I afterwards heard that this length of arm was a circumstance on which he prided himself; that when he wore his native Highland garb, he could tie the garters of his hose without stooping; and that it gave him great advantage in the use of the broad-sword, at which he was very dexterous.

But certainly this want of symmetry destroyed the claim he might otherwise have set up, to be accounted a very handsome man; it gave something wild, irregular, and, as it were, unearthly, to his appearance, and reminded me involuntarily of the tales which Mabel used to tell of the old Picts who ravaged Northumberland in ancient times, who, according to her tradition, were a sort of half-goblin half-human beings, distinguished, like this man, for courage, cunning, ferocity, the length of their arms, and the squareness of their shoulders.
When, however, I recollected the circumstances in which we formerly met, I could not doubt that the billet was most probably designed for him.

He had made a marked figure among those mysterious personages over whom Diana seemed to exercise an influence, and from whom she experienced an influence in her turn.

It was painful to think that the fate of a being so amiable was involved in that of desperadoes of this man's description;--yet it seemed impossible to doubt it.

Of what use, however, could this person be to my father's affairs ?--I could think only of one.
Rashleigh Osbaldistone had, at the instigation of Miss Vernon, certainly found means to produce Mr.Campbell when his presence was necessary to exculpate me from Morris's accusation--Was it not possible that her influence, in like manner, might prevail on Campbell to produce Rashleigh?
Speaking on this supposition, I requested to know where my dangerous kinsman was, and when Mr.Campbell had seen him.