"Neither, lady mother, but a smart boat, which, in another hour, shall convey you hence, with a fair breeze and a flowing sail."
"But how?"
"I know not yet, for we have to leave this tower, and baffle the old bear, its governor, the Laird of Barncleugh."
"My son, here have we dwelt for more than two weary weeks, and never a letter nor message hath come from thee or Roland Vipont."
"Vipont is on the king's service in Douglasdale, and for fourteen days I have been a prisoner in the house of Redhall; for the other two I have been vagabondizing."
"And Jane," said Sybil, "your sister Jane?"
"Is safe, I trust; but whether with Marion Logan, at Restalrig, or with my old friend Josina, the fair prioress of St. Catherine, I cannot for the life of me say. Now, pretty rogue, at what art thou laughing?"
"At thy figure, lord earl; 'tis like the satyrs on some old tapestry; thou art quite a wild man."
"True, cousin; I am scarcely fitted for appearance at Falkland or Holyrood, or in the Hall of the Three Estates, unless it were, as it may too soon be, at the bar. But ah, Sybil, my dear Sybil, what pleasure the sound of your voice gives me! 'tis like the dream of—— Hark! what an uproar! the burning whins have alarmed old Barncleugh and all his fellows. Come now, Sabrino, my man of the earrings, a truce to these mad capers—dost thou hear me?"
Sabrino stopped a fandango which he was performing on his head and hands, and pricked up his enormous ears.