The sight was too harrowing to
sustain. He was about to withdraw, when a convulsive tremor passed
across her features--a trembling like the undulation of the breeze
rippling the smooth bosom of the lake; a sigh seemed to labour heavily
from her breast; her eyes opened; but as though yet struggling under the
influence of some terrific dream, she cried--
"Oh, save me--save me!" She looked upwards: it was as if the light of
heaven had suddenly shone in upon her benighted soul.
"Lost, saidst thou, accursed fiend?--Never until his power shall yield
to thine!"
Yet she shuddered, as though the appalling shadow were still upon her
spirit.--"Nay, 'twas but a dream."
"Dreams!" cried Lord William, recovering from a look of speechless
amazement. "Thy dreams are more akin to truth than ever were thy waking
reveries."
"Nay, my Lord, look not so unkindly on me--I will tell thee all. I
dreamt that I was possessed, and this body was the dwelling of a demon.
It was permitted as a punishment for my transgressions; for I had sought
communion with the fiend. I was the companion of witches--foul and
abominable shapes;--a beastly crew, with whom I was doomed to
associate.
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