As she spoke, she opened a door, on the farther side of the room, and led us into a very small bedroom, in which was a decent-looking bed. "It's but coorse accommodations for the likes of you leddies!" said she, turning down the clothes. "But it's clean enough for the Queen hersel'." The bed was indeed clean and sweet, with coarse but very white sheets. I coaxed Amabel to lie down, and placed myself beside her, taking her in my arms. It was long before we slept, for Amabel started at every sound, but she grew quiet at last. When I woke, the low sun was shining through the one thick pane of glass which formed the only window. Amabel still slept heavily, and as I lay and looked at her wasted form and pale face, my heart swelled with indignation against those who, having such a treasure given them, had not known better how to use it. A sudden trampling of horses' feet and the sound of voices roused Amabel. She started up in an instant. "They have come!" she exclaimed. "I knew they would. Lucy, I will never go with them!" "Hush, hush!" said I. "These are friends, I am sure. Do you not hear Alick's voice? I will peep out and see." I arranged my disordered dress as well as I could and softly opened the door. Alick was standing by the fire talking with an elderly man who looked like an upper servant, while old Tibbie was arranging a meal of cold fowl, white bread and other dainties which she took from a basket. A little barefooted lass was busy about the fire, broiling some venison steaks. Our faithful guide had tarried only for food and an hour's rest, and then taking a pony belonging to the cottage, he had gone forward to Thornyhaugh, and returned with fresh horses, dry clothes, and a basket of provisions. "All is well!" said I, returning to Amabel. "You must eat some breakfast and then we will go on to your aunt's." I must confess that now the danger was over, I was hungry enough to find the sight and smell of breakfast very agreeable. I tried my best to persuade Amabel to eat, but she only swallowed a few mouthfuls. "I would eat to please you if I could!" said she with her usual sweetness. "But indeed I cannot. Perhaps when we are once at Thornyhaugh, I shall be better." I was in as much of a hurry as herself, for I feared she was going to be ill. We mounted our fresh horses, and in about half an hour, Alick pointed out the house. It was a tolerably large one with various ornaments of pepper-box turrets, "crow-stepped" gables, and an addition of more modern date than the rest. It stood on a knoll two thirds surrounded by a brawling stream which here comes down to join the Esk, and must once have been a place of strength. Near by, but partly in ruins, stood a very old and massive tower, almost overgrown with ivy.