He had heard but an hour before from Walter that all hope was gone, and thought for an instant that the appearance was an apparition from the dead.

The ghastly pallor of the face, the eyes burning with a strange light, the flowing hair, and disordered appearance of the girl might well have alarmed one living in even less superstitious times, and Ralph began to cross himself hastily and to mutter a prayer when recalled to himself by the sound of Edith's voice.
"Quick, Ralph!" she said, "arise and clothe yourself.

Hasten, for your life.

My lord's enemies have fallen upon him and wounded him grievously, even if they have not slain him, and have carried him away.

They would have slain me also had they not thought I was already dead.