\"Thyfather，\"repliedtheDwarf，\"hasbeen，andis，mymostbitterenemy。Butfearnot；thyvirtueshallsavehim。Andnow，begone；wereItokeeptheelongerbyme，ImightagainfallintothestupiddreamsconcerninghumanworthfromwhichIhavebeensofearfullyawakened。Butfearnothing——attheveryfootofthealtarIwillredeemthee。Adieu，timepresses，andImustact！\"
Heledhertothedoorofthehut，whichheopenedforherdeparture。Sheremountedherhorse，whichhadbeenfeedingintheouterenclosure，andpressedhimforwardbythelightofthemoon，whichwasnowrising，tothespotwhereshehadleftRatcliffe。
\"Haveyousucceeded？\"washisfirsteagerquestion。
\"Ihaveobtainedpromisesfromhimtowhomyousentme；buthowcanhepossiblyaccomplishthem？\"
\"ThankGod！\"saidRatcliffe；\"doubtnothispowertofulfilhispromise。\"
Atthismomentashrillwhistlewasheardtoresoundalongtheheath。
\"Hark！\"saidRatcliffe，\"hecallsme——MissVere，returnhome，andleaveunboltedthepostern-doorofthegarden；tothatwhichopensontheback-stairsIhaveaprivatekey。\"
Asecondwhistlewasheard，yetmoreshrillandprolongedthanthefirst。
\"Icome，Icome，\"saidRatcliffe；andsettingspurstohishorse，rodeovertheheathinthedirectionoftheRecluse’shut。MissVerereturnedtothecastle，themettleoftheanimalonwhichsherode，andherownanxietyofmind，combiningtoaccelerateherjourney。
SheobeyedRatcliffe’sdirections，thoughwithoutwellapprehendingtheirpurpose，andleavingherhorseatlargeinapaddocknearthegarden，hurriedtoherownapartment，whichshereachedwithoutobservation。Shenowunboltedherdoor，andrangherbellforlights。Herfatherappearedalongwiththeservantwhoansweredhersummons。
\"Hehadbeentwice，\"hesaid，\"listeningatherdoorduringthetwohoursthathadelapsedsincehelefther，and，nothearingherspeak，hadbecomeapprehensivethatshewastakenill。\"
\"Andnow，mydearfather，\"shesaid，\"permitmetoclaimthepromiseyousokindlygave；letthelastmomentsoffreedomwhichIamtoenjoybeminewithoutinterruption；andprotracttothelastmomenttherespitewhichisallowedme。\"
\"Iwill，\"saidherfather；\"norshallyoubeagaininterrupted。
Butthisdisordereddress——thisdishevelledhair——donotletmefindyouthuswhenIcallonyouagain；thesacrifice，tobebeneficial，mustbevoluntary。\"
\"Mustitbeso？\"shereplied；\"thenfearnot，myfather！thevictimshallbeadorned。\"
CHAPTERXVII。
Thislooksnotlikeanuptial。MUCHADOABOUTNOTHING。
ThechapelinthecastleofEllieslaw，destinedtobethesceneofthisill-omenedunion，wasabuildingofmucholderdatethanthecastleitself，thoughthatclaimedconsiderableantiquity。
BeforethewarsbetweenEnglandandScotlandhadbecomesocommonandofsuchlongduration，thatthebuildingsalongbothsidesoftheBorderwerechieflydedicatedtowarlikepurposes，therehadbeenasmallsettlementofmonksatEllieslaw，adependency，itisbelievedbyantiquaries，ontherichAbbeyofJedburgh。Theirpossessionshadlongpassedawayunderthechangesintroducedbywarandmutualravage。Afeudalcastlehadarisenontheruinoftheircells，andtheirchapelwasincludedinitsprecincts。
Theedifice，initsroundarchesandmassivepillars，thesimplicityofwhichreferredtheirdatetowhathasbeencalledtheSaxonarchitecture，presentedatalltimesadarkandsombreappearance，andhadbeenfrequentlyusedasthecemeteryofthefamilyofthefeudallords，aswellasformerlyofthemonasticbrethren。Butitlookeddoublygloomybytheeffectofthefewandsmokytorcheswhichwereusedtoenlightenitonthepresentoccasion，andwhich，spreadingaglareofyellowlightintheirimmediatevicinity，weresurroundedbeyondbyaredandpurplehaloreflectedfromtheirownsmoke，andbeyondthatagainbyazoneofdarknesswhichmagnifiedtheextentofthechapel，whileitrendereditimpossiblefortheeyetoascertainitslimits。
