He took a look at Ruth's face, which was clearly to be seen in the moonlight, and immediately recognised it.
"Great Loard!" he cried, "'tes our dead lady's face, 'tes our dead lady, and the devil have got her."
With a cry which showed how real were both his fear and belief, he rushed away from us.
I did not stop him: I did not think it necessary; soon the truth must come out, and then all his fears would be allayed.
Never shall I forget the journey from the village church to the home of the Mortons. My joy was so great that I did not feel Ruth's weight at all, and when she asked me anxiously, yet lovingly, if she wearied me, I only pressed her more closely to my heart, while she only nestled more contentedly. And small wonder? Had I not brought her back from the dead, and had she not found herself free from the terrible chain that bound her, free to speak to the man she loved?
Nearer and nearer we came to her home, the home which all thought she had left for ever. We came within a few yards of the front entrance, when a great dog came bounding up with a furious growl. I wondered how I should get rid of him; but Ruth spoke only one word, and he did not know how to express his joy; he walked by our side and licked the shroud she wore.
I seized the great bell, the bell I had rung that morning. Soon its clanging voice echoed through the hall, and soon after we heard the sound of voices, and footsteps echoed along the corridors.
A minute later we heard the bolts shoot back from the door at which we stood.