"
Lady Forester threw herself into her sister's arms, and, clasping
her to her bosom, thanked her a hundred times for the offer of
her company, while she declined with a melancholy gesture the
friendly advice with which it was accompanied.
When the hour of twilight arrived--which was the period when the
Paduan Doctor was understood to receive the visits of those who
came to consult with him--the two ladies left their apartments in
the Canongate of Edinburgh, having their dress arranged like that
of women of an inferior description, and their plaids disposed
around their faces as they were worn by the same class; for in
those days of aristocracy the quality of the wearer was generally
indicated by the manner in which her plaid was disposed, as well
as by the fineness of its texture. It was Lady Bothwell who had
suggested this species of disguise, partly to avoid observation
as they should go to the conjurer's house, and partly in order to
make trial of his penetration, by appearing before him in a
feigned character. Lady Forester's servant, of tried fidelity,
had been employed by her to propitiate the Doctor by a suitable
fee, and a story intimating that a soldier's wife desired to know
the fate of her husband--a subject upon which, in all
probability, the sage was very frequently consulted,
To the last moment, when the palace clock struck eight, Lady
Bothwell earnestly watched her sister, in hopes that she might
retreat from her rash undertaking; but as mildness, and even
timidity, is capable at times of vehement and fixed purposes, she
found Lady Forester resolutely unmoved and determined when the
moment of departure arrived.
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