hed woman,' cried he, grasping her powerfully, 'where is thy
father?'

Christine pointed speechlessly to a corner of the cave-like room, and
then threw herself in silent wretchedness upon Mac Donalbain's couch of
sorrow.

Arwed hastened to the designated spot, found and sprung a trap door
there, which opened into the rocky cellar of the castle. A long,
winding staircase conducted him to a subterranean but well lighted
room, where, still paler and weaker than when he last saw him, his poor
old uncle met his view.

'My son! my preserver!' cried the old man, with outspread arms.

'Thank God, my object is accomplished!' exclaimed Arwed, with heartfelt
joy. 'Yet once more has my melancholy existence been rendered really
useful in the world.'

'Alas, that it has been accomplished!' cried the uncle with deep
despondency, 'Rather would I have found, here an unknown and unhonored
grave, than meet the overwhelming shame which must henceforth rest upon
my noble name in my native land!'

CHAPTER XLVI.

Under the directions of Megret the towers and walls of Ravensten were
blown up, to render them forever after incapable of serving as a place
of shelter for similar bands. The wounded Mac Donalbain and his
companions were secured in the prisons of Umea, and Christine with her
child conveyed to Gyllensten, where her aged father, his iron
constitution finally overpowered by his sorrows, lay dangerously ill.
The chief judge had summoned the associate justices of his court to the
sessions-chamber of the city hall of Umea, for the trial of the
criminals. Arwed and Megret were present; the former at his uncle's
request, and the latter, that he might witness the entire outpouring of
the cup of vengeance; and, supported by his keeper and laden with
chains, Mac Donalbain appeared before his judges. Harassed and
tormented by his wounds, he staggered here and there, with difficulty
holding himself upright; but his spirit remained unbroken, and his dark
eyes flashed upon the assembly with all their former fierceness. Megret
beheld the scene with a smile of internal satisfaction. Arwed gave a
look of sympathy to the unhappy man, and then whispered a request to
the judge. The latter nodded. The bailiffs took off Mac Donalbain's
chains and placed a stool for him, upon which he seated himself with a
look of gratitude towards Arwed.

'Tell us your true name, your rank, and your native country,' commenced
t