 can boldly count
upon. I have seen my father's house on fire, and him and my brothers lying dead
amongst the flames - I gave not an inch back, but fought it out to the last. Now
I am two years older, and have the best and fairest cause to bear me well that
ever kindled mettle within a brave man's bosom.«
    Acting upon this resolution, the attention and activity which Quentin
bestowed during the journey had in it something that gave him the appearance of
ubiquity. His principal and most favourite post was of course by the side of the
ladies; who, sensible of his extreme attention to their safety, began to
converse with him in almost the tone of familiar friendship, and appeared to
take great pleasure in the naïveté, yet shrewdness, of his conversation. Yet
Quentin did not suffer the fascination of this intercourse to interfere with the
vigilant discharge of his duty.
    If he was often by the side of the Countesses, labouring to describe to the
natives of a level country the Grampian mountains and, above all, the beauties
of Glen-houlakin - he was as often riding with Hayraddin in the front of the
cavalcade, questioning him about the road and the resting-places, and recording
his answers in his mind, to ascertain whether, upon cross-examination, he could
discover anything like meditated treachery. As often again he was in the rear,
endeavouring to secure the attachment of the two horsemen by kind words, gifts,
and promises of additional recompense when their task should be accomplished.
    In this way they travelled for more than a week, through bye-paths and
unfrequented districts, and by circuitous routes, in order to avoid large towns.
Nothing remarkable occurred, though they now and then met strolling gangs of
Bohemians, who respected them, as under the conduct of one of their tribe -
straggling soldiers, or perhaps banditti, who deemed their party too strong to
be attacked - or parties of the Marechaussée, as they would now be termed, whom
Louis, who searched the wounds of the land with steel and cautery, employed to
suppress the disorderly bands which infested the interior. These last suffered
them to pursue their way unmolested, by virtue of a pass-word, with which
Quentin had been furnished for that purpose by the King himself.
    Their resting-places were chiefly the monasteries, most of which were
obliged by the rules of their foundation to receive pilgrims, under which
character the ladies travelled, with hospitality, and without any troublesome
inquiries into their rank and character, which most persons of distinction were
desirous of
