\"Notinmyhands，\"answeredWestburnflat；\"yemaysearchthetower，ifyemisdoubtme。\"
\"Youfalsevillain，youshallaccountforher，ordieonthespot，\"saidElliot，presentinghisgun。
Buthiscompanions，whonowcameup，instantlydisarmedhimofhisweapon，exclaiming，allatonce，\"Handandglove！faithandtroth！Haudacare，Hobbiewemaunkeepourfaithwi’
Westburnflat，werehethegreatestrogueeverrode。\"
Thusprotected，theoutlawrecoveredhisaudacity，whichhadbeensomewhatdauntedbythemenacinggestureofElliot。
\"Ihavekeptmyword，sirs，\"hesaid，\"andIlooktohavenaewrangamangye。Ifthisisnotheprisoneryesought，\"hesaid，addressingEarnscliff，\"ye’llrenderherbacktomeagain。Iamanswerableforhertothosethataughther。\"
\"ForGod’ssake，Mr。Earnscliff，protectme！\"saidMissVere，clingingtoherdeliverer；\"donotyouabandononewhomthewholeworldseemstohaveabandoned。\"
\"Fearnothing，\"whisperedEarnscliff，\"Iwillprotectyouwithmylife。\"ThenturningtoWestburnflat，\"Villain！\"hesaid，\"howdaredyoutoinsultthislady？\"
\"Forthatmatter，Earnscliff，\"answeredthefreebooter，\"Icananswertothemthathasbetterrighttoaskmethanyouhave；butifyoucomewithanarmedforce，andtakeherawa’fromthemthatherfriendslodgedherwi’，howwillyouanswerTHAT——Butit’syourainaffair——Naesinglemancankeepatoweragainsttwenty——A’themeno’theMearnsdownadomairthantheydow。\"
\"Heliesmostfalsely，\"saidIsabella；\"hecarriedmeoffbyviolencefrommyfather。\"
\"Maybeheonlywantedyetothinksae，hinny，\"repliedtherobber；\"butit’snaebusinesso’mine，letitbeasitmay。——Soyewinnaresignherbacktome？\"
\"Backtoyou，fellow？Surelyno，\"answeredEarnscliff；\"IwillprotectMissVere，andescorthersafelywhereversheispleasedtobeconveyed。\"
\"Ay，ay，maybeyouandherhaesettledthatalready，\"saidWillieofWestburnflat。
\"AndGrace？\"interruptedHobbie，shakinghimselfloosefromthefriendswhohadbeenpreachingtohimthesanctityofthesafe-
conduct，uponthefaithofwhichthefreebooterhadventuredfromhistower，——\"Where’sGrace\"andherushedonthemarauder，swordinhand。
Westburnflat，thuspressed，aftercallingout，\"Godsake，Hobbie，hearmeagliff！\"fairlyturnedhisbackandfled。Hismotherstoodreadytoopenandshutthegrate；butHobbiestruckatthefreebooterasheenteredwithsomuchforce，thattheswordmadeaconsiderablecleftinthelintelofthevaulteddoor，whichisstillshownasamemorialofthesuperiorstrengthofthosewholivedinthedaysofyore。EreHobbiecouldrepeattheblow，thedoorwasshutandsecured，andhewascompelledtoretreattohiscompanions，whowerenowpreparingtobreakupthesiegeofWestburnflat。Theyinsisteduponhisaccompanyingthemintheirreturn。
\"Yehaebrokentrucealready，\"saidoldDickoftheDingle；\"anwetakenathebettercare，ye’llplaymairgowk’stricks，andmakeyoursellthelaughing-stockofthehaillcountry，besideshavingyourfriendschargedwithslaughterundertrust。BidetillthemeetingatCastleton，asyehaegreed；andifhedisnamakeyeamends，thenwe’llhaeitouto’hisheart’sblood。Butletusgangreasonablytowarkandkeepourtryst，andI’sewarrantwegetbackGrace，andthekyean’a’。\"
Thiscold-bloodedreasoningwentilldownwiththeunfortunatelover；but，ashecouldonlyobtaintheassistanceofhisneighboursandkinsmenontheirownterms，hewascompelledtoacquiesceintheirnotionsofgoodfaithandregularprocedure。
EarnscliffnowrequestedtheassistanceofafewofthepartytoconveyMissVeretoherfather’scastleofEllieslaw，towhichshewasperemptoryindesiringtobeconducted。Thiswasreadilygranted；andfiveorsixyoungmenagreedtoattendhimasanescort。Hobbiewasnotofthenumber。Almostheart-brokenbytheeventsoftheday，andhisfinaldisappointment，hereturnedmoodilyhometotakesuchmeasuresashecouldforthesustenanceandprotectionofhisfamily，andtoarrangewithhisneighboursthefartherstepswhichshouldbeadoptedfortherecoveryofGraceArmstrong。Therestofthepartydispersedindifferentdirections，assoonastheyhadcrossedthemorass。Theoutlawandhismotherwatchedthemfromthetower，untiltheyentirelydisappeared。
CHAPTERX。
Ileftmyladye’sbowerlastnight——
Itwascladinwreathsofsnaw，——
I’llseekitwhenthesunisbright，Andsweettherosesblaw。OLDBALLAD。
Incensedatwhathedeemedthecoldnessofhisfriends，inacausewhichinterestedhimsonearly，Hobbiehadshakenhimselffreeoftheircompany，andwasnowonhissolitaryroadhomeward。
\"Thefiendfounderthee！\"saidhe，ashespurredimpatientlyhisover-fatiguedandstumblinghorse；\"thouartlikea’theresto’
them。HaeInotbredthee，andfedthee，anddressedtheewi’
