“Well,” thought Ramsay, as he was busy with his toilet, “here I am safe lodged at last, and everything appears as if it would prosper.  There is something in my position which my mind revolts at, but stratagem is necessary in war.  I am in the enemy’s camp to save my own life, and to serve the just cause.  It is no more than what they attempt to do with us.  It is my duty to my lawful sovereign, but still I do not like it.  Then the more merit in performing a duty so foreign to my inclinations.”

Such were the thoughts of Ramsay, who like other manly and daring dispositions, was dissatisfied with playing the part of a deceiver, although he had been selected for the service, and his selection had been approved of at the Court of St Germains.

Open warfare would have suited him better; but he would not repine at what he considered he was bound in fealty to perform, if required, although he instinctively shrank from it.  His toilet was complete, and Ramsay descended into the reception-room:  he had been longer than usual, but probably that was because he wished to commune with himself; or it might be, because he had been informed that there was a young lady in the house.

The room was empty when Ramsay entered it, and he took the advice of his host, and amused himself by examining the pictures, and other articles of virtu, with which the room was filled.

At last, having looked at everything, Ramsay examined a splendid clock on the mantelpiece, before a fine glass, which mounted to the very top of the lofty room, when, accidentally casting his eyes to the looking-glass, he perceived in it that the door of the room, to which his back was turned, was open, and that a female was standing there, apparently surprised to find a stranger, and not exactly knowing whether to advance or retreat.  Ramsay remained in the same position, as if he did not perceive her, that he might look at her without her being aware of it.  It was, as he presumed, the syndic’s daughter; but how different from the person he had conjured up in his mind’s eye, when at his toilet!  Apparently about seventeen or eighteen years of age, she was rather above the height of woman, delicately formed, although not by any means thin in her person:  her figure possessing all that feminine luxuriance, which can only be obtained when the bones are small, but well covered.  Her face was oval, and brilliantly fair.  Her hair of a dark chestnut, and her eyes of a deep blue.  Her dress was simple in the extreme.  She wore nothing but the white woollen petticoats of the time, so short, as to show above her ankles, and a sort of little jacket of fine green cloth, with lappets, which descended from the waist, and opened in front.  Altogether, Ramsay thought that he had never in his life seen a young female so peculiarly attractive at first sight:  there was a freshness in her air and appearance so uncommon, so unlike the general crowd.  As she stood in a state of uncertainty, her mouth opened, and displayed small and beautifully white teeth.