"Thyfather，"repliedtheDwarf，"hasbeen，andis，mymostbitterenemy。Butfearnot；thyvirtueshallsavehim。Andnow，begone；wereItokeeptheelongerbyme，ImightagainfallintothestupiddreamsconcerninghumanworthfromwhichIhavebeensofearfullyawakened。Butfearnothing——attheveryfootofthealtarIwillredeemthee。Adieu，timepresses，andImustact！"
Heledhertothedoorofthehut，whichheopenedforherdeparture。Sheremountedherhorse，whichhadbeenfeedingintheouterenclosure，andpressedhimforwardbythelightofthemoon，whichwasnowrising，tothespotwhereshehadleftRatcliffe。
"Haveyousucceeded？"washisfirsteagerquestion。
"Ihaveobtainedpromisesfromhimtowhomyousentme；buthowcanhepossiblyaccomplishthem？"
"ThankGod！"saidRatcliffe；"doubtnothispowertofulfilhispromise。"
Atthismomentashrillwhistlewasheardtoresoundalongtheheath。
"Hark！"saidRatcliffe，"hecallsme——MissVere，returnhome，andleaveunboltedthepostern-doorofthegarden；tothatwhichopensontheback-stairsIhaveaprivatekey。"
Asecondwhistlewasheard，yetmoreshrillandprolongedthanthefirst。
"Icome，Icome，"saidRatcliffe；andsettingspurstohishorse，rodeovertheheathinthedirectionoftheRecluse’shut。MissVerereturnedtothecastle，themettleoftheanimalonwhichsherode，andherownanxietyofmind，combiningtoaccelerateherjourney。
SheobeyedRatcliffe’sdirections，thoughwithoutwellapprehendingtheirpurpose，andleavingherhorseatlargeinapaddocknearthegarden，hurriedtoherownapartment，whichshereachedwithoutobservation。Shenowunboltedherdoor，andrangherbellforlights。Herfatherappearedalongwiththeservantwhoansweredhersummons。
"Hehadbeentwice，"hesaid，"listeningatherdoorduringthetwohoursthathadelapsedsincehelefther，and，nothearingherspeak，hadbecomeapprehensivethatshewastakenill。"
"Andnow，mydearfather，"shesaid，"permitmetoclaimthepromiseyousokindlygave；letthelastmomentsoffreedomwhichIamtoenjoybeminewithoutinterruption；andprotracttothelastmomenttherespitewhichisallowedme。"
"Iwill，"saidherfather；"norshallyoubeagaininterrupted。
Butthisdisordereddress——thisdishevelledhair——donotletmefindyouthuswhenIcallonyouagain；thesacrifice，tobebeneficial，mustbevoluntary。"
"Mustitbeso？"shereplied；"thenfearnot，myfather！thevictimshallbeadorned。"
CHAPTERXVII。
Thislooksnotlikeanuptial。MUCHADOABOUTNOTHING。
ThechapelinthecastleofEllieslaw，destinedtobethesceneofthisill-omenedunion，wasabuildingofmucholderdatethanthecastleitself，thoughthatclaimedconsiderableantiquity。
BeforethewarsbetweenEnglandandScotlandhadbecomesocommonandofsuchlongduration，thatthebuildingsalongbothsidesoftheBorderwerechieflydedicatedtowarlikepurposes，therehadbeenasmallsettlementofmonksatEllieslaw，adependency，itisbelievedbyantiquaries，ontherichAbbeyofJedburgh。Theirpossessionshadlongpassedawayunderthechangesintroducedbywarandmutualravage。Afeudalcastlehadarisenontheruinoftheircells，andtheirchapelwasincludedinitsprecincts。
Theedifice，initsroundarchesandmassivepillars，thesimplicityofwhichreferredtheirdatetowhathasbeencalledtheSaxonarchitecture，presentedatalltimesadarkandsombreappearance，andhadbeenfrequentlyusedasthecemeteryofthefamilyofthefeudallords，aswellasformerlyofthemonasticbrethren。Butitlookeddoublygloomybytheeffectofthefewandsmokytorcheswhichwereusedtoenlightenitonthepresentoccasion，andwhich，spreadingaglareofyellowlightintheirimmediatevicinity，weresurroundedbeyondbyaredandpurplehaloreflectedfromtheirownsmoke，andbeyondthatagainbyazoneofdarknesswhichmagnifiedtheextentofthechapel，whileitrendereditimpossiblefortheeyetoascertainitslimits。
