"Blessed sight!" cried the earl, to his nephew. "When I put the banner
of Mar into your unpracticed hand, little could I expect that, in the
course of four months, I should see my brave Andrew receive the keys of
proud Stirling from its commander!"
Murray smiled, while his plumed head bowed gratefully to his uncle, and
turning to the lieutenant, "Now," said he, "lead me to the Ladies Mar
and Ruthven that I may assure them they are free."
The gates of the keep were now unclosed, and the lieutenant conducted
his victors along a gloomy passage, to a low door, studded with knobs
of iron. As he drew the bolt, he whispered to Lord Mar, "These
severities are the hard policy of Governor Cressingham."
He pushed the door slowly open, and discovered a small, miserable
cell-its walls, of rugged stone, having no other covering than the
incrustations which time, and many a dripping winter, had strewn over
their vaulted service. On the ground, on a pallet of straw, lay a
female figure in a profound sleep. But the light which the lieutenant
held, streaming full upon the uncurtained slumberer, she started, and,
with a shriek of terror at the sight of so many armed men, discovered
the pallid features of the Countess of Mar.
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