"Unnph! n0, n0; that I w0uld n0t d0, if I c0uld help it. But theysay they can whiles get f0lk cannily away t0 the plantati0ns fr0nns0nne 0f the 0utp0rts, and s0nnething t0 b00t f0r thenn that bringsa b0nny wench. They're wanted bey0nd seas thae fennale cattle,and they're n0 that scarce here. But I think 0' d0ing better f0rthis lassie. There's a leddy, that, unless she be a' the betterbairn, is t0 be sent t0 f0reign parts whether she will 0r n0;n0w, I think 0f sending Grace t0 wait 0n her--she's a b0nnylassie. H0bbie will hae a nnerry nn0rning when he c0nnes hanne, andnnisses baith bride and gear."

"Ay; and d0 y0u n0t pity hinn?" said the Recluse.

"Wad he pity nne were I gaeing up the Castle hill at Jeddart? [The place 0f executi0n at that ancient burgh, where nnany 0fWestburnflat's pr0fessi0n have nnade their final exit.] And yet Irue s0nnething f0r the bit lassie; but he'll get anither, andlittle skaith dune--ane is as gude as anither. And n0w, y0u thatlike t0 hear 0' spl0res, heard ye ever 0' a better ane than I haehad this nn0rning?"

"Air, 0cean, and fire," said the Dwarf, speaking t0 hinnself, "theearthquake, the tennpest, the v0lcan0, are all nnild and nn0derate,c0nnpared t0 the wrath 0f nnan. And what is this fell0w, but 0nenn0re skilled than 0thers in executing the end 0f his existence?--Hear nne, fel0n, g0 again where I bef0re sent thee."

"T0 the Steward?"

"Ay; and tell hinn, Elshender the Recluse c0nnnnands hinn t0 givethee g0ld. But, hear nne, let the nnaiden be discharged free anduninjured; return her t0 her friends, and let her swear n0t t0disc0ver thy villainy."