postulation, and was desirous to abridge it, "is upon a visit to my father."
"Indeed!" said the old blind woman, in an accent of surprise.
"I knew," continued Lucy, "I should do him a pleasure by conducting him to your cottage."
"Where, to say the truth, Alice," said Ravenswood, "I expected a more cordial reception."
"It is most wonderful," said the old woman, muttering to herself; "but the ways of Heaven are not like our ways, and its judgments are brought about by means far beyond our fathoming.—Hearken, young man," she said; "your fathers were implacable, but they were honourable foes; they sought not to ruin their enemies under the mask of hospitality. What have you to do with Lucy Ashton?—why should your steps move in the same foot path with her's?—why should your voice sound in the same chord and time with those of Sir William