mineainhand，andwouldstthousnappernowandbreakmyneckatmyutmostneed？Butthou’rte’enlikethelave——thefarthestoffo’thema’ismycousintentimesremoved，anddayornightIwadhaeservedthemwi’mybestblood；andnow，IthinktheyshowmairregardtothecommonthiefofWestburnflatthantotheirainkinsman。ButIshouldseethelightsnowinHeugh-foot——Wae’sme！\"hecontinued，recollectinghimself，\"therewillneithercoalnorcandle-lightshineintheHeugh-footonymair！Anitwerenaformymotherandsisters，andpoorGrace，Icouldfindinmyhearttoputspurstothebeast，andloupowerthescaurintothewatertomakeanendo’ta’。\"——Inthisdisconsolatemoodheturnedhishorse’sbridletowardsthecottageinwhichhisfamilyhadfoundrefuge。
Asheapproachedthedoor，heheardwhisperingandtitteringamongsthissisters。\"Thedeevil’sinthewomen，\"saidpoorHobbie；\"theywouldnicker，andlaugh，andgiggle，iftheirbestfriendwaslyingacorp——andyetIamgladtheycankeepuptheirheartssaeweel，poorsillythings；butthedirdumfa’sonme，tobesure，andnoonthem。\"
Whilehethusmeditated，hewasengagedinfasteninguphishorseinashed。\"Thoumaundowithouthorse-sheetandsurcinglenow，lad，\"hesaid，addressingtheanimal；\"youandmehaehadadowncomealike；wehadbetterhaefa’eni，thedeepestpoolo’
Tarras。\"
Hewasinterruptedbytheyoungestofhissisters，whocamerunningout，and，speakinginaconstrainedvoice，asiftostiflesomeemotion，calledouttohim，\"Whatareyedoingthere，Hobbie，fiddlingaboutthenaig，andthere’sanefraeCumberlandbeenwaitinghereforyethishourandmair？Hasteyein，man；
I’lltakeoffthesaddle。\"
\"AnefraeCumberland！\"exclaimedElliot；andputtingthebridleofhishorseintothehandofhissister，herushedintothecottage。\"Whereishe？whereishe！\"heexclaimed，glancingeagerlyaround，andseeingonlyfemales；\"DidhebringnewsofGrace？\"
\"Hedoughtnabideaninstantlanger，\"saidtheeldersister，stillwithasuppressedlaugh。
\"Houtfie，bairns！\"saidtheoldlady，withsomethingofagood-
humouredreproof，\"yeshouldnavexyourbillyHobbiethatway。——
Lookround，mybairn，andseeifthereisnaaneheremairthanyeleftthismorning。\"
Hobbielookedeagerlyround。\"There’syou，andthethreetitties。\"
\"There’sfourofusnow，Hobbie，lad，\"saidtheyoungest，whoatthismomententered。
InaninstantHobbiehadinhisarmsGraceArmstrong，who，withoneofhissister’splaidsaroundher，hadpassedunnoticedathisfirstentrance。\"Howdaredyoudothis？\"saidHobbie。
\"Itwasnamyfault，\"saidGrace，endeavouringtocoverherfacewithherhandstohideatonceherblushes，andescapethestormofheartykisseswithwhichherbridegroompunishedhersimplestratagem，——\"Itwasnamyfault，Hobbie；yeshouldkissJeanieandtheresto’them，fortheyhaethewyteo’t。\"
\"AndsoIwill，\"saidHobbie，andembracedandkissedhissistersandgrandmotherahundredtimes，whilethewholepartyhalf-
laughed，half-cried，intheextremityoftheirjoy。\"Iamthehappiestman，\"saidHobbie，throwinghimselfdownonaseat，almostexhausted，——\"Iamthehappiestmanintheworld！\"
\"Then，Omydearbairn，\"saidthegoodolddame，wholostnoopportunityofteachingherlessonofreligionatthosemomentswhentheheartwasbestopentoreceiveit，——\"Then，Omyson，givepraisetoHimthatbringssmilesouto’tearsandjoyouto’
grief，asHebroughtlightouto’darknessandtheworldouto’
naething。Wasitnotmyword，thatifyecouldsayHiswillbedone，yemighthaecausetosayHisnamebepraised？\"
\"Itwas——itwasyourword，grannie；andIdopraiseHimforHismercy，andforleavingmeagoodparentwhenmyainweregane，\"
saidhonestHobbie，takingherhand，\"thatputsmeinmindtothinkofHim，baithinhappinessanddistress。\"
Therewasasolemnpauseofoneortwominutesemployedintheexerciseofmentaldevotion，whichexpressed，inpurityandsincerity，thegratitudeoftheaffectionatefamilytothatProvidencewhohadunexpectedlyrestoredtotheirembracesthefriendwhomtheyhadlost。
Hobbie’sfirstenquirieswereconcerningtheadventureswhichGracehadundergone。Theyweretoldatlength，butamountedinsubstancetothis：——Thatshewasawakedbythenoisewhichtheruffiansmadeinbreakingintothehouse，andbytheresistancemadebyoneortwooftheservants，whichwassoonoverpowered；
that，dressingherselfhastily，sherandownstairs，andhavingseen，inthescuffle，Westburnflat’svizarddropoff，imprudentlynamedhimbyhisname，andbesoughthimformercy；thattheruffianinstantlystoppedhermouth，draggedherfromthehouse，andplacedheronhorseback，behindoneofhisassociates。
\"I’llbreaktheaccursedneckofhim，\"saidHobbie，\"iftherewerenaanotherGraemeinthelandbuthimsell！\"
Sheproceededtosay，thatshewascarriedsouthwardalongwiththeparty，andthespoilwhichtheydrovebeforethem，untiltheyhadcrossedtheBorder。Suddenlyaperson，knowntoherasakinsmanofWestburnflat，cameridingveryfastafterthemarauders，andtoldtheirleader，thathiscousinhadlearntfromasurehandthatnoluckwouldcomeofit，unlessthelasswasrestoredtoherfriends。Aftersomediscussion，thechiefofthepartyseemedtoacquiesce。Gracewasplacedbehindhernewguardian，whopursuedinsilence，andwithgreatspeed，theleast-frequentedpathtotheHeugh-foot，andereeveningclosed，setdownthefatiguedandterrifieddamselwithinaquarterofamileofthedwellingofherfriends。Manyandsincerewerethecongratulationswhichpassedonallsides。
