Soothfasttidingshadassuredhimthatthisnoblemanwasatlength，andwithoutfail，tohonourhiscastleatoneintheafternoon，beingalatedinner-hour；andmuchwasthebustleinconsequenceoftheannunciation。TheLordKeepertraversedthechambers，heldconsultationwiththebutlerinthecellars，andevenventured，attheriskofademelewithacookofaspiritloftyenoughtoscorntheadmonitionsofLadyAshtonherself，topeepintothekitchen。Satisfied，atlength，thateverythingwasinasactiveatrainofpreparationaswaspossible，hesummonedRavenswoodandhisdaughtertowalkupontheterrace，forthepurposeofwatching，fromthatcommandingposition，theearliestsymptomsofhislordship’sapproach。Forthispurpose，withslowandidlestep，heparadedtheterrace，which，flankedwithaheavystonebattlement，stretchedinfrontofthecastleuponalevelwiththefirststory；whilevisitorsfoundaccesstothecourtbyaprojectinggateway，thebartizanorflat-leadedroofofwhichwasaccessiblefromtheterracebyaneasyflightoflowandbroadsteps。Thewholeborearesemblancepartlytoacastle，partlytoanobleman’sseat；andthoughcalculated，insomerespects，fordefence，evincedthatithadbeenconstructedunderasenseofthepowerandsecurityoftheancientLordsofRavenswood。
Thispleasantwalkcommandedabeautifulandextensiveview。
Butwhatwasmosttoourpresentpurpose，therewereseenfromtheterracetworoads，oneleadingfromtheeast，andonefromthewestward，which，crossingaridgeopposedtotheeminenceonwhichthecastlestood，atdifferentangles，graduallyapproachedeachother，untiltheyjoinednotfarfromthegateoftheavenue。ItwastothewestwardapproachthattheLordKeeper，fromasortoffidgetinganxiety，hisdaughter，fromcomplaisancetohim，andRavenswood，thoughfeelingsomesymptomsofinternalimpatience，outofcomplaisancetohisdaughter，directedtheireyestoseetheprecursorsoftheMarquis’sapproach。
Thesewerenotlongofpresentingthemselves。Tworunningfootmen，dressedinwhite，withblackjockey-caps，andlongstaffsintheirhands，headedthetrain；andsuchwastheiragility，thattheyfoundnodifficultyinkeepingthenecessaryadvance，whichtheetiquetteoftheirstationrequired，beforethecarriageandhorsemen。Onwardtheycameatalongswingingtrot，arguingunweariedspeedintheirlong-breathedcalling。
SuchrunningfootmenareoftenalludedtoinoldplaysIwouldparticularlyinstanceMiddleton’sMadWorld，myMasters，andperhapsmaybestillrememberedbysomeoldpersonsinScotland，aspartoftheretinueoftheancientnobilitywhentravellinginfullceremony。Behindtheseglancingmeteors，whofooteditasiftheAvengerofBloodhadbeenbehindthem，cameacloudofdust，raisedbyriderswhopreceded，attended，orfollowedthestate-carriageoftheMarquis。
Theprivilegeofnobility，inthosedays，hadsomethinginitimpressiveontheimagination。Thedressesandliveriesandnumberoftheirattendants，theirstyleoftravelling，theimposing，andalmostwarlike，airofthearmedmenwhosurroundedthem，placethemfarabovethelaird，whotravelledwithhisbraceoffootmen；andastorivalryfromthemercantilepartofthecommunity，thesewouldassoonhavethoughtofimitatingthestateequipageoftheSovereign。Atpresentitisdifferent；andImyself，PeterPattieson，inalatejourneytoEdinburgh，hadthehonour，inthemail-coachphrasemto”changealeg”withapeeroftherealm。ItwasnotsointhedaysofwhichIwrite；
andtheMarquis’sapproach，solongexpectedinvain，nowtookplaceinthefullpompofancientaristocracy。SirWilliamAshtonwassomuchinterestedinwhathebeheld，andinconsideringtheceremonialofreception，incaseanycircumstancehadbeenomitted，thathescarceheardhissonHenryexclaim:”Thereisanothercoachandsixcomingdowntheeastroad，papa；cantheybothbelongtotheMarquisofA——？”
Atlength，whentheyoungsterhadfairlycompelledhisattentionbypullinghissleeve，Heturnedhiseyes，and，asheturned，survey’dAnawfulvision。
Sureenough，anothercoachandsix，withfourservantsoroutridersinattendance，wasdescendingthehillfromtheeastward，atsuchapaceasmadeitdoubtfulwhichofthecarriagesthusapproachingfromdifferentquarterswouldfirstreachthegateattheextremityoftheavenue。Theonecoachwasgreen，theotherblue；andnotthegreenandbluechariotsinthecircusofRomeorConstantinopleexcitedmoreturmoilamongthecitizensthanthedoubleapparitionoccasionedinthemindoftheLordKeeper。
Weallremembertheterribleexclamationofthedyingprofligate，whenafriend，todestroywhathesupposedthehypochondriacideaofaspectreappearinginacertainshapeatagivenhour，placedbeforehimapersondressedupinthemannerhedescribed。”MonDieu！”saidtheexpiringsinner，who，itseems，sawboththerealandpolygraphicapparition，”ilyenadeux！”ThesurpriseoftheLordKeeperwasscarcelylessunpleasingattheduplicationoftheexpectedarrival；hismindmisgavehimstrangely。Therewasnoneighbourwhowouldhaveapproachedsounceremoniously，atatimewhenceremonywasheldinsuchrespect。ItmustbeLadyAshton，saidhisconscience，andfollowedupthehintwithananxiousanticipationofthepurposeofhersuddenandunannouncedreturn。Hefeltthathewascaught”inthemanner。”Thatthecompanyinwhichshehadsounluckilysurprisedhimwaslikelytobehighlydistastefultoher，therewasnoquestion；andtheonlyhopewhichremainedforhimwasherhighsenseofdignifiedpropriety，which，hetrusted，mightpreventapublicexplosion。ButsoactivewerehisdoubtsandfearsasaltogethertoderangehispurposedceremonialforthereceptionoftheMarquis。
ThesefeelingsofapprehensionwerenotconfinedtoSirWilliamAshton。”Itismymother——itismymother！”saidLucy，turningaspaleasashes，andclaspingherhandstogetherasshelookedatRavenswood。”AndifitbeLadyAshton，”saidherlovertoherinalowtone，”whatcanbetheoccasionofsuchalarm？Surelythereturnofaladytothefamilyfromwhichshehasbeensolongabsentshouldexciteothersensationsthanthoseoffearanddismay。””Youdonotknowmymother，”saidMissAshton，inatonealmostbreathlesswithterror；”whatwillshesaywhensheseesyouinthisplace！””Mystayhasbeentoolong，”saidRavenswood，somewhathaughtily，”ifherdispleasureatmypresenceislikelytobesoformidable。MydearLucy，”heresumed，inatoneofsoothingencouragement，”youaretoochildishlyafraidofLadyAshton；sheisawomanoffamily——aladyoffashion——apersonwhomustknowtheworld，andwhatisduetoherhusbandandherhusband’sguests。”
Lucyshookherhead；and，asifhermother，stillatthedistanceofhalfamile，couldhaveseenandscrutinisedherdeportment，shewithdrewherselffrombesdieRavenswood，and，takingherbrotherHenry’sarm，ledhimtoadifferentpartoftheterrace。TheKeeperalsoshuffleddowntowardstheportalofthegreatgate，withoutinvitingRavenswoodtoaccompanyhim；andthusheremainedstandingaloneontheterrace，desertedandshunned，asitwere，bytheinhabitantsofthemansion。
Thissuitednotthemoodofonewhowasproudinproportiontohispoverty，andwhothoughtthat，insacrificinghisdeep-
rootedresentmentssofarastobecomeSirWilliamAshton’sguest，heconferredafavour，andreceivednone。”IcanforgiveLucy，”hesaidtohimself；”sheisyoung，timid，andconsciousofanimportantengagementassumedwithouthermother’ssanction；
yetsheshouldrememberwithwhomithasbeenassumed，andleavemenoreasontosuspectthatsheisashamedofherchoice。FortheKeeper，sense，spirit，andexpressionseemtohavelefthisfaceandmannersincehehadthefirstglimpseofLadyAshton’scarriage。Imustwatchhowthisistoend；and，iftheygivemereasontothinkmyselfanunwelcomeguest，myvisitissoonabridged。”
Withthesesuspicionsfloatingonhismind，helefttheterrace，andwalkingtowardsthestablesofthecastle，gavedirectionsthathishorseshouldbekeptinreadiness，incaseheshouldhaveoccasiontorideabroad。
