In short, once more, in Scottish history, someone must bell the cat.

Who would volunteer?
Corp of Corp and Sir Joseph stepped forward as one man.
"Thou couldst not look like Gavinia," the prince said, shaking his head.
"Wha wants him to look like Gavinia ?" cried an indignant voice.
"Peace, Agnes!" said Stroke.
"Agnes, why bletherest thou ?" said Sir Joseph.
"If onybody's to watch Miss Ailie," insisted the obstinate woman, "surely it should be me!" "Ha!" Stroke sprang to his feet, for something in her voice, or the outline of her figure, or perhaps it was her profile, had given him an idea.

"A torch!" he cried eagerly and with its aid he scanned her face until his own shone triumphant.
"He kens a wy, methinks!" exclaimed one of his men.
Sir Joseph was right.

It had been among the prince's exploits to make his way into Thrums in disguise, and mix with the people as one of themselves, and on several of these occasions he had seen Miss Ailie's attendant.

Agnes's resemblance to her now struck him for the first time.
It should be Agnes of Kingoldrum's honorable though dangerous part to take this Gavinia's place.
But how to obtain possession of Gavinia's person?
Agnes made several suggestions, but was told to hold her prating peace.