The garden, surrounded, as we have said, upon two sides, by the buildings of the palace, was commanded, of course, by the windows of many apartments, but there was a sort of grotto of rock work, which the Chaplain had shown Durward with much complacency.

To snatch up the billet, thrust it into his bosom, and hie to this place of secrecy, was the work of a single minute.

He there opened the precious scroll, and blessed, at the same time, the memory of the Monks of Aberbrothick, whose nurture had rendered him capable of deciphering its contents.
The first line contained the injunction, "Read this in secret,"-- and the contents were as follows: "What your eyes have too boldly said, mine have perhaps too rashly understood.

But unjust persecution makes its victims bold, and it were better to throw myself on the gratitude of one, than to remain the object of pursuit to many.

Fortune has her throne upon a rock but brave men fear not to climb.