Someinjudiciousornaments，adoptedinhastefortheoccasion，ratheraddedtothedrearinessofthescene。Oldfragmentsoftapestry，tornfromthewallsofotherapartments，hadbeenhastilyandpartiallydisposedaroundthoseofthechapel，andmingledinconsistentlywithscutcheonsandfuneralemblemsofthedead，whichtheyelsewhereexhibited。Oneachsideofthestonealtarwasamonument，theappearanceofwhichformedanequallystrangecontrast。Ontheonewasthefigure，instone，ofsomegrimhermit，ormonk，whohaddiedintheodourofsanctity；hewasrepresentedasrecumbent，inhiscowlandscapulaire，withhisfaceturnedupwardasintheactofdevotion，andhishandsfolded，fromwhichhisstringofbeadswasdependent。Ontheothersidewasatomb，intheItaliantaste，composedofthemostbeautifulstatuarymarble，andaccountedamodelofmodernart。
ItwaserectedtothememoryofIsabella’smother，thelateMrs。
VereofEllieslaw，whowasrepresentedasinadyingposture，whileaweepingcherub，witheyesaverted，seemedintheactofextinguishingadyinglampasemblematicofherspeedydissolution。Itwas，indeed，amasterpieceofart，butmisplacedintherudevaulttowhichithadbeenconsigned。Manyweresurprised，andevenscandalized，thatEllieslaw，notremarkableforattentiontohisladywhilealive，shoulderectafterherdeathsuchacostlymausoleuminaffectedsorrow；othersclearedhimfromtheimputationofhypocrisy，andaverredthatthemonumenthadbeenconstructedunderthedirectionandatthesoleexpenseofMr。Ratcliffe。
Beforethesemonumentstheweddingguestswereassembled。Theywerefewinnumber；formanyhadleftthecastletopreparefortheensuingpoliticalexplosion，andEllieslawwas，inthecircumstancesofthecase，farfrombeingdesiroustoextendinvitationsfartherthantothosenearrelationswhosepresencethecustomofthecountryrenderedindispensable。NexttothealtarstoodSirFrederickLangley，dark，moody，andthoughtful，evenbeyondhiswont，andnearhim，Mareschal，whowastoplaythepartofbridesman，asitwascalled。Thethoughtlesshumourofthisyounggentleman，onwhichheneverdeignedtoplacetheleastrestraint，addedtothecloudwhichoverhungthebrowofthebridegroom"Thebrideisnotyetcomeoutofherchamber，"hewhisperedtoSirFrederick；"ItrustthatwemustnothaverecoursetotheviolentexpedientsoftheRomanswhichIreadofatCollege。Itwouldbeharduponmyprettycousintoberunawaywithtwiceintwodays，thoughIknownonebetterworthsuchaviolentcompliment。"
SirFrederickattemptedtoturnadeafeartothisdiscourse，hummingatune，andlookinganothermay，butMareschalproceededinthesamewildmanner。
"ThisdelayisharduponDr。Hobbler，whowasdisturbedtoacceleratepreparationsforthisjoyfuleventwhenhehadsuccessfullyextractedthecorkofhisthirdbottle。Ihopeyouwillkeephimfreeofthecensureofhissuperiors，forItakeitthisisbeyondcanonicalhours。——ButherecomeEllieslawandmyprettycousin——prettierthanever，Ithink，wereitnotsheseemssofaintandsodeadlypale——Harkye，SirKnight，ifshesaysnotYESwithrightgood-will，itshallbenowedding，forallthathascomeandgoneyet。"
"Nowedding，sir？"returnedSirFrederick，inaloudwhisper，thetoneofwhichindicatedthathisangryfeelingsweresuppressedwithdifficulty。
"No——nomarriage，"repliedMareschal，"there’smyhandandgloveon’t。"
SirFrederickLangleytookhishand，andashewrungithard，saidinalowerwhisper，"Mareschal，youshallanswerthis，"andthenflunghishandfromhim。
"ThatIwillreadilydo，"saidMareschal，"forneverwordescapedmylipsthatmyhandwasnotreadytoguarantee-So，speakup，myprettycousin，andtellmeifitbeyourfreewillandunbiassedresolutiontoacceptofthisgallantknightforyourlordandhusband；forifyouhavethetenthpartofascrupleuponthesubject，fallback，falledge，heshallnothaveyou。"
"Areyoumad，Mr。Mareschal？"saidEllieslaw，who，havingbeenthisyoungman’sguardianduringhisminority，oftenemployedatoneofauthoritytohim。"DoyousupposeIwoulddragmydaughtertothefootofthealtar，wereitnotherownchoice？"
"Tut，Ellieslaw，"retortedtheyounggentleman，"nevertellmeofthecontrary；hereyesarefulloftears，andhercheeksarewhiterthanherwhitedress。Imustinsist，inthenameofcommonhumanity，thattheceremonybeadjournedtillto-morrow。"
"Sheshalltellyouherself，thouincorrigibleintermeddlerinwhatconcernstheenot，thatitisherwishtheceremonyshouldgoon——Isitnot，Isabella，mydear？"
