Bonnie Prince Charlie

he next time she went out, entered Madam Vipon

er?" the former asked

el from heaven, with a special message to her,

!" Ronald exclaimed, taking her hand.

ng as Ronald, in his delight, threw his arms round

ior. And now," he went on eagerly, "is all arranged? See, I have brought a

w I said I would take your message, but that

hat having gone so far you would do t

o. Well, then, it is all arranged. At eleven o'clock tonight you are to be on the terrace, and you can expect her there. If she

dly nod at Ronald, and an injunction to be as noiseless as a mouse in climbing up the terrace, and above

red from the various windows and the sounds which came across the water ceased, and by ten o'clock everything was profoundly still. They had, in the course of the afternoon, hired a boat, saying they were going out for a night's fishing. This they h

t, and they had no fear, at that hour, of discovery. There was no moon, but the night was bright and clear

by Malcolm. The convent itself could not be seen, for a screen of trees at the foot of the wall shut it off from the view of people on the opposite bank of the river. They waited quietly until a sudden peal of the bells of the numerous churches anno

cry of "Mother!" Ronald spr

word was spoken, and th

now, my son," she said, recovering herself, "tell

atal day when he was seized; but I am convinced that he is still al

at with yo

and took me away with him to Scotland the day my father was arrested. He h

s advanced

guessed that it was to you that my husband had confided the care of the child when I learned that it ha

m I that I have been able to befriend his son and to bring him back to yo

eat upon a bench. "It gets light very early, and you must not

t the principal thing of all. How are we to obtain your freedom? Cannot you arrange to escape with us? I do not, of course, mean tonight, for we have nothing prepared, and, moreover, I promised Jeanne that there should be no attempt at escape;

at any rate so long as my father lives. At his death doubtless there will be some change, for as heiress to his estates my existence must be in some way recognized, and my family may be enabled to obtain my release when his powerful opposition is removed; if not, it will be time to take the idea of flight into consideration; till then I remain here. Now that I have seen you, now that I know you as you are, for I can just make out your face by the light of the

mother and son half an hour together. Wh

now we must part." She had already refused to accede to

would be sure to occur which would lead to discovery, and bring ruin upon all our plans. It is hard to say no, and to

er," Ronald said. "It is no easy matter t

you must take off your boots--the print of a man's footstep in the garden would r

stening of the rope inside and let the ladder drop down to them. Five minutes later Ronald descended the rope into the river. Malcolm shifted the grapnel so that it caught only on the edge of the parapet and could be shaken off fro

list of the noble families to which she was related, with notes as to those persons of whom she had seen mo

show you how grateful I am. I should so like to give you some souvenir,

accept them from you. I have done what I have done because I pitied your mother and yo

oubt that the lady superior can absolve you from your engagements should you at any time wish to go back to the world; if so, and if I am st

indly to me than he used to, and even said that he missed me; and I hear that the miller has found someone who will put up with him for the sake of his money. I shouldn't be surprised if, when that c

who had been so long lost to him. On arriving at Paris they found that Colonel Hume's regiment had returned to the capital. It was not expected that there would at present be any further fighting on th

th a lady closely imprisoned in a convent. Why, Anderson, it is plain now that your talents have been lost, and that you ought to have been a diplomatist instead of wasting your time as

sir, to ascertain where

to secrecy, and even if we could get at one or two of them, which would be difficult enough, we could hope for no more. Nor would it be much satisfaction to you merely to know in which prison your father is lying, for it is a very different matter to communicate with a prisoner in one of the royal fortresses to pass

grandfather?"

