shall find me, if not more happy, at least more resigned."

"Sister," said Lady Bothwell, "if you are determined upon this
wild step, you shall not go alone. If this man be an impostor,
you may be too much agitated by your feelings to detect his
villainy. If, which I cannot believe, there be any truth in what
he pretends, you shall not be exposed alone to a communication of
so extraordinary a nature. I will go with you, if indeed you
determine to go. But yet reconsider your project, and renounce
inquiries which cannot be prosecuted without guilt, and perhaps
without danger."

Lady Forester threw herself into her sister's arms, and, clasping
her to her bosom, thanked her a hundred times for the offer of
her company, while she declined with a melancholy gesture the
friendly advice with which it was accompanied.

When the hour of twilight arrived--which was the period when the
Paduan Doctor was understood to receive the visits of those who
came to consult with him--the two ladies left their apartments in
the Canongate of Edinburgh, having their dress arranged like that
of women of an inferior description, and their plaids disposed
around their faces as they were worn by the same class; for in
those days of aristocracy the quality of the wearer was generally
indicated by the manner in which her plaid was disposed, as well
as by the fineness of its texture. It was Lady Bothwell who had
suggested this species of disguise, partly to avoid observation
as they should go to the conjurer's house, and partly in order to
make trial of his penetration, by appearing before him in a
feigned character. Lady Forester's servant, of tried fidelity,