The monastery; The abbot.

462 WAVERLEY NOVELS.
the Queen, and the obsequious spy of her enemies. Since I must choose
betwixt aiding and betraying her, I will decide as becomes her servant and
her subject; but Catherine Seyton-Catherine Seyton, beloved by Douglas)
and holding me on or off as the intervals of her leisure or caprice will
permit-how shall I deal with the coquette?-By heaven, when I next have
an opportunity, she shall render me some reason for her conduct, or I will
break with her for ever!"
As he formed this doughty resolution, he crossed the stile which led out of
the little enclosure, and was almost immediately greeted by Dr. Luke Lundin.
"a! my most excellent young friend," said the Doctor, "from whence
come you? - but I note the place. - Yes, neighbour Blinkhoolie's garden
is a pleasant rendezvous, and you are of the age when lads look after a
bonny lass with one eye, and a dainty plum with another. But hey! you
look subtriste and melancholic - I fear the maiden has proved cruel, or the
plums unripe; and surely I think neighbour Blinkhoolie's damsons can
scarcely have been well preserved throughout the winter -he spares the
saccharine juice on his confects. But courage, man, there are more Kates
in Kinross; and for the immature fruit, a glass of my double distilled
aqua mirabilis-probatum est."
The page darted an ireful glance at the facetious physician; but presently
recollecting that the name Kate, which had provoked his displeasure, was
probably but introduced for the sake of alliteration, he suppressed his
wrath, and only asked if the wains had been heard of?
"Why, I have been. seeking for you this hour, to tell you that the stuff
is in your boat, and that the boat waits your pleasure. Auchtermuchty
had only fallen into company with an idle knave like himself, and a stoup
of aquavitae between them. Your boatmen lie on their oars, and there have
already been lmade two wefts from the warder's turret to intimate that those
in the castle are impatient for your return. Yet there is time for you to
take a slight repast; and, as your friend and physician, I hold it unfit you
should face the water-breeze with an empty stomach."
Roland Graeme had nothing for it but to return, with such cheer as he
might, to the place where his boat was moored on the beach, and resisted
all offer of refreshment, although the Doctor promised that he should prelude the collation with a gentle appetizer —a decoction of herbs, gathered
and distilled by himself. Indeed, as Roland had not forgotten the contents
of his morning cup, it is possible that the recollection induced him to stand
firm in his refusal of all food, to which such an unpalatable preface was
the preliminary. As they passed towards the boat, (for the ceremonious
politeness of the worthy Chamberlain would not permit the page to go
thither without attendance,) Roland Graeme, amidst a group who seemed to
be assembled around a party of wandering musicians, distinguished, as he
thought, the dress of Catherine Seyton. He shook himself clear from his
attendant, and at one spring was in the midst of the crowd, and at the side
of the damsel. " Catherine," he whispered, "is it well for you to be still
here? - will you not return to the castle?"
"To the devil with your Catherines and your castles!" answered the
maiden, snappishly; " have you not had time enough already to get rid of
your follies? Begone! I desire not your farther company, and there will
be danger in thrusting it upon me."
"Nay but if there be danger, fairest Catherine," replied Roland;
"why will you not allow me to stay and share it with you?"
"Intruding fool," said the maiden, " the danger is all on thine own side
-the risk in, in plain terms, that I strike thee on the mouth with the hilt
of my dagger." So saying, she turned haughtily from him, and moved
through the crowd, who gave way in some astonishment at the masculine
activity with which she forced her way among them.
As Roland, though much irritated, prepared to follow, he was grappled