man abo

nty years yet!" Ronal

shal Saxe. Nothing could be more opportune. We are to form part of the expedition, with several other Scottish regiments. You are too young as yet for me to ask for a commission for you, but if you like I will enroll you as a gentleman volunteer; in this way you may have an opportunity of distinguishing yourself. I will introduce you to the Chevalier, and it may be that if he succeed

for my father now, and your plan gives at least a prospect of success. In any case nothing will give me s

the regiment, and indeed is one in all respects except that he draws no pay. My purse will be at your disposal. Do not show a

mple funds. Malcolm carried off with me a bag with a hundred louis, and up to the day when I landed in France these had never

f it is necessary at any time, you can, after a word with me, lay aside your uniform and go about your affair

son of an old friend of his, who was joining the regiment as a gentleman volunteer. Malcolm joined only in the capacity of Ronald's servant

ing to do save to polish up your arms and your equipment. Your horse will be looked after by a trooper so long as you are with the regiment. I shall call you in the morning, get your cup of chocolate, and prepare your dinner when you do not dine abroad, carry

t that his name was Leslie, and that he was accompanied by Malcolm, who was known to many of the old soldiers as being devoted to their former colone

ed by the men as to Leslie's identity was shared by the officers. The avoidance by Ronald of any allusion to his family, his declining when he first came among them to say to which branch of the Leslies he belonged, and the decided manner in which Colonel Hume, the first time the question was broached in his hearing in Ronald'

, while a large number of men of war and transports were gathered in the port. One day, when Ronal

at group at the opposite corner; look at him well, for he is your father's greatest

and of from forty to forty-five years of age. His features were regular and handsome; but in his thin straight eyebrows, the curl of his lip

said when he had passed on. "I

f being a good soldier, though I know that he was considered a harsh and unfeeling officer by the men who served under him. That is the man, Ronald, and if you could get six i

en he is," Ronald said hotly,

any officer in the regiment. But at present it were madness to quarrel with the duke; you have everything to lose and nothing to gain. If he killed you there would be an end of you and your plans; if you k

the various schools of arms and learn every trick of the sword that is to be taught. Look!" he went on, as a group of mounted officers rode down the street; "t

sease, and as if scarce strong enough to sit on his horse; but there was still a fire in his eye, and as he uttered a joke to an officer ridin

Kent was in consequence unguarded. Orders were instantly given that the troops should embark on board the transports, and as fast as these were filled they set sail. The embarkatio

no means easy task, as the vessel was rolling heavily at her mooring. "The wind is rising every mo

was blowing a tremendous gale, which continued for three days. Several of the transports dragged their anchors and were washed ashore

intervals at the various French ports. The blow was too heavy to be repaired. The English fleet had again returned to the coast, and were on the lookout to inte

to join the army in Flanders, and the Scotch Drago

l told him that it would be hopeless to make any efforts for the release of his father as long as the Marquis de Recambours remained alive and high in favour at court, and that any movement in that direction would be likely to do harm rath

ad, however, refused to meet him again on the terrace, saying that in spite of the love she had for him, and her desire to se

took Ronald and introduced him to him, having previously interested the marshal by relating his history

ords in fighting his enemies, we have but little influence at court. I promise you, however, that after the first great victory I win I will ask the release of your father as a personal favour from the king, on the ground that he was an old comrade of mine. I can only hope, for your sake, that the marquis, your grandfather, may have departed this world

mise, but said that at present he would rather remain as

as Colonel Hume tells me you once thought of for obtaining the release of your father. Success will be all but i

of the king by relating the circumstances to him, for a short time after Ronald's interview with the marshal the marquis came

bouring in your regiment an imposter, who claims to be my

f any reason why I should not admit the son of a Scottish gentleman into my regiment, even though he happen to be a

uddenly attacked in a narrow street by six men. Malcolm was with him, for Colonel Hume had at once related

ere anywhere for you to go I should advise you to leave Paris at once; but nowhere in France would you be safe f

mined to watch more carefully than ever over his safety,

tern was dimly burning, Malcolm's sword was out, and before the assaila

skill he could hold his own against the best swordsman in the regiment. The men were for a moment checked by the fall of their leader; but then seeing that they had opposed to them only one man, and another whom they regarded as a lad, scarcely to be taken into consideration, they rushed upon them. They w

nst a door post disabled, the two remaining ruffians took to their heels and f

asily as he imagined. I should be only giving you what you deserve if I were to pass my swo

communicated to Colone

rontier at once. That is the marquis's doing, no doubt. He thought to get rid of you last night and to punish me this morning; but he has fai