Someinjudiciousornaments，adoptedinhastefortheoccasion，ratheraddedtothedrearinessofthescene。Oldfragmentsoftapestry，tornfromthewallsofotherapartments，hadbeenhastilyandpartiallydisposedaroundthoseofthechapel，andmingledinconsistentlywithscutcheonsandfuneralemblemsofthedead，whichtheyelsewhereexhibited。Oneachsideofthestonealtarwasamonument，theappearanceofwhichformedanequallystrangecontrast。Ontheonewasthefigure，instone，ofsomegrimhermit，ormonk，whohaddiedintheodourofsanctity；hewasrepresentedasrecumbent，inhiscowlandscapulaire，withhisfaceturnedupwardasintheactofdevotion，andhishandsfolded，fromwhichhisstringofbeadswasdependent。Ontheothersidewasatomb，intheItaliantaste，composedofthemostbeautifulstatuarymarble，andaccountedamodelofmodernart。
ItwaserectedtothememoryofIsabella’smother，thelateMrs。
VereofEllieslaw，whowasrepresentedasinadyingposture，whileaweepingcherub，witheyesaverted，seemedintheactofextinguishingadyinglampasemblematicofherspeedydissolution。Itwas，indeed，amasterpieceofart，butmisplacedintherudevaulttowhichithadbeenconsigned。Manyweresurprised，andevenscandalized，thatEllieslaw，notremarkableforattentiontohisladywhilealive，shoulderectafterherdeathsuchacostlymausoleuminaffectedsorrow；othersclearedhimfromtheimputationofhypocrisy，andaverredthatthemonumenthadbeenconstructedunderthedirectionandatthesoleexpenseofMr。Ratcliffe。
Beforethesemonumentstheweddingguestswereassembled。Theywerefewinnumber；formanyhadleftthecastletopreparefortheensuingpoliticalexplosion，andEllieslawwas，inthecircumstancesofthecase，farfrombeingdesiroustoextendinvitationsfartherthantothosenearrelationswhosepresencethecustomofthecountryrenderedindispensable。NexttothealtarstoodSirFrederickLangley，dark，moody，andthoughtful，evenbeyondhiswont，andnearhim，Mareschal，whowastoplaythepartofbridesman，asitwascalled。Thethoughtlesshumourofthisyounggentleman，onwhichheneverdeignedtoplacetheleastrestraint，addedtothecloudwhichoverhungthebrowofthebridegroom\"Thebrideisnotyetcomeoutofherchamber，\"hewhisperedtoSirFrederick；\"ItrustthatwemustnothaverecoursetotheviolentexpedientsoftheRomanswhichIreadofatCollege。Itwouldbeharduponmyprettycousintoberunawaywithtwiceintwodays，thoughIknownonebetterworthsuchaviolentcompliment。\"
SirFrederickattemptedtoturnadeafeartothisdiscourse，hummingatune，andlookinganothermay，butMareschalproceededinthesamewildmanner。
\"ThisdelayisharduponDr。Hobbler，whowasdisturbedtoacceleratepreparationsforthisjoyfuleventwhenhehadsuccessfullyextractedthecorkofhisthirdbottle。Ihopeyouwillkeephimfreeofthecensureofhissuperiors，forItakeitthisisbeyondcanonicalhours。——ButherecomeEllieslawandmyprettycousin——prettierthanever，Ithink，wereitnotsheseemssofaintandsodeadlypale——Harkye，SirKnight，ifshesaysnotYESwithrightgood-will，itshallbenowedding，forallthathascomeandgoneyet。\"
\"Nowedding，sir？\"returnedSirFrederick，inaloudwhisper，thetoneofwhichindicatedthathisangryfeelingsweresuppressedwithdifficulty。
\"No——nomarriage，\"repliedMareschal，\"there’smyhandandgloveon’t。\"
SirFrederickLangleytookhishand，andashewrungithard，saidinalowerwhisper，\"Mareschal，youshallanswerthis，\"andthenflunghishandfromhim。
\"ThatIwillreadilydo，\"saidMareschal，\"forneverwordescapedmylipsthatmyhandwasnotreadytoguarantee-So，speakup，myprettycousin，andtellmeifitbeyourfreewillandunbiassedresolutiontoacceptofthisgallantknightforyourlordandhusband；forifyouhavethetenthpartofascrupleuponthesubject，fallback，falledge，heshallnothaveyou。\"
\"Areyoumad，Mr。Mareschal？\"saidEllieslaw，who，havingbeenthisyoungman’sguardianduringhisminority，oftenemployedatoneofauthoritytohim。\"DoyousupposeIwoulddragmydaughtertothefootofthealtar，wereitnotherownchoice？\"
\"Tut，Ellieslaw，\"retortedtheyounggentleman，\"nevertellmeofthecontrary；hereyesarefulloftears，andhercheeksarewhiterthanherwhitedress。Imustinsist，inthenameofcommonhumanity，thattheceremonybeadjournedtillto-morrow。\"
\"Sheshalltellyouherself，thouincorrigibleintermeddlerinwhatconcernstheenot，thatitisherwishtheceremonyshouldgoon——Isitnot，Isabella，mydear？\"
