e a bit, hear me a
bit. We mean ye nae harm; but, as ye are in arms for King James, as
ye ca' him, and the prelates, we thought it right to keep up the auld
neighbour war, and stand up for the t'other ane and the Kirk; but we'll
no hurt a hair o' your heads, if ye like to gang hame quietly. And it
will be your best way, for there's sure news come frae Loudoun, that him
they ca' Bang, or Byng, or what is't, has bang'd the French ships and
the new king aff the coast however; sae ye had best bide content wi'
auld Nanse for want of a better Queen."

Ratcliffe, who at this moment entered, confirmed these accounts so
unfavourable to the Jacobite interest. Sir Frederick, almost instantly,
and without taking leave of any one, left the castle, with such of his
attendants as were able to follow him.

"And what will you do, Mr. Mareschal?" said Ratcliffe.

"Why, faith," answered he, smiling, "I hardly know; my spirit is too
great, and my fortune too small, for me to follow the example of the
doughty bridegroom. It is not in my nature, and it is hardly worth my
while."

"Well, then, disperse your men, and remain quiet, and this will be
overlooked, as there has been no overt act."

"Hout, ay," said Elliot, "just let byganes be byganes, and a' friends
again; deil ane I bear malice at but Westburnflat, and I hae gien him
baith a het skin and a cauld ane. I hadna changed three blows of the
broadsword wi' him before he lap the window into the castle-moat, and
swattered through it like a wild-duck. He's a clever fallow, indeed!
maun kilt awa wi' ae bonny lass in the morning, and another at night,
less wadna serve him! but if he disna kilt himsell out o' the country,
I'se kilt him wi' a tow, for the Castleton meeting's clean blawn ower;
his friends will no countenance him."

During the general confusion, Isabella had thrown herself at the feet of
her kinsman, Sir Edward Mauley, for so we must now call the Solitary,
to express at once her gratitude, and to beseech forgiveness for her
father. The eyes of all began to be fixed on them, as soon as their own
agitation and the bustle of the attendants had somewhat abated. Miss
Vere kneeled beside the tomb of her mother, to whose statue her features
exhibited a marked resemblance. She held the hand of the Dwarf,
which she kissed repeatedly and bathed with tears. He stood fixed and
motionless, excepting that his eyes glanced alternately on the marble
figure and the living suppliant. At len