! there are so many ways opening, if I had but the least
help from anybody to use the opportunity! Sir Alexander ought to know
that I am a loyal subject of King George; and that my enemies are not."

"True," said Annie. "I will endeavour to speak to the steward again
before he sails, and tell him that."

"I will speak to him, myself. Ah! I see your unwillingness; but I have
learnt--it would be strange if I had not--to trust nobody with my
business. With Prince Charlie so near, there is no saying who is a
Jacobite, and who is not. I will see the steward myself."

Annie knew that this would fail; and so it did. The steward's
dispositions were not improved by the lady's method of pleading. He
told her that Sir Alexander's loyalty to King George had nothing to do
with his pledge that Lord Carse should never more be troubled by her.
He had pledged his honour that she should cause no more disturbance, and
no political difficulties would make him forfeit his word. The steward
grew dogged during the interview.

Did her friends in Edinburgh know that she was alive? she demanded.
"Perhaps so."

Did they know where she was? "Perhaps so."

Then, should she be carried somewhere else? "Perhaps so."

To some wretched, outlandish place, further in the ocean? "Perhaps so."

Would they murder her rather than yield her up? "Perhaps so."

The steward's heart smote him as he said this, but he forgave himself on
the plea that the vixen brought it all upon herself. So, when she asked
the further question--

"Is there any chance for the Pretender?--any danger that he may
succeed?" the answer still was "Perhaps so."

Mr Ruthven, who was prowling about in search of news, heard these last
words, and they produced a great effect upon him.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN.

TIMELY EVASION.

Mr Ruthven was walking up and down his garden that afternoon in a
disturbed state of mind, when his wife came to him and asked him what he
thought Lady Carse could be in want of. She was searching among his
books and boxes as if she wanted something. He hastened in.

"Yes," Lady Carse replied, in answer to his question; "I want that
pistol that used to be kept on the top of your bed. You need not look
so frightened. I am not going to shoot you, nor anybody you ought to
care for."

"I should like to understand, however," observed the pastor. "It is
unusual for ladies to employ fire-arms, I believe, except in
apprehension of the midnight