"Very well, then, now (in a deep bass voice) "you shall answer me with all the submission of a culprit in the presence of a solemn and unbending judge, such as you see before you. What is the meaning of the moody fits you have been so frequently troubled with of late? What is the meaning of your repeated journeys to Edinburgh-of the couriers constantly passing to and fro? And, last of all, what is the meaning of this sudden gathering of our tenants, and the turning out of all the old armor which has been rusting since the sad rising of '15? Answer-why is it, how is it, and what is it?"

The crisis had come at last, and he was glad of it. Yet he paused; for when he looked at the bonnie face on which the shade of anxiety was already darkening, he wished that he could spare her, only one day more, the bitter knowledge of the separation which was at hand.

“I am going to startle you, Madge,” he said, thoughtfully; "I am to leave you."

"Leave me?" the eyes starting wide with amazement.

I

"Ay, but only for a little while, I trust. have been like a coward trying to hide it from

you,

but you must learn all now."

"No-I dare not blame you; but-oh, Malcolm, remember in what traditions I have been educated-the right of the Stuarts was the faith of my fathers-ay, and of yours. The misfortunes of the Stuarts were theirs also. They followed the Stuarts through good and ill with loyal fidelity; they suffered with them, they died for them. Remember all that, and you

will not be angry with me, if for a moment my heart is oppressed by the thought that this strife in which you are about to engage is an unhallowed one."

"My allegiance is pledged to the Government," he said, sadly; "my honor is at stake; and, even were it otherwise, I know that this mad rising is only the last faint gleam of a setting sun. When the darkness falls, the toofaithful adherents of the Stuarts will be homeless exiles or lying dead on a bloody field. Widowed mothers and fatherless bairns will be crying piteously for the shelter and bread which have been cruelly torn from them in the vain effort to maintain a hopeless cause. Let us save as many of them as we can."

There was sincerity in his look, tone, and words; it was no personal credit he was seeking; it was the honest desire to save the lives and homes of his countrymen from destruction that prompted him to oppose the chevalier, whose cause had all his sympathy. He had come to the determination to support the | reigning Government through much pain; but, once resolved, he could not turn back.

The wife felt all that; and although she could not regard the position without regret, she admired him none the less.

“Forgive me, Malcolm,” she said, impulsively; "I did not mean to question the judgment "Where are you going to, and why may I of your course. I know that it must be wise not go with you?"

"The chevalier has raised his standard in the north; he is supported by a few fanatical chiefs and their followers; the red hand of rebellion is up, and I am commanded to march with what force I can muster to join the army of General Cope."

and just, since it is yours. But the danger-" "You must not think of that. You must forget every thing, except to be happy." "I can forget every thing when you are near me-forget even that you are the enemy of the cause for which my brother died, and to which my father has devoted his life and fortune. "Ah!"-the exclamation was a long-drawn Serve what cause you will, I am your wife, sigh, such as one utters on receiving the confir- Malcolm, and your faith shall be mine-your mation of half-anticipated calamity. She shrank | hopes, your aspirations, your crimes even, I will back a little, and her head drooped in painful thought. Abruptly she looked up—" and you obey?"

"I must. There is no alternative save obedience or dishonor. Do you blame me?" She hesitated; then, rising to her feet, her face, which had been pale an instant before, flushing crimson, she spoke agitatedly:

share them all!"

Again, Elvanlee was a sensible man.

"You give me strength, wife, and courage," he cried, enthusiastically; "but there must be no more regrets or tears."

"None" (wiping her eyes, and trying to speak very firmly); "that is all over now, and I am the soldier's wife, ready to look calmly in

He stopped; she waited, and the smile rap- "whatever you have to say can not be worse idly faded from her lips.

"Be gentle, doctor, for pity's sake," he said, hero." and left him.

The doctor took snuff, philosophically concluded that what must be must, cursed his rep

father is out with the chevalier, and it was he who raised the Stuart standard in Glenfinnan." With a sharp cry of pain, she staggered, and he caught her in his arms.

"Now you are going to faint-stop, recover arms. Remember, every woman is a heroshall I fetch your salts?"

What

CHAPTER IV.

IN THE SERVICE OF THE KING.

DR. FAIRLIE, in turning to Neil, perceived the gaberlunzie, and stopped him.

"Well, my man," he said, with some surprise, “what are you seeking here?"

The man shuffled and bowed low, without removing his bonnet, however; then, with the vacant grin of a natural, answered,

"Ye made a sign, maister, and I thought ye wanted somebody."

"I did, but not you. Go down to the court; you will find every thing you need there." With that the doctor turned his back on him, and the gaberlunzie, instead of obeying the in

She grasped his arm, staying him. "There-I am better-thank you. was it you said," her voice trembling-"My father out with the chevalier? Ah, doctor, this will be a cruel war, when kinsmen stand in opposing ranks, each burning with the hate and ardor of his cause, and never heeding that every blow they strike cuts deeper into the heavy hearts at home than into the victim who falls bleeding under the stroke. I see the hor-structions given him, quietly shuffled over to ror of it all—my father there, my husband the huge fire-place, close to which Lady Olihere, they will meet; there will be no time phant was standing. for any thought of me—and oh, merciful Heaven, my hands girt on the sword that will be turned against my father's breast."

