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Title:LegendaryTalesoftheHighlands(Volume2of3)

AsequeltoHighlandRambles

Author:ThomasDickLauder

ReleaseDate:February21,2019[EBook#58931]

Language:English

***STARTOFTHISPROJECTGUTENBERGEBOOKLEGENDARYTALES--HIGHLANDS,VOL2***

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LEGENDARY

TALESOFTHEHIGHLANDS.

VOL.II.

OriginalTitlePage.

LEGENDARY

TALESOFTHEHIGHLANDS.

ASEQUELTO

HIGHLANDRAMBLES.

BY

SIRTHOMASDICKLAUDER,BART.AUTHOROF“LOCHANDHU,”“THEWOLFEOF

BADENOCH,”“THEMORAYFLOODS,”ETC.

INTHREEVOLUMES.

VOLUMEII.

LONDON:

HENRYCOLBURN,PUBLISHER,

GREATMARLBOROUGHSTREET.

M.DCCC.XLI.

PrintedinGreatBritain.

CONTENTSOFTHE

SECONDVOLUME.

PAGE

THELEGENDOFCHARLEYSTEWARTTÀILLEAR-CRUBACH,1

ATEMPEST,79

THELEGEND,&c.—CONTINUED,82

ANUNWELCOMEVISITOR,150

THELEGEND,&c.—CONTINUED,152

ANOLDFRIENDWITHANEWFACE,207

THELEGEND,&c.—CONTINUED,217

THEAUTHORFLOORED,289

ADAYBADFORONETHINGMAYBEVERYGOODFORANOTHER,290

ORIGINOFTHENAMEOFINCHRORY,292

COMFORTSOFAFIRESIDE,293

ILLUSTRATIONS.

THEBETTERPARTOFVALOURISDISCRETION,71

THEHOWLET,114

HIGHLANDRAMBLES.

THELEGENDOFCHARLEYSTEWARTTÀILLEAR-CRUBACH.

Thereisalong,low,flat-topped,andprettilywoodedeminence,thatrisesoutofthemiddleofthebonnyhaughsofKilmaichly,atsomedistancebelowthejunctionoftheriversAvenandLivat.Idon’trememberthatithasanyparticularname,butitlooks,foralltheworld,likethefragmentofsomeancientplain,thatmusthavebeenofmuchhigherlevelthanthatfromwhichitnowrises,whichfragmenthadbeenleft,afterthegroundoneachsideofithadbeenworndowntoitspresentlevel,bythechangefuloperationsoftheneighbouringstreams.Butwhateveryougeologygentlemenmightsay,astowhatitsoriginmighthavebeen,everyloverofnaturemustagree,thatitisaverybeautifullittlehill,coveredasitsslopesarewithgracefulweepingbirches,andothertrees.Thebushesthatstillremain,showthat,inearliertimes,itmusthavebeenthicklywoodedwithgreatoaks,whichprobablygavesheltertotheouldauncientDruids,whenengagedintheirsuperstitiousmysteries.Attheperiodtowhichthegreaterpartofmystorybelongs—thatis,inandaboutthatofthereignofKingJamestheIII.—thebluesmokethatcurledupfromamongthetreesbetrayedtheexistenceofacottage,thatsatpercheduponthebrowofitswesternextremity,lookingtowardstheCastleofDrummin.Thislittledwellingwasmuchbetterbuilt,and,ineveryrespect,muchneaterthananyofthoseinthesurroundingdistrict;anditsinteriorexhibitedmorecomfortsastofurnitureandplenishingofallsorts,andthosetooofadescription,superiortoanythingofthekindwhichamerecottagermighthavebeenreasonablyexpectedtohavepossessed.

Theinhabitantsofthissnuglittledwellingwere,averybeautifulwoman,ofsomefourorfiveandtwentyyearsofage,namedAliceAsher,andherson,ahandsomenoblelookingboy,who,fromcertaincircumstancesaffectinghisbirth,borethenameofCharlesStewart.

TherewasawelldoingandbraveretainerofthehouseofClan-Allan,calledMacDermot,whohadlivedalittlewayupinGlenLivat,andwho,forseveralyears,haddonegoodservicetotheSirWalterStewart,whowasthenchieftainoftheClan,assonandheirofthatSirPatrickwhommylastLegendleftsohappilymarriedtotheLadyCatherineForbes,andquietlysettledatDrummin.ThismanMacDermotdiedbravelyinaskirmish,leavingawidowandaninfantdaughter.Ithappenedthatsomefewmonthsafterthedeathofherhusband,thegoodwomanBessyMacDermotwentouttoshearoneofthosesmallpatchesofwretchedcorn,whichwerethentobeseen,almostasawonder,scatteredhereandthere,intheseuplandglens,andwhichbelongedinrun-rig,orinalternateridges,todifferentowners,beingsodisposed,asyouprobablyknowgentlemen,thatallmighthaveanequalinterest,andconsequentlyanequalinducement,toassembleforitsprotectionintheeventofthesuddenappearanceofanenemy.CharleyStewart,thenafine,kind-heartedboyofsomenineortenyearsofage,hadtakenagreataffectionforthelittleRosa,thechildofBessyMacDermot;andthiscircumstancehadinducedthemothertoaskpermissionofAliceAsher,tobeallowedtotakehersonwithheronthisoccasiontotheharvest-field,that,whilstshewentonwithherwork,hemightwatchtheinfant.Charleywasdelightedwithhisemployment;andaccordinglyshelaidthebabecarefullydownbyhimtoleewardofoneofthestooksofsheaves.Manyananxiousglancedidthefondmotherthrowbehindher,astheonwardprogressofherworkslowlybutgraduallyincreasedherdistancefromCharleyandhispreciouscharge.Thethoughtsofherbereftandwidowedstatesaddenedherheart,andmadeitheavy,andrenderedhereyessomoistfromtimetotime,thateverandanonshewascompelledtorestforaninstantfromherlabour,inordertowipeawaythetearswithhersleeve.HerlittleRosawasnowalltheworldtoher.Theanxietyregardingthechildwhichpossessedhermaternalbosomwasalwaysgreat;but,atthepresentmoment,shehadfewfearsabouthersafety,for,everasshelookedbehindher,shebeheldCharleyStewartstaunchlyfixedathispost,andbusilyemployedintryingtocatchtheattentionoftheinfant,andtoamuseitbypluckingfromthesheavesthosegaudyfloweredweeds,ofvariouskindsandhues,whichNaturebroughtupeverywheresoprofuselyamongthegrain,andwhichtherudeandunlearnedfarmersofthoseearlytimestooknopainstoextirpate.

Whilstthepartiesweresooccupied,thesunwasshiningbrightlyuponthenewshornstubble,thatstretchedawaybeforetheeyesofCharleyStewart,whenits

flatunbrokenfieldoflightwassuddenlyinterruptedbyashadowthatcamesailingacrossit.Helookedupintotheair,andbeheldalargebirdhoveringoverhim.Inexperiencedashewas,andbynomeansawarethatitsapparentsizewasdiminishedbytheheightatwhichitwasflying,hetookitforakite,orabuzzard,anditimmediatelyceasedtooccupyhisattention.Roundandroundsailedtheshadowuponthestubble,increasinginmagnitudeateveryturnitmade,buttotallyunheededbytheboyamidtheinterestingoccupationinwhichhewasengaged.Atlengthaloudshriekreachedhimfromtheveryfartherendoftheridge.Charleystartedupfromhissittingposition,andbeheldBessyMacDermotrushingtowardshim,tossingherarms,andscreamingasifsheweredistracted.Shewasyettoofarofffromhimtoenablehimtogatherherwords,amidstthealarmthatnowseizedhim;and,accordingly,believingthatshehadbeenstungbysomeviper,orthatshehadcutherselfdesperatelywiththereaping-hook,heabandonedhischarge,andranofftomeether,thathemightthesoonerrenderherassistance;but,bythetimetheyhadapproachednearenoughtoeachothertoenablehimtocatchuptheimportofhercries,hehalted—fortheymadehislittleheartfaintwithinhim.

“Theeagle!theeagle!”wildlyscreamedBessyMacDermot.“Oh,mychild!mychild!”

Turningroundhastily,CharleyStewartnowsawthattheverybirdwhichhehadsorecentlyregardedwithsolittlealarm,hadnowgrownsixtimeslargerthanhehadbelieveditreallytobe.Itwasintheveryactofswoopingdownupontheinfant.Charleyrantowardsthespot,minglinghisshriekswiththoseofthefranticmother;buteretheirfeethadcarriedthemoverhalfthedistancetowardsit,theyheardthecriesofthebabe,asthefelleaglewasflappinghisbroadwings,inhisexertionstoliftitfromtheground;and,eretheycouldreachit,thebirdwasalreadyflying,heavilyencumberedwithhisburden,overthesurfaceofthestandingcorn,fromwhichhegraduallyrose,ashispinionsgainedmoreair,andgreaterway,tillhefinallysoaredupwards,andthenheldonhisslow,butstrongcourse,towardshisnestintheneighbouringmountains.

“Oh,mybabe!mybabe!”criedtheagonizedBessyMacDermot,hereyesstartingfromtheirverysockets,inheranxietytokeepsightoftheobjectofheraffections,andherterrors.

Butshedidnotfollowitwithhereyesalone.Shepausednotforamoment,but

dartedoffthroughthestandingcorn,andovermoorandmoss,hillandheugh,andthroughwoods,andrills,andbogs,inthedirectionwhichtheeaglewastaking,withoutoncethinkingofpoorlittleCharleyStewart,whokeptafterherashardashisactivelittlelegscouldcarryhim;and,greatasthedistancewaswhichtheyhadtorun,theeagle,impededashewasinhisflightbythepreciousburdenhecarried,wasstillwithinreachoftheeyesofthepantingandagonizedmother,whenathinnerpartofthewoodenabledhertosee,fromarisingground,thecliffwherehefinallyrested,andwherehedepositedthechildinhisnest,thatwaswellknowntohangonaledgeinthefaceoftherock,alittlewaydownfromitsbaresummit.Onranthefranticmother,withredoubledenergy,—forsherememberedthatanoldmanlivedbyhimself,inalittlecothardbytheplace,andsheneverrestedtillshesankdown,faintandexhausted,athisdoor.

“Oh,Peter,Peter!—mybaby,mybaby!”wasallshecouldutter,astheoldmancamehobblingout,tolearnwhatwasthematter.

“Whathasmischancedyourbaby,Mrs.MacDermot?”demandedPeter.

“Oh,theeagle!theeagle!”criedthedistractedmother.“Oh,mychild!mychild!”

“Holysaintsbeaboutus!hastheeaglecarriedoffyourchild?”criedPeter,inhorror.

“Och,yes,yes!”repliedBessy.“Ohmybaby,mybaby!”

“St.Michaelbehere!”exclaimedPeter.“Whatcananoldmanlikemedotohelpthee?”

“Ropes!ropes!”criedlittleCharleyStewart,whoatthismomentcameup,sobreathlessandexhaustedthathecouldhardlyspeak.

“Ropes!”saidPeter;“notaropehaveI.There’sabitoldhair-lineuponthebaulksthere,tobesure,thatmysonDonaldusedforstretchinghishang-net;butithasbeensomuchinthewater,thatIhavesomedoubtifitwouldstandtheweightofaman,evenifwecouldgetamantogodownoverthenoseofthecraig;—andthereisnotamanbutmyself,thatIknowof,withinmilesofus.”

“Youhaveforgottenme,”criedCharleyStewart,whohadnowsomewhat

recoveredhiswind.“Iwillgodownoverthecraig.Come,then,Peter!—getoutyourhair-line.Itwillnotbreakwithmyweight.”

“BytheRoodbutthouartagallantlittlechield!”saidPeter.

“Oh,theblessingsofthevirginonthee,mydearestCharley!”criedBessyMacDermot,embracinghim.“Andyet,”addedshe,withhesitation,“whyshouldIputAliceAsher’sboytosuchperil,eventosavemineownchild?Oh,canstthouthinkofnoothermeans?IcannotputCharleyStewartinperil.”

“Nay,”saidPeter,“Iknowofnomeans;and,intruth,thepoorbairnislikeenoughtohavebeenalreadyhalfdevouredbytheyoungeagles.”

“MercifulMotherofGod!”criedpoorBessy,halffaintingatthehorriblethought.“Oh,mybaby,mybaby!”

“Come,oldman,”criedCharleyStewart,withgreatdetermination,“wehavenotimetowaste—wehavelosttoomuchalready.Whereisthehair-lineyouspakeof?—Tut,Imustseekforitmyself;”andrushingintothecot,heleapeduponatable,madeonespringattherafters,and,catchingholdofthem,hehoistedhimselfup,gainedafootingonthem,andranalongthemlikeacat,tillhefoundthegreatbundleofhair-line.“Now,”saidhe,throwingitdown,andjumpingafterit;“comeaway,goodPeter,asfastasthylegscancarrythee.”

Havingreachedthesummitofthecragbyacircuitouspath,theycouldnowdescrythetwoeagles,towhichthenestbelonged,soaringaloftatagreatdistance.Theylookedoverthebrowofthecliff,asfarastheycouldstretchwithsafety,butalthougholdPeterwassowellacquaintedwiththeplacewherethenestwasbuilt,asatoncetobeabletofixontheveryspotwhencethedescentoughttobemade,thevergeoftherockthereprojecteditselfsofarovertheledgewherethenestrested,astorenderitquiteinvisiblefromabove.Theycouldonlyperceivethethickseaofpinefoliagethatroseuptheslopebelow,andclusteredcloselyagainstthebaseoftheprecipice.Afewsmallstuntedfirtreesgrewscatteredupontheotherwisebaresummitwheretheystood.OldPetersathimselfdownbehindoneofthese,andplacedalegoneachsideofit,soastosecurehimselffromallchanceofbeingpulledovertheprecipicebyanysuddenjerk,whilstCharley’slittlefingerswereactivelyemployedinundoingthegreatbundleofhair-line,andintyingoneendofitroundhisbody,andunderhis

armpits.Theunhappymotherwasnowbusilyassistingtheboy,andnowmovingrestlesslyabout,indoubtfulhesitationwhethersheshouldyetallowhimtogodown.Nowshewasgazingatthedistanteagles,andwringingherhandsinterrorlesttheyshouldreturntotheirnest;andtornasshewasbetweenhercruelapprehensionsforherinfantontheonehand,andherdoubtsandfearsaboutCharleyStewartontheother,sheejaculatedthewildestandmostincoherentprayerstoallthesaintsfortheprotectionandsafetyofboth.

“Now,”saidCharleyStewartatlength;“I’mready.Keepafirmhold,Peter,andlowermegently.”

“Stay,stay,boy!”criedtheoldman.“Stickmyskiandhuintoyourhoe.Iftheownersofthenestshouldcomehome,bytheRood,butthouwill’tneedsomeweapontomaketheeinsomesortamatchforthem,inthewelcometheywillassuredlygivethee.”

CharleyStewartslippedtheskiandhuintohishoe,andwentboldlybutcautiouslyovertheedgeofthecliff.HewasnosoonerfairlyswunginairthanthehairropestretchedtoadegreesoalarmingthatBessyMacDermotstooduponthegiddyverge,gnawingherveryfingers,fromthehorribledreadthatpossessedher,thatshewastoseeitgivewayanddivide.Petersatastrideagainsttherootofthetree,carefullyeyeingeveryinchofthelineereheallowedittopassthroughhishands,andeverynowandthenpausing—hesitating,andshakinghisheadmostominously,ascertainportionsofit,hereandthere,appearedtohimtobeofdoubtfulstrength.Meanwhile,Charleyfelthimselfgraduallydescending,andturningroundandroundattheendoftherope,byhisownweight,hisbravelittleheartbeating,andhisbrainwhirling,fromthenoveltyanddangerofhisdaringattempt—thescreamsoftheyoungeaglessoundingharshlyinhisears,andgrowinglouderandlouderasheslowlynearedthem.Bydegreeshebegandistinctlytohearthefaintcriesofthechild,andhiscourageandself-possessionwererestoredtohim,bytheconvictionthatshewasyetalive.Inafewmomentsmorehehadthesatisfactiontotouchtheledgeofrockwithhistoes,andhewasatlastenabledtorelievetheropefromhisweight,byplantinghimselfuponitsample,butfearfullyinclinedsurface.Heshoutedaloud,tomakePeterawarethatthelinehadsofardoneitsduty,andthenhecautiouslyapproachedthenest,where,tohisgreatjoy,hefoundtheinfantaltogetheruninjured,exceptbyacrosscutuponherleftcheek,whichsheseemedtohavereceivedfromsomeaccidentalmovementofthebeakortalons

ofoneofthetwoeaglets,betweenwhichshehadbeendepositedbytheoldeagle.Hadshenotbeenplacedbetweentwosotroublesomemates,andinapositionsodangerous,nothingcouldhavebeenmoresnugoreasythanthebedinwhichthelittleRosawaslaid.Thenestwasabouttwoyardssquare.Itwasbuiltonthewidestandmostlevelpartoftheledge,anditwascomposedofgreatsticks,coveredwithathicklayerofheather,overwhichrusheswerelaidtoaconsiderabledepth.Fortunatelyfortheinfant,theeagletshadbeenalreadyfullgorgedereshehadbeencarriedthither,andthereyetlaybesidethemthegreaterpartofthecarcassofalamb,andalsoamountainhare,untouched,togetherwithseveralmoorfowl,andanimmensequantityofbonesandbrokenfragmentsofvariousanimals.

CharleyStewartdidnotconsumemuchtimeinhisexaminationofthenest.Beingatoncesatisfiedthatitwouldbeworsethanhazardoustotrustthehair-linewiththeweightofthechild,inadditiontohisown,heundiditfromhisbody.Approachingthenest,hegentlyliftedthecryinginfantfrombetweenitstwoscreechingandsomewhatpugnaciouscompanions.Themomenthehaddoneso,thelittleinnocentbecamequiet,andinstantlyrecognisinghim,sheheldoutherhands,andsmiledandchuckledtohim,atonceobliviousofallhermiseries.Charleykissedhislittlefavouriteoverandoveragain,andthenheproceededtotietheropecarefullyaroundandacrossher,soastoguardagainstallpossibilityofitsslipping.Havingaccomplishedthis,heshoutedtoPetertopullaway—kissedthelittleRosaoncemore,andthencommittedhertothevacantair.Nothingcouldequaltheanxietyheenduredwhilsthebeheldherslowlyrisingupwards.Andwhenhebeheldthemother’shandsappearovertheedgeoftherock,andsnatchherfromhissight,nothingcouldmatchtheshoutofdelightwhichhegave.Thematernalscreamsofjoywhichfollowed,andwhichcamefaintlydowntohisears,weretohimafullrewardforalltheterrorsofhisdesperateenterprise.Forthatinstantheforgottheperiloussituationinwhichhethenstood,andtheriskthathehadyettorunerehecouldhopetobeextricatedfromit.

Butafewmomentsonlyelapsedereallthoughtsofanythingelsebuthisownselfpreservationwerebanishedfromhismind.Theangryscreamsofthetwooldeaglescamefearfullythroughtheair,andhebeheldthemapproachingtherock,cleavingtheairwithfuriousflight.Hecastonelookupwards,andsawtheroperapidlydescendingtohim—buttheeagleswerecomingstillfaster,andhehad

onlytimetowrenchoutalargestickfromthenest,toaidhimindefendinghimself,whentheywerebothuponhim.Hehadnothingforitbuttocrouchascloseinundertheangleoftherockashecould,andthereheplantedhimself,withthestickinhisrighthand,andtheskiandhuinhisleft,resolvedtomakethebestfighthecouldofit.Theycommencedtheirattackonhimwhilststillonthewing,byflyingathim,andstrikingfiercelyathimwiththeirtalons,eachreturningalternatelytotheassaultaftermakinganarrowcircuitintheair.Whilstthusengaged,Charleyneitherlostcouragenorpresenceofmind,butcontrivedtodealtoeachofthemasevereblownowandthenwiththeruggedstick,astheycameathiminsuccession.Findingthattheycouldmakenoimpressionuponhiminthisway,shelteredashewasbyhispositionundertheprojectingrock,theyseemedatoncetoresolve,asifbymutualconsent,toadoptamoreresolutemodeofattack.

Alightingontheledgeofrockatthesamemoment,oneoneachsideoftheplacewherehewascrouching,boththeeaglesnowassailedhimatoncewithinconceivableferocity.Halffrontingthatonewhichwastohisright,helaidasevereblowonit,whichsomewhatstaggereditinitsonset.Butwhilsthewasthusoccupiedwithit,theother,whichwastohisleft,toreopenhischeek,withablowofhistalons,thathadnearlystunnedhim.Morefrommechanicalimpulse,thanfromanyactualdesign,hestruckaback-handedblowwithhisskiandhu.Fortunatelyforhimitprovedmosteffectual,foritpenetratedtheeagletotheveryheart,laiditflutteringonitsback,and,intheviolenceofitsstruggles,itrolledovertheinclinedledge,andfelldeadtothebottomofthecrag.ButpoorCharleyhadnoleisuretorejoiceoverthispieceofsuccess.Helookedanxiouslytothehair-line,whichhungdanglingwithinreachofhisgrasp;but,erehecouldseizeit,hisotherenemywasathimagain.Asifithadprofitedbytheseverelessonsithadgotten,thestrokesofthissecondeagleweregivenwithsomuchrapidityandcaution,thatcloseasCharleyStewartwasobligedtokeepintotheangleoftherock,andstupifiedashewas,insomedegree,bythewoundhehadreceived,hewasabletodolittlemorethantodefendhisownpersonfrominjury,whilsthewasobligedslowlytogivegroundbeforehisfeatheredassailant.Whilstretreatingandfightinginthismanner,oneblowofhisstick,betterdirectedthantherest,strucktheeagleonthesideoftheskull,closetoitsjuncturewiththeneck,anditwentflutteringdownovertherock,inthepangsofdeath,afteritsfellow.Butalas!poorCharleyStewart’svictorycosthimdear.

Thetwolistenersabove,whohadseentheapproachoftheeagles,weredreadfullyalarmedbythenoiseoftheterrificconflictthatwasgoingonupontheledgebelow.Invaindidtheyshouttoterrifythebirds.InvaindidoldPeterfrequentlytrythehair-line,bypullinggentlyatit,inthehopeoffindingthattheweightofCharley’sbodywasattachedtoit.Theyweretorturedbyanxiousuncertaintyregardinghim,untilapiercingshriekcameupwardsfromhim,andallwasquiet.Wingedbyterror,BessyMacDermotrushed,withherchildinherarms,downthewindingpath,toapointwhenceshecouldcommandaviewoftheledge.Theboywasnolongerthere!—Sherubbedherdimmedeyes,gaveonemoreintentgaze.Fromtheverynatureoftheplace,itwasimpossiblethathecouldbethereunseenbyher,fromthepointshenowoccupied,andshewasthustoocertainlyassuredthathewasgone.Utteringadespairingscream,sheflewfranticlydowntolookforhimamongthetreesatthebottomofthecliff.Thereshesoughtallalongthebaseofit,dreadingeverymomenttohavehereyesshockedwiththesightofhismangledremains,andutteringthemostdolefullamentationsthatshehadmurderedherdearfriend’sgallantboy.Shefoundboththedeadeaglesindeed,butshecouldseenothingofCharleyStewart.OldPeterthencamehobblingafterher,tojoinherinhersearch,andbothofthemwentoverthegroundagainandagaininvain.Afainthopebeganatlengthtoariseinthemindsofboth,thathemight,afterall,bestillontheledgeabove,though,perhaps,lyingwounded,orinaswoon;and,althoughbothfeltittobealmostagainstallreasontoindulgeinit,theyinstantlypreparedtoreturn,toendeavourmoreperfectlytoascertainthefact;and,ifitcouldbedonenootherwise,BessyMacDermotresolvedtorunandrousethecountry,inordertoprocurestrongropes,andmentogodowntoexaminetheledgeitself.

Fulloftheseintentions,theywereintheactofquittingthebottomofthecliff,whenafaintvoicearrestedtheirsteps.Theystoppedtolisten,and,afteralittletime,theywereawarethatitcamedownfromovertheirheads.Theylookedup,but,seeingnothing,theybecamemorethaneverconvinced,thatitwasCharley’svoicecallingtothemfromtheledge,andtheyagainturnedtohurryawaytoassurehimofhelp.Butthevoicecameagain,andsomuchstronger,astosatisfythemthatthespeakercouldbeatnoverygreatdistancefromthem.

“Peter!—Bessy!—Iamhereinthetree,”saidCharleyStewart,“fortheloveofSaintMichael,stopandtakemedown!”

Someminuteselapsedbeforetheycouldcatchaglimpseofthepoorboy.At

lengththeydiscoveredhim,halfwayupatallpinetree,hangingbyhislittlecoattotheknagofabrokenbranch.Imayaswelltellyouatoncehowhecamethere.Whilsthewasintheveryactofdealingthatlastwelldirectedblowofthestick,thatprovedsofataltothesecondeagle,hisfootslippedonthenarrowerandmoreinclinedpartoftheledge,towhichhehadbeengraduallydrivenbackduringthecombat,andutteringthatdespairingscreamwhichranglikehisknellintheaffrightedearsofBessyMacDermot,andPeter,hefellthroughtheair,andcrasheddownamongthedensefoliageofthepine-topsbelow.Oneofhislegswasbrokenacrossabough,whichitmetwithinhisdescentthroughthetree,buthishead,andallhisothervitalparts,hadluckilyescapedinjury;andtheknag,whichsofortunatelycaughthisclothes,andkepthimsuspended,hadbeentheprovidentialmeansofsavinghimfromthatdeath,whichhemusthaveotherwiseinevitablymetwithoncomingtotheground.

ButhowweretheytogetpoorCharleydownfromthetree?OldPetercouldnotclimbit;but,seeingthatitwasfurnishedwithbranchesnearlytoitsroot,BessyMacDermotgaveherchildintothehandsoftheoldman,and,takingadoubleendofthehair-linewithher,sheclamberedupthestemtotheplacewheretheboywashanging.Tenderlyrelievinghimfromhisdistressingposition,shequicklypassedtwoorthreedoublefoldsoftheropearoundhim,andthenloweredhimgentlydowntoPeter.SopatienthadCharleybeenunderhissufferings,excruciatingastheywere,thatitwasnotuntiltheywereabouttomovehimfromtheground,thattheydiscoveredtheinjurythathislimbhadreceived.

“Oh,whatshallIdo?”criedBessyMacDermot,wringingherhands;“Oh,howcanIfaceAliceAsher,afterthuscausingsosadamischancetoherdarling,herbeautifulboy?”

“Tut,Bessy,nevermindme!”saidCharleyfaintly,butwithagentlesmile,thatsortedbutillwithhiswoundedandbloodycountenance;“Ishallsoongetthebetterofallthis;butifithadbeentwiceasbadwithme,Bessy,nay,ifIhadbeenkilledoutright,Ishouldhavewelldeservedit,forquittingmypoorlittleRosathere,asIdidupontheharvestrig.”

“Nay,nay,mydearestboy,Charley,”saidMrs.MacDermot,kissinghim,andweepingfondlyoverhim;“thoudid’stthypartfaithfully.Haditnotbeenformyfoolishfright,andmysillyscreamswhenIfirstsawtheeagle,thouwouldst

neverhaveleftmychild,andnoughtofthesesadmischancescouldhavehappened.”

Withsomedifficulty,andnotwithoutBessyMacDermot’shelp,oldPetermanagedtocarryCharleyStewartdowntohishut,whencehewasafterwardsmovedhome,whenproperassistancecouldbeprocured.AliceAsherwasoverpoweredwithgrief,whenthedarlingofherheartwasbroughttoherinthismelancholyandmaimedcondition.ButshereadilyforgaveBessyMacDermotfortheinnocentshareshehadhadinproducingit;andafterCharley’swoundsweredressed,thebonesofhisfracturedlimbset,andthatshewassatisfiedthathislifewasperfectlysafe,shenotonlyfeltgratefultoGodthathehadbeensowonderfullypreserved,butshebegantoregardhimwithhonestprideforthegallantactionhehadperformed.

“Wellhastthouprovedthyself,myboy,tobeatrueClan-AllanStewart!”saidshetohim,withadeepblushonhercountenance,asshesatfondlywatchingbythebedwhereCharleywasquietlysleeping,fromtheeffectsofthedrugsthathadbeengiventohim,tillthetearsbegantofollowoneanotherfastfromhereyelids.“Wellmightthyfathernow,methinks,maketheehislawfulson,byextendingtomethoseholyrites,thefalsehopeofobtainingwhichbetrayedmineinnocentandsimpleyouth!Thouatleastoughtnottosufferforthineunhappymother’sfault,whichnownearlynineyearsofsorrow,ofremorse,andofheart-feltpenitence,andprayer,andpenance,havenotyetexpiated!ButGod’sholywillbedone!”

PoorafflictedAliceAsherhadoccasiontorepeattheselastwordsofpiousresignationtothewillofGod,morethanonceaftertherecoveryofherson.ShewasdeeplygratefultoHeavenindeed,thathislifehadbeensparedtoher,andthathishealthandstrengthwerecompletelyrestoredtohim,buthishandsomecountenancehadbeengreatlyandpermanentlydisfigured,bythedeepcross-likescarthatremaineduponhisleftcheek,andthegraceofhispersonhadbeenmuchdestroyedbythelimpingofhisleftleg,occasionedbythebadsurgeryoftherudepractitionerwhohadsetthebrokenbones.Sheborethisaffliction,asshedidallothers,withmeeksubmission,asadivinechastisementwhichhersinhadwellmerited,thoughshewepttothinkthatshehadbeenvisitedbyitthroughthesufferingofherinnocentboy.Someeightorninelongyearspassedaway,duringwhichSirWalterStewartofDrumminwasliberalinprovidingrichlyforthewantsofthemother,aswellasfortheeducationofherson,though

hestrictlyavoidedseeingeitherofthem.ThestoryofCharley’sbraveachievement,andsevereaccident,reachedhimnot,forhewasatthattimeabroaduponhistravelsinforeignlands;and,erehereturnedhome,thetalkaboutithaddiedaway,sothatithadneverbeenpermittedtoexerciseanyinfluenceuponhimwhatsoever.

Passingovertheseyears,then,wefindAliceAsher,palerandthinnerthanbefore,butstillmostbeautiful,sittingonemorning,atthewindowofhercottage,thatlookedtowardsthetowerofDrummin,whichwaspartiallyseenfromit,throughbetweenthethickstemsofthetrees.Herelbowrestedonthewindow-sill,andsupportedherhead,whichwassurroundedbyabroadfilletofblacksilk,frombeneathwhichherhairclusteredinfairringletsaroundherfinelyformedfeatures,andfellinlongtressesoverherneckandshoulders.Herclosefittingkirtle,andherlooseandflowinggown,wereofsad-colouredsilk,andtheembroideredbosomofhersnow-whitesmockwasfastenedwithagoldenbrooch,thatsparkledwithpreciousstones,andmorethanoneofherfingersglitteredwithringsofconsiderablevalue.Alicewasnotalwayswonttobesoadorned;but,ornamentedasshethuswas,beyondthesimplicityofthatattirewhichsheusuallywore,hercountenanceborenocorrespondingexpressionofgladnessuponit.ShesatgazingsilentlytowardsthedistantstrongholdoftheClan-AllanStewarts,sighingdeeplyfromtimetotime,untilthethoughtsthatfilledherheartgraduallydimmedherlargeblueeyes,andthetearsswelledoverhereyelids,andrandownhercheeks,andshefinallybegantorelievetheheavinessofhersoul,bythinkingaloudinbrokenandunconscioussoliloquy.

“Aye!heisgoingto-day!”saidshe,inamelancholytone.“Heisgoingtothecourt,tomixwiththegreat,theproud,thegay,andthebeautiful;andIshallnotseehimerehegoes!Yetthevowofseparationwhichwemutuallytook,hadasavingconditioninit.Hemighthavecome—hemayatanytimeapproachme—aye,andhonourablytoo—whentheobjectofhisvisitmaybetodomeandmyboyjustice.But,aftersomanyyearshavepassedawayindisappointment,whyshouldmyfondandfoolishheartstillclingtodeceitfulhope?ahope,too,thatwarswiththoseofapurerandholiernature,whichmayyetallyme,apenitentsinner,toHeaven.Then,whathaveItodowiththoseglitteringgaudsthatwouldbetterbecomeabride?Yettheyarehispledges,ifnotoflove,atleastofkindnessandoffriendship,senttomefromtimetotime,toshowmethatIam

notaltogetherforgotten;andsurelytherecanbenoharminmywearingthem?andthento-day—to-day,methoughtthathemighthavecome.Butifhehadeverintendedtocome,wouldhehavesent,ashehasdone,forCharley?Oh,myboy!wouldthathecouldbutthinkofdoingtheejustice,andthypoorsinfulmotherwoulddiecontented!But,ifheispleasedwiththeyouth,mayhenotyetcomehitheralongwithhim?Howmysillyheartbeatsattheverythought!WhatsoundwasthatIheard?Canitbethem?—No,no,no,hewillnevercomemoretome!—Alas,alas!mypoorboy’sfaceandpersonhavesufferedtoomuchtowinafather’seye,andheknowsnotthevirtuesthatliesomodestlyconcealedwithinthem.ButwhatisthatIseeyonder?—Thebustleofthehorsemenbeforethegate,withtheirpamperedsteedsandtheirgayattire—theirpennonsfluttering,andthesunglancingfromthebroadbladesoftheirHighlandspears?—What!—wasthatadistantbugleblastIheard?—Again!—Thentheyaremoving—aye,indeed!Theyarenowgallopingoffalongtheterrace!—Alas,alas,theyaregone!andmyvainandfoolishhopeshavegonewiththem!”

Theselastwordswereutteredinthedeepesttoneofanguish,andAlicedrewhastilybackintothedarkestrecessoftheapartment,wheresheseatedherself,coveredherfacewiththepalmsofherhands,andweptaloud.Havingthusgivenfullventtoherfeelings,sheretiredtotheprivacyofhercloset,wheresheendeavouredtodiverthermindbyholyexercisefromthesorrowsthatoppressedher.Atlength,agentletapatthedoorinformedherthathersonhadreturnedfromhisvisittoDrummin,andtremblinglyanxioustoknowtheresultofit,sheimmediatelyadmittedhim.

“Mother!mydearestmother!”saidCharleyStewart,tenderlyembracingher,andwithamanifestefforttosubduecertainemotionsthatwereworkingwithinhim;“Whyhastthoubeenweeping?”

“Alas!Iweepoften,mybeloved,mydarlingboy!”repliedshe,warmlyrespondingtohiscaresses;“Iweep,andIdeservetoweep!Buthastthouaughtoftidingsforme,thatmaygivemeagleamofjoy?—Say—howwertthoureceived?”

“Why,well,mother!”repliedCharley,endeavouringtoassumealivelyair;“Iwaswellandkindlyreceived,thoughneither,forsooth,withparadeofarms,norwithflourishoftrumpets,norofclarions;butSirWalterreceivedmekindly.”

“Didheembracethee,dearCharley?”demandedhismother,withgreatanxietyofexpression.

“Um——Aye,”repliedherson,withsomedegreeofhesitation;“hedidembraceme,thoughhardlyindeedwiththesamefervourthatthouartwonttodo,dearestmother.Butthenthouknowest,mother,thatSirWalterisacourtlyknightofhighdegree,andtheytellmethatthefashionofsuchfolksallowsthemnottoyieldthemselvesaltogether,aswehumblerpeoplearewonttodo,tothefeelingsthatarewithinus.”

“Alas!thousay’stthatwhichisbuttootrue!”repliedAlice,inadespondingtone;“butgoon,boy.”

“SirWalterputhishandonmyshoulder,andturnedmeround,”continuedCharley.“Thenhemademewalkasteportwo,andeyedmenarrowlyfromtoptotoe,prettymuchasifhehadbeenscanningthepointsandpacesofanewhorse.—‘Howcamestthousolameandsodisfigured?’demandedhe.—‘ByafallIhadinclimbingtoaneagle’snest,’repliedI.—‘Asillycause,’saidSirWalter;‘andyet,perhaps,theboldbloodthatisintheemustbeartheblame.Butknow,boy,thatfatehathnotgiventoallthepowertoclimbintotheeyryoftheeagle.’Andhavingsaidthismuchhechangedthesubjectofhistalk.”

“Wouldthatthoucould’stbuthavegatheredcourageenowtohavetoldhimallthecircumstancesofthatadventure!”

“Nay,mother,Ihadcourageforanythingbuttospeakaughtthatmighthavesoundedlikemineownpraise,”repliedCharley.

“Wouldthathebutknewtheeasthouart!”saidAlice,withasigh.“Wouldthathebutknewthesoulthatiswithinthee!Withallhisfaults—andperhapstheyarelight,savethatwhichconcernstheealone—hehathagenerousspirithimself,andhecouldnotbutprizeagenerousspiritinonesokindredtohim.Buttellmeallthatpassed.Did—didhe—didheasktheefortidingsofme?”

“Hedidquestionmemostparticularlyaboutthee,”repliedCharley.“Hequestionedmeasifhewouldhavefaingatheredfrommetheappearanceandconditionofevery,theminutestfeatureofthyface,andofeverylineofthyform.Hequestionedasifwiththeintentoflimningthyveryportraitonthe

tabletofhismind;and,asifhewouldhavetraceditbesidesomepicture,whichhestillworeinfreshandlivelycoloursthere,forthepurpose,asitseemedtome,ofmakingcloseandaccuratecomparisonbetweenthem.Thushewouldpauseattimesduringhisquestioningofme;and,afterafewmomentsofdeepabstraction,hewouldsay,asifforgetfulofmypresence,andinconversewithhimselfalone,‘Strange!aye,butshewasthenbutfifteen,scarceripenedintowoman—thechangeisnothingmorethannatural—thesameloveliness,butmorewomanly;’andsohewenton,nowtoquestion,andnowtotalkofthee,foragoodhalfhourorso.”

“Andhe!”criedAlice,withunwontedanimation;“Say,boy,lookedhewell?Imeaninhealth;forofhismanlybeauty,histallandwellknitform,hisgracefulair,hisnoblebearing,andhiseagleeye!howcouldIhavelivedtillnow,withouthearingfromthosewhohaveseenandadmiredhim?Alas!”addedshe,inamelancholyandsubduedtone,“ofsuchthingsIhaveperhapsinquiredtoomuch!”

“SirWalterhadalltheruddyhue,aswellasthefirmnessofvigoroushealth,dearmother,”repliedtheyouth.

“Thanksbetoallthesaints!”exclaimedAlicefervently;“Then,comeboy—tellmewhatpassedbetweenyou?”

