The general plan of the story was, to conjoin two characters in that
bustling and contentious age, who, thrown into situations which gave
them different views on the subject of the Reformation, should, with
the same sincerity and purity of intention, dedicate themselves, the
one to the support of the sinking fabric of the Catholic Church, the
other to the establishment of the Reformed doctrines. It was
supposed that some interesting subjects for narrative might be
derived from opposing two such enthusiasts to each other in the path
of life, and contrasting the real worth of both with their passions
and prejudices. The localities of Melrose suited well the scenery of
the proposed story; the ruins themselves form a splendid theatre for
any tragic incident which might be brought forward; joined to the
vicinity of the fine river, with all its tributary streams, flowing
through a country which has been the scene of so much fierce
fighting, and is rich with so many recollections of former times,
and lying almost under the immediate eye of the author, by whom they
were to be used in composition.

The situation possessed farther recommendations. On the opposite bank
of the Tweed might be seen the remains of ancient enclosures,
surrounded by sycamores and ash-trees of considerable size. These had
once formed the crofts or arable ground of a village, now reduced to a
single hut, the abode of a fisherman, who also manages a ferry. The
cottages, even the church which once existed there, have sunk into
vestiges hardly to be traced without visiting the spot, the
inhabitants having gradually withdrawn to the more prosperous town of
Galashiels, which has risen into consideration, within two miles of
their neighbourhood. Superstitious eld, however, has tenanted the
deserted groves with aerial beings, to supply the want of the mortal