of

"For your wounds, my Lord," said the Major, "if my sister, Lady Bellenden, will undertake to give battle to any feverish symptom, if such should appear, I will answer that my old campaigner, Gideon Pike, shall dress a flesh-wound with any the incorporation of Barber Surgeons. He had enough of practice in Montrose's time, for we had few regularly-bred army chirurgeons, as you may well suppose. You agree to stay with us, then ?"

"My reasons for leaving the Castle," said Lord Evandale, glancing a look towards Edith, "though they evidently seemed weighty, must needs give way to those which infer the power of serving you. May I presume, Major, to enquire into the means and plan of defence which you have prepared? or can I attend you to examine the works ?"

It did not escape Miss Bellenden, that Lord Evandale seemed much exhausted both in body and mind. "I think, sir,' she said, addressing the Major, "that since

f

Lord Evandale condescends to become an officer of our garrison, you should begin by rendering him amenable to your authority, and ordering him to his apartment, that he may take some refreshment ere he enters on military discussions."

"Edith is right," said the old lady; you must go instantly to bed, my Lord, and take some febrifuge, which I will pre pare with my own hand; and my lady-inwaiting, Mistress Martha Weddell, shall make some friar's chicken, or something very light. I would not advise wine.-John Gudyill, let the housekeeper make ready the chamber of dais. Lord Evandale must lie down instantly. Pike will take off the dressings and examine the state of the wounds."

"These are melancholy preparations, madam," said Lord Evandale, as he returned thanks to Lady Margaret, and was about to leave the hall," but I must submit to your ladyship's directions; and I trust that your skill will soon make me a

more able defender of your castle than I am at present. You must render my body serviceable as soon as you can, for you have no use for my head while you have Major Bellenden."

With these words he left the apartment. "An excellent young man, and a modest," said the Major.

"None of that conceit," said Lady Margaret, that often makes young folks suppose they know better how their complaints should be treated than people that have had experience."

2

"And so generous and handsome a young nobleman," said Jenny Dennison, who had entered during the latter part of this conversation, and was now left alone with her mistress in the hall, the Major returning to his military cares, and Lady Margaret to her medical preparations.

Edith only answered these encomiums with a sigh; but, although silent she felt and knew better than any one how much they were merited by the person on whom

they were bestowed. Jenny, however, failed not to follow up her blow.

"After a', it's true that my leddy saysthere's nae trusting a presbyterian; they are a' faithless man-sworn loons. Whae wad hae thought that young Milnwood and Cuddie Headrigg wad hae ta'en on wi' thae rebel blackguards?"

"What do yon mean by such improbable nonsense, Jenny?" said her young mistress, very much displeased.

"I ken it's no pleasing for you to hear, madam," answered Jenny, hardily; "and it's as little pleasant for me to tell; but as gude ye suld ken a' about it soon as syne, and the haill castle's ringing wi't."

"Ringing with what, Jenny? Have you a mind to drive me mad?" answered Edith, impatiently.

"Just that Henry Morton of Milnwood is out wi' the rebels, and ane o' their chief - leaders."

"It is a falsehood," said Edith-"a most base calumny! and you are very bold

to dare to repeat it to me. Henry Morton is incapable of such treachery to his king and country-such cruelty to me-to-to all the innocent and defenceless victims, I mean, who must suffer in a civil war-I tell you he is utterly incapable of it, in every sense."

"Dear! dear! Miss Edith," replied Jenmy, still constant to her text; "they maun be better acquented wi' young men than I am, or ever wish to be, that can tell preceesely what they re capable or no capable o'. But there has been Trooper Tam, and another chield, out in bonnets and grey plaids, like countrymen, to recon-reconnoitre, I think John Gudyill ca'd it; and they hae been amang the rebels, and brought back word that they had seen young Milnwood, mounted on ane o' the dragoon horses that was ta'en at Loudonhill, armed wi' sword and pistols, like wha but him, and hand and glove wi' the foremost o' them, and dreeling and command