\"Itis，\"saidIsabella，halffainting——\"sincethereisnohelp，eitherinGodorman。\"
Thefirstwordalonewasdistinctlyaudible。Mareschalshruggeduphisshouldersandsteppedback。Ellieslawled，orrathersupported，hisdaughtertothealtar。SirFrederickmovedforwardandplacedhimselfbyherside。Theclergymanopenedhisprayer-book，andlookedtoMr。Vereforthesignaltocommencetheservice。
\"Proceed，\"saidthelatter。
Butavoice，asifissuingfromthetombofhisdeceasedwife，called，insuchloudandharshaccentsasawakenedeveryechointhevaultedchapel，\"Forbear！\"
Allweremuteandmotionless，tilladistantrustle，andtheclashofswords，orsomethingresemblingit，washeardfromtheremoteapartments。Itceasedalmostinstantly。
\"Whatnewdeviceisthis？\"saidSirFrederick，fiercely，eyeingEllieslawandMareschalwithaglanceofmalignantsuspicion。
\"Itcanbebutthefrolicofsomeintemperateguest，\"saidEllieslaw，thoughgreatlyconfounded；\"wemustmakelargeallowancesfortheexcessofthisevening’sfestivity。Proceedwiththeservice。\"
Beforetheclergymancouldobey，thesameprohibitionwhichtheyhadbeforeheard，wasrepeatedfromthesamespot。Thefemaleattendantsscreamed，andfledfromthechapel；thegentlemenlaidtheirhandsontheirswords。Erethefirstmomentofsurprisehadpassedby，theDwarfsteppedfrombehindthemonument，andplacedhimselffullinfrontofMr。Vere。Theeffectofsostrangeandhideousanapparitioninsuchaplaceandinsuchcircumstances，appalledallpresent，butseemedtoannihilatetheLairdofEllieslaw，who，droppinghisdaughter’sarm，staggeredagainstthenearestpillar，and，claspingitwithhishandsasifforsupport，laidhisbrowagainstthecolumn。
\"Whoisthisfellow？\"saidSirFrederick；\"andwhatdoeshemeanbythisintrusion？\"
\"Itisonewhocomestotellyou，\"saidtheDwarf，withthepeculiaracrimonywhichusuallymarkedhismanner，\"that，inmarryingthatyounglady，youwedneithertheheiressofEllieslaw，norofMauleyHall，norofPolverton，norofonefurrowofland，unlessshemarrieswithMYconsent；andtotheethatconsentshallneverbegiven。Down——downonthyknees，andthankHeaventhatthouartpreventedfromweddingqualitieswithwhichthouhastnoconcern——portionlesstruth，virtue，andinnocence——thou，baseingrate，\"hecontinued，addressinghimselftoEllieslaw，\"whatisthywretchedsubterfugenow？Thou，whowouldstsellthydaughtertorelievetheefromdanger，asinfaminethouwouldsthaveslainanddevouredhertopreservethyownvilelife！——Ay，hidethyfacewiththyhands；wellmaystthoublushtolookonhimwhosebodythoudidstconsigntochains，hishandtoguilt，andhissoultomisery。Savedoncemorebythevirtueofherwhocallstheefather，gohence，andmaythepardonandbenefitsIconferontheeproveliteralcoalsoffire，tillthybrainissearedandscorchedlikemine！\"
Ellieslawleftthechapelwithagestureofmutedespair。
\"Followhim，HubertRatcliffe，\"saidtheDwarf，\"andinformhimofhisdestiny。Hewillrejoice——fortobreatheairandtohandlegoldistohimhappiness，\"
\"Iunderstandnothingofallthis，\"saidSirFrederickLangley；
\"butwearehereabodyofgentlemeninarmsandauthorityforKingJames；andwhetheryoureally，sir，bethatSirEdwardMauley，whohasbeensolongsupposeddeadinconfinement，orwhetheryoubeanimpostorassuminghisnameandtitle，wewillusethefreedomofdetainingyou，tillyourappearancehere，atthismoment，isbetteraccountedfor；wewillhavenospiesamongus——Seizeonhim，myfriends。\"
Butthedomesticsshrunkbackindoubtandalarm。SirFrederickhimselfsteppedforwardtowardstheRecluse，asiftolayhandsonhisperson，whenhisprogresswassuddenlystoppedbytheglitteringpointofapartisan，whichthesturdyhandofHobbieElliotpresentedagainsthisbosom。
\"I’llgardaylightshinethroughye，ifyeoffertosteerhim！\"
saidthestoutBorderer；\"standback，orI’llstrikeyethrough！
NaebodyshalllayafingeronElshie；he’sacannyneighbourlyman，ayereadytomakeafriendhelp；and，thoughyemaythinkhimalamiter，yet，grippieforgrippie，friend，I’llwadawetherhe’llmakethebluidspinfraeunderyournails。He’sateughcarleElshie！hegripslikeasmith’svice。\"
