Page:Lindigo.djvu/98

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98
LINDIGO.

have a sight of royalty; he dressed himself in complete Highland costume, of Royal Stuart Tartan, and made his way to the scene of attraction. On entering the theatre, which was crowded, he managed to obtain a seat in one of the principal boxes, and being the only person in the Highland garb, attracted a good deal of attention, notwithstanding the interest the Royal boxes created.

The Young Queen looked charmingly, accompanied by the Foreign Prince, whom some knowing ones hinted would soon stand in a nearer relationship than a cousin to her. Behind the Royal couple, and in attendance on the Prince, was Lord Lundy, who was a great favourite at Court, his noble parent holding one of the most responsible posts under the Crown.

We will now lead the reader to the Royal box, and listen to the conversation and remarks made there.

The Royal pair were apparently intently scrutinising some interesting object in the opposite box, when the Prince turned suddenly to Lord Lundy, and enquired whether he knew the young lady so handsomely dressed in that novel Highland costume?

Lord Lundy coloured deeply, and answered—"Your Highness, that lady is the daughter of my agent in the Highlands, and her name is Miss McKay."

The young Queen, who had overheard the conversation, inquired whether the lady was the "Highland Beauty" of whom she had heard so much? His Lordship answered in the affirmative, when her Majesty inquired whether the young gentleman by her side was her brother?

"He is, and an officer in your Majesty's Guards," replied his Lordship.

"I do not mean the officer, but the gentleman on the other side, dressed in the Highland costume," added her Majesty.

Lord Lundy turned pale, and, in a contemptuous tone, replied, "I beg your Majesty's pardon, that young gentleman was a tenant of mine, but I turned him off my estate for poaching; and, being a neighbour of Miss McKay's, he had the assurance to pretend to her hand, when she was obliged to leave her home to escape his