"Sweet lady," sighed she to herself, "who is it that dares thus invade thy duties?
But my gratitude--gratitude to the once-loved lord, will not offend thy pure spirit!" Again the mournful wailings rose on the air; and with a convulsion of feelings she could not restrain, she threw herself on her knees, and leaning her head on the newly-adorned helmet, wept profusely.
Murray entered the room unobserved.

"Helen! my dear cousin!" cried he.
She started, and rising, apologized for her tears by owning the truth.
He now told her, that the body of the deceased lady was deposited in the chapel of the castle; and that the priests from the adjacent priory only awaited her presence to consign it, with the church's rites, to its tomb.
Helen retired for a few minutes to recover herself; and then re-entering, covered with a black veil, was led by her cousin to the awful scene.
The bier lay before the altar.

The prior of St.Fillan, in his holy vestments, stood at its head; a band of monks were ranged on each side.
The maids of Lady Helen, in mourning garments, met their mistress at the portal.

They had wrapped the beautiful corpse in the shroud prepared for it; and now having laid it, strewed with flowers, upon the bier, they advanced to their trembling lady, expecting her to approve their services.

Helen drew near--she bowed to the priests.