"Itis，"saidIsabella，halffainting——"sincethereisnohelp，eitherinGodorman。"
Thefirstwordalonewasdistinctlyaudible。Mareschalshruggeduphisshouldersandsteppedback。Ellieslawled，orrathersupported，hisdaughtertothealtar。SirFrederickmovedforwardandplacedhimselfbyherside。Theclergymanopenedhisprayer-book，andlookedtoMr。Vereforthesignaltocommencetheservice。
"Proceed，"saidthelatter。
Butavoice，asifissuingfromthetombofhisdeceasedwife，called，insuchloudandharshaccentsasawakenedeveryechointhevaultedchapel，"Forbear！"
Allweremuteandmotionless，tilladistantrustle，andtheclashofswords，orsomethingresemblingit，washeardfromtheremoteapartments。Itceasedalmostinstantly。
"Whatnewdeviceisthis？"saidSirFrederick，fiercely，eyeingEllieslawandMareschalwithaglanceofmalignantsuspicion。
"Itcanbebutthefrolicofsomeintemperateguest，"saidEllieslaw，thoughgreatlyconfounded；"wemustmakelargeallowancesfortheexcessofthisevening’sfestivity。Proceedwiththeservice。"
Beforetheclergymancouldobey，thesameprohibitionwhichtheyhadbeforeheard，wasrepeatedfromthesamespot。Thefemaleattendantsscreamed，andfledfromthechapel；thegentlemenlaidtheirhandsontheirswords。Erethefirstmomentofsurprisehadpassedby，theDwarfsteppedfrombehindthemonument，andplacedhimselffullinfrontofMr。Vere。Theeffectofsostrangeandhideousanapparitioninsuchaplaceandinsuchcircumstances，appalledallpresent，butseemedtoannihilatetheLairdofEllieslaw，who，droppinghisdaughter’sarm，staggeredagainstthenearestpillar，and，claspingitwithhishandsasifforsupport，laidhisbrowagainstthecolumn。
"Whoisthisfellow？"saidSirFrederick；"andwhatdoeshemeanbythisintrusion？"
"Itisonewhocomestotellyou，"saidtheDwarf，withthepeculiaracrimonywhichusuallymarkedhismanner，"that，inmarryingthatyounglady，youwedneithertheheiressofEllieslaw，norofMauleyHall，norofPolverton，norofonefurrowofland，unlessshemarrieswithMYconsent；andtotheethatconsentshallneverbegiven。Down——downonthyknees，andthankHeaventhatthouartpreventedfromweddingqualitieswithwhichthouhastnoconcern——portionlesstruth，virtue，andinnocence——thou，baseingrate，"hecontinued，addressinghimselftoEllieslaw，"whatisthywretchedsubterfugenow？Thou，whowouldstsellthydaughtertorelievetheefromdanger，asinfaminethouwouldsthaveslainanddevouredhertopreservethyownvilelife！——Ay，hidethyfacewiththyhands；wellmaystthoublushtolookonhimwhosebodythoudidstconsigntochains，hishandtoguilt，andhissoultomisery。Savedoncemorebythevirtueofherwhocallstheefather，gohence，andmaythepardonandbenefitsIconferontheeproveliteralcoalsoffire，tillthybrainissearedandscorchedlikemine！"
Ellieslawleftthechapelwithagestureofmutedespair。
"Followhim，HubertRatcliffe，"saidtheDwarf，"andinformhimofhisdestiny。Hewillrejoice——fortobreatheairandtohandlegoldistohimhappiness，"
"Iunderstandnothingofallthis，"saidSirFrederickLangley；
"butwearehereabodyofgentlemeninarmsandauthorityforKingJames；andwhetheryoureally，sir，bethatSirEdwardMauley，whohasbeensolongsupposeddeadinconfinement，orwhetheryoubeanimpostorassuminghisnameandtitle，wewillusethefreedomofdetainingyou，tillyourappearancehere，atthismoment，isbetteraccountedfor；wewillhavenospiesamongus——Seizeonhim，myfriends。"
Butthedomesticsshrunkbackindoubtandalarm。SirFrederickhimselfsteppedforwardtowardstheRecluse，asiftolayhandsonhisperson，whenhisprogresswassuddenlystoppedbytheglitteringpointofapartisan，whichthesturdyhandofHobbieElliotpresentedagainsthisbosom。
"I’llgardaylightshinethroughye，ifyeoffertosteerhim！"
saidthestoutBorderer；"standback，orI’llstrikeyethrough！
NaebodyshalllayafingeronElshie；he’sacannyneighbourlyman，ayereadytomakeafriendhelp；and，thoughyemaythinkhimalamiter，yet，grippieforgrippie，friend，I’llwadawetherhe’llmakethebluidspinfraeunderyournails。He’sateughcarleElshie！hegripslikeasmith’svice。"