Astheseemotionssubsided，lesspleasingconsiderationsbegantointrudethemselves。
\"Thisisamiserableplaceforyea’，\"saidHobbie，lookingaroundhim；\"Icansleepweeleneughmyselloutbybesidethenaig，asIhaedonemonyalangnightonthehills；buthowyearetoputyoursellsup，Icannasee！Andwhat’swaur，Icannamendit；andwhat’swaurthana’，themornmaycome，andthedayafterthat，withoutyourbeingabitbetteroff。\"
\"Itwasacowardlycruelthing，\"saidoneofthesisters，lookinground，\"toharryapuirfamilytothebarewa’sthisgate。\"
\"Andleaveusneitherstirknorstot，\"saidtheyoungestbrother，whonowentered，\"norsheepnorlamb，noraughtthateatsgrassandcorn。\"
\"Iftheyhadonyquarrelwi’us，\"saidHarry，thesecondbrother，\"werewenareadytohavefoughtitout？Andthatweshouldhavebeena’fraehame，too，——aneanda’uponthehill——Odd，anwehadbeenathame，WillGraeme’sstamachshouldnahaewanteditsmorning；butit’sbidinghim，isitna，Hobbie？\"
\"OurneighbourshaetaenadayattheCastletontogreewi’himatthesighto’men，\"saidHobbie，mournfully；\"theybehovedtohaveita’theiraingate，ortherewasnaehelptobegotattheirhands。\"
\"Togreewi’him！\"exclaimedbothhisbrothersatonce，\"aftersiccananactofstouthrifeashasnabeenheardo’inthecountrysincetheauldridingdays！\"
\"Verytrue，billies，andmybloodwase’enboilingatit；butthesighto’GraceArmstronghassettleditbrawly。\"
\"Butthestocking，Hobbie’\"saidJohnElliot；\"we’reutterlyruined。HarryandIhaebeentogatherwhatwasontheoutbyland，andthere’sscarceaclootleft。Ikennahowwe’retocarryon——Wemauna’gangtothewars，Ithink。Westburnflathasnathemeans，e’enifhehadthewill，tomakeupourloss；
there’snaemendstobegotouto’him，butwhatyetakeouto’
hisbanes。Hehasnaafour-footedcreaturebuttheviciousbloodthingherideson，andthat’ssairtrash’dwi’hisnightwark。
Weareruinedstoopandroop。\"
HobbiecastamournfulglanceonGraceArmstrong，whoreturneditwithadowncastlookandagentlesigh。
\"Dinnabecastdown，bairns，\"saidthegrandmother，\"wehaegudefriendsthatwinnaforsakeusinadversity。There’sSirThomasKittleloofismythirdcousinbythemother’sside，andhehascomebyahantlesiller，andbeenmadeaknight-baronetintothebargain，forbeinganeo’thecommissionersattheUnion。\"
\"Hewadnagieabodletosaveusfraefamishing，\"saidHobbie；
\"and，ifhedid，thebreadthatIboughtwi’twouldstickinmythroat，whenIthoughtitwaspartofthepriceofpuirauldScotland’scrownandindependence。\"
\"There’stheLairdo’Dunder，aneo’theauldestfamiliesinTiviotdale。\"
\"He’sinthetolbooth，mother——he’sintheHeartofMid-LoudenforathousandmerkheborrowedfromSaundersWyliecoatthewriter。\"
\"Poorman！\"exclaimedMrs。Elliot，\"canwenosendhimsomething，Hobbie？\"
\"Yeforget，grannie，yeforgetwewanthelpoursells，\"saidHobbie，somewhatpeevishly。
\"TrothdidI，hinny，\"repliedthegood-naturedlady，\"justattheinstant；it’ssaenaturaltothinkonane’sbluderelationsbeforethemsells；——Butthere’syoungEarnscliff。\"
\"Hehasowerlittleo’hisain；andsiccananametokeepup，itwadbeashame，\"saidHobbie，\"toburdenhimwi’ourdistress。
AndI’lltellye，grannie，it’sneedlesstositrhymingowerthestyleofa’yourkith，kin，andallies，asiftherewasacharmintheirbrawnamestodousgood；thegrandeeshaeforgottenus，andthoseofouraindegreehaejustlittleeneughtogangonwi’
themsells；ne’erafriendhaewethatcan，orwill，helpustostockthefarmagain。\"
\"Then，Hobbie，memauntrustinHimthatcanraiseupfriendsandfortuneouto’thebaremoor，astheysay。\"
Hobbiesprunguponhisfeet。\"Yeareright，grannie！\"heexclaimed；\"yeareright。Idokenafriendonthebaremoor，thatbaithcanandwillhelpus——Theturnso’thisdayhaedungmyheadcleanhirdie-girdie。IleftasmucklegowdlyingonMucklestane-MoorthismorningaswouldplenishthehouseandstocktheHeugh-foottwiceower，andIamcertainsureElshiewadnagrudgeustheuseofit。\"
\"Elshie！\"saidhisgrandmotherinastonishment；\"whatElshiedoyoumean？\"
\"WhatElshieshouldImean，butCannyElshie，theWighto’
Mucklestane，\"repliedHobbie。
\"Godforfend，mybairn，youshouldgangtofetchwaterouto’
brokencisterns，orseekforrelieffraethemthatdealwi’theEvilOne！Therewasneverluckintheirgifts，norgraceintheirpaths。AndthehaillcountrykensthatbodyElshie’sanuncoman。O，iftherewasthelaw，andthedoucequietadministrationofjustice，thatmakesakingdomflourishinrighteousness，thelikeo’themsuldnabesufferedtolive！Thewizardandthewitcharetheabominationandtheevilthingintheland。\"
\"Troth，mother，\"answeredHobbie，\"yemaysaywhatyelike，butI
aminthemindthatwitchesandwarlockshavenahalfthepowertheyhadlangsyne；atleast，sureamI，thataeill-deviser，likeauldEllieslaw，oraeill-doer，likethatd——dvillainWestburnflat，isagreaterplagueandabominationinacountry-
