"But I thought the days for such things were long past, and that they only whiles happen in books," said he wondering. "But dear! dear! What is the like o' me to ken about what is going on in the world? And one has but to look out, first at one window and then another, at the great buildings that are rising up on every hand, to be sure that the `scarlet woman' has this for a favoured abiding-place. And I doubt she's no' much changed since the old days, though her hands are a wee tied. And you rescued your brother, did you? 'Deed you're a brave lassie." But Hubert had no idea of being looked on as rescued. "If I had known you cared about it, Fred, I could have run away any time--I could have done it quite easily." "I'm no' just so sure o' that," said Mistress Campbell gravely. "If these long-coated gentry had a motive for keeping you, they wouldna have let you go, or they would have had you back again." "Yes, and no one must know where he is," said Frederica anxiously. "I could think of no other safe place to bring him to. And, Hubert dear, if Mistress Campbell will have you, you will stay here quietly till I can see Caroline and Mr Brandon, or till papa comes home." "There has nothing happened to your papa, has there? They're bold, these folk, or they're sure o' their ground," said Mistress Campbell gravely. "Dixen said that about papa. But we have had no more news. We had no letter last mail." "Oh well! No news is good news, they say; and it's utter nonsense to think that anything can really happen to harm you in a Christian country like this." "And in the Queen's dominions, as Dixen said," echoed Frederica hopefully. "And I'll keep the laddie safe, though the whole Inquisition were after him. That's no' just the name they get here, I daresay; but I'll keep the laddie, if he'll bide." "You cannot go home, Hubert dear; for Madame Precoe is there, and Father Jerome; and though he is so smooth and pleasant, I do not trust him; and, indeed, I don't know what to do. Will you stay, dear Hubert?" "Oh, yes, I'll stay, if you make a point of it. But there is no danger for me," said Hubert loftily. "Did you like staying at the school, my lad? Were they good to you?" "At first I did not like it. Oh, yes, they were kind enough. They're a rough lot, however, and I would not like to go back, since Fred objects to it." The door opened, and Frederica uttered a cry. It was only Miss Robina, however, not one of the servants, as she had feared. Of course there were more exclamations, and the story was told again, but the part dwelt on now was the taking away of Tessie from Mrs Glencairn's, and sending her to the convent, without even telling her sisters.