“But see, here are some of the military coming” ... “That officer is General Kennedy,” said Lady Avondale, approaching towards him: “he is not a tyrant at least.” As she said this, she bowed to him, for she knew him well. He often dined at the Castle. He was saying a few words to her upon common uninteresting topics, when, a soldier beckoning to him, two horsemen appeared.—“He’s found,” said one: “there is no doubt of his guilt; and twenty other names are on the list.” “I trust in God it is not Linden, of whom you are speaking,” said Calantha. General Kennedy made no answer: he only bowed to her, as if to excuse himself; and retired. Calantha observed a vast number of people assembled on the road, close to the village. Gerald Mac Allain could scarcely support himself. She enquired what they were waiting for. “To see the deserters,” they answered. It was women, children, parents who spoke: some wept aloud; others stood in silent anguish; many repeated the name of him in whom they took deepest interest, asking if his was of the number. Linden’s she heard most frequently. “Ill luck to the monsters!—ill luck to the men of blood!” was vociferated the whole way she went. “This will kill the old man,” said Gerald: “it will be his death: he has been all night fearing it, ever since Linden has been missing.” The crowd, seeing Calantha, approached in all directions. “Oh beg our king, your father, to save them,” said one: “Jesus reward you:” and they knelt and prayed to her. She was too much affected to answer. Some of the officers approached her, and advised her to retire. “The crowd will be immense,” they said: “your Ladyship had better not remain to witness this heartbreaking scene.” “Twenty names are on the list,” continued the officer, “all deserted, as soon as Linden did. Mercy, in this instance, will be weakness: too much has already been shewn.” CHAPTER VII.