Inthemeanwhile，thedriversofthetwocarriages，theapproachofwhichhadoccasionedsomuchdismayatthecastle，hadbecomeawareofeachother’spresence，astheyapproachedupondifferentlinestotheheadoftheavenue，asaocmmoncentre。LadyAshton’sdriverandpostilionsinstantlyreceivedorderstogetforemost，ifpossible，herladyshipbeingdesirousofdespatchingherfirstinterviewwithherhusbandbeforethearrivaloftheseguests，whoevertheymighthappentobe。Ontheotherhand，thecoachmanoftheMarquis，consciousofhisowndignityandthatofhismaster，andobservingtherivalcharioteerwasmendinghispace，resolved，likeatruebrotherofthewhip，whetherancientormodern，tovindicatehisrightofprecedence。Sothat，toincreasetheconfusionoftheLordKeeper’sunderstanding，hesawtheshorttimewhichremainedforconsiderationabridgedbythehasteofthecontendingcoachmen，who，fixingtheireyessternlyoneachother，andapplyingthelashsmartlytotheirhorses，begantothunderdownthedescentwithemulousrapidity，whilethehorsemenwhoattendedthemwereforcedtoputontoahand-gallop。
SirWilliam’sonlychancenowremainingwasthepossibilityofanoverturn，andthathisladyorvisitormightbreaktheirnecks。Iamnotawarethatheformedanydistinctwishonthesubject，butIhavenoreasontothinkthathisgriefineithercasewouldhavebeenaltogetherinconsolable。Thischance，however，alsodisappeared；forLadyAshton，thoughinsensibletofear，begantoseetheridiculeofrunningaracewithavisitorofdistinction，thegoalbeingtheportalofherowncastle，andcommandedhercoachman，astheyapproachedtheavenue，toslackenhispace，andallowprecedencetothestranger’sequipage；acommandwhichhegladlyobeyed，ascomingintimetosavehishonour，thehorsesoftheMarquis’scarriagebeingbetter，or，atleast，fresherthanhisown。Herestrainedhispace，therefore，andsufferedthegreencoachtoentertheavenue，withallitsretinue，whichpassitoccupiedwiththespeedofawhirlwind。
TheMarquis’slacedcharioteernosoonerfoundthepasd’avancewasgrantedtohimthanheresumedamoredeliberatepace，atwhichheadvancedundertheemboweringshadeoftheloftyelms，surroundedbyalltheattendants；whilethecarriageofLadyAshtonfollowed，stillmoreslowly，atsomedistance。
Inthefrontofthecastle，andbeneaththeportalwhichadmittedguestsintotheinnercourt，stoodSirWilliamAshton，muchperplexedinmind，hisyoungersonanddaughterbesidehim，andintheirrearatrainofattendantsofvariousranks，inandoutoflivery。ThenobilityandgentryofScotland，atthisperiod，wereremarkableeventoextravaganceforthenumberoftheirservants，whoseserviceswereeasilypurchasedinacountrywheremenwerenumerousbeyondproportiontothemeansofemployingthem。
ThemannersofamantrainedlikeSirWilliamAshtonaretoomuchathiscommandtoremainlongdisconcertedwiththemostadverseconcurrenceofcircumstances。HereceivedtheMarquis，ashealightedfromhisequipage，withtheusualcomplimentsofwelcome；and，asheusheredhimintothegreathall，expressedhishopethathisjourneyhadbeenpleasant。TheMarquiswasatall，well-mademan，withathoughtfulandintelligentcountenance，andaneyeinwhichthefireofambitionhadforsomeyearsreplacedthevivacityofyouth；abold，proudexpressionofcountenance，yetchastenedbyhabitualcaution，andthedesirewhich，astheheadofaparty，henecessarilyentertainedofacquiringpopularity。HeansweredwithcourtesythecourteousinquiriesoftheLordKeeper，andwasformallypresentedtoMissAshton，inthecourseofwhichceremonytheLordKeepergavethefirstsymptomofwhatwaschieflyoccupyinghismind，byintroducinghisdaughteras”hiswife，LadyAshton。”
Lucyblushed；theMarquislookedsurprisedattheextremelyjuvenileappearanceofhishostess，andtheLordKeeperwithdifficultyralliedhimselfsofarastoexplain。”Ishouldhavesaidmydaughter，mylord；butthetruthis，thatIsawLadyAshton’scarriageentertheavenueshortlyafteryourlordship’s，and——””Makenoapology，mylord，”repliedhisnobleguest；”letmeentreatyouwillwaitonyourlady，andleavemetocultivateMissAshton’sacquaintance。Iamshockedmypeopleshouldhavetakenprecedenceofourhostessatherowngate；butyourlordshipisawarethatIsupposedLadyAshtonwasstillinthesouth。Permitmetobeseechyouwillwaiveceremony，andhastentowelcomeher。”
ThiswaspreciselywhattheLordKeeperlongedtodo；andheinstantlyprofitedbyhislordship’sobligingpermission。ToseeLadyAshton，andencounterthefirstburstofherdispleasureinprivate，mightprepareher，insomedegree，toreceiveherunwelcomeguestswithduedecorum。Ashercarriage，therefore，stopped，thearmoftheattentivehusbandwasreadytoassistLadyAshtonindismounting。Lookingasifshesawhimnot，sheputhisarmaside，andrequestedthatofCaptainCraigengelt，whostoodbythecoachwithhislacedhatunderhisarm，havingactedascavaliereservente，orsquireinattendance，duringthejourney。Takingholdofthisrespectableperson’sarmasiftosupporther，LadyAshtontraversedthecourt，utteringawodortwobywayofdirectiontotheservants，butnotonetoSirWilliam，whoinvainendeavouredtoattractherattention，asheratherfollowedthanaccompaniedherintothehall，inwhichtheyfoundtheMarquisincloseconversationwiththeMasterofRavenswood。Lucyhadtakenthefirstopportunityofescaping。
TherewasembarrassmentoneverycountenanceexceptthatoftheMarquisofA——；forevenCraigengelt’simpudencewashardlyabletoveilhisfearofRavenswood，antherestfelttheawkwardnessofthepositioninwhichtheywerethusunexpectedlyplaced。
AfterwaitingamomenttobepresentedbySirWilliamAshton，theMarquisresolvedtointroducehimself。”TheLordKeeper，”hesaid，bowingtoLadyAshton，”hasjustintroducedtomehisdaughterashiswife；hemightveryeasilypresentLadyAshtonashisdaughter，solittledoesshedifferfromwhatIrememberhersomeyearssince。Willshepermitanoldacquaintancetheprivilegeofaguest？”
Hesalutedtheladywithtoogoodagracetoapprehendarepulse，andthenproceeded:”This，LadyAshton，isapeacemakingvisit，andthereforeIpresumetointroducemycousin，theyoungMasterofRavenswood，toyourfavourablenotice。”
LadyAshtoncouldnotchoosebutcourtesy；buttherewasinherobeisanceanairofhaughtinessapproachingtocontemptuousrepulse。Ravenswoodcouldnotchoosebutbow；buthismannerreturnedthescornwithwhichhehadbeengreeted。”Allowme，”shesaid，”topresenttoyourlordshipMYfriend。”
Craigengelt，withtheforwardimpudencewhichmenofhiscastmistakeforease，madeaslidingbowtotheMarquis，whichhegracedbyaflourishofhisgold-lacedhat。Theladyturnedtoherhusband。”YouandI，SirWilliam，”shesaid，andthesewerethefirstwordsshehadaddressedtohim，”haveacquirednewacquaintancessinceweparted；letmeintroducetheacquisitionI
havemadetomine——CaptainCraigengelt。”
Anotherbow，andanotherflourishofthegold-lacedhat，whichwasreturnedbytheLordKeeperwithoutintimationofformerrecognition，andwiththatsortofanxiousreadinesswhichintimatedhiswishthatpeaceandamnestyshouldtakeplacebetwixtthecontendingparties，includingtheauxiliariesonbothsides。”LetmeintroduceyoutotheMasterofRavenswood，”saidhetoCaptainCraigengelt，followingupthesameamicablesystem。
ButtheMasterdrewuphistallformtothefullextentofhisheight，andwithoutsomuchaslookingtowardsthepersonthusintroducedtohim，hesaid，inamarkedtone:”CaptainCraigengeltandIarealreadyperfectlywellacquaintedwitheachother。””Perfectly——perfectly，”repliedtheCaptain，inamumblingtone，likethatofadoubleecho，andwithaflourishofhishat，thecircumferenceofwhichwasgreatlyabridged，comparedwiththosewhichhadsocordiallygracedhisintroductiontotheMarquisandtheLordKeeper。
