So that very night the Antiquary enjoyed in some degree the crowning pleasure of his whole life, in bringing together father and son for the first time. That is, if the marriage which took place soon after between his young friend Lovel (or Lord William Geraldin) and Miss Isabella Wardour of Knockwinnock Castle did not turn out to be a yet greater pleasure. Old Edie still travels from farm to farm, but mostly now confines himself to the short round between Monkbarns and Knockwinnock. It is reported, however, that he means soon to settle with old Caxon, who, since the marriage of his daughter to Lieutenant Taffril, has been given a cottage near the three wigs which he still keeps in order in the parish,--the minister's, Sir Arthur's, and best of all, that of our good and well-beloved Antiquary. THE END OF THE LAST TALE FROM "THE ANTIQUARY." * * * * * "Now," said Sweetheart, nodding particular approval, "that is the way a story ought to end up--everything going on from chapter to chapter, with no roundabouts, and everything told about everybody right to the very end!" "Hum," said Hugh John, with a curl of his nose; "well, that's done with! But it was good about the Storm and the Duel! The rest was--" "Hush," said Sweetheart, "remember, it was written by Sir Walter." "Sir," said I to Hugh John, heavily parental, "_The Antiquary_ may not now be much to your taste, but the day will come when you may probably prefer it to all the rest put together." At these words the young man assumed the expression common to boys who are bound to receive the wholesome advice of their elders, yet who do so with silent but respectful doubt, if not with actual disbelief. "Well," he said, after a long pause, "anyway, the Duel _was_ good. And I'd jolly well like to find a treasure in Misticot's grave. Can we have another snow fight?" THE END OF THE FIRST SERIES OF RED CAP TALES FROM THE TREASURE-CHEST OF THE WIZARD OF THE NORTH. FOOTNOTES: [1] These were Scottish children to whom the stories were retold, and they understood the Scottish tongue. So the dialect parts were originally told in that speech. Now, however, in pity for children who have the misfortune to inherit only English, I have translated all the hard words and phrases as best I could. But the old is infinitely better, and my only hope and aim is, that the retelling of these stories by the living voice may send every reader, every listener, to the Master of Romance himself. If I succeed in this, my tale-telling shall not have been in vain. [2] _i.e._ scarecrow. * * * * * Transcriber's Notes Obvious punctuation errors repaired. One reference each of "lifeblood" and "life-blood" were retained. This was also done with "sea-shore" and "seashore". Page 151, "campanion" changed to "companion" (sole companion a)