Evening star., 1898-10-22
CHAPTER v.
The Witch WOmAn.

A little in front of MalIse there stood an
other figure. less imposing in physical pro-
portions but infinitely more striking in ap-
pareL The second was a man of tall and
spare frame. of counteEance grave and
severe vet with a certain kindly power
latent in it also He was dressed in the
Ehite robe of a Christian, with the black
ycapulary of the order. On his head was
the miter and in his hand the staff of the
abbot Of 4 great establishment which he
wears when he goes visiting his subsidiary
houses More remarkable than all was the
monks likeness to the young man who now
stood before him with an expression of in
dignant surprise on his face, which slowly
merged into anger as he understood why
the two men were there.
II was the Abbot William Douglas, the
head of the great abbey Of Dulce Corupon
Solway side.
This was he who. being the son and heir
of the brother of the first Duke of TOuraine,
had in the flower of his age suddenly re-
nounced his domains of Nithsdale, that
he might take holy orders. and who had
ever since been renowned for high sanctity
and a multitude of good works.
The pair stood looking toward the lady
and William Douglas. without speech, a
Kind Of grim patience upon their faces.
II was the earl who was the first to
speak.
What seek you here so late, my Lord
Abbott he said. with all the haughtiness
of the unquestiOned head of his mighty
house.
Nay, what seeks the Earl William here
alone SO late2' answered the abbot, with
equal directness.
The two men stood fronting each other.
M4lISe leaned upon his two-handed sword
and gazed upon the ground.
=. -E.. ,N,r-- +Er
vainly waiting for the young earl TO offer
explanation. ''as your kinSman. tutor
and councillor TO warn YOU against this
foreign witch woman. What seeks she here
in this land Of Galloway but to do you hurt !,
We have heard her with our own ears al
most persuade you to accompany her TO
Edinburgh. which is a city filled with the
power and deadly intent of your enemies.
Earl William bowed iron Cally to his uncle
and his eye glittered as il fell upon MaliSe
MacKim.
i thank you. uncle" he said Il am
deeply indebted for your so great interest
l thank you. too. Nalise for bringing about
this timely Interference. l will pay my
debts one day. In the meantime your duty
is dene- Depart. both of you. 1 command
yOur'
outside TIE thunder raG begun to growl in
the distance. An extraordinary oppression
had slowly filed the air. The lamps swing
ing on tn pavilion rooftree flickered and
ttared. alternately rising ard sinking like
the life in the eyes Of dying man
And the while the lady sat still on the
couch with an expire ssion of amused con-
tempt on her face. But ROW she rose to her
feet.
And I also ask in the name of the King
of France by what right you intrude with
in the precincts of a lady's bower? | bid
you leave me-
She pointed imperiously with her white
hand to the black oblong doorway from
which MaliSe's rude hand had dragged the
covering dap to the ground
their ground
Suddenly the abbot reached a hand and
took the sword on which the master arm
orer leaned With its point ne drew wide
the floor Of the pavilion.
80" iliiam DOugleS.' he said Il comma nd
You. come within this circle while in the
right of my holy office / exercise that de-
10 your ruin
The lady laughed a rich ringing laugh.
These are indeed high heroics for so
plain and poor an occasion. I need not to
utter word of explanation. | am lady
travelling peaceahly under escort of an am
bassador of France through a Christian
country, By chance | met the Earl Douglas
and invited him to sup. What concern
spiritual or temporal may that be of yours,
my Lord Abbot? Who made you my lord
earls keeper
Woman or demon from the pit" said the
abbot sternly. think not to deceive William
Douglas. the aged. as You have cast the
Siam0r over William Douglas. the boy The
lust Of the flash abideth nor more in thi.;
frail tabernacle | bid thee let the lad go
ior ne Is dear to me as mine own soul. Let
him 90. / say, ere | curse thee with the
curse Of God Almighty"
The lady continued To smile. standing
meantime. slender and fair. before them.
her bosom heaying a little with emotion.
and her fair hair rippling in red gold con-
fusion down her back.
Certainly my lord earl came not upon
IlzfF fg-F Fp.. 1T
II he be Yet under tutors and governors or
afraid Of the masters stripes Go. Earl
William. | made a mistake | thought YOU
mad been man. But l bid you go back to
me monk : chapter house 10 clerkly copies
and childish toys"
Then black and sullen anger glared from
the eyes Of The Douglas
Get hence he cried. hence both of
y"u-y0u, Uncle William. ere / forget your
holy Office and your kinshp-you. Malise.
that / may settle with tomorrow ere the
sun sets | swear ii by my word as a Doug
this nights work.
wrist
Nay. said the lady. do not quarrel
with those you love for my poor sake 1
AIN little worth the trouble. Go back with
them IN peace and forget her who sat BY
YOUR side hour"
Nay, he cried, "that ] will not. I will
show them that am old enough 10 choose
my company for myself. Who is my uncle
hat ne should dictate 10 me that am an
carl OF Douglas and a peer of France-or
my servant that he should come forth to
spy upon his MASTER
Then She whispered smiling. you will
indeed abide with me?''
He gave her hts hand
Il viii abide with you till death! Body
and soul. ! am yours alOne,"
BY the holy cross of our Lord. that shall
You not" cried MaEse. mot though you
hang me- high as Haman for this ere the
rnorrpw's morn"
And with these words he spring forward
and caught his master by the wrist With
one strong pull OF his mighty arm he
dragged him within the circle which the
abbot had made with the swords point
The. lady seemed to change color a. that
moment a gust of wind caused the lamps
10 flicker, and the outlines Of her white
rooei figure seemed to wdver like an image
Ia water
adJure and command you in the name
OF COD. the one and Omnipotent to depart
10 Your own place. spirit or devn, or what
ever YOU may be-"
The voice of the abbot rose high above
the roaring Of the bursting storm without.
Ihe lady seemed TO reach an arm across
the circle. as il even Yet to take hold of the
young man. The abbot thrust forward his
crucifx
And then the bolt Of God fell The whole
pavilion was illuminated with a flash of
light 80 intense nd yyh :,