"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. I expect young Mr. Hayston of Bucklaw."
"Good heavens, madam!" ejaculated her husband. "Ravenswood to give place
to Craigengelt, a common gambler and an informer! It was all I could do
to forbear desiring the fellow to get out of my house, and I was much
surprised to see him in your ladyship's train."
"Since you saw him there, you might be well assured," answered this meek
helpmate, "that he was proper society. As to this Ravenswood, he only
meets with the treatment which, to my certain knowledge, he gave to a
much-valued friend of mine, who had the misfortune to be his guest some
time since.
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