Page:Rob Roy, the celebrated Highland freebooter, or, Memoirs of the Osbaldistone family (2).pdf/22

 One morning, before Mr Osbaldistone and Frank had left Glasgow, they were alarmed by Andrew Fairservice bursting into the parlour, to communicate the intelligence of a rebellion bavinghaving [sic] broken out in the West Highlands to restore King James; that the clans had all risen to a mau, and that Rob Roy and all his petticoat bands would be there in twenty-four hours. Andrew's news was not without foundation, for it proved to be the beginning of the great Rebellion of 1715, which was headed by the Earl of Mar, and involved in ruin so many noblemen and gentlemen, both in Scotland and England. The rebellion having extended to England, Frank's uncle, Sir Hildebrand, joined the insurgents; but, lest bishis [sic] estates should be confiscated, he left it to all his sons in succession, except Rashleigh, whom he cut off with a shilling; and, in the event of their death, it was to descend to Frank. It is somewhat strange, that all Sir Hildebrand's sons died, or were killed; a short time afterwards. By his uncle's will Frank succeeded to Osbaldistone Hall, and he set off, attended by Andrew Fairservice; but, as his right to {{SIC|tbe|the property was disputed by Rashleigh, before going there, be called on his old friend Justice Inglewood, the holder of his uncle's original will, from whom he met with a kind reception. The will being produced after dinner, Frank found that every thing was correct, and when they had drank a few glasses, the Justice insisted on a bumper to Miss Vernon's health, which led to some conversation about that lady. From him Frank learned, that it was Diana's father, Sir Frederick {{SIC|Vernou|Vernon}}, who accompanied her to the Highlands, and who had assumed the {{SIC|disgnise|disguise}} of Father Vaughan at Osbaldistone Hall: that he was a rigid Roman Catholic, and had formerly been tried and condemned for high treason; but he made his escape to France, and a report of his death was circulated, which every one believed, until he returned to Britain as the agent of King James: that Rashleigh, being privy to Sir Frederick's concealment, kept poor Diana in awe lest he should betray him to government that her father had solemnly engaged to Sir Hildebrand that she should either marry one of his sons or take the veil, and she had positively refused to marry any one of her cousins. The loss of Diana, together with the wresting the property of Osbaldistone and Company from him, had so irritated Rashleigh, that he deserted the cause of the rebels, and turned informer.

Frank having heard that Rashleigh was at Mr Jobson's house, in the neighbourhood, he, next morning, accompanied by Andrew Fairservice, directed his course to Osbaldistone Hall; and on drawing near it, the recollection that all its late inhabitants were buried in the grave, excited in his mind those melancholy feelings which local associations leave of those who are no more. {{SIC|Wben|When}} they reached the Hall, Andrew knocked loudly at the door, at which the aged butler, appeared, and inquired their business.