This promise, after many years, was broken, and Melusina, half serpent, half woman, was discovered swimming in a bath.

For this breach of faith on the part of her husband, Melusina was compelled to leave her home.

She regularly returned, however, before the death of any of the lords of her family, and by her wailings foretold that event.

Her history is closely interwoven with the legends of the Banshee and Mermaid.] "-- Like an ass, Johnny Guthrie," said his commander; "thy long nose smelling the dinner, thy long ears hearing the music, and thy short discretion not enabling thee to decide which of them thou didst prefer .-- Hark! is that not the Cathedral bell tolling to vespers ?--Sure it cannot be that time yet?
The mad old sexton has toll'd evensong an hour too soon." "In faith, the bell rings but too justly the hour," said Cunningham; "yonder the sun is sinking on the west side of the fair plain." "Ay," said the Lord Crawford, "is it even so ?--Well, lads, we must live within compass .-- Fair and soft goes far--slow fire makes sweet malt--to be merry and wise is a sound proverb .-- One other rouse to the weal of old Scotland, and then each man to his duty." The parting cup was emptied, and the guests dismissed--the stately old Baron taking the Balafre's arm, under pretence of giving him some instructions concerning his nephew, but, perhaps, in reality, lest his own lofty pace should seem in the public eye less steady than became his rank and high command.

A serious countenance did he bear as he passed through the two courts which separated his lodging from the festal chamber, and solemn as the gravity of a hogshead was the farewell caution with which he prayed Ludovic to attend his nephew's motions, especially in the matters of wenches and wine cups.
Meanwhile, not a word that was spoken concerning the beautiful Countess Isabelle had escaped the young Durward, who, conducted into a small cabin, which he was to share with his uncle's page, made his new and lowly abode the scene of much high musing.