It was with the greatest difficulty that Ravenswood extorted from the Marquis a promise that he would compromise the proceedings in Parliament, providing Sir William should be disposed to acquiesce in a union between him and Lucy Ashton.
"I would hardly," said the Marquis, "consent to your throwing away your birthright in this manner, were I not perfectly confident that Lady Ashton, or Lady Douglas, or whatever she calls herself, will, as Scotchmen say, keep her threep; and that her husband dares not contradict her." "But yet," said the Master, "I trust your lordship will consider my engagement as sacred." "Believe my word of honour," said the Marquis, "I would be a friend even to your follies; and having thus told you MY opinion, I will endeavour, as occasion offers, to serve you according to your own." The master of Ravenswood could but thank his generous kinsman and patron, and leave him full power to act in all his affairs.

He departed from Scotland upon his mission, which, it was supposed, might detain him upon the continent for some months..