sidethanahaillcurnieo’thewarstwitchesthatevercaperedonabroomstick，orplayedcantripsonFastern’sE’en。ItwadhaebeenlangorElshiehadburntdownmyhouseandbarns，andI
amdeterminedtotryifhewilldoaughttobuildthemupagain。
He’sweelkendaskilfu’manowera’thecountry，asfarasBroughunderStanmore。\"
\"Bideawee，mybairn；mindhisbenefitshavenathrivenwi’
a’body。JockHowdendiedo’theverysamedisorderElshiepretendedtocurehimof，aboutthefa’o’theleaf；andthoughhehelpedLambside’scowweelouto’themoor-ill，yetthelouping-ill’sbeensaireramane；hissheepthanonyseasonbefore。AndthenIhaveheardheusessicwordsabusinghumannature，that’slikeafleeinginthefaceofProvidence；andyemindyesaidyoursell，thefirsttimeyeeversawhim，thathewasmairlikeaboglethanalivingthing。\"
\"Hout，mother，\"saidHobbie，\"Elshie’snothatbadachield；he’sagrewsomespectacleforacrookeddisciple，tobesure，andaroughtalker，buthisbarkiswaurthanhisbite；sae，ifIhadanessomethingtoeat，forIhavenahadamorselowermythroatthisday，Iwadstreekmyselldownfortwaorthreehoursasidethebeast，andbeonandawa’toMucklestanewi’thefirstskreigho’morning。\"
\"Andwhatfornothenight，Hobbie，\"saidHarry，\"andIwillridewi’ye？\"
\"Mynaigistired，\"saidHobbie。
\"Yemaytakemine，then，\"saidJohn。
\"ButIamaweethingweariedmysell。\"
\"Youwearied？\"saidHarry；\"shameonye！Ihavekendyekeepthesaddlefour-and-twentyhoursthegither，andne’ersicawordaswearinessinyourwame。\"
\"Thenight’sverydark，\"saidHobbie，risingandlookingthroughthecasementofthecottage；\"and，tospeaktruth，andshamethedeil，thoughElshie’sarealhonestfallow，yetsomegateIwouldrathertakedaylightwi’mewhenIgangtovisithim。\"
Thisfrankavowalputastoptofurtherargument；andHobbie，havingthuscompromisedmattersbetweentherashnessofhisbrother’scounsel，andthetimidcautionswhichhereceivedfromhisgrandmother，refreshedhimselfwithsuchfoodasthecottageafforded；and，afteracordialsalutationallround，retiredtotheshed，andstretchedhimselfbesidehistrustypalfrey。Hisbrotherssharedbetweenthemsometrussesofcleanstraw，disposedinthestallusuallyoccupiedbyoldAnnaple’scow；andthefemalesarrangedthemselvesforreposeaswellastheaccommodationsofthecottagewouldpermit。
Withthefirstdawnofmorning，Hobbiearose；and，havingrubbeddownandsaddledhishorse，hesetforthtoMucklestane-Moor。Heavoidedthecompanyofeitherofhisbrothers，fromanideathattheDwarfwasmostpropitioustothosewhovisitedhimalone。
\"Thecreature，\"saidhetohimself，ashewentalong，\"isnoneighbourly；aebodyatatimeisfullymairthanheweelcanabide。Iwonderifhe’slookedouto’thecribo’himtogatherupthebago’siller。Ifhehasnadonethat，itwillhaebeenabrawwindfa’forsomebody，andI’llbefinelyflung。——Come，Tarras，\"saidhetohishorse，strikinghimatthesametimewithhisspur，\"makemairfit，man；wemaunbefirstonthefieldifwecan。\"
Hewasnowontheheath，whichbegantobeilluminatedbythebeamsoftherisingsun；thegentledeclivitywhichhewasdescendingpresentedhimadistinct，thoughdistantview，oftheDwarf’sdwelling。Thedooropened，andHobbiewitnessedwithhisowneyesthatphenomenonwhichhehadfrequentlyheardmentioned。
Twohumanfigures（ifthatoftheDwarfcouldbetermedsuch）
issuedfromthesolitaryabodeoftheRecluse，andstoodasifinconversetogetherintheopenair。Thetallerformthenstooped，asiftakingsomethingupwhichlaybesidethedoorofthehut，thenbothmovedforwardalittleway，andagainhalted，asindeepconference。AllHobbie’ssuperstitiousterrorsrevivedonwitnessingthis’spectacle。ThattheDwarfwouldopenhisdwellingtoamortalguest，wasasimprobableasthatanyonewouldchoosevoluntarilytobehisnocturnalvisitor；and，underfullconvictionthathebeheldawizardholdingintercoursewithhisfamiliarspirit，Hobbiepulledinatoncehisbreathandhisbridle，resolvednottoincurtheindignationofeitherbyahastyintrusionontheirconference。Theywereprobablyawareofhisapproach，forhehadnothaltedforamomentbeforetheDwarfreturnedtohiscottage；andthetallerfigurewhohadaccompaniedhim，glidedroundtheenclosureofthegarden，andseemedtodisappearfromtheeyesoftheadmiringHobbie。
\"Sawevermortalthelikeo’that！\"saidElliot；\"butmycaseisdesperate，sae，ifhewereBeelzebubhimsell，I’seventuredownthebraeonhim。\"
Yet，notwithstandinghisassumedcourage，heslackenedhispace，when，nearlyupontheveryspotwherehehadlastseenthetallfigure，hediscerned，asiflurkingamongthelongheather，asmallblackrough-lookingobject，likeaterrierdog。
\"HehasnaedogthateverIheardof，\"saidHobbie，\"butmonyadeilabouthishand——lordforgiemeforsayingsicaword！——Itkeepsitsgrund，bewhatitlike——I’mjudgingit’sabadger；butwhaekenswhatshapesthaebogieswilltaketofrightabody？itwillmaybestartuplikealionoracrocodilewhenIcomenearer。I’see’endriveastageatit，forifitchangeitsshapewhenI’mowernear，Tarraswillneverstandit；anditwillbeowermuckletohaehimandthedeiltofightwi’baithatance。\"