“Afterallhisquestionstouchingtheeandthyhealthweredone,”saidCharley,“andthatwehadtalkedofothermattersofnoimport,hesathimdown,andthusgravelyaddressedmeasIstoodbeforehim:‘Ihavebeenthinkinghowbesttoprovideforthee,boy.Icanseethatthouartbutillfittedforhardyservice,orthetoilsofwar.And,bytheRood,itiswellfortheethat,inthesetimes,thereareotherwaysofwinningtohighfortune,yea,andtoroyalfavoureven,besidesthatwhichleadstoeitherbydoughtydeedsofarms,wheresomanyperisheretheyhavehalfcompletedthetoilsomeandperilousjourney.Thoumustcontentthee,then,withsomepeacefultrade.Letmesee—letmesee.Ah!Ihaveit.Now-a-days,menhavemorechancetopushthemselvesforwardbythepointoftheneedle,thanbythepointofthelance.WhatthinkestthouofMasterHommil,theking’stailor,who,asallmensay,hathafairprospectofshapingsuchagarbforhimself,asmayyetservehimtowearforapeer’srobes,ifhedothbutusehissheerswithduediscretion?Thisistheverythingforthee,anditiswellthatIhavesoluckilyhitonit.I’llhavetheeapprenticedtoatailor,and,whenthytime

isout,I’llhavetheesotaughtinallthemorecuriousmysteriesofthineart,byitsveryhighestprofessors,thatnoneinthewholelandshallbefoundtoequalthee.ThoushalttraveltoFranceforlearninginthenicerpartsofthytrade,andthen,Iwillsettheeup,closeundertheroyaleye,withsuchastockofrarestarticlesinthyshop,asshallmakeitaveryCampvere,forthevarietyandrichnessofitsmerchandize.ButthoumustbeginthyschoolingunderMasterJonathanJunkinshere,who,thoughbutacountrycultivatorofcabbage,hathaneyetowardsthecutofacloakordoublet,thatmightwellbegetthejealousyofthemightyHommilhimself.Ionceworearose-colouredsuitofJonathan’smake,thatdidexcitetheenvy,yea,andtheanger,too,ofthatgreatmaster,bythecommendationsthatroyaltyhimselfwasheardtopassuponit.Thoughthereweresomethere,who,frommalice,nodoubt,didsay,thatthemeritlaymoreintheshapeofthewearer,thaninthatofthegarments.ButIamtrifling.IhavesomeorderstogiveereImount,andthis,astothymatterwithJunkins,shallbeone;andtimewears,boy,andthou,too,hastsomelittlewaybeforetheetolimphome;therefore,Godkeepthee.Bearmylove,or,asshewouldherselfhaveittobe,myfriendship,tothymother.And,seehere;giveherthisringasafreshremembranceofme.Farewell—IshallseethatallbewellarrangedregardingtheeereIgo;andItrustthatthouwiltnotidlybaulktheprudentplansIhavelaiddownforthee,orthegoodintentionsIhavetowardsthee;andsoagain,farewell,myboy!’—Andthus,mydearestmother,wasIdismissed.”

“Well,God’swillbedone!”saidAlice,withadeepsigh,afteralongpause,andafterhavingbetrayedavarietyofemotionsduringherson’snarrative.“Ihadhopedbetterthingsforthee,myboy,butGod’swillbedone!Thouhastnochoicebuttosubmit,Charley.ForgetnotthatSirWalterStewartisthyfather,andthatthouartboundbythelawofnaturetoobeyhim.”

“ItisbecauseIdonotforgetthatSirWalterStewartismyfather,thatIfinditsohardathingtoobeyhiminthis,”saidCharley,withadegreeofexcitement,whichallhisearnestlyexertedself-commandwas,forthemoment,unableentirelytocontrol.“But,asithappens,thatitisjustbecauseheisboundtomebythelawofnature,andbynootherlaw,thathethuscondemnsmetobenaileddowntotheshop-boardofatailor,insteadofgivingmeacoursertoride,andalancetowield,so,asthoumosttrulysayestdearmother,bythelawofnature,butbythatlawalone,amIcompelledtosubmittothisbittermortification,andtoobeyhim.”

“Nay,nay,dearestCharley,talknotthus!”criedAlice,throwingherarmsaroundherson’sneck,andfondlykissinghim;“talknotthusfrowardlyifthoulovestme!”

“Lovethee,mydearestmother!”criedCharley,returningherembraceswithintensefervour,andweepingfromtheoverpoweringstrengthofhisfeelings;“Nay,nay,thoucanstnotdoubtmylovetothee;thoucanstnotdoubtthat,onthyweal,orthywoe,hangsthehappinessorthemiseryofyourpoorboy.Benotvexed,dearestmother,forthoughIhavespokenthusidly,trustmethatafather’swordshalleverbewithmeasthestrictestlaw,whichI,sofarasmynaturecansupportme,shallneverwilfullycontravene.”

CharleyStewartagaintenderlyembracedhismother,and,scarcelyawarethathewasleavinghertoweep,hehurriedawaytoseeksomeconsolationforhimself,inaquarterwhereheneverfailedtofindit.ThiswasatthecottageofBessyMacDermot,whitherhewaswontfrequentlytowander,forthepurposeoflisteningtotheinnocentprattleofhisyoungplaythingRosa,who,havingnowseensomeeightorninesummers,wasfastripeningintoaverybeautifulgirl.AsCharleyapproachedthewidow’spremisesonthepresentoccasion,hefoundRosabythesideofaclearspring,thatbubbledandsparkledoutfrombeneathalargemossystone,thatprojectedfromthelowerpartoftheslopeofaflowerybank,underthepensiledraperyofagroveofweepingbirches.Themomentshebeheldhim,shecametrippingtomeethim,witharusticwreathofgaymarshmarigoldsandwater-liliesinherhand.

“Wherehaveyoubeenallthislong,longmorning,dearestCharley?”criedRosa;“Ihavebeensodullwithoutyou;andseewhatawreathIhavemadeforyourbonnet!ButIhaveagreatmindtowearitmyself,foryoudon’tdeservetohaveit,forbeingsolongincomingtome.”

“Ihavebeenoveratthecastle,Rosa,”saidCharley,stoopingtoembraceher,assheinnocentlyheldupherlipstobekissedbyhim.“IhavebeenoveratDrummin,lookingatthegrandarrayofsteedsandhorsemen.Butwhataretheseflowers?—Water-lilies,asIhopetobesaved!HolyVirgin!Rosa,howdidstthoucomebythem?”

“Igotthemfromthepool,”repliedRosa,hesitating,andgentlytappinghischeekwithafewstrayflowerswhichsheheldinherhand;“Igottheminthe

samewaythatyoupulledthemformetheotherday,thatiswithalonghazlerod,withacrookattheendofit.”

“Fromthepool,Rosa?”criedCharley;“Whatcouldtempttheetoriskthylifeforsuchtrifles?Ifthouhadstsliptoverthetreacherousbrink,wheretherewasnoonebytosavethee—thouwertgone!irrecoverablygone!Howcouldstthoubesorash?myveryfleshcreepstothinkon’t!”

“Don’tbeangrywithme,Charley!”saidRosacoaxingly—“whatriskwouldInotruntogivetheepleasure?”

“Butyouhavegivenmeanythingbutpleasureinthismatter,Rosa,”saidCharley;“Itrembletoomuchtothinkofthehazardthouhastrun,tolookwithpleasureonanythingthatcouldhaveoccasionedit.”

“Sothouwiltnotletmeputthewreathonthybonnet,then?”saidRosa,withatearhalfdisclosingitselfinhereye-lid;“Come,come,Charley!sitdown—sitdownonthisbank,anddoletmeputituponthybonnet.”

“Ifitwillpleasuretheetomakeafoolofme,Rosa,”saidCharley,smilingonher,andkissingher;“Thoushaltdowithmeasthoumayestlist.”

“ThatisadearkindCharley,”criedRosa,hermoisteyessparklingwithdelight,andthrowingherarmsaroundhisneck;“I’llmakenofoolofthee:I’llmaketheesohandsome!”

“Handsome!”exclaimedCharley,laughing.“WhyRosa,itismakingafoolofme,indeed,tosaythatthoucan’stmakemehandsome,withthisuglydeepcross-markonmycheek.”

“Thatcross-markonyourcheek,Charley!”criedthelittlegirl,withanintensityoffeelingmuchbeyondanythingwhichheryearsmighthavewarranted;“Tomethatcross-markisbeautiful!Ilovethatnoblebrowofthine—thoseeyes,thatwhenevertheylookuponme,tellmethatIamdeartothee—thoselips,thatsooftenkissme,andinstructme,andsaykindthingstome—butthatmarkofthecrossonthycheek—oh,thathathtomeaholyinfluencein’t;itremindsmethat,butforthynoblecouragewhichearneditforthee,Ishouldhavebeenfoodfortheyoungeaglesofthecraig.Charley!Icouldnotfailtolovethee,forthy

kindnesstome;butInevercouldhavelovedtheeasIdolovethee,butfortheselivingmarkswhichyoubearofallthatyousufferedforthineownlittleRosa.Kissmemydear,dearCharley!”

“Mylittlewifey!”criedCharley,claspingtheinnocentgirlinhisarms,andsmotheringherwithkisses.

“Aye,”saidRosa,artlessly,“Iamthylittlewifey.AllthegossipssaythatIamfatedtobeso;foryouknowIhavegotmycrossmarkaswellasyou,aye,andonmyleftcheektoo.Theeaglesdidthatkindturnforme.Theymarkedusbothwiththecrossalike.See!youcanseemycrossherequiteplain.”

“Idoseeit,”saidCharley,kissingtheplace.“ButthanksbetotheVirginthybeautyhathnotsufferedonewhitbyit.Icanjustdiscernthatthemarkisthere,andthatisall;andItrustthatitwillaltogetherdisappearasyougrowuptobeawoman.”

“TheVirginforbid!”criedRosaenergetically.“Thegossipssaythatwehavebeensomiraculouslysignedwiththecrossexpresslyforeachother,andIwouldnotlosesohappyamark,no,nottobemadeaqueen!Butdoletmeputonthychaplet,dearCharley.Ihopetoseetheesomedaywithagrandcasqueonthyhead—atiltingspearinthyhand—bestridinganoblesteed,andridingattheringwiththebestofthem.”

“Alas,Rosa!”saidCharley,withadeepsigh,“thatwillneverbemyfate!”

“Whynot?”demandedRosa;“surelySirWalterStewartmaymaketheehisesquire?”

“Alas,no!”saidCharley,despondingly.“Thecasquehedoomsmetoisatailor’scowl—theshieldathimble—thelanceaneedle—andthegallantsteedIamtomountisatailor’sshop-board,andifeverItiltwithsilk,velvet,orgold,itwillbetoconvertthemintocloaksanddoubletsformybetters!”

“Atailor!”exclaimedRosa,withastonishment;“surelythouartjesting,Charley.”

“I’faith,itistooseriousamattertojestabout,”repliedCharley.“TrulyIamdoomedtohandlethegoosingironofMasterJonathanJunkins.”

“Ha,ha,ha,ha!”shoutedRosa—“Ha,ha,ha,ha!—WhatanoddfancyofSirWalter!”

“Nay,laughnotatmymisery,Rosa,”saidCharley,gravely,andsomewhatpiteously.“Icannotbearthethoughtofsuchalife!Whatthinkyou,Rosa,ofbeingatailor’swife?”

“Sothatthouwiltalwayscallmethineowndearlittlewifey,Icarenotwhatthouart,”repliedRosa,tenderly,andthrowingherarmsaroundhisneck.“Andwhy,afterall,mayestthounotbequitehappyasatailor?OldJohnnyJunkinssingsathistaskfrommorningtillnight.Besides,hehathnoriskofbeingkilledinbattle,asmypoorfatherwas.Healwayssleepsinawholeskin,savewhenhiswifeJanetbeatshimwiththeell-wand,andsurelythouwouldsthavenofearsthatIshoulddothatforthee,dearCharley?”

ItwasnowCharley’sturntolaugh,whichhedidveryheartily,andhavingthusgainedatemporaryvictoryoverhischagrin,heimproveduponitbyimmediatelytakingasmallMissalfromhissporran,andcommencinghisdailyoccupationofgivinginstructionstoRosa,whogreedilylearnedfromhimallthathecouldimpart.

ImeannowtogiveyousomelittleaccountofSirWalterStewart,gentlemen.Youmustknowthathewasoneoftheprettiestandmostaccomplishedmenofhistime,andagreatfavouriteatcourt.Hisperfectioninallwarlikeexercises—hisfondnessforhorses—andhisfearlessriding,werequalificationswhichfittedhimforbeingthecompanionoftheking’sbrothers,thespiritedAlexanderDukeofAlbany,andthetallandgracefulJohnEarlofMar,whilsthisskillinfencing—hisproficiencyinmusic—andhistasteindress,securedforhimahighplaceinthegoodgracesofthatelegant,butweakmonarch,JamestheThird.WithyoungRamsayofBalmain,afterwardscreatedEarlofBothwell,hewasinthebesthabitsofintimacy.Butwiththelowerminionsoftheking,Imean,withsuchasCochranthemason—Rogersthemusician—Leonardthesmith—Hommilthetailor—Torfefanthefencing-master,andAndrewtheFlemishastrologer,hewasmorepolitethanfamiliar.WiththeladiesofthecourtSirWalterStewartwasanobjectofadmiration,nay,hewasthethemeofthepraiseofeveryoneofthem,fromthebeautiful,fascinating,andvirtuousQueenMargaretherself,downtothehumblestofhermaidsofhonour.Itisnowonder,

then,thatSirWalterwasinducedtospendmoreofhistimeatcourtthanamongthewildsofhisnativemountains.OntheoccasionofwhichIamnowspeaking,hewasonhiswaytothecastleofStirling,whereJamestheThirdwasatthattimeresiding,andafteralongandtiresomejourney,heandhisattendantsenteredthecity,androdeuptotheirhostelinthemainstreet,atsuchanhouroftheevening,asmadeitneitherveryseemlynorveryconvenientforhimtoreporthimselftohismajesty.

SirWalterStewartwastoowellknownnottocommandimmediateattentionfromeveryonebelongingtotheinn.Thehorse-boys,whoweregroomingthenumeroussteeds,thatwerehookeduptovariouspartsofthewallssurroundingtheyard,madewayrespectfully,notonlyforhimself,butalsoforhispeopleandtheiranimals,andthecattleofsomepersonsoflessnoteandconsideration,wereturnedoutoftheirstallsfortheaccommodationofhishorses.Meanwhile,theknightwasusheredupstairsintothecommonroom,byminehostinperson,who,withhisportlyfigure,strippedtohiscloseyellowjacketandgalligaskins,andwithafairlinentowelhangingfromhisgirdle,puffedandsweatedupthestepsbeforehim,hislargerubicundvisagevyinginthebrightnessofitsscarlet,withthefierycolouredcapofcoarseredclothwhichhewore.SirWalterfoundthelargeapartmentsurroundedbyoakentablesandchairs,whichwereoccupiedbyvariousguests,someeating,andsomedrinking,whilsttherattlingoftrenchers,theclinkingofcans,thebuzzofvoices,andthehumoftongues,weresoloudandcontinuous,astorenderitdifficultforhimtodetectawordoftheconversationthatwasgoingonanywhere,excepttheclamorouscallsforfreshsuppliesofprovender,ale,orwine,whichthebustlingservingmenandtapsterswerehurryingtoandfrotosatisfy.

AsthehostshowedSirWaltertoanunoccupiedtableattheupperendoftheplace,mostoftheguestsaroseandsalutedhimashepassedbythem.Tosomeofthesehegaveacondescendingbowofrecognition,whilsttoothershehardlydeignedtobestowmorethanadignifiedacknowledgmentoftheircourtesy.Buthewasnosoonerseated,thanhewaslefttohisownreflections,foreachmanagainturnedhisattentiontohisownparticularcomforts,andtheknightwasnotsorrytobeverysoonenabledtodothesamethingforhimself,bypayinghisownaddressestothesmokingpastythatwasplacedonthetablebeforehim.Hehadbutjustfinishedhismeal,whenthehostentered,usheringinaveryelegantyoungman,therichnessofwhoseattire,aswellastheperfectionofitsmake,

togetherwithhisnobleair,atonceshowedhimtobeagentlemanofthecourt.Hisrose-colouredjacket,andambertrewse,wereoftherichestsilk,andmadetofittight,soastoshowoff,tothegreatestadvantage,hisveryhandsomeperson.Hisgirdle-beltofblackvelvet,togetherwiththepouchofthesamematerial,sparkledwithgems,asdidalsothesheathsandhiltsofhisswordanddagger.Severalrichchainsofgoldwerehungabouthisneck;hisshoeshadthoselongthinpoints,whichwerewornatthatperiod,thoughtheywerenot,inhisinstance,carriedtoanyveryabsurdextravagance.Hiscloakwasofbluevelvetrichlyborderedwithsilver,andhisbroadjewelledhat,ofscarletstuffofthesamematerial,wasdrawnoveronesideofhishead,asanecessaryprecautionofcounterpoisetotheweightofthelongfeathersofgreen,blue,red,andyellow,whichstretchedoutfromitsofarastothreatentooverbalanceitontheother.Frombeneaththishisbrownhairhungdown,curlingoverhisamplebrow,andspreaditselfinwideprofusionoverhisshoulders.

“What,Ramsay!”exclaimedSirWalterStewart,risingtomeethimwithacordialsalutation,whichagainsilencedtheclatterofthetrenchersandcans,andbroughtalleyesforsomemomentsuponthetwogentlemen.“Thisisaluckymeetingindeed.”

“Lucky!”repliedRamsay,smilingjocularly;“whataboorishphrase!—Itisindeedwellworthyofone,whohathbeenrusticatingsolongamidstnorthernmoorsandmountains.”

“Cryyourmercy,mylordofthecourt,”saidSirWalterStewart,laughing.

“Nay,”continuedRamsay;“Iknownotwhetherthyclownishexpressionbemostdiscourteoustome,ortothyself,—tome,asitwoulddenymeallcreditforthismineexpresslypurposedvisittothee,—ortothyself,forsupposingthatsuchapreux-chevalier,asthouart,couldbe,forthesmallestfractionoftime,withintheatmosphereofthecourt,withoutbeingrunafterbythosewholovethee.”

“Thankthee!thankthee,mydearRamsay,”repliedSirWalter,shakinghimcordiallybythehand,andlaughingheartily;“ThenwillIsay,thatitwasmostkindoftheetofindmeoutsosoon,andtocomethuspurposelytotakeastoupofFrenchclaretwithme,andtopourthineagreeabletalkintomineear,soastofilltheemptyvesselofmineignorance,toalevelwiththatofthineownfullknowledgeofcourtlyaffairs,andofalltheinterestingoccurrentswhichhave

chancedaboutthecourtsinceIlastleftit.So,sittheedown,Ipraythee.Weshallbeprivateenowatthistable,whichiswelloutofear-shotofallthosenoisygormandizersandguzzlers.”

“Nay,”repliedRamsay,asheseatedhimselfbesidehisfriend;“thineemptinessisoftoovastaprofundityformetobeabletofillitatthistime.OnsomeotheroccasionIshalldomybesttoreplenishthee,whenwecanhaveleisureforalongertalktogether,thanwecanlooktohaveto-night.Icamehitheronlytocarrytheeawaywithme.”

“Whitherwouldsthavemego?”demandedSirWalter.“Trustme,Iammoredisposed,atthismoment,toenjoymineeaseinmineinn,thantomoveanywhereelse.”

“ButImusthavethee,”repliedRamsay;“rusticasthouart,thoumustsubmittobeledbymeforsomelittletime,likeablindmanwhohathbutnewlyrecoveredhiseyesight,lestthoushouldststumbleamidsttheblazeofcourtlysunshine.Icametobringtheetoasmallsupper,atthelodgingofSirWilliamRogers,thatmostcunningfingereroftheluteandharp,andwhosepracticethereupon,”continuedhe,sinkinghisvoicealmosttoawhisper,“seemstohavetaughthimamostmarvellouspower,ofbringingwhatmusicmaybemostprofitableforhimself,outofthatstrangeandmany-stringedinstrumentcalledaRoyalSovereign.”

“Hush,hush,Ramsay!”repliedSirWalter.“Thytalkisdangerousinsuchaplaceasthis.Butsay,doestheKinggotothisparty?”

“No,”repliedRamsay;“Heistobeemployedto-nightintheoccultscience,towhichhehathoflatesomuchaddictedhimself.HeistobeoccupiedwiththatknaveAndrewtheAstrologer,inregardingandreadingthestars.”

“Then,whatbootsitforustogotothepartyofthisemptypieceofsoundingbrass?”demandedSirWalter.

“Much,much,mydearStewart,”repliedRamsay.“Inthefirstplace,thoushaltbeintroducedtohisniece,whohathlatelyarrivedfromEngland.ThoushaltseeandhearthatfairPhilomela,ycleptJulietManvers,whoplaysandsingstoadmiration.Thoughhereitbehovesme,asthyfriend,tobidtheetakecareofthy

heart,fortheuncleseemstohaveimportedher,withthewiseintent,ofmarryinghertosomeoneofthecourt,andmineownhearthathalreadybeenverysorelyassailed.”

“Adangeroussiren,truly!”saidSirWalter,laughing;“yetmethinksImaysafelyenoughbiddefiancetoherenchantment.”

“Weshallsee,”repliedRamsay,withadoubtfulnodofhishead;“Butbethatasitmay,mysecondreasonfortakingtheethither,isthat,withexceptionofourhosthimself,wemayatleastspendonetolerablypleasanteveningundruggedandunencumbered,withthebasesocietyofthosevulgarfellows,whomtheKing,withsomuchmistakenjudgment,hathchosentoassociateinhisfavour,withtwosuchwell-borngentlemenasyouandme.Cochran,thatmanwhomnaturehathbuiltupofstoneandmortar,andwhowouldyetapethegracesofafinishedlordofthecourt,asabearwouldcopythegambolsofawelleducatedItaliangreyhound.”

“Hommil!”criedSirWalter,laughing,andfollowinguphisfriend’shumour.“Hommil!thatthread-paper,whoseswordanddaggerwouldbebetterremoved,tohavetheirplacessuppliedbyhisshearsandhisbodkin.”

“Leonard!”criedRamsay,“Leonard!thatmanofiron,whoseveryfaceisaperfectforge,hischinbeingthestithy,hismouththegreatbellows,hiseyestheignitedcharcoal,hisnosethefore-hammer,andhisbrowsthebrokenandsmokebegrimmedpent-housethathangsoverall.”

“Torfefan!”continuedStewart;“Torfefan!thatbullyofthebacksword,rapier,anddagger,who,exceptwhenheispot-valiant,isalwayssowiseinhissteel-devouringcourage,astospreaditforthlikethetailofaturkey-cock,alwaysthewider,theweakertheadversaryhemayhavetodealwith.”

“Bravo!bravo!”criedRamsay,absolutelyshoutinginhismirth;“Bravo!bravo!andthen,lastofall,Andrew,thatsolemnandmysteriousknave,whoseemsasifhewouldpluckthestarsfromtheskies,asIwouldthedaisiesfromaflowerborder,andwho,ifImistakenot,willyetcontrivetoweaveagoodrichgarlandoffateoutofthemforhimself,whateverhemaydoforothers.Tobecompelledtokeepsuchcompany,Stewart,istopayaseverepenaltyforthedailyconverseandfavourofaking.Butthisnight,themonarchbeingengaged,asItoldthee,

eachofthesepreciousfellowshathgoneonhisownprivateamusement,for,asthouknowest,thereisnosuchgreatloveamongthem,astomakeanytwoofthemmuchdesiretocompanytogether,so,togetridforonesinglenightofthewholeofthembutRogers,whomwemustadmittobebyfartheleastoffensiveandmosttolerableindividualamongthem,iscertainlyamatteruponwhichwemayverywellcongratulateourselves.”

“True,”repliedSirWalter;“butIseenoreasonwhyweshouldnotridourselvesofRogers,aswellasoftherest,bystayingandspendingtheeveningtogetheroverthisexcellentwine.ImustconfessthatIamsomewhattravel-worn,andbutlittleinclinedforanysuchentertainmentashemaygiveus.”

“Nay,thatcannotbe,”saidRamsay;“Igavemypromisetohim,ereIknewofthycoming,andwhenIheardofthinearrival,Ipledgedmywordtobringtheewithme.So,now,thoumustnotabandonme.Besides,asItoldthee,thefellowisthebestoftheseminions,andhismusic,nottomentionthatofhisniece,isalwayssomerecompensefortheenduranceofhiscompany.Sohastetheetodoffthytravellingweeds,andpinkthyselfoutinsuchattire,asmaymaketheepleasingintheeyesofthefairandphilomela-voicedJuliet.Bequick!forIshallwaitfortheehere.”

SirWalterStewart,ratherunwillingly,summonedhisservants—waslightedtohischamber,andsoonreturned,inadress,whichwasinnowiseputtoshamebythatofhisfriend,andtheyproceededtogethertothelodgingsofSirWilliamRogers.

Theapartmentsofthisfavouriteminstrelofthekingwerenotextensive,but,asthecustomwas,downtoaverylateperiodofourhistory,eventheprincipalbed-room,whichpurposelycontainedarichlycarvedaudhighlyornamentedbed,wasthrownopen,andallwerelightedupwithablazeoflamps.Thefurniturewasgorgeousandgaudy.Theserving-mennumerous,butnotalwaysexpert,andthecompanywassmall,andchieflycomposedofsuchpersonsaswerelikelytobewillingtoscrapetheirwayupintofavouratcourt,bygraspingtheskirt,andscramblingafterthefootsteps,ofanyone,howeverworthless,whomightberisingthere.TheentranceoftwogallantssodistinguishedasRamsayandSirWalterStewartproducedjustsuchaneffectasonemightlookforfromthesuddenarrivaloftwonoblepeacocks,infullgloryofplumage,inthemidstofavulgarflockofturkeys.Eachsmallindividualpresentvainlyendeavouredto

hobble-gobbleitselfintonotice,whilstthetwogreaterandgranderbirdspermittedtheirownagreeableadmirationofthemselves,tobebutlittleinterruptedbytherufflingandnoiseofthecreaturesaroundthem.ToSirWilliamRogershimself,however,courtpolicyinducedthemtoyieldafullandrespectfulattention.Hewasagoodlooking,andratherstoutishman,withmoreoftalentthanofgentilityinhisface,forthoughhisbrowswereheavy,hislargeeyeswerealwaysreadytorespond,withpowerfulexpression,tothevariedfeelingswhichmusicneverfailedtoawakenwithinhim.Inmusichewasanenthusiast,butwhennotundertheexcitementwhichitinvariablyproducedinhim,hiswholefeaturesbetrayedthatdull,sordid,self-complacency,onlytobedisturbedwhenhisownimmediateinterestmovedhim.

Themusicalknightcameforwardtoreceivethetwofriends,withmanifestsatisfaction,aspersonswhoraisedthetoneofhislittlesociety,andgavehimadditionalconsequenceintheeyesofhisotherguests.HepresentedSirWalter,withoutdelay,tohisfairniece,whoarosegracefullyfromtheharp,overwhichshehadjustbeguntorunherfingersinaprelude,andreturnedhissalutewithcondescendingsmiles.Shewasverybeautiful;but,althoughsheappearedtobeyoung,herbeautyseemed,somehow,towantthefreshnessofyouth.Shelookedlikeagaygarment,which,thoughneithersoilednorworn,hadlostsomewhatofthatglossynewnessofsurface,withwhichitfirstcameforthfromthetailor’sshop.WhilstherregardswereturnedtowardsRamsay,orSirWalterStewart,hercountenancewascoveredwiththemostwinningsmilesshecouldwear;butwhentheychancedtowanderroundamongthemeanerpersonagesofthecompany,itassumedadegreeofhaughtiness,thatwasnotunmingledwithcontempt.Thisproceededfromherveryexpressiveeyes,whichbeamedforthwarmrays,whenhalfveiledbyherlongdarkeyelashes,andwerequiteinharmonywiththemildnessofherovalface,herpolishedforehead,andherdarkandfinelyarchedeye-brows.Butwhentheirorbswerebroadlydisplayedbytheriseofherfulleye-lid,thefiresthatshotfromthemweretooformidabletobealtogetheragreeable.Aswasthefashionwithladiesofanydistinctioninthosedays,herhairwasbutlittleseen—thegreaterpartofitbeingcappedupunderaverytall,steeple-lookinghead-dress,whichwasofashapemuchresemblinganovergrownpottle-basket.Thiswasofcrimsonvelvet,ornamentedwithgoldembroidery,andfromthetapertopofitdescendedanumberofstreamersofdifferentcolours,whichhungdownbehind,andfloatedoverthree-fourthsofherperson.Sheworearichrobe,ofthesamematerialandcolourasthecap.This

wasmadetofithertightly,aslowasthewaist,whereitwasconfinedbyarichlywroughtgirdleofgold,fromwhichitflowedlooselydown,andsweptthegroundinawidetrain,thatcoveredalargeextentoftheflooraroundher,butwhichwassoloopedupatthesides,astodisplayadeepcherry-colouredsilkpetticoatfloweredwithgold.

“Betterhaditbeenforthee,Juliet,tohavesungwhenIfirstaskedthee,”saidSirWilliamRogerstoher;“thyminstrelsymighthavepassedwellenoughwithourgoodfriendshere:butnow,thoumustundergothesevereordeal,ofthenicelycriticalears,oftheseourhonouredandhighlyaccomplishedguestsofthecourt.SirWalterStewarthere,especially,iswellknowntobeamasterofthedivineartofmusic—as,withhisgraciousfavour,youmayperchancebyandbyehear.”

“Alas!uncle,IknowtoowellhowsillyIhavebeen,inallowingmyselftobethuscaught,andIfeeltoosurelyIamabouttobepunishedforit!”repliedthelady,withasigh,accompaniedbyalanguishingglanceatSirWalter;“forwhohathnotheardoftheexquisitescienceofSirWalterStewart?ThefameofhisaccomplishmentshavemadetheproudestgallantsofEnglandenvious.Buthiseyehathtoomuchbenevolenceinit,toleavemetodoubt,thathewillpityandpardonthefaultsthatmayspringfromthistremblingweaknessofhand,andflutteringofheart,whichhispresencehathsosuddenlybroughtuponme.”

Thelady,quiteaccidentallynodoubt,thenassumedthatattitudewhichwasbestcalculatedtodisplayherpersontoadvantage,andbegantorunherfingersoverthechords,withaboldnessandstrengthoftouch,thatprovedhertobeaveryperfectmistressindeedoftheinstrumentshehandled,sinceshecouldthusmakeitdiscoursesuchmusic,undercircumstanceswhichshehadherselfdeclaredtobesounfavourable.NotwithstandingtheoverawingpresenceofSirWalterStewart,whosecriticalpowersshehaddeclaredshesomuchdreaded,shecommencedabeautifullove-ballad,inafull,firm,andclearvoice,withwhichsheveryspeedilywhirledawaythemusicalsouloftheKnightoftheAven,who,inspiteofhisboasttothecontrary,wasimmediatelydrawntowardsherchair,overwhichhecontinuedtohangduringallthetimeofherperformance.Songaftersongwassungbythissiren,inastylesosuperiortoanythingwhichhehadeverheardbefore,thathewasperfectlyenraptured.Hewascalledupontoplayandtosinginhisturn,andthepraiseswhichhereceived,intermsofnoverylimitedmeasure,frombothuncleandniece,andwhich,iffamedoesnotbeliehim,werenotaltogetherunmerited,werere-echoedbythewholeflockof

gobblingturkeyswhopressedaroundthem.Theladythenjoinedhervoicetohis,inatenderandmeltinglay,—andthustheeveningpassedaway,tillSirWalterwascalledupontohandhertothetable,whereanamplefeastwasspread,andwhereherveryagreeabletalkwasrenderedevenyetmorespirited,bytherichwines,whichenlivenedtheimaginationofbothspeakerandlistener.Thehoursfledmostagreeably;and,beforeSirWaltertookhisleave,hereadilyenteredintocertainarrangementswiththelovelyJuliet,bywhichitwassettledthatnextdaywastobethefirstofaseriesofmeetings,formutualpracticeintheartinwhichbothsomuchdelighted,theirstudiesbeingofcoursetobecarriedonunderthedirectionofSirWilliamRogershimself.

“Well,Julietta,”saidtheuncletotheniece,aftertheywereleftalone,“howlikestthouthisnewinstrument,nowthatthouhastrunthefingersofthyfancyoverhisstops?”

“Theinstrumentisahandsomeinstrumentenough,”repliedJuliet.“Thestringssoundmelodiouslytoo.Butmuchofmineaffectionmustrestonthegoldwithwhichitmaybeenriched,andthevalueofthecasewhichmaycontainit.IsthisStewartwealthy,Ipraythee;andarehispossessionsampleenoughformydesires?”

“Iknowthatthydesiresareampleenough,”repliedRogers;“butreportspeakswellofthewealthandpossessionsofthisSirWalter.”

“Somewhereinthebleaknorth,aretheynot?”saidJuliet.“Byallthesaints,thecoldandbarrensodofthisnorthernclimehadhardlyeverbeenpressedbymyfootatall,hadInothopedtohavematedmewithsomeofitsmostwealthynobles!”

“Thouhadstlittlechanceofanysuchnoblematchwherethouwert,Julietta,”repliedRogers;“and,letmetellthee,thefatesarequiteasmuchagainstanysuchchancefortheehere.TheseproudanddoggedScottishnoblesscorntograceacourt,wheretheKingmakessolittleaccountofthem.Andtrulythereislittlewonderthattheyshouldthustakeoffence,seeingthattheplacesintheroyalfavour,whichbyinheritancebelongtothem,shouldbefilledbysuchbeastsasLeonard—Torfefan—Hommil—Andrew—aye,andthatprinceofbrutes,Cochran,too.”

“Theyareallbeasts,asthousayest,uncle,”repliedJuliet;“though,ifIwereobligedtochooseamongthem,Ishouldrathertiemyselftothatcoarse,clumsyelephantwhomthouhastlastnamedaskingofthesebrutes,thantoanyoftheothers.Heistheman,dependon’t,whohaththetrueandproperarttoraisetheedificeofhisownfortunes;and,byusinghisbroadshouldersasascaffold,aboldwomanmighttherebymount,methinks,towealthandhonours.”

“Heisapestilent,pushing,proud,overbearing,ignorant,vulgarbeast,Itellthee,”repliedheruncle,muchexcited.“Thebrutedespisesmusic!Dependuponit,hewillneverrisetoanythingbuttothegarretstoryofoneofhisownbuildings,fromwhich,ifsomekinddevilwouldbutthrowhimdown,tothedislocationofthataccursedbullneckofhis,Ishouldcheerfullycomposeanespecialjubilate.Oh,ApolloandTerpsichore!thatamanofmymusicalscienceandlearning,shouldbecompelledtoassociatewithsovileapilerofstones,andcompounderofmortar!”

“Ihaveashrewdsuspicion,thatthemeasureofthyrageagainstCochran,isbutthatofthyfearsforhisoutstrippingtheeinthineascentoftheloftytowerofambition,”repliedJuliet.“Butspurnhimnot,gooduncle,ifthouartwise;forhisladderislong,andstrong;andmight,withpropermanagement,beusefultothee.”

“Ishouldberightgladtoseeitso,July,couldIbutkickdownboththeladderanditsowner,afterIshouldhavesousedthem,”saidRogers.“Butmethinksthouwouldstfaincarryladder,hodandmortarandall,totheverytopofthetower,onthineownshoulders,ratherthanlosethemantheybelongto.”

“Thouartgrievouslymistaken,uncle,”repliedJuliet,keenly.“Toriseintoahighandwealthystation,andthehigherandwealthierthebetter,wouldcertainlybemydesire;butIshouldmuchpreferyouth,andbeauty,andaccomplishment,intheinstrumentwhichImightuseforthegratificationofmineambition.Iffatedeniesmealltheseindeed,thenwouldIembraceage,anddeformityitself,ratherthanfailofmineobject.Nay,thoucansthardlyasyetguesstowhatmeansIshouldresorttosecureitscompletion.AsforCochran,Iknowhelovesme;for,inhisgreatcondescension,hehathvouchsafedtotellmeso.NorhaveIaltogetherkeptthebearaloof.Towedmyselftohimwouldbetospeculate,andthattoowithbutanungainlyandunloveablesubject.ButifIcouldreadthebookofhisfate,andfindfortuneandhonourstherein,itwouldnotbethecoarse

edificeofhisbody,supportedasitisuponsuchrusticpillars,andcrownedbysovulgarandheavyacapital,thatwoulddetermefromembracingit.Yet’tisbutaspeculation;and,beingso,ImustconfessthatIamdisposed,rathertograspatthishandsomeCorinthiancolumnoftheStewart,thantotiemyselftothatclumsyCochran,whoseclayimagemight,afterall,crumbletopieces,andsuffocatemeinitsdirtydust.”

“Iamrightgladthatthouhastsodetermined,Juliet,”saidRogers.“Ihavenojealousyofthiswell-bornknight,whohath,moreover,agreaterfeelingforthedivineartofmusicthananyofhiscoldcountrymenwithwhomIhaveyetmet,withoutevenexceptingRoyaltyitself.ButImightaswellseetheebuiltupintoastonewall,asseetheethewifeofCochran!Toseethygreatmusicalgeniustiedtothismostunmelodiousandcroakingchisselerofstones,andcompounderoflime,sand,andcow’s-hair!Iquaverattheverythought!Butgettheetobed,mygirl.NowthatIknowmyground-notes,IshallwonderifIworktheenotoutapiecethatshallnotonlywintheethisinstrumentofthymorerecentdesires,butenabletheetoplayuponittoo,accordingasthouwilt,withthineownvariations.”

Whilstthispreciousconversationwasgoingonbetweentheuncleandniece,SirWalterStewartgavetheconvoytoRamsayasfarastheRoyalCastle-gate,afterwhichhereturnedtowardshishostel.Ashewaspursuinghissolitarywaythither,heheardtheclashingofswords;and,onmovingquicklydownthedesertedstreet,hediscovered,bythefaintlightthatcamefromanewmoon,twomenpressinghardinfenceagainstone,whowasdefendinghimselfwithgreatcourage,withhisbacktoawall.Thoughhehadnoknowledgeofthecombatants,hecouldnotstandbyandseesuchfoulplay.

“Forshame!forshame,gentlemen!”criedhe.“What!twouponone!”

“Gentlemen,indeed!”criedhethatwasassailed,inacontemptuoustone,duringthemomentofbreathingaffordedhimbySirWalter’sinterference—“Gentlemenindeed!—Tailorsandscaramouches,elseamInottheEarlofHuntly!”

“AgaindostthoudaresotomiscalthegentlemenofthecourtofhismostRoyalMajestyofScotland?”criedoneoftheindividuals,whomSirWalterimmediatelydiscoveredtobethepot-valiantTorfefan.“Byallthegodsoffire,thunder,andbattle,thoushalteatthisgoodbilboaofmine.Haveatthee,then,

earl,orcarl,ordevil,ifthoulikestit!”

“Nay,then,myLordofHuntly,Iwillmyselfrelievetheeofthisboldbird,”criedtheknight;“dothoudealwiththeother.”

“Thanksforthyrescue,SirWalterStewart,”repliedHuntly,nowrecognizinghisfriend.“Butthouhastleftnaughttomebuttheveryshredoftheskirtofthegarmentofthisbroil—thevilecabbage—theverytailorhimself.”

“Trustme,thyman,thoughbuttheninth-partofone,isasgoodasmine,”repliedSirWalter.

Thecombatwasnowreneweduponfairerterms,and,inafewmoments,Torfefan’sswordwassentspinningintotheair,and,fallingfromitsflight,itranguponthestonesofthecauseway,andwasshiveredintopieces,whilstitsownerwasprostratedonhisbackbyhisover-anxietytowithdrawfromthefuryofhisadversary’sonset.SirWalter’ssword-pointwasimmediatelyathisthroat;and,atthatverymomenttheweaponofhisnobleallyhadpiercedafleshypartofhisopponent,ashehadturnedtorunaway,whichactofdiscretion,however,itdidnotprevent,foritratherprickedhimontoamoreactiveexertionofspeed.

Theweaponofhisnobleallyhadpiercedafleshypartofhisopponentashehadturnedtorunaway.

Theweaponofhisnobleallyhadpiercedafleshypartofhisopponentashehadturnedtorunaway.

“Sparemylife,goodSirWalterStewart!”criedTorfefan,inanagonyoffear.“MostnobleKnight,sparethelifeofafellow-courtier!”

