A belief in the existence and office of the Banshee
was, at the period of which we write, almost universally held by the
peasantry, and even about half a century ago it was one of the strongest
dogmas of popular superstition. After the grief of the parents had
somewhat subsided at this dreadful intelligence, Mr. Goodwin asked Sarah
Sullivan if his daughter had heard the wail of this prophetic spirit of
death; and on her answering in the negative, he enjoined, her never to
breathe a syllable of the circumstance to her; but she told him she had
come to that conclusion herself, as she felt certain, she said, that the
knowledge of it would occasion her mistress's almost immediate death.
"At all events," said her master; "by the doctor's advice we shall leave
this place tomorrow morning; he says if she has any chance it will be
in a change of air, of society, and of scenery. Everything here has
associations and recollections that are painful, and even horrible to
her. If she is capable of bearing an easy journey we shall set out for
the Spa of Ballyspellan, in the county of Kilkenny.
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