"I will meet him here," she said; "I would not have even cousin Grace, good as she is, to witness our interview of reconciliation. Oh, why does he linger so! Well, Robert, I have been taught a lesson in a knowledge of my own heart by this; and, let us but meet in peace once more, I will bear much ere I will make either you or myself so miserable again."
She sighed deeply as she spoke, and a glittering tear, like a drop of dew shaken from a spray, fell upon her hand.
"Surely he cannot love me, to linger so!" she said, dropping her aching eyes, which had long kept watch on the distant path.
"Proud maiden, thou hast spoken truly! he loves thee not!"
Kate turned in alarm as the stern, harsh voice that spoke these words sounded close to her ear, and beheld the weird woman.
"Elpsy!" she cried, rising and speaking between terror and surprise.
"The witch Elpsy, lady," added the sorceress, sarcastically.
"What would you, woman?"
"Thyself."
"How mean you?" exclaimed the maiden, shrinking involuntarily back.