“Getup,sir;Ihavenointentionoftakingit,”repliedSirWalter.“’TisenowformethatIhavethusexorcisedthespiritofthepottle-potoutofthee.’Twasthatwhichmadethineotherwisepeacefulswordleapfromitsscabbardagainstthybetters.Gettheeup,Isay,andgohome.”

“Thouartright,SirKnight,”repliedTorfefan,risinghumblyuponhisknees,andgraduallygaininghislegs.“Iamatalltimesmildandpeaceful,assobraveaman,andsoperfectamasteroffenceoughttobe,savewhentheflaskhathsomewhatinflamedmybrain,andthen,indeed,Iamasdangerousasadevil.’Twaswellthatthoucamest,elsemyLordofHuntly,whomotherwiseIso

highlyrespect,hadcertainlydiedbymymurderoushand.”

“’Twaswell,indeed,thatthybloodyBacchanalianragewasstaidintime,”saidSirWalterStewart,ironically.“Inthisbout,thouhastsowellprovedthytitletobravery,aswellastoscienceinfence,thatwhoshalldarehenceforthtodenythesethyperfections?Sotaketheadviceofafriend,SignorTorfefan,andgettheestraightwaytobed,lestthedregsofthatsamepottle-pot,workingintheestill,shoulddrawdownupontheesomemoreseriousfracturethanthatofthybilboa-blade.”

“Ha!true,”saidTorfefan;“thatwasalossindeed!Butmurdererswillsufferatlast;andifthoudidstbutknowthebloodwhichthatsamelethalweaponhathshedinmyhands,andtheliveswhichithathsacrificed,thouwould’stsay,SirKnight——”

“Iwouldsaythatthoushould’stforthwithhastentothybed,”interruptedSirWalter.“IftheKingshouldhearofthisbrawl——”

“Gadso,that’strue,SirWalter!”criedTorfefan;“thanktheeforthehint.Werethosereptiles,Cochran,Rogers,andtherest,tohearofthis,theymightworkmineabsolutedestruction.Ah,that’stheworstfeatureofourKing’scourt,SirWalter!Theworstmisfortunethathashappened,Isay,tousgentlemenofthecourt,istheadmissiontoitofsuchvilescumastheseCochrans,andRogers,andLeonards,andsuchlikebasemechanics.Myverybroilthisblessednight,maybesaidtobeowingtomypermittingthatlily-liveredhoginarmour,Hommil,tocompanywithme.ButwhileIamprating,thesevillainsmaygetsightofme,andmaketheirownstoryoutofme.SoI’lltarryherenolonger.Goodnight,SirWalterStewart;youareabravegentleman,wellfittedtocompanywiththeKing.”

“Whatacowardlyboastingknave!”saidSirWalter,afterhewasgone.

“Yet,tosuchverminareallthecrumbsofroyalfavourthrown,totheutterstarvationofthosewhoareofnoblebreed!”criedHuntly,withbitterness.“Iwouldfaindrinkoneflaskofwinewiththee,Stewart,atthyhostel,ereIgohome,towashdowntheindignationandloathing,whichtheverysightofthesescoundrelcaitiffshathbroughtintomythroat.Letmegothitherwiththeestraightway.”

“Willingly,mylord,”repliedSirWalter,and,armandarmtogether,theyproceededtothehostel.

“Stewart,”saidtheEarlofHuntly,aftertheywereseatedattheirwine,andleaningacrossthetabletoaddresshisfriendinahalfwhisper,thoughtheyweretheonlyguestsintheroomatthatlatehour;“thouhastsomuchofthegoodwillofgreatandsmall,thatnoonegrudgestheethefavourthekingshowstothee;andtherearefewwhohavemuchjealousyofRamsayeither,seeingthathewaswhipping-boytoJames,and,moreover,thatheisagentlemanofgooddescent.Butneitherlordsnorcommons,knightsnorburgesses,canlongtoleratetheundueelevationandprefermentofwretches,soworthless,asthosewhoblockuptheroyalpresencefromtheapproachofbettermen.”

“’Tisunfortunatethatitshouldbeso,”saidSirWalter;“buthasitneveroccurredtoyourLordship,thatthenoblesofScotlandmayhavesomesmallshareoftheblame,byabsentingthemselvesfromcourtastheydo,sothattheKinglacksallopportunityofhavingtheirseveralmeritsbroughtunderhiseye.”

“Youwouldnothavethehigh-bloodedwar-steedtothrowhimselfdowninthesamestyewithobsceneswine?”repliedtheEarl.“Iwouldassoonthrustmyselfintoadenofbadgers,assitdowntopartakeofaking’sfeast,withsuchcompanyasthatarrogantmasonCochran,andtheotherdunghillcompanionswhomJamessomuchdelightstohonour.Thecourtmustbeclearedofallsuch,aye,andswept,andgarnished,andperfumedtoo,beforeIshalldaretotrustmynostrilswithinitsprecincts.”

“Noonecansaythatsuchfeelingsarenotquitenatural,mylord,”repliedSirWalterStewart;“butyet,Ifearthattheindulgenceofthem,candonothingelsebutincreasethediseasewhichyouwouldsofaincure.’Tispitythatsomefewofthenoblesdonotsofarovercomethem,astoappearnowandthenatcourt.Asasoftanswerturnethawaywrath,sogentleconductwillofteneffectthatwhichmaydefythesternestboldness.”

“Nay,buthowareweusedwhenwedoappear?”demandedtheEarl.“EvenAlbanyandMararetreatedasaliens;andiftheveryroyalbrothersofthemonarcharescarcelynoticed,incomparisonwiththosenauseoustoadswhocrawlabouttheking’sfootstool,whatcanweofthehumblerpeerageexpect?”

“Thereisgreatreasoninwhatyousay,mylord,”observedSirWalter;“buthush!whocomeshere?”

Atallthinfigure,inblacktrewse,withadoubletofblack,slashedwithflame-colouredsilk,thebodystrangelycoveredwithsilverstars,andhavingthesignsofthezodiaconthebroadbeltthatconfinedit,withablackcloakhangingfromhisshoulders,whichhadonitthesunandmoonandsevenstars,andhisheadshadedbyabroadhat,thatborealargeplumeoffeathers,allofthesamegloomyhue,stalkedintothecommonroom.Fromthesmallquantityofilluminationwhichthesinglelamp,thatburnedontheirtable,threwaroundit,thepersonthatcamewasbutindistinctlyvisible,intheobscuritythatespeciallyprevailedatthelowerendoftheapartment;butwhenhecameslowlyforwardwithintheinfluenceofthelight,SirWalterStewart,andhisfriendtheEarlofHuntly,recognisedthepale,thin,sharp,andprominentfeatures,thecadaveroushue,thedarkeyebrows,thepiercingeyes,andthelongblacklocksandbeardofAndrewtheFlemishAstrologer.Hecameasifinawalkingdream;hestoppedwithinafewfeetofthetablewheretheysat—started,asifsuddenlyreturningtotheconsciousnessoftherealitiesaroundhim—dartedaninquiringlook,firstatLordHuntly,andthenatSirWalterStewart,andthenslowlyinclininghisheadinsilentandsombresalutation,heturnedfromthem,andstalkedaway,withoututteringasyllable.

TheEarl,andtheKnight,couldnotforsometimeshakeoffthesuperstitiousdread,thatinvoluntarilycreptoverbothofthematthesightofthisman,whohadthussostrangelyandmysteriouslyvisitedthem.Hisdeepknowledgeofthescience,towhichhepretended,wasadmittedbyall,andhispowersweresupposedtoextendoverotherregionsbesidesthoseoftheheavens.Theirheartsweresochilledbyhisveryaspect,thatbothfeltquiteunfittedforrenewingtheirconversation;and,withoutmakingonesingleremarkonthisstrangeintrusion,eachdrainedthefullcupthatstoodbeforehim,and,biddingoneanothergoodnight,theservingmenofthehostelwerecalled,andtheyseparated,toseektheirrespectiveplacesofrepose.

ATEMPEST.

CLIFFORD.—Whatadreadfultempestoutofdoors?—Forgivemyinterruption,Serjeant;butereyougofartherwithyourinterestingstory,Ithinkwehadbettergetinsomemorewoodandpeats,lestthefireshouldgethopelesslylow,athingthatisverylikelytohappenwherepeoplearesoengagedasweare.

GRANT.—TheSerjeant’sstoriesmightwellmakeoneforgeteverythingelse.

CLIFFORD.—Come,MisterSerjeant,whilstthefireismending,andtheEarlandtheKnightareretiringtotheirrepose,youmayhaveleisuretowetyourwhistlealittle.

SERJEANT.—Ishallnotbesorrytodothat,sir;mymouthisalittledrytobesure.Keepusall,suchanightofwindandrain!Howtheblastthudsagainstthewindows!—Thatisawfulindeed!Godhelpthepoormanthatmaybeoutinsuchanight!’Tiswellforustobeinbiggedland.

GRANT.—Asyousay,itiswellforustobeunderaroof,Archy;andyetIwishthattheroofofthisoldhousemaynotbeblownaway.Howfuriouslythetempesthowlsalong!

AUTHOR.—’Tisfearfultolistentoit;yetIsuspectthatthisisnothingtotheblastswhichitswallsmustsometimesendure.

SERJEANT.—Ou!blessyou,sir!Thewindcomesdownthetroughofthisglen,attimes,enough,onewouldthink,tobloweveryhouseandlivingthingoutofit,stonesandrocksandall,likepeasoutofapop-gun.Butthishousehasstoodmanyablast,andIhopeitwillweatheroutthisoneyet.

AUTHOR.—Itcameonverysuddenly.Itisnothalfanhouragosinceallwas

quiet,andhearhowthewindragesandtherainrattlesnow.

CLIFFORD.—OurfriendWilloxmustbeabroadwithhiskelpie’sbridle.

AUTHOR.—Aye—orAndrewtheFlemishAstrologermayhavedoneit.

CLIFFORD.—AndrewtheAstrologer!yes,Idaresayhewasquiteequaltokickingupsucharumpusamongtheelements.Iwouldfainknowmoreofthatfellow.

SERJEANT.—Beassured,sir,IshalltellyouallIknowabouthiminduecourseoftime.MeanwhileIamreadytotakeuptheclueofmydiscoursewheneveryouplease.

CLIFFORD.—Youmaydosowhenyoulike,Serjeant;for,asIsupposethatthisterriblenightputsallhopeofanearlystartinthemorningoutofthequestion,wemaye’ensitupaslateaswelike.

SERJEANT.—Iftherainholdsonatthisrate,theriverswillallbeup,andthemossesswimming,sothatourtravellingfurtherto-morrowwillbeimpossible.

CLIFFORD.—Comeaway,then,Serjeant,proceedwithyourlegend,andletthestormroarandrattleasitwill.

THELEGENDOFCHARLEYSTEWARTTÀILLEAR-CRUBACHCONTINUED.

SirWalterStewartwasreceivednextday,byKingJames,withallthatkindnesswhichhewasusedtolavishuponhisfavourites,amongwhomtheaccomplishedknightheldbynomeansthelowestplaceinhisestimation.Apartmentswereimmediatelyallottedtohimneartheroyalperson,andhistimebecamealmostentirelyoccupiedbyhisdutiesasacourtier.Hefailednot,however,totakeallopportunitiesthatoccurred,ofcultivatinghistalentformusic,undertheauspicesofSirWilliamRogers,andhisfascinatingniece.Notwithstandingtheknight’sboldconfidencetothecontrary,thelady’sdesignsagainsthisheartmighthavebeenveryrapidlysuccessful,hadnotthebasenessofhermotivesinclinedhertowaverfromtimetotime,betweenthebalanceofrivaladvantages,whichwereofferedtoherbyanencouragementofCochran,whohaddeclaredhimselftobeherlover.ThusitwasthatsheoftenscaredSirWalterStewartattheverymomentwhen,toallappearance,heseemedmostlikelyunconsciouslytogorgethebait,andthusitwasthatseveralyearsglidedimperceptiblyaway,withouttheladyfindingherselfonebitnearertotheattainmentofeitherofherobjects.Still,however,SirWalterwouldeverandanonreturnwithinthesphereofherattraction,andthefairJulietalwaysthemoreeasilymanagedtoconjurehimbackthither,thattheywerefrequentlybroughttogether,tosingandtoplayinpresenceoftheroyalpair,inthoselittleprivatemeetingswhichwereheldalmostnightlyintheQueen’sapartment.AsforSirWilliamRogers,hedidallhecouldtofixhisniece’sdeterminationtowardssecuringanalliancewithSirWalterStewart,notonlyfromhisunconquerableabhorrenceoftheunrefinedmason,ontheonehand,butalsofromhisconviction,thathisownambitiousviewswerefullyaslikelytobehelpedforwardbythelady’sunionwiththegallantknight,forwhommoreoverhehadanespecialrespect,becauseofhisgeniusandaccomplishmentinthatdivineart,towhichhewashimselfsoenthusiastically

attached.

Theroyalpartywasonenightassembled,asusual,intheapartmentofQueenMargaret,who,seatedinagorgeouschair,richlyattired,asbecameherstation,andattendedbyRamsay,andsomeofhermaidsofhonour,andwithherangeliccountenancelightedupwithunfeignedrapture,listenedtothemingledvoicesandminstrelsyofSirWilliamRogers,SirWalterStewart,andthelovelyJulietManvers.TheKingwasengagedwithCochran,atatableatoneendoftheroom,inlookingoversomeplans,whichhadreferencetothebuildingsthengoingonwithinthecastle.Anyonewhohadwitnessedthem,whilstsoemployed,wouldhavesaidthatneitherhisMajesty,norhisarchitect,weremuchoccupiedinthesubjectwhichwastheostensibleobjectoftheirconsideration,forwhilsttheearsofthemonarchseemedeverandanontodrawoffhisattentiontothemusic,theheavyeyesofCochranwereperpetuallywanderingtowardsthepersonofthesongstress.Erethemusichadbeenlongcontinued,eachofthemyieldedtotheirresistibleimpulsewhichhadmovedhim,and,whilsttheKingdrewachair,andseatedhimselfoppositetotheperformers,Cochranplacedhimselfbehindit,and,withthatvulgarandunpolishedair,whichthemagnificenceofhisdressrenderedonlythemoreapparent,leanedawkwardlyoverthebackofit,andrivettedhisgloatinggazeuponthelady’scharms.Thepiecehadcometoitsclose,andtheroyalpairwerebestowingtheircommendationsliberallyuponthosewhohadexecutedit,whenthreeloudandsolemntapswereheardatthedoorofthechamber.KingJamesstarted,andatonceassumedanairofintenseandseriousanxiety,andtheQueen,andallpresent,weremoreorlessdisturbedatthisinterruption.

“Ihadforgotten!”exclaimedtheKing,asifspeakingtohimselfalone.—“Enter!thouartatalltimeswelcome!”

Thedoorslowlyopenedathisword,andthetallthinfigureofAndrewtheFlemishAstrologerstoodinthedoorway,habitedashehasbeenalreadydescribed,andwithalongwhiterodinhisrighthand.Withhislefthanduponhisbreast,hemadealowandsolemnreverencetotheKing,andthenpointinghisrodoverhisshoulder,heseemedsilentlytoindicatehisdesirethathisMajestyshouldfollowhim.

“Leadon!”criedtheKing,withanawe-strickenvoiceandair,whilsthearosefromhischair,andhastilyputonhishatandcloak.“Ifwearecalledbythestars,

weareatalltimesreadytogivedueobediencetothem,”and,withthesewords,heimmediatelyretiredwiththeAstrologer.

Ramsay,Stewart,Rogers,andJulietManvers,madetheirseveralreverencestotheQueen,inwhichtheywereclumsilyjoinedbyCochran,andalltooktheirleave.TheywerenosooneroutoftheRoyalpresence,thanCochran,rudelythrustinghimselfbeforeRamsayandSirWalterStewart,bustledbusilyuptothelady,asshehungonheruncle’sarm,soastoengagetheunoccupiedplacenexther,totheexclusionofeveryoneelse.SirWalterwassomewhatchafedatthisrudeness,andmighthaveforgottenhimself,hadnothisrisingangerbeencheckedbythevoiceofoneoftheQueen’sladies,whocalledhimbyhisname.TheKnightstoppedtoascertainwhatshewanted.

“SirWalterStewart,”saidthelady,“theQueencommandstheetoreturn,forabriefspace,toherapartment,thatshemayagainheartheesingthatFrenchballadofthineowncomposition,whichsomuchpleasedherMajestytwonightsago.HerMajestywouldfainhavethewords,andcatchthenotesofit.”

“IhumblyobeyherMajesty’scommand,”repliedtheKnight,returningwiththeladyimmediately.

OnenteringtheQueen’sapartment,hemadehisreverencetoherMajesty;andshe,havingagainsignifiedherwishestohiminaverygraciousmanner,shemotionedhimtotakeupalute,andseathimselfonastoolnearherchair;andafterhavingdoneasshedesired,hebegantosingtheballadshehadnamed,andtoaccompanyhimselfontheinstrument.

InthemeanwhiletheKingfollowedthesolemn,stepandapparition-likefigureoftheAstrologertillhebroughthisMajestytoanangularpartofthecastle-wallthat,skirtingthegiddyprecipiceofloftyrockonwhichthefortressstands,lookedoutoverthecountrytothesouthandwest.Butthatwhichwasanextensiveandmagnificentprospectbyday,wasatthismomentshroudedintheshadesofnight.Therehetookhisstand,andpointedupwardswithhisrod.Themoonwasinitssecondquarter,andshedapaleandpartiallight.Astrangeandportentousarchofblackandveryopaqueclouds,resteditsextremitiesonthevergesofthenorthernandsouthernhorizon,andspannedtheheavensthroughthezenith.Behindthis,alltotheeastward,wasonedarkvault,impenetrabletotheeye,whilstthewesternedgeofthearchwastingedwithbrightrain-bow

hues,andthewholeskybelowit,uponthatside,wassereneandcloudless.Asthekinggazedupwardsinwonder,notunmingledwithdread,abrightflashoflightningsuddenlyilluminedthewholeoftheblackandsolidconcaveofcloudsbehindthem,andthewallsofthecastlewereshakenbyatremendouspealofthunder.TheheartoftheroyalJamesquailedwithinhim.ThepealwasreverberatedfromtheboldfrontofDumyot,withaharshandcrashingsound,andthen,aftervisitingandrousingupeveryechoamongtheOchills,itrolledfearfullyawayupthevalleyoftheForth,untilitdiedamidthedistantwesternmountains.Filledwithsuperstitiousdread,theKinggraspedtheleftarmoftheAstrologer,whostoodunmoved,withhisrodextendedinhisrighthand.

“HolyVirginMother,MessireAndrew!whatdothesedreadsignsportend?”criedJames,withdeepanxietyofvoiceandmanner.

“These!”exclaimedAndrew,inFrench,andinawildandenthusiastictone,thatwouldhavesoundedascontemptuousintheKing’sear,butfortheintensityofhisdesiretohavehisfearsanddoubtsputtorest;“thesearebutthemereauxiliariesofHeaven’sappallingoratory.See!—Knowyounotyonderstarswhichnowapproacheachothertoaconjunctionsothreatening?”

“MarsandVenusapproachingtostrangeandfearfulconjunctionindeed,”repliedtheKing,shuddering.“Whatcanitbode?”

“Andseeyenotthattheyareintheascendant,whilstJupiterissinkingfast?—Now,theyarealmostincontact—andnow!”

“Heaveninitsmercydefendus,whatadreadfulpeal!”criedtheKing,asthethunderagainburstterriblyoverhishead.“Andsee,thethickandinkyveilbeginstorendasunderintoseparateclouds,likesomevastarmybreakingitsgeneralmassintoitsseverallegions.Andbeholdnow,howtheydivideandsubdivide,careeringswiftlylikesquadronsofhorsemenoverthevaultoftheheavens.Andnow,lookhowstrangelyandcapriciouslythebroken-upcloudshavehereveiled,andthererevealed,thedifferentportionsofthesky!”

“Aye!”saidtheAstrologer,solemnly,“andnowthemysticdanceisdone.Eachseveralfragmentofvapourhathtakenhisplace.Thecharactersarefixed;andnow’tisman’sfaultifhereadnotenoughofHeaven’swillinsowide-spreadandsoplainlywrittenabook.TherewecanseetheHydra,andtherethe

Greyhounds—therethegreater,andtherethelesserDog.ButwhereistheLion?AndwheretheNorthernCrown?”

“Alas,MessireAndrew!thoulookestasifthouwer’tdismayedbythesefearfulprodigies,”exclaimedtheKingagain,withananxiouslyinquiringeye.“Whatisitthatyoudreadtheymayportend?”

“ItisgrievousformetotranslatetoyourMajestythemeaningofthesedirefullyominousportents,”repliedAndrew,gravely,afteralongpause,duringwhichheseemedgraduallytocalldownhisspiritfromtheheavens,whereithadbeensoaringforsometimeamidallthewonderstheydisplayed.“Yetisitbetterforyoutoknowtheirfearfulwarnings,sofarasmortalsmayinterpretthem,”continuedhe,risingintoawildkindofinspiration.“DangeristhreatenedtotheKing!—totheKingofScotland!Bewareoftheprincesandlordsoftheland!Thoseinwhomthoutakestthemostpleasuremayprovethygreatestbane!Commotionsandwarsaretobelookedforanddreaded!Beware!beware!Oh,King!lesttheScottishLionbedevouredbyitswhelps!”

“TheScottishLiondevouredbyitswhelps!”re-echoedtheKing,inthemutteredvoiceofdismay.“Dangerfromtheprincesandnoblesoftheland!Dangerfromthoseinwhomwetakemostpleasure!Whatdothallthisimport?Andinespecial,whatmeaneththislaststrangeenigma?—What!—theQueen!—SpeakMessireAndrew?Orwoulditpointatthosewhomostenjoymyfavour?—Whydostthounotanswerme?—Warsandcommotions—thepowerfulinfluenceofMarsisplain—butthatofVenus!—say!—speak!Surely,surelythatdothnottouchtheloyaltyofourQueen?”

“Themomentofdivinationhaspassedawayforthisnight,”saidthecunningAstrologer,inalowhollowvoice,likethatproducedfromanover-exhaustedspirit.“Iamnowweakandblindasothermen.YetsaidInothingofhermostgraciousMajestyQueenMargaret,whomGodlongpreserve!TheplanetyourMajestyspeaksofhathtwoseveralanddistinctinfluences—one,thewhichmayoperateastouchingthingsmoreimmediatelyunderthedominionofwoman’spassion,andtheother,asdenotingamerepointoftime.Thislatterinterpretationwouldseemtome,atthismoment,tobebyfarthemorelikely,for,asMarswouldpredictbattles,hisconjunctionwiththeStarofEveningwouldratherappeartometomarkthattheywillariseintheeveningofyourMajesty’sreign,whichmayGodandSt.Andrewrenderlongandprosperous!”

“Nay,butcans’tthounotyetinquiremoreclosely,MessireAndrew?”demandedtheKing,impatiently.“Thesedoubtsareworsethanignorance.”

“Anothertimewemayfindfitopportunitytosolvethem,goodmyliege,”repliedtheAstrologer,withalowreverence.“Thespiritofdivinationhathpassedfromme,andIamnownomorethanaweakandblindmortal.Andsee!eventheheavenshaverefusedtoyieldupfartherknowledgeoffutureeventstothesonsofearth,fortheyhavewrappedthemselvesupinonedarkandimpenetrableveilofcloud.To-nightthebookoffateisshut!—Sawyethat!Theelementsthemselvesforbidallfartherquestion.”

Ashespoke,aterribleglareoflightningblazedaroundthem,momentarilyilluminatingeveryfeatureofthegrandscenerybywhichtheyweresurrounded.Afearfulclapofthunderagainburstovertheirheadswithawfulmagnificence,androlledterriblyaway.Afuriouswindbegantoblow,andlargedropsofraindescended,atempestwasapproaching,andtheKing,sunk,disheartened,andunsatisfied,wasdriveninbythenaturalresultsofthosethreateningsinthesky,whichhehadbeensoattentivelywatching,tobrooduponthosefancifulhorrorsanddangerswithwhichthey,inreality,hadnoconnection.HereturnedtowardstheQueen’sapartmentindeepthought,andhehadentereditfully,beforethenotesofthemusicthatstillsoundedinithadpowertorousehimfromhisabstraction.SirWalterStewartstillsatneartheQueen’sfootstool,singingtotheaccompanimentofhislute,andherMajestyandhermaidsofhonourwerestilleagerlyoccupiedinlistening.

“Ha!”criedKingJames,asherecoveredperfectconsciousnessofthescenebeforehim,andspeakingwithahighlydisturbedairandtone;“Methoughtourprivacyhadbeenrelievedfromallfurtherinterruptionforthisnight?”

“Pardon,myliege!—mylove!”criedtheQueen,risingfromherchair,andaffectionatelytakinghisarm.“Pardon,ifwehavedoneaughttodispleasurethee!IandmymaidenshadamindtohearagainthatsweetballadofSirWalterStewart’smaking,whichhesangsopleasantlytoustheothernight,asyoumayremember.Hewasbroughtback,therefore,inobediencetomycommand,andiftherebeaughtofblameinthis,itisallmineown.Thathehathstaidsolongafterhedidreturn,iffaultinthattherebe,itmustbechargedagainsthisownpleasingminstrelsy,whichdidsoenchaintheearsofhishearers,thattimepassedbyunheeded.”

“Permitme,yourMajesty,totakemyleave,”saidSirWalter,makinghiswontedobeisancetotheKingasheretired.

“Goodnight,”saidtheKing,withmoreofcondescension,butwithlessofwarmththanhewasaccustomedtousetowardsonewhomhesomuchfavoured.

Allthatnighttheroyalmindwasvexedbyfrightfulwakingvisions,thathauntedittotheexclusionofsleep.InvaindidhisMajestytrytoembodythemintoanythinglikeaclearandconnectedpictureofcomingevents.Butdarkthoughthegroundwasuponwhichheworked,certainprominentlightscontinuallystartedfromit,andremainedstationarybeforehim,soasultimatelytofixthemselvesinsomedegreeuponhimasprobabletruths.Themoststimulatingofthesemightbeguessedat,fromtheroyalorderswhichwereissuedonthefollowingmorning.TheCourtwashastilyandunexpectedlyremovedtoEdinburghCastle;andsoonafterwards,thetwoPrincesoftheblood-royal,theDukeofAlbany,andtheEarlofMar,were,totheastonishmentofallmen,seizedandmadeprisoners.MarwasconfinedinCraigmillarCastle.ButofAlbany,theKingseemedanxioustotakeespecialcare,forhewascommittedtocustodyinEdinburghCastleitself,wherehemightbemoreparticularlyguardedundertheroyaleye.

YetallthisdidnotseemtohaverelievedJames’mindfromtheterrorswhichhadtakenpossessionofit.Theapproachofthenoblestotheroyalpersonwaslessencouragedthanithadeverbeen.TheKing’sfavourites,thoughstillpermittedtohavetheirusualintercoursewithhim,wereallintheirturnslookeduponattimeswithaneyeofdoubt.SirWalterStewartsensiblyfelt,thathewassubjectedtoagreaterportionoftheeffectsofthissuspicioustemperthananyoftheothers.AnexcusehadbeenfoundforhisbeingdeprivedofsuchapartmentsintheCastleofEdinburgh,ashehadhadinthatofStirling,andhewasobligedtohirelodgingswithinthewallsofthecity.HispresenceattheprivatepartiesintheQueen’sapartmentwasrarely,ifever,required.Themusicalmeetingstherewereofthemselveslessfrequent,andwhentheydidtakeplace,hewasnotamongthenumberoftheperformers.Tomakeamendsforthis,hespentmoreofhistimeinthepursuitofhisfavouritescience,withthefairJulietManvers,intheapartmentsofSirWilliamRogers,andastheladyseemedtobemaking,dayafterday,greaterinroadsuponhisheart,sodidSirWalterStewarthimselfriseeverydaymoreandmoreintheestimationofthemusicalknight.Withsuchasourceofamusement,SirWalterwaslessaffectedbythecoldnesswhichheexperiencedatcourt,thanmighthavebeennaturallysupposed.Buthefelt

deeplyfortheconfinementofthePrinces,withwhomhehadbeenadmittedintohabitsofintimacythatbordereduponthewarmthoffriendship.Yet,muchashewaspersonallyattachedtothem,andanxiouslyashewouldhavewishedtohavebefriendedthem,heknewenoughtoconvincehimthathecouldmakenoeffortintheirbehalf,thatwouldnothaveacertaintendencytoleadtosomefatalissue,bothasregardedthemandhimself.ButthedeathoftheEarlofMar,whichhappenedsoonafterwards,andwhichwasmostsuspiciouslygivenoutashavingtakenplacesuddenly,byapoplexy,inawarmbath,sorousedhisfeelings,thatheresolvedtotakethefirstopportunityofmakingsomeattempttosaveAlbany,andtothishewasmoreimmediatelystimulatedbysomethingthatoccurredtohimonenight,ashewaswalkingandruminatingontheCastle-hill.

“SirWalterStewart,”saidaman,whostoodmuffledupinacloak,tohim,ashewasstridingslowlypast,unconsciousthattherewasanyonenearhim,“wiltthounothaltforamomenttospeaktoanoldfriend?”

“MyLordHuntly!”criedSirWalter,inastonishment,afterapproachingthefigure,andascertainingwhoitwasthatspoke.

“Hush!—Namemenotsoloudly!”repliedHuntly.“Theveryairhathears,yea,andeyestoo.Iamhereinsecretandindisguise.WereIdiscovered,mylifemightpayforit.Comefartherthiswayintotheshadow.Iwouldspeakwiththeeaboutmatterswhichnooneelsemusthear,andmytimeisshort.WemustsaveAlbany!”

“MostwillinglywouldIaidindoingso,”repliedSirWalter.“Buthowishissafetytobesecured?”

“Thoucanstbeeminentlyuseful,”repliedHuntly.

“Iknowthyzealinafriend’sbehalf,andalthoughthoumightesthaveshownsomeunwillingnesstotakepartwithus,whenourgrievancesamountedtonothingmorethanroyalneglect,yetperhapsthoumayestnowbemoresharpenedtoourpurpose,whenthouseestthatthemurderousknifehathalreadybeendrawnuponus,thatthefirstvictimhathbeenalreadysacrificed,andthatvictimtooahighandnobleprinceofthebloodroyal,whowas,moreover,thyfriend.”

“Nay,surelythoudostnotbelievethatmyLordMardiedotherthananaturaldeath?”saidSirWalter.

“Anaturaldeath!”exclaimedHuntly.—“Aye,adeathnaturallyoccurringfromaweakandcruelbrother’sjealousy.Thatspeciesofnaturaldeath,towit,whichthesheepmayverynaturallyreceivefromthehandofthebutcher!”

“Why,theysayhediedinabath;”saidSirWalter.

“Andinsosayingtheysaytruly,”repliedHuntly.“Ofatruthhediedinabath—ahotbath,intowhichhewaskindlyputtorecoverhimfromadeepcutinthemainarteryofhisarm,givenhimbyoneoftheroyalexecutioners.”

“’Tishorrible,iftrue!”saidSirWalter,shuddering.

“’Tisastrueasitishorrible,”continuedHuntly.“AndnowmethinksImaytrusttoyourbeinglessscrupulousinlisteningtothegrievancesofthelords,thanthouwertwhenIlasttouchedthetopicwiththeeatStirling.”

“MyLord,”repliedSirWalter,“Iwillhonestlytellthee,thattosaveAlbany,amanwhomIhonourasaroyalprinceandahighlyaccomplishedknight,andwhom,moreover,Iholdindeepaffectionasafriend,Iamwillingtoputmineownlifetoutmostperil,andthisthemoretoo,thatifIcansavehimIshallthinkthatmysodoingwillbethepreservingoftherightarmofScotland.ButinanythingthatmaytouchmyfealtydirectlytothepersonofKingJames,Imustbeheldexcused,seeingthatIhavealreadyreceivedtoomuchkindnessfromhisMajesty,topermitmetoproveinanywisearebeltohim,—butinthismatteroftheDukeofAlbany,myjudgmenttellsmethatIshall,bysavinghim,bedoinggoodservicetomykingaswellastomycountry.”

“Thenletusleaveallelseatpresent,andtalkofthismatterinhand,”saidHuntly.“ThouartwellversedinthecustomsandaffairsofFrance,andcanstspeakitstongue.Couldstthounotcontrivetodiscover,whethersomebarquemaynotbesoonlookedforfromthencewithmerchandize?”

“Sofar,myLord,Icananswertheehereuponthespot,”repliedSirWalter.“ItsochancesthatIlookdailyforthearrivalofacaptain,wellknowntome,whotradesinwine.Heisthebearerofcertaincasksforme,andIcanthereforegoto

inquireregardinghimwithoutmuchsuspicion.Itshallbedoneto-morrow.”

“Thisismostlucky,”saidHuntly.“Sonowletusconsiderwellastoourplans.KnowestthouhowtheDukeisguarded?”

“Idonotlodgewithinthecastle,”repliedSirWalter.“NoramIsooftenwithinitswallsasIwonttobe.ButthisIknow,thattheDukeisguardedmoststrictly.Thecaptainoftheguardhimselfkeepsthekeyoftheapartmentwhereheisimprisoned,andwhere,tomakeallthingssecure,hischamberlainislockedupwithhim,andnooneisallowedtogoinoroutwhoisnotinthefirstplacemostnarrowlyexamined.ButyetwillIscrupulouslyobserve,andmakemyselfmasterofthewholecircumstances,andoftheexactpositionofthings,anditwillgohardwithmeifIcannotfindsomewayofbafflingtheirvigilance.”

“Thenletuspartto-night,lestwebeobserved,”saidHuntly.“Thataccursedastrologer,FlemishAndrew,mayagainstartupbeforeus,likethedevilinourpath.”

“Um,”repliedSirWalter,doubtingly;“thoumayestnotbeveryfarfromthetruthinthyevilsuspicionsofhim,myLord.Ilikednothislastvisit.”

“Well,nomatter,”saidtheEarl;“to-morrownightwemaymeetagain.”

“Aye,to-morrownight—here,andatthesamehour,”repliedSirWalter.“ButifIcomenot,myLord,Iwouldhavetheebelieve,thatifnotunwillinglydetainedbytheKing,Imayperhapsbeemployingmyselfmoreusefullyelsewhere.”

“Ishallsobelieve,”repliedHuntly;“thenfarewelltillournextmeeting,bethatwhenitmay.”

Thefriendsthenparted,andtookdifferentways,toavoidallchanceofbeingseentogether,andSirWalterStewartwasabouttoentertheheadoftheclosewherehislodgingwassituated,whenhewasaccostedbyapersonwhocamelimpinguptohim,withalltheappearanceofajadedfoottraveller,andwhoaddressedhiminhumble,butbynomeansclownish,salutation.

“SirKnight,”saidhe,“wiltthouvouchsafetopardonme,astranger,anddeigntotellmewhetherthoucanstdirectmetothelodgingofSirWalterStewartofStradawn?”

“SurelyIhaveheardthatvoicebefore,”saidtheknight,withoutreplyingtothequestion.

“SirWalter!—Myfather!”exclaimedtheotheringreatsurprise.

“What!”exclaimedSirWalter,innolessastonishment,andinanythingbutagracioustone,“CharleyStewart!InthenameofallthatiswonderfulwhathathbroughttheetoEdinburgh?—Thisisnotwell.MethoughtIhadarrangedallthingstothyheart’scontent,forthyproperemploymentinthineownnativedistrict.ButIforgethowtimeflies.Doubtlesserethisthouartaslearnedinthineart,andintheuseofthegoose,needles,shears,andbodkin,asthegreatandaccomplishedMr.JonathanJunkinshimself.”

“Icraveyourpardon,SirKnight,”repliedCharley.“IllasthespiritoftheStewartthatiswithinmemightbrooksuchmeandrudgery,Istruggledhardtobreakitintothedestinywhichthouhadstbeenpleasedtoassignme.ButtherudecaitiffchurlsthatworkedinJunkins’shop,andsomeoftheboorishneighbourstoo,presumingonmyyouth,fastenedonmetheoffensivenicknameofTàillear-crubach,orthelametailor.ThisIcouldnotbear;andafterhavingwellpummelledsomedozenorsoofthem,oneaftertheother,Ideemeditaswelltosecurepeaceforthefuture,bygivingupalljustclaimtosoignominiousatitle.”

“BysaintMichael,myboy,”criedSirWalter,cordiallytakingCharley’shand;“Icannotsaybutthoudidstwell.Whatastrappingburlychieldthouhastgrown!Butwhathastthoubeendoingwiththyselfthen,sincethougavestuptailoring?”

“Ihavelearnedtoride,andtouseaswordandalanceindifferentwell,”saidCharley.

“Bravo!”criedSirWalter.“BytheRood,thouartmineownveryfleshandblood!Trustme,hadIguessedthatthouwertmadeofsuchmetal,Ishouldneverhavethoughtoftyingtheetoatailor’sboard,Ipromisethee.WouldIhadknownthissooner!Butnow!—Howfaresitwiththymother,boy?”

“Well,SirWalter,”repliedCharleywithadeepsigh.“ShewaswellwhenIlastsawher.”

“WouldthatIhadsoonerknownthymerits,Charley!”saidSirWalter,withadepthoffeelingwhichhehadnotyetdisplayed.“Imightthenhave——ButnowIfearIamtoofarinvolvedwithanother——Thefateshavebeencruellyagainstthee,boy.”

“Theyhaveindeed!”saidCharley,withanemotionwhichalmostchokedhim.

“Well!well!”saidSirWalter,affectionatelysqueezinghishand.“Come—cheerup,Charley!Imayyethaveitinmypowertodosomethingforthee.—AndbySaintAndrew,”continuedtheknight,afterashortpause,“nowIthinkon’t,thouhastcometomeintheverynickoftime.Thineaidwillbemostusefultome.Butthisisneitherthetimenortheplacetotalkaboutsuchmatters.Come,letustomylodging,thatImayprocureyourefreshmentandrest;foryourpaleface,holloweyes,andclingingcheeks,wouldseemtosaythatthougreatlylackestboth;andasthoumayestrequiretobeupbetimes,Ishalldelayfartherquestioningoftheetillafitteropportunity.”

Butasyouwillhardlywishtowait,gentlemen,untilCharleyStewarthashadsuchnecessaryrestorationofexhaustednature,asshallenablehimtotellhisownstory,Ishallhastilysketch,atsomewhatgreaterlengththanhehadtimetodo,whattookplacewithhimduringthoseyearsthathaveelapsedsincewelastheardofhim.Afewmonthshadsufficedtosickenhim,aswehaveseen,oftheshop-boardofMisterJonathanJunkins.Foratimehelivedquietlywithhismother,soothinghersorrowwithallthetendernessofthekindestofhearts,followingouthislearningunderthekindinstructionofthethenpriestofDounan,whohadtakenanespecialfavourforhim;and,lastly,occupyinghimselfinthedelightfultaskofcommunicatingtoRosaMacDermot,thatknowledgewhichhethusgained.Nowandthen,tobesure,spiteofhislameness,hetookpleasureinexercisinghimselfinathleticfeats;andinthispractice,hewasmuchaidedbyanaccidentalacquaintance,whichhechancedtomakewithacertainSirPiersGordon,asmalllandholderinaneighbouringglen,who,himselfadependantoftheEarlofHuntly,wasgladtocollectafewretainersabouthim,inanyway,tohelphimtoupholdhisdignity.Undertheauspicesofthiswell-trainedsoldier,Charleybecameanexperthandleroftheclaymore,afearlesshorseman,andnoverycontemptiblewielderofalance;andhehadmorethanoncehadthesatisfaction,ofmakingoneofthepartywhoaccompaniedhispatron,insomeofthoseskirmishesorminormovementsofwarfarebetweenclans,whichthewildandunsettledstateofthecountry

renderedmuchtoocommoninthosedaystobealwaysparticularized,farlesstobechronicled.

