatyandaction。”Onthewordofagentleman，madam，Itellyouthetruth；yourfatherisinperfectsafety；youwillexposeyourselftoinjuryifyouventurebackwheretheherdofwildcattlegrazed。Ifyouwillgo”——for，haingonceadopedtheideathatherfatherwasstillindanger，shepressedforwardinspiteofhim——”ifyouWILLgo，acceptmyarm，thoughIamnotperhapsthepersonwhocanwithmostproprietyofferyousupport。”
But，withoutheedingthisintimation，Lucytookhimathisword。”Oh，ifyoubeaman，”shesaid——”ifyoubeagentleman，assistmetofindmyfather！Youshallnotleaveme——youmustgowithme；heisdyingperhapswhilewearetalkinghere！”
Then，withoutlisteningtoexcuseorapology，andholdingfastbythestranger’sarm，thoughunconsciousofanythingsavethesupportwhichitgave，andwithoutwhichshecouldnothavemoved，mixedwithavaguefeelingofpreventinghisescapefromher，shewasurging，andalmostdragging，himforwardwhenSirWilliamAshtoncameup，followedbythefemaleattendantofblindAlice，andbytwowoodcutters，whomhehadsummonedfromtheiroccupationtohisassistance。Hisjoyatseeinghisdaughtersafeovercamethesurprisewithwhichhewouldatanothertimehavebeheldherhangingasfamiliarlyonthearmofastrangerasshemighthavedoneuponhisown。”Lucy，mydearLucy，areyousafe？——areyouwell？”weretheonlywordsthatbrokefromhimasheembracedherinecstasy。”Iamwell，sir，thankGod！andstillmorethatIseeyouso；
butthisgentleman，”shesaid，quittinghisarmandshrinkingfromhim，”whatmusthethinkofme？”andhereloquentblood，flushingoverneckandbrow，spokehowmuchshewasashamedofthefreedomwithwhichshehadcraved，andevencompelled，hisassistance。”Thisgentleman，”saidSirWilliamAshton，”will，Itrust，notregretthetroublewehavegivenhim，whenIassurehimofthegratitudeoftheLordKeeperforthegreatestservicewhichonemaneverrenderedtoanother——forthelifeofmychild——formyownlife，whichhehassavedbyhisbraveryandpresenceofmind。Hewill，Iamsure，permitustorequest——””RequestnothingofME，mylord，”saidthestranger，inasternandperemptorytone；”IamtheMasterofRavenswood。”
Therewasadeadpauseofsurprise，notunmixedwithlesspleasantfeleings。TheMasterwrapthimselfinhiscloak，madeahaughtyinclinationtowardLucy，mutteringafewwordsofcourtesy，asindistinctlyheardastheyseemedtoberelunctantlyuttered，and，turningfromthem，wasimmediatelylostinthethicket。”TheMasterofRavenswood！”saidtheLordKeeper，whenhehadrecoveredhismomentaryastonishment。”Hastenafterhim——stophim——beghimtospeaktomeforasinglemoment。”
Thetwoforestersaccordinglysetoffinpursuitofthestranger。Theyspeedilyreappeared，and，inanembarrassedandawkwardmanner，saidthegentlemanwouldnotreturn。
TheLordKeepertookoneofthefellowsaside，andquestionedhimmorecloselywhattheMasterofRavenswoodhadsaid。”Hejustsaidhewadnacomeback，”saidtheman，withthecautionofaprudentScotchman，whocarednottobethebearerofanunpleasanterrand。”Hesaidsomethingmore，sir，”saidtheLordKeeper，”andI
insistonknowingwhatitwas。””Why，then，mylord，”saidtheman，lookingdown，”hesaid——
Butitwadbenaepleasuretoyourlordshiptohearit，forI
daresaytheMastermeantnaeill。””That’snoneofyourconcern，sir；Idesiretoheartheverywords。””Weel，then，”repliedtheman，”hesaid，’TellSirWilliamAshtonthatthenexttimeheandIforgather，hewillntobehalfsaeblytheofourmeetingasofourparting。’””Verywell，sir，”saidtheLordKeeper，”Ibelievehealludestoawagerwehaveonourhawks；itisamatterofnoconsequence。”
