"Dinna curse him, sir," said the old woman; "I have heard a good man say that a curse was like a stone flung up to the heavens, and maist like to return on the head that sent it. But if ye ken Lord Evandale, bid him look to himsell, for I hear strange words pass atween the sodgers that are lying here, and his name is often mentioned; and the tane o' them has been twice up at Tillietudlem. He's a kind of favourite wi' the laird, though he was in former times ane o' the maist cruel oppressors ever rade through a country (out-taken Sergeant Bothwell),--they ca' him Inglis." "I have the deepest interest in Lord Evandale's safety," said Morton, "and you may depend on my finding some mode to apprise him of these suspicious circumstances. And, in return, my good friend, will you indulge me with another question? Do you know anything of Quintin Mackell of Irongray?" "Do I know whom?" echoed the blind woman, in a tone of great surprise and alarm. "Quintin Mackell of Irongray," repeated Morton. "Is there anything so alarming in the sound of that name?" "Na, na," answered the woman, with hesitation; "but to hear him asked after by a stranger and a sodger,--Gude protect us, what mischief is to come next!" "None by my means, I assure you," said Morton; "the subject of my inquiry has nothing to fear from me if, as I suppose, this Quintin Mackell is the same with John Bal-----." "Do not mention his name," said the widow, pressing his lips with her fingers. "I see you have his secret and his pass-word, and I'll be free wi' you. But, for God's sake, speak lound and low. In the name of Heaven, I trust ye seek him not to his hurt! Ye said ye were a sodger?" "I said truly; but one he has nothing to fear from. I commanded a party at Bothwell Bridge." "Indeed?" said the woman. "And verily there is something in your voice I can trust. Ye speak prompt and readily, and like an honest man." "I trust I am so," said Morton. "But nae displeasure to you, sir, in thae waefu' times," continued Mrs. Maclure, "the hand of brother is against brother, and he fears as mickle almaist frae this Government as e'er he did frae the auld persecutors." "Indeed?" said Morton, in a tone of inquiry; I was not aware of that. But I am only just now returned from abroad."