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 of whom were beating the drum ecclesiastic in different towns between the position of Burley and the head-quarters of the main army near Hamilton."

"The purpose, I presume," said Morton, with an affectation of indifference, "was to call them hither?"

"So I understand," answered the centinel, who had spoke with the messengers.

"He is summoning a triumphant majority of the council," thought Morton to himself, "for the purpose of sanctioning whatever action of atrocity he may determine upon, and thwarting opposition by authority. I must be speedy, or I shall lose my opportunity."

When he entered the place of Lord Evandale's confinement, he found him ironed, and reclining on a flock-bed in the wretched garret of a miserable cottage. He was either in a slumber, or in deep meditation, when Morton entered, and turned on him, when aroused, a countenance. so much reduced by loss of blood, want