At length, upon accurate examination, the infirm state of his wooden prison-house appeared to supply the means of gratifying his curiosity, for out of a spot which was somewhat decayed he was able to extract a nail.

Through this minute aperture he could perceive a female form, wrapped in a plaid, in the act of conversing with Janet.

But, since the days of our grandmother Eve, the gratification of inordinate curiosity has generally borne its penalty in disappointment.

The form was not that of Flora, nor was the face visible; and, to crown his vexation, while he laboured with the nail to enlarge the hole, that he might obtain a more complete view, a slight noise betrayed his purpose, and the object of his curiosity instantly disappeared; nor, so far as he could observe, did she again revisit the cottage.
All precautions to blockade his view were from that time abandoned, and he was not only permitted, but assisted to rise and quit what had been, in a literal sense, his couch of confinement.

But he was not allowed to leave the hut; for the young Highlander had now rejoined his senior, and one or other was constantly on the watch.