\"Whathasbroughtyouhere，Elliot？\"saidMareschal；\"whocalledonyouforinterference？\"
\"Troth，Mareschal-Wells，\"answeredHobbie，\"Iamjustcomehere，wi’twentyorthrettymairo’us，inmyainnameandtheKing’s——orQueen’s，ca’theyher？andCannyElshie’sintothebargain，tokeepthepeace，andpaybacksomeillusageEllieslawhasgienme。Abonnybreakfasttheloonsgaemetheithermorning，andhimatthebottomon’t；andtrowyeIwasnareadytosupperhimup？——Yeneednalayyourhandsonyourswords，gentlemen，thehouseisourswi’littledin；forthedoorswereopen，andtherehadbeenowermucklepunchamangyourfolk；wetooktheirswordsandpistolsaseasilyasyewadshielpea-cods。\"
Mareschalrushedout，andimmediatelyre-enteredthechapel。
\"ByHeaven！itistrue，SirFrederick；thehouseisfilledwitharmedmen，andourdrunkenbeastsarealldisarmed。Draw，andletusfightourway。\"
\"Binnarash——binnarash，\"exclaimedHobbie；\"hearmeabit，hearmeabit。Wemeanyenaeharm；but，asyeareinarmsforKingJames，asyeca’him，andtheprelates，wethoughtitrighttokeepuptheauldneighbourwar，andstandupforthet’otheraneandtheKirk；butwe’llnohurtahairo’yourheads，ifyeliketoganghamequietly。Anditwillbeyourbestway，forthere’ssurenewscomefraeLoudoun，thathimtheyca’Bang，orByng，orwhatis’t，hasbang’dtheFrenchshipsandthenewkingaffthecoasthowever；saeyehadbestbidecontentwi’auldNanseforwantofabetterQueen。\"
Ratcliffe，whoatthismomententered，confirmedtheseaccountssounfavourabletotheJacobiteinterest。SirFrederick，almostinstantly，andwithouttakingleaveofanyone，leftthecastle，withsuchofhisattendantsaswereabletofollowhim。
\"Andwhatwillyoudo，Mr。Mareschal？\"saidRatcliffe。
\"Why，faith，\"answeredhe，smiling，\"Ihardlyknow；myspiritistoogreat，andmyfortunetoosmall，formetofollowtheexampleofthedoughtybridegroom。Itisnotinmynature，anditishardlyworthmywhile。\"
\"Well，then，disperseyourmen，andremainquiet，andthiswillbeoverlooked，astherehasbeennoovertact。\"
\"Hout，ay，\"saidElliot，\"justletbyganesbebyganes，anda’
friendsagain；deilaneIbearmaliceatbutWestburnflat，andI
haegienhimbaithahetskinandacauldane。Ihadnachangedthreeblowsofthebroadswordwi’himbeforehelapthewindowintothecastle-moat，andswatteredthroughitlikeawild-duck。
He’sacleverfallow，indeed！maunkiltawawi’aebonnylassinthemorning，andanotheratnight，lesswadnaservehim！butifhedisnakilthimsellouto’thecountry，I’sekilthimwi’atow，fortheCastletonmeeting’scleanblawnower；hisfriendswillnocountenancehim。\"
Duringthegeneralconfusion，Isabellahadthrownherselfatthefeetofherkinsman，SirEdwardMauley，forsowemustnowcalltheSolitary，toexpressatoncehergratitude，andtobeseechforgivenessforherfather。Theeyesofallbegantobefixedonthem，assoonastheirownagitationandthebustleoftheattendantshadsomewhatabated。MissVerekneeledbesidethetombofhermother，towhosestatueherfeaturesexhibitedamarkedresemblance。SheheldthehandoftheDwarf，whichshekissedrepeatedlyandbathedwithtears。Hestoodfixedandmotionless，exceptingthathiseyesglancedalternatelyonthemarblefigureandthelivingsuppliant。Atlength，thelargedropswhichgatheredonhiseye-lashescompelledhimtodrawhishandacrossthem。
\"Ithought，\"hesaid，\"thattearsandIhaddone；butweshedthematourbirth，andtheirspringdriesnotuntilweareinourgraves。Butnomeltingoftheheartshalldissolvemyresolution。Iparthere，atonce，andforever，withallofwhichthememory\"（lookingtothetomb），\"orthepresence\"（hepressedIsabella’shand），\"isdeartome。——Speaknottome！
attemptnottothwartmydetermination！itwillavailnothing；
youwillhearofandseethislumpofdeformitynomore。ToyouIshallbedeadereIamactuallyinmygrave，andyouwillthinkofmeasofafrienddisencumberedfromthetoilsandcrimesofexistence。\"
HekissedIsabellaontheforehead，impressedanotherkissonthebrowofthestatuebywhichsheknelt，andleftthechapelfollowedbyRatcliffe。Isabella，almostexhaustedbytheemotionsoftheday，wascarriedtoherapartmentbyherwomen。
