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AT ST. COLUMBA.
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abrupt and brief interrogatories, Lady Dulsibella, since time presses and is teeming with dangers."

"My answer shall be concise and peremptory. Death, in the most terrific form, would be more welcome than the fate you denounce. Speak, sir, explicitly and without ceremony. Be assured I have foresight to perceive and dread the worst, yet shall not want courage to act as duty and prudence may require."

"Spoken in the living spirit of the defunct magnanimous Baroness! Then, lady, invoke her spirit while you peruse this epistle."

The packet came from the Earl of Murray. He counselled and exhorted Dulsibella to accept the guardian protection of the venerable descendant of Ercildoun, who was pledged to conduct her in safety. The Earl told her, a small but potent fleet awaited to waft her to his domains. Three ladies of honour and several female attendants were on board of the ship fitted up for her reception; and his Lordship admonished her to remember, that flight would not only save herself from disastrous nuptials, but likewise extricate her father from the consequences of a detected correspondence with the enemies of Scotland. The cheeks of Dulsibella grew pale as her snowy neck and arms, and tears trembled on her long eyelashes.

In a voice that vibrated on all her nerves,