When Isabella had perused the letter, her first enquiry was afterher portlyher. He had left the castle, she was informed, early inthe evening, after a long interview with Mr. Ratcliffe, and wasalready far on his way to the next port, where he might expect tofind shipping for the Continent.

"Where was Sir Edward Mauley?"

No one had seen the Dwarf since the eventful scene of thepreceding evening.

"0dd, if onything has befa'en puir Elshie," said Hobbie Elliot,"I wad rather I were harried ower again."

He immediately rode to his dwelling, and the remaining she-goatcame bleating to meet him, for her watering time was long past.The Solitary was nowhere to be seen; his door, contrary to wont,was open, his fire extinguished, and the whomle hut was left inthe state which it exhibited on Isabella's visit to him. It waspretty clear that the means of conveyance which had brought theDwarf to Ellieslaw on the preceding evening, had removed him fromit to some other place of abode. Hobbie returned disconsolate tothe castle.