 of the writer's fortunes, as chiefly valuable
by tending to remove the impediments to their union. He related the steps he had
taken to overcome the prejudices of her parents, and especially of her mother,
and expressed his hopes they might prove effectual. If not, he still trusted
that his absence from Scotland upon an important and honourable mission might
give time for prejudices to die away; while he hoped and trusted Miss Ashton's
constancy, on which he had the most implicit reliance, would baffle any effort
that might be used to divert her attachment. Much more there was, which, however
interesting to the lovers themselves, would afford the reader neither interest
nor information. To each of these three letters the Master of Ravenswood
received an answer, but by different means of conveyance, and certainly couched
in very different styles.
    Lady Ashton answered his letter by his own messenger, who was not allowed to
remain at Ravenswood a moment longer than she was engaged in penning these
lines. »For the hand of Mr. Ravenswood of Wolf s Crag - These:
 
        Sir, unknown - I have received a letter, signed Edgar, Master of
        Ravenswood, concerning the writer whereof I am uncertain, seeing that
        the honours of such a family were forfeited for high treason in the
        person of Allan, late Lord Ravenswood. Sir, if you shall happen to be
        the person so subscribing yourself, you will please to know, that I
        claim the full interest of a parent in Miss Lucy Ashton, which I have
        disposed of irrevocably in behalf of a worthy person. And, sir, were
        this otherwise, I would not listen to a proposal from you, or any of
        your house, seeing their hand has been uniformly held up against the
        freedom of the subject, and the immunities of God's kirk. Sir, it is not
        a flightering blink of prosperity which can change my constant opinion
        in this regard, seeing it has been my lot before now, like holy David,
        to see the wicked great in power, and flourishing like a green bay-
        tree; nevertheless I passed, and they were not, and the place thereof
        knew them no more. Wishing you to lay these things to your heart for
        your own sake so far as they may concern you, I pray you to take no
        further notice of her, who desires to remain your unknown servant,
                                            MARGARET DOUGLAS, otherwise ASHTON.«
 
About two days after he had received this very unsatisfactory epistle, the
Master of Ravenswood, while walking up the High Street of Edinburgh, was jostled
by a person, in whom, as
