and secretly wished, many times, that
Bessie would come back and offer her services, though she was resolved
to appear not to accept them without a very humble apology from Bessie
for her fears about London. At last, she was ready to go down to tea,
dressed in a wrapping-gown and slippers. When halfway down, she heard a
step behind her, and looked round. A Highlander was just two stairs
above her: another appeared at the foot of the flight; and more were in
the hall. She knew the livery. It was Lovat's tartan. They dragged
her downstairs, and into her parlour, where she struggled so violently
that she fell against the heavy table, and knocked out two teeth. They
fastened down her arms by swathing her with a plaid, tied a cloth over
her mouth, threw another over her head, and carried her to the door. In
the street was a sedan chair; and in the chair was a man who took her
upon his knees, and held her fast. Still she struggled so desperately,
that the chair rocked from side to side, and would have been thrown
over; but that there were plenty of attendants running along by the side
of it, who kept it upright.

This did not last very long. When they had got out of the streets, the
chair stopped. The cloth was removed from her head; and she saw that
they were on the Linlithgow road, that some horsemen were waiting, one
of whom was on a very stout horse, which bore a pillion behind the
saddle. To this person she was formally introduced, and told that he
was Mr Forster of Corsebonny. She knew Mr Forster to be a gentleman
of character; and that therefore her personal safety was secure in his
hands. But her good opinion of him determined her to complain and
appeal to him in a way which she believed no gentleman could resist.
She did not think of making any outcry. The party was large; the road
was unfrequented at night; and she dreaded being gagged. She therefore
only spoke,--and that as calmly as she could.

"What does this mean, Mr Forster? Where are you carrying me?"

"I know little of Lord Carse's purposes, madam; and less of the meaning
of them probably than yourself."

"My Lord Carse! Then I shall soon be among the dead. He will go
through life with murder on his soul."

"You wrong him, madam. Your life is very safe."

"No; I will not live to be the sport of my husband's mercy. I tell you,
sir, I will not live."

"Let me advise you to be silent, madam. Whatever we have to say will be
better sa