The shouts of the party, and the winding of one or two horns, at length brought to a loop-hole, which flanked the entrance, the haggard face of an old woman.—"That's the Reiver's mother," said one of the Elliots; "she's ten times waur than himsel, and is wyted for muckle of the ill he does about the country."
"Wha are ye? What d'ye want here?" were the queries of the respectable progenitor.
"We are seeking William Græme of Westburnflat," said Earnscliff.
"He is no at hame," returned the old dame.
"When did he leave home?" pursued Earnscliff.
"I canna tell," said the portress.
"When will he return?" said Hobbie Elliot.
"I dinna ken naething about it," replied the inexorable guardian of the Keep.
"Is there any body within the tower with you?" again demanded Earnscliff.
