e of some
significant whispers which were directly levelled at her character,
suggested to Maria that having seen enough of these wild proceedings,
it would be more advisable to return home--a suggestion to which Maria,
whose presence there at all was in deference to her father's wishes,
very gladly consented. They accordingly placed themselves under the
escort of the redoubtable and gallant twins, and reached home in safety.

It was now expected that the quality would go down to the inn, where the
largest room had been fitted up for refreshments and dancing, and into
which none but the more decent and respectable classes were admitted.
There most of the beauties of the town and the adjoining neighborhood
were assembled, together with their admirers, all of whom entered into
the spirit of the festivity with great relish. When Lindsay and his
company were about to retire from the great bonfire, the conductors of
the pageant, who also acted as spokesmen on the occasion, thus addressed
them:

"It's right, your honors, that you should go and see the dancin' in
the inn, and no harm if you shake a heel yourselves, besides taking
something to wash the dust out o' your throats; but when you come out
again, if you don't find a fresh and high blaze before you still, the
devil's a witch."

As they proceeded toward the inn, the consequences of the drink, which
the crowd had so abundantly received, began, here and there, to manifest
many unequivocal symptoms. In some places high words were going on, in
others blows; and altogether the affair seemed likely to terminate in a
general conflict.

"Father," said his son Charles, "had you not better try and settle these
rising disturbances?"

"Not I," replied the jovial magistrate; "let them thrash one another
till morning; they like it, and I make it a point never to go between
the poor people and their enjoyments. Gadzooks, Charley, don't you know
it would be a tame and discreditable affair without a row?"

"Yes; but now that they've got drunk, they're cheering you, and groaning
my mother."

"Devil's cure to her," replied his father; "if she didn't deserve it
she'd not get it. What right had she to send my bailiffs to drive their
cattle without my knowledge, and to take duty fowl and duty work from
them whenever my back is turned, and contrary to my wishes? Come in till
we have some punch; let them shout and fight away; it wouldn't fee the
thing, Charley, without it."

They fo