 this
imperfect confidence. She directed Lucy's thoughts to the means of inquiring
into futurity, - the surest mode, perhaps, of shaking the understanding and
destroying the spirits. Omens were expounded, dreams were interpreted, and other
tricks of jugglery perhaps resorted to, by which the pretended adepts of the
period deceived and fascinated their deluded followers. I find it mentioned in
the articles of dittay against Ailsie Gourlay - (for it is some comfort to know
that the old hag was tried, condemned, and burned on the top of North Berwick
Law, by sentence of a commission from the Privy Council), - I find, I say, it
was charged against her, among other offences, that she had, by the aid and
delusions of Satan, shown to a young person of quality, in a mirror glass, a
gentleman then abroad, to whom the said young person was betrothed, and who
appeared in the vision to be in the act of bestowing his hand upon another lady.
But this and some other parts of the record appear to have been studiously left
imperfect in names and dates, probably out of regard to the honour of the
families concerned. If Dame Gourlay was able actually to play off such a piece
of jugglery, it is clear she must have had better assistance to practise the
deception, than her own skill or funds could supply. Meanwhile, this mysterious
visionary traffic had its usual effect, in unsettling Miss Ashton's mind. Her
temper became unequal, her health decayed daily, her manners grew moping,
melancholy, and uncertain. Her father, guessing partly at the cause of these
appearances, and exerting a degree of authority unusual with him, made a point
of banishing Dame Gourlay from the castle; but the arrow was shot, and was
rankling barb-deep in the side of the wounded deer.
    It was shortly after the departure of this woman, that Lucy Ashton, urged by
her parents, announced to them, with a vivacity by which they were startled,
»that she was conscious heaven and earth and hell had set themselves against her
union with Ravenswood; still her contract,« she said, »was a binding contract,
and she neither would nor could resign it without the consent of Ravenswood. Let
me be assured,« she concluded, »that he will free me from my engagement, and
dispose of me as you please, I care not how. When the diamonds are gone, what
signifies the casket?«
    The tone of obstinacy with which this was said, her eyes flashing with
unnatural light, and her hands firmly clenched
