With such connexions, what ill fortune could have reduced you"-- "Nothing much out of the ordinary course, I believe, madam," said Bothwell, interrupting and anticipating the question.

"I have had my moments of good luck like my neighbours--have drunk my bottle with Rochester, thrown a merry main with Buckingham, and fought at Tangiers side by side with Sheffield.

But my luck never lasted; I could not make useful friends out of my jolly companions--Perhaps I was not sufficiently aware," he continued, with some bitterness, "how much the descendant of the Scottish Stewarts was honoured by being admitted into the convivialities of Wilmot and Villiers." "But your Scottish friends, Mr Stewart, your relations here, so numerous and so powerful ?" "Why, ay, my lady," replied the sergeant, "I believe some of them might have made me their gamekeeper, for I am a tolerable shot--some of them would have entertained me as their bravo, for I can use my sword well--and here and there was one, who, when better company was not to be had, would have made me his companion, since I can drink my three bottles of wine .-- But I don't know how it is--between service and service among my kinsmen, I prefer that of my cousin Charles as the most creditable of them all, although the pay is but poor, and the livery far from splendid." "It is a shame, it is a burning scandal!" said Lady Margaret.

"Why do you not apply to his most sacred majesty?
he cannot but be surprised to hear that a scion of his august family"-- "I beg your pardon, madam," interrupted the sergeant, "I am but a blunt soldier, and I trust you will excuse me when I say, his most sacred majesty is more busy in grafting scions of his own, than with nourishing those which were planted by his grandfather's grandfather." "Well, Mr Stewart," said Lady Margaret, "one thing you must promise me--remain at Tillietudlem to-night; to-morrow I expect your commanding-officer, the gallant Claverhouse, to whom king and country are so much obliged for his exertions against those who would turn the world upside down.

I will speak to him on the subject of your speedy promotion; and I am certain he feels too much, both what is due to the blood which is in your veins, and to the request of a lady so highly distinguished as myself by his most sacred majesty, not to make better provision for you than you have yet received." "I am much obliged to your ladyship, and I certainly will remain her with my prisoner, since you request it, especially as it will be the earliest way of presenting him to Colonel Grahame, and obtaining his ultimate orders about the young spark." "Who is your prisoner, pray you ?" said Lady Margaret.
"A young fellow of rather the better class in this neighbourhood, who has been so incautious as to give countenance to one of the murderers of the primate, and to facilitate the dog's escape." "O, fie upon him!" said Lady Margaret; "I am but too apt to forgive the injuries I have received at the hands of these rogues, though some of them, Mr Stewart, are of a kind not like to be forgotten; but those who would abet the perpetrators of so cruel and deliberate a homicide on a single man, an old man, and a man of the Archbishop's sacred profession--O fie upon him! If you wish to make him secure, with little trouble to your people, I will cause Harrison, or Gudyill, look for the key of our pit, or principal dungeon.