the Baronet, his lady, daughters, and myself.
The clergyman had not, it would seem, forgot the observation which ranked him
with the false prophets of Dunbar, for he addressed Mr. Maxwell upon the first
opportunity.
    »Hem! I think, sir, you mentioned something about the civil wars of last
century? You must be deeply skilled in them, indeed, if you can draw any
parallel betwixt those and the present evil days - days which I am ready to
maintain are the most gloomy that ever darkened the prospects of Britain.«
    »God forbid, Doctor, that I should draw a comparison between the present
times and those you mention. I am too sensible of the advantages we enjoy over
our ancestors. Faction and ambition have introduced division among us; but we
are still free from the guilt of civil bloodshed, and from all the evils which
flow from it. Our foes, sir, are not those of our own household; and while we
continue united and firm, from the attacks of a foreign enemy, however artful,
or however inveterate, we have, I hope, little to dread.«
    »Have you found anything curious, Mr. Maxwell, among the dusty papers?« said
Sir Henry, who seemed to dread a revival of political discussion.
    »My investigation amongst them led to reflections which I have just now
hinted,« said Maxwell; »and I think they are pretty strongly exemplified by a
story which I have been endeavouring to arrange from some of your family
manuscripts.«
    »You are welcome to make what use of them you please,« said Sir Henry; »they
have been undisturbed for many a day, and I have often wished for some person as
well skilled as you in these old pot-hooks, to tell me their meaning.«
    »Those I just mentioned,« answered Maxwell, »relate to a piece of private
history, savouring not a little of the marvellous, and intimately connected with
your family: if it is agreeable, I can read to you the anecdotes, in the modern
shape into which I have been endeavouring to throw them, and you can then judge
of the value of the originals.«
    There was something in this proposal agreeable to all parties. Sir Henry had
family pride, which prepared him to take an interest in whatever related to his
ancestors. The ladies had dipped deeply into the fashionable reading of the
present day. Lady Ratcliff and her fair daughters had climbed every pass, viewed
every pine-shrouded ruin, heard every groan, and lifted every trap-door, in