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I have, by the favour of a friend, a safe conduct and horses for you and your retinue-for God's sake make haste-you cannot propose to hold out with seven or eight men and without provisions-Enough has been done for honour, and enough to render the defence of the highest conse quence to government. More were needless as well as desperate. The English troops are arrived at Edinburgh, and will speedily move upon Hamilton. The possession of Tillietudlem by the rebels will be but temporary."

"If you think so, my Lord," said the veteran, with a reluctant sigh,-" I know you only advise what is honourable-I must submit, for the mutiny of these Scoundrels would render it impossible to man the walls.-Gudyill, let the women call up their mistresses, and all be ready to march-But if I thought my remaining in these old walls, till I was starved to a mummy, could do the King's cause the least service, old Miles Bellenden would

not leave them while there was a spark of

life in his body."

The ladies, already alarmed by the mu tiny, now heard the determination of the Major, in which they readily acquiesced. Hasty preparations were made for evacuating the Castle; and long ere the dawn was distinct enough for discovering objects with precision, they were mounted on the led horses, and others which had been provided in the neighbourhood, and proceeded towards the north, still escorted by four of the insurgent horsemen. The rest of the party who had accompanied Lord Evandale from the hamlet, took possession of the deserted Castle, carefully forbearing all outrage or acts of plunder. And, when the sun arose, the scarlet and blue colours of the Scottish Covenant floated from the Keep of Tillietudlem.

CHAPTER XVI.

And, to my breast, a boldkin in her hand
Were worth a thousand daggers:

MARLOW.

THE cavalcade which left the Castle of Tillietudlem halted a few minutes, after passing the outposts of the insurgents, to take some slight refreshments which their attendants had provided, and which were really necessary to persons who had suffered considerably by want of proper nourishment. They then pressed forward upon the road towards Edinburgh. It might have been expected, during the course of the journey, that Lord Evandale would have been frequently by the side of Miss Edith Bellenden. Yet, after his first salutations had been exchanged, and every pre

caution solicitously adopted which could serve for her accommodation, he rode in the van of the party with Major Bellenden, and seemed to abandon the charge of immediate attendance upon his lovely niece. to one of the insurgent cavaliers, whose dark military cloak, large flapped hat and feather, which drooped over his face, concealed at once his figure and his features. They rode side by side in silence for more than two miles, when the stranger addressed Miss Bellenden in a tremulous and suppressed voice.

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Miss Bellenden," he said, "must have friends wherever she is known; even. among those whose conduct she now disapproves. Is there any thing that such can do to shew their respect for her, and their regret for her sufferings?"

"Let them learn for their own sakes," replied Edith, "to venerate the laws and to spare innocent blood-Let them return to their allegiance, and I can forgive

them all that I have suffered, were it ten times more."

"You think it impossible then," rejoined the cavalier, " for any one to serve in our ranks having the weal of his country sincerely at heart, and conceiving himself in the discharge of a patriotic duty ?"

"It might be imprudent while so absolutely in your power," replied Miss Bellenden," to answer that question."

"Not in the present instance, I plight you the word of a soldier," replied the horseman.

"I have been taught candour from my birth," said Edith; "and, if I am to speak at all, I must utter my real sentiments. God only can judge the heart-men must estimate intentions by actions. Treason, murder by the sword and by gibbet, the oppression of a private fami y such as ours, who were only in arms for the defence of our own property, are actions which must needs sully all that have accession to them,

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