is a clever wench, and very likely
will be at Ibbetson's before me. At any rate I have nothing with me but
this bandbox with a night-rail and a change of apparel, such as is
suitable for posting-inns. You have, I see, plenty of men-folk to escort
you, and, as I jalouse, more to follow--but what you need is a well-born
gentlewoman of comfortable means for a duenna! Oh, ye will try to come
round me with your 'Miss Aline's,' and your coaxing. But as long as ye
are under my care, off to bed ye shall march at a reasonable hour. Then
I shall lock the door on ye and keep the key under my pillow. I lost ye
once out of Ladykirk when ye slippit out at the back door. But this time
ye shall have a better gaoler. Hear ye that, Mistress Patsy?"

There was nothing to be said, and, indeed, it was a great sacrifice
which Miss Aline was making in the upturning of all her cherished
habits, and the abandoning of her dear Ladykirk in the season of all
others which she preferred--the time, as she expressed it, "of the
ingathering of the fruits of the earth."

The "more to follow," by which Miss Aline had intimated an addition to
Patsy's escort, was in waiting a little farther on at the head of the
Long Wood. Stair Garland and twenty-five of his best horsed and most
gallant lads stood waiting to fall in behind the carriage. As Patsy came
near she put her head out at the window and cried, "Oh, Stair, is it
safe?"

But Stair only smiled, and took his broad blue bonnet off with a sweep
which caused the eagle's plume in it to touch the dust. The twenty-five
behind him uncovered also. They made a gallant show, every man with his
carbine slung over his shoulder by the broad bandolier strap which
crossed his chest, his cloak and provender rolled on the pommel of his
saddle, and his bridle and spurs jingling as the ponies fidgeted
restlessly in the narrow space.

Then Stair commanded, "File out there," as the carriage rumbled into the
shades of the wood and took the direction of the White Loch, and Patsy
remembered that other journey and the dreadful uncertainty of it. She
shut her eyes and recalled it till she shuddered so that Miss Aline
asked if she were cold. She had never lost faith in her friends even
then, and now Louis was riding close to the left window of the carriage,
and Stair Garland, with his horsemen, guarding her, sending her forth
out of her own country as hardly a Princess had ever left Galloway.

They sent the Earl's team back