Charleywasonedayseated,withRosaMacDermot,ontheirfavouriteflowerybank,bythesideofthesamespringIformerlydescribedasgushingfrombelowamossystone,underthegroveofweepingbirches,wherewelastheardofthemtogether.ButRosawasnowgrownalmostawoman,beingtallofherage,andofveryhandsomeperson;andthescarofthecrossmarkonhercheekhadnowbecomesoslight,thatsofarfrombeingadeformity,itrathergaveaninterestingexpressiontoherotherwisebloomingandrichlybeautifulcountenance.HerloveforCharley,andhisforher,hadgrownwitheverydaytheyhadlived.Butmaidenmodestyonherpart,anddelicacyonhis,hadmadebothofthemsomewhatmorereserved,andmoreguardedingivingwaytotheexpressionofit.Shenolongertalkedofbeinghiswifey;andwhenhe,hurriedonbythefeelingsofthemoment,wasledtoalludetotheirfutureunion,whenfutureprospectsshouldsmilemorekindlyuponthem,herwords,thoughtender,werefew,whilsthereyesandherblushesspokevolumes.

Theywereintentlyengagedinconversetogether,whentheywereinterruptedbyamostunseemlylookingobjectthatappearedbeforethem.Iftheyhadneverbeheldituntilthatmoment,theymighthavehaddoubtsastowhichofthesexesitbelongedto.Thefacewashideous,thenosebeingveryprominentandhooked,soastoprojectoverthemouth,whichwashardlyperceptible.Theeyes,whenopen,weregreat,round,andfiery,andtheywerecoveredbyeyelidsofanunnaturallargeness,sothatthestrangeandregularalternationofthemuscularmotion,whichwasexertedinthedroppingandraisingofthem,producedthemostfearfuleffect.Envelopedastheheadwasinanoldsoiledredtartanplaid,whichwastwistedaroundit,andfellinlargefoldsoverhalftheperson,afterbeingknottedbehindovertheback,thewholebodyhadabunchybird-likeappearance,whichwasrenderedstillmoreuncouth,byitsbeingsupportedonthebare,wirey,dirt-begrimmedshanks,andclaw-liketalons,whichsprawledoutbeneathashortgreypetticoat.Therealnameofthisstrange,unearthlylookingmonster,waslostinherantiquity.Shehadappearedinthatdistrictmanyyearsbefore,nooneknewfromwhence;andasallhermarkswerethenthesameasIhavedescribedthemnow,itisnotwonderfulthatsheshouldhaveacquired,fromtherudepeople,thenameoftheHowlet,fromherextremelikenesstothatill-omenedbird.Andtiredasshehadlongbeenofkickingagainstthescornof

theworld,andcallousasshehadbeenrenderedunderallthemiseriesithadheapeduponher,shenowansweredtothatappellation,withthesamereadinesswhichshemightprobablyhaveshowninthemoresunnydaysofheryouth,whenshecheerfullyrepliedtoherownpropername,andtothefondendearmentsofafatherandamother.Yet,letitnotbeimaginedthatshe,miserablyabandonedasshehadsolongbeentoallthatwaswretchedinhumanexistence,hadnothermomentsofreflectiononhappierdays,longsincegoneby,therecollectionofwhichonlythemoreembitteredthepresent.Norisittobesupposedthat,muchasshehadsuffered,sheherselfhadbeenbereftofallthebetterfeelingsofhumanity.Herexternalappearancewasenoughtoendowher,intheestimationofthevulgar,withalltheattributesofmalignity,aswellaswiththedreadpowersofsorcery.ButalthoughherapproachneverfailedtoproduceacertainsensationofaweinthegentlemindofRosaMacDermot,itwasalwaysmingledwithaverylargeshareofpityforthepoorcreature’spenuryanddistress;andthiswasfullyparticipatedbythegoodheartedCharleyStewart.

“PoorHowley!”criedRosa,themomentshebeheldher;“itislongsinceIhaveseenthee.Wherehastthoubeenwanderingduringthismanyaday?”

“Somefoodforcharity’ssake!”saidtheHowlet,inthathalfshooting,halfwhistlingtoneofvoice,whichstrangelycarriedoutherotherwiseremarkablesimilaritytothebirdshewascalledafter.“Iamstarving!Iamfamished!—Somefoodforcharity’ssake!”

“PoorHowley,thoushaltneverwantitwhilstIcanhelptheetoit!”saidthecompassionategirl.

“Thoughhard-heartednessandscornmaymeetmeateveryotherdoorinthiswearyandwickedworld,”saidtheHowlet,“Istillfindcharityhere.”

“Sitdownthenonthebankthere,”saidRosa,“andIwillrunandbringtheefoodinamoment.”

“God’sblessingbeuponthee,fairmaiden!”saidtheHowlet,withdeepfeeling.

“Thoucanstbless,then!”saidCharleyStewartgravely,afterRosawasgone.

“IcanpraytoGodtobless!”repliedtheHowlet;“and,unlikethemenofthis

world,aGodofallgoodnesswillnotrefusetolistentosuchaprayer,becauseitcomesfromtheheartofapooroutcast,thescornofthisheartlessworld,clothedinrags,andstarvingforfood.AndwhoshouldIprayfor,ifIdidnotprayforblessingsonthatangel?”

“Sheisanangel,Howley!”criedCharley,withecstacy—“anangelinsoulaswellasinform.Seehowshecomestrippingwithherbasketandpitcher,asifshehardlytrodtheearth!”

Theoldwomanfastenedherlonghandsgreedilyontheviands.Theoldwomanfastenedherlonghandsgreedilyontheviands.

Theoldwomanfastenedherlonghandsgreedilyontheviands,themomenttheycamewithinherreach,hereyesglaringwide,andshuttingalternately,andherravenoushungerurgedhertodevourherfoodsofast,thatitwasfearfultobeholdher;andthen,asshedidso,shewentonmutteringinherwhistlingvoice,“TheholyVirginblessthee,myfairmaiden!—Och!och!whatpainitistoswallow.ThreedayshaveIbeendeniedfoodbymyflinty-heartedfellowcreatures!yetmayGod,inhismercy,forgivethem!—Threedays!threewholedays!TheblessingofHeaven,itsbestblessingsonthee,thouangel!—Och,suchpain!Thoushaltbealandedladyyet!Och,och!Thoushaltmarryamanwithaknight’sspurathisheel!Och!suchapangatmyheart!Och!oh!”—

RosaandCharleyStewart,whohadbothbeenswallowingherwords,withasmuchavidityasshehadbeendevouringthefoodthathadbeengivenher,nowbothstartedupindirealarm,andrantowardstheoldwoman.Hereyesrolleddreadfullyforamoment,andthentheybecamefixed;thebasketshehelddroppedfromherhands;herarmsandlimbsstretchedthemselvesoutinrigidconvulsion;herheadfellstifflybackonthebank,and,whentheyessayedtoraiseitup,theyfoundthatshewasdead.

ItwasmanyalongdaybeforeRosaMacDermotcouldshakeoffthehorribleimpressionwhichthisscenehadmadeuponheryoungmind,sofarastobeabletorecallitwithanythingapproachingtotranquillity.Charley,however,hadoftenpondereddeeplyonthewordswhichhadfallenfromtheoldwoman,andhewasimpatienttillthetimedidcome,whenhefeltthathemightventuretoalludetothem.

“Charley,”saidRosaanxiously,andtenderlytakinghishand,astheywereonedaysittingtogetherontheirfavouritespot;“somethinggrievestheeinsecret.Thouwertnotwonttoconcealathoughtfromme;whyshouldstthoudosonow?Whyshouldstthoudenymemyshareofthatsadness,which,beingthine,oughttobelongtobothofus?”

“Rosa,”repliedCharley,ferventlyreturninghergentlepressure;“Iwillhonestlyconfessmyfolly.ThoseidlewordsofthepoorHowlethaveclungtomysoulwithaheavinesswhichIcannotshakeoff.”

“Idlewordstheywere,indeed,”repliedRosa;“wordsidlyutteredbythepoorcrazycreatureinthedeliriumofstarvation.But,idleornot,theybodednoeviltome;andisitbyCharleyStewartthattheyaretobegrudgedtome?”

“Thinkoftheirimport,Rosa,”repliedCharley,gravely;“andthenyouwillseethatIcanscarcelybeexpectedcalmlytocontemplatethem.”

“What!”exclaimedRosa,smiling—“thatIamtobealandedlady?Isthatamatterthatshouldgivetheepaintothinkof?”

“Reflect,Rosa,bywhatmeansitwassaidthatthouarttobecomeso,”repliedCharley,withasigh.“Bymarryingamanwithaknight’sspursathisheels!Rannottheoldwoman’swordsso?AndcanstthoubelievethatIcancoollycontemplatetheprobableaccomplishmentofanysuchprophecy?”

“Charley!”criedRosa,withgreatfeeling,whilsttearsswelledfromunderherbeautifuleyelids,“canstthoubelieveitpossiblethatIshouldeverforgetallIowetothee?CanstthoubelievethatIcanforgetmyoftenrepeatedvows?Canstthoubelievethatthoseinfantaffectionswhichhavegrownupwithme,strengtheningastheygrew,untiltheyhavenowripenedwithmeinwomanhood,caneverperishbutwithmylife?Mylifeisthine,fortotheeIoweit.Mysoulisthine,fortotheeIamindebtedforthatcultureandexpansionwhichmaybestfititforheaven.Myheartisthine,foritistotheethatIhavebeenindebtedforstockingitwithitsbestandpurestsympathies.CanstthouthendoubtthatIevercouldbeanyother’sthanthine?”

“MaytheVirgineverblesstheeforthywords,mylove!”criedCharley,withecstasy.“Iamsatisfiedofthetruthofthineaffection.YethadIbeenbetter

pleasedifthatoldwomanhadnevergivenutterancetothoseidledreamsofhers.Atsuchatimetoo!—Soawful!—Justbeforehervexedandwornoutspirittookitsflightfromitswretchedearthlytenement!”

“Itwasawful,indeed!”saidRosa,solemnly.“Butmethinks,”addedshe,afterapause,andinamorecheerfultone—“MethinksthepoorHowlet’swordsmightbearamorepleasinginterpretationthanthouwouldstseeminclinedtoputuponthem;yea,andtomyfancy,muchmorenaturalwithal.”

“Ashow?”demandedCharley,eagerly.

“Marry,thatthoumayestbethemanwiththeknight’sspursathisheels,”saidRosa,droppinghervoiceandhereyes,andblushingdeeply.

“What!”exclaimedCharley,energetically.“Byallthesaintsinthecalendar,butthatwereaninterpretationindeed!Ithankthee,Rosa,forthyaugury.Trustme,ifitlacksaccomplishment,induetime,itshallnotbemyfault.ThoughIhavebeenturnedoverintothedirt,byhimtowhomIshouldhavelookedforcountenanceandsupport,toencouragemeinanoblercareer—byhimtowhomIreasonablylookedfortheeducationbefittingasoldier,—thankstominehonestpatron,SirPiers,Iamnotnowaltogetherinwantofit.Thanks,moreover,betoGod,thatIhaveneverdoneanythingwhichmay,withreason,makemyfatherashamedofme.And,withtheblessingofSaintAndrewonthisarmofmine,Imayyetlivetoearnthosehonours,whichhisindifferencetowardsmewouldhavedeniedme.”

RosadidnotaltogetherenjoyperfecteaseofmindafterCharleyStewarthadlefther.Shethought,withsomepridetobesure,ofthenoblenessofthatspiritwhichshehadthusseenblazeupwithinhim.Butshefeltthatshehadnowthedreadresponsibilityofhavingthusrousedit;andallawoman’sfearsfortheconsequenceswereawakenedinherbosom.Norwasthehappinessofthedaysthatfollowedincreasedbythisaccidentalconversation.Fornow,sherarelyoreversawhim,inwhosesocietyherwholelifehadhithertoglidedonwithsomuchfelicity.AliceAshertoo,hadhercomplaintstomakeofherson’sfrequentandlongabsencefromher;andtheonlyconsolationthemaidenhad,wasinfrequentlyvisitingthemotherofCharleyStewart—totalkoverhismerits—athemeofwhichneitherofthemwereverylikelytotire—andtosighforhispresence.

MeanwhileCharleywasalmostconstantinhisattendanceuponSirPiersGordon;andheverysoondistinguishedhimselfsomuchinalltheaccomplishmentsofasoldier,thathebecamethemostcherishedandfavouredoftheoldsoldier’sfollowers.Butthiswasnotall;for,unknowntohimself,andaltogetherwithoutanyeffortonhispart,hefoundespecialfavourinthesightofMarcellaGordon,niece,andacknowledgedheiressofhispatron,SirPiers.Thiswasalady,bynomeansuncomely,thoughofmostuncommonlymasculinemannersandmind,who,atanytime,wouldhavemuchpreferredtowitnessafray,oreventotakehershareinit,thantositdowntoafeast,ortomixinadanceoramaskingparty.ShebecamesmittenwithCharleyStewartforhismartialacquirements,boldbearinginhissaddle,andhardihoodatalltimes;andforallthesehewellmeritedheradmiration.

SirPiersGordonandhispartywereonedayreturningfromanexpedition,whichhadbeensuddenlyundertakeninpursuitofsomeCatteranes,whom,asbeingpublicmarauders,andgeneralenemiestoall,hehad,withoutscruple,followedacrosstheterritoriesoftheStewartofStradawn.HepassedatnogreatdistancefromthehumbledwellingofMrs.MacDermot.

“Sopleasethee,SirKnight,”saidCharleyStewarttoSirPiers,“Iwillturnasideabriefspacetoyondercottage,tosayafewwordstoanoldfriend,whomIhavenotseenformanyaday;andIwilljointheeagainerethouhastriddenalongmile.”

“IcarenotifIgowiththee,Charley,”saidSirPiers;“thatis,ifthyfriend’shousecanfurnishmewithadraughtofanythingbetterthanwater,formythroatisparchedlikeamountaincorryinthedog-days.”

“Suchasthathumbleroofmayafford,IthinkImayventuretopromisethee,”repliedCharley,somewhatdisappointedatbeingsoattended.

“Ishallgowiththeetoo,”saidMarcellaGordon,who,onthisoccasion,hadfollowedheruncleinhisexpedition.

Themen-at-armshavingbeenhaltedbytheroad-side,Charleyledthewaytothewidow’scottage.Asherodeforthfromamongthetreesofthebirch-grove,thatflankedonesideofthehouse,andpartlyshadedhalfitsfront,Rosa’squickeyescaughthisfigure—herheartboundedwithjoy,andinamomentshewasatthe

door,and,fromthefirstirresistibleimpulseofherheart,shealmostsprangintohisarms;butimmediatelyperceivingthatherloverwasnotalone,sheblushed,andhastilyretreatedwithindoors.

“Isthatyoursister,youngman?”demandedtheLadyMarcella.

“No,lady,”repliedCharley,insomeconfusion;“butsheisaveryoldfriendofmine.”

“Averyyoungfriendofthine,methinks!”saidSirPiers.“Sheisverybeautiful.”

Mrs.MacDermotnowappeared,andusheredthestrangersintothehousewithwell-blendedhumilityandkindness,andproceededtodothelittlehospitalitiesofherunpretendingroof.Charleywashimselfabashedandbaulked;butyetheconversedwithRosa,thoughinthatchastenedmannerthatmorethananythingelsebetraystheconsciousnessoflovers,intheeyesofthosewhomaybeobservingthem.NoeyesweremorepenetratingthanthoseofMarcellaGordon.Theyshotbasilisksatthepair.Thevisitwasnecessarilyshort,andthepartingbetweenRosaandCharleywasdoublyseveretoboth,sincetheywerethuscompelledbythepresenceofothers,toconcealtheiremotions.

“Byallthesaints,butthouartahappyfellow,Stewart!”saidSirPiersGordontoCharley,astheyturnedawaytojointheparty.“ThatistheprettiestyoungcreatureIhaveseenformanyalongday.”

“Iseelittletoadmireabouther,”saidtheLadyMarcella,withascornfulair;“awaxenchild!asmock-facedredandwhitepippin!”

“Nay,Marcella,womenarenojudgesofbeautyintheirownsex,”repliedSirPiers.“Isaysheisverylovely;andIsayagainthouartahappyfellow,Stewart;for,judgingfromappearances,thouseem’sttoberightwellestablishedinheraffections.”

“Wehaveknownoneanothersinceherchildhood,”saidCharleyStewarthurriedly.

“Andsonowthouwouldstfainconvertherfromthyplaymateintothywife,”saidSirPiers,laughing.

“Mywife,SirPiers!”saidCharley,ingreatconfusion.“WhatcouldIdowithawife,whoamsopoorandunknown?Imuste’enfollowFortuneforsometimeasmymistress,andcourthertillshesmilesuponme.”

“Fearnotthatshewillrefusetosmileupononeofthymerit,”saidtheLadyMarcella.“Onewhocanride,andwieldhisweaponsasthoucanst,maywelllooktoFortuneprovidingsomethingbetterforhimthantheobscureandlow-bredorphanofacommonman-at-arms.”

CharleyStewartwassilent,butSirPierswasnotaltogethersoblindasnottoperceivehowmattersstoodwithhisniece.HehadobservedtheLadyMarcella’smanner,—wasstruckwithherwords,—andastrongconvictionenteredhismindthatshehadallowedherselftofallinlovewithCharleyStewart.NowhisaffectionforCharleyhadwaxedsostrong,that,knowingthegoodbloodthatwasinhim,hewouldhaverejoicedtohaveseenhimthehusbandofMarcella.Butfeelingthatitwouldbeprudent,beforegivingencouragementtoanysuchscheme,thatheshouldprivatelysatisfyhimselfastothesuspicionsheentertainedofanexistingattachmentbetweenCharleyandRosaMacDermot,and,havingfailedinoneattempttoleadCharleytobeexplicit,heprivatelyresolvedinhisownmind,secretlytovisitMrs.MacDermotherself,fromwhomhelookedtoreceiveclearerandmorereadyinformation.

Havingaccordinglyriddenovertoherhousealone,theverynextmorning,hesoonlearnedfromtheworthywomanthewholehistoryofthelovers.Hewasnotalittledisappointedtofindthathehadmadesoshrewdaguess,andthat,tosohonestandhonourableamindashis,therethusremainednofairhopeofthecompletionofthatalliance,whichwouldhavebeensoagreeabletohim,aswellastohisniece.AllthathehadlearnedfromthewidowregardingCharley,hadonlyservedtoincreasehisadmirationofhim,andtomakehisregretthegreater.Butbeingnowinpossessionofthefact,hethoughtithisdutytodealplainlywiththeLadyMarcella,andheaccordinglyembracedtheveryfirstopportunityhecouldcommandofspeakingwithherinprivate.

“Marcella,”saidhetoherabruptly,“whatthinkyeofCharleyStewart?”

“Aproperyoungman,Ipromisethee,”repliedthelady,withthesamewantofceremony.

“Hislamenessisunfortunate,—itmarshisappearancemuch,”saidSirPiers.“Andthatcrossscaronhischeekisanythingbutornamental.”

“Pshaw!”criedthelady;“aficoforhisscar!Ihope,erehedies,toseehismanlyfaceseamedbymanyadeeperornamentofthesamesort,gainedintoughfight,mantoman.Andastohislameness!shewmeonethatwillvaultintohissaddlewithhim,orridewithhim,orholdalancewithhimafterheisinit!CharleyStewartisaprinceofafellow!”

“Allthatisverytrue,niece,”saidSirPiers;“butmethinksthouspeakestofhimwithunusualwarmth.PrayHeaventhoube’stnotinlovewiththeyoungman!”

“Nay,uncle,sinceImustneedssayso,thatisalreadypastprayingfor,”repliedMarcella,withasigh;which,asitwasthefirstthateverinherlifeescapedher,wasapreciousdeepone.

“Iamsorrytoheartheesayso,niece,”saidSirPiers;“forthycaseishopeless,seeingthatthouhastalreadyarival,towhomheisnotonlyattached,butaffianced.”

“What,uncle!”exclaimedthelady,inasupercilioustone;“dostthouthinksoverymeanlyofthyniece,astosupposethatthewhey-facedorphanofamiserableman-at-arms,canhaveanychancewithme,whenI,theheiressofthylands,choosetoenterthelists?”

“Ithinkandhopetoowellofmynieceandheiress,”saidSirPiersgravely,“tobelieve,that,forherowngratification,shewilltrytodividetwoheartsalreadyunitedbythetenderestvowsthataffectioncanform.”

“Affection!”exclaimedthelady;“tush,nonsense,uncle!theaffectionofchildren!thebrotherlyandsisterlyaffectionofbabes,forsuchwasthesortofaffectionofwhichStewarthimselfspoke,andhiswordsareallwehaveyettogoupon.”

“Pardonme,”saidheruncle,calmly;“Ihaveyetbetterinformationthananythingwehavegatheredfromhim.SuspectingthatCharleyStewart’smeritswerebeginningtorenderhimnotaltogetherwithoutinterestinyoureyes,IdeemedittobemydutytoknowthetruthregardingthisattachmentbetweenhimandRosa

MacDermot.WiththisviewIvisitedtheWidowMacDermotherself,andfromherIlearned,thatthebondbetweenthepair,lacksnothingtocompleteit,buttheholysacramentthatmayfastenthetieforever.”

“Anduntilthattiebefixed,itisnothing,”saidthelady.“Yetwhatsortofevidencewouldyoubringme,truly,ofthissameattachment?—Thatofanoldwoman,who,inherfolly,seeseverythingjustaccordingtothewayherwishesmayleadherfancy.IwillbelieveStewarthimselfbeforeadozensuchcrones,especiallywhereself-interest,andtheinterestofhergirl,mustsoevidentlyswayher.Letmebuttrymyinfluenceonhim,andthoushaltseehowsoonhewillforgetthispeasantmaid.Thoushaltsee”——

“Igrievetofindthatthouartsoresolvedtoblindthyself,niece!”interruptedSirPiers,veryseriously;“butitisalikemydutytoseethatyouneitherrunintohopelessmisery,nortrytoconvertthatmiseryintohappiness,byunjustlyandcruellyruiningthepeaceofanother.IshallagainvisittheWidow’scottage,thisveryafternoon.Ishallseeandconversewiththedaughterherself,afterwhichIshallholdplainerconversethanIhaveeveryetdonewithStewart.IfIfindthatyouhavejudgedcorrectly,andthatthereisnothingmoreinthismatterthanthatthemotherhathallowedherjudgmenttobewarpedbyherwishes,mybestendeavoursshallnotbewantingtoaccomplishthosedesireswhichthouhastsoclearlyexposedtome.ButItelltheehonestly,thatif,ontheotherhand,IfindthattheWidowhasjudgedandreportedtruly,Ishall,foryoursake,aswellasforthatofStewart,doallIcantopromotehisunionwithRosaMacDermot.”

“Say’stthouso,oldman?”mutteredtheLadyMarcellatoherself,afterherunclehadlefther;“thenmustIact—aye,andactquickly,andboldlytoo.”

Afteramoment’sthought,sheclappedherhandsforherpage,andsenthimdirectlytoentreatthatStewartwouldfavourherwithaprivateinterviewimmediately.Hecameathersummons;and,aftertheusualsalutationswereover,she,withafacethat,spiteofherdeterminedanddauntlesscharacter,absolutelyburned,fromtheverynatureofthecommunicationshehadresolvedtomake,entereduponitinalowyetsteadyandunbrokentone.

“Itakeitforgranted,Stewart,”saidshe,“thatthefewwordsIletfall,theotherday,whenwewerereturningfromourpursuitafterthecaitiffCatteranes,werenotthrownawayupononeofyourquickwit.Theywerenotutteredwithout

intention;andtheyhave,Itrust,provedtotheethatthyraremeritshavenotescapedmynotice,andthatItakenocommoninterestinthee.”

TheLadyMarcellapausedforananswer;andtheastonishedCharleyStewart,havingmumbledsomeconfusedandill-connectedexpressionsofgratitudeforhergoodopinion,shecontinuedinayetcalmerandmorecollectedtone.

“Ihavethussentforthee,honestlytoconfesstothee,thattheinterestItakeintheeisofanature,whichcouldnotpermitmetoseeunmoved,one,whoissomanifestlybornforbetterfortunes,ignorantlytomarthemfromtoohumbleanestimationofhisownmerits,and,withoutlookinghigher,blindlytotiehimselfdownfromallchanceofrising,byrashlybindinghimselftobasenessandpoverty.Ifeveradesireofturningtheissuesoffateintotheirpropercourse,mightbeanexcuseforawomanspeakingoutmoreopenlyandplainlythantyrantcustomhaspermittedhersextodo,certainIamitmightbereasonablyheldtobeinthepresentcase.But,wereitotherwise,thouhastalreadyseenenoughofmetoknow,thatIamnoordinarywoman;andI,whohavedaredmuch,woulddarethistoo—yea,andtentimesmore,tosecuremineownpeace,andthyhappiness.Reflect,then,onthewordsIutteredaswereturnedfromourexpedition.Know,thatFortunehathnotrefusedtoshineonthydeserts,forshenowofferstheethehandandfortuneofherwhoaddressesthee.”

“Lady!”exclaimedCharleyStewart,staggeringbackwithabsoluteamazement,andaltogetherunabletoanswercoherently,fromtheconfusionhewasthrowninto—“Ihavebeenfoolishlyreserved,lady.Ihavebeenstrangelyandgrievouslymisconceived.YetIthoughtIhadspokenplainlyenough.—I—I—Iamaltogetherunworthyofanyoneofthystation.Iamalreadypledgedtoanother.”

“Iwasnotaltogetherunpreparedforsomesuchconfession,”saidthelady,withaself-possession,arisingfromthecircumstance,thatshespoketruly.“Ihadheard,andIdidseeenoughtomakemeawarethatsomethinghadpassedbetweentheeandthesillygirlMacDermot.Butthesewerechildishties,enteredintowhenthoucouldsthavenoforeknowledgeofthineownfortunes;andtheymust,ofsternnecessity,yieldtothatexpediencywhichnowdemandsthineexaltation.”

“Lady,”repliedStewart,whobythistimebegantobesomewhatmoremasterofhisfaculties,“Ihavelearnedenoughtoknowthattrueexaltationcanneverbepurchasedbytreachery,perfidy,andcruelty.RosaMacDermotandIlovedone

anotherwhilstshewasyetachild,itistrue,butwehavelovedoneanothereversincewithagrowingaffection,whichhasproducedvowsofthemostsolemnnaturebetweenus.IlovehermorethanIdolifeitself;andnotforallthewealthorhonoursthatthisworldcouldbestow,wouldIceasetoloveher.”

“Sogreataconstancy,andsotrueaheart,provesbutthemorehowmuchthouwertbornforknighthood,”saidthelady,calmly.“Andperhaps,entangledasthouseemesttohavebeen,itmighthavebeenduetosuchhonourasmightbefitaknight,tohaveclungtoengagementssomade.Buttorendersuchacaseofsogreatselfdevotionrational,itwouldatleastberequisitethatitshouldbemutual.Hastthouproofthatitisreallyso?Hastthouneverhaddoubtsonthatscore?Nosuspicions?”

“ProofoftheloveofRosaMacDermot,lady?”exclaimedCharley,withastonishment.“DoubtsofRosa?Ishouldassoonaskforproofthattheblessedsungiveslight,orhavedoubtsthatthegloriousorbmightdropfromthefirmament.”

“Othermenbeforetheehavebeenashonestlyconfiding,andyethavebeendeceived,”saidthelady.“Thehumblesoilwherethouhastrootedthineaffections,isnotalwaysthatwhichproducesthemostvirtuousfruits.”

“Whatwouldstthouhint,lady?”demandedCharley,inadisturbedandagitatedtone.

“Igrievetotellthee,”repliedthelady.“Itpainsmetobecompelledtoundeceivethee,bywithdrawingtheefromthypleasingdreams,tolookboldlyontheafflictingtruth.YetImusttellthee,thatthyheroicconstancyhathnotbeenmetbyalikeunshakenreturnofit.”

“Say—what?—Holysaintsprotectme!”criedCharleyStewart,inagreatlyagitatedandexcitedmanner.“Whatwouldstthouinsinuatelady?Rosaunfaithful?—Oh!impossible!—Whereistheliarwhohaththusabusedthineearregardingherwhoispurityandtruthitself?Tellmehisname,thatImaymakemysworddrinkhisbaseblackheart’sblood!”

“Becalm,Stewart,”repliedthelady,withimperturbableplacidityofmanner.“Thouwiltgainnothingbyyieldingthyselfuptoblindrage.Itrustthouwiltsee

thatitisnoordinaryaffectioninmethatcanpromptmetothedisclosurethatIamnowabouttomaketothee.”

“Speakon,lady.Ohkeepmenotinsuspense!”criedCharleyStewart,wildlybreakinginonhermysteriouspause.

“Stewart,”saidthelady,solemnly,“thouwertpreparedtowithstandalltemptationthatmightbecalculatedtobreaktherashvowsofyouthfulignorance.Butsheforwhomyoumadethem—sheforwhosesakethouwouldsthavesohonourablymaintainedthemtothesacrificeofwealthandadvancement—she,Ifear,hashadlessresolutiontoresisttheirallurements.Benottoomuchastonishedorshocked,forImusttellthee,thatmineuncle,SirPiersGordon,isthefavouredloverofRosaMacDermot.”

“ThineuncleSirPiers,Lady?”criedCharley,petrifiedwithsurprise.“Impossible!itcannotbe!”

“Strangeasitmayseemtothee,andstrangeasitunquestionablyis,”repliedtheLadyMarcella,“itisinrealitybuttootruethatshefavourshisvisitsforherownpurposes.HehasalreadyfoundhiswaytotheWidow’scottagemorethanonce,andhehasevenventuredtohinttomyselfthathehasnotbeencoldlyreceived—andthen,Stewart——”

“Lady,”interruptedCharley,impatientlyandviolently,“IwouldnotbelieveevenSirPiershimselfifheweretotellmethis!——andyet,”addedhe,afterapause,duringwhichhestruckhisforeheadwiththepalmofhishand,andseemedtobeimmersedindeepthought,“andyet,hewasstrangelystruckwithherwhenfirsttheymet!—Butthetimeissoshort—soveryshortsincethen—she!—Rosa!Oh,Rosanevercouldhavebeenbrought,insoshortatime,toforgetthedaysofherchildhood,andheroftrepeatedvowstome!”

“Reflect,Stewart,”saidthelady,“thatmineuncleisalandedlaird,andabeltedknight,withspursathisheels!”

“What!”exclaimedCharleyStewart,inanintenseagonyofexcitedfeeling,andwithahalfchokedvoice,“landedlaird,saidstthou!abeltedknight,withspursathisheels!Canitbe?Oh!thataccursedprophecyofthatmostaccursedhag!Butartthousureofwhatthousayest,lady?Howcanstthousatisfyme?Byallthe

holysaintsImustbesatisfied!”

“Nay,”repliedMarcella,coolly,“IcansatisfytheenootherwisethanbysayingthatIhavehisownwordforit,and—”

“Hisownword!”criedCharley;“Oh,wicked,wicked,andmostdeceitfulman,thuswilfullytoundermineme!ThoughIwaslessopeninthypresence,lady,yetIsaidenoughtohimafterwards,tohaveenabledevenafoolandadotard,tohavereadmymeaning.”

“Soindeedhehinted,”repliedMarcella;“butthenhisapologyfortheinterpretationwhichhehathfounditconvenienttoputuponthywordsis,thathehasbeenencouragedbythegirlherself.Andashewaswithherbutyesterday,ifhehadnotspokentrulyastothis,hewouldhavehardlyhurriedbackagainthithersosoonashehasnowdone.”

“Back,didstthousay,Lady?”exclaimedStewart,growingblackwithrageandjealousy.“Back!—whither?—when?—how?—Oh,mybrainisburning!Back,didstthousay?”

“Yea,”repliedtheLadyMarcella,withperfectcalmness,“mineuncle,SirPiers,hathgonetovisitRosaMacDermotthisveryafternoon.Hepartedfrommeforthatpurposebutafewminutesbeforethoucamestinhither.Heisonhiswaythithernow.Go!—convincethyself!Butbeprudent.Actnotrashly.Forgetnotthataknight,suchasheis,hathanaturalbeliefinhimthatheisentitledtosomelittlelicense,wherethematterconcernsthoseonlyofsuchlowdegreeasthegirlRosaMacDermotcanboastof.”

CharleyStewartlistenedtothosewordsoftheLadyMarcellawithafixednessofeye,andofaspect,thatwasalmosttoofearfulforher,boldasshewas,tolookupon.Heseemedintentupondevouringeverysyllablesheuttered.Andyet,hisintentnessofgazewasmorelikethatofamaniac,thanofarationalman.Shehadnosoonerfinishedthanhegroundhisteeth,clenchedhishands,struckthembothwithviolenceuponhisbosom,andthenrushedfromthechamber,withoutgivingutterancetoaword.

“Ihavestunghimtothequick,”mutteredtheLadyMarcella,insoliloquy,afterhewasgone.“Andnow,”addedshe,bitterly,“myprudentunclehassome

chanceoflearning,tohiscost,thatitwerebettertofacetheleanandstarvinglioness,whenpreyingforfoodforherfamishedwhelps,thantostepbetweenawomanandherlove.Inevermeanttohavebroughtthisuponhim.Hehathbroughtitaltogetheruponhimself;andnowlethimlooktoit,thathisheritagebenotmine,somefewgoodyearsbeforehewouldhavehaditdescenduponme.Shouldtheplotchancetoworkso,mytriumphoverthisyouthwillbeeasyandcertain.”

Thehonestoldknight,SirPiersGordon,hadriddenquietlyoverthehill,attendedonlybytwoofhispeople,andhavingleftthemtotakechargeofhishorse,inthewood,atnogreatdistancefromtheWidow’scottage,hehadwalkedupthitheralone.Mrs.MacDermothadbeentoomuchgratifiedbyhisfriendlytalk,duringhisformervisittoher,nottohavemadeherdaughteracquaintedwithallthatpassed.Thoughhispresentcallwasunlookedfor,Rosawasalreadysofarpreparedtoexpectthathisvisitwasavisitofkindness,thatshereadilyobeyedtherequest,whichheconveyedtoherthroughhermother,tofavourhimwithherpresence.Hespoketoherwithallthekindnessofafather,and,inanswertohisinquiries,sheblushinglyunbosomedherselftohim,asifhehadstoodtoherinthatdegreeofrelationship.Shefelt,indeed,thathewasthepatronandthebenefactorofhimwhowasallinthisworldtoher,andshewas,fromthiscause,alreadypreparedtoloveandreverencehim.Hewasfullofbenevolentplansfortheaccomplishmentoftheirunion,andthefurtheranceoftheirhappiness,andhesatwithherontheturf-seatatthecottagedoor,expoundingthemtoher,withherhandaffectionatelyinhis,andwithhisfaceeagerlyturnedtowardsher,intheearnestnessofhisconversation,tillthesun,whichshedhispartingradianceuponthem,wasjustabouttosinkbehindtheoppositemountain.Eventhesoundofafuriouslygallopinghorse,whichcamethunderingtowardsthem,failedtoarousethemfromtheirinterestingtalk.Suddenlyitburstoutfromthewoodland,foamingandpantinguponthegreen,withinafewyardsofthespotwheretheyweresittingtogether,andaman,morelikeamaniacthanarationalbeing,threwhimselffromthesaddle.Hisnakedswordwasgleaminginhishand,erehisfeethadwelltouchedtheground.ItwasCharleyStewart.

“Traitor!”criedheinahoarsechokingvoice,“upanddefendthyvilelife!”

“Charley!Charley!”criedRosa,springingtowardshim,“harmnotahairofhishead!”

“What!perjuredgirl!”criedCharley,pushingherfromhimsorudely,astoextendheratsomedistancefromhim,nearlysenselessonthegreen;“wouldstthouwhettheveryedgeofmyswordagainsthim,bythybaseentreatiesforhim?Comeon,traitor!”

“Stewart,areyemad?”criedtheKnight;“listentoreason.”

“Cowardlytraitorthatthouart,Iwilllistentonothingfromthee,”criedCharleyStewart,gnashinghisteethandfoamingatthemouthwithfury.“Drawanddefendthyself;or,byHeaven,Iwillforthwithridtheeofthyviledastardlife!draw,Isay!”

“Nay,hemustbemad!”criedSirPiers.“YetImustdefendmylife,thoughitshouldbetotheperilofhis.”

ButSirPiers,whosoughtonlytoprotecthimselffromCharley’sfuriousassault,accidentallyfailedinhisveryfirstguard.Theweightofhisassailant’sblowbrokethroughit,andfallingupontheKnight’shead,whichhadthennothingonitbutabonnet,itstretchedhimmotionlessonthesward.CharleyStewartstoodforamomenttolookwithhorroruponhiswork—thebloodwasgushingforthfromthewound,anddyingthewhitehairofhimwhohadbeenhispatronandfriend.FromthatheturnedandgazedupontheprostratefigureofRosaMacDermot,whostilllayinakindofhalf-swoonfromtheeffectsofhisviolence.Hefeltasifhisburstingheartwouldhaveforceditswaythroughhisside.RousedfromhistrancebythescreamsoftheWidowMacDermot,heheardthegallopingofhorsesapproaching,and,rushingmechanicallyintothethickestpartofthewood,hemadehiswaytowardsthemountains,wherenightsoonovertookhim.Stillhecontinuedtowanderon,however,withoutfixedintentionordirection;anditwasonlyonfinding,atday-break,thathehadalreadyfledfartowardsthesouth,that,afterhavinggivenduewaytohisaffliction,heresolvedtotraveltowardsEdinburgh,toseekhisfather,where,aswehavealreadyseen,heultimatelyarrived,wearyandwoe-begone.

Thenextmorning,afterCharleyStewart’sappearanceinEdinburgh,hisfather,SirWalterStewart,arousedhimfromthedeepsleepintowhichhisfatigueofbodyhadthrownhim,andwhich,asitwasnearlythefirsthehadhadsincethesadeventswhichhaddrivenhimfromthenorth,eventheircruelinfluenceupon

hismindcouldnotdisturb.InreplytoSirWalter’sinquiries,hegavehimabriefstatementofhishistoryandhismisfortunes,andhiswoundedspiritwassoothedbythekindsympathywhichSirWaltermanifestedtowardshim.

“Charley,”saidhe,“thyfatehathbeenacruelone,truly;butthoumustbestirtheetoshakeoffthysorrows.Nothingbetter,asacureformelancholy,thanaction.Ihaveanempriseonhand,thatisfortheetheverymedicinethatthoulackest,andasitmayspeedilyendwiththeeinajourneytoFrance,astheesquireofaknightwhomitwilldotheemuchhonourtoserve,itis,ofallothers,theverybestchancethatcouldbefaltheeunderpresentcircumstances.Butthemorningwears,andwemustgotoworkwithoutfartherlossoftime.”

