Page:Jeanie Deans and the lily of St. Leonard's.pdf/18

 18 her illness. With this view he took a hasty leave of the family at St. Leonard's; and forgetting fatigue and want of refreshment in his anxiety to assist the sister of Jeanie Deans, he soon stood before the entrance to the Tolbooth. On asking permission to see Effie Deans, a warrant for his apprehension was produced, followed by his committal to the jail. He was soon afterwards called before a magistrate, and examined as to the part he had acted in the Porteous Riot, to whom he gave a minute account of all that had passed, not even omitting his interview with the stranger in the valley. His examiner seemed anxious to obtain information about this person, and asked if he thought that Jeanie Deans would attend the meeting Butler replied that he was afraid she would, and that he was appre- hensive of the consequences. The magistrate assured him that her safety would be provided for. He regretted that at present it was not in his power to set Butler at liberty, but assured him that his detention would be as short as pos- sible, and that his proper accommodation would would be attended to. As evening wore on Jeanie Deans began to prepare for her assignation, and a little before midnight, with a trembling heart, she set out for Muschat's Cairn. It was situated in the val- ley behind Salisburgh ('rags not far from St. Anthony's Chapel, and was composed of the stones which passengers had thrown on the spot, in testimony of abhorence of the wretch Nicol Muschat, who had here murdered his wife under circumstances of uncommon barearity. As she approached the unhallowed spot she stopped and looked around; when suddenly a figure rose from behind the pile, and in a hollow voice inquired