waves breaking white against the dark rocks, and the distance
becoming more and more hazy, in spite of the bright sun which
made a broken path of glory along the tossing, white-crested
waters.

The wind was a keen north-east breeze, and might have been
thought too severe by any but the 'hardy, bold, and wild'
children who were merrily playing on the top of the donjon
tower, round the staff whence fluttered the double treasured
banner with 'the ruddy lion ramped in gold' denoting the
presence of the King.

Three little boys, almost babies, and a little girl not much
older, were presided over by a small elder sister, who held the
youngest in her lap, and tried to amuse him with caresses and
rhymes, so as to prevent his interference with the castle-
building of the others, with their small hoard of pebbles and
mussel and cockle shells.

Another maiden, the wind tossing her long chestnut-locks,
uncovered, but tied with the Scottish snood, sat on the
battlement, gazing far out over the waters, with eyes of the
same tint as the hair. Even the sea-breeze failed to give more
than a slight touch of colour to her somewhat freckled
complexion; and the limbs that rested in a careless attitude on
the stone bench were long and languid, though with years and
favourable circumstances there might be a development of beauty
and dignity. Her lips were crooning at intervals a mournful old
Scottish tune, sometimes only humming, sometimes uttering its
melancholy burthen, and she now and then touched a small harp