Mostoftheotherguestsdispersed，afterhavingseparatelyendeavouredtoimpressonallwhowouldlistentothemtheirdisapprobationoftheplotsformedagainstthegovernment，ortheirregretforhavingengagedinthem。HobbieElliotassumedthecommandofthecastleforthenight，andmountedaregularguard。HeboastednotalittleofthealacritywithwhichhisfriendsandhehadobeyedahastysummonsreceivedfromElshiethroughthefaithfulRatcliffe。Anditwasaluckychance，hesaid，thatonthatverydaytheyhadgotnoticethatWestburnflatdidnotintendtokeephistrysteatCastleton，buttoholdthematdefiance；sothataconsiderablepartyhadassembledattheHeugh-foot，withtheintentionofpayingavisittotherobber’stowerontheensuingmorning，andtheircoursewaseasilydirectedtoEllieslawCastle。
CHAPTERXVIII。
——Lastsceneofall，Toclosethisstrangeeventfulhistory。ASYOULIKEIT。
Onthenextmorning，Mr。RatcliffepresentedMissVerewithaletterfromherfather，ofwhichthefollowingisthetenor：——
\"MYDEARESTCHILD，Themaliceofapersecutinggovernmentwillcompelme，formyownsafety，toretreatabroad，andtoremainforsometimeinforeignparts。Idonotaskyoutoaccompany，orfollowme；youwillattendtomyinterestandyourownmoreeffectuallybyremainingwhereyouare。Itisunnecessarytoenterintoaminutedetailconcerningthecausesofthestrangeeventswhichyesterdaytookplace。IthinkIhavereasontocomplainoftheusageIhavereceivedfromSirEdwardMauley，whoisyournearestkinsmanbythemother’sside；butashehasdeclaredyouhisheir，andistoputyouinimmediatepossessionofalargepartofhisfortune，I
accountitafullatonement。Iamawarehehasneverforgiventhepreferencewhichyourmothergavetomyaddresses，insteadofcomplyingwiththetermsofasortoffamilycompact，whichabsurdlyandtyrannicallydestinedhertowedherdeformedrelative。Theshockwasevensufficienttounsettlehiswits（which，indeed，wereneverover-wellarranged），andIhad，asthehusbandofhisnearestkinswomanandheir，thedelicatetaskoftakingcareofhispersonandproperty，untilhewasreinstatedinthemanagementofthelatterbythosewho，nodoubt，thoughttheyweredoinghimjustice；although，ifsomepartsofhissubsequentconductbeexamined，itwillappearthatheought，forhisownsake，tohavebeenleftundertheinfluenceofamildandsalutaryrestraint。
\"Inoneparticular，however，heshowedasenseofthetiesofblood，aswellasofhisownfrailty；forwhilehesequesteredhimselfcloselyfromtheworld，undervariousnamesanddisguises，andinsistedonspreadingareportofhisowndeath（inwhichtogratifyhimIwillinglyacquiesced），heleftatmydisposaltherentsofagreatproportionofhisestates，andespeciallyallthose，which，havingbelongedtoyourmother，revertedtohimasamalefief。Inthishemayhavethoughtthathewasactingwithextremegenerosity，while，intheopinionofallimpartialmen，hewillonlybeconsideredashavingfulfilledanaturalobligation，seeingthat，injustice，ifnotinstrictlaw，youmustbeconsideredastheheirofyourmother，andIasyourlegaladministrator。Instead，therefore，ofconsideringmyselfasloadedwithobligationstoSirEdwardonthisaccount，IthinkIhadreasontocomplainthattheseremittanceswereonlydoledouttomeatthepleasureofMr。Ratcliffe，who，moreover，exactedfrommemortgagesovermypaternalestateofEllieslawforanysumswhichIrequiredasanextraadvance；andthusmaybesaidtohaveinsinuatedhimselfintotheabsolutemanagementandcontrolofmyproperty。Or，ifallthisseemingfriendshipwasemployedbySirEdwardforthepurposeofobtainingacompletecommandofmyaffairs，andacquiringthepowerofruiningmeathispleasure，Ifeelmyself，Imustrepeat，stilllessboundbytheallegedobligation。
\"Abouttheautumnoflastyear，asIunderstand，eitherhisowncrazedimagination，ortheaccomplishmentofsomesuchschemeasIhavehinted，broughthimdowntothiscountry。Hisallegedmotive，itseems，wasadesireofseeingamonumentwhichhehaddirectedtoberaisedinthechapeloverthetombofyourmother。