Lockhard，followedbythreemenials，nowenteredwithwineandrefreshments，whichitwasthefashiontoofferasawhetbeforedinner；andwhentheywereplacedbeforetheguests，LadyAshtonmadeanapologyforwithdrawingherhusbandfromthemforsomeminutesuponbusinessofspecialimport。TheMarquis，ofcourse，requestedherladyshipwouldlayherselfundernorestraint；andCraigengelt，boltingwithspeedasecondglassofracycanary，hastenedtoleavetheroom，feelingnogreatpleasureintheprospectofbeingleftalonewiththeMarquisofA——andtheMasterofRavenswood；thepresenceoftheformerholdinghiminawe，andthatofthelatterinbodilyterror。
Somearrangementsabouthishorseandbaggageformedthepretextforhissuddenretreat，inwhichhepersevered，althoughLadyAshtongaveLockhardorderstobecarefulmostparticularlytoaccommodateCaptainCraigengeltwithalltheattendancewhichhecouldpossiblyrequire。TheMarquisandtheMasterofRavenswoodwerethuslefttocommunicatetoeachothertheirremarksuponthereceptionwhichtheyhadmetwith，whileLadyAshtonledtheway，andherlordfollowedsomewhatlikeacondemnedcriminal，toherladyship’sdressing-room。
Sosoonasthespouseshadbothentered，herladyshipgavewaytothatfierceaudacityoftemperwhichshehadwithdifficultysuppressed，outofrespecttoappearances。SheshutthedoorbehindthealarmedLordKeeper，tookthekeyoutofthespring-lock，andwithacountenancewhichyearshadnotbereftofitshaughtycharms，andeyeswhichspokeatonceresolutionandresentment，sheaddressedherastoundedhusbandinthesewords:”Mylord，Iamnotgreatlysurprisedattheconnexionsyouhavebeenpleasedtoformduringmyabsence，theyareentirelyinconformitywithyourbirthandbreeding；andifIdidexpectanythingelse，Iheartilyownmyerror，andthatImerit，byhavingdoneso，thedisappointmentyouhadpreparedforme。””MydearLadyAshton——mydearEleanor[Margaret]，”saidtheLordKeeper，”listentoreasonforamoment，andIwillconvinceyouI
haveactedwithalltheregardduetothedignity，aswellastheinterest，ofmyfamily。””TotheinterestofYOURfamilyIconceiveyouperfectlycapableofattending，”returnedtheindignantlady，”andeventothedignityofyourownfamilyalso，asfarasitrequiresanylookingafter。Butasminehappenstobeinextricablyinvolvedwithit，youwillexcusemeifIchoosetogivemyownattentionsofarasthatisconcerned。””Whatwouldyouhave，LadyAshton？”saidthehusband。”Whatisitthatdispleasesyou？Whyisitthat，onyourreturnaftersolonganabsence，Iamarraignedinthismanner？””Askyourownconscience，SirWilliam，whathaspromptedyoutobecomearenegadetoyourpoliticalpartyandopinions，andledyou，forwhatIknow，tobeonthepointofmarryingyouronlydaughtertoabeggarlyJacobitebankrupt，theinveterateenemyofyourfamilytotheboot。””Why，what，inthenameofcommonsenseandcommoncivility，wouldyouhavemedo，madam？”answeredherhusband。”Isitpossibleforme，withordinarydecency，toturnayounggentlemanoutofmyhouse，whosavedmyduaghter’slifeandmyown，buttheothermorning，asitwere？””Savedyourlife！Ihaveheardofthatstory，”saidthelady。”TheLordKeeperwasscaredbyaduncow，andhetakestheyoungfellowwhokilledherforGuyofWarwick:anybutcherfromHaddingtonmaysoonhaveanequalclaimonyourhospitality。””LadyAshton，”stammeredtheKeeper，”thisisintolerable；andwhenIamdesirous，too，tomakeyoueasybyanysacrifice，ifyouwouldbuttellmewhatyouwouldbeat。””Godowntoyourguests，”saidtheimperiousdame，”andmakeyourapologytoRavenswood，thatthearrivalofCaptainCraigengeltandsomeotherfriendsrendersitimpossibleforyoutoofferhimlodgingsatthecastle。IexpectyoungMr。HaystonofBucklaw。””Goodheavens，madam！”ejaculatedherhusband。”RavenswoodtogiveplacetoCraigengelt，acommongamblerandaninformer！ItwasallIcoulddotoforbeardesiringthefellowtogetoutofmyhouse，andIwasmuchsurprisedtoseehiminyourladyship’strain。””Sinceyousawhimthere，youmightbewellassured，”answeredthismeekhelpmate，”thathewaspropersociety。AstothisRavenswood，heonlymeetswiththetreatmentwhich，tomycertainknowledge，hegavetoamuch-valuedfriendofmine，whohadthemisfortunetobehisguestsometimesince。Buttakeyourresolution；for，ifRavenswooddoesnotquitthehouse，I
will。”
SirWilliamAshtonpacedupanddowntheapartmentinthemostdistressingagitation；fear，andshame，andangercontendingagainstthehabitualdeferencehewasintheuseofrenderingtohislady。Atlengthitended，asisusualwithtimidmindsplacedinsuchcircumstances，inhisadoptingamezzotermine——
amiddlemeasure。”Itellyoufrankly，madam，IneithercannorwillbeguiltyoftheincivilityyouproposetotheMasterofRavenswood；hehasnotdeserveditatmyhand。Ifyouwillbesounreasonableastoinsultamanofqualityunderyourownroof，Icannotpreventyou；butIwillnotatleastbetheagentinsuchapreposterousproceeding。””Youwillnot？”askedthelady。”No，byheavens，madam！”herhusbandreplied；”askmeanythingcongruentwithcommondecency，astodrophisacquaintancebydegrees，orthelike；buttobidhimleavemyhouseiswhatIwillntoandcannotconsentto。””Thenthetaskofsupportingthehonourofthefamilywillfallonme，asithasoftendonebefore，”saidthelady。
Shesatdown，andhastilywroteafewlines。TheLordKeepermadeanotherefforttopreventhertakingastepsodecisive，justassheopenedthedoortocallherfemaleattendantfromtheante-room。”Thinkwhatyouaredoing，LadyAshton:youaremakingamortalenemyofayoungmanwhoisliketohavethemeansofharmingus——””DidyoueverknowaDouglaswhofearedanenemy？”answeredthelady，contemptuously。”Ay，butheisasproudandvindictiveasanhundredDouglasses，andanhundreddevilstoboot。Thinkofitforanightonly。””Notforanothermoment，”answeredthelady。”Here，Mrs。
Patullo，givethisbillettoyoungRavenswood。””TotheMaster，madam！”saidMrs。Patullo。”Ay，totheMaster，ifyoucallhimso。””Iwashmyhandsofitentirely，”saidtheKeeper；”andIshallgodownintothegarden，andseethatJardinegathersthewinterfruitforthedessert。””Doso，”saidthelady，lookingafterhimwithglancesofinfinitecontempt；”andthankGodthatyouleaveonebehindyouasfittoprotectthehonourofthefamilyasyouaretolookafterpippinsandpears。”
TheLordKeeperremainedlongenoughinthegardentogiveherladyship’smindtimetoexplode，andtolet，ashethought，atleastthefirstviolenceofRavenswood’sdispleasureblowoever。
Whenheenteredthehall，hefoundtheMarquisofA——givingorderstosomeofhisattendants。Heseemedinhighdispleasure，andinterruptedanapologywhichSirWilliamhadcommencedforhavinglefthislordshipalone。”Ipresume，SirWilliam，youarenostrangertothissingularbilletwithwhichMYkinsmanofRavenswoodanemphasisontheword’my’hasbeenfavouredbyyourlady；and，ofcourse，thatyouarepreparedtoreceivemyadieus。Mykinsmanisalreadygone，havingthoughtitunnecessarytoofferanyonhispart，sinceallformercivilitieshadbeencancelledbythissingularinsult。””Iprotest，mylord，”saidSirWilliam，holdingthebilletinhishand，”Iamnotprivytothecontentsofthisletter。I
knowLadyAshtonisawarm-temperedandprejudicedwoman，andI
amsincerelysorryforanyoffencethathasbeengivenortaken；
butIhopeyourlordshipwillconsiderthatalady——””Shouldbearherselftowardspersonsofacertainrankwiththebreedingofone，”saidtheMarquis，completingthehalf-utteredsentence。”True，mylord，”saidtheunfortunateKeeper；”butLadyAshtonisstillawoman——””And，assuch，methinks，”saidtheMarquis，againinterruptinghim，”shouldbetaughtthedutieswhichcorrespondtoherstation。Buthereshecomes，andIwilllearnfromherownmouththereasonofthisextraordinaryandunexpectedaffrontofferedtomynearrelation，whilebothheandIwereherladyship’sguests。”
LadyAshtonaccordinglyenteredtheapartmentatthismoment。
HerdisputewithSirWilliam，andasubsequentinterviewwithherdaughter，hadnotpreventedherfromattendingtothedutiesofhertoilette。Sheappearedinfulldress；and，fromthecharacterofhercountenanceandmanner，wellbecamethesplendourwithwhichladiesofqualitythenappearedonsuchoccasions。
