sufficient motives of instigation. Supposing it were judged

advisable to remove Miss Vere to some place in which constraint
might be exercised upon her inclinations to a degree which cannot

at present be attempted under the roof of Ellieslaw Castle--What
says Sir Frederick Langley to that supposition?"

"I say," returned Sir Frederick, "that although Mr. Vere may
choose to endure in Mr. Ratcliffe freedoms totally inconsistent

with his situation in life, I will not permit such license of
innuendo, by word or look, to be extended to me, with impunity."

"And I say," said young Mareschal of Mareschal-Wells, who was
also a guest at the castle, "that you are all stark mad to be

standing wrangling here, instead of going in pursuit of the
ruffians."

"I have ordered off the domestics already in the track most
likely to overtake them," said Mr. Vere "if you will favour me

with your company, we will follow them, and assist in the
search."

The efforts of the party were totallyunsuccessful, probably
because Ellieslaw directed the pursuit to proceed in the

direction of Earnscliff Tower, under the supposition that the
owner would prove to be the author of the violence, so that they

followed a direction diametrically opposite to that in which the
ruffians had actually proceeded. In the evening they returned,

harassed and out of spirits. But other guests had, in the
meanwhile, arrived at the castle; and, after the recent loss

sustained by the owner had been related, wondered at, and
lamented, the recollection of it was, for the present, drowned in

the discussion of deep political intrigues, of which the crisis
and explosion were momentarily looked for.

Several of the gentlemen who took part in this divan were
Catholics, and all of them stanch Jacobites, whose hopes were at

present at the highest pitch, as an invasion, in favour of the
Pretender, was daily expected from France, which Scotland,

between the defenceless state of its garrisons and fortified
places, and the general disaffection of the inhabitants, was

rather prepared to welcome than to resist. Ratcliffe, who
neither sought to assist at their consultations on this subject,

nor was invited to do so, had, in the meanwhile, retired to his
own apartment. Miss Ilderton was sequestered from society in a

sort of honourableconfinement, "until," said Mr. Vere, "she
should be safely conveyed home to her father's house," an

opportunity for which occurred on the following day.
The domestics could not help thinking it remarkable how soon the

loss of Miss Vere, and the strange manner in which it had
happened, seemed to be forgotten by the other guests at the

castle. They knew not, that those the most interested in her
fate were well acquainted with the cause of her being carried

off, and the place of her retreat; and that the others, in the
anxious and doubtful moments which preceded the breaking forth of

a conspiracy, were little accessible to any feelings but what
arose immediately out of their own machinations.

CHAPTER XII.
Some one way, some another--Do you know

Where we may apprehend her?
The researches after Miss Vere were (for the sake of appearances,

perhaps) resumed on the succeeding day, with similar bad success,
and the party were returning towards Ellieslaw in the evening.

"It is singular," said Mareschal to Ratcliffe, "that four
horsemen and a female prisoner should have passed through the

country without leaving the slightest trace of their passage.
One would think they had traversed the air, or sunk through the

ground."
"Men may often," answered Ratcliffe, "arrive at the knowledge of

that which is, from discovering that which is not. We have now
scoured every road, path, and track leading from the castle, in

all the various points of the compass, saving only that intricate
and difficult pass which leads southward down the Westburn, and

through the morasses."
"And why have we not examined that?" said Mareschal.

"O, Mr. Vere can best answer that question," replied his
companion, dryly.

"Then I will ask it instantly," said Mareschal; and, addressing
Mr. Vere, "I am informed, sir," said he, "there is a path we have

not examined, leading by Westburnflat."
"O," said Sir Frederick, laughing, "we know the owner of

Westburnflat well--a wild lad, that knows little difference
between his neighbour's goods and his own; but, withal, very

honest to his principles: he would disturb nothing belonging to
Ellieslaw."

"Besides," said Mr. Vere, smiling mysteriously, "he had other tow
on his distaff last night. Have you not heard young Elliot of

the Heugh-foot has had his house burnt, and his cattle driven
away, because he refused to give up his arms to some honest men

that think of starting for the king?"
The company smiled upon each other, as at hearing of an exploit

which favoured their own views.
"Yet, nevertheless," resumed Mareschal, "I think we ought to ride

in this direction also, otherwise we shall certainly be blamed
for our negligence."

No reasonableobjection could be offered to this proposal, and
the party turned their horses' heads towards Westburnflat.

They had not proceeded very far in that direction when the
trampling of horses was heard, and a small body of riders were

perceived advancing to meet them.
"There comes Earnscliff," said Mareschal; "I know his bright bay

with the star in his front."
"And there is my daughter along with him," exclaimed Vere,

furiously. "Who shall call my suspicions false or injurious now?
Gentlemen--friends--lend me the assistance of your swords for the

recovery of my child."
He unsheathed his weapon, and was imitated by Sir Frederick and

several of the party, who prepared to charge those that were
advancing towards them. But the greater part hesitated.

"They come to us in all peace and security," said Mareschal-
Wells; "let us first hear what account they give us of this

mysterious affair. If Miss Vere has sustained the slightest
insult or injury from Earnscliff, I will be first to revenge her;

but let us hear what they say."
"You do me wrong by your suspicions, Mareschal," continued Vere;

"you are the last I would have expected to hear express them."
"You injure yourself, Ellieslaw, by your violence, though the

cause may excuse it."
He then advanced a little before the rest, and called out, with a

loud voice,--"Stand, Mr. Earnscliff; or do you and Miss Vere
advance alone to meet us. You are charged with having carried

that lady off from her father's house; and we are here in arms to
shed our best blood for her recovery, and for bringing to justice

those who have injured her."
"And who would do that more willingly than I, Mr. Mareschal?"

said Earnscliff, haughtily,--"than I, who had the satisfaction
this morning to liberate her from the dungeon in which I found

her confined, and who am now escorting her back to the Castle of
Ellieslaw?"

"Is this so, Miss Vere?" said Mareschal.
"It is," answered Isabella, eagerly,--"it is so; for Heaven's

sake sheathe your swords. I will swear by all that is sacred,