Produced by Al Haines. IN SILK ATTIRE. A Novel BY WILLIAM BLACK, AUTHOR OF "A DAUGHTER OF HETH," "THREE FEATHERS," ETC. SEVENTH EDITION. LONDON: SAMPSON LOW, MARSTON, SEARLE & RIVINGTON, CROWN BUILDINGS, 188, FLEET STREET. 1879. [_All Rights of Translation and Reproduction are reserved._] "And ye shall walk in silk attire And siller hae to spare, Gin ye’ll consent to be his bride, Nor think o’ Donald mair." "O, wha wad buy a silken gown Wi’ a puir broken heart? Or what’s to me a siller crown Gin frae my love I part?" CONTENTS. I. OVER, AND SAFE II. THE LOOK BACK III. THE MARCHIONESS IV. THE ACTRESS V. ST. MARY-KIRBY VI. CHESNUT BANK VII. BALNACLUITH PLACE VIII. JULIET IX. THE COUNT’S BROTHER X. MISS BRUNEL AT HOME XI. IN THE PARK XII. GOOD-BYE XIII. "MIT DEINEN SCHÖNEN AUGEN" XIV. THE OUTCAST XV. SCHÖN-ROHTRAUT XVI. SCHÖNSTEIN XVII. THE COUNT DISTINGUISHES HIMSELF XVIII. ONE MORE UNFORTUNATE XIX. FLIGHT XX. HOMEWARDS XXI. IN ENGLAND XXII. ROSALIND XXIII. HOME AGAIN XXIV. A LAST WORD XXV. EVIL TIDINGS XXVI. THE COUNT’S CHANCE XXVII. DOUBTFUL XXVIII. MOTHER CHRISTMAS’S STORY XXIX. LEFT ALONE XXX. THE COUNT HESITATES XXXI. THE DECISION XXXII. CONFESSION XXXIII. THE BAIT IS TAKEN XXXIV. THE NEW GOVERNESS XXXV. ANOTHER BLUNDER XXXVI. AN OLD ADMIRER XXXVII. POSSESSION XXXVIII. ORMOND PLACE XXXIX. "THE COULIN" IN SILK ATTIRE. CHAPTER I. OVER, AND SAFE. "I am gathering myself together for a great leap, Jack." "Don’t look so sad about it, then. Take it as you would one of your Berkshire fences, Harry, with a firm seat and a cool hand." "If I only knew what was on the other side, Jack—that bothers me." "By the way, did you hear of the dinner at old Thornhill’s on Tuesday? I declare everybody was drunk but the dogs; and they were turned out at night to find their way home by themselves. The Squire got very, very bad—port and brandy alternately—tumbled twice off his horse before he got out of the gate; and then, half an hour after, when the rest of us rode home, we found him sitting in the middle of the road, in the dark, trying to ward off the dogs that had gathered round him and were for licking his face, while he hiccuped to them ’G—go away, my good people—g—go away—I’ve really nothing for you; ’pon my soul, I’ve forgot my p—purse.’ But what’s the matter, Harry? You haven’t heard a word of my story; and you’re looking as glum as a parson." "Jack, I’m going to marry." "Don’t be a fool."