According to the popular solution of this fearful mystery, a demon or familiar had reanimated her form while she lay senseless at the sudden and unlooked-for dissolution of the witches’ assembly.  In this shape the imp had joined the rendezvous at the mill, and fleeing from the effects of Robin’s valour, maliciously hoped that Lord William would execute a swift vengeance on his erring bride.  But his hand was stayed by another and more merciful power, and the demon was cast out.

The ring and glove were not found.  It was said that Mause Helston had taken them as a gage of fealty, and dying about the same period, was denied the rites of Christian burial.  Hence may have arisen the belief which tradition has preserved respecting the Lady Sibyl.

Popular superstition still alleges that her grave was dug where the dark “Eagle Crag” shoots out its cold bare peak into the sky.  Often, it is said, on the eve of All-Hallows, do the hound and the milk-white doe meet on the crag—­a spectre huntsman in full chase.  The belated peasant crosses himself at the sound as he remembers the fate of “The Witch of Bernshaw Tower.”

[Illustration:  LATHOM HOUSE AS IT EXISTED BEFORE THE SIEGE, RESTORED FROM EXISTING DOCUMENTS.

Drawn by G. Pickering.  Engraved by Edw^d Finden.]

FOOTNOTES: 

[42] “Riggin’” or ridging.  The hills which divide the counties of York and Lancaster are sometimes called “th’ riggin’,” from their being the highest land between the two seas forming part of what is called the backbone of England.  An individual residing at a place named “The Summit,” from its situation, was asked where he lived.  “I live at th’ riggin’ o’ th’ warld, I reckon,” says he; “for th’ water fro’ t’ one side o’ th’ roof fa’s to th’ east sea, an’ t’ other to th’ west sea.”

SIEGE OF LATHOM.

    “Let me no longer live, she sayd,
      Than to my lord I true remain;
    My honour shall not be betray’d
      Until I see my love again.

* * * * *

    “Oh! blame her not if she was glad
      When she her lord again had seen. 
    Thrice welcome home, my dear, she said,—­
      A long time absent thou hast been: 
    The wars shall never more deprive
      Me of my lord whilst I’m alive.”

—­Mirrour for Married Women.

No authentic drawing or representation of Lathom House, we believe, exists.  The author has, however, had the temerity to present a restoration of this renowned edifice, as it appeared before the siege, and before “the sequestrators under Cromwell, weary of the slow disposal of the building materials by sale, invited the peasants of the hundred of West Derby to take away the stones and timbers without any charge.”

The very numerous documents to which he has had recourse were aided by measurements, and a visit to the spot, where he found that a tolerable accurate idea might be formed of the situation and extent of the walls and towers, together with the main entrance, and the “great Eagle Tower.”