Page:Scott - Tales of my Landlord - 3rd series, vol. 2 - 1819.djvu/277

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
THE BRIDE OF LAMMERMOOR.
267

noble patron an assurance of his own total indifference as to every species of accommodation, and his determination to see the tower of Wolf's Crag. His ancestor, he said, had been feasted there, when he went forward with the then Lord Ravenswood to the fatal battle of Flodden, in which they both fell. Thus hard pressed, the Master offered to ride forward to get matters put in such preparation, as time and circumstances admitted; but the Marquis protested, his kinsman must afford him his company, and would only consent that an avant-courier should carry to the destined Seneschal, Caleb Balderstone, the unexpected news of this invasion.

The Master of Ravenswood soon after accompanied the Marquis in his carriage, as the latter had proposed; and when they became better acquainted in the progress of the journey, his noble relation explained the very liberal views which he entertained for his relation's preferment, in case of the success of his own political schemes. They re-