Mr。Ratcliffe，whoatthistimehaddonemethehonourtomakemyhousehisown，hadthecomplaisancetointroducehimsecretlyintothechapel。Theconsequence，asheinformsme，wasafrenzyofseveralhours，duringwhichhefledintotheneighbouringmoors，inoneofthewildestspotsofwhichhechose，whenhewassomewhatrecovered，tofixhismansion，andsetupforasortofcountryempiric，acharacterwhich，eveninhisbestdays，hewasfondofassuming。Itisremarkable，that，insteadofinformingmeofthesecircumstances，thatImighthavehadtherelativeofmylatewifetakensuchcareofashiscalamitousconditionrequired，Mr。Ratcliffeseemstohavehadsuchculpableindulgenceforhisirregularplansastopromiseandevenswearsecrecyconcerningthem。HevisitedSirEdwardoften，andassistedinthefantastictaskhehadtakenuponhimofconstructingahermitage。Nothingtheyappeartohavedreadedmorethanadiscoveryoftheirintercourse。
\"Thegroundwasopenineverydirectionaround，andasmallsubterraneancave，probablysepulchral，whichtheirresearcheshaddetectednearthegreatgranitepillar，servedtoconcealRatcliffe，whenanyoneapproachedhismaster。Ithinkyouwillbeofopinion，mylove，thatthissecrecymusthavehadsomestrongmotive。Itisalsoremarkable，thatwhileIthoughtmyunhappyfriendwasresidingamongtheMonksofLaTrappe，heshouldhavebeenactuallyliving，formanymonths，inthisbizarredisguise，withinfivemilesofmyhouse，andobtainingregularinformationofmymostprivatemovements，eitherbyRatcliffe，orthroughWestburnflatorothers，whomhehadthemeanstobribetoanyextent。HemakesitacrimeagainstmethatIendeavouredtoestablishyourmarriagewithSirFrederick。
Iactedforthebest；butifSirEdwardMauleythoughtotherwise，whydidhenotstepmanfullyforward，expresshisownpurposeofbecomingapartytothesettlements，andtakethatinterestwhichheisentitledtoclaiminyouasheirtohisgreatproperty？
\"Evennow，thoughyourrashandeccentricrelationissomewhattardyinannouncinghispurpose，Iamfarfromopposingmyauthorityagainsthiswishes，althoughthepersonhedesiresyoutoregardasyourfuturehusbandbeyoungEarnscliff；theverylastwhomIshouldhavethoughtlikelytobeacceptabletohim，consideringacertainfatalevent。ButIgivemyfreeandheartyconsent，providingthesettlementsaredrawninsuchanirrevocableformasmaysecuremychildfromsufferingbythatstateofdependence，andthatsuddenandcauselessrevocationofallowances，ofwhichIhavesomuchreasontocomplain。OfSirFrederickLangley，Iaugur，youwillhearnomore。Heisnotlikelytoclaimthehandofadowerlessmaiden。Ithereforecommityou，mydearIsabella，tothewisdomofProvidenceandtoyourownprudence，beggingyoutolosenotimeinsecuringthoseadvantages，whichtheficklenessofyourkinsmanhaswithdrawnfrommetoshoweruponyou。
\"Mr。RatcliffementionedSirEdward’sintentiontosettleaconsiderablesumuponmeyearly，formymaintenanceinforeignparts；butthismyheartistooproudtoacceptfromhim。ItoldhimIhadadearchild，who，whileinaffluenceherself，wouldneversuffermetobeinpoverty。Ithoughtitrighttointimatethistohimprettyroundly，thatwhateverincreasebesettleduponyou，itmaybecalculatedsoastocoverthisnecessaryandnaturalencumbrance。IshallwillinglysettleuponyouthecastleandmanorofEllieslaw，toshowmyparentalaffectionanddisinterestedzealforpromotingyoursettlementinlife。Theannualinterestofdebtschargedontheestatesomewhatexceedstheincome，evenafterareasonablerenthasbeenputuponthemansionandmains。ButasallthedebtsareinthepersonofMr。
Ratcliffe，asyourkinsman’strustee，hewillnotbeatroublesomecreditor。AndhereImustmakeyouaware，thatthoughIhavetocomplainofMr。Ratcliffe’sconducttomepersonally，I，nevertheless，believehimajustanduprightman，withwhomyoumaysafelyconsultonyouraffairs，nottomentionthattocherishhisgoodopinionwillbethebestwaytoretainthatofyourkinsman。RemembermetoMarchie——Ihopehewillnotbetroubledonaccountoflatematters。IwillwritemorefullyfromtheContinent。Meanwhile，Irestyourlovingfather，RICHARDVERE。\"
