CAPTAIN LINDSAY.
The moon shone brightly as Helen was crossing the churchyard, but she
had not gone far when she heard quick footsteps behind her, and
thinking it must be Erick she stopped.
It was not her lover, but a tall Highland officer, whom she instantly
recognised.
Surprised and alarmed at the sight, she would have fled, but Captain
Lindsay, for it was he, sprang forward, and seized her arm.
"Let me go, I insist, sir," she cried indignantly.
"Not till I have had a few words with you, Helen," replied the
captain. "I have been waiting an hour for you here. I found out that
Miss Byrom had taken you home with her, so I kept watch near the door
of the house for your coming forth. Erick, I knew, couldn't interrupt
us, for I had contrived to get him out of the way."
"He shall hear of your base design, sir," she cried, looking round for
help. But she could see no one in the churchyard.
"Listen to me, Helen," said Captain Lindsay. "I am so passionately in
love that I would make any sacrifice for you. You must and shall be
mine!"
"Never!" she cried, struggling vainly to get free. "I am plighted to
Erick, as ye ken fu' weel, and think you I wad break my vow to him?
and for you, whom I hate!"
"Hate me or not, you shall be mine!" he cried. "Listen to reason, you
foolish girl. Erick cannot love you as I love you."
"He loves me far better--but I dinna mind that."
"If you wed him, you will only be a poor soldier's wife. With me you
will have wealth and luxury."
"Ye are merely wastin' yer breath, sir," she cried. "A' your arguments
have no effect on me. Were you to fill my lap with gowd, I wad fling
it from me wi' scorn. I care na for wealth and luxury--I care only for
Erick."
"To the devil with him!" cried Captain Lindsay, fiercely. "You are
enough to drive one mad. If you won't yield to persuasion, you shall
yield to force. Mine you shall be, whether you will or not."
"And he would have clasped her in his arms, but she seized the dirk
which hung from his girdle and held it to his breast.
"Release me instantly, or I will plunge this to your heart," she
cried.
The energy with which she spoke left no doubt that she would execute
her threat, and the baffled captain set her free.
At this moment assistance came. Erick could be seen hurrying towards
them from the further side of the churchyard.
As soon as Helen perceived him she flung the dirk at Captain Lindsay's
feet, and flew to meet her lover.
"What's the matter, lass?" cried the sergeant. "Has the villain
insulted you? If he has, he shall pay for it wi' his life."
"Na! na!" cried Helen, stopping him. "Ye shall na gae near him.
There'll be mischief. You should ha' come sooner, Erick, and then this
wadna ha' happened."
"I could na come afore, lassie," replied the sergeant. "I now see the
trick that has been played me by this cunning villain; but he shall
rue it."
"Ye shall na stay anither minute in this unchancy kirkyard," cried
Helen, forcing him away with her.
Just as they went out at the gate, Helen cast a look back at Captain
Lindsay, and saw him still standing, as if stupefied, on the spot
where she had left him. He had not even picked up the dirk, for she
could distinguish it glittering in the moonlight at his feet.