It was indeed very old, and parts had fallen almost to ruins, but there were still three or four rooms remaining, whose compact walls and well-closed roofs rendered them a warm and welcome refuge for the Countess of Buchan, whose strenuous exertions the two preceding days had ended, as was expected, by exhaustion more painful and overpowering than before.
The exertions of her friends--for the Bruce and his followers with one consent had permitted their wanderings to be guided by the old men--speedily rendered the apartments habitable.

Large fires were soon blazing on the spacious hearths, and ere night fell, all appearance of damp and discomfort had vanished.

The frugal supper was that night a jovial meal; the very look of a cheerful blaze beneath a walled roof was reviving to the wanderers; the jest passed round, the wine-cup sparkled to the health of the countess, and many a fervent aspiration echoed round for the speedy restoration of her strength; for truly she was the beloved, the venerated of all, alike from her sovereign to his lowest follower.
"Trust my experience, my young knight," had been the Bruce's address to Alan ere they parted for the night.

"A few days' complete repose will quite restore your valued parent and my most honored friend.

This hunting-lodge shall be our place of rendezvous for a time, till she is sufficiently restored to accompany us southward.