Tales of Female Heroism (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1846 Excerpt: ...of the castle, whence he would conduct her to the spot where the secret was to be told. Having full reason to trust his assurances, she promised to obey these directions; though not without some apprehensions as tho time appointed drew near. She succeeded, however, in concealing those feelings from her young friend. The day passed as usual; and, as the clock struck ten, they separated for the night. Resolving not to alarm herself unnecessarily by dwelling on the singular interview which was before her, Miss Mackay sat down to read till it was time to leave her room. Then, wrapping herself in her plaid, she knelt down for a few moments to ask a blessing on her enterprise. As the clock struck twelve she opened her door, and lightly descending the stairs, and threading the mazes of a long and intricate passage, she let herself out by a back door into one of the open courts. From thence she made her way through other deserted passages and roofless portions of the building, till she entered the most distant quadrangle, where stood the great tower. By the light of a small lantern, which she kept carefully turned in an opposite direction from the inhabited part of the castle, she saw the laird was waiting for her at the appointed spot. In silence he bowed his head as she came up to him; and, leading the way, proceeded to a door at the foot of the tower. This he opened with a small key, and having entered at the bottom of a spiral staircase, locked the door; and, turning to her, asked, in a low voice, if, in spite of such almost awful precautions, she still adhered to her first resolution--entreating her, if she felt any fear, to return at once. The hour, and the strange mystery, for a moment daunted her spirits; but, summoning her courage, she answered boldly, tha...