Then the old man stretched out his hand and said, "Art thou ready? for
the time is come; and thou art called now;" and he touched Gilbert on
the breast.
Gilbert looked into the old man's eyes, and seemed to see there an
unfathomable sadness, such as he had never seen; but at the touch a
pain so fierce and agonising passed through him, that he sank upon the
ground and covered his face with his hands.
Just at this time the old priest found the paper; and he divined the
truth. So he called his servant and bade him saddle his horse in
haste; and then he fell to prayer.
Then he rode down the valley; and though he feared the place, yet he
rode to the Hill of Trouble; and though his sight was dim and his
limbs feeble, it seemed to him that some one walked beside the horse
and guided him; and as he prayed he knew that all was over, and that
Gilbert had peace.
He came soon to the place; and there he found Gilbert lying on the
turf; and his sight was so dim that it seemed to him as though some
one slipped away from Gilbert's side. He put Gilbert on his horse, and
held the poor helpless body thereon, but there was so gentle a smile
on the face of the dead that he could not fear.
The body of Gilbert lies in the little churchyard; his great book
keeps his memory bright; and on the top of the Hill of Trouble stands
a little chapel, built out of the stones of the circle; and on the
wall, painted at the old priest's charge, is a picture of the Lord
Christ, with wounded hands and side, preaching to the disobedient
spirits in prison; and they hear him and are glad.