Agnes, that it was at the dwelling of this woman she had taken up her abode; and he quitted her to allow the change of her wet clothes, while he returned to his own. house for the same purpose. And taking leave of him for a time, it may not be amiss to relate here what had passed at Craigmillar, after the visit of the Jesuit.

The day so wished for by Lady Agnes. and her handmaiden drew to a close, during which, Alice had again and again practised the part assigned her, and reiterated her assurances of success. At length, when the dusky light was scarce sufficient to admit of distinguishing objects, Alice blew loudly and shrilly on the silver call, which summons was instantly answered by the appearance of their customary attendant; who had no sooner entered, than she set up a sound of wailing and lamentation.

"Do but come with me to the inner apartment," she said, addressing the man, and thrusting the lamp into his hand, while she dragged him toward her lady's room,

which, supposing her dead, or that some accident had happened to her, he entered precipitately without question; but he had no sooner done so, than, in the twinkling of an eye, she closed the door on him, and drove the large wooden bolt into its staple. Then running to the largest of the trunks, which, as before related, were placed in the outward room, she, in a tone of almost unintelligible and hysterical joy, beseeched her mistress to rise quickly from her hiding place, and accompany her down stairs. Nor was there occasion to repeat her request; for the furious strokes at the door, which threatened every moment to beat it from its hinges, and the deep oaths of the man they had thus deceived, sounded too terrific to be heard with composure; and after taking the precaution of locking the outward door, Lady Agnes and Alice flew down the stairs of the Keep, and seeing no one in the adjoining court, which was perfectly still and silent, they rapidly crossed it to the same small door in the wall, by which they

had formerly entered, and which they had scarce passed, when they recognized the voice, and, through the gloom of the evening, the tall figure of the same person who at first led them to the Castle. Lady Agnes, appalled with the dread of some farther plot against her liberty, drew back, and hastily seized Alice by the arm. The man perceiving this retrograde motion, and comprehending its meaning, advanced toward them. "Fear nothing, lady," he said, "I perceive know me to be the you person who accompanied you hither, but I then acted under the same delusion with yourself. I now have instructions direct from the lips of your sure friend at Holyrood, and you are consequently safe under my guidance. Come on, then, in God's name, and do not let us lose this favourable hour to make good our retreat before the moon rises."-Thus encouraged and admonished, those whom he addressed gave him no farther occasion to complain of the tardiness of their movements, for the joy of her escape lent strength

my

and-speed to the limbs of Agnes; and leaning on the arm of Alice, she had reached the outward gate of the Hostel at Loretto, before the moon emerged from her ocean bed. Laurence (for it was he) stopped here. Lady,” said he to Agnes, " I must crave your pardon for desiring you to remain in this place till I have first entered the house, from which I shall return instantly to conduct you in."

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Our Lady of Loretto, who had never been favoured with a visit from her hopeful son since his return to Scotland, save when he made some rapacious demand upon her purse, now no sooner set her eyes upon him, than she exclaimed, vehemently, "What! are ye there again? I thought ye would hae waited till our removal, and contented ye wi' the possession of the hostel, without making mair demands upon its scanty profits; but I tell ye it is vain; not another coin can

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"Nay, mother," returned Laurence, very unceremoniously clapping his hand upon

her mouth to prevent further remonstrance, "understand me; I come now rather to put money into thy pocket, than to take it out; for here are two forlorn damsels at the door of this thy domicil, who will make thee handsome acquittal, if thou wilt assign them for this night the little matted chamber on the left of the ingle, and wait upon them thyself, without exposing them to the view of thy domestics."

"What!" returned his mother, while her eyes flashed indignation, hae ye nae other place to harbour sic as I'll warrant me these be, but ye maun disgrace the house o' your ain mother? Out upon them! for if they dare to enter here, I will presently have them expelled the house. Ay, I will wait upon them with a murrain! begone, therefore, directly, and come not here again until ye have a better errand."

"Well, then,” replied Laurence, “ you will lose your share of the profit which would accrue from their finding shelter here, for you are altogether mistaken in them;