The wine was excellent, notwithstanding its having been brought in a runlet from Edinburgh; and the habits of the Marquis, when engaged with such good cheer, were somewhat sedentary.

And so it fell out that they delayed their journey two hours later than was their original purpose.
"But what of that, my good young friend ?" said the Marquis.

"Your Castle of Wolf's Crag is at but five or six miles' distance, and will afford the same hospitality to your kinsman of A----that it gave to this same Sir William Ashton." "Sir William took the castle by storm," said Ravenswood, "and, like many a victor, had little reason to congratulate himself on his conquest." "Well--well!" said Lord A----, whose dignity was something relaxed by the wine he had drunk, "I see I must bribe you to harbour me.

Come, pledge me in a bumper health to the last young lady that slept at Wolf's Crag, and liked her quarters.

My bones are not so tender as hers, and I am resolved to occupy her apartment to-night, that I may judge how hard the couch is that love can soften." "Your lordship may choose what penance you please," said Ravenswood; "but I assure you, I should expect my old servant to hang himself, or throw himself from the battlements, should your lordship visit him so unexpectedly.