"They can scarcely say worse of me than I deserve." In this remark of Clara's we have another trace of the original plot, involving Clara's lapse from virtue.

The whole scene, with Mowbray's "You having been such as you own yourself," was made unintelligible by Ballantyne's objection.
[II-G] p.300.

"A corbie messenger." It seems unlikely that the Scots had a legend like the Greek one concerning the evil "corbie" or raven messenger to Apollo about his false lady-love, but no other explanation suggests itself.
ANDREW LANG.
_December 1893._ APPENDIX.
[The following extract from the proof-sheets containing Scott's original conclusion of "St.Ronan's Well" was sent to the Athenaeum of Feb.

4, 1893, by Mr.J.M.

Collyer.