"And I'd be proud to care Miss Annas," said Sam, with a pull at his forelock. "I mind her weel, a bit bonnie lassie. The Laird need nae fear gin she gangs wi' me. But I'd no ha'e said sae mickle for yon puir weak silken chiel wi' the glass in his e'e." "Why, Sam, who do you mean?" said I. "Wha?" said Sam. "Yon pawky chiel, the auld Vicar's nevey--Maister Parchmenter, or what ye ca him--a bonnie ane to guard a pair o' lassies he'd be!" "Mr Parmenter!" cried I. "Did Father think of sending us with him?" "He just did, gin Mrs Kezia had nae had mair wit nor himsel'. She sent ye her loving recommend, young leddies, and ye was to be gude lassies, the pair o' ye, and no reckon ye kent better nor him that had the charge o' ye." "Sam, you put that in yourself," said Angus. "Atweel, Sir, Mrs Kezia said she hoped they'd be gude lassies, and discreet--that's as true as my father's epitaph." "Where is Miss Osborne gone, Sam?" asked Flora. "Gin naebody wants to ken mair than me, Miss Flora, there'll no be mickle speiring. I'm only sure o' ane place where she'll no be gane, I'm thinkin', and that's Heaven." "You don't seem to me to have fallen in love with her, Sam," said Angus, who appeared exceedingly amused. "Is't me, Sir? Ma certie, but gin there were naebody in this haill warld but her an' me, I'd tak' a lodging for her in the finest street I could find i' London toun, an' I'd be aff mysel' to the Orkneys by the neist ship as left the docks. I wad, sae!" Angus laughed till he cried, and Flora and I were no much better. He went at once to Monksburn, and came back with tidings that the Laird was very glad of the opportunity to send Annas southwards. And when my Uncle Drummond came in, though his lip trembled and her eyes pleaded earnestly, he said Flora must go too. And to-night Mr Keith brought news that men were up all over the Highlands, and that the Prince was marching on Perth. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ My Uncle Drummond says we must go at once--there is not to be a day's delay that can be helped. Mr Keith and Angus are both to join the Prince as soon as they can be ready. My Uncle will go with us himself to Hawick, and then Sam will go on with us to Carlisle, where we are to wait one day, while Sam rides over to Brocklebank to fetch and exchange such things as we may need, and if we can hear of any friend of Father's or my Uncle's who is going south, we are to join their convoy. The Laird of Monksburn sends one of his men with us; and both he and Sam will be well armed. I am sure I hope there will be no occasion for the arms.