TheMarquisofA——bowedhaughtily，andshereturnedthesalutewithequalprideanddistanceofdemeanour。HethentookfromthepassivehandofSirWilliamAshtonthebillethehadgivenhimthemomentbeforeheapproachedthelady，andwasabouttospeak，whensheinterruptedhim。”Iperceive，mylord，youareabouttoenteruponanunpleasantsubject。Iamsorryanysuchshouldhaveoccurredatthistime，tointerruptintheslightestdegreetherespectfulreceptionduetoyourlordship；
butsoitis。Mr。EdgarRavenswood，forwhomIhaveaddressedthebilletinyourlordship’shand，hasabusedthehospitalityofthisfamily，andSirWilliamAshton’ssoftnessoftemper，inordertoseduceayoungpersonintoengagementswithoutherparents’consent，andofwhichtheynevercanapprove。”
Bothgentlemenansweredatonce。”Mykinsmanisincapable——”
saidtheLordMarquis。”IamconfidentthatmydaughterLucyisstillmoreincapable——”saidtheLordKeeper。
LadyAshtonatonceinterruptedandrepliedtothemboth:”MyLordMarquis，yourkinsman，ifMr。Ravenswoodhasthehonourtobeso，hasmadetheattemptprivatelytosecuretheaffectionsofthisyoungandinexperiencedgirl。SirWilliamAshton，yourdaughterhasbeensimpleenoughtogivemoreencouragementthansheoughttohavedonetosoveryimproperasuitor。””AndIthink，madam，”saidtheLordKeeper，losinghisaccustomedtemperandpatience，”thatifyouhadnothingbettertotellus，youhadbetterhavekeptthisfamilysecrettoyourselfalso。””Youwillpardonme，SirWilliam，”saidthelady，calmly；”thenobleMarquishasarighttoknowthecauseofthetreatmentI
havefounditnecessarytousetoagentlemanwhomhecallshisblood-relation。””Itisacause，”mutteredtheLordKeeper，”whichhasemergedsincetheeffecthastakenplace；for，ifitexistsatall，IamsuresheknewnothingofitwhenherlettertoRavenswoodwaswritten。””ItisthefirsttimethatIhaveheardofthis，”saidtheMarquis；”but，sinceyourladyshiphastabledasubjectsodelicate，permitmetosay，thatmykinsman’sbirthandconnexionsentitledhimtoapatienthearing，andatleastacivilrefusal，evenincaseofhisbeingsoambitiousastoraisehiseyestothedaughterofSirWilliamAshton。””Youwillrecollect，mylord，ofwhatbloodMissLucyAshtoniscomebythemother’sside，”saidthelady。”Idorememberyourdescent——fromayoungerbranchofthehouseofAngus，”saidtheMarquis；”andyourladyship——forgiveme，lady——oughtnottoforgetthattheRavenswoodshavethriceintermarriedwiththemainstem。Come，madam，Iknowhowmattersstand——oldandlong-fosteredprejudicesaredifficulttogetover，Imakeeveryallowanceforthem；Ioughtnot，andIwouldnot，otherwisehavesufferedmykinsmantodepartalone，expelled，inamanner，fromthishouse，butIhadhopesofbeingamediator。Iamstillunwillingtoleaveyouinanger，andshallnotsetforwardtillafternoon，asIrejointheMasterofRavenswoodupontheroadafewmilesfromhence。Letustalkoverthismattermorecoolly。””ItiswhatIanxiouslydesire，mylord，”saidSirWilliamAshton，eagerly。”LadyAshton，wewillnotpermitmyLordofA——
toleaveusindispleasure。Wemustcompelhimtotarrydinneratthecastle。””Thecastle，”saidthelady，”andallthatitcontains，areatthecommandoftheMarquis，solongashechoosestohonouritwithhisresidence；buttouchingthefartherdiscussionofthisdisagreeabletopic——””Pardonme，goodmadam，”saidtheMarquis；”butIcannotallowyoutoexpressanyhastyresolutiononasubjectsoimportant。Iseethatmorecompanyisarriving；and，sinceI
havethegoodfortunetorenewmyformeracquaintancewithLadyAshton，IhopeshewillgivemeleavetoavoidperillingwhatI
prizesohighlyuponanydisagreeablesubjectofdiscussion——atleasttillwehavetalkedovermorepleasanttopics。”
Theladysmiled，courtesied，andgaveherhandtotheMarquis，bywhom，withalltheformalgallantryofthetime，whichdidnotpermittheguesttotucktheladyofthehouseunderthearm，asarusticdoeshissweetheartatawake，shewasusheredtotheeating-room。
HeretheywerejoinedbyBucklaw，Craigengelt，andotherneighbours，whomtheLordKeeperhadpreviouslyinvitedtomeettheMarquisofA。Anapology，foundeduponaslightindisposition，wasallegedasanexcusefortheabsenceofMissAshton，whoseseatappearedunoccupied。Theentertainmentwassplendidtoprofusion，andwasprotractedtillalatehour。
CHAPTERXXIII。
Suchwasourfallenfather’sfate，Yetbetterthanmineown；
Hesharedhisexilewithhismate，I’mbanish’dforthalone。
WALLER
IWILLnotattempttodescribethemixtureofindignationandregretwithwhichRavenswoodlefttheseatwhichhadbelongedtohisancestors。ThetermsinwhichLadyAshton’sbilletwascouchedrendereditimpossibleforhim，withoutbeingdeficientinthatspiritofwhichheperhapshadtoomuch，toremainaninstantlongerwithinitswalls。TheMarquis，whohadhisshareintheaffront，was，nevertheless，stillwillingtomakesomeeffortsatconciliation。Hethereforesufferedhiskinsmantodepartalone，makinghimpromise，however，thathewouldwaitforhimatthesmallinncalledtheTod’sHole，situated，asourreadersmaybepleasedtorecollect，half-waybetwixtRavenswoodCastleandWolf’sCrag，andaboutfiveScottishmilesdistantfromeach。HeretheMarquisproposedtojointheMasterofRavenswood，eitherthatnightorthenextmorning。Hisownfeelingswouldhaveinducedhimtohaveleftthecastledirectly，buthewaslothtoforfeit，withoutatleastoneeffort，theadvantageswhichhehadproposedfromhisvisittotheLordKeeper；andtheMasterofRavenswoodwas，evenintheveryheatofhisresentment，unwillingtoforecloseanychanceofreconciliationwhichmightariseoutofthepartialitywhichSirWilliamAshtonhadshowntowardshim，aswellastheintercessoryargumentsofhisnoblekinsman。Hehimselfdepartedwithoutamoment’sdelay，fartherthanwasnecessarytomakethisarrangement。
Atfirsthespurredhishorseataquickpacethroughanavenueofthepark，asif，byrapidityofmotion，hecouldstupifytheconfusionoffeelingswithwhichhewasassailed。Butastheroadgrewwilderandmoresequestered，andwhenthetreeshadhiddentheturretsofthecastle，hegraduallyslackenedhispace，asiftoindulgethepainfulreflectionswhichhehadinvainendeavouredtorepress。ThepathinwhichhefoundhimselfledhimtotheMermaiden’sFountain，andtothecottageofAlice；andthefatalinfluencewhichsuperstitiousbeliefattachedtotheformerspot，aswellastheadmonitionswhichhadbeeninvainofferedtohimbytheinhabitantofthelatter，forcedthemselvesuponhismemory。”Oldsawsspeaktruth，”hesaidtohimself，”andtheMermaiden’sWellhasindeedwitnessedthelastactofrashnessoftheheirofRavenswood。
Alicespokewell，”hecontinued，”andIaminthesituationwhichsheforetold；orrather，Iammoredeeplydishonoured——notthedependantandallyofthedestroyerofmyfather’shouse，astheoldsibylpresaged，butthedegradedwretchwhohasaspiredtoholdthatsubordinatecharacter，andhasbeenrejectedwithdisdain。”
Weareboundtotellthetaleaswehavereceivedit；and，consideringthedistanceofthetime，andpropensityofthosethroughwhosemouthsithaspassedtothemarvellous，thiscouldnotbecalledaScottishstoryunlessitmanifestedatingeofScottishsuperstition。AsRavenswoodapproachedthesolitaryfountain，heissaidtohavemetwiththefollowingsingularadventure:Hishorse，whichwasmovingslowlyforward，suddenlyinterrupteditssteadyandcomposedpace，snorted，reared，and，thoughurgedbythespur，refusedtoproceed，asifsomeobjectofterrorhadsuddenlypresenteditself。Onlookingtothefountain，Ravenswooddiscernedafemalefigure，dressedinawhite，orrathergreyish，mantle，placedontheveryspotonwhichLucyAshtonhadreclinedwhilelisteningtothefataltaleoflove。Hisimmediateimpressionwasthatshehadconjecturedbywhichpathhewouldtraversetheparkonhisdeparture，andplacedherselfatthiswell-knownandsequesteredplaceofrendezvous，toindulgeherownsorrowandhispartinginterview。
