 some time
standing in a fixed posture, her eyes directed to the door through which her
ambassador had departed. The appearance of excitation, which the conversation
had occasioned, gradually left her features; she sank down upon her accustomed
seat, and resumed her mechanical labour of the distaff and spindle, with her
wonted air of apathy.
    Edie Ochiltree meanwhile advanced on his journey. The distance to Glenallan
was ten miles, a march which the old soldier accomplished in about four hours.
With the curiosity belonging to his idle trade and animated character, he
tortured himself the whole way to consider what could be the meaning of this
mysterious errand with which he was intrusted, or what connection the proud,
wealthy, and powerful Earl of Glenallan could have with the crimes or penitence
of an old doting woman, whose rank in life did not greatly exceed that of her
messenger. He endeavoured to call to memory all that he had ever known or heard
of the Glenallan family, yet, having done so, remained altogether unable to form
a conjecture on the subject. He knew that the whole extensive estate of this
ancient and powerful family had descended to the Countess, lately deceased, who
inherited, in a most remarkable degree, the stern, fierce, and unbending
character which had distinguished the house of Glenallan since they first
figured in Scottish annals. Like the rest of her ancestors, she adhered
zealously to the Roman Catholic faith, and was married to an English gentleman
of the same communion, and of large fortune, who did not survive their union two
years. The Countess was, therefore, left an early widow, with the uncontrolled
management of the large estates of her two sons. The elder, Lord Geraldin, who
was to succeed to the title and fortune of Glenallan, was totally dependent on
his mother during her life. The second, when he came of age, assumed the name
and arms of his father, and took possession of his estate, according to the
provisions of the Countess's marriage-settlement. After this period, he chiefly
resided in England, and paid very few and brief visits to his mother and
brother; and these at length were altogether dispensed with, in consequence of
his becoming a convert to the reformed religion.
    But even before this mortal offence was given to its mistress, his residence
at Glenallan offered few inducements to a gay young man like Edward Geraldin
Neville, though its gloom and seclusion seemed to suit the retired and
melancholy habits of his elder brother. Lord Geraldin, in the outset of life,
had been a young man of accomplishment and hopes. Those who knew
