Pierre stammered, hesitated, then replied that there was nothing
amiss, only that he believed he had seen a ghost, or something very
much like one.
Dead silence fell on all, for the belief in ghosts was universal in
that age, as also in witchcraft and sorcery.
"A ghost, silly boy; what ghost? Thy fancy hath converted some
white cow into a spectre, in the uncertain light of the evening."
"Nay, I saw him too plainly."
"Saw whom?"
"Wilfred."
There was a pause--a dead pause, indeed; the baron changed colour
and appeared to attempt to hide the perturbation of his spirit.
"Speak out, my son," said the chaplain, "such things are sometimes
permitted by Heaven."
"Father, I was leaving the woods by the path which opens upon the
summit of the hill, above the blasted oak, when I saw Wilfred, as
when alive, standing on the summit, gazing upon the castle. He was
between me and the evening light, so, although it was getting dark,
I could not mistake him. He was deadly pale, and there was a look
on his face I had never seen in life as he turned round and faced
me."
"Well! didst thou speak?"
"I dared not; my limbs shook and the hair of my head
arose--fearfulness and trembling seized hold of me."
Etienne sneered just a little, yet probably he would not have
behaved better, only he might not have owned his fear.
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