 take the life which he had such easy
means of saving. He received a full pardon; and soon afterwards, James
Ratcliffe, the greatest thief and housebreaker in Scotland, was, upon the faith,
perhaps, of an ancient proverb, selected as a person to be entrusted with the
custody of other delinquents.
    When Ratcliffe was thus placed in a confidential situation, he was
repeatedly applied to by the sapient Saddletree and others, who took some
interest in the Deans family, to procure an interview between the sisters; but
the magistrates, who were extremely anxious for the apprehension of Robertson,
had given strict orders to the contrary, hoping that, by keeping them separate,
they might, from the one or the other, extract some information respecting that
fugitive. On this subject Jeanie had nothing to tell them. She informed Mr.
Middleburgh, that she knew nothing of Robertson, except having met him that
night by appointment to give her some advice respecting her sister's concern,
the purport of which, she said, was betwixt God and her conscience. Of his
motions, purposes, or plans, past, present, or future, she knew nothing, and so
had nothing to communicate.
    Effie was equally silent, though from a different cause. It was in vain that
they offered a commutation and alleviation of her punishment, and even a free
pardon, if she would confess what she knew of her lover. She answered only with
tears; unless, when at times driven into pettish sulkiness by the persecution of
the interrogators, she made them abrupt and disrespectful answers.
    At length, after her trial had been delayed for many weeks, in hopes she
might be induced to speak out on a subject infinitely more interesting to the
magistracy than her own guilt or innocence, their patience was worn out, and
even Mr. Middleburgh finding no ear lent to farther intercession in her behalf,
the day was fixed for the trial to proceed.
    It was now, and not sooner, that Sharpitlaw, recollecting his promise to
Effie Deans, or rather being dinned into compliance by the unceasing
remonstrances of Mrs. Saddletree, who was his next-door neighbour, and who
declared it was heathen cruelty to keep the twa broken-hearted creatures
separate, issued the important mandate, permitting them to see each other.
    On the evening which preceded the eventful day of trial, Jeanie was
permitted to see her sister - an awful interview, and occurring at a most
distressing crisis. This, however, formed a part of the bitter cup which she was
doomed to drink, to atone for crimes and follies to