SirWalterStewarthavingdisguisedhimself,andhissonCharley,inbroadslouchedhatsandcloaks,theysalliedforthtogether.Attheheadoftheclose,theyfoundtwohackniesintheHighStreet,heldbyasinglegroom.Theyleapedintotheirsaddles,and,withoutanyinquiryorexplanationastowhithertheywerebound,theyrodeforthtogether,atagentlepace,fromthesouthernpartofthecity,asiftheyhadbeenbentmoreuponpleasurethanbusiness.TheyhadnotgonefartherinthatdirectionthanjustbeyondtheBurghLoch,apieceofwaterwhichthenoccupiedthatextentofflatlowgroundnowknownbythenameofTheMeadows,whenSirWalterturnedhishorse’sheadtothewestward,and,spurringforward,heandCharleygallopedtogetherthroughthewoodland,thegroves,andthethickets,whichpartiallycoveredtheBurghMuir,andgraduallysweepingroundatapointconsiderablytothewestwardoftheCastlerock,theythenpushedforwardatafuriouspaceinanortherlydirection,makingstraightforthatpartoftheshoreoftheFirthofForth,lyingimmediatelytothewestwardofthecitadelofLeith.Thatwhichisnowacontinuoustown,wasthenalmostawildernessofsandyhillocks,whichstretchedconsiderablyfartherintotheseathanthelandnowdoes,itswatershavingsincemuchencroachedonthatpartofthecoastduringthelapseofages.Takingupapositiononabareelevatedspot,SirWalterlookedwithanxiouseyestowardstheroad-stead.Therewerebutfewvesselsthere;butoneseemedtobeslowlycominguptoheranchorage,withafairbreezefromtheeast,butwithhersailssocurtailedasbetokenedcautioninthoseonboard.SirWalterseemedtoeyeherwithpeculiarinterestforsometime,andthenheaddressedaroughred-facedpilot,whowasstandingbelowonthebeach,besidehisboat,watchingthevesselstedfastly,asifhewishedtomakeoutwhatsortofcraftshemightbe.

“Isnotthataforeignbarque,friend?”demandedSirWalter.

“Aye,aye,sir,”repliedthepilot;“sheisafurrenner.IfI’mnotfarmista’enit’stheGarronofBurdy,CaptainDavyTrummel,withwineaboard.IthinkIkennherrig—andacleverrigitis,letmetellye.”

“Sheseemsagoodlysea-boat,wellfittedtoflyquicklyoversolongavoyage,”repliedSirWaltercarelessly.

“Thatsheis,I’llbeswornsir,”answeredthepilot.“Fewinthetradecanmatchher,Ipromiseye.ButwhatstrangemortalsthemFrenchMunseersareafterall:whytheyshouldcallavesselaGarron,thewhichistheswiftestbitofacraftmyeyesevercameacross,Ican’tnowisereasonablycomprehend,unlessitbeoutofamerespiritofcontradiction.ButImustcalloutthelads,andbeofftoher,forthere’sthesignalflyingforme.”

“Thoushalttakemeaboardwiththee,andhavesomethingforthyguerdon,”saidSirWalter.“IwouldtastethisFrenchman’swines,erethepalatesofthegoodBurghersbecomeacquaintedwiththem.”

“WillinglywillIdothypleasure,sir,”repliedtheman;and,runningtowardsasolitarycottagewhichstooduponabankhardby,hebeganshoutingout,“Jemmy!”and“Harry!”tilltwolads,whowerehissonsandassistants,appeared.

“Thoumusttarryherewiththehorses,tillIreturnfromonboard,Charles,”saidSirWalter.“ThisistheveryvesselIlookedfor—theGaronneofBordeaux,CaptainDeTremouille.Heisanoldfriendofmine,andIwouldfainhavesometalkwithhim.”

SirWalterwasspeedilyrowedonboardbythepilotandhistwosons.Thebarquetookupherproperground,underthedirectionswhichthehelmsmanreceivedfromtheexperiencedoldsailor.Theanchorwasletgo,andsheswungroundtohermoorings.CharleyStewartpassedaconsiderabletimeinwalkingthehorsesabouterehesawtheboatleavethebarque.Atlengthhebehelditpullingtowardstheshore,andSirWalteragainjoinedhim,bearingtwolargebundles,whichwerestowedawaybehindtheirsaddles,insuchamannerastobecoveredbytheircloaksastheyrode,andfollowingthesamecircuitousroute

whichtheyhadtakenintheirwayout,theyreturnedtothecity,andregainedtheKnight’slodgingswithoutobservation.

ANUNWELCOMEVISITOR.

CLIFFORD.—Stoponemoment,Serjeant.Seehowtherainhasmadeitswaythroughthechinksofthewindow,anddelugedthefloor.

SERJEANT.—Mercyonme,soithas,sir!Well,I’msureit’snowonder.Suchablastasthatwhichisrairdingwithout,woulddriveitthroughastonewall.

GRANT.—Callthegirlfromthekitchen,likeagoodman.

SERJEANT.—Here,lassie!—We’reliketobealldrownedatthisendofthehouse.Bringsomecloths,willye,anddish-clouts,anddryupthisdelugehere.

LASSIE.—Keepusa’,siccanasight!Butwe’renoonehairbetterintheotherendo’thehouse.

CLIFFORD.—Aye,that’sagoodgirl.Nowlaysomeoftheseclothsalongthewindowhere.Aye,thatwilldo.Ithinkthatoughttomakeuswater-tight.Now,heapsomemorewoodandpeatsonthefirebeforeyougo.Thankye—that’sglorious.Now,letthestormhowlasitlikes.

GRANT.—Dogoonwithyourstory,Serjeant.Youwereinterruptedinamostinterestingpartofit.

CLIFFORD.—“Blow,winds,andcrackyourcheeks!”—Ibegyourpardon,Sergeant;prayproceed.

AUTHOR.—Aye,praydoproceed.IamanxioustoknowwhatSirWalterStewart’splansare,andhowhesucceededincarryingthemintoeffect.Thispartofthehistoryiswellknown;buttheminuterdetailsarenowheretoldinanybookIamacquaintedwith,andIamcurioustohearthem.

SERJEANT—(takingalongdraughtfromhispunch-jug.)—Youshallbesatisfiedimmediately,sir.

THELEGENDOFCHARLEYSTEWARTTÀILLEAR-CRUBACHCONTINUED.

Soonafterhisreturnhome,fromhisvisittothebarqueGaronne,SirWalterStewartgotridofhisdisguise,putonacourtier’sattire,andhastenedtotheCastle,topayhisusualattendanceofceremonyontheKing.Thishemadeapointofneverneglecting,notwithstandingthemarkedcurtailmentwhichhisprivate,andmorefamiliarintercoursewithhisMajestyhadreceived.Whilstwithinthewallsofthefortress,hecontrived,quietlyandwithoutsuspicion,tomakehimselfmasterofthestateoftherosteroftheofficersoftheroyalguard.Tohisnosmallsatisfaction,hediscoveredthatthecaptainoftheguard,forthenextday,wastobeacertainindividualofthenameofStrang,whomheknewtobeaworthless,reckless,hard-drinking,gamingfellow.Hethenmadealltheobservationsthatcircumstancespermitted,and,pleasedwiththeinformationhehadacquired,hereturnedtohislodging,inorderfullytoacquaintCharleywithit,aswellaswiththewholeofhisplans,andwiththemannerinwhichheproposedtocarrythemintoexecution,soastomakehimperfectlycomprehendthepartwhichheintendedthatheshouldplayinthem.Tolullallaftersurmiseregardinghimself,asmuchaspossible,hethateveningappearedintheapartmentsofSirWilliamRogers,andborehisshareintheperformanceofthemusicthatwasgiventhere.HethenkepthisappointmentwiththeEarlofHuntly,inordertotellhimthatallwasprepared,and,afterahastyinterview,shortenedbytheirapprehensionsofbeingdetectedtogether,acircumstancewhichmighthavebeenruinoustotheirprojects,SirWalterretiredtohislodgingforthenight.

Somelittletimeafterguard-mounting,nextmorning,thebundleswhichtheyhadbroughtfromtheFrenchvesselwereopened,andtheKnight,andhisson,proceededtodisguisethemselves,byputtingontheattireofFrenchsailors,whichtheycontained;andsoperfectlydidSirWaltersucceedinthisoperation,

thathismostintimatefriendcouldnothaveknownhim.Wrappedupincloaks,theythentooktheirstandwithinthedarkthresholdofadeepdoorway,thatopenedfromtheobscureentranceoftheclosewhereSirWalterlodged.ThiswasapositionfromwhichtheycouldseeeveryonewhopassedupordowntheHighStreet,withoutachanceoftheirbeingthemselvesseen.

Theyhadnotstoodlongthere,untiltheirearscaughtthedistant,butunceasingjabberoftheFrenchtongue,cominguptheHighStreet.Itcamefromhalfa-dozenormorevoicesatonce,allbeingtalkersandnonelisteners.Thenoisegrewlouderandlouder,untilSirWalter,bystretchingouthisneckfromhislurking-place,espiedthecaptainorskipperoftheFrenchbarque,approachingwithsomeeightortenofhiscrew.Theycamewalkingalongclosetothehousesonhissideoftheway.Theycarriedtwosmallcasksofwine,eachofthemslungonapolebetweentwomen,whowerechangedfromtimetotimeastheyrequiredrelief,whilstanothermancarriedalittlerunletonhisshoulders.SirWaltergaveaparticularwhistle,andinamomentthewholepartyturnedinunderthecoveredentranceoftheclose,andlaiddowntheirburdensasiftorestthemselves.Inaninstant,SirWalterandCharleyStewartthrewofftheircloaks,andtransferredthemtotwooftheFrenchsailors,whoimmediatelyretiredintotheKnight’slodgings,whilstheandhissonsucceededtotheburdenstheyhadcarried.Havingeffectedthischange,SirWalterheldsomeprivatetalkwithCaptainDeTremouille,afterwhichthepartymovedonupthestreet,andsouptheCastle-Hill,untiltheycametothecastlegate.TheretheFrenchskipper,inbrokenEnglish,toldthesentinelthathewouldfainspeakawordtothecaptainoftheguard,forwhomhewasthebearerofasmallpresentofwine,andheandhiswholepartywerespeedilyadmitted.

“Idoavevonleetilpraisaintofvineforyou,sare,”saidtheskipper,boldlyaddressingthescarlet-visagedcaptainoftheguard.“Disleetilcaskforyourowntaste.—Derichestvineindevarld.”

“Thouartanespecialgoodfellow,sir,”repliedthecaptain,clumsilyreturningtheexquisitebowwhichtheFrenchmanhadmadehim,whilst,atthesametime,heeyedtherunlet,andimmediatelyconsignedittotheparticularcareofoneofhisownpeople.“Nothingcouldpossiblycomemoreopportunely,andIammostgratefulforthycourtesy.ItmustbeconfessedthatyouFrenchmenarethemostperfectgentlemenintheworld,andknowhowtodoathinggenteelly.”

“Ah,sare,datistoomoshcomplimentformeasvanFrainchman,”repliedtheskipper,withasmileandabowyetlowerthanhisformerone.“AnddecomplimentismorebettairedatshecomefromvansograitheroasdeCapitaineStrang!Admirasionfordefameofhim,didmakemeavedegraitdesiretohonnairemyselfwidpraisanthimviddisleetilgift,forvitchlibertyIdohopeheisnotoffend.”

“Offended,mydearfellow!”criedCaptainStrang;“thyrunletcomestomeaswelcomeastheveryflowersinMay!Buthowthepestdostthouchancetoknowmyname,SirSkipper?”

“Denameanddefameofdegrathero,isalvaiseknowbyallmenalloverdevarld,”repliedtheskipper,withanothermostobsequiousreverence.

“BySt.Andrew,butthisisacuriousmarvelthough,”saidthecaptain.“WhowouldhavethoughtthatmynamecouldhavebeenknowninFranceasahero!YetcertainitisthatIhavedonesomesmalldeedsinmytime,thattheseFrenchmooshiesmayhaveheardof.”

“Deeds,MonsieurleCapitaine!”criedDeTremouille,withfeignedastonishment;“Vondairesinbattaile!meeracailesindefeelde!vanAchilleofScotlande!ButalldatisnossingatallcomparetodefameofMonsieurleCapitaineforhisvonderfultastefordegoodvine!VendeydotalkofgoodvineinFrance,deydoalvaisesay—Aha!disisvinefitfordepallaitofvanEmpereur;botdis’ereismorebettaire,disisfitfordepallaitofdefamousScottishhero,deCapitaineStrang,datdoknowgoodvinemorebettairedananyodermanindevarld.”

“Byallthesaints,thatiswonderful!”saidthecaptain;“andyetthatIcanmoreeasilyunderstand.Yes,yes;fewpeoplecanmatchmethere.Andthen,tobesure,thesewine-dealersinFrancemustknowsomelittleofthosewhoarejudgesofthegoodstuff,andwho,moreover,likemyself,dosomuchtoencouragetheirtrade.Butharkye,Mr.Skipper!whatdoyewiththoseothertwocaskswhichthosefellowsofthinearecarrying?”

“Ahhah!datisvonpraisantpourdeDucd’Albanie,”repliedtheskipper.

“Ha!”criedthecaptainoftheguard,withacertainairofsuspicion;“theDukeof

Albany,saidstthou?HowcomestthoutohaveapresentfortheDukeofAlbany?”

“Ohyaes,sare!”repliedtheimperturbableskipper,withgreatapparentinnocence,“devineisvoncadeau,vatyoudocallpraisantfromdemarchandatBordeaux,viddeexpectationdatdesquisitetasteofhimmaymakemiLorDuctoavemorofhimpourdel’argent,andprevailondeRoyalKing,hisbroder,toavesometooalso.”

“Um—aye,”saidthecaptainoftheguard,withhesitation;“likelystoryenough—thoughtherebebutlittlechanceoftheKingdrinkingoughtoftheDuke’sproviding,whateverliquortheDukemaybyandbyedrinkofhisMajesty’sbrewing.But’twasnaturalenowinthemerchanttothinkso,Mooshie.AsfortheDuke,heisnobadcustomertohisownfist,whenheiswellsetwithajollybooncompanion,suchasmyselfforinstance.Sothoumayestaswellleavethytwin-casksinmycharge,friend;andIshallseethattheyareproperlydelivered.—Atleast,”addedhe,inanundervoice,aside,“Ishalltakecaremostconscientiouslytodelivertheminduetimeoftheircontents.”

“Tankyou—verymoshtankyou,sare,”repliedtheskipper.“MaisInottrobilyou.DemarchanddidordairemetoseedeminderoyalhandofdeDucheemself.IfInotdodat,Imosttakeheembackagain.Jean!François!ilfaut——”

“Um!—don’tbesohasty,man,”interruptedthecaptainoftheguard,bynomeanswillingtolosesightofthecasks,andhesitating,andcogitatingwithinhimself,thatifthewinewastakenback,hewouldloseallchanceoftastingit;whereas,ifitwasoncelodgedwiththeDuke,hehadafairprospectofbeinginvitedtoshareinit.“YouMooshiesareaspestilenthastyasabitoftouchpaper.ThoushaltdeliverthewinethyselftotheDuke.Here,Laurence—thekeysoftheDuke’sapartments!Now,Mooshie,dothouandthreeofthyfellowsquicklyshoulderthecasksandfollowme.”

Theskipperimmediatelytookuponeendofthepolethatswungoneofthecasks,andaddressingSirWalterStewartbythenameofJean,hecalledtohimroughly,inFrench,totakeuptheotherend.CharleyStewartandasailorhoistedupthesecondcask;andsotheyfollowedthecaptainoftheguarduptotheDuke’sapartments.

Whenthedoorswereopened,whichgaveaccesstotheroyalprisoner,theyfoundtheDukeofAlbanysittingatatableinconversationwithhischamberlain,hismanlyandsomewhatsterncountenancedeprivedofmuchofitswontedbloomandsunshine,fromtheconfinementtowhichhehadbeensubjected,andthemelancholyanticipationswhichpossessedhismind,thoughnothinghadasyetbeenabletooverpowerhisindomitableresolution.Itwasonlywhenhearosefromhischair,toascertainwhathisvisitorscameabout,thathispowerfulandwell-proportionedperson,andhisbroadchest,werefullyexhibited.

“Whatisallthis?”criedtheDuke,somewhatimpatiently.

“SopleaseyourHighness’Grace,thisFrenchMooshieskipperisthebearerofapresentofthatwhichhestatestobeverychoicewineofhiscountry’sgrowth,”saidCaptainStrang,withalowobeisance.

“Whocanhavethusrememberedmeinmymisfortunes?”demandedtheDuke.

“Nay,”repliedStrang,“Iquestionifeitherthegiverofthegift,orhethathathitincharge,knowoughtofthepositioninwhichyourRoyalHighnessisnowplaced.Butstandforth,SirMooshie,andtellthineowntale.”

“Ehbien,”criedtheskipper,advancing,andbowingthreeorfourtimestotheground;“Jele——”

“Hold!hold!Mooshie!”interruptedCaptainStrang;“noneofthineownoutlandishlanguage,dostthouhear?Thoucanstspeakourtonguewellenowforallpurposes,sokeeptothat,ifitsopleasethee.”

“Veryvell,MonsieurleCapitaineString,”repliedtheskipper,withashrug,andagrimace,thatshowedhisdisappointmentinbeingthuspreventedfromspeakingtotheDuke,inalanguagewhichwouldhaveveiledallhesaidfromtheapprehensionofthecaptainoftheguard—“Veryvell,MonsieurleCapitaine;IvillmakevanattentetomakeonderstanddebadEnglisofmetohisRoyalHighnessdeDucd’Albanie.—Iavebeensendviddistwocaskofvin,asvancadeaufromdemarchandBeauvilliersatBordeaux,tohisHighnessRoyaldeDucd’Albanie,viddeopedatdemagnifiqueflaveurofdevinemaypleaseheem,andprocurefordemarchandvanlargeordairefromhisHighnessRoyal,andfromhisroyalbroder,hisMajestydeKing.”

“IcanpromisenothingforhisMajesty,friend,”repliedtheDuke;“butformyself,IwouldhaveyethankMonsieurBeauvilliersfromme,andsaytohim,thatifthewinelikethmewell,Ishallsendhimanorder;thatistosay,iftherebeaughtoflikelihoodofmybeingalivetodrinkofitwhenitcomestohand.—Butwhatsortofwineisitthatthouhastbroughtme?”

“IndatcaskdereisshoisevineofGascony,”saidtheskipper,pointingtothatwhichCharleyStewarthadhelpedtobear;“bot,gootasitis,Iamforcetotinkdatdeodervine,indiscask,villgivemoreplaisirtosonAltesseRoyale.”

“Sir,”saidSirWalter,bringingforwardthecask,andspeakingtotheskipperinFrench,asifheweremerelyapplyingtohimfororders,butinatonesoloudanddistinctastoinsurethattheDukeshouldcatcheverywordthatfellfromhim—“donotshowsurpriseatwhatIsay,orrecogniseme,ifyoudiscoverme.—Weareallfriends.Thiscaskcontainsthemeansofescape,withinstructionshowyouaretoeffectit.Letnotthecaptainoftheguarddepartwithoutaninvitationtosupper;thecontentsofthiscaskwilltellyouwhy.”

“Sacrecochon!”criedtheskipper,withanangryair,andatthesametimebestowingasmartblowofarattanontheshouldersofSirWalter.“Sacrecochonquevousestes!”

“Whatdidthefellowsaytothee,friendskipper?”demandedthecaptainoftheguard;“andwhatdidstthousaytohim?”

“MineGot!MonsieurleCapitaineString,”repliedtheskipper,“discrewofmineissogreatidilvans,datdeyvearoutdepatienceofvanJobheemself.Inotbecometodisplaceardlyvanmoment,andbiforeIdechargemycargo,vendeymustvanttoleifmealone,andtogotorunalloverdecite,afterdedance,anddeScottispreeteelasses.BeGar,MonsieurJean,yousallvorkmorevorkpourdis,datIdotellyou,mongarçon.”

“Fearnothing,sir,”saidSirWalter,againinFrench,andhumblybowingtotheskipper,asifmakinganearnestandcontriteapologytohismaster;“actboldly;rememberthesouth-westernside—therethoushaltfindfriendsbeyondthewalls.”

“Aha,Coquin!”criedtheskipper;“maisvousavezjouévotreroleàmerveille

——”

“Whatsaidthefellow?andwhatwasthineanswertohim?”demandedthecaptainoftheguardagain.

“Parbleu,MonsieurleCapitaineString,Iavemakeheembongarçonatlast,”repliedtheskipper;“Idoavemakeheemcrypeccavée.”

“Wasthatall?”saidthecaptain,gruffly.“Thencomeaway,Mooshie,letusclearoutofthis.Thouandthyfellowshavebeenlongenoughhere.”

“Beforethougoest,Iwouldspeakwiththee,CaptainStrang,”saidtheDuke.“Iffameandmineownexperiencebelietheenot,thouartgreatinthyjudgmentofwines.Wiltthoulendmethycompanyto-nightatsupper,thatwemaytastethestuffwhichthisfellowhathbroughtme,oftherarequalityofwhichhemakessogreataboast?”

“YourRoyalHighness’sGracedoesmetoomuchhonour,”repliedStrang,withamostobsequiousbow.“Mytasteisbutapooranduncultivatedtaste;butIshallbeproudtoperfectitunderyourRoyalHighness’ssuperiorjudgmentandinstruction.”

“Thenletushavesupperatfour,goodcaptain,”saidtheDuke;“andasmychamberlainherewouldfaininvitethosethreepoorknaveswhoguardthedoor,towatchforoncewithinsideofit,andtopartakeofhistable,Iwouldhavetheeseethat,atmyexpense,enoughofthebestviandsbeprovidedforall.”

“YourHighnessistooconsiderate,”repliedStrang.“Yet,sinceyourroyalwillrunsso,itshallbeobeyedtotheletter.Thesuppershallbesuchasshallcontentyou.”Andthenretiring,andshuttingandlockingthedooruponhisprisoners,hedescendedtheoutersteps,mutteringtohimself,—“Thesuppermaywellbeagoodoneindeed,andthoumayestwelleatanddrinkthyfill;for,ifIbenotfarmistaken,itmaybethelastsupperthoumayesteat,andthelastwinethoumayestswallow.”

TheskipperandhispartynowlefttheCastle,withoutfartherquestion;andastheypassedbythemouthoftheclosewhereSirWalterStewartlived,ontheirwaydowntheHighStreet,theknightandhissonwerereplacedbythetwo

Frenchsailors,inthesameadroitmannerinwhichthechangehadbeenformerlyeffected;andtheygainedtheirlodgings,andgotridoftheirdisguise,withouthavingsubjectedthemselvestotheleastsuspicion,whilsttheskippercontinuedhiswayoutofthecity,withthesamenumberoffollowersashehadalwayshadwithhim.

NosoonerwastheDukeofAlbanyfreefromthechanceofinterruption,thanheandhischamberlainproceededtowrenchuptheendofthatcaskwhichSirWalterStewarthadsoingeniouslyandsoparticularlyindicated,astheimportantonetotheroyalcaptive.Theyfounditaltogetherdevoidofwine;but,totheirnosmalljoy,theyfoundwithinitalongcoilofrope,andalargerollofwax.Theirfirstcarewastoreplacetherope,andtoshutupthecaskagain,andthentorollitintothecorner,wheretheysetitonendimmediatelyinrearofthatwhichcontainedthewine.Theythenhastilyopenedtherollofwax,anddiscoveredthatitcontainedaletterfromSirWalter,explainingthewholeplanfortheirescape.Havingstudiedthisagainandagain,soasfullytopossessthemselvesofitscontents,theycommittedittotheamplefire-place,whereitwasimmediatelyconsumed,andthentheysatdowntogethertoresolveandarrangealltheminorpartsanddetailsoftheirplot.Whilsttheyweresoemployed,CaptainStrangwasunabletoresistthedevilthattemptedhimtotastehislittlerunlet.Itwasexcellentwine.Heboldly,andwithgreatdetermination,putinthespigotagain,andgallantlyretreatedfromit.Butagainandagainwashedrawntoitbyanattractionasstrongasthatwhichtheloadstoneexertsovertheneedle.Againandagainhedrewthespigot,andsippedmoderately.Hewouldhavedrankdeeply,hadnoteconomywhisperedhimthathehadbetterpreserveitforafutureopportunity,seeingthathehadtheprospectofthatnightdrinkingsolargelyatanother’sexpense.Butstillhesippedandsippedfromtimetotime,sothat,althoughfarfromdrunkwhenheappearedintheDukeofAlbany’sapartment—nay,Imaysay,farfrombeingevenwhatisusuallycalledhalfseasover—hehadsowhettedhisthirstastobereadytodrinkoceans;andthefoundationhehadlaidwasquiteenoughforasuperstructureofperfectintoxication.

AsthesupperwastobepartakenofbyhimandhispeopleattheDuke’sexpense,thecaptainoftheguardhadtakenespecialcaretoseethatitwasagoodone.HisRoyalHighnesssatatasmalltablenearthehugefire-place,withCaptainStranguponhislefthand.Theretheywerefirstservedbythechamberlain,andthethreemenoftheguard,withallthedelicaciestheychoseto

callfor;andlargebeakersofthenewwinebeingplacedbeforethem,thecaptaingavefullwaytohisBacchanalianinclinations.Byandbyetheybegantoplayatdiceandtables,whilstthechamberlainandhisthreeguestsweresupping.Thoughalreadynotalittleaffectedbythewinehehadswallowed,thecaptainpreservedenoughofhiscunningandknavishbrains,toenablehimtocheatmostvillainously.ThisdidnotescapetheDuke,buthetookcarenottoappeartoperceiveit—cursedhisillluck—andwentontolose,muchtothesatisfactionofhisopponent,whilsttheknavishStrangwassecretlycongratulatinghimselfuponhisownwonderfulstrengthofhead,whichhadsofarprevailedoverthecomparativeweaknessofhisroyaladversary.Meanwhilethechamberlainwasbusilyemployedinsupplyingthecaptain,aswellashisownpeculiarguests,withwine,inthegreatestabundance.Bydegrees,Strangbecamesomuchelevated,astolosemuchofthatobsequiousrespectwithwhichhehadatfirsttreatedhisroyalhost.

“Deliciouswine!”criedhe,smackinghislips,afteralongdraughtofit,whichlefthiscupempty.“BytheholyVirgin,deliciouswineindeed!But—aw—aw—itsgoodnessinflamesme—aw—aw—withafuriousdesiretotaste—aw—aw—totaste,Isay,thatothercasktheFrenchknavespokeof—aw—aw—that,Imean,whichstandsyonder,behind—aw—aw—behindthebarrelfromwhichwehave—aw—aw—beentasting;that,Imean—aw—aw—ofwhichtheFrenchMooshiespakesolargely.”

Thechamberlaindartedalookofagonyathismaster;buttheDukepreservedaperfectcomposure.

“Thoushalttasteitforthwith,SirCaptain,”saidtheDuke,giving,atthesametime,aprivatesignaltothechamberlain.“Go,usethywimble,andbringusaflaskofthatotherwine.”

Thechamberlain,understandinghismaster,wenttothebarrels,andconcealingthemasmuchashecouldbystoopingoverbothofthem,hefumbledwiththewimbleatthesecondcask;and,whilsthepretendedtofillthecanfromit,heslylydrewitscontentsfromthesamewhichhadbeenrunningallnight,andthenhepouredouttwosparklinggoblets,andsetthemdownonthetable.

“Well,SirCaptain,”saidtheDuke,afterStranghadtakenalongdraughtofthewine,“whatsayestthoutoit?Isitasgoodasthatwhichthouhastbeenallnight

drinking?”

“Thatwhichwehavebeendrinkingallnight—aw—aw—isbutashog’swashcomparedtoit,”criedthecaptain,hiseyesbeginningtogoggleinhishead,andemphaticallydashinghisemptycupdownonthetable.“No,no—aw—aw—mypalate—aw—aw—is—aw—tootruetobedeceivedthatway.This,lookye,isawineof—aw—aw—ofsuperiorgrowth,flavour,andbody,nottobematched—nottobe—aw—aw—matched,Itellye—nottobematched.”

“Itis,indeed,excellent,asthousayest,”repliedtheDuke—“absolutenectar!—Come,fillourgobletsagain.”

“BytheRood,butthisis—aw—aw—wineindeed!”criedthecaptainoftheguardagain,afteremptyinghisgobletforthesecondtime.“Itgrows—aw—aw—betterandbetter—aw—aw.”

“Ifeelitwhizzinginmyverybrain,”saidtheDuke.“Idoubtthatthouwilthavebutaneasyconquestofmenow,SirCaptain.Butcome,nevertheless,playaway,forIwillhavemyrevenge.”

“What,ho,SirChamberlain,”criedthecaptain,gettingmoreandmoreinebriated,andbecoming,atthesametime,stillmoreandmoreconvincedofhisownstrengthofbrainandsobriety,andhissuperiority,intheserespects,overtheDuke,exemplified,asitwas,byhisstillfarthergains.“Whatho!—aw—aw—morewine—morewineand—aw—aw—fromthesamecask,dostthouhear,SirChamberlain—aw—aw—fromtheself-samevirtuouscask.Whythefienddid’stthounotdrawfromthatcask—aw—aw—atfirst?Come,wine,Itellthee!—aw—aw—aw—pourusoutmoreofthatnectar;mythroat—aw—aw—isparched,and—aw—aw—themoreIdrink—aw—aw—themoreIwoulddrink.Wine!—aw—aw—wine,Isay,SirChamberlain!”

Thechamberlainsparednottofillandrefillhisgoblet,norwashelessassiduousinfillingthoseofthethreemenoftheguard,untilovercomebythesoporificeffectsoftheoceansofwinewhichtheypoureddown,combinedwiththosearisingfromtheoverwhelmingheatoftherousingfirethathadbeenpurposelykeptup,anirresistibledrowsinessfelluponthecaptainandhismen,andthey,oneafteranother,droppedintoadeepsleep.TheDuke,andhischamberlain,nowarmedthemselveswithknivesfromthetable,andself-preservationhaving

steeleduptheirmindstothisbloodyalternative,theysprangupontheirdefencelessvictims.Theworkofdeathwasspeedy;allweredespatchedinafewmoments.Thekeysweretakenfromthecaptain’sgirdle-belt.Thecorpseswerepiledoneovertheotherinthehugefire-place,andmorefuelwasheapeduponthem,inordertoconsumethem.Thecoilofropewassecured.Thedoorswereopenedwiththegreatestcaution,and,havingslippedsilentlydowntheouterstair,theystoleawaytoalonelycorneroftherampart,onthesouth-westernsideofthefortress,wheretheheightandprecipitousnatureoftherockhadbeensupposedtohaverenderedsentinelsunnecessary;andwhere,thoughthedescentmightbemoredangerousinitself,thanatmanyotherpointsinthevicinity,therewaslessriskoftheirbeingsurprisedandfrustratedintheirattempt.

AtthefootoftheCastlerock,underthatpartofthewallswhichIhavenowindicated,SirWalterStewart,andhissonCharles,hadbeenwaitingimpatientlyeversincetheday-lighthaddisappeared.Thenightwasstarry,buttherewaslittlemoon.Thattheymightthebetterobservethewalls,theyclimbedupthesteeprock,immediatelybelowthepointwheretheyknewthattheattemptwaslikelytobemade,tilltheycametotheperpendicularpartofthecliff,underthebaseofwhichtheysilentlylaydowntowatchtheevent.Afterlongandtediousexpectation,duringwhichtheywereoftendeceivedbytheirfancy,theyatlengthperceivedadarklookingobjectgettingoverthetopofthewalloftherampart,directlyabovethem.Theywatcheditwithintenseanxiety,asitbeganslowlytodescendonthem,till,asitnearedthem,theycoulddistinguishittobeahumanbeing,andthefigureslowlygrewupontheirsight.Theheadandshouldersofanothermanthrustoverthewallabove,seemedanxiouslytowatchthesuccessofhimwhowasloweringhimself.Foramomentthedescendingfigurerestedonthenarrowledgeoftherockatthefoundationofthewall,andthenitagainbegantocomedowngentlyovertheperpendicularfaceofthecliff,untilitwaswithinsometenorfifteenfeetofthem.Theirhopewasnowhigh,whenallatoncethefigureseemedtobearrestedinitsprogressdownward,andswungtoandfroforatime.

“Whatstopsyou?”demandedSirWalterStewart,inadistinctbutsubduedvoice.

“Ifthisbealltherope,itistooshort,”saidthepersonabovethem,inthesametone;“Ihavenothingnowforit,buttotakemychanceanddrop.”

“Fearnot!”saidSirWalter;“weshalltrytocatchtheeinourcloaks.Now!drop

boldly!”

“Nowthen!”saidthemanintheair.

ButalthoughtheunitedstrengthofSirWalterStewartandhissonenabledthemsotoreceivehim,astosavehimfromutterdestruction,theshockofhisfallwassogreat,astocrushbothofthemdown,anditwaswithdifficultythattheypreventedhimandthemselvesfromrollingdowntherockyslopebelowthem.

“Howfaresitwiththee?”demandedSirWalter.

“Butindifferentwell,”repliedtheother,unabletorise,andmanifestlyingreatpain.“IfearIhavebrokenmythigh-bone.”

“HolySaintAndrew,whatamisfortune!”exclaimedSirWalterStewart.

“Callitnotamisfortune,”saidtheattachedanddevotedchamberlain.“ItwasgoodthatItrieditbeforetheDuke,elsemightthisaccidenthavehappenedtohim,andthatindeedwouldhavebeenamisfortune.”

“Whathathhappened?”demandedafaintvoice,thatcamefromtheDuke,whoseheadandshouldersstillappearedoverthewallabove.

“Asmallaccident,butnotafatalone,”repliedthechamberlain.“Iamdown;butbeware,mygraciousmaster,theropeistooshort.”

“Howmuchmayitwant?”demandedtheDuke.

“Aboutfourorfiveells,orso;”repliedSirWalter.

“TarrytillIreturnthen,”saidtheDukeagain.“But,hush!Imusthide.Herecometherounds.”

Thetrampoffeet,andtheclinkofarms,nowcamefaintlyontheirears,astheylay,drawninasmuchaspossible,undertherock.Voices,too,wereheard,butatsuchadistanceabovethem,thattheycouldnottellwhethertheyutteredsoundsofjocularity,orofstrifeandcontention.Atlasttheypassedaway—butwhethertheroyaldukehadbeendetectedornot,theyhadnomeansofknowing.Averyconsiderabletimeelapsed,duringwhichtheireyeswerefixedintently,andmost

anxiously,onthatpartofthetopofthewallwhencetheheadoftheroyalcaptivehadlastbeenseentodisappear.Thepainofthechamberlain’sfracturedlimbwasexcruciating,yettohimitwasasnothing,comparedtotheagonyofthatsuspensewhichwassufferedbythewholethreewhowaitedfortheresult.Atlength,totheirinexpressiblerelief,theybeheldtheDuke’sfiguregettingoverthewallabovethem,—anddownhecame,slowlyandgradually,tillhistoestouchedtherockygroundonwhichtheystood.Warm,thoughnotloud,werethecongratulationshereceived,andheartfeltwerethethankswhichhepouredoutuponhispreservers—anddeepwasthegriefwhichheutteredforthepainfulaccidentwhichhadbefallenhisfaithfulservant.TheylearnedfromhisHighness,thateretheroundshadapproachednearenoughtoobservehim,hehadlaidhimselfdownatlengthontheground,withinthedeepshadowthatprevailedunderthewall;thattheyhadpassedwithinafewyardsofhim,talkingandjokingwitheachother,andmostfortunatelywithoutobservinghim.Theywerenosoonerfairlygonetotheotherpartsofthewalls,thanhehadstolenbacktohisprison,cuthisblanketsintoropes,andbythismeanssuppliedwhatwaswantingofthelengthofthatwhichhadbeenfurnishedtohim.

Altogetherunmindfulofhisownsafety,theDukeofAlbany’sfirstdesirewastoprovideforthepropercareofhismaimedchamberlain.Itwaswithnosmalldifficultythattheygothimconveyeddownthecraggyslope,andwhentheyreachedthevalleybelow,theyhalted,andheldaconsultationastowhatwasbesttobedonewithhim.Thechamberlainhimselfproposedthattheyshouldcarryhimtothehouseofafriendofhisown,nearathand,whereheknewhewouldbeconcealed,andwellcaredfor,andwherehethoughthecouldremaininsafetyuntilhisbrokenlimbshouldbesoeffectuallycuredastoenablehimtomakehisescape.

“Iwillcarrytheethithermyself,”saidtheDukeofAlbany.“Icanbynomeansfleehence,untilIamassuredofthesafetyofaservant,whohatheverbeensodevotedlyfaithfultome,andwhoisnow,bytheperversityofmyfate,tobesopainfullyseparatedfromme,whenImostneedhisfriendship.”

“Nay,IdoentreatyourRoyalHighnesstofleewithoutamoment’sdelay,”saidSirWalterStewart;“everymomentisprecioustoyou.Leavehimtome,and,trustme,Iwilltakeeverycareofhim.”

“Nay,Icannotconsenttothat,”saidtheDuke.“Thoumustnotbeseennor

suspectedtohavehadaughttodointhismatter.Thouhastalreadyperiledthyselfenough.Thehousehespeaksofisbutalittlefartheralongthishollowway,Iwillcarryhimthithermyself.”

SirWalteryieldedtoreason.TheyassistedtheDuketocarrythechamberlaintoaconvenientlyshortdistancefromthehouseinquestion,thesuffererwasthenhoistedonhisroyalmaster’sback,whospeedilyborehimsafelyintohisplaceofconcealment.

“Now,”saidSirWaltertotheDuke,whenhehadagainjoinedthem,alittlewayonbeyondthehouse,“yourRoyalHighnessmustflywithallhastetothesea-side.Thisyoungman,whoisasonofmine,willguideyoutothespotwhereyouwillfindaboat,whichisreadywaitingtoconveyyoutothevesselthatispreparedtocarryyoutoFrance.Hemustsupplythelossofyourfaithfulchamberlain.Takehimwithyou,mylord,andlethimreturntomewhenitmaysuityourconveniencetopartwithhim.”

“Heshallbemineespecialesquire,”saidtheDuke.—“WouldIhadastationtoputhiminto,worthierofsonofthine,andofoneofhisownapparentmerits.”

“YourRoyalHighnessistookind,”saidSirWalter.“Yetistheladnodisgracetome,asItrustthatyoumayfindthathewillprovenonetoyou.MaySaintAndrewgiveyousafetyandaprosperousbreeze!—Andhere,Charley,takethisringasapledgeofafather’saffection,andletthesightofitbeevertotheeasamonitortomaketheedothydutylikeaman.”

Theirpartingwasnowwarm,butbrief.TheDukeandhisnewattendantreachedthesea-sideinsafety.SirWalter,whohadhastenedaroundtheshoresoftheNorthLoch,andclimbedtheCaltonHill,waitedimpatientlyuponitssummittillthefirstdawnofday-break.ThenitwasthatherejoicedtodescrythewhitesailoftheFrenchbarque,swolnbyamerryandfavourablebreeze,pressinggallantlydowntheFirth,andhecontinuedtowatchit,untilitwaslostamidsttheruddyhazeofthesunrise.Hethenwalkedslowlydowntheeasternslopeofthehill,towardsHolyrood,and,makingawidecircuit,hepassedbetweenArthurSeatandSalisburyCraigs,throughthehollowwoodedvalley,which,thoughnowdevoidoftrees,isstillwellknownbythenameoftheHunter’sBog,andthen,turninghisstepstowardsthesoutherngatesofthecity,hemuffledhimselfwellupinhiscloak,andenteredit,unnoticed,amidthecrowdsofmarketpeoplewho

werepassinginwardsatthePortoftheKirkofField;andsohegainedhislodgingwithoutobservation.Therehesoonafterwardsheardoftheastonishment,mortification,anddismay,whichhadpossessedtheKingonlearningthisstrangeevent,whichhecouldnotbringhimselftobelieveuntilhewenttosee,withhisowneyes,thehalf-consumedcorpsesofthecaptainoftheguardandhismen,andtheropewhichstillhungdanglingoverthewallofthecastle.

