"Oh! hush, Annie," whispered Lilian, for the name of Claverhouse was seldom mentioned but with studied respect and secret hatred, from the fear of his supernatural powers.
"Tush, dear Lilian! I am resolved to assert our prerogative to say whatever we have a mind to. But to return to the raid of yesterday. Had you heard Finland describing how valiantly his soldiers marched into the little hamlet, with drums beating, pikes advanced, and matches lighted, driving wives and weans and cocks and hens before them, you would (like me) have felt severely that the brave cavaliers of Dunbarton, les Gardes Ecossais of Arran and Aubigne, the stout hearts that stormed the towers of Oppenheim, had come to so low a pass now. If ever Finland goes on another such barns-breaking errand, I vow he shall never come into my presence again!"
"Under favour, fair Annie," said Walter laughingly, "your heart would soon relent; for I know you to be a true cavalier-dame, notwithstanding all this severe raillery."
"I have heard her say quite as much to the Earl of Perth--what dost think of that, Walter?" said Lilian.
"It is more than the boldest of our Barons dared have done in these degenerate days; but he would find how impossible it is to be displeased with you, fair Annie. How is it, Madam Lilian, that you do not in some way assist me against the raillery of your gossip? Her waggery is very smarting, I assure you."
Ere Lilian could speak, the clear voice of Annie interrupted her by exclaiming--
"Aha, Mr. Fenton, you have dropped something from the breast of that superbly pinked vest of yours--is it a tag, a tassel, or what?"
"I know not," he muttered hurriedly, putting his hand in the breast of his coat.
"Oh, I have it! I have it!" added Annie, springing forward and picking something up. "'Tis here--on my honour a glove!"
"A lady's--it fell from his breast," said Lilian in a breathless voice.
"Of beautiful point lace--one of yours, gossip Lilian? O brave!--ha! ha!"
"Mine--mine, said you?" Lilian's voice faltered; she grew pale and red alternately, while adding, with an air of confusion, "You are jesting as usual, you daft lassie. Oh, surely 'tis a mistake!"
"Judge for yourself, love. I saw you mark it: here are your initials worked in beads of blue and silver."