"Take care, my lord," said Anderson, smiling; "there is danger in such
violent commendations. Allan M'Aulay, as your lordship describes him,
would prove no very safe rival."

"Pooh! pooh!" said Lord Menteith, laughing, yet blushing at the same
time; "Allan is not accessible to the passion of love; and for myself,"
said he, more gravely; "Annot's unknown birth is a sufficient reason
against serious designs, and her unprotected state precludes every
other."

"It is spoken like yourself, my lord," said Anderson.--"But I trust you
will proceed with your interesting story."

"It is wellnigh finished," said Lord Menteith; "I have only to add, that
from the great strength and courage of Allan M'Aulay, from his
energetic and uncontrollable disposition, and from an opinion generally
entertained and encouraged by himself that he holds communion with
supernatural beings, and can predict future events, the clan pay a much
greater degree of deference to him than even to his brother, who is a
bold-hearted rattling Highlander, but with nothing which can possibly
rival the extraordinary character of his younger brother."

"Such a character," said Anderson, "cannot but have the deepest effect
on the minds of a Highland host. We must secure Allan, my lord, at all
events. What between his bravery and his second sight--"

"Hush!" said Lord Menteith, "that owl is awaking."

"Do you talk of the second sight, or DEUTERO-SCOPIA?" said the soldier;