our
friend and host here."

The Laird now, colouring highly, took Menteith a little apart, and
expressed to him his regret that he had fallen into a foolish blunder.

"I heard it from Donald," said Lord Menteith, scarce able to suppress a
smile.

"Devil take that old man," said M'Aulay, "he would tell every thing,
were it to cost one's life; but it's no jesting matter to you neither,
my lord, for I reckon on your friendly and fraternal benevolence, as a
near kinsman of our house, to help me out with the money due to these
pock-puddings; or else, to be plain wi' ye, the deil a M'Aulay will
there be at the muster, for curse me if I do not turn Covenanter rather
than face these fellows without paying them; and, at the best, I shall
be ill enough off, getting both the scaith and the scorn."

"You may suppose, cousin," said Lord Menteith, "I am not too well equipt
just now; but you may be assured I shall endeavour to help you as well
as I can, for the sake of old kindred, neighbourhood, and alliance."

"Thank ye--thank ye--thank ye," reiterated M'Aulay; "and as they are to
spend the money in the King's service, what signifies whether you, they,
or I pay it?--we are a' one man's bairns, I hope? But you must help me
out too with some reasonable excuse, or else I shall be for taking to
Andrew Ferrara; for I like not to be treated like a liar or a braggart
at my own board-end, when, God knows, I only meant to support my honour,
and that of my family and country."

Donald, as they were speaking, entered, with rather a blither face than
he might have been expected to wear, considering the impending fate of
his master's purse and credit. "Gentlemens, her dinner is ready, and HER
CANDLES ARE LIGHTED TOO," said Donald, with a strong guttural emphasis
on the last clause of his speech.

"What the devil can he mean?" said Musgrave, looking to his countryman.

Lord Menteith put the same question with his eyes to the Laird, which
M'Aulay answered by shaking his head.

A short dispute about

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