'Black-haired, black-eyed, with a peaked black beard,' said the child, 'and many a fold of pearling round his neck, and hanging down his breast ower his breastplate; and he had a beautiful hawk, with silver bells, standing on his left hand, with a crimson silk hood upon its head'
'Ask her no more questions, for the love of God,' said the anxious menial to Elspeth, 'but look to my leddy!' But the Lady of Avenel, taking Mary in her hand, turned hastily away, and, walking into the hall, gave them no opportunity of remarking in what manner she received the child's communication, which she thus cut short. What Tibb thought of it, appeared from her crossing herself repeatedly, and whispering into Elspeth's ear, 'Saint Mary preserve us! the lassie has seen her father!'
When they reached the hall, they found the lady holding her daughter on her knee, and kissing her repeatedly. When they entered, she again arose, as if to shun observation, and retired to the little apartment where her child and she occupied the same bed.
The boys were also sent to their cabin, and no one remained by the hall fire save the faithful Tibb and Dame Elspeth, excellent persons both, and as thorough gossips as ever wagged a tongue.
It was but natural that they should instantly resume the subject of the supernatural appearance, for such they deemed it, which had this night alarmed the family.
'I could hae wished it had been the deil himself—be good to and preserve us!—rather than Christie o' the Clinthill,' said the matron of the mansion, 'for the word runs rife in the country that he is ane of the maist masterfu' thieves ever lap on horse.'
'Hout-tout, Dame Elspeth,' said Tibb, 'fear ye naething frae Christie; tods keep their ain holes clean. You kirkfolk make sic a fasherie about men shifting a wee bit for their living! Our Border-lairds would ride with few men at their back, if a' the light-handed lads were out o' gate.'
'Better they rade wi' nane than distress the country-side the gate they do,' said Dame Elspeth.
'But wha is to haud back the Southron, then,' said Tibb, 'if ye take away the lances and broadswords? I trow we
