Her heart gave him his title; which she
believed the not-to-be-repressed affection of the people would at last
force him to accept.
The wives and families of the Lanark veterans were brought from Loch
Doine, and again planted in their native valleys; thus, naught in the
kingdom appeared different from its most prosperous days, but the
widowed heart of the dispenser of all this good. And yet, so fully did
he engage himself in the creation of these benefits, that no time
seemed left to him for regrets; but they haunted him like persecuting
spirits, invisible to all but himself.
During the performance of these things, the Countess of Mar, though
apparently lost to all other pursuits than the peaceable enjoyment of
her reflected dignities, was absorbed in the one great object of her
passion. Eager to be rid of so dangerous a spy and adversary as she
deemed Edwin to be, she was laboring day and night to effect by
clandestine schemes his banishment, when an unforeseen circumstance
carried him far away. Lord Ruthven, while on an embassy to the
Hebrides, fell ill. As his disorder was attended with extreme danger,
he sent for his wife; and Edwin, impelled by love for his father, and
anxiety to soothe the terrified suspense of his mother, readily left
the side of his friend, to accompany her to the isles.
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