"'I want the spade.'
"'You will find it in the out-house; the mattock is there, too; you will need it to break the hard ground.'
"'No, no; my arm is strong yet—stronger than you think, for a woman of my years. The heavy rain has moistened the earth. The spade will do the job; we need not make a deep grave. No one will ever look for him there.'
"'The place was always haunted, and it will be doubly so now.'
"'Pshaw! who believes in ghosts. The dead are dead—lost—gone for ever; grass springs from them, and their juices go to fatten worms and nourish the weeds of the earth. Light me the lantern and I will defy all the ghosts and demons in the world; and hark you, Alice, the moment he is dead put the body in a sack, and call me to help to drag it to the grave. I shall have it ready in no time.'
"'Monster!' I muttered to myself, 'the pit you are preparing for me, ere long, may open beneath your own feet.'
"I heard the old woman close the front door after her, and presently Alice re-entered my chamber.
"'Well, thank God she is gone on her unholy task. Now, Philip! now—lose no time—rise, dress yourself, and get off as fast as you can!'
"I endeavoured to obey, but exhausted by long sickness I fell back fainting upon the bed.
"'Stay,' said Alice, 'you are weak for the want of nourishment. I will get you food and drink.'