SeveralofthegentlemenwhotookpartinthisdivanwereCatholics，andallofthemstanchJacobites，whosehopeswereatpresentatthehighestpitch，asaninvasion，infavourofthePretender，wasdailyexpectedfromFrance，whichScotland，betweenthedefencelessstateofitsgarrisonsandfortifiedplaces，andthegeneraldisaffectionoftheinhabitants，wasratherpreparedtowelcomethantoresist。Ratcliffe，whoneithersoughttoassistattheirconsultationsonthissubject，norwasinvitedtodoso，had，inthemeanwhile，retiredtohisownapartment。MissIldertonwassequesteredfromsocietyinasortofhonourableconfinement，\"until，\"saidMr。Vere，\"sheshouldbesafelyconveyedhometoherfather’shouse，\"anopportunityforwhichoccurredonthefollowingday。
ThedomesticscouldnothelpthinkingitremarkablehowsoonthelossofMissVere，andthestrangemannerinwhichithadhappened，seemedtobeforgottenbytheotherguestsatthecastle。Theyknewnot，thatthosethemostinterestedinherfatewerewellacquaintedwiththecauseofherbeingcarriedoff，andtheplaceofherretreat；andthattheothers，intheanxiousanddoubtfulmomentswhichprecededthebreakingforthofaconspiracy，werelittleaccessibletoanyfeelingsbutwhataroseimmediatelyoutoftheirownmachinations。
CHAPTERXII。
Someoneway，someanother——DoyouknowWherewemayapprehendher？
TheresearchesafterMissVerewere（forthesakeofappearances，perhaps）resumedonthesucceedingday，withsimilarbadsuccess，andthepartywerereturningtowardsEllieslawintheevening。