Theaboveletterthrowstheonlyadditionallightwhichwehavebeenabletoprocureupontheearlierpartofourstory。ItwasHobbie’sopinion，andmaybethatofmostofourreaders，thattheRecluseofMucklestane-Moorhadbutakindofagleaming，ortwilightunderstanding；andthathehadneitherveryclearviewsastowhathehimselfwanted，norwasapttopursuehisendsbytheclearestandmostdirectmeans；sothattoseektheclewofhisconduct，waslikened，byHobbie，tolookingforastraightpaththroughacommon，overwhichareahundreddevioustracks，butnotonedistinctlineofroad。
WhenIsabellahadperusedtheletter，herfirstenquirywasafterherfather。Hehadleftthecastle，shewasinformed，earlyinthemorning，afteralonginterviewwithMr。Ratcliffe，andwasalreadyfaronhiswaytothenextport，wherehemightexpecttofindshippingfortheContinent。
\"WherewasSirEdwardMauley？\"
NoonehadseentheDwarfsincetheeventfulsceneoftheprecedingevening。
\"Odd，ifonythinghasbefa’enpuirElshie，\"saidHobbieElliot，\"IwadratherIwereharriedoweragain。\"
Heimmediatelyrodetohisdwelling，andtheremainingshe-goatcamebleatingtomeethim，forhermilkingtimewaslongpast。
TheSolitarywasnowheretobeseen；hisdoor，contrarytowont，wasopen，hisfireextinguished，andthewholehutwasleftinthestatewhichitexhibitedonIsabella’svisittohim。ItwasprettyclearthatthemeansofconveyancewhichhadbroughttheDwarftoEllieslawontheprecedingevening，hadremovedhimfromittosomeotherplaceofabode。Hobbiereturneddisconsolatetothecastle。
\"IamdoubtingwehaelostCannyElshieforgudean’a’。\"
\"Youhaveindeed，\"saidRatcliffe，producingapaper，whichheputintoHobbie’shands；\"butreadthat，andyouwillperceiveyouhavebeennoloserbyhavingknownhim。\"
Itwasashortdeedofgift，bywhich\"SirEdwardMauley，otherwisecalledElshendertheRecluse，endowedHalbertorHobbieElliot，andGraceArmstrong，infullproperty，withaconsiderablesumborrowedbyElliotfromhim。\"
Hobbie’sjoywasmingledwithfeelingswhichbroughttearsdownhisroughcheeks。
\"It’saqueerthing，\"hesaid；\"butIcannajoyinthegear，unlessIkendthepuirbodywashappythatgaveitme。\"
\"Nexttoenjoyinghappinessourselves，\"saidRatcliffe，\"istheconsciousnessofhavingbestoweditonothers。Hadallmymaster’sbenefitsbeenconferredlikethepresent，whatadifferentreturnwouldtheyhaveproduced！Buttheindiscriminateprofusionthatwouldglutavarice，orsupplyprodigality，neitherdoesgood，norisrewardedbygratitude。Itissowingthewindtoreapthewhirlwind。\"
\"Andthatwadbealighthar’st，\"saidHobbie；\"but，wi’myyoungleddie’sleave，IwadfaintakedownEishie’sskepso’bees，andsettheminGrace’sbitfloweryardattheHeugh-foot——theyshallne’erbesmeekitbyonyo’huz。Andthepuirgoat，shewouldbenegleckitaboutagreattounlikethis；andshecouldfeedbonnilyonourlilyleabytheburnside，andthehoundswadkenherinaday’stime，andneverfashher，andGracewadmilkherilkamorningwi’herainhand，forElshie’ssake；forthoughhewasthrawnandcankeredinhisconverse，helikeitdumbcreaturesweel。\"
Hobbie’srequestswerereadilygranted，notwithoutsomewonderatthenaturaldelicacyoffeelingwhichpointedouttohimthismodeofdisplayinghisgratitude。HewasdelightedwhenRatcliffeinformedhimthathisbenefactorshouldnotremainignorantofthecarewhichhetookofhisfavourite。
\"Andmindbesureandtellhimthatgrannieandthetitties，and，abunea’，Graceandmysell，areweelandthriving，andthatit’sa’hisdoing——thatcannabutpleasehim，anewadthink。\"
AndElliotandthefamilyatHeugh-footwere，andcontinuedtobe，asfortunateandhappyashisundauntedhonesty，tenderness，andgallantrysowellmerited。
AllbarbetweenthemarriageofEarnscliffandIsabellawasnowremoved，andthesettlementswhichRatcliffeproducedonthepartofSirEdwardMauley，mighthavesatisfiedthecupidityofEllieslawhimself。ButMissVereandRatcliffethoughtitunnecessarytomentiontoEarnscliffthatonegreatmotiveofSirEdward，inthusloadingtheyoungpairwithbenefits，wastoexpiatehishaving，manyyearsbefore，shedthebloodofhisfatherinahastybrawl。Ifitbetrue，asRatcliffeasserted，thattheDwarf’sextrememisanthropyseemedtorelaxsomewhat，undertheconsciousnessofhavingdiffusedhappinessamongsomany，therecollectionofthiscircumstancemightprobablybeoneofhischiefmotivesforrefusingobstinatelyevertowitnesstheirstateofcontentment。