SirWalterStewartseemedtoremainaltogetherunsuspectedofanyshareintheescapeoftheDukeofAlbany,thougheveryonewasagreedinbelievingthathisRoyalHighnessmusthavebeenaidedfromwithoutthewalls.Butwhetheritwasthatidealsuspicionthatconscienceofitselfbegets,orwhethertherereallyweresomegroundsforit,theKnightcouldnothelpfeelingpersuadedthattheKinglookedcolderthaneveruponhim.Hefailednot,however,onthataccount,topayhisdutiesatcourtmostunremittingly,though,frequentaswerehisvisitsthere,theywerecomparativelysmallinnumbertothosewhichhepaidtothehouseofSirWilliamRogers,wherehenowworshipped,moreferventlythanever,attheshrineofthatenchantress,thefairJulietManvers.Henowfoundhimselfsoirretrievablythecaptiveofhercharms,thathehadforsometimeceasedtostruggleinhernet,anditwasnotlongaftertheescapeofAlbany,thathesoughtanaudienceofKingJames,thathemighthumblycommunicatehiscontemplatednuptialstohim,andcravehisroyalleavefortheirconsummation,aswellasforhisretirementforatimefromcourt,thathemightcarryhisladytovisithisownterritoriesinStradawn,ofwhichhewastomakeherthemistress.Fromallthathadlatelypassed,hewasnotmuchsurprisedthattheKingreceivedhiscommunicationwithapparentsatisfaction,buthewasverymuchastonishedtofind,thatitprocuredforhimthesuddenandunexpectedrestorationofallthatfamiliarcordialityofmanner,whichhehadformerly,forsolongaperiod,beenintheconstanthabitofreceivingfromhisMajesty.

“What!—marry!”criedtheKing.“Andisthisreallyso?—andalongattachmentsaidstthou?”

“Anattachmentthathasgrownsincefirstwemet,sopleaseyourgraciousMajesty,”repliedSirWalter.

“Strange!”saidtheKing,asifponderingwithinhimself—“strangethatallthisshouldhaveescapedme.Andyet,nowIthinkon’t,Imighthaveseenit.—We

havedonetheebutscrimpjustice,SirWalterStewart,butnow,beassured,thatwewishtheejoywithallourheart.Thouhastindeedchosenalovelybride.We—yea,andourQueentoo—shallhonourtheweddingwithourpresence;andthyfairandaccomplishedladyshallnotlacksuchroyalgifts,asmaybefitustobestow,andthywifetoreceive.—Trustme,thatthiswisestepofthinehathmuchrelieved—nay,wewouldsaythatithathgivenusunfeignedjoy.”

ThusreassuredoftheKing’sfavour,thoughfromwhatcausehecouldnotbyanymeansdivine,SirWalterStewartwashappy.Hismarriagetookplacewithgreatpompofcircumstances,inpresenceofKingJamesandhisQueen.Somemonthspassedquicklyandpleasantlyawayovertheheadsofthenewly-marriedcouple,whowereespeciallydetainedatcourt,fromoneweektoanother,bytheroyalmandate,—andIneednottellyou,thattheladybaskedwithpeculiardelightunderthesunshinysmilesthatfelluponherfromtheroyalpair.Cochranwastheonlyoneaboutcourtwhohadreasontobedissatisfiedwiththematch,seeingthathehadhimselfshewnpretensionstoJulietManvers,andhadbeeninnolittledegreeencouragedbyher.Butwhetherrealorfeigned,hemanifestedanespecialcordialitytowardsSirWalter,andheavailedhimselfofeverypossibleopportunityoffrequentinghissociety,andthatofhislady.Tothelady,indeed,hewasatalltimesmostparticularlyattentive,somuchso,infact,thatSirWalterhardlyrelishedhisuncalledforcomplaisance.Moreover,hethoughthebegantodetectacertainrelaxationofthatearnestdesiretopleasehim,which,forherownpurposes,Juliethadsolongdisplayedtowardshimbeforetheirunion.Shehadnowlessoccasionfordissimulation,sinceherobjectwasgained,andsoithappened,thatonmoreoccasionsthanone,whenimpelledbythehumourofthemomentbeyondthefullrestraintofherdissimulativepowers,shehadunveiledenoughofherrealcharactertomakehimdoubt,whetherheracceptanceofhimasherhusbandhadbeenaltogethertheresultofadisinterestedaffectionforhim.Theseedsofunhappinesswerethusthicklysownwithinhisbreast,andtheybegantovegetatesofast,thatheatlengthcametothesuddenresolutionofcarryingoffhiswifetohiscastleofDrummin.

“Ifthouartresolvedtoquitourcourtforaseason,”saidKingJames,whenSirWaltermadehisintentionsknowntohisMajesty,“thouhastourroyalpermission,mostunwillinglygrantedtothee,sotodo.Butsay,whatsortofhabitationhastthouinthenorth?”

“’Tisbutarudedwelling,sopleaseyourMajesty,”repliedSirWalter;“and

somewhattheworseperhapsforthewarfarewhichhathbeenwagedagainstitbytimeandweather.”

“ThenshaltthoutakeCochran,ourarchitect,thitherwiththee,toplanandtoorderitsamendment,”repliedtheKing.—“’Twasbuttheotherdayweweretalkingofthyconcernstogether,whenhevoluntarilyofferedtoyieldtheehisbestservices.”

“’Twaskindofhim,”saidSirWalter,bitinghislips,“butIcaninnowisethinkofsotroublinghim.—Indeed,forthepresent,Icannotwellbrooktheexpenseofbuilding,andImuste’enremainasIamforatime.”

“Thatshallbenohindrancetothee,Stewart,”saidtheKing.“Thestreamofourroyalbountyhathbeenuntowardlydivertedfromtheeforatime;itbehoovesusnowtorefreshthyparchedroots,sothatthoumayestagainraisethydroopinghead.Themeansshallbefoundfromourroyaltreasuryforthybuilding,andCochranshallgowiththeetoDrummin—soletusthinknomoreofthismatter,seeingIhavesosettledit.”

WillinglywouldSirWalterStewarthavedispensedwiththismostprominentmarkofroyalfavour,butitwasnowimpossibletodeclineit.CochranreceivedhisMajesty’scommand,toholdhimselfinreadinesstoaccompanySirWalterStewartandhisladytoStradawn,withsecretdelight,thoughheappearedtodosowiththatservilesubmissionmerely,withwhichhealwaysbowedtotheroyalwill,andforwhichhemadehimselfampleamendsbythearrogancewithwhichhedomineeredoverothers.ToSirWalterStewarthetookespecialcaretobealwayssmiling,pleasant,andaccommodating;andalthoughhecomplained,uponthisoccasion,thatthisnorthernjourneywasasevereobstructiontotheprosecutionofthosearchitecturalplansonwhichhepretendedtoresthisfame,hewentdowntoDrumminwiththeintentionofspinningouthisvisittoasgreatalengthashecoulddecentlymakeitextend.

SirWalterStewart,forhispart,hadnosoonerfairlysethisfootonhisownthreshold,thanathousandrecollectionsconnectedwiththetowerofDrummin,anditsneighbouringscenery,crowdeduponhismind.Thisreturntotheabodeofhisearlydays,recalledtheremembranceofhisyoungaffections,andthecontrastwhichthusarose,inspiteofhim,betweenthosewhichhefeltpersuadedwerebestowedonacreaturewhowasinnocent,natural,andtrue,andthose

whichthesacramentoftheholychurchnowdemandedofhim,asduetoherwhomhehadsomuchreasontofearmightturnouttobeartful,artificial,andfalse,awakenedcertainunpleasantqualmswithinhim,thathehadfailedtomakethatreparationtoAliceAsher,whichheoncehaditinhispowertohavemade;andthatnow,bysomestrangewitcheryandinfatuation,hehadbeenledtoshutthedooragainstthat,andhisownpeaceofmind,byonerashandirrevocableact.Adirefuldreadnowfelluponhim,thathewasabouttobeseverelypunishedforhisneglectofone,whoseonlysinmight,withmorejustice,havebeensaidtohavebeenhis—asitwasincurredforhim,andwhosedevotiontohim,andwhosewholeconductsinceherfirstandonlyerror,hadsowellmeritedadifferenttreatmentathishands.Hecouldnottrusthismindtothinkhowmuchhappierhemighthavenowbeenwithher.NordidtheimageofhisgallantCharleyfailtohaunthisimagination,andtofillhimwithself-reproaches.Nowitwasthathissoulwincedunderthewholesome,thoughsharpstingsofconscience,andthefairvisionsofambition,whichhadsocontinuallyflittedthroughhisbrain,losttheirsunshine,anddisappearedforatime,amidthedullanddampmistsofself-dissatisfactionthatsettleddownuponit.Hefeltthatthoughthetrialmustnecessarilybeapainfulone,itmightprobablybeproductiveofacertaindegreeofafter-relieftohim,ifhecouldprocureaninterviewwithAliceAsher.Avowexistedbetweenthem—avowthatshehadextractedfromhim,immediatelyprevioustothebirthofCharleyStewart,thattheyshouldneveragainmeet,exceptintheeventofanapproachtoheronthepartofSirWalter,forthepurposeofofferingherhishandinmarriage.That,alas,wasareasonwhichhecouldnoturgenow!But,onthegroundofhavingtospeaktoheronthesubjectofherson,hesentforthegoodpriestwhowasherconfessor,andprocuredfromhimadispensationfromtheirmutualvow,sofarastoadmitofoneshortmeetingbetweenthem.Ittookplace;and,asyoumayeasilyimagine,theirconferencewasofthetenderest,thoughpurestdescription.Ithadmoreinitoftearsthanofsmiles.Reproacheswerethere,itistrue;buttheycamenotfromthemeek,penitent,andforgivingAliceAsher;theywerenumerouslyandlargelyheapedbySirWalterStewartonhisowndevotedhead.ThepartingwasascenewhichIcouldnotventuretodescribe;andfarlesscouldIconveytoyoutheslightestnotionofthataccumulationofanguishwhichchokeduptheheartofSirWalter,afterhavinghadthisopportunityofmoretrulyandperfectlyknowingthefullvalueofthatgentleanddevotedspirit,theinnocentconfidenceofwhoseyouthhehadsoabused,andwhomhehadsorecklesslyexcludedfromhisbosom,inordertotakehomethitherthatcoldand

selfishheartwhichnowlegallypossessedit.Fullofsuchagonizingthoughtsasthese,hehadasyetgotbutashortwayonhisreturnfromthedwellingofAlice,whenhismusingwalkwassuddenlybrokeninuponbyCochran,whocameunexpectedlyoutuponhimfromaside-paththatemergedfromthewood,intothatalongwhichhewasthengoing.

“Thatcottage,soprettilyperchedupyonderamongthewood,onthebrowofthehillyouhavethismomentdescended,belongsdoubtlesstosomefavouriteforesterofthine,SirWalter,”saidCochran;“marry,thefellowislodgedinapalace,comparedtothosedens,scarcelyfitforswine,inwhichtherudeandsavageinhabitantsofthisnorthernwildernessareseentoburrowthemselves,likeurchins,andwhicharehardlytobedistinguishedfromthesterileandheath-coveredsoilonwhichtheystand.”

“Itisaneatcottage,”repliedSirWalterhastily;and,immediatelychangingthesubject,hewentontalkingrapidly,andatrandom,untilhegotridofCochran,ontheirarrivalatDrummin;and,fromtheverydreadofallfartherimpertinentquestioning,hethrewhimselfuponahorse,androdeawayupthevalley,underthepretenceofsomeurgentbusiness,andwiththevainhopeofshakingoffhisgriefs.

“Now,”saidCochran,ashefreelyenteredtheLadyStradawn’sprivateapartment;“Now,Icantellthee,thatmysuspicionsarethisverydayverified.Nowthoumaysthavenogrudgethatthouhastatlastrestoredtomesomeofthatlove,whichwasmineofright,andwhichshouldhavealwaysbeenmine,hadnotthescrannelpipeofthisSirWaltersounfairlywhistleditfromme.”

“Whatwouldstthouinsinuate?”demandedthelady,insomedegreeofsurprise.

“Iwouldonlydelicatelyhint,thatthyhusbandSirWalterismoreintunewithanother,thanwiththee,”repliedCochran,withacoarselaugh.“Ihavetoldtheesobefore,andnowIhaveproofofthetruthofwhatItoldthee.”

“Proof,saidstthou?”criedtheladykeenly.“Whatproof,Ipraythee?”

“DidInottelltheeIhadfoundhimout?”saidCochran.“DidInottelltheethathevisitsthecottagethatstandsonthebrowofthewoodedhillyonder?IhavethisdayprovedthatIwasright,forIdoggedhisstepsthither,sawhimenterit,

andwatchedhimpatiently,fortwogoodhours,tillheagainissuedforth.Nay,Iknowmore.Iknowthatshewhoinhabitsitisanancientsweetheartofhis;butthoughanancientlover,sheisyoung,—aye!andmoreoversheisbeautiful;forasIhoveredabouttheplacesometwoorthreedaysago,Ichancedtogetsuchaglimpseofher,assatisfiedmeofallthat.”

“Basevillain!”criedthelady,inarage;“Iwillberevengedofhim,andofhertoo.—But,”addedshe,againassumingthecommandofherfeelings,“Ishalltakemineowntime.”

“Thoucanstnotbetoospeedywiththyvengeanceasregardsthyhusband,ifthouwouldsthavemetohelpthee,”saidCochran,withavulgarleer—“for,harkye!—asecretinthineear—Imustgoto-morrow—mytimehathbeenlongenoughuselesslywastedhere,—thankstothineobduracy;andthenthisbuildingissofaradvancedtowardscompletion,ashardlylongertorequiremymastereye,sothatlittleapologynowremainsformeforlongerstay.NordoInowwillitmuch,seeingthatitisofnoneeffect;soIshalle’enhastenbacktothecourt,tolookafterthisearldomofMar,whichtheKinghathbeentalkingofbestowinguponme,asasuccessor,muchmoreworthyofit,thanhistraitorousbrotherwhoheldit.’Tiswellformetobeonthespot;yetcouldstthoubutthinkofgivingmebackthatlove,ofwhichthisfalseSirWaltersowickedlyrobbedme,Imightstillcontrivetostayawhiletohelptheetothyrevenge.”

“Myvengeancemustbedeeplysatiatedereanysuchpassionaslovecanfindroominthisheartofmine,”saidthelady,witheyesthatdartedlightnings.“Atthismomentitisoverchargedwithhate,whichnothingcandiminishtillitispouredoutinonevastfloodofvengeanceonthosewhohaveproducedit.Gothen,mygoodlord,fortothattitlethyfortunedothnowmostsecurelylead;go—andpushitboldlyontothepinnacleofthatglorytowhichitsoclearlypoints.Whenwemeetagain,wemayhavebetterwill,aswellasbetterleisure,tounfoldourmutualthoughtsandwishes.Meanwhile,believethatmineareeverforthywelfare,andforthathonourableadvancementtothee,towhichtheeleganceofthyperson,aswellasthysuperiorityinmindandmanners,dothsowellandamplyentitlethee.”

“Thanks,lady!thydiscernmentisgreatandpenetrating!”criedCochran,whosevanitywassoblownupbyherextravagantpraisesofhim,that,ereshewist,he,bywayofanactofgallantry,andinamannerquitesuitedtothevulgarityofhis

character,threwhisgreatcoarsearmsaroundherdelicateneck,andsnatchedarudeembrace.Butthoughitbroughtthecolourindignantlyintoherface,shehadtoomuchcunningtoresentit.

WhenSirWalterStewartreturnedhomethatevening,Cochrantoldhimthathecouldbehisguestnolonger,seeingthathehadreceivedcertaincommunicationsfromhisMajesty,whichdemandedhisimmediatedeparturefromDrumminforthecourt.SirWalterwasbynomeansmuchafflictedatthisintelligence.Heexertedhimself,however,todoCochranallmannerofhospitality,andtoshewhimeverykindness,andeverymarkofrespectinhispower,erehewent.Hearoseearlynextmorning,therefore,toperformthelastdutiesofahosttoapartingguest,and,afterCochranandhisescortweremounted,hewalkedbythesideofthearchitect’shorse,talkingwithhimbywayofcivilconvoy,formorethanamileoftheroad,asinthosedaysitwastheusualcustomofallhoststodo.AstheyweregoingupalittlehillaboveDrummin,calledtheCalton,theyespiedahawkperchedupontheverytopofatalltree.SirWalterhadabirdingpieceinhishand,withwhichhehadbeenforsometimewonttopractise.

“Thereisafinefairshotfortheetotrythynew-fangledweaponagainst,SirWalter,”saidCochran,pointingtothehawk;“Iwagertheefivegoldpiecesthatthoucanstnotbringhimdown.”

“Thedistanceisgreat,”saidSirWalter,pointinghispieceatthebird;“butIacceptyourwager.”

“Heissafe,”saidCochran.

“No!”criedSirWalterexultingly,afterdischarginghispiece,thebulletfromwhichbroughtthebirdflutteringtotheground.“He’sgone,an’hewereaking!”

“Agoodshot,truly!”saidCochran,treasuringupSirWalter’scarelessexpressionforhisownfutureuseandpurpose.“Marry,butthatisadangerouspieceofthine,SirKnight.Takegoodcarehowyouhandleit,elsemayitperchancedotheeamischief.ButIwillkeeptheenolongertrudgingthusbymyhorse’sside;soagainIbidtheecommendmetothylady.”Andsosaying,herodeawaymoreabruptlythanmighthaveverywellbeseemedanymanofbetterbreeding.

CochranfinishedhisjourneytoStirling,wheretheKingthenwas,andimmediatelypresentedhimselfatcourt.HewasgratifiedbythereceptionhemetwithfromJames,whomanifestednolittlejoyatthereturnofhiscreature.Butallmankindaremisers,whentakingaccountofthefavoursofthegreat,onwhomtheydepend.Unmindfulofthelargeonestheyreceivethemselves,theylookonlywithenviouseyesonthose,howeversmall,thatmaybebestoweduponothers.ThusitwaswiththeunrighteousHaman,andthusitwaswithCochran;for,allthekindnesswhichtheKingshowedtohim,inthishisfirstinterview,becameasnothing,whenweighedagainsttheeagernesswhichhisMajestymanifestedinhisinquiriesafterSirWalterStewart.ThesewereasgallandverjuicetoCochran.InvaindidhetrytomaketriflingandobliqueinsinuationsagainsttheKnightofStradawn,hisroyalmasterwasinnohumourtolistentothematthetime,andtheywereeachoftheminsuccessionlosttohisear,intheeagernesswithwhichheputhisnextquestion.JamesputquestionafterquestionastoalltheparticularsofhisoccupationatDrummin,aswellasregardingtheprogressofthework,anditwasonlywhenhehadcomedowntothedayofhisdeparture,thattheinsidiousfavouritecontrivedtocatchtheroyalattention,byrelatingthestoryofthebirding-piece.

“SirWalterStewartisundoubtedlyaprettygentleman,andofveryvariousaccomplishment,”saidCochran,“Aye,andfewknowhisqualificationsbetterthanhedoeshimself.”

“Heknowsnothisownaccomplishmentsbetterthanwedo,”repliedtheKing,inratheradissatisfiedtone.

“Pardonme,”repliedCochran,obsequiously,“Ineverventuredtosaythathewasvainofthem.ButyourMajesty’sperceptionandjudgmentareunrivalled.YetmuchasyouhaveseenandobservedofSirWalterStewart,Imayventuretoquestion,whetheryouhavechancedtowitnessaughtofhisgreatskillandmarvellousaccuracyofeyeinshootingwithabirding-piece?”

“Abirding-piece!”exclaimedtheKing,“weknewnotthatheeverusedanysuchnew-fashionedtool.”

“Hehathnotusedittilloflate,”saidCochran;“butitwouldseemthathehathlostnotimeinperfectinghimselfintheuseofit,nowthathehathtakenitinhand.YourMajestywouldbesurprisedtobeholdhowexpertlyhecanemployit.

ThelastshotIsawhimmakewithitwasjustaswewereabouttopart,anditastonishedmeandallthosewhowereinmycompany.”

“Weshallourselvesseehimusethisstrangeweapon,theveryfirstvisithemaymaketocourt,”saidtheKing.“Butwhatofthisfamousshotofhis?”

“SopleaseyourMajesty,asparrow-hawksatontheverytopofastraightuprightpinetree,ofimmenseheight.Hewasperchedtheresoproudlyandconfidentlyinhisloftyposition,and,ashethought,sosafelytoo,thathelookeddownascarelesslyonourcavalcadebelowasifhehadbeentheweather-cockontheneedlepointofsomeloftychurch-spire.—‘There’sashotforyou,SirWalter,’saidI,andIstraightwayofferedtogagefivegoldunicornsthathecoulddonoughtagainstit.—‘Itakethywager,’saidhe;andwiththatheraisedhispiece,andwithoutsayingawordmore,hepresenteditattheover-confidentbird,and,totheastonishmentofallpresent,downitcametumbling.—‘He’sgone!’criedhe.”

“Aye,andyourgoldwasgonetoo,”interruptedJames,laughingheartily.

“Nay,yourMajesty,Imindednotmygold,”repliedthewilyCochran;“andhadbutthesewordsofhisbeenallthespeechheuttered,Ihadbeenwellcontentedtohavelostalargerwager.”

“Whatsaidheelse?”demandedJames.

“SopleaseyourmostgraciousMajesty,Ihadratherleavetherestunsaid,”repliedCochran,withgreataffectationofdiscretion.

“Nay,butwewouldhearitallfromthee,”criedtheKing,impatiently.

“IfyourmostgraciousMajestycommands,yourfaithfulservantmustobey,”repliedCochran.“Yettrueasmineearsarewonttobetotheiroffice,IcouldhardlybelievethatIheardthewordswhichtheythenconveyedtome.”

“Wewouldhavetheekeepusnolongerinsuspense,”criedtheKing.“WhatwordsdidSirWalterStewartutter?”

“Asthebirdfell,”repliedCochran,withagravityandaseriousnessofaspectthatwouldhaveseemedtoimplyaheavychargeagainsttheKnightofStradawn,

“Asthebirdfell,SirWalter,asIhavealreadysignifiedtoyourMajesty,exclaimed,‘He’sgone!’andthenturningaside,headded,inasomewhatlowervoice,‘He’sgone!—WouldheweretheKing!’So,andpleaseyourMajesty,didmineearsreporthiswords.”

“Ha!”exclaimedJames,withanairofgreatdissatisfaction,“Ar’tsurethathesospake?Fromallthatthouhastseen,aswellasheardatDrummin,itwouldseemtousthatboththineeyesandthineearshavebeenwonderfullysharptopickupevilagainstSirWalterStewart.Wasitlikelythatheshouldhavethuswantonlyspoutedforthfoultreasonintheearsofsomanywitnesses,someofwhomitwouldappearweresufficientlywillingtoreporttouswhatevermightbeturnedtohisprejudice?—Goto,sir!Ilikenotthis!Thoseaccurateearsofthinemusthavefailedoftheirhonestdutyforonce.Orif,forsomeobjectofthineown,thouhadstwilfullymisinterpretedthatwhichtheydidtrulyhear,wecantelltheethatthouhastnothitthymarkwiththesameskillorsuccessthatSirWalterStewartdidhis.Butweshalljudgeofhiminperson,andthatrightspeedily,foralreadyhathhereceivedourroyalcommand,bornetohimbyanespecialmessenger,topresenthimselfatcourtbyacertainday,inordertobepresentatthegrandtournamentwhichitisourroyalwilltohold,thatwemayforonceessaytobringoursullenandiron-sinewednoblesaroundus.”

“IhumblycraveyourMajesty’smostgraciouspardon,”saidCochran,muchabashed,andwithacringingreverence.“YourMajesty’smatchlesswisdomhathputthismatterintosoclearalight,thatIbegintobelievethatmydoubts—ImeanthestrongdoubtsIentertainedofitatthetime—werecorrect,andthatthewordsmusthavesomehoworothercometomineearawry.IappealtoalltheSaints,andtotheblessedVirgintoboot,thatIwouldratherhidethanpublishaughtagainstanyonesomuchinyourMajesty’sfavourasSirWalterStewartwouldseemtobe,especiallyoneforwhomIhave,asImaysay,sohigharespect,andregard,andadmiration.”

“Wearesatisfied,”repliedtheKing.“’Tisclear,thatinthisinstancethineearshavedeceivedthee.Nonebutonedementedcouldhavesospokeninsuchhearing;andSirWalterStewartisnomadman.Butwewouldtalknomoreofthis.Wewouldnowconferwiththeeastothoseplansatwhichwelastlookederethouwentest.——”

“Iwillgoseekthemstraightway,yourmostgraciousMajesty,”repliedCochran,

andmakingmorethanordinarilylowandfawningobeisances,hegladlyretiredtobreathemorefreely,andtorecoverfromthealarmofthatdangerwhichhisveryunwontedimprudencehadbroughtuponhim,andwhichhadsonearlyhurledhimintotheverypitwhichhehaddiggedforanother.

ButwemustnowreturntoDrummin.——Thoughthe——

ANOLDFRIENDWITHANEWFACE.

GRANT.—Who,inthenameofwonder,canthatbe,whoknockssoloudlyattheouterdoor,inthisloneplace,atsuchanhour?

SERJEANT.—Somebelateddrover,I’llwarrant.Whatanawfulnightthepoormanhashadtotravelin!

CLIFFORD.—Iftherebe,asphilosopherssay,nohappinessequaltothatofbeingrelievedfrommisery,Ithinkthathewhoknocks,whoeverhemaybe,istobeenviedforthesuddentransitionheisabouttomakefromallthehorrorsofnight,rain,tempest,andbogs,andswollenburns,tothecomfortsofthisroom,suchastheyare,andespeciallytothisgloriousfire.

AUTHOR.—Whatatimetheyarelosinginlettinghimin!

SERJEANT.—Isuspecttheywillhaveenoughadotogetthedooropened,withoutbeingknockeddownbytheblast.

AUTHOR.—Theyhavelethiminatlast.Whoeverhemaybe,wemustmakeroomforthepoorfellowatourfireside.

GRANT.—Certainly;I’llgoandbringhiminhere:nay,IseeIneednot,forherehecomes.

CLIFFORD.—Whatafigurethepoormanis!Helookslikeanewlylandedriver-god,orlikeBehemothhimself,comeforthfromthemightydeeps.

SERJEANT.—Whoeverhemaybe,hisownfathercouldnotknowhim,werehetoseehimatthismoment,withhiswholeclothessobedraggled,andthatfaceofhissoclatchedupwithmoss-dirt,thatnotafeatureofitcanbeseen.

CLIFFORD.—Heislikeamovingpeat-bog,Ideclare.

AUTHOR.—Blessme,howthepoorwretchshivers!

SERJEANT.—Heshakesasifhehadanague-fit.

CLIFFORD.—’Tisabsolutelylikeanearthquakeshakingtheglobe.—Here,sir;prayswallowsomeofthiswarmpunch—itwillbringlifeintoyou.

STRANGER—(inaperfectpalsyofcold.)—Och!it’smostreveevingindeed,thoughthetasteofitisjustaltogetherpoisonedwiththemossthat’sinmymouth.

CLIFFORD—(withastonishment.)—Mr.Macpherson!

AUTHOR.—Isitpossible?

GRANT.—Where,inthenameofallgoodness,canyouhavedroppedfrom,myworthysir?

CLIFFORD.—Thoughweknownotwherehehasdroppedfrom,wemayseeplainlyenough,fromthefoulstreamsthatdropfromhim,thathehasdroppedhimself,headoverheels,intosomeblackpeat-hag.Here—gettowels,thatwemayrubthedirtoutofhiseyes.

DOMINIE.—Ech,sirs!givemeanotherdropofyoncomfortablestuff,andletmeseeabitgliskofthefire.—Aye.—Hechme!I’mmuchthebetterofthat.

CLIFFORD.—Sitdownhere,sir.Sitdowninthischairclosetothefire;butfirsttakeoffthatstreamingcoatofthine.ItremindsmeofsomeofthosevastblackHighlandmosses,theverydrainingsofwhichgiveorigintosomedozenofrivers.Now,takeanotherpullatthishotstuff,andthentellusyouradventuresifyoucan.

DOMINIE.—Oh,dearme,thatisgood!Why,gentlemen,mystoryisshort,thoughmywayhasbeenlongandwearyenough.Thefackis,thatwhenIgottomybrotherEwan’shouse,Ifoundthathewasawaytothelowcountrytomakesomebargainaboutthebuyingofastockofiron,andthathewasnottobehomeagainforafortnight.YoumaybelieveIwasmuchdisappointedatthis

intelligence,afterthelongtrampIhadallthewayfromCaithness,tocomeandseehim.Butitwouldappear,thatmylettertohimmusthavesomehowmiscarried.Bethatasitmay,IhadnosoonerbeensatisfiedthatIhadnochanceofseeingEwanforatime,thanmyheartbegantoyearnafterthosewithwhomIhadsolatelyandsosorrowfullyparted.So,thinksItomyself,I’lljusttakemyfootinmyhand,andafterthegentlemen.I’llcatchthematInchrory.Ifthenighthadbeengoodandclear,Ishouldhavebeenheregoodtwohoursago.Butoncamethetempest;andthewind,andtherain,andthedarknesstogether,sobamboozledanddumbfoundedme,that,asIwasfightingalongwithmightandmain,Ifellsouseoverheadandearsintoadeeppeat-pot,

Instabilistellus,innabilisunda,

outofwhichitisthemercyofProvidencethatIwasatlengthabletoswatter,afterdookinganddivinginitlikeawild-duckforthebetterpartofaquarterofanhour,tillIwasnearlydrownedincleanmud.

CLIFFORD.—Cleanmud,Mr.Macpherson!Themudyouhavebeeninwouldseemtometohavebeenanythingbutclean.

DOMINIE.—True,Mr.Clifford;butIusedaphraseofourvernacular,meaningthattherewasnothingelsetherebutmud—atruthIcanspeaktobyhavinggonefaithfullythroughouteverycornerofthebigholeintowhichIfellwithoutfindingany.—Clean,truly!—suchafearsomesightIam!—IdeclareIamworsethanSerjeantJohnSmithmusthavebeen,whenhefellintothemoss-holeaboutthetimeofthebattleofCulloden.—Wouldyouliketohearthatstory,gentlemen?

CLIFFORD.—Much,Mr.Macpherson,butnotnow,forseveralreasons.First,wemustcontrivetogetyouintodryclothesofsomesort,topreventyourdyingofcoldorfever;secondly,youmusthavesomethingtoeatbeforeyouarepermittedtotalk;andthirdly,thereisanotherSerjeant,oneSerjeantArchyStewart,whoisatthismomentonduty,andwhowasinthemiddleofalongstorywhenyourappearanceinterruptedhim.Wemusthavethatoutfirst;but,inmycapacityofsecretary,IshalltakecaretobookyouforproducingyourSerjeantJohnSmith,whenhistimecomesintheroster.

DOMINIE.—Eh,I’msorrythatIshouldhavestoppedtheflowofmyfriend

SerjeantArchy’snarration.

CLIFFORD.—Howcouldithavebeenotherwise,mygoodman?Why,whatflowcouldhavepossiblystoodagainstsuchaflowasthatwhichnowstreamsfromyourwetgarments,Mr.Macpherson?Youhavealreadymadealakeintheroom.

DOMINIE.—Keepme,soIhave!

SERJEANT.—Herelassie!Bringclothsandswabupthefloor.

CLIFFORD.—Youhadbetternotsitlongerinthatcondition,Mr.Macpherson;comeawaywithmeuptothegarret,wherewearetosleep,andthenIshallgoandseewhatIcanprevailonMrs.Shawtodoforyou,torigyouout.

TherewasawaggishtwinkleinClifford’seye,ashelefttheroomwithMr.Macpherson.Theywerenotlonggone,andwhentheydidreturn,ouryoungfriendappearedleadingintheDominie,cladinashort-gown,andablueflannelpetticoat,bothbelongingtoourhostess.TheScottishgarmentcalledtheshort-gown,isasortofloosejacket,coveringonehalfthepersononly,andwhentiedtightroundthewaist,itisadmirablycalculatedtoshowoffthemouldofahandsomewomantothebestadvantage.Onthepresentoccasion,itwaswithsomedifficultyconfinedroundthebulkyDominie,byaredcottonhandkerchief,soasfullytodisplayhisshape;andasthepetticoatreachedbutalittlewaybelowhisknees,itexhibitedthefullproportionsofhisHerculeanlegs,enlargedastheywerebyapairofthethickestgreyworstedhose,andbroguesofenormoussize,accidentallylefttherebyaHighlanddrover.OverhisheadwasplacedoneofMrs.Shaw’startanshawls,whichCliffordhadrecommendedtobetiedunderhischin,asaprecautionagainsttoothache,towhichhedeclaredhimselftobefrequentlyamartyr.Suchawoman,astheDominieappearedtomake,isnevertobeseenonthefaceofthisearth,exceptinsomeexaggeratedspecimenofthosemarine,orratheramphibiousanimals,tobefoundonthesea-coastsofBritain,andwhicharecalledbathingwomen.Wewereallsomuchtakenbysurprisewithhisappearance,thattocontrolourlaughterwasamatterofutterimpossibility.

CLIFFORD.—Gentlemen,allowmetointroducetoyouthegreatPrincessRustifusti.

DOMINIE—(stridinginlikeaGrenadier.)—Truly,gentlemen,Iamashamedtoappearamongyouinthisunbecomingdisguise.ButmyworthyandkindfriendMr.Cliffordissocarefulofme—mercyonme,whatwouldmyboyssayiftheybeheldme?

GRANT.—Theywouldbeastonished,nodoubt,Mr.Macpherson.Butcome,sitdown—hereissomethingcomfortableforyoutoeat.Iamsureyoumustrequirefoodbythistime.

DOMINIE.—ImusthonestlyconfesstoyouthatIamdownrightravenous.

CLIFFORD.—Nay,now,donotdisgracethedelicatefemininecharacterwhichyouareatpresentsupporting,byeatinglikeamasculinecreature.

DOMINIE.—Masculine,feminine,orneuter,Iamsofamished,thatImusteatliker,Ifear,untoamalewolf,thanadelicateleddy,suchasfortunehasthisnightforcedmetorepresent.

CLIFFORD.—Nay,then,ifthatbeyourway,Imustceasetobeyourchaperon.Sodoyoutakechargeofyourowndelicateself,andgoon,ifyoumustdoso,todisgracethelovelysextowhichyounowbelong,byyourimmoderateeatinganddrinking,whilstIcalluponSerjeantArchyStewarttoproceedwithhisnarrative.

THELEGENDOFCHARLEYSTEWARTTÀILLEAR-CRUBACHCONTINUED.

AlthoughthejealousdreamingsofKingJameshadledhimrathertodesiretheabsenceofSirWalterStewartfromhiscourt,whilsttheKnightwasyetabachelor,hewasnosoonerfairlymarried,thanallsuchfanciesweredissipatedfromtheroyalmind.TherenewedenjoymentinSirWalter’ssociety,whichthemonarchhadexperienced,previoustothedepartureofthenewlymarriedpairforStradawn,onlyservedtorendertheafterabsenceofhisfavouritethemoreinsufferable,andhesoonbegantowearyforthereturnofsoaccomplishedacompanion.SirWalterhadsufficientopportunityofbeingrenderedsensibleofthesatisfactoryalterationintheKing’smannertowardshim,beforeheleftthecourt;but,notwithstandingallthis,hewasinnosmalldegreesurprised,aswellasdelighted,withthearrivalofthespecialmessenger,whowasthebeareroftheroyalcommandforhim,toattendhisMajestyatthetournament,whichreachedhimtheverydayafterCochranhadlefthim.SirWalterbeingoneofthebestequestriansofhistime,hewasnaturallyextremelyfondofhorses.Hisgreatpassionwastopossesshimselfofthemostbeautifulsteedsthatcouldpossiblybeprocured,andhesparedneitherpainsnorexpenseinthegratificationofthisknight-likefancy.Sometimebeforetheperiodwearenowspeakingof,hechancedtohaveacquiredsomepiebaldhorses,whichwereofawhitecolour,markedinaveryextraordinarymannerwithlargepatchesofasortofbluishtinge.Thiscircumstanceledhimtoindulgethewhimofcollectingmoreofthesamedescription,andhaving,fromtimetotime,procuredindividualanimals,fromallquarters,andaconsiderableadditiontotheirnumbershavingrecentlyarrived,henowatlengthfoundhimselfenabledtomountalargetroopofhisattendantsoncreaturesofasimilardescription,andofthemostexquisitesymmetryofform.Preparedashethushappenedtobe,thenewsofthetournamentgavehimparticulargratification.Hisheartexulted,andhismind

wasallagog,attheprospectofsuchanopportunityofmakingsomarvellousadisplay,beforeamorenumerous,aswellasmoreexperienced,collectionofeyes,thanhisownglenscouldaffordhim.Accordingly,hebegantobusyhimself,withoutlossoftime,inmakingthosearrangements,whichwerenecessarytoenablehimtoappearwiththatdegreeofsplendour,whichhealwayswishedtoexhibitonsuchoccasions.Mr.JonathanJunkins,andallthetailorsformanymilesround,wereputinrequisitiontomakerichhousings,andfootmantlesofscarletclothforthesaddles,andeverythingelsewasgotupinaproportionablestyleofsplendour.Butletusnotimaginethatthis,hissominuteattentiontosuchfopperies,shouldlowerSirWalterStewartinouropinion,forwemustremember,thatallsuchtrifles,beingintegralpartsofchivalry,assumedthegreatestimportanceintheeyesofeveryknight.Formanyreasons,SirWalterStewartfeltnogreatdesiretotakehiswifewithhimtocourt,buthecouldfindnogoodpleaforleavingherbehind.Amongstotherpreparations,therefore,thelady’shorselitterrequiredtobenewfurbishedup,seeingthatshewasnowinaconditionthatmaderidingsomewhatdangerous;butsogreatwastheexpeditionusedbyallhands,thatbythedayprevioustothatfixedfordeparture,allthehorsesweredulytrained,andalltheirequipments,aswellasthoseforthemen-at-arms,andallotherthingsnecessaryforhisexpedition,wereinthehighestorder.

SirWalterStewartretiredtorestthatnightwiththeintentionofbeingupwiththeearliestdawn,thathemighthimselfseethatnothinghadbeenforgotten.Uponreachinghislady’sapartment,hefoundnoonewithherbutherpage,EnglishTomkins,ashewasfamiliarlycalled.Thiswasaboyofgreatbeautyofcountenance,andofanintelligenceofeyeverysuperiortothatwhichhisyearsmighthavepromised.HehadfollowedtheladyfromEngland,andhewassostronglyattachedtohismistress,that,ifhewasatalldeepinherconfidence,hehadprudenceenoughtokeepallthatheknew,strictlysecretfromeveryonewithwhomhissituationbroughthimintocontact.Toall,excepttoher,hewasreservedanddistant,toanextentmuchbeyondthat,whichmighthavebeenlookedforfromthenaturalcarelessnessandingenuousnessofyouth,andeventhegood-humouredfreedomwhichSirWalterusedwithhim,wasneversuccessfulinbreakingthroughtheparchmentcaseinwhichheseemedtowraphimselfup.Hewasamostimpenetrableyouth,andnolongtimeelapsedaftertheKnight’smarriage,beforeSirWalterbegantolookupontheboywithacertainjealousy,anddislike,whichhecouldneitheraccountfornorovercome.

