When the front of the house became visible a feeling of alarm checked me.

I had been long absent from Scotland; my friend was some years older than I; he might have been called to the congregation of the just.

I paused, and gazed on the house as if I had hoped to form some conjecture from the outward appearance concerning the state of the family within.

I know not how it was, but the lower windows being all closed, and no one stirring, my sinister forebodings were rather strengthened.

I regretted now that I had not made inquiry before I left the inn where I alighted from the mail-coach.