"But report spoke truth;--our false witness was indeed the cause, but the deed was her ain distracted act.
On that fearfu' disclosure, when ye rushed frae the Countess's presence and saddled your horse, and left the castle like a fire-flaught, the Countess hadna yet discovered your private marriage; she hadna fund out that the union, which she had framed this awfu' tale to prevent, had e'en taen place.

Ye fled from the house as if the fire o' Heaven was about to fa' upon it, and Miss Neville, atween reason and the want o't, was put under sure ward.

But the ward sleep't, and the prisoner waked--the window was open--the way was before her--there was the cliff, and there was the sea!--O, when will I forget that!" "And thus died," said the Earl, "even so as was reported ?" "No, my lord.

I had gane out to the cove--the tide was in, and it flowed, as ye'll remember, to the foot o' that cliff--it was a great convenience that for my husband's trade--Where am I wandering ?--I saw a white object dart frae the tap o' the cliff like a sea-maw through the mist, and then a heavy flash and sparkle of the waters showed me it was a human creature that had fa'en into the waves.

I was bold and strong, and familiar with the tide.