Involuntarily she uttered a cry of terror and distress.

Gibbie was at her side instantly, putting out his hand to comfort her.

She was just laying hers on his arm, scarcely knowing what she did, when her father seized him, and dashed him to the other side of the room.

He went staggering backwards, vainly trying to recover himself, and fell, his head striking against the wall.
The same instant Angus entered, saw nothing of Gibbie where he lay, and approached his master.

But when he caught sight of Ginevra, he gave a gasp of terror that ended in a broken yell, and stared as if he had come suddenly on the verge of the bottomless pit, while all round his head his hair stood out as if he had been electrified.
Before he came to himself, Gibbie had recovered and risen.