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When his attention was attracted by the noise of the sliding panel, he arose, and, testifying much respect, but no surprise, took his shadowy hat from his thin grey locks, and stood uncovered in the presence of Norna with an air of profound humility.
“Be faithful,” said Norna to the old man, “ and beware you show not any living mortal the secret path to the Sanctuary.”
The old man bowed, in token of obedience and of thanks, for she put money in his hand as she spoke. With a faltering voice, he expressed his hope that she would remember his son, who was on the Greenland voyage, that he might return fortunate and safe, as he had done last year, when he brought back the garland, pointing to that upon the wall.
“My cauldron shall boil, and my rhyme shall be said, in his behalf,” answered Norna. “Waits Pacolet without with the horses?”
The old Sexton assented, and the Pythoness, commanding Cleveland to follow her, went through a back door of the apartment into a small garden, corresponding, in its desolate appearance, to the habitation they had just quitted. The low and broken wall easily permitted them to pass into another and L rger garden, though not much better kept, and a gate, which was upon the latch, let them into a long and winding lane, through which, Norna having whispered to her companion that it was the only dangerous place on their road, they walked with a hasty pace. It was now nearly dark, and the inhabitants of the poor dwellings, on either hand, had betaken themselves to their houses. They saw only one woman, who was looking from her door, but blessed herself, and retired into her house with precipitation, when she saw the tall figure of Norna stalk past her with long strides. The lane conducted them into the country, where the dumb dwarf waited with three horses, ensconced behind the wall of a deserted shed. On one of these Norna instantly seated herself, Cleveland mounted another, and, followed by Pacolet on the third, they moved sharply on through the darkness; the active and spirited animals on which they rode being of a breed rather taller than those reared in Zetland.
After more than an hour’s smart riding, in which Norna acted as guide, they stopped before a hovel, so utterly desolate in appearance, that it resembled rather a cattle-shed than a cottage.
Here you must remain till dawn, when your signal can be seen from your vessel,” said Norna, consigning the horses to the care of Pacolet, and leading the way into the wretched hovel, which she presently illuminated by lighting the small iron lamp which she usually carried along with her. “ It is a poor,” she said, “ but a safe place of refuge; for were we pursued hither, the earth would yawn and admit us into its recesses ere you were taken. For know, that this ground is sacred to the gods of old Valhalla. — And now say, man of mischief and of blood, are you friend or foe to Norna, the sole priestess of these disowned deities?”
“How is it possible for me to be your enemy?” said Cleveland. — ” Common gratitude”
“Common gratitude,” said Norna, interrupting him, “ is a common word — and words are the common pay which fools accept at the hands of knaves; but Norna must be requited by actions — by sacrifices.”
“Well, mother, name your request.”
“That you never seek to see Minna Troil again, and that you leave this coast in twentyfour hours,” answered Norna.
“It is impossible,” said the outlaw; “ I cannot be soon enough found in the sea-stores which the sloop must have.”
“You can. I will take care you are fully supplied; and Caithness and the Hebrides are not far distant — you can depart if you will.”
“And why should I,” said Cleveland, “if I will not?”
“Because your stay endangers others,” said Norna, “ and will prove your own destruction. Hear me with attention. From the first moment I saw you lying senseless on the sand beneath the cliffs of Sumburgh, I read that in your countenance which linked you with me, and those who were dear to me; but whether for good or evil, was hidden from mine eyes. I aided in saving your life, in preserving your property. I aided in doing so, the very youth whom you have crossed in his dearest affections — crossed by tale-bearing and slander.”
“I slander Mertoun!” exclaimed Cleveland. “ By heaven, I scarce mentioned his name at Burgh-Westra, if it is that which you mean. The peddling fellow Bryce, meaning, I believe, to be my friend, because he found something could be made by me, did, I have since heard, carry tattle or truth, I know not which, to the old man, which was confirmed by the report of the whole island. But, for me, I scarce thought of him as a rival; else, I had taken a more honourable way to rid myself of him.”
“Was the point of your double-edged knife, directed to the bosom of an unarmed man, intended to carve out that more honourable way? “ said Norna sternly.
Cleveland was conscience-struck, and remained silent for an instant, ere he replied, “ There, indeed, I was wrong; but he is, I thank Heaven, recovered, and welcome to an honourable satisfaction.”
“Cleveland,” said the Pythoness, “No! The fiend who employs you as his implement is powerful; but with me he shall not strive. You are of that temperament which the dark Influences desire as the tools of their agency; bold, haughty, and undaunted, unrestrained by principle, and having only in its room a wild sense of indomitable pride, which such men call honour. Such you are, and as such your course through life has been — onward and unrestrained, bloody and tempestuous. By me, however, it shall be controlled,” she concluded, stretching out her staff, as if in the attitude of determined authority — ”ay, even although the demon who presides over it should now arise in his terrors.”
Cleveland laughed scornfully. “Good mother,” he said, “ reserve such language for the rude sailor that implores you to bestow him fair wind, or the poor fisherman that asks success to his nets and lines. I have been long inaccessible both to fear and to superstition. Call forth your demon, if you command one, and place him before me. The man that has spent years in company with incarnate devils, can scarce dread the presence of a disembodied fiend.”
This was said with a careless and desperate bitterness of spirit, which proved too powerfully energetic even for the delusions of Norna’s insanity; and it was with a hollow and tremulous voice that she asked Cleveland — ” For what, then, do you hold me, if you deny the power I have bought so dearly?”
“You have wisdom, mother,” said Cleveland; “at least you have art, and art is power. I hold you for one who knows how to steer upon the current of events, but I deny your power to change its course. Do not, therefore, waste words in quoting terrors for which I have no feeling, but tell me at once, wherefore you would have me depart?”
“Because I will have you see Minna no more,” answered Norna — ” Because Minna is the destined bride of him whom men call Mordaunt Mertoun — Because if you depart not within twentyfour hours, utter destruction awaits you. In these plain words there is no metaphysical delusion — Answer me as plainly.”
“In as plain words, then,” answered Cleveland, “ I will net leave these islands — not, at least, till I have seen Minna Troil; and never shall your Mordaunt possess her while I live.”
“Hear him!” said Norna — ”hear a mortal man spurn at the means of prolonging his life! — hear a sinful — a most sinful being, refuse the time which fate yet affords for repentance, and for the salvation of an immortal soul! — Behold him how he stands erect, bold and confident in his youthful strength and courage! My eyes, unused to tears — even my eyes, which have so little cause to weep for him, are blinded with sorrow, to think what so fair a form will be ere the second sun set!”
“Mother,” said Cleveland firmly, yet with some touch of sorrow in his voice, “ I in part understand your threats. You know more than we do of the course of the Halcyon — perhaps have the means (for I acknowledge you have shown wonderful skill of combination in such affairs) of directing her cruise our way. Be it so — I will not depart from my purpose for that risk. If the frigate comes hither, we have still our shoal water to trust to; and I think they will scarce cut us out with boats, as if we were a Spanish xebeck. I am therefore resolved I will