Inthisbeliefhejumpedfromhishorse，and，makingitsbridlefasttoatree，walkedhastilytowardsthefountain，pronouncingeagerly，yetunderhisbreath，thewords，”MissAshton！——Lucy！”
Thefigureturnedasheaddressedit，anddisplayedtohiswonderingeyesthefeatures，notofLucyAshton，butofoldblindAlice。Thesingularityofherdress，whichratherresembledashroudthanthegarmentofalivingwoman；theappearanceofherperson，larger，asitstruckhim，thanitusuallyseemedtobe；
aboveall，thestrangecircumstanceofablind，infirm，anddecrepitpersonbeingfoundaloneandatadistancefromherhabitationconsiderable，ifherinfirmitiesbetakenintoaccount，combinedtoimpresshimwithafeelingofwonderapproachingtofear。Asheapproached，shearoseslowlyfromherseat，heldhershrivelledhandupasiftopreventhiscomingmorenear，andherwitheredlipsmovedfast，althoughnosoundissuedfromthem。Ravenswoodstopped；andas，afteramoment’spause，heagainadvancedtowardsher，Alice，orherapparition，movedorglidedbackwardstowardsthethicket，stillkeepingherfaceturnedtowardshim。Thetreessoonhidtheformfromhissight；and，yieldingtothestrongandterrificimpressionthatthebeingwhichhehadseenwasnotofthisworld，theMasterofRavenswoodremainedrootedtothegroundwhereonhehadstoodwhenhecaughthislastviewofher。Atlength，summoninguphiscourage，headvancedtothespotonwhichthefigurehadseemedtobeseated；butneitherwastherepressureofthegrassnoranyothercircumstancetoinducehimtobelievethatwhathehadseenwasrealandsubstantial。
Fullofthosestrangethoughtsandconfusedapprehensionswhichawakeinthebosomofonewhoconceiveshehaswitnessedsomepreternaturalappearance，theMasterofRavenswoodwalkedbacktowardshishorse，frequently，however，lookingbehindhim，notwithoutapprehension，asifexpectingthatthevisionwouldreappear。Buttheapparition，whetheritwasrealorwhetheritwasthecreationofaheatedandagitatedimagination，returnednotagain；andhefoundhishorsesweatingandterrified，asifexperiencingthatagonyoffearwithwhichthepresenceofasupernaturalbeingissupposedtoagitatethebrutecreation。
TheMastermounted，androdeslowlyforward，soothinghissteedfromtimetotime，whiletheanimalseemedinternallytoshrinkandshudder，asifexpectingsomenewobjectoffearattheopeningofeveryglade。Therider，afteramoment’sconsideration，resolvedtoinvestigatethematterfurther。”Canmyeyeshavedeceivedme，”hesaid，”anddeceivedmeforsuchaspaceoftime？Orarethiswoman’sinfirmitiesbutfeigned，inordertoexcitecompassion？Andeventhen，hermotionresemblednotthatofalivingandexistingperson。MustIadoptthepopularcreed，andthinkthattheunhappybeinghasformedaleaguewiththepowersofdarkness？Iamdeterminedtoberesolved；Iwillnotbrookimpositionevenfrommyowneyes。”
InthisuncertaintyherodeuptothelittlewicketofAlice’sgarden。Herseatbeneaththebirch-treewasvacant，thoughthedaywaspleasantandthesunwashigh。Heapproachedthehut，andheardfromwithinthesobsandwailingofafemale。Noanswerwasreturnedwhenheknocked，sothat，afteramoment’spause，heliftedthelatchandentered。Itwasindeedahouseofsolitudeandsorrow。StretcheduponhermiserablepalletlaythecorpseofthelastretainerofthehouseofRavenswoodwhostillabodeontheirpaternaldomains！Lifehadbutshortlydeparted；
andthelittlegirlbywhomshehadbeenattendedinherlastmomentswaswringingherhandsandsobbing，betwixtchildishfearandsorrow，overthebodyofhermistress。
TheMasterofRavenswoodhadsomedifficultytocomposetheterrorsofthepoorchild，whomhisunexpectedappearancehadatfirstratherappalledthancomforted；andwhenhesucceeded，thefirstexpressionwhichthegirlusedintimatedthat”hehadcometoolate。”Uponinquiringthemeaningofthisexpression，helearnedthatthedeceased，uponthefirstattackofthemortalagony，hadsentapeasanttothecastletobeseechaninterviewoftheMasterofRavenswood，andhadexpressedtheutmostimpatienceforhisreturn。Butthemessengersofthepooraretardyandnegligent:thefellowhadnotreachedthecastle，aswasafterwardslearned，untilRavenswoodhadleftit，andhadthenfoundtoomuchamusementmaongtheretinueofthestrangerstoreturninanyhastetothecottageofAlice。Meantimeheranxietyofmindseemedtoincreasewiththeagonyofherbody；
and，tousethephraseofBabie，heronlyattendant，”sheprayedpowerfullythatshemightseehermaster’ssononcemore，andrenewherwarning。”Shediedjustastheclockinthedistantvillagetolledone；andRavenswoodremembered，withinternalshuddering，thathehadheardthechimesoundthroughthewoodjustbeforehehadseenwhathewasnowmuchdisposedtoconsiderasthespectreofthedeceased。
Itwasnecessary，aswellfromhisrespecttothedepartedasincommonhumanitytoherterrifiedattendant，thatheshouldtakesomemeasurestorelievethegirlfromherdistressingsituation。Thedeceased，heunderstood，hadexpressedadesiretobeburiedinasolitarychurchyard，nearthelittleinnoftheTod’sHole，calledtheHermitage，ormorecommonlyArmitage，inwhichlayinterredsomeoftheRavenswoodfamily，andmanyoftheirfollowers。Ravenswoodconceivedithisdutytogratifythispredilection，commonlyfoundtoexistamongtheScottishpeasantry，anddespatchedBabietotheneighbouringvillagetoprocuretheassistanceofsomefemales，assuringherthat，inthemeanwhile，hewouldhimselfremainwiththedeadbody，which，asinThessalyofold，itisaccountedhighlyunfittoleavewithoutawatch。
Thus，inthecourseofaquarterofanhourorlittlemore，hefoundhimselfsittingasolitaryguardovertheinanimatecorpseofherwhosedismissedspirit，unlesshiseyeshadstrangelydeceivedhim，hadsorecentlymanifesteditselfbeforehim。Notwithstandinghisnaturalcourage，theMasterwasconsiderablyaffectedbyaconcurrenceofcircumstancessoextraordinary。”Shediedexpressinghereagerdesiretoseeme。
Canitbe，then，”washisnaturalcourseofreflection——”canstrongandearnestwishes，formedduringthelastagonyofnature，surviveitscatastrophe，surmounttheawfulboundsofthespiritualworld，andplacebeforeusitsinhabitantsinthehuesandcolouringoflife？Andwhywasthatmanifestedtotheeyewhichcouldnotunfolditstaletotheear？andwhereforeshouldabreachbemadeinthelawsofnature，yetitspurposeremainunknown？Vainquestions，whichonlydeath，whenitshallmakemelikethepaleandwitheredformbeforeme，caneverresolve。”
Helaidacloth，ashespoke，overthelifelessface，uponwhosefeatureshefeltunwillinganylongertodwell。Hethentookhisplaceinanoldcarvedoakenchair，ornamentedwithhisownarmorialbearings，whichAlicehadcontrivedtoappropriatetoherownuseinthepillagewhichtookplaceamongcreditors，officers，domestics，andmessengersofthelawwhenhisfatherleftRavenswoodCastleforthelasttime。Thusseated，hebanished，asmuchashecould，thesuperstitiousfeelingswhichthelateincidentnaturallyinspired。Hisownweresadenough，withouttheexaggerationofsupernaturalterror，sincehefoundhimselftransferredfromthesituationofasuccessfulloverofLucyAshton，andanhonouredandrespectedfriendofherfather，intothemelancholyandsolitaryguardianoftheabandonedandforsakencorpseofacommonpauper。
