The memory of that unhappy young lady has too long suffered, and I think it might be cleared without further impeaching that of your mother, than by letting it be understood in general that she greatly disapproved and bitterly opposed the match.

All--forgive me, my lord--all who ever heard of the late Countess of Glenallan, will learn that without much surprise." "But you forget one horrible circumstance, Mr.Oldbuck," said the Earl, in an agitated voice.
"I am not aware of it," replied the Antiquary.
"The fate of the infant--its disappearance with the confidential attendant of my mother, and the dreadful surmises which may be drawn from my conversation with Elspeth." "If you would have my free opinion, my lord," answered Mr.Oldbuck, "and will not catch too rapidly at it as matter of hope, I would say that it is very possible the child yet lives.

For thus much I ascertained, by my former inquiries concerning the event of that deplorable evening, that a child and woman were carried that night from the cottage at the Craigburnfoot in a carriage and four by your brother Edward Geraldin Neville, whose journey towards England with these companions I traced for several stages.

I believed then it was a part of the family compact to carry a child whom you meant to stigmatize with illegitimacy, out of that country where chance might have raised protectors and proofs of its rights.

But I now think that your brother, having reason, like yourself, to believe the child stained with shame yet more indelible, had nevertheless withdrawn it, partly from regard to the honour of his house, partly from the risk to which it might have been exposed in the neighbourhood of the Lady Glenallan." As he spoke, the Earl of Glenallan grew extremely pale, and had nearly fallen from his chair .-- The alarmed Antiquary ran hither and thither looking for remedies; but his museum, though sufficiently well filled with a vast variety of useless matters, contained nothing that could be serviceable on the present or any other occasion.