But the ascendancy of the Macdonalds had, like the ascendancy of the House of Austria, passed away; and the Campbells, the children of Diarmid, had become in the Highlands what the Bourbons had become in Europe.

The parallel might be carried far.

Imputations similar to those which it was the fashion to throw on the French government were thrown on the Campbells.

A peculiar dexterity, a peculiar plausibility of address, a peculiar contempt for all the obligations of good faith, were ascribed, with or without reason, to the dreaded race.

"Fair and false like a Campbell" became a proverb.