“Doitthineownway,”saidtheladytohimwithsogreatearnestnessinhercommunicationwithhim,thatsheperceivednotSirWalter’sentrance.“Doitthineownway,Itellthee,boy;butseethatitbedone,andthatsurely,andsecretlytoo—forIcouldhavenowilltoleaveDrummin,andnohearttoenjoythepleasuresoftheCourt,unlessIknewthatthiswasdoneereIwent.”

“Whatmaythisbe,uponwhichsomuchofthyhappinessdepends?”demandedSirWalterStewart,advancing.

“HolyVirgin,whatastartyougaveme!”criedthelady;“suchpueriletricksarehardlyworthyofthee.”

“Whattricks?”askedtheKnight,withuttersimplicity.

“Suchboyishtricks,Itellthee,”saidthelady,smoothingherangrycountenance,andthrowingoveritaplayfulsmile,andatthesametimegentlytappinghischeek,asifinthemostperfectgoodhumour.“Imeansuchboyishtricksasthatwhichthouhastnowused,bystealingthustomychamber,andsecretingthyself,thatthoumighteststartlemeforthineidleamusement.”

“Creditme,Iamnosuchidleboyasthouwouldstsuppose,”saidSirWalter,gravely;“Ihavebeenguiltyofnosuchsillyconduct.Icame,asIameverwonttodo,withouteithertheintentorthethoughtofsurprisingthee.Nay,IknewnotthatIhaddoneso,untilthoudidstutterthatscreamofsurprise.”

“Well,well,Ibelievethee,”saidthelady;“andifthouhadststolenuponmyprivacy,thoucouldsthavegainednothingthatwouldhaveamountedtotreason,seeingthatIwasbutcautioningTomkinshere,astohowheshouldexecuteasmalldeedofcharityforme,erewegoto-morrow,whichIcouldillbrooktheneglectof.Now,boy,thoumay’stgo,”continuedthelady;“Andseethatthoudoestmybiddingtotheveryletter.”

“Yourcommandsshallbestrictlyobeyed,lady,”saidtheboy,bowingasheretired.

TheapartmentinwhichtheKnightandhisladyslepthadawindowinitwhichlookeddownthevale,formedbythecombinedwatersoftheAvenandtheLivat.Afaintbutglowingredlightshotthroughthiswindowtowardsmorning,and

fallinguponSirWalterStewart’seyes,graduallyunsealedtheirlidsfromthedeepsleepinwhichtheywereclosed.Hestartedupatthisappearanceofapproachingsunrise—hurriedonhisclothes,andhasteneddownstairstothecourt-yard.Therehefoundthemen-at-arms,whohadthewatch,allattheirposts;butnoneofthegrooms,ortheotherswhomhehadexpectedtohavefoundalreadybusiedwiththeirpreparations,wereasyetastir.Havingexpressedhissurpriseattheirlaziness,helearnedfromthoseonguard,thatityetwantedtwogoodhoursofday.Beingunwillingtoretireagaintohischamber,hewalkedforthbeyondthewalls,totheterraceonwhichthecastlestands;andhehadnosoonergotthere,thanthecauseofthishisprematuredisturbancewasmadesufficientlymanifesttohim,forhiseyeswereimmediatelycaught,andhisattentionfearfullyarrested,byacolumnoffirethatshotupfromthecottageofAliceAsher,andinflamedtheverycloudsabove.

Givingoneloudshoutofalarmtothepeoplewithinthecastlewalls,hestaidnotforthem,butrushedfranticlydownthegreenslope,andcrossingarusticfoot-bridgethatspannedtheriverLivat,immediatelyunderthefortalice,heflewtowardsthewoodedhill,tooaccuratelyguidedthroughtheobscurityofthenight,bytheconflagration,thelightfromwhichblazedinhiseyes.Butwhilstitthusservedtodirecthimtowardsitsobject,ithadalsotheeffectofdazzlinghisvision;sothat,inthefuriousprecipitationofhisspeed,heranagainstsomelivingbeingthatwascominghurriedlyintheoppositedirection.Whateveritmightbe,hisforcewassotremendous,thathedroveitasidefromthepath,likeaballfromabat,andthenrollingforwardsonthegroundhimself,andoverandover,helayforsomemomentssenselessuponthegrass.But,havingsoonafterwardsrecoveredhimself,hesprangagaintohislegs,and,hiswholethoughtsbeingabsorbedatthemomentbyhisagonizinganxietyforAliceAsher’ssafety,hestoppednottoenquirewhathadbecomeoftheindividualwhohadproducedhisaccident,butrushedonagaintowardstheburninghouse,onwhichhestillkepthiseyesfixed.Longerehegainedthefootofthehillonwhichitstood,amomentarydepressionoftheflame,followedbyanequallysuddenandverygreatincreaseofit,toldhimthattheroofhadfallenin,andthat,iftheinmateshadnotalreadyfledforsafety,theymustnowbebeyondallreachofassistance.Yetstillhepausednot;but,doublinghisspeed,herushedbreathlessupthroughthewoodonthesideofthehill,andatlengtharrivedatthecottage.

Whatasadspectaclediditnowpresent!Thewallsalonewerestanding,likeahugegrate,inwhichtheinflammablematerialsoftheheather-thatchedroof,andthefurniture,andinteriorwood-work,wererapidlyconsuming.Therosesandwoodbinesthatcreptoverthewalls,ortrailedinrudeluxurianceovertheporch,werenowshrivelledupandscorchedbytheintenseheatwithin,nay,eventheshrubsandflowersthatgrewaround,weredriedupandkilledbyit.

“Oh,HolyVirginMother,sheisgone!sheisgone!”criedSirWalter,givingwaytoaparoxysmofgrief.

Andnowpeoplecamerunningtogetherfromthenearestcottages.Eagerlydidheenquireofallhemetforsomeinformation,regardingAliceAsher;butnoonecouldtellhimaughtofher.ThemenfromtheCastlecamecrowdingupthehill,bearingbucketsofwater.Thesewerenowuseless.ButstillSirWaltercalledonthosewhocarriedthemtoexertthemselves,and,urgedbyhiscommands,theyrantoandfromaneighbouringpool,bearingwater,andpouringitoverthesinkingflames,tilltheywerefinallyextinguished,atleastsofar,thattheywereenabledtorakeamidthered-hotemberswithlongpoles,withoutdangertothemselves.WithwhattorturinganxietydidSirWalterStewartstand,inthehopethatnohumanremainswouldbefound,bywhichcircumstanceheexpectedtosatisfyhimselfthatAliceAsherhadescaped.But,alas!theyhadnotsearchedfar,whentheyfoundabody,orratherahalf-consumedskeleton,insofearfulastateofmutilation,thatalthoughitssizeleftnodoubtthatitwasthatofawoman,itwasquiteimpossibletoguessattheperson.SirWalterwasfrantic.Butstillhopelingeredwithinhisbosom.Alicehadaservantmaidinthehouse.Thisskeletonwasnearer,ashethought,tothesizeofthewoman,thantothatofthemistress.Besides,theseremainswerefoundinapartofthehousewhichthisattendantinhabited.Nodoubtwasleftthattheywerehers;andSirWalter’sheartexpandedwiththetemporaryreliefwhichitexperienced.

Butthesearchwenton.AndnowSirWalterStewart’sheartagainflutteredbetwixttorturinghopeandfear,—till,—oh,wretchedandbitterlyafflictingsight!inthatpartofthecottagewhichAliceAshermoreparticularlyoccupied,anotherhalf-consumedbodywasfound.Thiswasalsothatofawoman;and,asitcorrespondedaccuratelytothesizeofheraboutwhosefatehewassounhappilyinterested,everysparkofhopewasatonceextinguishedwithinhim.Hisbrainwhirledinstrangeandbewilderingconfusion.Hegaspedforbreath,andseemedtoswallowdownliquidfire;allconsciousnesslefthimforatime;andhesank

downonanadjacentbankinatemporaryfaintingfit.

IshallnotattempttodescribethefloodofstrongandresistlessfeelingtowhichSirWalterStewart,resoluteashemightbe,wascompelledtogiveway,whenhissensesfullyreturnedtohim.Thosewhowerearoundhimrespectedtheminsilence.Thesunsoonafterwardsaroseuponthemelancholyscene;andthenitwasthatthebraveKnight’scountenancewasobservedbyall,tobearpowerfully-writtentestimonyofthedeepgriefthathadbeenatworkuponit.Makingastrongandmanlyefforttosubduehisaffliction,hegaveorderstohispeopletoseethattheremains,nowsorevoltingtolookupon,shouldbeproperlyattendedto;and,despatchingaconfidentialpersontothepriestwhohadactedasfather-confessortoAliceAsher,hebesoughthimtodoallthatmightberequisitetoensurethatthelastsaddutiesshouldbedecentlyandreverentiallypaid,andeveryreligiousritedulyperformedtoher,whoselifeofcontrition,andpenitence,forasinwhichhefelttohavebeenhisalone,hadsofairaprospectofreconcilinghertoherMaker.And,havingmadethesearrangements,heslowlyandsilently,andwithasorrowful,heavy,andlaceratedheart,benthisstepsbacktoDrummin.

WhenSirWalterStewart,andthosewhowerewithhim,hadreachedtheplacewherehehadbeensounaccountablythrowndown,hewassurprisedtoseeahumanfigurelyingafewyardsoffthefootpath,withtheheadandshoulderscrammedintoathicket.Onapproachingit,thedressatonceinformedhimthatitwashislady’spage,EnglishTomkins.Havingorderedsomeofhispeopletopullhimforthfromthebushesinwhichhewashalfhid,andtoraisehimup,hewasdiscoveredtobequitedead;—andhisdeathwasatonceseentohavebeenoccasioned,byhisheadhavingcomeagainstthethickandknottytrunkofanoak,whichgrewupfromamidsttheblackthornsandhoneysuckles,sothathisskullhadbeendreadfullyfractured,andinstantexterminationoflifehadensued.

“Jesushavemercyonme!”criedSirWalter,withgreatfeeling.“Ihavebeentheinnocentcauseofthispoorboy’sdeath,byrunningagainsthiminthedark;”andhavingsaidso,heproceededtoexplaintohispeoplethecircumstanceswhichhadproducedandattendedtheaccident.

“Methinkshehardlymeritstobemuchwailedfor,SirKnight,unlessthoucanstsaythatthesestrangearticlescanhavebeeninnocentlycarriedbyhim,”saidoneoftheattendants,pulling,atthesametime,fromthebosomofthecorpse,a

smallbundleofmatches,andatinder-box,withaflintandsteel.—“Marry,thesewouldseemtosay,thathehadbeenbetteremployedhadhebeeninhisbed.”

“WhatdoIsee?”criedSirWalterStewart,filledwithhorror,andgreatlyagitated.—“What!wasitmurderthen?—murderofthemosthorribledescription?Oh,holyMotherofGod,cantherebesuchvillainyuponearth?”

“Whatshallwedowiththiswretchedcarcass?”demandedoneofthepeople.

“Oh,mostunluckyaccident!”criedSirWalter,withoutheedinghim.—“WouldthatIhadbutcaughthiminlife!But,alas!strongassuspicionisagainsthim,hissecrethasdiedwithhim!Wecannotnowwrenchforththetruthfromhimeitherbyspringorbyscrew.Heisgonetohisaccount,beforethatJudge,atwhosetribunalallsecretsmustappear.Yet,bearhimalongwithyou,andseethatyoutakeespecialcaretopreservethosedumbinstancesofhishellishart,tillImayrequiretheetoproducethem.”

SirWalterStewartnowlefthispeopletocarrythebodyattheirownleisure,andshotawayaheadofthem,atapacesofurious,astocorrespondwiththeviolenceofthosevariousstormyfeelingswhichthenagitatedhim.OnreachingDrummin,hehurrieddirectlytohislady’schamber,wherehefoundherputtingthelastfinishtohertravellingdress.

“Madam!”saidhetoherbower-woman,inavoicewhichsufficientlybetrayedthedisturbedstateofhismind;“myladywilldispensewiththineattendanceforabriefspace—wewouldbeprivate.”

“Whatstrangeconductisthis,SirWalter?”demandedtheladyafterherattendantwasgone,whilsthervoiceandmannermighthaveledanyonetobelieve,thatshetoowasnotaltogetherwellatease.“WhyshouldstthouhavethussentJanesorudelyforth,whenshehathyetsomuchtopackandtoprepare?”

“BecauseIwouldfainhavesomeprivateconversewiththee,lady,”saidtheKnightsolemnly.—“DostthouusuallysendforththypageTomkinsonerrandsofcharitysoveryearlyasseveralhoursbeforesunrise?”

“No!—No!”repliedtheladyinavoiceofhesitation.“Sucharenotindeed,—no,

theyarenothisusualhourstobesentonsucherrands;but—but—theboyhadsomedistancetogo.Andthen—and—and—andthenhehathsomuchtodoerewedepart,that—that—ButIwondermuchthatheisnotreturningbythistime!”

“Heisreturningnow!”saidSirWalter,lookinghardandsomewhatsternlyather.—“Butcanstthoutellmewhathedidwithatinder-box,flint,andsteel,andmatches,concealedinhisbosom?”

“Flint—flint—flintandsteelsaidstthou?”criedthelady,considerablyagitated.“HowcanIsayaughtaboutit?Boysareeverfulloftricks,andso,Idoubtnot,isTomkins.Butwhathathhetoldtheehimself?Didstthounotquestionhim?”

“Asyethehathtoldusnothing,”repliedtheKnight,ambiguously.

“Thenallisyetright!”criedthelady,fromanenergeticimpulseofsatisfaction,whichshecouldnotcontrol.

“Whatisright?”demandedSirWalter,sternly.

“Iwouldsaythat—that—thatiftheboyhathconfessednoevil,then’tismostlikelythatnoevilhathbeendone.”

“Yea,”repliedSirWalter,gravely,andwithdeepfeeling,“butthedirestevilhathbeendone—adeedwhichishardlytobematchedincruelty—thefiringofthehouse,andtheburningtodeathofaninnocentladyandherwoman!”

“Aninnocentlady!”exclaimedhiswife,againforgettingherselfforamoment.“Butthoucanstnotsuspectthisboyofhavingdonesofouladeed?”

“MoststronglydoIsuspecthim,”repliedSirWalter.

“Nay,nay,’tisimpossible,”saidthelady.“Whatcouldprompthimtosohorribleanact?”

“Whatcouldprompthim!”exclaimedSirWalter,“nothing,methinks,inhisownbosom;butcanstthounotguesswhocouldhavepromptedhim?”

“Nay,nay,howcouldIguess?”saidthelady,ingreattrepidation.

“Lady!”saidSirWalter,withgreatsolemnity,afterhavingseatedherinonechair,anddrawnoneforhimselfclosetoher,wherehesatforsomemomentslookingsteadilyintoherpallidandagitatedcountenance.“Lady!arethesethecharitableerrandsonwhichthouartwonttosendthisboy?”

“Whatmeanye,SirWalter?”demandedthelady,inastateoftremblingandalarmwhichshecouldnotconceal.“Theboyhathnotbaselyaccusedmeofaught.”

“SirWalter,yourpardon!”saidJane,thelady’sbowerwoman,burstingatthatmomentmostinopportunelyintotheroom,“RonaldwouldfainknowwhatyouwouldhavedonewiththecorpseofpoorTomkins?”

“ThecorpseofTomkins!”criedthelady,startingup,andclappingherhandstogether,inanecstacyofjoy,whichshecouldnothide.“Thentheboyisnolongeralive!”

“Hewasfounddead,itseems,mylady,”saidthemaid,“andhiscorpsehaththismomentbeenbroughtinbyRonaldandtherest.’Tisfearsometolookuponhim.Hehathgotadeadlycontusionandgashonhishead.”

“Alas,poorboy!”criedthelady,wipingherdryeyeswithherpockethandkerchief,andmusteringupallthesymptomsofsorrowshecouldcommand.“Whocanhavemurderedhim?Ishallneveragainmeetwithsofaithfulapage!”

“Faithful,indeed,madam,”saidSirWalter,aftershowingthemaidagainoutoftheroom,“faithful,indeed,readilytoexecutethosemostwickedandmurderousorderswithwhichthoudidstchargehim.”

“Nay,nay,thisistoomuch,SirWalter,”repliedthelady,nowgainingfullboldnessandcommandofherself,fromhavingbeenthusunexpectedlycertifiedthatherpagewasdead,andthathecouldnowtellnotales;“howcanstthoudaretoinsinuateanythingagainstme?”

“Madam,”saidSirWalter,inahollowtone,andwithconsiderableagitationofmanner,“woulditweresothatthoucouldstwithtruthspeakthusboldly.But,alas!thewordsIheardtheeutterlastnighttothepage—thehorriblecatastropheofthismorning—theplacewhereitpleasedProvidencethatheshouldmeetwith

hisaccidentaldeath—thedirectioninwhichhewasrunningwhenhereceivedit,andtheimplementsofdestructionwhichwerefoundinhisbosom,canleavenorationaldoubtinmymindastothepersonwhoconceivedanddirectedthismostcrueltragedy;andthoughevidencemaybeyetlackingtobringthecrimefullyhometothee,yet,convincedandsatisfiedasIamofthejusticeofthischargeagainstthee,Icannolongersuffertheheadofsofoulamurderesstorestuponthisbosom.Ileavetheetothestingsofthineownconscience,andtothatrepentancewhichtheymayproduce,believingthatGod,inhisowngoodtime,willmakethetruthappear,sothatthoumaystbemadetoexpiatethyguilt,”andsosaying,SirWalterStewartlefttheapartment.

“Leavemetomyconscience!”criedthelady,withalaughofderision,afterthedoorwasclosed,“myconsciencewillsiteasyenoughwithinme,Itrow,sincemygoodfortunehaththusgotmesoinnocentlyridofmineinstrument,afterhehadsowellworkedmywill.”

SirWalter’sheartwastornbyathousandafflictions.HefeltthathewouldbebetteranywhereelsethanatDrummin.Havingnownorelianceinthefidelityofhiswife,heresolvedtoleaveherbehindhim,andhavinghastilypackeduptheimportantchartersofhislands,andsomeothervaluables,headdedthemtohisotherbaggage.ThetimenowleftwasjustsufficienttoenablehimtoobeytheKing’scommand,topresenthimselfbeforehimonacertainday.Hispeoplewereallwaitinginreadinessinthecourt-yard.Withoutmorethoughtheflunghimselfintothesaddle,withableedingheart.Hewasdistractedbyhisfeelings,butgivingtheword“forward!”hedashedthroughthegatewayatafuriouspace,andhistroopofmen-at-armsandattendantswentthunderingafterhim.

SirWalterStewartwasreceivedinthekindestmannerbyboththeKingandQueen.Hewasearnestlyasked,especiallybyJames,whyhehadnotbroughthisladywithhim.Ashecouldnottellthewholetruth,withoutmakingadeadlyaccusationagainsther,whichhehadnomeansofproving,hewascompelledtosaythathehadlefthersomewhatindisposed,ananswerthatproducedsomegoodhumouredrailleryfromJames,deliveredinhiswontedfamiliarmanner,andlefthim,forthetimeatleast,sufficientlywellsatisfied.

Thetournamenttookplaceinthatbeautifultilting-ground,intherockyvalley,closeunderthesouth-easternsideofthecraguponwhichStirlingCastlestands,andwhichisstillpointedoutbythecitizensoftheancienttown,astheplace

whichwassousedinthoseoldtimes.Thoughfewornoneofthediscontentednoblesappeared,itwasyetaverygloriousspectacle.ThesingularityandgrandeurofSirWalterStewart’sretinue,andtheirwholeappearance,mountedastheywereuponthepiebaldhorses,sorichlycaparisoned,presentedbyfarthefinestfeatureoftheroyalprocession,andswallowedupeveryotherthemeofconversation.Hewasnowperhapstheonlyonetowhomitgavebutlittlepleasure,heavyashisheartthenwas.

“WewouldknowfromourQueen,who,inhermind,wastheprettiestgentlemanthatappearedattheshowto-day,”saidtheKing,afterallwasover,andthathewasinprivatewithher.

“HowcanyourMajestyhesitateonemomentincomingtoajudgmentuponsoplainandpalpableaquestion?”demandedtheQueen,withgreatanimation.“TheornamentoftheprocessionandpageantwasundoubtedlySirWalterStewart.Whowastherewhocamewithinanhundreddegreesofhim?Thenumberofhisattendants—thebeautyoftheanimalsonwhichtheyweremounted—creaturesthatwouldseemtohavebeenconjuredforthoutofthelandoffaeryitself—creaturesthatmovedasifformedoutoftherarerelementsofnature—andthenthesplendouroftheirhousings—and,aboveall,therichandtastefuldressofthehandsomeandelegantownerofsomuchbravery,whoissofullofgraceandskillinthemanagementofhissteed,thatheboreofftheapplauseofalleyesandtheloveofallhearts!Butwhatmovesyou,mysovereignLord?Methinksthatsomethinghathdispleasedyou?”

“YourpraisesofSirWalterStewartwouldseemtoustobesomethingextravagant,”saidtheKing,considerablydisturbed.“Wastherenooneelsetherewhomighthavedemandedalikeportionofyourapprobation?”

“IfyourMajestywouldhaveanhonestanswerfromme,Imustreply,—noone,”saidtheQueen.“EventhegorgeousandglitteringretinueofCochran,thebuddingEarlofMar,whotakesuponhimasifyourMajestyhadalreadydubbedhimbythattitle,wasbutasgildedclaycomparedtothewellconceivedarrangementsoftheaccomplishedSirWalterStewart,whooutshoneallothers.”

“Allotherssaidstthou,Margaret?DidstthounotthinkthatweourselveswereofasfairapresenceandappearanceasthyminionSirWalterStewart?”demandedtheKing,withapettishandperturbedairandmanner.

“Nay,myliegeLord,”repliedtheQueen,verymuchdistressedtodiscoverthatshehadthussoinnocentlyoffendedherhusband.“InspeakingthusofSirWalterStewart,Ineverdreamedofbringingyourroyalperson,oryourroyalretinue,intocomparisonwiththoseofanysubject,evenwiththoseofSirWalterStewarthimself,whoseindividualsplendour,wasbutasapartofthatgloriousmagnificencewhichwasallthineown.Domenottheinjusticetojudgemesoharshly,orsohardly.CouldyouforonemomentsupposethatIcouldcompareSirWalterStewarttothee,myroyalliegeandhusband?Believeme,thatalthoughSirWalterStewartismuchesteemedbymeforhisnumerousmerits,yetheisnominionofmine,anditwereequallycruelandunjustinanyonetocallhimso.”

“’Tisatleastwelltoheartheesayso,”repliedtheKing,inasortofhalfsatisfiedtone,—andthenturningcoldlyaway,helefttheapartment,withsuchanairandmanner,thatQueenMargaretburstintotears,whichitrequiredsomethinkingandreasoningwithinherselftoenablehertodryup.

NowitwasthatthefacilemindofKingJames,becamepreparedtoimbibeallthevillainieswhichthedesigningCochrancouldpourintoit.Nay,hisMajestybecamethevoluntaryandthewillingvictimofthem.HesentforCochran,madehimrecapitulatealltheparticularsofthestoryofthehawk,shotwiththebirding-piece,togetherwiththatexpressionofSirWalter’swhichhehadformerlysorepudiated,butwhichhenowlistenedtoandreceivedasmosttrueandconvincing;andtheroyalearsbeingthussounexpectedlyopentohim,CochrannowscruplednottotelltheKing,that,tohiscertainknowledge,SirWalterwasfaithlesstohiswife.TothisstoryJameslistenedwithanxiousattentionandinterest.HerememberedthestrangecombinationofVenuswiththeotherplanets,andheshudderedattherecollection,asheputitbesidehisQueen’sdeclaredapprobationofSirWalterStewart.HisMajesty’smannertowardstheKnightbecameagainestrangedandcold,andhistreatmentofhimunkind;andthisbeingquicklyobservedbythosesordidandselfishwretches,who,withthesagacityofthesharksthatfollowadiseasedship,ortheratsthatleaveonethatisnolongersea-worthy,areeverreadytowatchandcatchatsuchsignsofacourtier’sdecayinginfluence,aregularbondofunionwasformedagainsthimbyallbutSirWilliamRogers,whocouldbynomeansbebroughttoseethathecouldbenefithisniecebytheruinofherhusband.Thisplotwenton,forsomeconsiderabletime,withoutproducingtheslightestsuspiciononthepart

ofSirWalterStewart,thoughhecouldnotfailtobesufficientlysensibleoftheKing’salienationfromhim.

Hewassittingonenightaloneinhislodgings,whenone,inthehabitofaserving-man,wasannouncedtohim,ascravingforaprivateaudienceofhim,thathemightdeliveraparticularmessagetohimfromagentlemanofthecourt.Havingorderedhimtobeadmitted,hewassurprisedtoseeenterapersonwhoappearedtobeastrangertohim,withalighthandsomefigure,buthavinganoseofmostunnaturallength,hugeness,andredness.Heexaminedhimnarrowly,yethestillremainedsatisfiedthathehadneverseenanysuchpersonbefore;buttheywerenosoonerleftalone,thanthestrangerbegantospeak,andSirWalterrecognisedhimimmediately.

“Trustme,Stewart,itisnotwithoutsomepersonalriskthatIhavethusadventuredtoholdcommunicationwiththee,”saidthestranger.

“Ramsay!”exclaimedSirWalterStewart,inamazement.“Insuchadisguiseasthis,Ishouldneverhavediscoveredthee,butforthyvoice.”

“ThenmustItakecaretokeepthatunder,”saidRamsay,inahalfwhisper.“Buttimeisprecious.Thylifeissoughtfor!To-morrow,nay,evenanhourhence,allattempttoescapemaybeunavailing,andI,evenI,maysufferforthismyattempttosaveafriend.”

“Iwellknowthedangerthatattendssuchaduty,”saidSirWalter,“andIwouldnotforworldsthatthoushouldstincurit.”

“Aye,therethouhastsaidit,”repliedRamsay.“Iknowwellenoughwhatthouwouldsthintat,—thyservicetoAlbany!Nay,startnot!Thysecretwillneverbetheworseforme.But,nevertheless,thatisoneofthesuspicionsthatisharbouredagainstthee.”

“Suspicions!”exclaimedSirWalter,“Whatsuspicions?”

“Inthefirstplace,theKinghathtakenupajealousyagainsttheeregardingtheQueen,”repliedRamsay.“ThensomestrangestoryhathreachedhisearsfromCochran,who,bytheway,hathbeenthisdaycreatedEarlofMar,regardingsometreasonablewordsthoudidstdropinhishearingintheshootingofahawk

withabirding-piece.Besidesthis,Torfefan,themasteroffence,hathsaid,thatthoudidstoncestepintosavetheEarlofHuntlyfromhisjustvengeance,forspeakingtreasonablyoftheKingandhiscourtiers;whenceitisargued,thatthouartinsecretleaguewiththediscontentednobles.Thisiscorroboratedbythatrascal,Hommil,thetailor,whosayshewaswithTorfefanatthetime.Tothisaccusation,touchingthyconsortingwiththenobles,Andrew,theAstrologer,bearshissupport,forhesaysthatheonenightfoundtheeandtheEarlindeepconference,aloneinthehostel.And,finally,asIhavealreadyhinted,thouart,somehoworother,shrewdlysuspectedofhavingaidedin,ifnotcontrivedtheescapeoftheDukeofAlbanyfromEdinburghCastle.Butbesidesallthis,SirWilliamRogers,whohathbeenlongthyfriend,hathatlastgoneovertothosewhoaremalecontentwiththee,becausehehathhadlettersfromhisniece,complainingthatshehadbeendisgracefullyandcruellytreatedbythee,andthat,too,butafewdaysbeforeshegavebirthtothysonandheir;andthat,inconsequenceofthisthineeviltreatmentofher,shehathappliedfordivorcefromthee.Butwhatisallthis,andwhyshouldIwastetimeinsucharecapitulationofforgeries?Thylife,mydearStewart,issoughtfor!Ereto-morrow’sdawnthouwiltbeaprisoner,andhowsoonafterwardsthoumayestbenumberedwiththedead,thefateofthelastMarmayteachthee.Flythen,mydearfriend,forthylife!Idarenottarryherelonger.Getintothysaddlewithallmannerofhaste,andseethatthousparestnotthyspurs!AndsoGodgivetheegoodspeedtillwemeetinbettertimes.”

Ramsaygavehimawarmembrace,andthenhurriedoutoftheroomandthehouse.AndSirWalterStewart,afterpackinguphiswritingsandothervaluables,cautiouslyandquietlysummonedhispeople,and,gettingintotheirsaddles,theyrodeslowlyoutofthegateofthetown,andacrosstheancientbridgeovertheriverForth,theguardsreadilybelievingthemwhentheysaidtheywereboundontheKing’sbusiness.Buttheynosoonerfoundthemselvesonthewideandflatcarse-landstothenorthoftheriverForth,thantheymadethehoofsoftheirsteedsthunderacrossthemwiththerapidsweepofawhirlwind.Norwasthismorethannecessaryeither,forthedistantshoutsofpeople,andthetramplingofhorsesinpursuit,wereheardbehindthem.Butthedarknessofthatnightenabledthemtothrowthemoff,and,byforcedjournies,theyinafewdaysreachedHuntlyCastle,wheretheywerejoyfullyandhospitablyreceivedbySirWalter’sfriendtheEarl.Althoughthepeoplewhopursuedthemverysoonreturnedwithoutsuccess,theywereenabledtocarrybackcertaininformationastoSir

WalterStewart’splaceofretreat;andthiswasnosoonerknown,thanthenewlymadeEarlofMar,armedwiththeRoyalauthority,dispatchedanespecialmessenger,uponafleethorse,togodirectlytoDrummin,asthebearerofcertainroyalletterstotheLadyofStradawn,togetherwithaprivatecommunicationfromhimself,whichwasconceivedintheseterms:—

“TotheLadyJulietManvers,oncecalledtheLadyStradawn,these,withspeed.

“MostbeauteousLady,andmysoul’sidol!ThouwiltherewithreceivethedispensationofhisHolinessPopeSixtustheFourth,annullingthymarriagewiththattraitor,SirWalterStewartofStradawn,sothatthoumayestnowlookforwardtobespeedilyraisedtothehightitleanddignityofCountessofMar,aswellastothoseyetmoreelevatedhonours,towhichthegrowingedificeofmyfortunesmayyetupliftthee.Butenoughofthisforthepresent.Allwilldependonthineownbraveandsteadydeportment.Thouhastherewithsentthee,moreover,theKing’sroyalletters,strictlyenjoiningtheetodefendtheCastleofDrumminagainstallcomers,andtoholditforhissovereignMajesty;and,aboveall,onnoaccounttoadmitthetraitor,SirWalterStewart,withinitswalls;thewhich,seeingthatIbuiltandrepairedthem,Ifullwellknow,arestoutenoughtoresistanyenginewhichheorothersmaybeabletobringagainstthem,whendefendedbysoboldaheartasthine.Toaidtheeinthis,andtoenabletheetocontroltherebelliousvassalsoftheStrath,apickedbodyofmenarealreadyontheirmarch,andwillbewiththeeinaveryfewdaysafterthesepresentscometothyhand.Sousethineauthoritylikeonewhoisdestinedtothegreathonoursthatawaitthee,andthusshowthyselfworthyofhimwhoisthearchitectofthyfortunes,—whoisthydevotedadorerandslave,thedeeplylove-stricken

“MAR.”

OfallthisthegallantSirWalterknewnothing,savethattheproclamationofhisbeingdeclaredtraitor,andthepublicannunciationofthedissolutionofhismarriagehadbeensogenerallydiffused,thattheycametohimthroughthethousandmouthsofcommonfame.

Itwasthislastpieceofintelligence,thatmadehimgatheruphisstrength,fromthatdejectiontowhichhehadforsometimebeendisposedtoyield.Thevery

thoughtthathisalliancewiththisnowdetestedwoman,wasthusseveredandannihilatedforever,gavehimnewlife.But,alas!therecollectionthatshetowhosewrongs,towhosesorrows,andtowhosepenitence,hewouldnowhavewishedtohaveheldouttherighthandofconsolation,wasnownolongerinlifetoreceiveit,gavehimfreshpangsofgriefanddespondency.Hewasresolved,however,toproceedtodispossessthemurderessfromthehearthofhisfathers,andtotakepossessionofhisownfortress,indefianceoftheKing’sproclamation,beingwellawarethatthesamestouthands,andsharpclaymores,inStradawn,whichhadeverprovedsofaithfultohim,wouldstillenablehim,ifonceinpossessionofhislittleplaceofstrength,tolaughatalltheKing’sheraldsandparchmentsthroughoutbroadScotland.

Itwasafteralongandtediousmarch,thatSirWalterStewartandhisfollowerswereseenwindingupthevalleyoftheAven,onebeautifulafternoon.Theshoutsofthethinlyscatteredpopulation,rangthroughthewoodsfromcottagetocottage,asthenewsspreadthattheirownknightandchieftainwasreturning.Allturnedout,andcrowdedafterhim,towelcomehimself,totalkwiththeirfriendsintheranksofhisretinue,andtogluttheireyeswiththesplendidpageantpresentedtothembyhisgallantarray,andhisrichlycaparisonedpiebaldhorses.Thecastlearosebeforethemuponitslevelandelevatedgreenterrace,andhistroopwasmovingslowlyforwardtofordtheriverLivat,whereitrunsinabroadandshallowstream,alongthebaseofthepromontoryonwhichthefortressstands,whenthey,andespeciallytheirhorses,weresuddenlystartledbytheloudroarofafalconet,firedfromthewalls,theechofromwhichranthunderingalongthefacesoftheneighbouringmountains,whilstthebulletdischargedfromitwhistledovertheirheads,andwentcrashingthroughtheboughsofagreattreebehindthem.Asmallplumpofspearsappearedimmediatelyafterwardswithoutthewalls,andrangedthemselvesalongtheedgeoftheterraceabove.Butalthoughsomewhatsurprisedbythesewarlikeandhostiledemonstrations,SirWaltermovedboldlyonwardstotheriverside.

“Whosoeverthoubeest,thouhastalreadyhadonewarning,”criedaloudandhoarsevoicefromamidthespearmenontheterrace.“Ibidtheebewareofasecond,tillweknowsomethingoftheeandofthyfolk.”

“Wewouldholdparley,”repliedtheKnight.“Friends,yeknownotwhomyewaragainst.IsSirWalterStewarttobeheldasanenemybeforehisownCastleofDrummin?”

“WeknownaughtofSirWalter,”shoutedtheother.“WeknownotSirWalterStewart,nay,noranyotherStewart,saveourliegelordandmaster,JamesStewart,thethirdofthatname,KingofScotland,inwhosenamewebidtheebewarnedandkeepoff.”

“WhoishewhosorudelychallengestheCastleofDrummin?”exclaimedashrillwoman’svoicefromthewalls.“Ifanyonewouldhavepeacefulspeechofus,lethimadvancewithamoderateescorttillhecomeswithinearshot.”

“By’rLady,Iwouldhavetheebeware,SirKnight,”saidRonald,theespecialesquireofSirWalter’sbody.“Ifthouartboldenoughtogonearer,thoumayestcomewithinsomethingmorethanearshot.Iwilladvanceandholdparleywiththem,andIshallbesafeenowtoo,fortheywillseethattheycanmakenothingbyanydeedoftraitoriedoneagainstsuchanoneasme.”

“No,no,Ronald;Iwilltakemychance,”saidSirWalterinamelancholytone.“Mylifeisnowbutoflittlevaluetome.Letyouandonemoregowithme,andletthereststandfastheretillwereturntothem.”

SirWalterStewartandhistwoattendantsnowseparatedfromtheirparty—fordedtheriver,androdetheirhorsesupthesteepdiagonalpaththatleduptotheterraceonthepromontory,whilsttheplumpofspearmenwerecalledin,andthegatesclosed.OntheouterwallofthebarbicanstoodtheladyofStradawn,withherbabyinherarms,andsurroundedbyagroupoffaceswhichwerealtogetherstrangetotheKnight,orthosewhowerewithhim.

“Howcomesit,lady,thatI,SirWalterStewart,therightfulownerofthiscastleofDrummin,shouldbethusdelayedinenteringwithinmineownwalls?”demandedtheKnight.“Giveordersthatinstantentrancemaybeyieldedtomeandmine,thattheremaybenounseemlywarringandbloodbetweenthosewho,ifnolongeroneflesh,wereatleastoncesounitedbytheholychurch.”

“InolongerknowSirWalterStewart!”criedthelady,inaloftyandimperioustoneandmanner.“Ihadindeedoncethemisfortunetobelinkedtohim,ofwhichunionbeholdthesadfruitsinthiswretchedbabe!ButmydutytomySovereign,aswellasmydutytotheEarlofMar,whoissoontobemyhusband,requiresthatIshouldnowknowhimnolonger,saveasatraitortohisKing,as

wellasatraitortome—alikedisloyaltoboth.Begone,then!ThisfortaliceisnowheldbymeforJamesThird,KingofScotland,andentrancehereinthoushaltneverhave,whilstIlivetobartheeout.”

“Lady,thouartbold,”repliedSirWalter,coolly,“butremember,thatstoutlygarrisonedandwellprovisionedasthoudoubtlessart,wecansoonraisewillingheartsandhandsenewinStradawn,toforcetheetoaspeedysurrender.”

“Thoushaltdosothenatthepriceofthemurderofthisthychild!”exclaimedthelady,liftingupthepoorlittleinnocentonhigh.“Ifbutasinglearrowbedischargedagainstus,thetenderfleshofthisthybabeshallbethecloutthatshallreceiveit—andifbutoneburningbrandbethrown,thisshallbetheveryfirstfoodgiventotheconflagration.Itisthychild.Ihateitasbeingthine.Nomother’sfeelings,therefore,shallhindermefromusingitslittlebodyasthebulwarkofoursafety,andastherampartofoursecurity!”

“Fiendthatthouart!”criedSirWalter.“Letnotharmfallontheinnocentbabeofthywomb!Givemebutmychild,andIshallretireandleavetheescaithless,andtosuchpeaceasthyguiltysoulmaycommand.Oh,harmnotthebabe,butletmeclaspitinthesearms!”

“Ha,ha,ha!aprettynursethouwouldsthavemeprovidefortheurchin!”criedthelady,bitterly.“No,no,itsbodyisourmostpotentshield,Itellthee,andthoushaltneverwininhere,tillthouhastopenedthybloodywaythroughtheportalofitslittleheart.Shoot,ifthouwilt,then,forthisshallbethymark.”

“Oh,fiend!Oh,demon,inwoman’sshape!”criedSirWalter,inanguish.“HowwasIeverinveigledintothytoils!Terribly,indeed,amIpunishedforthesinsofmyyouth!Butthouwiltyetmeetwiththyreward!Fiendthatthouart,Isaythoushalt——”

“Nay,then,thoushalthavethyreward,andthatstraightway!”criedthelady,interruptinghim.“Shoot,archers!lethimhavehisreward,promptlyandpowerfullydeliveredfromyourwell-strungbows!—Shoot,Isay,archers!”

Aflightofarrowsinstantlycamewhizzingaboutthem.Severaloftheserangupontheirmail-shirts,othersslightlywoundedtheirhorses,butonefounditswaythroughafaultylink,totheveryheartofSirWalterStewart’ssecond

attendant,whofelllifelessfromhishorse.Againcamethearrowsthickuponthem,theirbarbedpointspryingaboutthem,asitwere,likewasps,asifinsearchofanyweakerpartorinterval,throughwhichtheymightmosteasilyandcertainlystingthemtodeath.Therewasnotimetobelost.ThefaithfulRonaldseizedSirWalterStewart’srein,andurgingontheKnight’shorseandhisownatfullspeed,hegalloppedstraightoffalongtheterrace,andsohesucceededinplacinghismasterentirelybeyondallhazard,ereyetthebewildermentofhiskeenandpoignantfeelingspermittedhimverywelltoknowwhathadbefallenhim.Andthen,leadinghishorseinaslantingdirection,downthesteepandgrassyslope,andacrosstheriver,theyjoinedtheirparty,anddrewoffunderseveralineffectualdischargesoftheill-servedandill-directedfalconet.