Hethereforecautiouslythrewastoneattheobject，whichcontinuedmotionless。\"It’snaelivingthing，aftera’，\"saidHobbie，approaching，\"buttheverybago’sillerheflungouto’
thewindowyesterday！andthatotherqueerlangcreaturehasjustbroughtitsaemucklefartheronthewaytome。Hethenadvancedandliftedtheheavyfurpouch，whichwasquitefullofgold。\"Mercyonus！\"saidHobbie，whoseheartflutteredbetweengleeattherevivalofhishopesandprospectsinlife，andsuspicionofthepurposeforwhichthisassistancewasaffordedhim——-\"Mercyonus！it’sanawfu’thingtotouchwhathasbeensaelatelyintheclawsofsomethingnocanny，Icannashakemyselllooseo’thebeliefthattherehasbeensomejookery-
paukeryofSatan’sina’this；butIamdeterminedtoconductmyselllikeanhonestmanandagoodChristian，comeo’twhatwill。\"
Headvancedaccordinglytothecottagedoor，andhavingknockedrepeatedlywithoutreceivinganyanswer，heatlengthelevatedhisvoiceandaddressedtheinmateofthehut。\"Elshie！FatherElshie！Ikenye’rewithindoors，andwauking，forIsawyeatthedoor-cheekasIcamowerthebent；willyecomeoutandspeakjustaglifftoanethathasmonythankstogieye？——Itwasa’
trueyetell’dmeaboutWestburnflat；buthe’ssentbackGracesafeandskaithless，saethere’snaeillhappenedyetbutwhatmaybesufferedorsustained；——Wadyebutcomeoutagliff；man，orbutsayye’relistening？——Aweel，sinceyewinnaanswer，I’see’enproceedwi’mytale。YeseeIhaebeenthinkingitwadbeasairthingontwayoungfolk，likeGraceandme，toputaffourmarriageformonyyearstillIwasabroadandcamebackagainwi’
somegear；andtheysayfolkmaunnatakebootyinthewarsastheydidlangsyne，andthequeen’spayisasma’matter；there’snaegatheringgearonthat——andthenmygrandame’sauld——andmysisterswadsitpeengin’attheingle-sideforwanto’metodingthemabout——andEarnscliff，ortheneighbourhood，ormaybeyourainsell，Elshie，mightwantsomegoodturnthatHobElliotcoulddoye——andit’sapitythattheauldhouseo’theHeugh-footshouldbewreckeda’thegither。SaeIwasthinking——butdeilhaeme，thatIshouldsaysae，\"continuedhe，checkinghimself，\"ifI
canbringmyselltoaskafavourofanethatwinnasaemuckleaswareawordonme，totellmeifhehearsmespeakingtillhim。\"
\"Saywhatthouwilt——dowhatthouwilt，\"answeredtheDwarffromhiscabin，\"butbegone，andleavemeatpeace。\"
\"Weel，weel，\"repliedElliot，\"sinceyearewillingtohearme，I’semakemytaleshort。SinceyearesaekindastosayyearecontenttolendmeasmucklesilleraswillstockandplenishtheHeugh-foot，Iamcontent，onmypart，toacceptthecourtesywi’
monykindthanks；andtroth，Ithinkitwillbeassafeinmyhandsasyours，ifyeleaveitflungaboutinthatgateforthefirstloonbodytolift，forbyetherisko’badneighboursthatcanwinthroughsteekitdoorsandlockfastplaces，asIcantelltomycost。Isay，sinceyehaesaemuckleconsiderationforme，I’sebeblithetoacceptyourkindness；andmymotherandme（she’salife-renter，andIamfiar，o’thelandso’Wideopen）
wouldgrantyouawadset，oranheritablebond，forthesiller，andtopaytheannualrenthalf-yearly；andSaundersWyliecoattodrawthebond，andyoutobeatnaechargewi’thewritings。\"
\"Cutshortthyjargon，andbegone，\"saidtheDwarf；\"thyloquaciousbull-headedhonestymakestheeamoreintolerableplaguethanthelight-fingeredcourtierwhowouldtakeaman’sallwithouttroublinghimwitheitherthanks，explanation，orapology。Hence，Isay！thouartoneofthosetameslaveswhosewordisasgoodastheirbond。Keepthemoney，principalandinterest，untilIdemanditofthee。\"
\"But，\"continuedthepertinaciousBorderer，\"wearea’life-likeanddeath-like，Elshie，andtherereallyshouldbesomeblackandwhiteonthistransaction。Saejustmakemeaminute，ormissive，inonyformyelike，andI’sewriteitfairower，andsubscribeitbeforefamouswitnesses。Only，Elshie，Iwadwussyetopitnaethingin’tthatmaybeprejudicialtomysalvation；
forI’llhaetheministertoreaditower，anditwadonlybeexposingyourselltonaepurpose。AndnowI’mgangingawa’，forye’llbeweariedo’mycracks，andIamweariedwi’crackingwithoutananswer——andI’sebringyeabito’bride’s-cakeaneo’
thaedays，andmaybebringGracetoseeyou。YewadliketoseeGrace，man，forasdourasyeare——Eh，LordIIwishhemaybeweel，thatwasasairgrane！or，maybe，hethoughtIwasspeakingofheavenlygrace，andnoofGraceArmstrong。Poorman，Iamverydoubtfu’o’hiscondition；butIamsureheisaskindtomeasifIwerehisson，andaqueer-lookingfatherIwadhaehad，ifthathadbeene’ensae。\"
Hobbienowrelievedhisbenefactorofhispresence，androdeblithelyhometodisplayhistreasure，andconsultuponthemeansofrepairingthedamagewhichhisfortunehadsustainedthroughtheaggressionoftheRedReiverofWestburnflat。
CHAPTERXI。
Threeruffiansseizedmeyestermorn，Alas！amaidenmostforlorn；
Theychokedmycrieswithwickedmight，Andboundmeonapalfreywhite：
AssureasHeavenshallpityme，Icannottellwhatmentheybe。CHRISTABELLE。