Hewasrelieved，however，fromhissadofficesoonerthathecouldreasonablyhaveexpected，consideringthedistancebetwixtthehutofthedeceasedandthevillage，andtheageandinfirmitiesofthreeoldwomenwhocamefromthence，inmilitaryphrase，torelieveguarduponthebodyofthedefunct。Onanyotheroccasionthespeedofthesereverendsibylswouldhavebeenmuchmoremoderate，forthefirstwaseightyyearsofageandupwards，thesecondwasparalytic，andthethirdlameofalegfromsomeaccident。Buttheburialdutiesrenderedtothedeceasedare，totheScottishpeasantofeithersex，alabouroflove。Iknownotwhetheritisfromthetemperofthepeople，graveandenthusiasticasitcertainlyis，orfromtherecollectionoftheancientCatholicopinions，whenthefuneralriteswerealwaysconsideredasaperiodoffestivaltotheliving；butfeasting，goodcheeer，andeveninebriety，were，andare，thefrequentaccompanimentsofaScottishold-fashionedburial。Whatthefuneralfeast，or”dirgie，”asitiscalled，wastothemen，thegloomypreparationsofthedeadbodyforthecoffinweretothewomen。Tostraightthecontortedlimbsuponaboardusedforthatmelancholypurpose，toarraythecorpseincleanlinen，andoverthatinitswoollenshroad，wereoperationscommittedalwaystotheoldmatronsofthevillage，andinwhichtheyfoundasingularandgloomydelight。
TheoldwomenpaidtheMastertheirsalutationswithaghastlysmile，whichremindedhimofthemeetingbetwixtMacbethandthewitchesontheblastedheathofForres。Hegavethemsomemoney，andrecommendedtothemthechargeofthedeadbodyoftheircontemporary，anofficewhichtheywillinglyundertook；
intimatingtohimatthesametimethathemustleavethehut，inorderthattheymightbegintheirmournfulduties。Ravenswoodreadilyagreedtodepart，onlytarryingtorecommendtothemdueattentiontothebody，andtoreceiveinformationwherehewastofindthesexton，orbeadle，whohadinchargethedesertedchurchyardoftheArmitage，inordertopreparemattersforthereceptionofOldAliceintheplaceofreposewhichshehadselectedforherself。”Ye’llnobepinchedtofindoutJohnieMortsheugh，”saidtheeldersibyl，andstillherwitheredcheekboreagrislysmile；”hedwellsneartheTod’sHole，anhouseofentertainmentwheretherehasbeenmonyablythebirling，fordeathanddrink-
drainingarenearneighbourstoaneanither。””Ay！andthat’se’entrue，cummer，”saidthelamehag，proppingherselfwithacrutchwhichsupportedtheshortnessofherleftleg，”forImindwhenthefatherofthisMasterofRavenswoodthatisnowstandingbeforeusstickedyoungBlackhallwithhiswhinger，forawrangwordsaidowertheirwine，orbrandy，orwhatnot:hegaedinaslightasalark，andhecameoutwi’hisfeetforemost。Iwasatthewindingofthecorpse；andwhenthebluidwaswashedoff，hewasabonnyboukofman’sbody。”
Itmaybeeasilybelievedthatthisill-timedanecdotehastenedtheMaster’spurposeofquittingacompanysoevil-omenedandsoodious。Yet，whilewalkingtothetreetowhichhishorsewastied，andbusyinghimselfwithadjustingthegirhtsofthesaddle，hecouldnotavoidhearing，throughthehedgeofthelittlegarden，aconversationrespectinghimself，betwixtthelamewomanandtheoctagenariansibyl。Thepairhadhobbledintothegardentogatherrosemary，southernwood，rue，andotherplantspropertobestreweduponthebody，andburnedbywayoffumigationinthechimneyofthecottage。Theparalyticwretch，almostexhaustedbythejourney，wasleftguarduponthecorpse，lestwitchesorfiendsmightplaytheirsportwithit。
Thefollowinglaw，croakingdialoguewasnecessarilyoverheardbytheMasterofRavenswood:”That’safreshandfull-grownhemlock，AnnieWinnie；monyacummerlangsynewadhaesoughtnaebetterhorsetofleeoverhillandhow，throughmistandmoonlight，andlightdowninthetheKingofFrance’scellar。””Ay，cummer！buttheverydeilhasturnedashard-heartednowastheLordKeeperandthegritfolk，thathaebreastslikewhinstane。Theyprickusandtheypineus，andtheypitusonthepinnywinklesforwitches；and，ifIsaymyprayersbackwardstentimesower，Satanwillnevergiemeamendso’them。””Didyeeverseethefoulthief？”askedherneighbour。”Na！”repliedtheotherspokeswoman；”butItrowIhaedreamedofhimmonyatime，andIthinkthedaywillcometheywillburnmefor’t。Butne’ermind，cummer！wehaethisdollaroftheMaster’s，andwe’llsenddounforbreadandforyill，andtobacco，andadrapbrandytoburn，andaweepicklesaftsugar；
andbetheredeil，ornaedeil，lass，we’llhaeamerrynighto’t。”
Hereherleathernchopsutteredasortofcackling，ghastlylaugh，resembling，toacertaindegree，thecryofthescreech-
owl。”He’safrankman，andafree-handedman，theMaster，”saidAnnieWinnie，”andacomelypersonage——broadintheshouthers，andnarrowaroundthelunyies。Hewadmakabonnycorpse；Iwadliketohaethestreikingandwindingo’him。””Itiswrittenonhisbrow，AnnieWinnie，”returnedtheoctogenarian，hercompanion，”thathandofwoman，orofmaneither，willneverstraughthim:dead-dealwillneverbelaidonhisback，makeyouyourmarketofthat，forIhaeitfraeasurehand。””Willitbehislottodieonthebattle-groundthen，AilsieGourlay？Willhediebytheswordortheball，ashisforbearshaddunebeforehim，monyaneo’them？””Asknaemairquestionsaboutit——he’llnobegracedsaefar，”
repliedthesage。”Ikenyearewiserthanitherfolk，AislieGourlay。Butwhatell’dyethis？””Fashnayourthumbaboutthat，AnnieWinnie，”answeredthesibyl，”Ihaeitfraeahandsureeneugh。””Butyesaidyeneversawthefoulthief，”reiteratedherinquisitivecompanion。”Ihaeitfraeassureahand，”saidAilsie，”andfraethemthatspaedhisfortunebeforethesarkgaedowerhishead。””Hark！Ihearhishorse’sfeetridingaff，”saidtheother；”theydinnasoundasifgoodluckwaswi’them。””Makhaste，sirs，”criedtheparalytichagfromthecottage，”andletusdowhatisneedfu’，andsaywhatisfitting；for，ifthedeadcorpsebinnastraughted，itwillgirnandthraw，andthatwillfearthebesto’us。”
Ravenswoodwasnowoutofhearing。Hedespisedmostoftheordinaryprejudicesaboutwitchcraft，omens，andvaticination，towhichhisageandcountrystillgavesuchimplicitcreditthattoexpressadoubtofthemwasaccountedacrimeequaltotheunbeliefofJewsorSaracens；heknewalsothattheprevailingbelief，concerningwitches，operatinguponthehypochondriachabitsofthosewhomage，infirmity，andpovertyrenderedliabletosuspicion，andenforcedbythefearofdeathandthepangsofthemostcrueltortures，oftenextortedthoseconfessionswhichencumberanddisgracethecriminalrecordsofScotlandduringthe17thcentury。Butthevisionofthatmorning，whetherrealorimaginary，hadimpressedhismindwithasuperstitiousfeelingwhichheinvainendeavouredtoshakeoff。Thenatureofthebusinesswhichawaitedhimatthelittleinn，calledTod’sHole，wherehesoonafterarrived，wasnotofakindtorestorehisspirits。
ItwasnecessaryheshouldseeMortsheugh，thesextonoftheoldburial-groundatArmitage，toarrangemattersforthefuneralofAlice；and，asthemandweltneartheplaceofherlateresidence，theMaster，afteraslightrefreshment，walkedtowardstheplacewherethebodyofAlicewastobedeposited。Itwassituatedinthenookformedbytheeddyingsweepofastream，whichissuedfromtheadjoininghills。Arudecaverninanadjacentrock，which，intheinterior，wascutintotheshapeofacross，formedthehermitage，wheresomeSaxonsainthadinancienttimesdonepenance，andgivennametotheplace。TherichAbbeyofColdinghamehad，inlatterdays，establishedachapelintheneighbourhood，ofwhichnovestigewasnowvisible，thoughthechurchyardwhichsurroundeditwasstill，asuponthepresentoccasion，usedfortheintermentofparticularpersons。
Oneortwoshatteredyew-treesstillgrewwithintheprecinctsofthatwhichhadoncebeenholyground。Warriorsandbaronshadbeenburiedthereofold，buttheirnameswereforgotten，andtheirmonumentsdemolished。Theonlysepulchralmemorialswhichremainedweretheuprightheadstonreswhichmarkthegravesofpersonsofinferiorrank。Theabodeofthesextonwasasolitarycottageadjacenttotheruinedwallofthecemetery，butsolowthat，withitsthatch，whichnearlyreachedtheground，coveredwithathickcropofgrass，fog，andhouse-leeks，itresembledanovergrowngrave。Oninquiry，however，Ravenswoodfoundthatthemanofthelastmattockwasabsentatabridal，beingfiddleraswellasgrave-diggertothevicinity。Hethereforeretiredtothelittleinn，leavingamessagethatearlynextmorninghewouldagaincallforthepersonwhosedoubleoccupationconnectedhimatoncewiththehouseofmourningandthehouseoffeasting。
