But I was instantly overwhelmed by the rush of a living wave.
"No, no," cried the children, throwing themselves upon me, "you must tell us what became of Rob Roy—of the Bailie—of Dougal!"
These demands came from the boys.
"And if Diana married Frank, or went to the convent?" interjected Sweetheart.
"Well," I said, "I can soon answer all these questions. Sir Frederick died soon after, but before his end he relieved his daughter from her promise to enter a convent. She married Mr. Frank Osbaldistone instead."
"And lived happy ever after?" added Maid Margaret, who was at the "fairy princess" stage of literature.
"Except when she got cross with him," commented Sir Toady, an uncompromising realist, with pessimistic views on womenkind.
"And Rob Roy held his ground among his native mountains until he died."
"Tell us about the Bailie," said Hugh John; "I liked the Bailie—he's jolly!"
I told him that he was far from being alone in that opinion.