She covered her eyes, shuddering at the hideous picture her fears suggested.

"Run for your master, Neil," said Fairlie, "and tell him that her ladyship desires to speak with him instantly."

Johnstone bowed and departed.

The doctor saw the gaberlunzie still in the

The good doctor used his rappee extrava-apartment. gantly.

"What in the name of Esculapius shall I say to comfort her ?" he muttered, nervously; and then addressing her with a tone of confidence, which he was far from feeling, he went on: "you exaggerate-you alarm yourself needlessly. The chances are that they will never meet, and if they do, I'll undertake that they shall both run away, or, hang it, I'll make them swallow my medicine-chest-instruments and all."

"They must not meet," she exclaimed, with sudden energy; "it is an unnatural strife, and no man is degraded who flies from it. There is still time for Malcolm to escape to Hollandthere he will be safe from this hateful struggle. Summon him to me, doctor, and you will add your counsel to my prayers. Call him to me quick, quick!"

"Yes, yes; but I can not leave you in this excited state."

He went to the window and looked out. "I don't see Elvanlee, but yonder is Neil; he will find him."

He beckoned, and presently Johnstone entered the room. Behind him appeared the gaberlunzie, with slouching gait, and restless, watchful eyes. He seemed to be conscious that he was intruding, while he was determined not to be turned aside.

"Now, sir, you can go," he said, sharply; for, although indulgent enough on ordinary occasions to the tribe of the wallet, he was annoyed by the stubbornness of the man at the present juncture. "I have told you we don't want you."

“Ay, maister, ay, I'm going," was the composed answer, while the speaker continued to warm his hands at the fire.

An enthusiastic shout in the court attracted the doctor's attention, and he glanced out at the window.

The gaberlunzie bent quickly forward, and whispered in Margaret's ear,

"Get him out of the way; I must speak to you alone."

She started, and with difficulty suppressed a scream. She wheeled round, and recognized the man in spite of his disguise.

"It is Elvanlee, addressing the folk," observed the doctor, still looking from the window. "I believe there is not one among them who would not die for him.”

"Will you go and bring him to me, doctor?" said the lady, agitatedly, and acting apparently under the influence of the gaberlunzie.

"At your pleasure, madam. Eh, what, you're here yet, friend? On my soul, sir, you are the most obstinate blue-gown I have ever had to do with. Come, right about facemarch."

And Fairlie showed him the door.

The gaberlunzie looked at Margaret, and | terrors she had been suffering during the last she, leaning heavily on the back of a chair for hour found utterance. "Oh! are men turned support, came to his rescue. demons? Is there no longer any pity or

"Oh, if he is part of the establishment, that's all right; but (taking snuff and surveying the man suspiciously) I am not altogether sure that he is an ornament to it. However, you know him, and that's enough."

"I--I have a message for this man, doctor. mercy in the world, that the dear ties of kinLet him stay." dred, which should give happiness, are changed to whips that scourge most the fondest hearts?" "The whips are made by those they lash.' "Am I, then, to blame for your position now?" But even as she uttered this with natural irritation, her mood changed, and she added, imploringly, "be merciful to me, father. In your exile I was faithful to you; through long years of privation I tried hard to soothe your sorrow; from my childhood all my thoughts and service were given to you and to my sister-"

He bowed and retired, casting another suspicious glance backward as he passed through the door-way.

The gaberlunzie sprung to the door, closed, and barred it. He stood upright, a tall commanding figure, which years had not deprived of strength or agility. The features were cold and stern, and the eyes glittered with a species of frenzy or cunning—or a mingling of the two -which destroyed the impression of veneration his snow-white locks might have inspired.

His transformation from the crouching manner of a mendicant to that of a man conscious of authority was not more sudden than Lady Oliphant's change from a condition of subdued alarm to one of wild anxiety.

"Father!" she cried, excitedly; "what madness, what folly, what reckless disregard of your own safety has tempted you to venture into this place ?"

"Until Malcolm Oliphant came," he interrupted, sternly; “and then you forgot every thing else-duty to me, and respect for those principles of loyalty which are more to me than life."

"There is a greater loyalty, father, than that we owe to kings-the loyalty we give to those we love," she answered, her eyes kindling as with inspiration; "but you first brought Malcolm to our house, and you consented to our marriage. It was not until he refused to take part in a conspiracy against the Government of his country that you forbade our union. Your demand came too late, and we disobeyed it. For .

His eyes fixed upon her searchingly, he that one act of disobedience am I not cruelly slowly advanced a few paces.

"I have come to see my daughter," he said, in a low, harsh voice, "and I find that she gives my first visit a poor welcome."

There was a studied politeness in the answer, which seemed all the more painful to the daughter in contrast with her evident distress. "What welcome can I give you here-now, and at this time-until I learn whether you come as a friend or foe?"

"I come as the friend of all true men and women," he answered, as coldly and as calmly as if he were wholly ignorant of the deadly peril in which he stood; “I come as the implacable foe of all knaves and traitors who would take arms for the usurping House of Hanover against their lawful king, James Stuart."