"Whathasbroughtyouhere，Elliot？"saidMareschal；"whocalledonyouforinterference？"
"Troth，Mareschal-Wells，"answeredHobbie，"Iamjustcomehere，wi’twentyorthrettymairo’us，inmyainnameandtheKing’s——orQueen’s，ca’theyher？andCannyElshie’sintothebargain，tokeepthepeace，andpaybacksomeillusageEllieslawhasgienme。Abonnybreakfasttheloonsgaemetheithermorning，andhimatthebottomon’t；andtrowyeIwasnareadytosupperhimup？——Yeneednalayyourhandsonyourswords，gentlemen，thehouseisourswi’littledin；forthedoorswereopen，andtherehadbeenowermucklepunchamangyourfolk；wetooktheirswordsandpistolsaseasilyasyewadshielpea-cods。"
Mareschalrushedout，andimmediatelyre-enteredthechapel。
"ByHeaven！itistrue，SirFrederick；thehouseisfilledwitharmedmen，andourdrunkenbeastsarealldisarmed。Draw，andletusfightourway。"
"Binnarash——binnarash，"exclaimedHobbie；"hearmeabit，hearmeabit。Wemeanyenaeharm；but，asyeareinarmsforKingJames，asyeca’him，andtheprelates，wethoughtitrighttokeepuptheauldneighbourwar，andstandupforthet’otheraneandtheKirk；butwe’llnohurtahairo’yourheads，ifyeliketoganghamequietly。Anditwillbeyourbestway，forthere’ssurenewscomefraeLoudoun，thathimtheyca’Bang，orByng，orwhatis’t，hasbang’dtheFrenchshipsandthenewkingaffthecoasthowever；saeyehadbestbidecontentwi’auldNanseforwantofabetterQueen。"
Ratcliffe，whoatthismomententered，confirmedtheseaccountssounfavourabletotheJacobiteinterest。SirFrederick，almostinstantly，andwithouttakingleaveofanyone，leftthecastle，withsuchofhisattendantsaswereabletofollowhim。
"Andwhatwillyoudo，Mr。Mareschal？"saidRatcliffe。
"Why，faith，"answeredhe，smiling，"Ihardlyknow；myspiritistoogreat，andmyfortunetoosmall，formetofollowtheexampleofthedoughtybridegroom。Itisnotinmynature，anditishardlyworthmywhile。"
"Well，then，disperseyourmen，andremainquiet，andthiswillbeoverlooked，astherehasbeennoovertact。"
"Hout，ay，"saidElliot，"justletbyganesbebyganes，anda’
friendsagain；deilaneIbearmaliceatbutWestburnflat，andI
haegienhimbaithahetskinandacauldane。Ihadnachangedthreeblowsofthebroadswordwi’himbeforehelapthewindowintothecastle-moat，andswatteredthroughitlikeawild-duck。
He’sacleverfallow，indeed！maunkiltawawi’aebonnylassinthemorning，andanotheratnight，lesswadnaservehim！butifhedisnakilthimsellouto’thecountry，I’sekilthimwi’atow，fortheCastletonmeeting’scleanblawnower；hisfriendswillnocountenancehim。"
Duringthegeneralconfusion，Isabellahadthrownherselfatthefeetofherkinsman，SirEdwardMauley，forsowemustnowcalltheSolitary，toexpressatoncehergratitude，andtobeseechforgivenessforherfather。Theeyesofallbegantobefixedonthem，assoonastheirownagitationandthebustleoftheattendantshadsomewhatabated。MissVerekneeledbesidethetombofhermother，towhosestatueherfeaturesexhibitedamarkedresemblance。SheheldthehandoftheDwarf，whichshekissedrepeatedlyandbathedwithtears。Hestoodfixedandmotionless，exceptingthathiseyesglancedalternatelyonthemarblefigureandthelivingsuppliant。Atlength，thelargedropswhichgatheredonhiseye-lashescompelledhimtodrawhishandacrossthem。
"Ithought，"hesaid，"thattearsandIhaddone；butweshedthematourbirth，andtheirspringdriesnotuntilweareinourgraves。Butnomeltingoftheheartshalldissolvemyresolution。Iparthere，atonce，andforever，withallofwhichthememory"（lookingtothetomb），"orthepresence"（hepressedIsabella’shand），"isdeartome。——Speaknottome！
attemptnottothwartmydetermination！itwillavailnothing；
youwillhearofandseethislumpofdeformitynomore。ToyouIshallbedeadereIamactuallyinmygrave，andyouwillthinkofmeasofafrienddisencumberedfromthetoilsandcrimesofexistence。"
HekissedIsabellaontheforehead，impressedanotherkissonthebrowofthestatuebywhichsheknelt，andleftthechapelfollowedbyRatcliffe。Isabella，almostexhaustedbytheemotionsoftheday，wascarriedtoherapartmentbyherwomen。
