"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.
"Well, did he disappear?"
"I looked again, and I thought he retreated into the woods, for he was gone."
"Did he seem to see you?"