Thecourseofourstorymusthererevertalittle，todetailthecircumstanceswhichhadplacedMissVereintheunpleasantsituationfromwhichshewasunexpectedly，andindeedunintentionallyliberated，bytheappearanceofEarnscliffandElliot，withtheirfriendsandfollowers，beforetheTowerofWestburnflat。
OnthemorningprecedingthenightinwhichHobbie’shousewasplunderedandburnt，MissVerewasrequestedbyherfathertoaccompanyhiminawalkthroughadistantpartoftheromanticgroundswhichlayroundhiscastleofEllieslaw。\"Tohearwastoobey，\"inthetruestyleofOrientaldespotism；butIsabellatrembledinsilencewhileshefollowedherfatherthroughroughpaths，nowwindingbythesideoftheriver，nowascendingthecliffswhichserveforitsbanks。Asingleservant，selectedperhapsforhisstupidity，wastheonlypersonwhoattendedthem。
Fromherfather’ssilence，IsabellalittledoubtedthathehadchosenthisdistantandsequesteredscenetoresumetheargumentwhichtheyhadsofrequentlymaintaineduponthesubjectofSirFrederick’saddresses，andthathewasmeditatinginwhatmannerheshouldmosteffectuallyimpressuponherthenecessityofreceivinghimashersuitor。Butherfearsseemedforsometimetobeunfounded。Theonlysentenceswhichherfatherfromtimetotimeaddressedtoher，respectedthebeautiesoftheromanticlandscapethroughwhichtheystrolled，andwhichvarieditsfeaturesateverystep。Totheseobservations，althoughtheyseemedtocomefromaheartoccupiedbymoregloomyaswellasmoreimportantcares，Isabellaendeavouredtoanswerinamannerasfreeandunconstrainedasitwaspossibleforhertoassume，amidtheinvoluntaryapprehensionswhichcrowdeduponherimagination。
Sustainingwithmutualdifficultyadesultoryconversation，theyatlengthgainedthecentreofasmallwood，composedoflargeoaks，intermingledwithbirches，mountain-ashes，hazel，holly，andavarietyofunderwood。Theboughsofthetalltreesmetcloselyabove，andtheunderwoodfilledupeachintervalbetweentheirtrunksbelow。Thespotonwhichtheystoodwasrathermoreopen；still，however，emboweredunderthenaturalarcadeoftalltrees，anddarkenedonthesidesforaspacearoundbyagreatandlivelygrowthofcopse-woodandbushes。
\"Andhere，Isabella，\"saidMr。Vere，ashepursuedtheconversation，sooftenresumed，sooftendropped，\"hereIwoulderectanaltartoFriendship。\"
\"ToFriendship，sir！\"saidMissVere；\"andwhyonthisgloomyandsequesteredspot，ratherthanelsewhere？\"
\"O，theproprietyoftheLOCALEiseasilyvindicated，\"repliedherfather，withasneer。\"Youknow，MissVere（foryou，Iamwellaware，arealearnedyounglady），youknow，thattheRomanswerenotsatisfiedwithembodying，forthepurposeofworship，eachusefulqualityandmoralvirtuetowhichtheycouldgiveaname；butthey，moreover，worshippedthesameundereachvarietyoftitlesandattributeswhichcouldgiveadistinctshade，orindividualcharacter，tothevirtueinquestion。Now，forexample，theFriendshiptowhomatempleshouldbeherededicated，isnotMasculineFriendship，whichabhorsanddespisesduplicity，art，anddisguise；butFemaleFriendship，whichconsistsinlittleelsethanamutualdispositiononthepartofthefriends，astheycallthemselves，toabeteachotherinobscurefraudandpettyintrigue。\"
\"Youaresevere，sir，\"saidMissVere。
\"Onlyjust，\"saidherfather；\"ahumblecopierIamfromnature，withtheadvantageofcontemplatingtwosuchexcellentstudiesasLucyIldertonandyourself。\"
\"IfIhavebeenunfortunateenoughtooffend，sir，IcanconscientiouslyexcuseMissIldertonfrombeingeithermycounsellororconfidante。\"
\"Indeed！howcameyou，then，\"saidMr。Vere，\"bytheflippancyofspeech，andpertnessofargument，bywhichyouhavedisgustedSirFrederick，andgivenmeoflatesuchdeepoffence？\"
\"Ifmymannerhasbeensounfortunateastodispleaseyou，sir，itisimpossibleformetoapologizetoodeeply，ortoosincerely；butIcannotconfessthesamecontritionforhavingansweredSirFrederickflippantlywhenhepressedmerudely。
SinceheforgotIwasalady，itwastimetoshowhimthatIamatleastawoman。\"
\"Reserve，then，yourpertnessforthosewhopressyouonthetopic，Isabella，\"saidherfathercoldly；\"formypart，Iamwearyofthesubject，andwillneverspeakuponitagain。\"
\"Godblessyou，mydearfather，\"saidIsabella，seizinghisreluctanthand\"thereisnothingyoucanimposeonme，savethetaskoflisteningtothisman’spersecution，thatIwillcall，orthink，ahardship。\"
\"Youareveryobliging，MissVere，whenithappenstosuityoutobedutiful，\"saidherunrelentingfather，forcinghimselfatthesametimefromtheaffectionategraspofherhand；\"buthenceforward，child，Ishallsavemyselfthetroubleofofferingyouunpleasantadviceonanytopic。Youmustlooktoyourself。\"
Atthismomentfourruffiansrusheduponthem。Mr。Vereandhisservantdrewtheirhangers，whichitwasthefashionofthetimetowear，andattemptedtodefendthemselvesandprotectIsabella。
