"Save us and sain us!" exclaimed the old woman, hobbling to her wheel. "The last time I did sae, the gude neighbours span on't the haill night, and ravelled a' my gude hawslock woo." "Thou shouldst be more careful, Elshender," said Lady Grisel gravely. "It bodes ill luck; and a red thread should be tied to the rock. Red thread and Rowan tree, Mak' warlock, witch, and fairy flee. I marvel, Lilian, that your friend and gossip, Annie Laurie, came not to visit us the moment she heard the proclamation of our innocence, and the Council's injustice." "Dear Annie was the first to fly hither when our fortune was at the lowest ebb," said Lilian timidly. "Ah, Heaven, if she should be ill! She knows how welcome are the bearers of happy tidings." "And most welcome is Mr. Fenton!" said the old lady, pressing his hand so kindly that Walter's heart leaped, and he scarcely dared to glance at Lilian. "Dear child, I tremble to think of all you have braved for our sake,--the torture, the bodkin, the dungeon! It was noble and generous. The hero of the old romance, Sir Roland of Roncesvalles, could not have done more." "Spare me the shame of these thanks, madam. The honour of serving your ancient house is sufficient requital to one so--so nameless as I am. But, pray remember it is to my very good lord, the noble Dunbarton, you alone owe this happy change in fortune." "And to-morrow, so early as decorum will permit, and when our servitors can attend in such state as befits our quality, shall he and his gentle Countess (English though she be) receive our best thanks. The Lady Lætitia is the first of her nation," she added, and down went the cane on the floor; "yea, the first that Grisel Hume could ever thole. Lilian, we will immediately set forth on our return to the Place of Bruntisfield." "You will permit me to have the honour of escorting you, madam?" "Thanks, Mr. Fenton. There is a troop of horse at free quarters on the barony; and if----" "They belonged to Dalyel's Grey dragoons. They were withdrawn by the decree of Council; and I heard their kettledrums beating through the city this evening." "'Tis well. Then we will return by coach, as it would be unseemly to do so on foot. We have long incommoded you, my poor Elshender." "Gude, your ladyship, think not of it," replied Elsie; "all I hae is yours, and mair would be if I had it. I and mine ate of your bread and drank of your cup in prosperity, and may shame and dishonour fall on our grey hairs if in adversity we fail in our duty to the Napiers o' Bruntisfield!" Elsie wept: "and you especially, Hab, ye mickle gomeral, wi' the king's cockade in your bonnet!" "Burganet, ye mean, Lucky; we soldiers of the king wear braw burganets of bright steel."