would obtain their pardon." Then Mrs. Mills was taken into the
room with Lord Nithisdale, and rather ostentatiously led by Lady
Nithisdale past several sentinels, and through a group of soldiers, and
of the guards' wives and daughters. When she got into Lord Nithisdale's
presence she took off her riding-hood, and put on that which Mrs. Morgan
had brought for her. Then Lady Nithisdale dismissed her, and took care
that she should not go out weeping as she had come in, in order, of
course, that Lord Nithisdale, when he wont out, "might the better pass
for the lady who came in crying and afflicted." When Mrs. Mills was
gone, Lady Nithisdale dressed up her husband "in all my petticoats
excepting one." Then she found that it was growing dark, and was afraid
that the light of the candles might betray her. She therefore went out,
leading the disguised nobleman by the hand, he holding his handkerchief
pressed to his eyes, as Mrs. Mills had done when she came in. The {141}
guards opened the doors, and Lady Nithisdale went down-stairs with him.
"As soon as he had cleared the door I made him walk before me for fear
the sentinels should take notice of his walk." Some friends received
Lord Nithisdale, and conducted him to a place of security. Lady
Nithisdale went back to her husband's prison, and "When I was in the room
I talked to him as if he had been really present, and answered my own
questions in my lord's voice as nearly as I could imitate it. I walked
up and down, as if we were conversing together, till I thought they had
time enough to clear themselves of the guards. I then thought proper to
make off also. I opened the door, and stood half in it, that those in
the outward chamber might hear what I said, but held it so close that
they could not look in. I bid my lord a formal farewell for that night,"
and she added some words about the petition for his pardon, and told him,
"I flattered myself that I should bring favorable news." Then she closed
the door with some force behind her, and "I said to the servant as I
passed by"--who was ignorant of the whole transaction--"that he need not
carry any candles to his master till my lord sent for him, as he desired
to finish some prayers first. I went down-stairs and called a coach, as
there were several on the stand. I drove home to my lodgings." Soon
after Lady Nithisdale was taken to the place of security where her
husband was remaining. They took refuge at the Venet