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.

276 WAVERLEY NOVELS.
his countenance possessed a family resemblance. He was the first that
spoke, for Diana kept her eyes fast fixed on the ground, and astonishment
actually riveted my tongue to the roof of my mouth.
" We are your suppliants, Mr. Osbaldistone," he said, " and we claim the
refuge and protection of your roof till we can pursue a journey where dungeons and death gape for me at every step."
"Surely," I articulated with great difficulty-" Miss Vernon cannot sup-.
pose —you, sir, cannot believe, that I have forgot your interference in my
difficulties, or that I am capable of betraying any one, much less you?"
"I know it," said Sir Frederick; " yet it is with the most inexpressible
reluctance that I impose on you a confidence, disagreeable perhaps- certainly dangerous -and which I would have specially wished to have conferred on some one else. But my fate, which has chased me through a life
of perils and escapes, is now pressing me hard, and I have no alternative."
At this moment the door opened, and the voice of the officious Andrew
was heard- "A'm bringin' in the caunles —Ye can light them gin ye
like - Can do is easy carried about wi' ane."
I ran to the door, which, as I hoped, I reached in time to prevent his
observing who were in the apartment. I turned him out with hasty violence, shut the door after him, and locked it - then instantly remembering
his two companions below, knowing his talkative humour, and recollecting
Syddall's remark, that one of them was supposed to be a spy, I followed
him as fast as I could to the servants' hall, in which they were assembled.
Andrew's tongue was loud as I opened the door, but my unexpected appearance silenced him.
"What is the matter with you, you fool?" said I; "you stare and look
wild, as if you had seen a ghost."' N-n-no-nothing," said Andrew; - "but your worship was pleased
to be hasty."
" Because you disturbed me out of a sound sleep, you fool. Syddall tells
me he cannot find beds for these good fellows to-night, and Mr. Wardlaw
thinks there will be no occasion to detain them. Here is a crown-piece for
them to drink my health, and thanks for their good-will. You will leave
the Hall immediately, my good lads."
The men thanked me for my bounty, took the silver, and withdrew,
apparently unsuspicious and contented. I watched their departure until I
was sure they could have no further intercourse that night with honest
Andrew. -And so instantly had I followed on his heels, that I thought he
could not have had time to speak two words with them before I interrupted
him. But it is wonderful what mischief may be done by only two words.
On this occasion they cost two lives.
Having made these arrangements, the best which occurred to me upon
the pressure of the moment, to secure privacy for my guests, I returned to
report my proceedings, and added, that I had desired Syddall to answer
every summons, concluding that it was by his connivance they had been
secreted in the Hall. Diana raised her eyes to thank me for the caution.
"You now understand my mystery," she said; - "you know, doubtless,
how near and dear that;relative is, who has so often found shelter here;
and will be no longer surprised that Rashleigh, having such a secret at his
command, should rule me with a rod of iron."
Her father added, " that it was their intention to trouble me with their
presence as short a time as was possible."
I entreated the fugitives to waive every consideration but what affected
their safety, and to rely on my utmost exertions to promote it. This led to
an explanation of the circumstances under which they stood.
" I always suspected Rashleigh Osbaldistone," said Sir Frederick.; "but
his conduct towards my unprotected child, which with difficulty I wrung
from her, and his treachery in your father's affairs, made me hate and