Page:History of Duncan Campbell, and his dog, Oscar (2).pdf/18



18 to Heaven for our meal, we knew what was com- ing, and began to look at each other. Duncan rose, and after we had all loaded him with our blessings and warmest wishes, he embraced my pareņts and me. He turned about. His eyes said plainly, there is somebody still wanting, but his heart was so full he could not speak. ‘What is become of Mary?' said my father: --- Mary was gone. We searched the house, the garden, and the houses of all the cottagers, but she was no where bto be found. Poor lovelorn forsaken Mary! She had hid her- self in the ancient yew that grows in front of the old ruin, that she might see her lover depart, without herself being seen and might indulge in all the luxury of woe. I must pass over Duncan's journey to the north Highlands, for want of room; but on the evening of the sixth day after leaving my father's house, he searched the mansion-house of Glenellich, which stands in a little beautiful woody strath, command- ing a view of the Deu. Caledonian Sea, and part of the Hebrides; every avenue, tree, and rock, was yet familiar to Duncan's recollection. He had, without discovering himself, learned from a peasant, that his father was still alive, but that he had never overcome the loss of his son, for whom he lamented every day, that his wife and daughter lorded it over him, holding his pleasure at nought, and ren- dering his age extremely unhappy that they had expelled all his old farmers and vassals; and intro- duced the lady's, vulgar presumptuous relations, who neither paid him rents, honour, nor obedience. Old Glenellich was taking his evening walk on the road by which Duncan descended the strath to his dwelling. He was pondering on his own