Mareschalhunted，shot，anddrankclaret——tiredofthecountry，wentabroad，servedthreecampaigns，camehome，andmarriedLucyIlderton。
YearsfledovertheheadsofEarnscliffandhiswife，andfoundandleftthemcontentedandhappy。TheschemingambitionofSirFrederickLangleyengagedhimintheunfortunateinsurrectionof1715。HewasmadeprisoneratPreston，inLancashire，withtheEarlofDerwentwater，andothers。Hisdefence，andthedyingspeechwhichhemadeathisexecution，maybefoundintheStateTrials。Mr。Vere，suppliedbyhisdaughterwithanampleincome，continuedtoresideabroad，engageddeeplyintheaffairofLaw’sbankduringtheregencyoftheDukeofOrleans，andwasatonetimesupposedtobeimmenselyrich。But，ontheburstingofthatfamousbubble，hewassomuchchagrinedatbeingagainreducedtoamoderateannuity（althoughhesawthousandsofhiscompanionsinmisfortuneabsolutelystarving），thatvexationofmindbroughtonaparalyticstroke，ofwhichhedied，afterlingeringunderitseffectsafewweeks。
WillieofWestburnflatfledfromthewrathofHobbieElliot，ashisbettersdidfromthepursuitofthelaw。Hispatriotismurgedhimtoservehiscountryabroad，whilehisreluctancetoleavehisnativesoilpressedhimrathertoremaininthebelovedisland，andcollectpurses，watches，andringsonthehighroadsathome。Fortunatelyforhim，thefirstimpulseprevailed，andhejoinedthearmyunderMarlborough；obtainedacommissiontowhichhewasrecommendedbyhisservicesincollectingcattleforthecommissariat；returnedhomeaftermanyyears，withsomemoney（howcomebyHeavenonlyknows），——demolishedthepeel-houseatWestburnflat，andbuilt，initsstead，ahighnarrowONSTEAD，ofthreestories，withachimneyateachend——drankbrandywiththeneighbours，whom，inhisyoungerdays，hehadplundered——diedinhisbed，andisrecordeduponhistombstoneatKirkwhistle（stillextant），ashavingplayedallthepartsofabravesoldier，adiscreetneighbour，andasincereChristian。
Mr。RatclifferesidedusuallywiththefamilyatEllieslaw，butregularlyeveryspringandautumnheabsentedhimselfforaboutamonth。Onthedirectionandpurposeofhisperiodicaljourneyheremainedsteadilysilent；butitwaswellunderstoodthathewastheninattendanceonhisunfortunatepatron。Atlength，onhisreturnfromoneofthesevisits，hisgravecountenance，anddeepmourningdress，announcedtotheEllieslawfamilythattheirbenefactorwasnomore。SirEdward’sdeathmadenoadditiontotheirfortune，forhehaddivestedhimselfofhispropertyduringhislifetime，andchieflyintheirfavour。Ratcliffe，hissoleconfidant，diedatagoodoldage，butwithoutevernamingtheplacetowhichhismasterhadfinallyretired，orthemannerofhisdeath，ortheplaceofhisburial。Itwassupposedthatonalltheseparticularshispatronhadenjoinedhimstrictsecrecy。
ThesuddendisappearanceofElshiefromhisextraordinaryhermitagecorroboratedthereportswhichthecommonpeoplehadspreadconcerninghim。Manybelievedthat，havingventuredtoenteraconsecratedbuilding，contrarytohispactionwiththeEvilOne，hehadbeenbodilycarriedoffwhileonhisreturntohiscottage；butmostareofopinionthatheonlydisappearedforaseason，andcontinuestobeseenfromtimetotimeamongthehills。Andretaining，accordingtocustom，amorevividrecollectionofhiswildanddesperatelanguage，thanofthebenevolenttendencyofmostofhisactions，heisusuallyidentifiedwiththemalignantdemoncalledtheManoftheMoors，whosefeatswerequotedbyMrs。Elliottohergrandsons；and，accordingly，isgenerallyrepresentedasbewitchingthesheep，causingtheewestoKEB，thatis，tocasttheirlambs，orseenlooseningtheimpendingwreathofsnowtoprecipitateitsweightonsuchastakeshelter，duringthestorm，beneaththebankofatorrent，orundertheshelterofadeepglen。Inshort，theevilsmostdreadedanddeprecatedbytheinhabitantsofthatpastoralcountry，areascribedtotheagencyoftheBLACKDWARF。