"I am stifling. I will open the window to let out the heat as well as
this herd of evil spirits."
But as soon as he opened the window, the whole country commenced to
laugh under its white mantle of snow--barren heath, ploughed land, Druid
stones, even to the enormous oaks of the forest, with their glistening
summits, that shook their frosty branches, saying,--
"Sylvestre Ker will go! Sylvestre Ker will not go!"
Not a spirit from within flew out, while all the outside spirits
entered, muttering, chattering, laughing,--
"Yes, yes, yes, yes! No, no, no, no!" And I believe they fought.
At the same time the sound of a cavalcade advancing was heard on the
flinty road that passed before the tower; and Sylvestre Ker recognized
the long procession of the monks of Ruiz, led by the grand abbot, Gildas
the Wise, arrayed in cope and mitre, with his crozier in his hand,
going to the Mass of Plouharnel, as the convent chapel was being
rebuilt.
When the head of the cavalcade approached the tower, the grand abbot
cried out,--
"My armed guards, sound your horns to awaken Dame Josserande's son!"
And instantly there was a blast from the horns, which rang out until
Gildas the Wise exclaimed,--
"Be silent, for there is my tenant wide awake at his window."