Withaheartdepressedbygriefandmortification,SirWalterStewarthadnownothingleftforit,buttoreturnonhiswaytoHuntlyCastle.Ashemoveddownthevalley,therooflesswallsofpoorAliceAsher’scottagearrestedhiseyes,risingbareandblackenedfromamongthewood,onthebrowoftheisolatedhillwheretheystood.Thewholeoftheharrowingsceneofthatmurderousburningrecurredtohisrecollection.Hissoulwasfilledwithaffliction,andhisheartbecameheavy,andsankwithinhim,fromthepoignantadmonitionsofthatconscience,whichplainlyandhonestlytoldhim,thatifhehadsownmorehonourableandvirtuousconductinhisyouth,hemightnowhavebeenreapingpureandunalloyedhappiness,insteadofthatmisery,whichthreatenedtoclingtohim,likeapoisonedgarment,totheendofhisdays.Hefeltthathehadblightedthespringofhisownlife:thatallsunshinehaddepartedfromhimforever;andthatallnowbeforehimwasdarkandchillingwinter.Theonlyhopehecoulddaretocherishnow,wasthatofobtainingmercy,throughthemeritsofablessedSaviour,andadeepandheartfeltrepentance.Givingwaytothefullindulgenceofsuchthoughtsasthese,hisheartbegantosickenattheworld.InsorrowandinsilencehepursuedhiswaytowardsHuntlyCastle;and,longerehehadreachedtheresidenceofhisfriendtheEarl,hehadtakenuphisfirmandunalterableresolution.

Actinguponthis,hecravedaprivateinterviewwiththeEarlthatveryevening;and,havingretiredtohisapartmentwithhim,heunfoldedhismindfullytohisfriendlyear—gaveovertohimthechargeofallhispapersandcharters,andpreparedeverythingforexecutingadeed,bywhichhisLordshipwasmadesoletrusteeoverhisestates,forthebehoofofhisinfantson,withfullpowersto

manageanddirectallmattersbelongingtothem,and,atthesametime,makingtheEarlhimselfheirofall,intheeventofthechild’sdeath.Somedaysafterwards,heputthelastformalsignatureandsealtoallthis,—notwithoutgreat,butvainexpostulationonthepartofLordHuntly,—and,havingdoneso,hedeclaredhisfixeddeterminationtodeparttheverynextmorningfortheContinent,wherehehadresolvedtoburyhimselfforeverwithinthecloistersofamonastery.

Thatnight,previoustoSirWalterStewart’sdeparture,wasamelancholyoneforthetwofriends;andtheirpartingnextmorningwasstillmoresad.

TheKnight’shorsesandattendantswerealreadydrawnupinthecourt-yard,andtheEarl’smenwerethrongingaroundthemtobidthemfarewell,whenahorsemanrodeintoit,bearingawomanonapadbehindhissaddle.Theladywasveiled,andmuffledupinamantle;but,thoughtheformwassufficientlylightanddelicate,andthatoftheyouthalsomuchmorecompactandathleticthangrossorheavy,thegoodgreysteedthatborethisdoubleweight,showedunequivocalsymptomsofthelong,rapid,anddistressingjourneyhehadundergone.

“Ha!weareyetintime?”criedtheyoungmaninatoneofenquiry.“SirWalterStewartisstillhere,ishenot?”

“Heisstillhere;butheisontheveryeveofhisdepartureforaforeignland,”repliedtheesquire,inagraveandpensivetoneandmanner.

“Iwouldfainspeakafewwordstohim,”saidtheyouth,lightingdown,andthenliftingtheladyfromherpillion.

“Ifearthatmayhardlybe,”saidtheesquire;“theselastminutesofpartingconversebetweenSirWalterStewartandtheEarlofHuntly,are,Iwarrantme,everyoneofthemworthapurseofgold.”

“Soaretheyallthemorevaluabletomeforthedoingofmineerrand,”saidtheyouth,withanairofcommand,whichseemednaturallytobelongtohim.“Here,takethisring,sopleasethee.TakeittoSirWalterStewart,andsaythatitsownerbideswithout,andwouldfainhaveashortaudienceofhimerehegoes.”

“Iwilldoyourbidding,fairsir,”saidthesquire,courteously;“thoughIknownotwellhowmineembassagemaybereceived;for,ifImistakenot,theEarlandtheKnightareshutupalonetogetherindeepandimportantconference.”

Theesquirewasintheright.Thepartingmomentsofthesefriendswereprecious,andoccupiedinmostinterestingtalk.TheEarlofHuntlyhadbeenusingtheminpouringoutallhiseloquencetoinduceSirWalterStewart,evenyet,atthistheeleventhhour,toabandonhisresolutionofgoingintoamonastery,andtoprevailonhimtoremainathome,andtoresumetherightsandthecontrolofhisestates.Heurgedituponhim,thatheowedittohiscountry,aswellastohisownjustvengeanceagainstCochran,andtheKing’sotherfavourites,tojoinwithhimandtherestofthenoblesintheplotswhichtheywerehatchingfortheirdestruction.

“Itwillbeasweetrevengeforthee,”saidtheEarl;“amostsweetrevenge,Isay,forthee,tohaveJamessuingtotheeformercy,forthelivesofthoseveryminionswhohavesoconspiredtogetherforthyruin.”

“Nay,pressmenot,dearHuntly,”repliedSirWalterStewart;“thoughtheKinghathbeenblindandfickle,yetIcannotforgethislong-exertedkindnesstome.Andasforvengeance,ItrustthattheexercisetowhichIhavesubjectedmysoulfortheselastfewnights,hathconjuredallsuchunholyandunchristianpassionsforthfrommybosom.ButtoextinguishintheeallfarthervainhopethatImaybebroughttoyieldtothyfriendlyentreaty,IwillnowtelltheethatIlastnighttookasolemnvow,onmyknees,withmineeyesupontheblessedcrucifix,andmyrighthandupontheopenEvangile,thatIwouldhenceforthfleefromtheworld,anddedicatemyselftoGod.”

“Withsuchavowuponthee,”repliedHuntly—“Withavowsosolemnlytaken,Icanurgetheenomore.”

“ThenletmypartingwordsentreattheenottoharmtheKing,”saidSirWalterStewart.“HarmnottheKing,andhurtnotonehairoftheheadofRamsayofBalmain,forheisagentleman,andmyverydearfriend,andoneindeedtowhosefriendlywarningIhaveowedmylife!”

“ThereisnointentionofhurtingJames,”saidHuntly,coldly;“andasforRamsay,thouhastsaidenough,intheselastfewwordsofthine,tomakeme

sacrificemylifetosavehim,ifheshouldbebroughtintoperil.”

“Thanks,thanks,mynoblefriend,”saidSirWalter,“thispromiseofthinegivesmecomfortinthecertaintyofRamsay’ssafety.”

“Whoknocksthere?”criedLordHuntly.“DidInotsaythatwemustbeprivate?”

“AmessengerwithsomeerrandofmomentforSirWalterStewart,”repliedtheSquire.

“Comein,andtelluswhoandwhathemaybe,”repliedLordHuntly.

“HedesiredmetodeliverthisringintoSirWalter’sownhand,”saidtheSquire,enteringandpresentingittotheKnight.

“Ha!”criedtheKnight,themomenthethrewhiseyesonit,“givehimentrancewithoutamoment’sdelay.MyLord,thisismyboyCharleyStewart,whowentabroadintheserviceoftheroyalDukeofAlbany.Ithankthesaintsthatheisalive!IrejoicethatIshalloncemorebeholdhim,forIfearedthatsomethingfatalhadbefallenhim.Itiswellthathehaththuscome,soopportunely,else,inmybewilderment,hemighthavelosthisshareofthatwhichhehathsowelldeservedatmyhands.”

“Itiswell,indeed,thathehathcome,then,”repliedtheEarl,“for,ifImistakenot,heisayoungmanworthyofthestockhehathsprungfrom.TheDukeofAlbany,Iremember,spokewellofhimfromFrance,somelittletimeafterhisarrivalthere.”

“HisHighnessvouchsafedtodoso,”repliedSirWalter.“Butitissolongsince,thatnowIburntobeholdtheboyoncemore,andtosee,withmineowneyes,whatimprovementforeignnurturehathdoneonhim.”

“AndI,”saidtheEarl,“amespeciallycurioustohearhowhisroyalmastertheDukehathsped,andwhetherhemayyettalkofreturningtohiscountry,andtrustinghispersontotheprotectionoftheScottishnobles.Butherecomestheyouth.”

“Charley,myboy!—myson!thankGodthatthouartalive!Irejoicetobehold

theeagainoncemore!”criedSirWalter,hurryingforwardtoembracehim,withdeepemotion.“Iamglad,mostglad,thouartcome!”

“Yourblessing,father!”criedCharley,whohavingenteredtheroomwiththeveiledladyonhisarm,quittedheratthedoor,andrushedforwardtomeetandtothrowhimselfonhiskneesbeforeSirWalter.

“Thouhastit,boy!”repliedtheKnight,raisinghimup,andclaspinghimtenderlytohisbreast.“Thouhastitmostsincerely.Recentmelancholyeventshavenowmadetheedoublydeartome.Butsay,whyisitthatIhaveheardnoughtoftheeforsolongatime?Whyisitthatthouwertassilentinthycommunicationasifthouhadstbeendead?OftendidIoflateseektidingsoftheeofDeTremouille,butsomuchinvaindidIseekthem,thatImorethanhalfbelievedthatsomefatalcalamityhadbefallenthee.Come,sayhowhathitfaredwiththeeandthyroyalmaster,andwhere,andwherefore,hastthoulefthim?”

“Withyourleave,dearfather,andthatofthisnobleEarl,”repliedCharley,“Ishallhastilyrunovertheoutlineofourhistory.—AfairwindboreustoFrance,whereweweresoontransportedtoParis.Therewewerewellreceived,andwelllodged,atthesignoftheCock,inthestreetofSt.Martin,andallmannerofexpensesweredefrayedfromtheFrenchtreasury,fortheDukeandhisattendants,tothenumberoftwelvepersons.Welivedamerrylife,minglinginalltheshowsandpageantsoftheFrenchcourt,andprovingourhorsemanshipwiththeFrenchcavaliers,withnomannerofdisgraceonmyhumblepart,andwithgreathonouronthepartofmyroyalmaster.Butsoonafterthis,somepaltryjealousiesandsuspicionsbrokeoutagainstus,fostered,nodoubt,bycertainScots,whohadthesecretearoftheKingofFrance,andthesecretauthorityofJamesofScotland.PrudenceledtheroyalDuketotravelintheprovincesforatime,andunderthedisguiseofanerrantknight,hewanderedabout,withmeashisesquire,doingfeatsofarmseverywhere.ThenitwasthatDeTremouillecouldreportnothingofme,forIwasaltogetherindisguise,doingthemostagreeableservicetomyhighandmostkindmaster.”

“Howcamestthoutoleavesogoodandhonourableaservicethen?”demandedtheKnight.

“Simplyonthisground,”repliedCharley.“AcertaincorrespondencebegantoarisebetweenmyroyalmasterandEdwardofEngland.Whilstthiswasgoing

on,theDuke,whoalwaysshowedmostkindlytowardsme,tookmeonedayintohisprivateapartment,andtoldmeinconfidentialsecrecy,thatacertaintreatywasonfootbetweenhimandtheEnglishking,withtheintentoftheirunitingtomakewaruponScotland.IwaslargelypromisedwealthandhonoursifIwouldfollowhisHighnesstoEngland.But,albeitthatIshouldhavebeenfaintohavefollowedhimallovertheworld,Icouldinnowisebringmyselftofightagainstthecountryofmybirth,oragainstthatcountrywhichheldmyfather,andwhosekingIheldtobemyfather’sfriend—thatcountrywhichheldher—a—a—thatcountry,Imean,whichwasa—deartomefrommanyatenderrecollection—andthatcountry,aboveall,whichheldmymuchlovedandmostaffectionateandmostreveredmother.”

“Poor,kind,andamiableboy!”murmuredSirWalterStewart,groaningdeeply,“littleknowestthouwhatashockthouhastyettoreceive!”

“Icouldnotfightagainstsuchaland,”continuedCharley,withoutobservingthisscarcelyaudibleinterruption.“Andonmysodeclaringthis,andsettingforthmyreasonsbeforemyroyalmaster,hekindly,and,ashewaspleasedtosay,withregret,gavemehisprincelylicencetodepart;andashehadlittletobestow,hehonouredmebyputtingthismassivegoldchainaroundmyneck,andIpartedfromhim,afterreceivinghisgraciousthanksforthefidelityofmyservices,andwithmanyfriendlycommendationsontheDuke’sparttoyou.Ilefthiminthemorehonourable,yetnotmorefaithful,hands,ofMonipenyandConcressault,whoarenowwithhim.HavingtakenshipandreachedtheshoresofScotland,ImadethebestofmywaytomynativeStrath,andthere,learningthatthouhadstbutrecentlyleftit,Ihasted,withallspeed,tofollowtheehither.”

“Thouhastwelljudged,andwellacted,mydearboy!”saidtheKnight,embracinghim.“Byminehonour,butthoudostprove,bythywords,thatthyheadhathgainedasmuchinsolidsenseasthypersonandmannershavegatheredinstrengthandgrace.MyLordofHuntly,sinceCharleyhaththus,byGod’smercy,turnedupalive,thoumustnowseedoneforhim,thatwhichI,insuchacaseprovided,asIalreadytoldthee.TotheethenIleaveittoseehimdulyenfeoffedintheplaceandlandsofKilmaichly,onapartofwhichhewasborn,andthisIhavebestoweduponhimandhisheirsinpropertyforever.”

“BeassuredIshallseethisdesireofthinemoststrictlyexecuted,”saidLordHuntly.

“Thanks,thanks,mostgraciousfather!”criedCharlesStewart,throwinghimselfagainuponSirWalter’sneck.“YetwouldIconsideritafargreaterboon,tobeallowedtofollowtheeinwhateveremprisethoumaystnowbeboundto.”

“ThatwhichIambouneafter,boy,istoosolemnforthyyears,”repliedSirWalterStewart,gravely.“Thouartasyettooyoungtoquitthehauntsofmen,andsinshastthoubutfewtodrivetheethence,unlessminebevisiteduponthee.But,hold!thouwouldstseemtohaveafaircompanionthere.Tellme,Ipraythee,hastthoubroughtaFrenchwifewiththee?Alas,rashyouth,thouknowestnotwhatperilsaretobefoundwithinthesilkenmeshesofthetoilsofmatrimony!Hathnotthineownpastexperienceoftheficklenatureofwomancuredtheeoflove?”

“Nay,nay,mygoodandhonouredfather,”repliedCharley,“sofarasIamconcerned,Ihavelearned,tomygreatjoy,thoughtomysadremorseandcontrition,thatwoman’slove,whenpureandvirtuous,isinextinguishablebyallthestormsandtidesofadversefate.MyRosawastrue,andsheyetlivesformeandmealone,andIwastherashinsanetoolofonewhowasmoreanevilspiritthanawoman.ThanksbetoGod,too,thatIhavenotthecrimeofmurderonmyconscience,forIhavelearnedthatmybenefactor,SirPiersGordon,yetlives.”

“SirPiersGordon!”exclaimedHuntly,insurprise,“Artthouthentheyouthwhohadsonearlydeprivedmeofsovaluableakinsmananddependant?Trustme,youngman,hadtheblowbeenfatal,Icouldnoteasilyhaveforgiventhee.”

“MyLord,Icouldneverhaveforgivenmyself,”saidCharley.“ButnowIhopetoprovetoSirPiersmygratitude,aswellasmypenitence,ifhewillvouchsafetopardonme,andtoreceivemeagainintohisfriendship.”

“Ithinkthoumayestsafelyreckonuponhim,”saidHuntly,“especiallywithmyintercessionforthee.”

“IsthisthyRosa,then,boy?”demandedSirWalterStewart,pointingtotheveiledlady.“Andisshealreadythyweddedwife?Whyallthismystery?Leadherhither,thatwemayseeandbecomeacquaintedwithher.”

“ItisnotRosa,”repliedCharley,solemnly,asheretiredtothefartherpartoftheroom,andledforwardtheladytremblingbeneathherveil.“ItisnotRosa,noris

Rosaasyetmywife.ShewhomIwouldnowintroducetoyouisnowife,norhathsheeverbeenboundbyanysuchholyties—yetwouldshecravethyblessing,andonekindwordofcomfortfromthee,”andwiththishegentlyremovedtheveilfromherhead.

“HolyVirgin,andsacredministersofAlmightyProvidence,whatdoIbehold!”exclaimedSirWalterStewart,inamazement,“AliceAsher!—andinlife!MybelovedAlice,canitindeedbethee?”andthenrushingforwardtoembraceher,hecried—“Itis,itismyAlice!”

“Oh!thismorethanrepaysmeforalifeofwretchedness,”saidAlice,weeping,andwarmlyrespondingtohisemotions.“Amother’spride,whichIhaveinmyboy,wouldnotletmeremainbehindhim;andthepriestgavemelicence.Iwishedtobeholdhiminhisfather’sarms,andmyfondandfoolishhearthathbeengratifiedbeyonditsdeserts.Mayblessingsbeshowereddownupontheeforwhatthouhastdone!”continuedshe,sinkingonherkneesbeforehim,“Mayblessingshere,andeternalhappinesshereafter,bethyportion!”

“Rise,myfair,mybeloved,mymuchinjuredAlice!”criedtheKnight,raisinghergentlyup,andagaintenderlyembracingher.“Thisisindeedadayofjoy!Buttellmehowitisthatmineeyesthusgladlybeholdthee,whentheyhavenowsolongweptforthysupposeddeathbythatmurderousandtraitorousfire?”

“Providenceinterferedtosavemyworthlesslife,”repliedAlice.“Itsohappened,that,ontheveryeveningbeforetheburning,IchancedtogoupintoGlen-LivattovisitthegoodwidowMacDermotandherdaughterRosa,whosesocietywasalwaysbalmtome,andespeciallysobecausetheirfavouritetalkwaseverofmineabsentCharley.AsIwasthusgoingawayfromhome,myserving-maidentookinagirl,afriendofhers,tobecompanyforherloneliness,andthus,boththeseinnocentcreaturesperished,whilstIescaped.ButthewaysofHeavenareinscrutable.Thusitwasthattwohalf-consumedcorpseswerediscovered,whichledtothebeliefofmydeath;andthenitwasthatterrorfortheLadyofDrumminmademedreadtocontradicttherumour,andcompelledmetoliveinconcealment.”

“Enoughitisthatthouartyetalive,mybelovedAlice!”criedSirWalterStewart,carriedaltogetherawaybythewildestfeelingsofjoy.“Dearest,weshallyetbehappy!—Thoushaltyetbe——”

“Oh,say!—speak!”saidAlice,greatlyagitated.“What—whatwouldstthousay?”

“What—whathaveIsaid?”continuedSirWalter,sinkingintoneandmannerintothoseofdeepdespondency.“What!—saidIthatweshouldyetbehappy?—thatthoushouldstyetbemywife.Alas!—no,no,no—Iforgot.Itcannotbe.Myvow—myvow—mysolemnvow,alreadyregisteredinHeaven!WouldthatIhadknownallthisereIhadmadeit!WouldthatIhadbutknownthatthouwer’tstillalive!Butnow,eventheseregretsandrepiningsbecomesinful.ThehandofProvidenceisinit,andGod’sholywillbedone.Thevow—thesolemnvowwhichIrecordedinHeavenmustbefulfilled.Alice,dearestofhumanbeings,Icannotnowbethine!IhavehenceforthdedicatedmyselftotheserviceoftheMostHigh.Idepartthisverydaytomakegoodmyvow,bythrowingmyselfintoaforeignmonastery.”

“ThewilloftheLordbedone!”saidAliceAsher,inahollowvoiceofintensesuffering,whilst,paleandtrembling,shebowedherheadandsankintoachair,whereadelugeoftearsgaveventtoheremotions.“ThewilloftheLordbedone!Andwhyshoulditbeotherwise?Ihavemorethandeservedallthosesufferingsandtrials,whichGod,inhisjusticeandwisdom,hathbeenpleasedtobringuponme,andwhyshouldIwickedlymurmur?Asthousayest,thefingerofGodisinit.Mayhesanctifyhischastisementforoursalvation,andsoletmecheerfullykisstherodofhisfatherlycorrection.”

“Angelthatthouart!”criedSirWalter,greatlymoved.“Oh,whatwouldstthounothavebeen,butforme,villainthatIwas!Thysinwasmine.Onmyheadmustfallthewholeofthyguilt.Thouwertyoungandpure,asacreatureofheaven.OnmyheadmustfallallthewrathofanoffendedGod;andmine,therefore,mustbethepenance.Returnthentoresumethineinnocentandpeacefullife.Thouhastafirmandableprotectorinthyson,whosestrongarm,anduprightheart,shallshieldtheefromallharm.Induetime,hemustmarryRosaMacDermot,andthoumaystyetlivehappilytoseethygrandchildrengrowingup,likegoodlyplants,aroundthee.PrayformeinthyprivatehoursofconversewiththeAlmighty,thathemayyetextendhismercytome,arepentantsinner.Myorisonsshallneverceasetoriseforthee.Andnow,thislastholykiss,may,withoutguilt,bepermittedtous.MayGodforeverblessandpreservethee!And—now—now—farewellforever!”

Aliceflewintohisarmswithafrantichystericallaugh;andafteralong,asilent,andalastembrace,SirWalterStewart,gentlyunfoldinghimselffromher,rushedwithabrokenheartfromtheapartment,followedbyhissonandLordHuntly,leavingAliceAsher,whosankhelplessintoachair,pale,motionless,andsilent,asifdeathhadsuddenlyfallenuponher.TheKnightsprangintohissaddle;Huntlysilentlybutwarmlysqueezedhishand;CharleyStewartembracedhismanlylimb,asheputhisfootintothestirrup—andhisfatherstoopedfromhisseat,andtenderlykissedhisbrow,andblessedhim,erehedashedhisspur-rowelsintothesidesofhissteed,andgallopedoutofthecourt-yard,withhisfollowersbehindhim.

LetusnowreturntotheCastleofDrummin.—OnthatverynightinwhichthedepressedandrepentantSirWalterwassolemnlydedicatinghimself,atHuntlyCastle,totheserviceofGod,shewhohadbeenhisladyretiredtorestinherchamber,withherinfantchildplacedinacradlebesidehercouch.Alamp,whichburnedonatablenearher,enabledhertoreadoveragaintheletterwhichshehadreceivedfromCochran,thenewEarlofMar;and,aftershehaddoneso,shelaidherheadbackuponthepillowtoruminateuponitscontents,andtoresignherselftotheenjoymentofthosevisionsofambitiontowhichithadgivenbirth.Bydegrees,sleepoverpoweredher,andherwakingthoughtsbegangraduallytoresolvethemselvesintowild,floating,andill-connecteddreams.Aftermanystrangeandabruptchanges,sheimaginedthatshewasledtothealtarbytheEarlofMar.Bothweredressedinallthepompthatbefittedtherankofsuchabridegroomandbride.TheKingandQueenwerepresent;andallthingswerepreparedforthenuptialceremony.But,whenthemarriageserviceproceeded,boththeEarlandLadymadevainandineffectualeffortstojoinhands.Asshestruggledtoaccomplishthis,shesuddenlyperceived,thatthegorgeousgoldencollarwhichsurroundedtheEarl’sneck,waschangedintoahalterofhorsehair.Shestaredwithwonderuponhim;and,asshedidso,hiscoarse,ruddyfeaturesbecamepale,andfixed,andcorpse-like,andhewasliftedslowlyfrombeforeher,asifsomepowerfulandunseenhandhadraisedhimfromthegroundbythehalter,untilhedisappearedaltogetherfromhersight.Shestruggledfearfully.Thepriests,theKing,andtheQueen,andtheotherpersonageswhowerepresentatthebridal,fadedawaybeforeher.Herheartgrewcoldwithinherfromfearandveryloneliness.Suddenlythecandlesonthealtar,andtheotherlightsinthechurch,blazedupmiraculously,tilltheirpointedflameswerebluntedandflattenedonthevaultedroof.Sheendeavouredtoshriek

aloud,butnoutterancecouldshegivetohervoice,whilsthorridlaughterechoedthroughthesurroundingaisles,anddemoniacfacesmockedandgibberedatherfrombehindthemassivepillars.Acompleteandmostunaccountablechangeimmediatelytookplace;andshebeheldaburningcottagebeforeher.Screamswereheardfromwithinthewalls,andshewouldhavefainshuthereyesfromthesight,andstoppedherearsfromthesound;butshecoulddoneither.Shewasinanagonywhichnohumantonguecandescribe.Atlength,thefigureofawoman,ofangelicbeautyandexpressionofcountenance,andetherealairinessofform,shotupwards,asifbornetoheavenbytherisingcolumnoffire.Thescreamscontinuedfromwithintheburningwalls.Theypiercedherearshorribly,andtheflamesdartedaroundheronallsides,scorchingherfaceandhands,andsettingfiretohergarments;andstillallhereffortswerevaintomoveherselffromthespot,soastowithdrawfromtheirinfluence.Halfsuffocated,shestruggledandtoiledtoescapefromthem;andbeingatlastawakenedbyherefforts,shewas,foronemoment,consciousthatshewasinthemidstofarealconflagration.Inthatonemomentwasconcentratedthewholeremorseofherwickedlife—anditwasterrible!Sheheardthecriesofherperishingbabe;andbeingherselfsochokedastobeunableforexertion,shespeedilybecameaneasyandhelplesspreytothedevouringelement.Thedraperyofherbed,whichshehadputasideinordertoreadtheletter,hadfallenbackintoitsplace;andhavingthuscaughtfirefromthelamp,theflameshadthencecommunicatedtothecradleandtothebed;andbythetimethealarmoftheconflagrationhadbeengiventhroughouttheCastle,andtracedtoitssource,theladyandherinnocentbabe,andeverythingwithintheapartment,hadbeenconsumedtoashes.

Aftersuchanoccurrenceasthis,itmayeasilybeconceivedthatthegatesofDrumminwerethrownopentotheEarlofHuntly,themomentheappearedwithastrongforcebeforeit.Hestaidbutafewdaysthere,toarrangesuchbusinessashisnewpossessionsdemandedofhim.Themostprominentandimportantpartofthiswas,toseeCharlesStewartregularlyinfeoffedinhispropertyofKilmaichly,afterwhichhebestowedknighthooduponhim;andhavingaccomplishedallthis,theEarlhastenedsouthwards,tolendhispowerfulaidinperfectingthoseplotswhichwerethenripeningamongthediscontentednobles,andwhichterminatedwiththesummaryexecutionofCochran,andtheotherminionsofKingJamestheThird,overtheBridgeofLauder.ThatthelifeorpersonofRamsaywerepreserveduntouched,mayhavebeeninagreatmeasureowingtothelastpartinginjunctionsofhisfriendSirWalterStewart.

ThenewKnightofKilmaichlyquicklyproceededtobuildhimselfasuitabledwelling,andthatwasnosoonerinahabitablestate,thanhebroughtthatcourtship,whichhebeganwithRosaMacDermot,beforeshewascarriedofffromtheharvest-rigbytheeagle,toaproperperiod,byamutualsubmissionofthepartiestothatholyyoke,whichwasimposeduponthembythepriest,whothenlivedatDounan.ThepooroldHowlet’sprophecywasthusverified,byRosaMacDermotthusbecomingalandedlady,andmarryingamanwithaknight’sspursathisheels,andthis,too,preciselyaccordingtothehappyinterpretationwhichtheLadyKilmaichlyhadherselfputuponit.Amongthefewpeoplewhowerebiddentothemarriage,andcertainlyonewhowasbynomeanstheleasthappyorjovialamongthecompany,wasthegoodoldknightSirPiersGordon.Norwashisniece,theLadyMarcella,absent,though,strangetosay,shewasverymuchmetamorphosedfromwhatsheoncewas.Sometimeafterthoseevents,whichcausedtheflightofCharleyStewarttoEdinburgh,andwhichdeprivedherofallfartherhopeofhim,shewasonedayridingwithheruncle’sretainers,whentheyfellinaccidentallywithapartyofCatteranes.Shechargedthemboldlyattheheadofherpeople,and,inthemidstofthemellée,shehadoneeyescoopedoutbythepointofalance,andhalfofhernose,andaconsiderableportionofonecheek,carriedoffbytheslashofaclaymore,and,haditnotbeenfortheintrepidityofanhonest,stalwart,broad-shouldered,andwide-chestedman-at-arms,whocametoherrescue,beatofftheenemysingle-handed,andthencarriedheroffinhisbrawnyarms,itisprobablethatshemighthavediedgloriouslyuponthebattlefield.Recoveringfromherwounds,thebraveryofthisherotouchedherheart;and,notwithstandingthelossofsomanyofhercharms,theboldyeoman,declaringthattherewasquiteenoughleftofhertomakeaveryfinewomanstill,andbeingaltogetherundeterredbyherAmazoniantemper,hehadnoscrupleinbucklingwiththeheiressofSirPiersGordon.Althoughagood-naturedfellow,hewasbynomeansamantobebullied.Averygreatreformationwasthereforespeedilyworkeduponherdisposition;andbythetimesheappearedasaguestatthemarriageofSirCharlesStewartofKilmaichly,sheexhibitedthecountenanceofagorgon,withatemperandspiritsubduedandgentleasthoseofalamb.

Ihavelittletoaddnow,gentlemen,tothistruehistory,excepttorecounttoyouaverycuriousoccurrence,thattookplacesoonafterSirCharlesStewartandhisladyweremarried,andcomfortablysettledatKilmaichly,andwhichthreatenedtointerruptthepeacefulnessoftheirlivesforatime.AdisputearosebetweenSir

Charles’speopleandthoseoftheLairdofBallindalloch,aboutthemarchbetweenthefarmofBallanluig,belongingtoKilmaichly,andCraigroy,whichwasthepropertyofhispowerfulneighbour.TheHouseofBallindallochbeinglikelytoprovetoostrongforhim,inamatterwhichheforesawmustprobablybedeterminedbythearmofforce,theprudentSirCharlestooktheprecautiontosendamessengerintoAthol,tohisfather’srelative,theLairdofFincastle,cravinghisaid.Tohisnosmallcomfort,hispetitionwasreadilygranted,andFincastlesenthimsixtywell-armedmen,andacapitalpiper,tostiruptheirsoulstobattle.SirCharlesbeingnowineveryrespectamatchforhisopponent,turnedoutbravelytomakegoodhisplea,whilstBallindallochcamewithanequalforcetodisputethepoint.Eachofthetwopartiesreacheditsrespectivegroundatnight,withtheintentofjoiningbattlebytheearliestdawn.ThatofSirCharlesStewarttookupitspositioninandaboutakiln,whilstBallindalloch’slittlearmywassimilarlypostedatornearahouseatnogreatdistance.Bothsideswerebreathinghorridwar,andanticipatingdreadfulslaughter,whendaylightshouldenablethemtoseeeachother,forthenightwasdarkaspitch.Sometimebeforedaybreak,thelightningflashed,andafearfulpealofthundercrashedsuddenlyovertheirheads,sothateverymanpresentwasstrickenwithawe.Awater-spoutthenbrokeuponthehills,andcamedownuponthemsotremendously,astoproducearoaringnoise,asifaseahadbeendescendinguponthem.Bothsideswereappalled,andsinkinginterrorupontheirknees,theyremainedinthatpositionuntilthemorningdawned.Bythattimetheskyhadcleared,andthesunrosesmiling,andthenitwas,thattheybeheldbyhislight,thatalargeandfrightfulravinehadbeencutoutbetweenthem,bythewater-spout,wherenothingofthesorthadexistedbefore.BothpartiesfeltthatProvidencehadinterferedtosettletheirdispute,andtosavetheeffusionofhumanblood.Accordinglythetwoleadersatonceagreed,thattheravinethusstrangelyandmiraculouslyopened,bythesuddendescentofthistransienttorrent,fromthehills,shouldbethemarchbetweentheirpropertiesinalltimecoming;andthus,theywhocametothegroundasdeadlyfoes,separatedasswornbrethrenandallies.

Thusitseemed,thatHeavenitselfhadruled,thatpeaceshouldbesecuredtothosewhosowellmeritedit,andwhosowellknewhowtoenjoyit;andthefelicityofSirCharlesStewartandhisladywascomplete.Yearsrolledon,andstillthesunshineoftheircountenances,aye,andthesunshineofthefacesoftheirmerrychildren,wouldoftenconjureupanangelicsmileofgratitude,upon

thepaleandpensivefeaturesofAliceAsher.Norwerethegratefulfeelingsofthishighlyfavouredfamilyexpendedinbarrenexpressions,forallaroundthemwereloudinpraiseoftheirhospitality,benevolence,andcharity.

InthecourseofsomegenerationsKilmaichlyfelltoanheiress,andtheLairdofBallindallochhavingmarriedher,shecarriedtheestateintothatfamilywhereitnowremains.

THEAUTHORFLOORED.

ItisnotveryeasytotellhowweallbestowedourselvesafterSerjeantArchyStewart’sstoryofTàillear-Crubach,butitwasnosoonerbroughttoaclose,thaneachofusproceededtoexerthisowningenuity,inmakingupabedforhimself.Somethingstherewereindeedresemblingbedsinanupperroom,butthosewhooccupiedthemwereperhapsnotmuchmorefortunatethanthosewhochoseadry,andtolerablyevencornerofthefloor,andtheredisposedofthemselves,rolledupintheirplaids.Myownexperiencetellsme,thatsweeter,sounder,ormorerefreshingreposeisnowheretobeenjoyed,thanonsuchabedasthis,especiallyafterfatigue;andthegreatproofofitsexcellence,uponthepresentoccasion,was,thatfiveminutesdidnotelapse,erewehadallsucceededinourcourtshipofthatsleepwhichourday’swalk,andthelatenessofthehour,hadconspiredtomakeitnoverydifficultmatterforustowoo.Nextmorning,theroaringoftheAven,nowturbidanddiscoloured,andflowingwideoverthehaughs,therainstilldrizzlingon,andthewetairandgloomysky,andtheplashyfootingonthemeadowwhereCliffordventuredouttoexperimentandexplore,whilstwestoodclusteredwithinthedoor,withourheadsout,tomarkhisproceedings,veryspeedilymadeusdrawthembackagain,withadeterminedresolutiontoseeafairerpromiseofweather,beforeweshouldventuretothrustthemforthtotemptourfateintravel.

CLIFFORD(mincinghisstepsontiptoethroughaflockofducklingsrejoicingclamorouslyinthewet.)—Fineweatherforyouyounggentlemen,indeed!Well,ifthedaywillneitherfishnorwalk,wemaybethankfulthatwearewellprovisionedwithfoodbothforthebodyandthemind.

DOMINIE.—Thatisagreatconsolationindeed,Mr.Clifford,andleavesuslittletobepitied.

CLIFFORD.—Come,then,letushavebreakfast;and,afterthat,letusresumeour

sittingoflastnight,and,sincewecannotbudgeout,letusspendthedayrationally,withlegendsandcigars,atInchrory.

AUTHOR.—Pray,Mr.Serjeant,whatissupposedtobetheoriginofthenameofInchrory?

SERGEANT.—Why,sir,theplacewassocalledfromacertainRoryMackenzieofTurfearabrad,orFairburn,asitiscalledinmodernlanguage,who,aboutthesixteenhundredorso,waswonttodrivegreatherdsofcattlefromhisplaceinRoss-shiretothesouthcountrymarkets,bythiswayupGlen-Aven.Hisstoryisasadone.

GRANT.—Prayletushaveit,Archy.

SERJEANT.—Withyourleave,sir,I’llrathertellittoyouonourwayuptheglen,whenwecomeneartotheplacewherethecrueldeedwasdone.Youwillbethebetterabletounderstandsomeofitsmostimportantcircumstances.

AUTHOR.—Youareright,Serjeant.

CLIFFORD(takingouthistablets.)—Well,Mr.Serjeant,I’llbookyouforit,atallevents.—RoryMackenzieofTurfearabrad.

SERJEANT.—I’llnotforgetit,sir.But,inthemeanwhile,gentlemen,Imaytellyou,thatasthisRoryMackenzieusedtobringhisbeastsupthisglen,which,asIformerlymentioned,wassofullofwoodsatthattimeastomakeanopenpatchofpastureathingofgreatvalue,hewassotemptedbythefinenessandrichnessofthegrassonthemeadowthatlieshereabouts,allproduced,asyouwillnaturallysee,fromthemarlymatterbroughtdownuponitbythestreamsfromthehill,thatheusedtomakearegularpracticeoflodginghimselfandhisanimalshereforsomedays,inordertorestandrefreshthemfortheirjourney;andso,atlast,theplacegotitsnamefromhim.Buttherewasnohousehereinhisday.

DOMINIE.—Wehavevurragreatreasontobethankful,Serjeant,thatwehavesogoodahouseoverourheadsnow,then.

CLIFFORD.—House!whyinsuchweather,ahouselikethisinthewildernessisasgoodasapalaceinacity.SoldierthoughIbe,IbynomeansenvyRory,thelaird

ofTurfearabrad,hissylvanbivouacks.Whatthinkyou,Mr.Serjeant?

SERJEANT.—Troth,sir,IcanlieoutwhenIamobligedtodoit.ButIamgrownoldenoughnowtothink,that,inanillday,thenearertothefire-sidethebetter,andstillbetterisitinanillnight.Whatsayyoutothat,Mr.Macpherson?

DOMINIE.—Ifmylastnight’sscramblehither,andthedeepmudofthatfilthypeatpotintowhichIfell,hasnotconvincedmeofthattruth,Serjeant,Imustbeastubbornbuboindeed.

CLIFFORD.—Truthisgenerallyfoundatthebottomofawell,buttofindit,asyouseemtohavedone,atthebottomofapeatpot,isanewdiscovery,Mr.Macpherson.

CLIFFORD(afterallaredonewithbreakfast.)—Come,then,gentlemen,shallweadjourntothefire,andcommenceoursitting?

GRANT.—Allons!

AUTHOR.—Now,mygoodwoman,takeawaythesethings,andmaketheroomalittletidy,andthenbringusplentyofpeats.

CLIFFORD.—Aye,thatwilldo.

GRANT.—Whoistobestory-teller?

CLIFFORD.—Mr.Macphersonistheman.Nowthen,Mr.Macpherson,yourSerjeantJohnSmithisthefirstforduty.Hemaymountguardasspeedilyasyouplease.

DOMINIE.—Heshallobeythecaptain’sorderswithoutamoment’sdelay.

ENDOFVOLUMESECOND.

EDINBURGH:PRINTEDBYT.CONSTABLE,PRINTERTOHERMAJESTY.

COLOPHON

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Title: LegendaryTalesoftheHighlands,VolumeII

Author: ThomasDickLauder(1784–1848) InfoLanguage: EnglishOriginalpublicationdate: 1841

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2019-02-20Started.

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35 . , 145 aa a 245,90,136,143,232

[Notinsource] “ 1

54 ocult occult 1116 stifly stiffly 1116 recal recall 1119 kalendar calendar 1143 ; , 1171 villanously villainously 1184 where were 1196 sweatheart sweetheart 1215 toothach toothache 1217,291 — 1

231 poople people 1232 , ? 1234 Flin Flint 1236 palid pallid 1244 villanies villainies 1

246 , . 1

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