Heturnedtohisdaughter，whowasbythistimesomuchrecoveredastobeabletowalkhome。Buttheeffect，whichthevariousrecollectionsconnectedwithascenesoterrificmadeuponamindwhichwassusceptibleinanextremedegree，wasmorepermanentthantheinjurywhichhernerveshadsustained。
Visionsofterror，bothinsleepandinwakingreveries，recalledtohertheformofthefuriousanimal，andthedreadfulbellowwithwhichheaccompaniedhiscareer；anditwasalwaystheimageoftheMasterofRavenswood，withhisnativenoblenessofcountenanceandform，thatseemedtointerposebetwixtherandassureddeath。Itis，perhaps，atalltimesdangerousforayoungpersontosufferrecollectiontodwellrepeatedly，andwithtoomuchcomplacency，onthesameindividual；butinLucy’ssituationitwasalmostunavoidable。ShehadneverhappenedtoseeayoungmanofmienandfeaturessoromanticandsostrikingasyoungRavenswood；buthadsheseenanhundredhisequalsorhissuperiorsinthoseparticulars，nooneelsewouldhavebeenlinkedtoherheartbythestrongassociationsofremembereddangerandescape，ofgratitude，wonder，andcuriosity。Isaycuriosity，foritislikelythatthesingularlyrestrainedandunaccommodatingmannersoftheMasterofRavenswood，somuchatvariancewiththenaturalexpressionofhisfeaturesandgraceofhisdeportment，astheyexcitedwonderbythecontrast，hadtheireffectinrivetingherattentiontotherecollections。SheknewlittleofRavenswood，orthedisputeswhichhadexistedbetwixtherfatherandhis，andperhapscouldinhergentlenessofmindhardlyhavecomprehendedtheangryandbitterpassionswhichtheyhadengendered。Butsheknewthathewascomeofnoblestem；waspoor，thoughdescendedfromthenobleandthewealthy；andshefeltthatshecouldsympathisewiththefeelingsofaproudmind，whichurgedhimtorecoilfromtheprofferedgratitudeofthenewproprietorsofhisfather’shouseanddomains。Wouldhehaveequallyshunnedtheiracknowledgmentsandavoidedtheirintimacy，hadherfather’srequestbeenurgedmoremildly，lessabruptly，andsoftenedwiththegracewhichwomensowellknowhowtothrowintotheirmanner，whentheymeantomediatebetwixttheheadlongpassionsoftherudersex？Thiswasaperilousquestiontoaskherownmind——perilousbothintheideaanditsconsequences。
LucyAshton，inshort，wasinvolvedinthosemazesoftheimaginationwhicharemostdangeroustotheyoungandthesensitive。Time，itistrue，absence，changeofsceneandnewfaces，mightprobablyhavedestroyedtheillusioninherinstance，asithasdoneinmanyothers；butherresidenceremainedsolitary，andhermindwithoutthosemeansofdissipatingherpleasingvisions。ThissolitudewaschieflyowingtotheabsenceofLadyAshton，whowasatthistimeinEdinburgh，watchingtheprogressofsomestate-intrigue；theLordKeeperonlyreceivedsocietyoutofpolicyorostentation，andwasbynatureratherreservedandunsociable；andthusnocavalierappearedtorivalortoobscuretheidealpictureofchivalrousexcellencewhichLucyhadpicturedtoherselfintheMasterofRavenswood。
WhileLucyindulgedinthesedreams，shemadefrequentvisitstooldblindAlice，hopingitwouldbeeasytoleadhertotalkonthesubjectwhichatpresentshehadsoimprudentlyadmittedtooccupysolargeaportionofherthoughts。ButAlicedidnotinthisparticulargratifyherwishesandexpectations。Shespokereadily，andwithpatheticfeeling，concerningthefamilyingeneral，butseemedtoobserveanespecialandcautioussilenceonthesubjectofthepresentrepresentative。ThelittleshesaidofhimwasnotaltogethersofavourableasLucyhadanticipated。Shehintedthathewasofasternandunforgivingcharacter，morereadytoresentthantopardoninjuries；andLucycombined，withgreatalarm，thehintswhichshenowdroppedofthesedangerousqualitieswithAlice’sadvicetoherfather，soemphaticallygiven，”tobewareofRavenswood。”
