heir thunder and lightning, like the upper world. Arwed bent his
course directly to the little edifice which served for the church, and
upon reaching it discovered in its rear a small building, which rather
more than the others deserved the name of a house. It was the dwelling
of the clergyman. Upon entering he discovered Christine, whom sorrow
and confinement had rendered still more pale and emaciated, busily
plying her needle by lamp light.

'Ah, Arwed!' cried she overjoyed, and springing towards him she held
out her bandaged hand as before. A dark cloud soon flitted over her
beautiful countenance, and she asked distrustfully, 'have you no secret
object in this visit?'

'A very secret and serious one,' answered Arwed--'from which, however,
you have nothing to fear. On the contrary, I bring you your father's
permission to remain here, the consolation that your child is well
attended to, and the assurance of a pecuniary allowance sufficient to
preserve you from want.'

'And I have to thank you, still you, for all these blessings!' cried
Christine with grateful enthusiasm. 'Ah, how happy you make me, and at
the same time how inexpressibly unhappy!'

'Poor Christine!' said he with deep sympathy--'How miserable has the
vehemence of thy nature rendered thee!'

He laid his pistols upon, the table, and listened to ascertain if any
one was approaching.

'You said just now,' remarked Christine sorrowfully, 'that a secret and
serious purpose brought you here. I hope those weapons which you have
brought with you into this peaceful hut, have no connection with it?'

Arwed walked silently to the window and looked impatiently out into the
eternal night.

'Do you apprehend any further malice from my husband?' Christine
anxiously asked. 'I will be answerable for him with my life. He reveres
you as our guardian angel. Moreover he has become much better in this
abode of darkness than he was in the upper world; and should I with the
aid of time be enabled to banish the deep sorrow which still constantly
hovers about him, I have reason to hope that we may once more attain to
something like happiness.'

Arwed, who had scarcely listened to the poor sufferer, now suddenly
asked, 'has not Megret been recently here?'

'Do you then seek him?' cried Christine with astonishment. 'Yes, he was
here scarcely an hour since. He caused Mac Donalbain to be called from
his labor, and retired far into the mine in private and earnest
conversat