"
She was rebaptized as one newly born, and committed again to the keeping
of the Holy Church. Shortly afterwards were united at the altar Lord
William and Lady Sibyl. He accompanied her to Bernshaw Tower, their
future residence,--becoming, in right of his wife, the sole possessor of
those domains.
* * * * *
FOOTNOTES:
[41] In Lancashire these noises are called the Gabriel Ratchets,
according to Webster, which seem to be the same with the German
Rachtvogel or Rachtraven. The word and the superstition are still
prevalent. Gabriel Ratchets are supposed to be like the sound of puppies
yelping in the air, and to forebode death or misfortune.
PART THIRD.
Twelve months were nigh come and gone, and the feast of All-Hallows was
again at hand. Lord William's bride sat in her lonely bower, but her
face was pale, and her eyes red with weeping. The tempter had been
there; and she had not sought for protection against his snares. That
night she was expected to renew her allegiance to the prince of
darkness. Those fearful rites must now bind her for ever to his will.
Such appeared to be her infatuation that it led her to imagine she was
yet his by right of purchase, without being fully conscious of the
impiety of that thought.
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