The Earl of Nithsdale qualified his friend's hopeful view of the case, by mentioning the divisions which, in consequence of Colonel Hook's mismanagement, had arisen between the more zealous partizans, including the Dukes of Athol and of Perth, who were for at once receiving the king without any conditions, and the Duke of Hamilton, the Earl Marishal, and others, who adopted more moderate principles. The Lady Winifred cowered close to her mother; but once or twice, attracted by the deep, low, earnest tones of his voice, as he feelingly deplored these disunions, which he feared might prove the destruction of all their hopes, she found her eyes involuntarily turn towards the speaker; and once--once only--he surprised them fixed upon him. Confused and shocked at herself, she hastily withdrew them, and from that instant found herself, all loyal Jacobite as she was, totally incapable of listening to the chances of success which attended the plans in agitation, but wholly occupied in wondering what must have been the Earl of Nithsdale's impression of her boldness, in having ventured thus to gaze upon him, and fearing he must necessarily have formed a very unfavourable opinion of her. This was a great change! She was little aware herself that the subject of her anxiety had so completely shifted its ground, from the impression he might make on her, to that which she might make on him. The Lady Winifred found the young Amy awaiting her with impatience in her chamber. "I have seen him, my dear lady--I have seen him!" she exclaimed with eagerness; "and if he is but as good as he is comely, why there is no harm in leaving it to one's king and one's parents to choose for one. I am so overjoyed to think my dear mistress may be as happy as she deserves to be! for you never could have been happy, my lady, if they had married you to such a husband as I had fancied in my own mind.--But you do not look half pleased, madam! Think you he is not so worthy a gentleman?" inquired Amy with a tone of alarm. "Oh, yes, Amy; I do not think any one with such a voice could be other than most excellent and most gentle!" "And it seemed to me, madam, as he was walking in the pleasaunce, that he had the goodliest eye-brows!--so black, and so straight! And yet he did not look as though he were stern." "I believe not;--but indeed I scarcely ventured,--I was fearful--lest----" "And then every time you turned at the end of the broad walk, he bowed with such grace and respect to your honoured mother, it did one's heart good to see; for it seemed as though he would make a dutiful son to her, as well as a good husband to you." "Oh, Amy! I cannot think it possible he should ever be my husband." "Why, I thought, madam, he was come here on purpose." "He never can think of me, I am sure! so wise, so noble as he is! And I who know nothing, and have seen nothing--I never can make him a wife such as would be worthy of him!"