g engaged the affections of a handsome, young, and
elegant gentleman, but at the same time she felt a secret sense of
error, if not of guilt, in having given him a clandestine meeting, and
kept an appointment which she knew her parents and brothers would have
heard with indignation and shame. She was confident, however, in her own
strength, and resolved in her mind that Woodward's attachment for her
never should terminate either in her disgrace or "ruin." There were,
however, many foolish and pernicious ballads sung about that period
at the hearths of the peasantry, in which some lord or squire of high
degree was represented to have fallen in love with some beautiful girl
of humble life, whom he married in spite of his proud relations, and
after having made her a lady of rank, and dressed her in silks and
satins, gold rings and jewels, brought her home to his castle, where
they lived in grandeur and happiness for the remainder of their lives.
The simple-minded girl began to imagine that some such agreeable destiny
might be reserved for herself; and thus endeavored, by the deceitful
sophistry of a credulous heart, and proud of her beauty, to palliate her
conduct amidst the accusations of her own conscience, which told her she
was acting wrong.

She had now got about half way home, when she saw an individual approach
her at a rapid pace; and as the moon had just risen, his figure was
distinctly before her, and she immediately felt a strong impression
of terror and alarm. The individual in question was young, tall, and
muscular; his person had in it every symptom of extraordinary activity
and vigor. His features, however, were not at all such as could be
termed handsome; so far from that, they were rude and stern, but not
without a wild and disagreeable dignity. His eyes were at all times
fierce and fiery, and gave unequivocal indications of a fierce and fiery
spirit. He wore a pair of rude pantaloons that fitted closely to his
finely made limbs, a short jacket or Wyliecoat that also fitted closely
to his body, over which he wore the usual cloak of that day, which was
bound about his middle with a belt and buckle, in which was stuck a
middogue, or, as it ought to be written, _meadoige_, and pronounced
_maddogay_. He wore a kind of cap or _barrad_, which, as well as his
cloak, could, by being turned inside out, instantly change his whole
appearance, and mislead his pursuers--for he was the outlaw. Such was
the startling ind