might still be urged against your reasoning. How if, after all, it was the, as you say, fabulous Spirit of the Mountain himself who was the author of your deliverance from the masquerading robber? How if it had been my neighbour’s whim to assume my features and form, and under that guise to place you here in safety? How if I assured you that I myself have never quitted for a moment the company who are now honouring me with their presence? How if it should turn out that you were brought hither by a stranger, who himself slipped away, and left me, the true Lord Giantdale, to receive you with a hearty welcome in his place? In this way my neighbour would have avenged his offended honour, and would not be the nonentity you suppose him.”
This sally somewhat disconcerted the Countess, while the young ladies laid down their forks in astonishment, and looked earnestly at his Lordship, endeavouring to read in his countenance whether he were in jest or earnest. The solution of this problem was interrupted by the arrival of John and the postillion, who had been brought back by the horsemen sent in search of them. The postillion was delighted to find his four horses in the castle stables; while John had like to have died with joy when, on entering the banquet room, he found his mistresses seated at table. He bore in triumph the
