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AT ST. COLUMBA.
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honoured in becoming her mode of conveyance to the shore. With the agile grace of early manhood the sage vaulted upon a war-horse; a sword glittered in his hand, and his followers marched on all sides with their weapons unsheathed. They soon overtook Alice, mounted on a pad behind the messenger who first approached the castle. They journeyed all the night, and about daybreak hailed the maritime power of the Earl of Murray. On board of the largest ship the Lady Dulsibella was introduced to three noble matrons, the near relatives of her mother. Ten days of light winds and sunny weather brought the vessel to anchor in sight of Lord Murray's castle. During the voyage no gentleman was privileged to enter the cabin occupied by the ladies, except the sage. Dulsibella found in him an active and sympathizing assistant, while attending those suffering from sea-sickness. Even the waiting-damsels were in want of kind offices, in place of being helpful to the noble ladies; and our heroine, with her venerable companion, insensibly slided into close intimacy, as they ministered to their shipmates. The state of feverish excitement which prevailed in Dulsibella's feelings, repelled every uneasy physical sensation; and while by soothing converse he drew the sting from her afflictive impressions, it seemed to her as if his presence supplied to her every