Mostoftheotherguestsdispersed，afterhavingseparatelyendeavouredtoimpressonallwhowouldlistentothemtheirdisapprobationoftheplotsformedagainstthegovernment，ortheirregretforhavingengagedinthem。HobbieElliotassumedthecommandofthecastleforthenight，andmountedaregularguard。HeboastednotalittleofthealacritywithwhichhisfriendsandhehadobeyedahastysummonsreceivedfromElshiethroughthefaithfulRatcliffe。Anditwasaluckychance，hesaid，thatonthatverydaytheyhadgotnoticethatWestburnflatdidnotintendtokeephistrysteatCastleton，buttoholdthematdefiance；sothataconsiderablepartyhadassembledattheHeugh-foot，withtheintentionofpayingavisittotherobber’stowerontheensuingmorning，andtheircoursewaseasilydirectedtoEllieslawCastle。
CHAPTERXVIII。
——Lastsceneofall，Toclosethisstrangeeventfulhistory。ASYOULIKEIT。
Onthenextmorning，Mr。RatcliffepresentedMissVerewithaletterfromherfather，ofwhichthefollowingisthetenor：——
"MYDEARESTCHILD，Themaliceofapersecutinggovernmentwillcompelme，formyownsafety，toretreatabroad，andtoremainforsometimeinforeignparts。Idonotaskyoutoaccompany，orfollowme；youwillattendtomyinterestandyourownmoreeffectuallybyremainingwhereyouare。Itisunnecessarytoenterintoaminutedetailconcerningthecausesofthestrangeeventswhichyesterdaytookplace。IthinkIhavereasontocomplainoftheusageIhavereceivedfromSirEdwardMauley，whoisyournearestkinsmanbythemother’sside；butashehasdeclaredyouhisheir，andistoputyouinimmediatepossessionofalargepartofhisfortune，I
accountitafullatonement。Iamawarehehasneverforgiventhepreferencewhichyourmothergavetomyaddresses，insteadofcomplyingwiththetermsofasortoffamilycompact，whichabsurdlyandtyrannicallydestinedhertowedherdeformedrelative。Theshockwasevensufficienttounsettlehiswits（which，indeed，wereneverover-wellarranged），andIhad，asthehusbandofhisnearestkinswomanandheir，thedelicatetaskoftakingcareofhispersonandproperty，untilhewasreinstatedinthemanagementofthelatterbythosewho，nodoubt，thoughttheyweredoinghimjustice；although，ifsomepartsofhissubsequentconductbeexamined，itwillappearthatheought，forhisownsake，tohavebeenleftundertheinfluenceofamildandsalutaryrestraint。
"Inoneparticular，however，heshowedasenseofthetiesofblood，aswellasofhisownfrailty；forwhilehesequesteredhimselfcloselyfromtheworld，undervariousnamesanddisguises，andinsistedonspreadingareportofhisowndeath（inwhichtogratifyhimIwillinglyacquiesced），heleftatmydisposaltherentsofagreatproportionofhisestates，andespeciallyallthose，which，havingbelongedtoyourmother，revertedtohimasamalefief。Inthishemayhavethoughtthathewasactingwithextremegenerosity，while，intheopinionofallimpartialmen，hewillonlybeconsideredashavingfulfilledanaturalobligation，seeingthat，injustice，ifnotinstrictlaw，youmustbeconsideredastheheirofyourmother，andIasyourlegaladministrator。Instead，therefore，ofconsideringmyselfasloadedwithobligationstoSirEdwardonthisaccount，IthinkIhadreasontocomplainthattheseremittanceswereonlydoledouttomeatthepleasureofMr。Ratcliffe，who，moreover，exactedfrommemortgagesovermypaternalestateofEllieslawforanysumswhichIrequiredasanextraadvance；andthusmaybesaidtohaveinsinuatedhimselfintotheabsolutemanagementandcontrolofmyproperty。Or，ifallthisseemingfriendshipwasemployedbySirEdwardforthepurposeofobtainingacompletecommandofmyaffairs，andacquiringthepowerofruiningmeathispleasure，Ifeelmyself，Imustrepeat，stilllessboundbytheallegedobligation。
"Abouttheautumnoflastyear，asIunderstand，eitherhisowncrazedimagination，ortheaccomplishmentofsomesuchschemeasIhavehinted，broughthimdowntothiscountry。Hisallegedmotive，itseems，wasadesireofseeingamonumentwhichhehaddirectedtoberaisedinthechapeloverthetombofyourmother。
