The Waverley novels, by Sir Walter Scott, complete in 12 vol., printed from the latest English ed., embracing the author's last corrections, prefaces & notes.

T.ME FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 243
thi,&Agh fthe country in. I do remember it, minion, and I knew it even
no;;that and your little shoe there, linked with a hint I had in the morfning fi 5rm a fiiend, or one who called himself such, led to your detection. —
fere Lord Glenvarloch could not help giving a glance at the pretty foot,:
which even the staid citizen thought worth recollection-it was but a glance,
for he saw how much the least degree of observation added to Margaret's
distress and confusion~ "And tell me, maiden," continued Master Heriot,
for what we have observed was by-play, -" did the Lady Hermione know
of this fair work?"
" I dared not have teld her for the world," said Margaret —" she thought
one of our apprentices went with Monna Paula."
It may be here noticed, that the words "our apprentices," seemed to
have in them something of a charm to break the fascination with which
Lord Glenvarloch had hitherto listened to the broken, yet interesting details
of Margaret's history.
"And wherefore went he not?-he had been a fitter companion for Monna
Paula than you, I wot," said the citizen.
" He was otherwise employed," said Margaret, in a voice scarcely audible.
lMaster George darted a hasty glance at Nigel, and when he saw his features betoken no consciousness, he muttered to himself, —" It must be better
than I feared.-And so this cursed Spaniard, with her head full, as they all
have, of disguises, trap-doors, rope-ladders, and masks, was jade and fool
enough to take you with her on this wild-goose errand? - And how sped
you, I pray?"
" Just as we reached the gate of the Park," replied Margaret, "the cry
of treason was raised. I know not what became of Monna, but I ran till
I fell into the arms of a very decent serving-man, called Linklater; and I
was fain to tell him I was your god-daughter, and so he kept the rest of
them from me, and got me to speech of his Majesty, as I entreated him to do."
" It is the only sign you showed in the whole matter that common sense
had not utterly deserted your little skull," said H-eriot.
" His Majesty," continued the damsel, " was so gracious as to receive me
alone, though the courtiers cried out against the danger to his person, and
would have searched ime for arms, God help me, but the King forbade it. I
fancy lie had a hint from Linklater how the truth stood with me."
"Well, maiden, I ask not what passed," said Heriot; "it becomes not
me to pry into my master's secrets. Had you been closeted with his grandfather, the Red Tod of Saint Andrews, as Davie Lindsay used to call him,
by my faith, I should have had my own thoughts of the matter; but our
ilaster, God bless him, is doiuce and temperate, and Solomon in every thing
s1ave in the chapter of wives and concubines."
"I know not what you mean, sir," answered Margaret. "His Majesty
was most kind and-compassionate, but said I must be sent hither, and that
the Lieutenant's lady, the Lady Mansel, would have a charge of me, and
see that I sustained no wrong; and the King promised to send me in a
tilted barge, and under conduct of a person well known to you; and thus I
come to be in the Tower."
"But how, or why, in this apartment, nymph?" said George Heriot"Expound that to me, for I think the riddle needs reading."
"I cannot explain it, sir, farther than that the Lady Mansel sent me here,
in spite of my earnest prayers, tears, and entreaties. I was not afraid of
any thing, for I knew I should be protected. But I could have died then
-could die now-for very shame and confusion."
"Well, well, if your tears are genuine," said HIeriot, "they may the
sooner wash out the memory of your fault. - Knows your father aught of
this escape of yours?"
"I would not for the world he did," replied she; "he believes me with
the Lady Ilermione."