He found the earl alone, and lost in grief.

He knew not but that his nephew, and even his daughter and wife, had fallen beneath the impetuous swords of the enemy.

Astonished at seeing the soldier walking at large, he expressed his surprise with some suspicions.

But Grimsby told him the strategem he had used, and assured him Lord Andrew had not been seen since the onset.

This information inspired the earl with a hope that his nephew might have escaped: and when the soldier also said, that he had seen the countess led by Lord Soulis across the hall toward the Lady Helen's apartments, while he overheard him promising them every respect, the earl seemed comforted.