Mr。Ratcliffe，whoatthistimehaddonemethehonourtomakemyhousehisown，hadthecomplaisancetointroducehimsecretlyintothechapel。Theconsequence，asheinformsme，wasafrenzyofseveralhours，duringwhichhefledintotheneighbouringmoors，inoneofthewildestspotsofwhichhechose，whenhewassomewhatrecovered，tofixhismansion，andsetupforasortofcountryempiric，acharacterwhich，eveninhisbestdays，hewasfondofassuming。Itisremarkable，that，insteadofinformingmeofthesecircumstances，thatImighthavehadtherelativeofmylatewifetakensuchcareofashiscalamitousconditionrequired，Mr。Ratcliffeseemstohavehadsuchculpableindulgenceforhisirregularplansastopromiseandevenswearsecrecyconcerningthem。HevisitedSirEdwardoften，andassistedinthefantastictaskhehadtakenuponhimofconstructingahermitage。Nothingtheyappeartohavedreadedmorethanadiscoveryoftheirintercourse。
"Thegroundwasopenineverydirectionaround，andasmallsubterraneancave，probablysepulchral，whichtheirresearcheshaddetectednearthegreatgranitepillar，servedtoconcealRatcliffe，whenanyoneapproachedhismaster。Ithinkyouwillbeofopinion，mylove，thatthissecrecymusthavehadsomestrongmotive。Itisalsoremarkable，thatwhileIthoughtmyunhappyfriendwasresidingamongtheMonksofLaTrappe，heshouldhavebeenactuallyliving，formanymonths，inthisbizarredisguise，withinfivemilesofmyhouse，andobtainingregularinformationofmymostprivatemovements，eitherbyRatcliffe，orthroughWestburnflatorothers，whomhehadthemeanstobribetoanyextent。HemakesitacrimeagainstmethatIendeavouredtoestablishyourmarriagewithSirFrederick。
Iactedforthebest；butifSirEdwardMauleythoughtotherwise，whydidhenotstepmanfullyforward，expresshisownpurposeofbecomingapartytothesettlements，andtakethatinterestwhichheisentitledtoclaiminyouasheirtohisgreatproperty？
"Evennow，thoughyourrashandeccentricrelationissomewhattardyinannouncinghispurpose，Iamfarfromopposingmyauthorityagainsthiswishes，althoughthepersonhedesiresyoutoregardasyourfuturehusbandbeyoungEarnscliff；theverylastwhomIshouldhavethoughtlikelytobeacceptabletohim，consideringacertainfatalevent。ButIgivemyfreeandheartyconsent，providingthesettlementsaredrawninsuchanirrevocableformasmaysecuremychildfromsufferingbythatstateofdependence，andthatsuddenandcauselessrevocationofallowances，ofwhichIhavesomuchreasontocomplain。OfSirFrederickLangley，Iaugur，youwillhearnomore。Heisnotlikelytoclaimthehandofadowerlessmaiden。Ithereforecommityou，mydearIsabella，tothewisdomofProvidenceandtoyourownprudence，beggingyoutolosenotimeinsecuringthoseadvantages，whichtheficklenessofyourkinsmanhaswithdrawnfrommetoshoweruponyou。
"Mr。RatcliffementionedSirEdward’sintentiontosettleaconsiderablesumuponmeyearly，formymaintenanceinforeignparts；butthismyheartistooproudtoacceptfromhim。ItoldhimIhadadearchild，who，whileinaffluenceherself，wouldneversuffermetobeinpoverty。Ithoughtitrighttointimatethistohimprettyroundly，thatwhateverincreasebesettleduponyou，itmaybecalculatedsoastocoverthisnecessaryandnaturalencumbrance。IshallwillinglysettleuponyouthecastleandmanorofEllieslaw，toshowmyparentalaffectionanddisinterestedzealforpromotingyoursettlementinlife。Theannualinterestofdebtschargedontheestatesomewhatexceedstheincome，evenafterareasonablerenthasbeenputuponthemansionandmains。ButasallthedebtsareinthepersonofMr。
Ratcliffe，asyourkinsman’strustee，hewillnotbeatroublesomecreditor。AndhereImustmakeyouaware，thatthoughIhavetocomplainofMr。Ratcliffe’sconducttomepersonally，I，nevertheless，believehimajustanduprightman，withwhomyoumaysafelyconsultonyouraffairs，nottomentionthattocherishhisgoodopinionwillbethebestwaytoretainthatofyourkinsman。RemembermetoMarchie——Ihopehewillnotbetroubledonaccountoflatematters。IwillwritemorefullyfromtheContinent。Meanwhile，Irestyourlovingfather，RICHARDVERE。"