She clasped her hands, bewildered and dismayed by his apparent disregard of her peace and of his own hazard.

"Hush-hush! do not speak so loud, since you come as my husband's foe-and mine." "I am sorry for that."

punished? You stand opposed to Malcolm in the fiercest enmity, and all your hate and all his wrath fall upon me, who stand between you helpless-loving both."

Her piteous tone and the agony of her position were not without effect upon the man, and his voice faltered slightly when he spokethere was more of moody regret than of reproach in his manner.

66 "It would have been otherwise had Oliphant been true to the faith of his fathers."

"He is true to the interests of his country, believing it of less consequence who occupies the throne than that the people should have peace. But, father, father, whether he is right or wrong, why should there be this bitterness between us ?"

He did not answer, and she drew near to him until she had placed her arms lovingly around his neck.

"when

"A little while ago," she continued, I learned that you were in the insurgent ranks, I was about to implore Malcolm to desert the post which had been thrust upon him, and to "You do not speak as if you cared," she ejac-fly with me from his country, lest evil fortune ulated, angrily; and then the memory of all the should bring you together in the strife. But

now I turn to you first-you appeal to the justice of your cause, I appeal to your love, and, in the name of the sacred memory of my mother, I beseech you to desist from this useless struggle, and to remember only the links which should bind us together, let kings and governments fight as they may."

Her eyes were full of tears, her voice trembled with emotion; she had sunk upon her knees, and her hands clasped his, as if she would compel him to hear her prayer.

He fought against it; he tried to be deaf to the appeal, but at last he sank on a chair as if exhausted by the effort to control his agitation. He bowed his head over that of his child and was silent.

Her heart palpitated with happy anticipations; she saw that he was deeply moved, and she fancied that she had conquered. She forgot that Lewis, Earl of Strathroy, had long ago abandoned all personal sentiment for that of blind, unquestioning devotion to the cause of the unhappy master whom he served.

"You spoke so like your mother, child," he faltered at length, "that I think you would have won my consent to any thing save that which you ask."

under the momentary doubt as to the justice of his cause. Then he resumed firmly, but still with a touch of sadness,

"You remember your brother-my bonnie, brave-hearted Frank? You know how I toiled to fit him for the service of our master; how I devoted his life to it, so that when I was gone the work might be carried bravely on by one as faithful as myself. He ventured, from our exile, on a secret mission to England. He was seized by the usurper's spies, submitted to the mockery of a trial, and hung like a common felon. When the tidings came to us, you saw no tears in my eyes, no grief in my face, and yet I loved him. He had died for the cause, and I was content. Were my faith shaken now, my heart would wither with the thought that I had Frank's death to answer for; I dare not think of that."

"Forget the past, father-think only of the future, and do not hazard the remorse that you must feel when you discover that you have helped to make homes desolate and families wretched, by stirring up civil strife in the land in spite of the warnings of reason."

He did not seem to have heard her: he gazed vacantly before him, as if trying to satisfy "And that is every thing-it is your own his own conscience with the course he was purhappiness and Malcolm's I desire."

He shook his head sadly.

"Happiness can not be purchased at such a

price.

Desert the cause!-ah, child, you can not understand how much and how long I have suffered for it, to think that possible; you can not understand how I have lived and borne through many sorrows for the one hope of helping our king to his own again."

She sighed, and turned away her face. "You see these hairs," he went on, "how white they are: they have grown so in his service. You see this scar (pointing to a red line across his temple)-"it was received in his service thirty years ago. I sacrificed for him then fortune, friends, home—every thing, and I regret nothing. Can you expect me now to sympathize with others who hesitate to make the same sacrifice ?"

"But times are changed, father. There is now no hope that any sacrifice will serve your purpose."

"We will put it to the test, come what may. I will never cease to hope, for that would be to die under my own bitterest reproaches for the harm brought to myself and others in the vain desire to sustain a cause that Heaven had deserted. I dare not think of that."

suing.

"Frank gone, Malcolm Oliphant appeared; and I hoped to find in him one who would replace my son in fidelity and enthusiasm for our master. When that hope was dispelled, I spurned him from me, even when your happiness was at stake-that, too, I was prepared to sacrifice to the cause. There is no tie I would not break, no deed I would not do, for the purpose to which I have devoted all I possess. Knowing that, you ask me to desert-to be forsworn! No; a life so full of sacrifice for him shall end, please Heaven, in the service of the king."

He rose to his feet, reverently uncovering his head, his eyes gleaming with the devout enthusiasm of a priest before the crucifix. His voice had become strong and resolute:

The daughter looked at the man whose aged form obtained the vigor of youth from his fanaticism. Right or wrong, his utter self-abnegation demanded respect, and she sobbed in the consciousness that there was no prayer, no love potent enough to turn him from the path he had chosen.

"Beware, beware, father," she faltered, distractedly; "if these words were heard, a hundred swords would be lifted against you.

His eyes wavered, and his hand trembled is there no escape from this torture ?"

Oh,