Butwhileeachofthemwasengagedbyanantagonist，shewasforcedintothethicketbythetworemainingvillains，whoplacedherandthemselvesonhorseswhichstoodreadybehindthecopse-
wood。Theymountedatthesametime，and，placingherbetweenthem，setofataroundgallop，holdingthereinsofherhorseoneachside。Bymanyanobscureandwindingpath，overdaleanddown，throughmossandmoor，shewasconveyedtothetowerofWestburnflat，wheresheremainedstrictlywatched，butnototherwiseill-treated，undertheguardianshipoftheoldwoman，towhosesonthatretreatbelonged。NoentreatiescouldprevailuponthehagtogiveMissVereanyinformationontheobjectofherbeingcarriedforciblyoff，andconfinedinthissecludedplace。ThearrivalofEarnscliff，withastrongpartyofhorsemen，beforethetower，alarmedtherobber。AshehadalreadydirectedGraceArmstrongtoberestoredtoherfriends，itdidnotoccurtohimthatthisunwelcomevisitwasonheraccount；andseeingattheheadoftheparty，Earnscliff，whoseattachmenttoMissVerewaswhisperedinthecountry，hedoubtednotthatherliberationwasthesoleobjectoftheattackuponhisfastness。Thedreadofpersonalconsequencescompelledhimtodeliveruphisprisonerinthemannerwehavealreadyrelated。
AtthemomentthetrampofhorseswasheardwhichcarriedoffthedaughterofEllieslaw，herfatherfelltotheearth，andhisservant，astoutyoungfellow，whowasgaininggroundontheruffianwithwhomhehadbeenengaged，leftthecombattocometohismaster’sassistance，littledoubtingthathehadreceivedamortalwound，Boththevillainsimmediatelydesistedfromfarthercombat，and，retreatingintothethicket，mountedtheirhorses，andwentoffatfullspeedaftertheircompanions。Meantime，DixonhadthesatisfactiontofindMr。Verenotonlyalive，butunwounded。Hehadoverreachedhimself，andstumbled，itseemed，overtherootofatree，inmakingtooeagerablowathisantagonist。Thedespairhefeltathisdaughter’sdisappearance，was，inDixon’sphrase，suchaswouldhavemeltedtheheartofawhinstane，andhewassomuchexhaustedbyhisfeelings，andthevainresearcheswhichhemadetodiscoverthetrackoftheravishers，thataconsiderabletimeelapsederehereachedhome，andcommunicatedthealarmtohisdomestics。
Allhisconductandgestureswerethoseofadesperateman。
\"Speaknottome，SirFrederick，\"hesaidimpatiently；\"Youarenofather——shewasmychild，anungratefulone！Ifear，butstillmychild——myonlychild。WhereisMissIlderton？shemustknowsomethingofthis。ItcorrespondswithwhatIwasinformedofherschemes。Go，Dixon，callRatcliffehereLethimcomewithoutaminute’sdelay。\"Thepersonhehadnamedatthismomententeredtheroom。
\"Isay，Dixon，\"continuedMr。Vere，inanalteredtone，\"letMr。
Ratcliffeknow，Ibegthefavourofhiscompanyonparticularbusiness。——Ah！mydearsir，\"heproceeded，asifnoticinghimforthefirsttime，\"youaretheverymanwhoseadvicecanbeoftheutmostservicetomeinthiscruelextremity。\"
\"Whathashappened，Mr。Vere，todiscomposeyou？\"saidMr，Ratcliffe，gravely；andwhiletheLairdofEllieslawdetailstohim，withthemostanimatedgesturesofgriefandindignation，thesingularadventureofthemorning，weshalltaketheopportunitytoinformourreadersoftherelativecircumstancesinwhichthesegentlemenstoodtoeachother。
Inearlyyouth，Mr。VereofEllieslawhadbeenremarkableforacareerofdissipation，which，inadvancedlife，hehadexchangedforthenolessdestructivecareerofdarkandturbulentambition。Inbothcases，hehadgratifiedthepredominantpassionwithoutrespecttothediminutionofhisprivatefortune，although，wheresuchinducementswerewanting，hewasdeemedclose，avaricious，andgrasping。Hisaffairsbeingmuchembarrassedbyhisearlierextravagance，hewenttoEngland，wherehewasunderstoodtohaveformedaveryadvantageousmatrimonialconnexion。Hewasmanyyearsabsentfromhisfamilyestate。Suddenlyandunexpectedlyhereturnedawidower，bringingwithhimhisdaughter，thenagirlofabouttenyearsold。Fromthismomenthisexpenseseemedunbounded，intheeyesofthesimpleinhabitantsofhisnativemountains。Itwassupposedhemustnecessarilyhaveplungedhimselfdeeplyindebt。
Yethecontinuedtoliveinthesamelavishexpense，untilsomemonthsbeforethecommencementofournarrative，whenthepublicopinionofhisembarrassedcircumstanceswasconfirmed，bytheresidenceofMr。RatcliffeatEllieslawCastle，who，bythetacitconsent，thoughobviouslytothegreatdispleasure，ofthelordofthemansion，seemed，fromthemomentofhisarrival，toassumeandexerciseapredominantandunaccountableinfluenceinthemanagementofhisprivateaffairs。
Mr。Ratcliffewasagrave，steady，reservedman，inanadvancedperiodoflife。Tothosewithwhomhehadoccasiontospeakuponbusiness，heappeareduncommonlywellversedinallitsforms。
Withothersheheldlittlecommunication；butinanycasualintercourse，orconversation，displayedthepowersofanactiveandwell-informedmind。Forsometimebeforetakinguphisfinalresidenceatthecastle，hehadbeenanoccasionalvisitorthere，andwasatsuchtimestreatedbyMr。Vere（contrarytohisgeneralpracticetowardsthosewhowereinferiortohiminrank）
