part with it, as if they had been solely moved by the motives of worldly ambition➡➡ But of this another time. Have you succeeded in obtaining a committee of the council to be nominated?".

"I have," answered Burley. "The num ber is limited to six, of which you are one, and I come to call you to their deliberations."

Morton accompanied him to a sequestered grass-plot, where their colleagues awaited them. In this delegation of authority, the two principal factions which divided the tumultuary army had each taken care to send three of their own number. On the part of the Cameronians, were Burley, Macbriar, and Kettledrummle; and on that of the moderate party, Poundtext, Henry Morton, and a small proprietor, called the Laird of Langcale. Thus the two parties were equally balanced by their representatives in the committee of management, although it seemed likely that those of the most violent opinions were,

as is usual in such cases, to possess and exert the greater degree of energy. Their debate, however, was conducted more like men of this world than could have been expected from their conduct on the preceding evening. After maturely consider. ing their means and situation, and the probable increase of their numbers, they agreed that they would keep their position for that day, in order to refresh their men, and give time to reinforcements to join them, and that, on the next morning, they would direct their march towards Tillietudlem, and summon that strong-hold, as they expressed it, of malignancy. If it was: not surrendered to their summons, they resolved to try the effect of a brisk assault, and, should that miscarry, it was settled that they should leave a part of their num ber to blockade the place, and reduce it, if possible, by famine, while their main body should march forward to drive Claverhouse and Lord Ross from the town of Glasgow. Such was the determination of

the council of management; and thus Morton's first enterprize in active life was likely to be the attack of a castle belonging to the parent of his mistress, and defended by her relative, Major Bellenden, to whom he personally owed many obligations. He felt fully the embarrassment of his situation, yet consoled himself with the reflec tion, that his newly-acquired power in the insurgent army would give him, at all events, the means of extending to the in mates of Tillietudlem a protection which no other circumstance could have afforded them, and he was not without hope that he might be able to mediate such an accommodation betwixt them and the presbyterian army as should secure them a safe neutrality during the war which was about

to ensue.

CHAPTER XI.

There came a knight from the field of slain,
His steed was drench'd with blood and rain.

FINLAY.

The

WE must now return to the fortress of Tillietudlem and its inhabitants. morning, being the first after the battle of Loudon-hill, had dawned upon its battlements, and the defenders had already resumed the labours by which they proposed to render the place tenable, when the watchman, who was placed in a high turret, called the Warder's Tower, gave the signal that a horseman was approaching. As he came nearer, his dress indicated an officer of the Life-Guards; and the slowness of his horse's pace, as well as the

manner in which the rider stooped on the saddle-bow, plainly shewed that he was sick or wounded. The wicket was instantly opened to receive him, and Lord Evandale rode into the court-yard, so reduced by loss of blood, that he was unable to dismount without assistance. As he entered the hall, leaning upon a servant, the ladies shrieked with surprise and terror; for, pale as death, stained with blood, his regimentals soiled and torn, and his hair matted and disordered, he resembled rather a spectre than a human being. But their next exclamation was that of joy at his escape.

"Thank God!" exclaimed Lady Marga. ret, “that you are here, and have escaped -the hands of the blood-thirsty murderers who have cut off so many of the King's ·loyal servants!"

that you

"Thank God !" added Edith, äre here and in safety! We have dreaded the worst; but you are wounded, and I