Page:Rob Roy, the celebrated Highland freebooter, or, Memoirs of the Osbaldistone family (2).pdf/8

 played in his attack on Rashleigh, and in his combat with Thorncliffe, at the same time expressing her extreme sorrow that such an unpleasant affair had happened. Frank apologized for his behaviour, by alleging, that the provocation he received had urged him to resent it in an unguarded moment, when his passions were roused by the influence of liquor. Miss Vernon then spoke of the indiscretion with which he had treated her during dinner, and inquired if he had heard anything to lessen her in his estimation. Frank, confounded at this question, at first declined giving any reply; but she persisted in demanding an explanation, and particularly, whether Rashleigh had said any thing prejudicial to her character. However, he evaded her request, on the pretext that it was improper to disclose the subject of a private conversation, which was delivered in confidence; but she grew so importunate, that Frank at last related all that he had heard from Rashleigh. Miss Vernon, shuddering with indignation, said, that she would rather die than marry such a villain as Rashleigh; and disclosed the methods which he had employed to corrupt her moral principles in the course of her juvenile education, and the artifices he afterwards employed to seduce her. On discovering Rashleigh's intentions, she withdrew from his society, and had ever after regarded him with detestation. Frank, astonished at this disclosure, drew his sword, and was preparing to leave the room in order to take vengeance on Rashleigh, but was prevented by Miss Vernon.

In a few days after this, Rashleigh set out for London, and Frank then enjoyed the company of Diana Vernon without re- serve; and being intrusted to superintend the finishing of her education, he found her one of the most intelligent and accom- plished of her sex. Frank now endeavoured to render himself as agreeable as possible to the family at Osbaldistone Hall, and succeeded in gaining the good graces of his uncle, by assisting in settling his accounts; and he became a still greater favourite with his cousins, by joining in their amusements. As Frank was often strolling about, he occasionally took a walk into the garden, where he was much diverted with the remarks of Andrew Fairservice. One day Andrew informed him, that he had met with oncone [sic] Pate Macready, a pedlar, who told him that the affair of Morris and his portmanteau had been brought before the Parliament at Lunnan, and also, that 'Squire Inglewood, Sir Hildebrand Osbaldistone, and some other folks besides, had been mentioned; and that, after much altercation, the business had been dismissed as a false and calumnious libel. Frank expressed a wish to see Macready; which Andrew immediately gratified, by bringing him to the garden. Macready related to Frank the particulars of the trial, from which it appeared, that the depositions of Morris were so