withmarkedattention，andevendeference。Yethisarrivalalwaysappearedtobeanembarrassmenttohishost，andhisdeparturearelief；sothat，whenhebecameaconstantinmateofthefamily，itwasimpossiblenottoobserveindicationsofthedispleasurewithwhichMr。Vereregardedhispresence。Indeed，theirintercourseformedasingularmixtureofconfidenceandconstraint。Mr。Vere’smostimportantaffairswereregulatedbyMr。Ratcliffe；andalthoughhewasnoneofthoseindulgentmenoffortune，who，tooindolenttomanagetheirownbusiness，aregladtodevolveituponanother，yet，inmanyinstances，hewasobservedtogiveuphisownjudgment，andsubmittothecontraryopinionswhichMr。Ratcliffedidnothesitatedistinctlytoexpress。
NothingseemedtovexMr。Veremorethanwhenstrangersindicatedanyobservationofthestateoftutelageunderwhichheappearedtolabour。WhenitwasnoticedbySirFrederick，oranyofhisintimates，hesometimesrepelledtheirremarkshaughtilyandindignantly，andsometimesendeavouredtoevadethem，bysaying，withaforcedlaugh，\"ThatRatcliffeknewhisownimportance，butthathewasthemosthonestandskilfulfellowintheworld；andthatitwouldbeimpossibleforhimtomanagehisEnglishaffairswithouthisadviceandassistance。\"SuchwasthepersonwhoenteredtheroomatthemomentMr。Verewassummoninghimtohispresence，andwhonowheardwithsurprise，mingledwithobviousincredulity，thehastynarrativeofwhathadbefallenIsabella。
Herfatherconcluded，addressingSirFrederickandtheothergentlemen，whostoodaroundinastonishment，\"Andnow，myfriends，youseethemostunhappyfatherinScotland。Lendmeyourassistance，gentlemen——givemeyouradvice，Mr。Ratcliffe。
Iamincapableofacting，orthinking，undertheunexpectedviolenceofsuchablow。\"
\"Letustakeourhorses，callourattendants，andscourthecountryinpursuitofthevillains，\"saidSirFrederick。
\"Istherenoonewhomyoucansuspect，\"saidRatcliffe，gravely，\"ofhavingsomemotiveforthisstrangecrime？Thesearenotthedaysofromance，whenladiesarecarriedoffmerelyfortheirbeauty。\"
\"Ifear，\"saidMr。Vere，\"Icantoowellaccountforthisstrangeincident。Readthisletter，whichMissLucyIldertonthoughtfittoaddressfrommyhouseofEllieslawtoyoungMr。Earnscliff；
whom，ofallmen，Ihaveahereditaryrighttocallmyenemy。
Youseeshewritestohimastheconfidantofapassionwhichhehastheassurancetoentertainformydaughter；tellshimsheserveshiscausewithherfriendveryardently，butthathehasafriendinthegarrisonwhoserveshimyetmoreeffectually。Lookparticularlyatthepencilledpassages，Mr。Ratcliffe，wherethismeddlinggirlrecommendsboldmeasures，withanassurancethathissuitwouldbesuccessfulanywherebeyondtheboundsofthebaronyofEllieslaw。\"
\"Andyouargue，fromthisromanticletterofaveryromanticyounglady，Mr。Vere，\"saidRatcliffe，\"thatyoungEarnscliffhascarriedoffyourdaughter，andcommittedaverygreatandcriminalactofviolence，onnobetteradviceandassurancethanthatofMissLucyIlderton？\"
\"WhatelsecanIthink？\"saidEllieslaw。
\"WhatelseCANyouthink？\"saidSirFrederick；\"orwhoelsecouldhaveanymotiveforcommittingsuchacrime？\"
\"Werethatthebestmodeoffixingtheguilt，\"saidMr。
Ratcliffe，calmly，\"theremighteasilybepointedoutpersonstowhomsuchactionsaremorecongenial，andwhohavealsosufficientmotivesofinstigation。SupposingitwerejudgedadvisabletoremoveMissVeretosomeplaceinwhichconstraintmightbeexerciseduponherinclinationstoadegreewhichcannotatpresentbeattemptedundertheroofofEllieslawCastle——WhatsaysSirFrederickLangleytothatsupposition？\"
\"Isay，\"returnedSirFrederick，\"thatalthoughMr。VeremaychoosetoendureinMr。Ratcliffefreedomstotallyinconsistentwithhissituationinlife，Iwillnotpermitsuchlicenseofinnuendo，bywordorlook，tobeextendedtome，withimpunity。\"
\"AndIsay，\"saidyoungMareschalofMareschal-Wells，whowasalsoaguestatthecastle，\"thatyouareallstarkmadtobestandingwranglinghere，insteadofgoinginpursuitoftheruffians。\"
\"Ihaveorderedoffthedomesticsalreadyinthetrackmostlikelytoovertakethem，\"saidMr。Vere\"ifyouwillfavourmewithyourcompany，wewillfollowthem，andassistinthesearch。\"
Theeffortsofthepartyweretotallyunsuccessful，probablybecauseEllieslawdirectedthepursuittoproceedinthedirectionofEarnscliffTower，underthesuppositionthattheownerwouldprovetobetheauthoroftheviolence，sothattheyfollowedadirectiondiametricallyoppositetothatinwhichtheruffianshadactuallyproceeded。Intheeveningtheyreturned，harassedandoutofspirits。Butotherguestshad，inthemeanwhile，arrivedatthecastle；and，aftertherecentlosssustainedbytheownerhadbeenrelated，wonderedat，andlamented，therecollectionofitwas，forthepresent，drownedinthediscussionofdeeppoliticalintrigues，ofwhichthecrisisandexplosionweremomentarilylookedfor。