“I didn’t went you to shoot Rebecca Towner, because, next to pore Nesh, she is our best female personater, end her name, when she takes off these clowthes, is Cherley Verley.”

“So, you brocht thae villains here by deputy?”

“Yes; they hed to kem, you know, bet I didn’t know anything ebout thet boy end their plans, except in a general way.  Rebecca woun’t leave the pore fellows till they’re pretty sick.”

Bridesdale was lit up again, for nobody cared to go to bed.  The ladies came down to see that the belligerents were safe, and Miss Carmichael and her brave companions received the meed of praise and thanks their splendid services deserved.  Sorry for the injuries of the would-be robbers, and perhaps murderers, the Squire was nevertheless relieved in mind by the success of the night’s work.  In his satisfaction he entered the kitchen, and ordered late supper for his allies in that quarter.  Then he summoned Constable Rigby from the stable, bidding him bring his prisoner with him, and give him something to eat.  The constable declined to sit in a prisoner’s presence in an unofficial capacity, but had no objection to feeding him.  When, therefore, the young intruder had eaten his supper, his gaoler standing by, he was reconducted to the separate stable, handcuffed, chained, and locked in, the key being deposited in the constable’s pocket.  Then, and only then, did Mr. Rigby unbend, and, after supper, indulge with his five companions, male and female, in the improving geographical game of cards.  The dining room bell occasionally called Tryphosa away, when, as a matter of course, Timotheus played for her.  The colonel, with a cigar in his lips, and a substitute for fine old Bourbon in his hand, went up-stairs to enlighten his dear boy as to the doings of the night, and, especially as to dear Cecile’s magnificent courage.  The dominie was terribly concerned about that lady’s single-handed contest with the desperate robber, and would not be satisfied until she came in person to let him know she was not hurt in the least, that Marjorie deserved all the credit of the capture, and that the unhappy youth had seemed so taken aback by the character of his hall assailants as to be almost incapable of resistance.  The colonel smoked, and sipped, and smiled incredulously, as much as to say, You may believe this young person if you like, my dear boy, but there is somebody who knows better, and can make allowance for a young lady’s charming self-depreciation.  Mrs. Carruthers, grateful for the safety of her husband and her father, and Mrs. Carmichael, for that of her brother and Mr. Errol, were prepared to be hospitable to a degree.  The minister had another opportunity of praising the toddy which the latter lady brewed, and Mr. Perrowne said:  “It isn’t half bad, you know, but I down’t know what Miss Crimmage’s Band of Howpe would think of it, if she knew the two temperance champions were imbibing at three o’clock in the morning.”  The minister remarked