is not essential to this narrative; but, indeed, we presume that our
readers may give a very good guess at it without any assistance from
us. The beautiful girl was young, and credulous, and innocent, as
might naturally be inferred from the confusion of her manner, and the
tremulous tones of her voice, which, indeed, were seductive and full of
natural melody. Her heart palpitated until its beatings might be
heard, and she trembled with that kind of terror which is composed of
apprehension and pleasure. That a gentleman--one of the quality--could
condescend to feel any interest in a humble girl like her, was what she
could scarcely have dreamed; but when he told her of her beauty, the
natural elegance and symmetry of her figure, and added that he loved her
better than any girl, either high or low, he had ever seen, she believed
that his words were true, and her brain became almost giddy with wonder
and delight. Then she considered what a triumph it was over all her
female acquaintances, who, if they knew it, would certainly envy
her even far more than they did already. After about half an hour's
conversation the darkness set in, and she expressed an apprehension
lest some of her family should come in quest of her--a circumstance, she
said, which might be dangerous to them both. He then prevailed on her
to promise another meeting, which at length she did; but on his taking
leave of her she asked him by which way he intended to go home.

"I came by the old green path," said he, "but intend to turn down the
glen into the common road."

"O, don't go that way," said she; "if you do, you'll have to pass the
haunted house, ay, and maybe, might meet the _Shan-dhinne-dhuv_."

"What is that," said he.