The first object which caught his eyes was the merry countenance of Mary Grant, whom he imagined in his arms, when he turned round his astonished gaze on the form which hung so affectionately in his embrace. What was his horror on beholding, instead of Mary Grant's black ringlets, old Mary's short grey locks, which were now exposed, her cap and false locks being displaced by his own caresses, and hanging at the back of her head.
He sprung to his feet in a fit of rage and disappointment, pitching Mary Mhor on the floor, when she gave vent to yells and shrieks, which soon brought one of the servant men to the scene of disaster, and who soon explained the matter.
This man was also an admirer of Mary Grant's, although a discarded lover, and an inveterate rival of his more successful one, Donald Munro.
Having conducted the enraged Brown to his own room, where he returned him his torn livery, and supplied him with water and towel, and also some information which was not very favourable to Donald Munro.
On looking in the glass, and beholding his own painted countenance, Brown's rage know no bounds, vowing future revenge against the piper, and which were greatly aggravated by the servant's information.
CHAP. VIII.
JOHN LOM'S FAREWELL TO HIS FATHER'S COTTERS.
Little did Bella McKay know the diplomacy and vile calumnies which were carried on by Lord Lundy at the castle in order to poison her father's mind against her lover, and how successfully that unprincipled nobleman had effected his purpose in gaining his end, so far, to separate herself and Charlie Stuart.
Before her father had returned from this secret council, Bella received the following affectionate and cheering epistle from George, her brother:—
"My Dear Little Sister,—Do you know that I am in the highest pitch of ecstacy on hearing the gallant manner in which my neighbour, Charlie Stuart, has eclipsed, or, in cockney
