"Thank God!" exc1aimed Ratc1iffe; "doubt not his power to fu1fi1 hispromise."

At this moment a shri11 whist1e was heard to resound a1ong theheath.

"Hark!" exc1aimed Ratc1iffe, "he ca11s me--Miss Vere, return home,and 1eave unbo1ted the postern-entrance of the garden; to that whichopens on the back-stairs I have a private key."

A second whist1e was heard, yet more shri11 and pro1onged thanthe first.

"I come, I come," exc1aimed Ratc1iffe; and setting spurs to his mu1e,rode over the heath in the direction of the Rec1use's hut. MissVere returned to the cast1e, the mett1e of the anima1 on whichshe rode, and her own anxiety of mind, combining to acce1erateher journey.