AnoutrideroftheMarquisarrivedatTod’sHoleshortlyafter，withamessage，intimatingthathismasterwouldjoinRavenswoodatthatplaceonthefollowingmorning；andtheMaster，whowouldotherwisehaveproceededtohisoldretreatatWolf’sCrag，remainedthereaccordingytogivemeetingtohisnoblekinsman。
CHAPTERXXIV。
Hamlet:Hasthisfellownofeelingofhisbusiness？hesingsatgravemaking。Horatio:Customhathmadeitinhimapropertyofeasiness。Hamlet:’Tise’enso:thehandoflittleemploymenthaththedaintiersense。
Hamlet，ActV。Scene1。
THEsleepofRavenswoodwasbrokenbyghastlyandagitatingvisions，andhiswakingintervalsdisturbedbymelancholyreflectionsonthepastandpainfulanticipationsofthefuture。
Hewasperhapstheonlytravellerwhoeversleptinthatmiserablekennelwithoutcomplainingofhislodgings，orfeelinginconveniencefromtheirdeficiencies。Itiswhen”themindisfreethebody’sdelicate。”Morning，however，foundtheMasteranearlyriser，inhopesthatthefreshairofthedawnmightaffordtherefreshmentwhichnighthadrefusedhim。Hetookhiswaytowardsthesolitaryburial-ground，whichlayabouthalfamilefromtheinn。
Thethinbluesmoke，whichalreadybegantocurlupward，andtodistinguishthecottageofthelivingfromthehabitationofthedead，apprisedhimthatitsinmatehadreturnedandwasstirring。Accordingly，onenteringthelittlechurchyard，hesawtheoldmanlabouringinahalf-madegrave。”Mydestiny，”
thoughtRavenswood，”seemstoleadmetoscenesoffateandofdeath；butthesearechildishthoughts，andtheyshallnotmasterme。Iwillnotagainsuffermyimaginationtobeguilemysenses。”TheoldmanrestedonhisspadeastheMasterapproachedhim，asiftoreceivehiscommands；andashedidnotimmediatelyspeak，thesextonopenedthediscourseinhisownway。”Yewillbeaweddingcustomer，sir，I’sewarrant？””Whatmakesyouthinkso，friend？”repliedtheMaster。”Ilivebytwatrades，sir，”repliedtheblytheoldman——”fiddle，sir，andspade；fillingtheworld，andemptyingofit；
andIsuldkenbaithcastofcustomersbyhead-markinthirtyyears’practice。””Youaremistaken，however，thismorning，”repliedRavenswood。”AmI？”saidtheoldman，lookingkeenlyathim，”trothanditmaybe；since，forasbrentasyourbrowis，thereissomethingsittinguponitthisdaythatisasnearakintodeathastowedlock。Weel——weel；thepickandshovelareasreadytoyourorderasbowandfiddle。””Iwishyou，”saidRavenswood，”tolookafterthedescentintermentofanoldwoman，AliceGray，wholivedattheGraigfootinRavenswoodPark。””AliceGray！——blindAlice！”saidthesexton；”andissheganeatlast？that’sanotherjowofthebelltobidmebeready。ImindwhenHabbieGraybroughtherdowntothisland；alikelylassshewasthen，andlookedowerhersouthlandnoseatusa’。Itrowherpridegotadowncome。Andisshee’engane？””Shediedyesterday，”saidRavenswood；”anddesiredtobeburiedherebesideherhusband；youknowwherehelies，nodoubt？””Kenwherehelies！”answeredthesexton，withnationalindirectionofresponse。”Ikenwhara’bodylies，thatlieshere。Butyewerespeakingo’hergrave？Lordhelpus，it’snoanordinargravethatwillhaudherin，ifa’struethatfolksaidofAliceinheraulddays；andifIgaetosixfeetdeep——
andawarlock’sgraveshouldnabeaninchmairebb，orherainwitchcummerswouldsoonwhirlheroutofhershroudfora’theirauldacquaintance——andbe’tsixfeet，orbe’tthree，wha’stopaythemakingo’t，Iprayye？””Iwillpaythat，myfriend，andallotherreasonablecharges。””Reasonablecharges！”saidthesexton；”ou，there’sgrundmail——andbell-siller，thoughthebell’sbroken，naedoubt——
andthekist——andmyday’swark——andmybitfee——andsomebrandyandyilltothedirgie，Iamnothinkingthatyoucaninterher，toca’decently，undersaxteenpundScots。””Thereisthemoney，myfriend，”saidRavenswood，”andsomethingover。Besureyouknowthegrave。””Ye’llbeaneo’herEnglishrelations，I’sewarrant，”saidthehoarymanofskulls；”Ihaeheardshemarriedfarbelowherstation。Itwasveryrighttoletherbiteonthebridlewhenshewasliving，andit’sveryrighttogieherasecentburialnowshe’sdead，forthat’samattero’credittoyoursellratherthantoher。Folkmaylettheirkindredshiftforthemsellswhentheyarealive，andcanbeartheburdenfotheirainmisdoings；
butit’sanunnaturalthingtoletthembeburiedlikedogs，whena’thediscreditgangstothekindred。Whatkensthedeadcorpseaboutit？””Youwouldnothavepeopleneglecttheirrelationsonabridaloccasionneither？”saidRavenswood，whowasamusedwiththeprofessionallimitationofthegrave-digger’sphilanthropy。
Theoldmancastuphissharpgreyeyeswithashrewdsmile，asifheunderstoodthejest，butinstantlycontinued，withhisformergravity:”Bridals——whawadneglectbridalsthathadonyregardforplenishingtheearth？Tobesure，theysuldbecelebratedwithallmannerofgoodcheer，andmeetingoffriends，andmusicalinstruments——harp，sackbut，andpsaltery；orgudefiddleandpipes，whentheseauld-warldinstrumentsofmelodyarehardtobecompassed。””Thepresenceofthefiddle，Idaresay，”repliedRavenswood，”wouldatonefortheabsenceofalltheothers。”
Thesextonagainlookedsharplyupathim，asheanswered。”Naedoubt——naedoubt，ifitwereweelplayed；butyonder，”hesaid，asiftochangethediscourse，”isHalbertGray’slanghame，thatyewerespeeringafter，justthethirdbourockbeyondthemucklethrough-stanethatstandsonsaxlegsyonder，abunesomeaneoftheRavenswoods；forthereismonyoftheirkinandfollowershere，deilliftthem！thoughitisnajusttheirmainburial-
place。””Theyarenofavourites，then，ofyours，theseRavenswoods？”
saidtheMaster，nomuchpleasedwiththepassingbenedictionwhichwasthusbestowedonhisfamilyandname。”Ikennawhashouldfavourthem，”saidthegrave-digger；”whentheyhadlandsandpower，theywereillguidesofthembaith，andnowtheirhead’sdown，there’sfewcarehowlangtheymaybeofliftingitagain。””Indeed！”saidRavenswood；”Ineverheardthatthisunhappyfamilydeservedill-willatthehandsoftheircountry。Igranttheirpoverty，ifthatrendersthemcontemptible。””Itwillgangafarwaytill’t”saidthesextonofHermitage，”yemaytakmywordforthat；atleast，Ikennaethingelsethatsuldmakmyselfcontemptible，andfolkarefarfraerespectingmeastheywaddoifIlivedinatwa-loftedsclatedhouse。ButasfortheRavenswoods，Ihaeseenthreegenerationsofthem，anddeilanetomendother。””Ithoughttheyhadenjoyedafaircharacterinthecountry，”saidtheirdescendant。”Character！Ou，yesee，sir，”saidthesexton，”asfortheauldgudesirebodyofalord，IlivedonhislandwhenIwasaswankingyoungchield，andcouldhaeblawnthetrumpetwi’onybody，forIhadwindeneughthen；andtouchingthistrumpeterMarinethatIhaveheardplayaforethelordsofthecircuit，I
wadhaemadenaemairo’himthanofabairnandabawbeewhistle。Idefyhimtohaeplayed’Bootandsaddle，’or’Horseandaway，’or’Gallants，cometrot，’withme；hehadnathetones。””ButwhatisallthistooldLordRavenswood，myfriend？”saidtheMaster，who，withananxietynotunnaturalinhiscircumstances，wasdesirousofprosecutingthemusician’sfirsttopic——”whathadhismemorytodowiththedegeneracyofthetrumpetmusic？””Justthis，sir，”answeredthesexton，”thatIlostmywindinhisservice。YeseeIwastrumpeteratthecastle，andhadallowanceforblawingatbreakofday，andatdinnertime，andotherwhileswhentherewascompanyabout，anditpleasedmylord；andwhenheraisedhismilitiatocaperawa’toBothwellBrigagainstthewrang-headedwestlandWhigs，Ibehoved，reasonorname，tomuntahorseandcaperawa’wi’them。””Andveryreasonable，”saidRavenswood；”youwerehisservantandvassal。””Servitor，sayye？”repliedthesexton，”andsoIwas；butitwastoblawfolktotheirwarmdinner，oratthewarsttoadecentkirkyard，andnotoskirlthemawa’toabluidybraeside，wheretherewasdeilabedralbutthehoodedcraw。Butbideye，yeshallhearwhatcamo’t，andhowfarIambundtobebedesmantotheRavenswoods。Till’t，yesee，wegaedonabrawsimmermorning，twenty-fourthofJune，saxteenhundredandse’enty-nine，ofa’thedaysofthemonthandyear——drumsbeat，gunsrattled，horseskickedandtrampled。HackstounofRathilletkeepitthebrigwi’mustketandcarabineandpike，swordandscytheforwhatIken，andwehorsemenwereordereddowntocrossattheford，——I