Theaboveletterthrowstheonlyadditionallightwhichwehavebeenabletoprocureupontheearlierpartofourstory。ItwasHobbie’sopinion，andmaybethatofmostofourreaders，thattheRecluseofMucklestane-Moorhadbutakindofagleaming，ortwilightunderstanding；andthathehadneitherveryclearviewsastowhathehimselfwanted，norwasapttopursuehisendsbytheclearestandmostdirectmeans；sothattoseektheclewofhisconduct，waslikened，byHobbie，tolookingforastraightpaththroughacommon，overwhichareahundreddevioustracks，butnotonedistinctlineofroad。
WhenIsabellahadperusedtheletter，herfirstenquirywasafterherfather。Hehadleftthecastle，shewasinformed，earlyinthemorning，afteralonginterviewwithMr。Ratcliffe，andwasalreadyfaronhiswaytothenextport，wherehemightexpecttofindshippingfortheContinent。
"WherewasSirEdwardMauley？"
NoonehadseentheDwarfsincetheeventfulsceneoftheprecedingevening。
"Odd，ifonythinghasbefa’enpuirElshie，"saidHobbieElliot，"IwadratherIwereharriedoweragain。"
Heimmediatelyrodetohisdwelling，andtheremainingshe-goatcamebleatingtomeethim，forhermilkingtimewaslongpast。
TheSolitarywasnowheretobeseen；hisdoor，contrarytowont，wasopen，hisfireextinguished，andthewholehutwasleftinthestatewhichitexhibitedonIsabella’svisittohim。ItwasprettyclearthatthemeansofconveyancewhichhadbroughttheDwarftoEllieslawontheprecedingevening，hadremovedhimfromittosomeotherplaceofabode。Hobbiereturneddisconsolatetothecastle。
"IamdoubtingwehaelostCannyElshieforgudean’a’。"
"Youhaveindeed，"saidRatcliffe，producingapaper，whichheputintoHobbie’shands；"butreadthat，andyouwillperceiveyouhavebeennoloserbyhavingknownhim。"
Itwasashortdeedofgift，bywhich"SirEdwardMauley，otherwisecalledElshendertheRecluse，endowedHalbertorHobbieElliot，andGraceArmstrong，infullproperty，withaconsiderablesumborrowedbyElliotfromhim。"
Hobbie’sjoywasmingledwithfeelingswhichbroughttearsdownhisroughcheeks。
"It’saqueerthing，"hesaid；"butIcannajoyinthegear，unlessIkendthepuirbodywashappythatgaveitme。"
"Nexttoenjoyinghappinessourselves，"saidRatcliffe，"istheconsciousnessofhavingbestoweditonothers。Hadallmymaster’sbenefitsbeenconferredlikethepresent，whatadifferentreturnwouldtheyhaveproduced！Buttheindiscriminateprofusionthatwouldglutavarice，orsupplyprodigality，neitherdoesgood，norisrewardedbygratitude。Itissowingthewindtoreapthewhirlwind。"
"Andthatwadbealighthar’st，"saidHobbie；"but，wi’myyoungleddie’sleave，IwadfaintakedownEishie’sskepso’bees，andsettheminGrace’sbitfloweryardattheHeugh-foot——theyshallne’erbesmeekitbyonyo’huz。Andthepuirgoat，shewouldbenegleckitaboutagreattounlikethis；andshecouldfeedbonnilyonourlilyleabytheburnside，andthehoundswadkenherinaday’stime，andneverfashher，andGracewadmilkherilkamorningwi’herainhand，forElshie’ssake；forthoughhewasthrawnandcankeredinhisconverse，helikeitdumbcreaturesweel。"
Hobbie’srequestswerereadilygranted，notwithoutsomewonderatthenaturaldelicacyoffeelingwhichpointedouttohimthismodeofdisplayinghisgratitude。HewasdelightedwhenRatcliffeinformedhimthathisbenefactorshouldnotremainignorantofthecarewhichhetookofhisfavourite。
"Andmindbesureandtellhimthatgrannieandthetitties，and，abunea’，Graceandmysell，areweelandthriving，andthatit’sa’hisdoing——thatcannabutpleasehim，anewadthink。"
AndElliotandthefamilyatHeugh-footwere，andcontinuedtobe，asfortunateandhappyashisundauntedhonesty，tenderness，andgallantrysowellmerited。
AllbarbetweenthemarriageofEarnscliffandIsabellawasnowremoved，andthesettlementswhichRatcliffeproducedonthepartofSirEdwardMauley，mighthavesatisfiedthecupidityofEllieslawhimself。ButMissVereandRatcliffethoughtitunnecessarytomentiontoEarnscliffthatonegreatmotiveofSirEdward，inthusloadingtheyoungpairwithbenefits，wastoexpiatehishaving，manyyearsbefore，shedthebloodofhisfatherinahastybrawl。Ifitbetrue，asRatcliffeasserted，thattheDwarf’sextrememisanthropyseemedtorelaxsomewhat，undertheconsciousnessofhavingdiffusedhappinessamongsomany，therecollectionofthiscircumstancemightprobablybeoneofhischiefmotivesforrefusingobstinatelyevertowitnesstheirstateofcontentment。
