. He had
sailed long enough amid the contending tides and currents of the time to be
sensible of their peril, and of the necessity of trimming his vessel to the
prevailing wind, if he would have her escape shipwreck in the storm. The nature
of his talents, and the timorousness of disposition connected with them, had
made him assume the pliability of the versatile old Earl of Northampton, who
explained the art by which he kept his ground during all the changes of state,
from the reign of Henry VIII. to that of Elizabeth, by the frank avowal, that he
was born of the willow, not of the oak. It had accordingly been Sir William
Ashton's policy, on all occasions, to watch the changes in the political
horizon, and, ere yet the conflict was decided, to negotiate some interest for
himself with the party most likely to prove victorious. His time-serving
disposition was well known, and excited contempt of the more daring leaders of
both factions in the state. But his talents were of a useful and practical kind,
and his legal knowledge held in high estimation; and they so far counterbalanced
other deficiencies, that those in power were glad to use and to reward, though
without absolutely trusting or greatly respecting him.
    The Marquis of A-- had used his utmost influence to effect a change in the
Scottish cabinet, and his schemes had been of late so well laid and so ably
supported, that there appeared a very great chance of his proving ultimately
successful. He did not, however, feel so strong or so confident as to neglect
any means of drawing recruits to his standard. The acquisition of the Lord
Keeper was deemed of some importance, and a friend, perfectly acquainted with
his circumstances and character, became responsible for his political
conversion.
    When this gentleman arrived at Ravenswood Castle upon a visit, the real
purpose of which was disguised under general courtesy, he found the prevailing
fear which at present beset the Lord Keeper was that of danger to his own person
from the Master of Ravenswood. The language which the blind sibyl old Alice had
used; the sudden appearance of the Master, armed, and within his precincts,
immediately after he had been warned against danger from him; the cold and
haughty return received in exchange for the acknowledgments with which he loaded
him for his timely protection, had all made a strong impression on his
imagination.
    So soon as the Marquis's political agent found how the wind sat, he began to
insinuate fears and doubts of another kind, scarce less calculated to affect the
Lord Keeper. He inquired with seeming
