But the scene he met,
changed his ultimate purpose. Joanna declared, that were she to be
carried away to marry any man save that friend, whose protection,
during the last six months, had been to her as that of all relatives in
one, she should expire on the threshold of Castle Braemer, for she
never would cross it alive! And as the melancholy widower, but
grateful lover, verified his vow to her, by repeating it to her
father--within four months from that day, the Earl of Mar rejoined the
Lady Joanna at Kirkwall, and brought her away as his bride. But to
avoid exciting any invidious remarks, by immediately appearing in
Scotland after such prompt nuptials, the new countess, wary in her
triumph, easily persuaded her husband to take her for awhile to France;
where, assuming a cold and majestic demeanor, which she thought
becoming her royal descent, she resided several years. Thus changed,
she returned to Scotland. She found the suspicion of any former
indiscretion faded from all minds, and passing her time in the stately
hospitalities of her lord's castles, conducted herself with a matronly
dignity, that made him the envy of all the married chieftains in his
neighborhood.
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