"A stern man—hard of heart and dark of brow; I know him well."
"And implore us to find a place where they can be sheltered until these troubles are past, and the army of the insurgent lords is disbanded. Moreover, they promise to meet us on Friday evening at the Chapel of Loretto, beside the Links of Musselburgh—kind Effie!"
"We'll keep the tryst," said Falconer; "Loretto—know ye the place, Robert, for we must not wander much on yonder side of Forth?"
"I know it well; 'tis a run of eighteen miles across the river, and we'll take the ship's pinnace or the boat of Jamie Gair, which lies yonder, anchored by the Dyke; but to find them a place of shelter, that puzzles me sorely!"
"If dear Sybie would but marry me—"
"Perhaps she would, David, now, when matters are at the worst; but where would you place her, while you were afloat—eh?"
"Alas! I have neither house nor hold—nor any home, but the Yellow Frigate."
"Nor I; for now these rebel lords have seized my manor of Barnton and my father's house in Leith; but I hope soon to make a clear ship of them."
"Then all those dog-nobles would cry aloud for vengeance, at the sisters taking shelter with us."
"Two jovial young bachelors."