I might tell my tale, but who, oh, who would believe me ?" The unfortunate young man again clasped his hands together, and, pressing them to his forehead, hid his face upon the bed.
Elspat was now really alarmed, and perhaps wished the fatal deceit had been left unattempted.

She had no hope or refuge saving in the eloquence of persuasion, of which she possessed no small share, though her total ignorance of the world as it actually existed rendered its energy unavailing.

She urged her son, by every tender epithet which a parent could bestow, to take care for his own safety.
"Leave me," she said, "to baffle your pursuers.

I will save your life--I will save your honour.

I will tell them that my fair-haired Hamish fell from the Corrie Dhu (black precipice) into the gulf, of which human eye never beheld the bottom.