There was a pause, and the young Highlanders sat looking sternly into the glowing fire. Tramp, tramp, came, heavy steps overhead, as of several persons moving some heavy burden. Bayntun felt his heart beat faster. He would not for worlds have let any one suspect it. Even Mrs Hardy, drew involuntarily nearer to her husband, and Helen's eyes opened wider, while the most ghastly spectre would not have burst upon her sight unexpected. "The lassies are putting the Doctor's room in order for your friend, Misther Hardy. Maybe he is not used to rough lodging, and it is well for him that, the Doctor being at the house of Glennaclach to-night, I can give him the room," said Mrs Cameron. Dugald made some remark in Gaelic, with a mischievous glance towards Bayntun, but was sternly checked by his mother. Nevertheless, Bayntun perceived it, and determined more resolutely than ever not to divulge the strange sights and fancies which had haunted him. Night had fairly closed in, and the reflection of the lights in the room mingled on the window-panes with the other objects outside, just lighted by a crescent moon, when, as Bayntun glanced towards the window, he perceived close to it the face of the hideous goblin which had haunted him in the day, and at the same moment came that fearful chuckle. "Poor Marie Vhan," said Mrs Cameron, rising and going to the door; "where has the wild creature been straying?" "Marie has been naughty to-day," said Dugald, speaking in English from fear of another rebuke from his mother: "she has been tossing and tearing the fleeces which were left to dry upon the whins." "Poor body," rejoined Mrs Cameron. "It is a poor daft lassie. Her father is one of our shepherds, and it is a sad trouble to a poor man to have a feckless child that can do naught for herself, so she bides with me when she likes, and I give her food and shelter; but she will not stay long in any place." As she spoke, one of the servant girls opened another door, and began scolding the child in no gentle terms for the mischief she had done, which was serious in its way, for the fleeces had been prepared for spinning in long loose bands, and were required for her mistress's immediate use. Instantly the wild creature fled chuckling into the wood, and up the dark dreary glen. "It is an evil deed you have done, Lizzie, to drive the poor body from the door with your angry tongue," said the mistress, as she resumed her place at the wheel. Lizzie was out of hearing, and could not have understood had she been in the room, but the expression of disapprobation relieved Mrs Cameron's indignant feelings.