BtuthatveryRavenswood，ofwhomsuchunjustsuspicionshadbeenentertained，had，almostimmediatelyaftertheyhadbeenuttered，confutedthembysavingatonceherfather’slifeandherown。HadhenourishedsuchblackrevengeasAlice’sdarkhintsseemedtoindicate，nodeedofactiveguiltwasnecessarytothefullgratificationofthatevilpassion。Heneededbuttohavewithheldforaninstanthisindispensableandeffectiveassistance，andtheobjectofhisresentmentmusthaveperished，withoutanydirectaggressiononhispart，byadeathequallyfearfulandcertain。Sheconceived，therefore，thatsomesecretprejudice，orthesuspicionsincidenttoageandmisfortune，hadledAlicetoformconclusionsinjurioustothecharacter，andirreconcilablebothwiththegenerousconductandnoblefeatures，oftheMasterofRavenswood。AndinthisbeliefLucyreposedherhope，andwentonweavingherenchantedweboffairytissue，asbeautifulandtransientasthefilmofthegossamerwhenitispearledwiththemorningdewandglimmeringtothesun。
Herfather，inthemeanwhile，aswellastheMasterofRavenswood，weremakingreflections，asfrequentthoughmoresolidthanthoseofLucy，uponthesingulareventwhichhadtakenplace。TheLordKeeper’sfirsttask，whenhereturnedhome，wastoascertainbymedicaladvicethathisdaughterhadsustainednoinjuryfromthedangerousandalarmingsituationinwhichshehadbeenplaced。Satisfiedonthistopic，heproceededtorevisethememorandawhichhehadtakendownfromthemouthofthepersonemployedtointerruptthefuneralserviceofthelateLordRavenswood。Bredtocasuistry，andwellaccustomedtopractisetheambidexteringenuityofthebar，itcosthimlittletroubletosoftenthefeaturesofthetumultwhichhehadbeenatfirstsoanxiuoustoexaggerate。Hepreachedtohiscolleaguesoftheprivycouncilthenecessityofusingconciliatorymeasureswithyoungmen，whosebloodandtemperwerehot，andtheirexperienceoflifelimited。Hedidnothesitatetoattributesomecensuretotheconductoftheofficer，ashavingbeenunnecessarilyirritating。
Thesewerethecontentsofhispublicdespatches。Theletterswhichhewrotetothoseprivatefriendsintowhosemanagementthematterwaslikelytofallwereofayetmorefavourabletenor。
Herepresentedthatlenityinthiscasewouldbeequallypoliticandpopular，whereas，consideringthehighrespectwithwhichtheritesofintermentareregardedinScotland，anyseverityexercisedagainsttheMasterofRavenswoodforprotectingthoseofhisfatherfrominterruption，wouldbeonallsidesmostunfavourablyconstrued。And，finally，assumingthelanguageofagenerousandhigh-spiritedman，hemadeithisparticularrequestthatthisaffairshouldbepassedoverwithoutseverenotice。HealludedwithdelicacytothepredicamentinwhichhehimselfstoodwithyoungRavenswood，ashavingsucceededinthelongtrainoflitigationbywhichthefortunesofthatnoblehousehadbeensomuchreduced，andconfesseditwouldbemostpeculiarlyacceptabletohisownfeelings，couldhefindinsomesorttocounterbalancethedisadvantageswhichhehadoccasionedthefamily，thoughonlyintheprosecutionofhisjustandlawfulrights。