Poor Ann Linkon was humiliated and crushed.

A ducking was a light punishment, yet the disgrace which attached to it was sufficient to break the spirit of one possessing any pride.

The sheriff turned to his assistants and said: "Put her on shore." The people gave way, and the stool swung round on the pivot and was lowered to the sands.

The sport was over, and the cavaliers began to jest and laugh over the scene, which, to them, had been one of amusement.

Hugh and Roger once more retired to talk of politics, and the Dame Woodley, turning to Sarah Drummond, asked if she thought public morals had been improved by such a disgraceful scene.