My life is in your hands; for I swear before the throne of Almighty Purity, that Soulis shall see me die rather than dishonored!" "Poor young soul!" cried the woman, looking at her frantic gestures with commiseration; "I would pity you if I durst; but I repeat, my life, and my husband's, and my children, who are now near Hermitage, would all be sacrificed to the rage of Lord Soulis.

You must be content to submit to his will." Helen closed her hands over her face in mute despair, and the woman went on: "And as for the matter of your making such lamentations about your father, if he be as little your friend as your mother is you have not much cause to grieve on that score." Helen started.

"My mother! what of her?
Speak! tell me! It is indeed her signet that betrayed me into these horrors.

She cannot have consented! Oh, no! some villians--speak! tell me what you would say of Lady Mar ?" Regardless of the terrible emotion which now shook the frame of her auditor, the woman coolly replied, she had heard from her husband, who was the confidential servant of Lord Soulis, that it was to Lady mar he owed the knowledge of Helen being at Bothwell.

The countess had written a letter to her cousin, Lord Buchan, who being a sworn friend of England, she intimated with Lord de Valence at Dumbarton.