Hethereforemadeithisparticularandpersonalrequestthatthemattershouldhavenofartherconsequences，aninsinuatedadesirethathehimselfshouldhavethemeritofhavingputastoptoitbyhisfavourablereportandintercession。Itwasparticularlyremarkablethat，contrarytohisuniformpractice，hemadenospecialcommunicationtoLadyAshtonuponthesubjectofthetumult；andalthoughhementionedthealarmwhichLucyhadreceivedfromoneofthewildcattle，yethegavenodetailedaccountofanincidentsointerestingandterrible。
TherewasmuchsurpriseamongSirWilliamAshton’spoliticalfriendsandcolleaguesonreceivinglettersofatenorsounexpected。Oncomparingnotestogether，onesmiled，oneputuphiseyebrows，athirdnoddedacquiescenceinthegeneralwonder，andafourthaskediftheyweresurethesewereALLtheletterstheLordKeeperhadwrittenonthesubject。”Itrunsstrangelyinmymind，mylords，thatnoneoftheseadvicescontaintherootofthematter。”
Butnosecretlettersofacontrarynaturehadbeenreceived，althoughthequestionseemedtoimplythepossibilityoftheirexistence。”Well，”saidanoldgrey-headedstatesman，whohadcontrived，byshiftingandtrimming，tomaintainhispostatthesteeragethroughallthechangesofcoursewhichthevesselhadheldforthirtyyears，”IthoughtSirWilliamwouldhaeverifiedtheauldScottishsaying，’Assooncomesthelamb’sskintomarketastheauldtup’s’””Wemustpleasehimafterhisownfashion，”saidanother，”thoughitbeanunlooked0forone。””Awilfulmanmaunhaehisway，”answeredtheoldcounsellor。”TheKeeperwillruethisbeforeyearanddayareout，”saidathird；”theMasterofRavenswoodistheladtowindhimapirn。””Why，whatwouldyoudo，mylords，withthepooryoungfellow？”
saidanobleMarquispresent。”TheLordKeeperhasgotallhisestates；hehasnotacrosstoblesshimselfwith。”
OnwhichtheancientLordTurntippetreplied”Ifhehasnageartofine，Hehashinstopine。
AndthatwasourwaybeforetheRevolution:Luciturcumpersona，quiluerenonpotestcumcrumena。Hegh，mylords，that’sgudelawLatin。””Icanseenomotive，”repliedtheMarquis，”thatanynoblelordcanhaveforurgingthismatterfarther；lettheLordKeeperhavethepowertodealinitashepleases。””Agree，agree——remittotheLordKeeper，withanyotherpersonforfashion’ssake——LordHirplehooly，whoisbed-ridden——onetobeaquorum。Makeyourentryintheminutes，Mr。Clerk。Andnow，mylords，thereisthatyoungscattergoodtheLairdofBucklaw’sfinetobedisposedupon。IsupposeitgoestomyLordTreasurer？””Shamebeinmymeal-poke，then，”exclaimedtheLordTurntippet，”andyourhandayeinthenookofit！Ihadsetthatdownforabye-bitbetweenmealsformysell。””Touseoneofyourfavouritesaws，mylord，”repliedtheMarquis，”youarelikethemiller’sdog，thatlickshislipsbeforethebagisuntied:themanisnotfinedyet。””Butthatcostsbuttwaskartsofapen，”saidLordTurntippet；”andsurelythereisnaenoblelordthatwillpresumetosaythatI，whahaecompliedwi’a’compliances，taenallmanneroftests，adjuredallthatwastobeabjured，andsworna’
thatwastobesworn，forthesethirtyyearsbye-past，stickingfastbymydutytothestatethroughgoodreportandbadreport，shouldnahaesomethingnowandthentosyndmymouthwi’aftersicdrouthywark？Eh？””Itwouldbeveryunreasonableindeed，mylord，”repliedtheMarquis，”hadweeitherthoughtthatyourlordship’sdroughtwasquenchable，orobservedanythingstickinyourthroatthatrequiredwashingdown。”
Andsoweclosethesceneontheprivycouncilofthatperiod。