“Mr. Osbaldistone,” he said, in a whisper, “you have nothing to fear; I must look after those who have.  Your friends will soon be in safety.  Farewell, and forget not the MacGregor.”

He whistled; his band gathered round him, and, hurrying Diana and her father along with him, they were almost instantly lost in the glades of the forest.

The death of Rashleigh, who had threatened to challenge at law my right to Osbaldistone Hall, left me access to my inheritance without interference.  It was at once admitted that the ridiculous charge of connivance at treason was got up by an unscrupulous attorney on an affidavit made with the sole purpose of favouring Rashleigh’s views, and removing me from Osbaldistone Hall.

I learnt subsequently that the opportune appearance of MacGregor and his party was not fortuitous.  The Scottish nobles and gentry engaged in the insurrection of 1715 were particularly anxious to further the escape of Sir Frederick Vernon, who, as an old and trusted agent of the house of Stuart, was possessed of matter enough to have ruined half Scotland, and Rob Roy was the person whom they pitched upon to assist his escape.  Once at large, they found horses prepared for them, and by MacGregor’s knowledge of the country were conducted to the western sea-coast, and safely embarked for France.  From the same source I also learnt that Sir Frederick could not long survive a lingering disease, and that his daughter was placed in a convent, although it was her father’s wish she should take the veil only on her own inclination.

When these news reached me, I frankly told the state of my affections to my father.  After a little hesitation he broke out with “I little thought a son of mine should have been lord of Osbaldistone Manor, and far less that he should go to a French convent for a spouse.  But so dutiful a daughter cannot but prove a good wife.  You have worked at the desk to please me, Frank, it is but fair you should wive to please yourself.”

Long and happily I lived with Diana, and heavily I lamented her death.

Rob Roy died in old age and by a peaceful death some time about 1733, and is still remembered in his country as the Robin Hood of Scotland.

* * * * *

The Talisman

“The Talisman,” the most famous of Scott’s “Tales of the Crusaders,” was written 1824-25, when the fortunes of its author were already threatened.  The building of Abbotsford was finished, and the heavy financial losses which fell on Sir Walter, and drove him to write at a speed fatal to his genius, soon followed.  “The Talisman” and “The Fair Maid of Perth,” which appeared three years later, are the only two of the Waverley Novels published in those later years which are worthy of their author’s fame.  The Talisman itself has always been deservedly popular.  It is full of colour, mystery, plot, and counterplot, and Sir Kenneth’s