
not greatly surprised at the connections you have been pleased to form during my
absence - they are entirely in conformity with your birth and breeding; and if I
did expect anything else, I heartily own my error, and that I merit, by having
done so, the disappointment you had prepared for me.«
    »My dear Lady Ashton - my dear Eleanor,« said the Lord Keeper, »listen to
reason for a moment, and I will convince you I have acted with all the regard
due to the dignity, as well as the interest, of my family.«
    »To the interest of your family I conceive you perfectly capable of
attending,« returned the indignant lady, »and even to the dignity of your own
family also, as far as it requires any looking after - But as mine happens to be
inextricably involved with it, you will excuse me if I choose to give my own
attention so far as that is concerned.«
    »What would you have, Lady Ashton?« said the husband - »What is it that
displeases you? Why is it that, on your return after so long an absence, I am
arraigned in this manner?«
    »Ask your own conscience, Sir William, what has prompted you to become a
renegade to your political party and opinions, and led you, for what I know, to
be on the point of marrying your only daughter to a beggarly Jacobite bankrupt,
the inveterate enemy of your family to the boot.«
    »Why, what in the name of common sense and civility, would you have me do,
madam?« answered her husband - »Is it possible for me, with ordinary decency, to
turn a young gentleman out of my house, who saved my daughter's life and my own,
but the other morning as it were!«
    »Saved your life! I have heard of that story,« said the lady - »the Lord
Keeper was scared by a dun cow, and he takes the young fellow who killed her for
Guy of Warwick - any butcher from Haddington may soon have an equal claim on
your hospitality.«
    »Lady Ashton,« stammered the Keeper, »this is intolerable - and when I am
desirous, too, to make you easy by any sacrifice - if you would but tell me what
you would be at.«
    »Go down to your guests,« said the imperious dame, »and make your apology to
Ravenswood, that the arrival of Captain Craigengelt and some other friends,
renders it impossible for you to offer him lodgings at the castle