hatefordsata’times，letabeewhenthere’sthousandsofarmedmenontheotherside。TherewasauldRavenswoodbrandishinghisAndrewFerraraatthehead，andcryingtoustocomeandbuckleto，asifwehadbeengauntoafair；therewasCalebBalderstone，thatislivingyet，flourishingintherear，andswearingGogandMagog，hewouldputsteelthroughthegusofonymanthatturnedbridle；therewasyoungAllanRavenswood，thatwasthenMaster，wi’abendedpistolinhishand——itwasamercyitgaednaaff！——cryingtome，thathadscarceasmuchwindleftasservethenecessarypurposeofmyainlungs，’Sound，youpoltroon！——sound，youdamnedcowardlyvillain，orIwillblowyourbrainsout！’and，tobesure，Iblewsicpointsofwarthatthescraughofaclockin-henwasmusictothem。””Well，sir，cutallthisshort，”saidRavenswood。”Short！Ihadliketohaebeencutshortmysell，intheflowerofmyyouth，asScripturesays；andthat’stheverythingthatI
compleeno’。Weel！intothewaterwebehoveda’tosplash，heelsowerhead，sitorfa’——aehorsedrivingonanither，asisthewayofbrutebeasts，andridersthathaeaslittlesense；theverybushesontheithersidewereableezewi’theflashesoftheWhigguns；andmyhorsehadjusttaenthegrund，whenablackavisedwestlandcarle——Iwadmindthefaceo’himahundredyearsyet——aneelikeawildfalcon’s，andabeardasbroadasmyshovel——clappedtheendo’hislangblackgunwithinaquarter’slengthofmylug！Bythegraceo’Mercy，thehorseswarvedround，andIfellaffatthetaesideastheballwhistledbyatthetither，andthefellauldlordtooktheWhigsuchaswaukwi’hisbroadswordthathemadetwapieceso’hishead，anddownfellthelurdancewi’a’hisboukabuneme。””Youwereratherobligedtotheoldlord，Ithink，”saidRavenswood。”WasI？mysartie！firstforbringingmeintojeopardy，wouldI
nouldI，andthenforwhomlingachieldonthetapo’methatdangtheverywindoutofmybody？Ihaebeenshort-
breathedeversince，andcannagangtwentyyardswithoutpeghinglikeamiller’saiver。””Youlost，then，yourplaceastrumpeter？”saidRavenswood。”Lostit！tobesureIlostit，”repliedthesexton，”forI
couldnahaeplayedpewuponadryhemlock；butImighthaeduneweeleneugh，forIkeepitthewageandthefreehouse，andlittletodobutplayonthefiddletothem，butforAllan，lastLordRavenswood，thatwasfarwaurthaneverhisfatherwas。””What，”saidtheMaster，”didmyfather——Imean，didhisfather’sson——thislastLordRavenswood，depriveyouofwhatthebountyofhisfatherallowedyou？””Ay，trothdidhe，”answeredtheoldman；”forheloothisaffairsgangtothedogs，andletinthisSirWilliamAshtononus，thatwillgienaethingfornaething，andjustremovedmeanda’thepuircreaturesthathadbiteandsoupatthecastle，andaholetoputourheadsin，whenthingswereintheauldway。””IfLordRavenswoodprotectedhispeople，myfriend，whilehehadthemeansofdoingso，Ithinktheymightsparehismemory，”
repliedtheMaster。”Yearewelcometoyourainopinion，sir，”saidthesexton；”butyewinnapersuademethathedidhisduty，eithertohimsellortohuzpuirdependentcreatures，inguidingusthegatehehasdone；hemighthaegienuslife-renttacksofourbitso’housesandyards；andme，that’sanauldman，livinginyoumiserablecabin，that’sfitterforthedeadthanthequick，andkilledwi’
rheumatise，andJohnSmithinmydaintybitmailing，andhiswindowglazen，anda’becauseRavenswoodguidedhisgearlikeafule！””Itisbuttootrue，”saidRavenswood，conscience-struck；”thepenaltiesofextravaganceextendfarbeyondtheprodigal’sownsufferings。””However，”saidthesexton，”thisyoungmanEdgarisliketoavengemywrangsonthehaillofhiskindred。””Indeed？”saidRavenswood；”whyshouldyousupposeso？””TheysayheisabouttomarrythedaughterofLeddyAshton；andletherleddyshipgethisheadanceunderheroxter，andseeyouifshewinnagiehisneckathraw。Sorraabit，ifIwerehim！
Letheralaneforhaudinga’thinginhetwaterthatdrawsnearher。SaethewarstwishIshallwishtheladis，thathemaytakehisaincreditablegateo’t，andallyhimsellwi’hisfather’senemies，thathavetakenhisbroadlandsandmybonnykail-yardfromthelawfulownersthereof。”
Cervantesacutelyremarks，thatflatteryispleasingevenfromthemouthofamadman；andcensure，aswellaspraise，oftenaffectsus，whilewedespisetheopinionsandmotivesonwhichitisfoundedandexpressed。Ravenswood，abruptlyreiteratinghiscommandthatAlice’sfuneralshouldbeattendedto，flungawayfromthesexton，underthepainfulimpressionthatthegreataswellasthesmallvulgarwouldthinkofhisengagementwithLucylikethisignorantandselfishpeasant。”AndIhavestoopedtosubjectmyselftothesecalumnies，andamrejectednotwithstanding！Lucy，yourfaithmustbetrueandperfectasthediamondtocompensateforthedishonourwhichmen’sopinions，andtheconductofyourmother，attachtotheheirofRavenswood！”
Asheraisedhiseyes，hebeheldtheMarquisofA——，who，havingarrivedattheTod’sHole，hadwalkedforthtolookforhiskinsman。
Aftermutualgreetings，hemadesomeapologytotheMasterfornotcomingforwardontheprecedingevening。”Itwashiswish，”
hesaid，”tohavedoneso，buthehadcometotheknowledgeofsomematterswhichinducedhimtodelayhispurpose。
Ifind，”heproceeded，”therehasbeenaloveaffairhere，kinsman；andthoughImightblameyoufornothavingcommunicatedwithme，asbeinginsomedegreethechiefofyourfamily——””Withyourlordship’spermission，”saidRavenswood，”Iamdeeplygratefulfortheinterestyouarepleasedtotakeinme，but_I_
amthechiefandheadofmyfamily。””Iknowit——Iknowit，”saidtheMarquis；”inastrictheraldicandgenealogicalsense，youcertainlyareso；whatImeanis，thatbeinginsomemeasureundermyguardianship——””Imusttakethelibertytosay，mylord——”answeredRavenswood，andthetoneinwhichheinterruptedtheMarquisbodednolongdurationtothefriendshipofthenoblerelatives，whenhehimselfwasinterruptedbythelittlesexton，whocampuffingafterthem，toaskiftheirhonourswouldchoosemusicatthechange-housetomakeupforshortcheer。”Wewantnomusic，”saidtheMaster，abruptly。”Yourhonourdisnakenwhatye’rerefusing，then，”saidthefiddler，withtheimpertinentfreedomofhisprofession。”Icanplay，’Wiltthoudo’tagain，’and’TheAuldMan’sMear’sDead，’
saxtimesbetterthaneverPatieBirnie。I’llgetmyfiddleintheturningofacoffin-screw。””Takeyourselfaway，sir，”saidtheMarquis。”Andifyourhonourbeanorth-countrygentleman，”saidtheperseveringminstrel，”whilkIwadjudgefromyourtongue，Icanplay’LiggeramCosh，’and’MullinDhu，’and’TheCummersofAthole。’””Takeyourselfaway，friend；youinterruptourconversation。””Orif，underyourhonour’sfavour，yeshouldhappentobeathoughthonest，Icanplaythisinalowandconfidentialtone
’Killiecrankie，’and’TheKingshallhaehisain，’and’TheAuldStuartsbackagain’；andthewifeatthechange-houseisadecent，discreetbody，neitherkensnorcareswhattoastsaredrucken，andwhattunesareplayed，inherhouse:she’sdeaftoa’thingbuttheclinko’thesiller。”
TheMarquis，whowassometimessuspectedofJacobitism，couldnothelplaughingashethrewthefellowadollar，andbidhimgoplaytotheservantsifhehadamind，andleavethematpeace。”Aweel，gentlemen，”saidhe，”Iamwishingyourhonoursgudeday。”I’llbea’thebetterofthedollar，andye’llbethewaurofwantingmusic，I’setellye。ButI’seganghame，andfinishthegraveinthetuningo’afiddle-string，laybymyspade，andthengetmytotherbread-winner，andawa’toyourfolk，andseeiftheyhaebetterlugsthantheirmasters。”