it; and was of opinion that there would be light enough to
guide their steps half an hour longer. He advised me to leave them
alone, for that time at least. I determined to do so, and sat down to my
tea-table, on which I had not yet bestowed a thought. I drew it close to
the window, and looked as earnestly as ever; but it was now too dark to
see anything but the indistinct outlines of the mountains, and the loch
gleaming in the twilight. The half-hour passed, and I had not seen them
return; they might have returned without my having seen them; but I
could not bear uncertainty any longer. I sent my servant to the inn, to
inquire if they had arrived, and whether they had ordered tea, or given
any expectation as to the time of their retain.

She brought word, that though tea had been ready for an hour past, the
lady and gentleman had not returned; and that the landlady would be glad
to know whether I could give her any intelligence of them.

"Let me pass!" said I, hastily opening the gate.

"Your bonnet, ma'am! shall I fetch your bonnet?" said my maid.

At that moment some one rushed past me. It was the young lady--running,
or attempting to run, but with faltering and unequal steps. I followed
her. At the first of the flight of steps before the inn, she stumbled
and fell. She was trembling and sobbing violently; whether from
breathlessness or agony, I could not tell. I raised her, and assisted
her to mount the steps. "My brother! my brother!" she exclaimed
incessantly. I could get no words but these from her. No time was to be
lost. I sat down beside her, and took both her hands; and speaking as
calmly as I could, said, "Compose yourself, and tell us what we must do.
Have you missed your brother, or has any accident befallen him before
your eyes?"

"He is on the mountain there! He left me, and did not come back. He said
he should not be gone twenty minutes."

"Now I know all," replied I. "I will take some people from the inn with
lights, and we will find him. You must stay and compose yourself, and be
patient; he has only missed his way."

She insisted upon going too; and declared that this was necessary, in
order to point out the track which her brother had taken. I explained to
her how I had watched their progress, and was therefore able to direct
their search. But she was resolute in her determination to go; and
finding her to be so, I gave up my intention of accompanying the party,
believing that I should only