Mareschalhunted，shot，anddrankclaret——tiredofthecountry，wentabroad，servedthreecampaigns，camehome，andmarriedLucyIlderton。
YearsfledovertheheadsofEarnscliffandhiswife，andfoundandleftthemcontentedandhappy。TheschemingambitionofSirFrederickLangleyengagedhimintheunfortunateinsurrectionof1715。HewasmadeprisoneratPreston，inLancashire，withtheEarlofDerwentwater，andothers。Hisdefence，andthedyingspeechwhichhemadeathisexecution，maybefoundintheStateTrials。Mr。Vere，suppliedbyhisdaughterwithanampleincome，continuedtoresideabroad，engageddeeplyintheaffairofLaw’sbankduringtheregencyoftheDukeofOrleans，andwasatonetimesupposedtobeimmenselyrich。But，ontheburstingofthatfamousbubble，hewassomuchchagrinedatbeingagainreducedtoamoderateannuity（althoughhesawthousandsofhiscompanionsinmisfortuneabsolutelystarving），thatvexationofmindbroughtonaparalyticstroke，ofwhichhedied，afterlingeringunderitseffectsafewweeks。
WillieofWestburnflatfledfromthewrathofHobbieElliot，ashisbettersdidfromthepursuitofthelaw。Hispatriotismurgedhimtoservehiscountryabroad，whilehisreluctancetoleavehisnativesoilpressedhimrathertoremaininthebelovedisland，andcollectpurses，watches，andringsonthehighroadsathome。Fortunatelyforhim，thefirstimpulseprevailed，andhejoinedthearmyunderMarlborough；obtainedacommissiontowhichhewasrecommendedbyhisservicesincollectingcattleforthecommissariat；returnedhomeaftermanyyears，withsomemoney（howcomebyHeavenonlyknows），——demolishedthepeel-houseatWestburnflat，andbuilt，initsstead，ahighnarrowONSTEAD，ofthreestories，withachimneyateachend——drankbrandywiththeneighbours，whom，inhisyoungerdays，hehadplundered——diedinhisbed，andisrecordeduponhistombstoneatKirkwhistle（stillextant），ashavingplayedallthepartsofabravesoldier，adiscreetneighbour，andasincereChristian。
Mr。RatclifferesidedusuallywiththefamilyatEllieslaw，butregularlyeveryspringandautumnheabsentedhimselfforaboutamonth。Onthedirectionandpurposeofhisperiodicaljourneyheremainedsteadilysilent；butitwaswellunderstoodthathewastheninattendanceonhisunfortunatepatron。Atlength，onhisreturnfromoneofthesevisits，hisgravecountenance，anddeepmourningdress，announcedtotheEllieslawfamilythattheirbenefactorwasnomore。SirEdward’sdeathmadenoadditiontotheirfortune，forhehaddivestedhimselfofhispropertyduringhislifetime，andchieflyintheirfavour。Ratcliffe，hissoleconfidant，diedatagoodoldage，butwithoutevernamingtheplacetowhichhismasterhadfinallyretired，orthemannerofhisdeath，ortheplaceofhisburial。Itwassupposedthatonalltheseparticularshispatronhadenjoinedhimstrictsecrecy。
ThesuddendisappearanceofElshiefromhisextraordinaryhermitagecorroboratedthereportswhichthecommonpeoplehadspreadconcerninghim。Manybelievedthat，havingventuredtoenteraconsecratedbuilding，contrarytohispactionwiththeEvilOne，hehadbeenbodilycarriedoffwhileonhisreturntohiscottage；butmostareofopinionthatheonlydisappearedforaseason，andcontinuestobeseenfromtimetotimeamongthehills。Andretaining，accordingtocustom，amorevividrecollectionofhiswildanddesperatelanguage，thanofthebenevolenttendencyofmostofhisactions，heisusuallyidentifiedwiththemalignantdemoncalledtheManoftheMoors，whosefeatswerequotedbyMrs。Elliottohergrandsons；and，accordingly，isgenerallyrepresentedasbewitchingthesheep，causingtheewestoKEB，thatis，tocasttheirlambs，orseenlooseningtheimpendingwreathofsnowtoprecipitateitsweightonsuchastakeshelter，duringthestorm，beneaththebankofatorrent，orundertheshelterofadeepglen。Inshort，theevilsmostdreadedanddeprecatedbytheinhabitantsofthatpastoralcountry，areascribedtotheagencyoftheBLACKDWARF。