Kings of Carrick

254 THE KINGS OF CARRICK.
himself accepted in this capacity. Stern as law was, it
must yield to circumstances ; and the Earl of Cassillis was
quite potent enough with the Crown to secure the condemna-
tion of two through the pardon of one, especially when the
two were his sworn enemies, and the other but the miserable
and unwilling accomplice of their guilt. Still, he regarded
his position as tolerably assured, and himself as quite fitted
to cope with any circumstances that were likely to arise.
A week elapsed and no tidings of the recovery of the body of
Dalrymple had reached Auchendrane. Every day James was
in Ayr, ears open for intelligence, anxious to glean the ear-
liest information. But it was not from Ayr that the tidings
were to come.
The night was advanced as Auchendrane, as was his wont,
sat in his chamber, thoughtful and lone. It was dark with-
out, and all nature was hushed save the rushing river which
swept past to the sea.
It is only in the country that such complete silence as that
which brooded over the old tower can be found. It is only
in the country that stillness ever becomes irksome or painful.
The ripple of the burn or the rush of the river, always pre-
sent, does not interrupt the solemnity of the rural night.
The peep of the half-sleeping bird is heard above the noise of
the waters, and the hooting of the owl sounds loud and eerie
from the copse. Every little sound that breaks upon the
sleeping world is magnified by the stillness into individuality.
And when these sounds are mute, one can feel, indeed all but
hear, the silence itself, so susceptible is the atmosphere and
so oppressive.
So, when Auchendrane heard rapid footsteps approach the
Tower he listened as intently as if they were treading on his
fate ; and he heard in their tread audible prognostications of
what he expected, and, expecting, feared. Proceeding down-
stairs, he opened the hall door as the night visitant reached
the porch ; and peering out, dark as it was, recognised in the