ROB-Rashleigh! I know I remember, the son of Sir Hildebrand, of the Hall here, who was said to have gone to London to fill au appointment in some commercial house.

OWEN-The same, sir. Sir Hildebrand and his sons are taken up on suspicion of treasonable practices—(ROB starts)-It's an awful balance that they have to strike.

ROB-But how happened it that this son, this Mr Francis you talk of, was not left in charge of his fathers affairs, rather than the nephew, Rashleigh?

ŎWEN-Ah, sir, there lies all the mischief! Mr Francis loathed the counting-house, worse than I loathe a bankruptcy. While his father was making money, he was making poetry; and so his father, sir, being a stern man, said that his nephew Rashleigh should take Mr Frank's place; for he would never ask his only child a second time, to be the partner of his fortunes and affections. Oh dear!

ROB-Well, sir; but what motive could induce this Rashleigh to betray a trust which, for his own interest, one would naturally suppose he would be most faithful to ?

OWEN-I suspect to aid some political purpose, whereby, at the expense of honour and conscience, he expects to make a larger per centage of worldly profit. He knew that to shake the house of Osbaldistone and Co., Crane Alley, was to alarm the Government. The cash he took was no hurt; but the assets-the assets, sir; however, I'll not give them up, for I know Rashleigh has come north, and is at present in Glasgow, a town in Scotland, perhaps you know it, sir?

ROB-I do.-(aside)-North indeed! Umph! he's a cunning chield that Rashleigh, he'll be too cunning for himself at last, I fear. A false friend, Mr Owen, never yet served a good cause, so take heart, my friend,

OWEN-You say true, sir, such people are as variable as the course of exchange. But when we reach Glasgow, sir, perhaps you can assist my inquiries.

ROB-I-I'll meet you there, Mr Owen. I just recollect a small matter of business that I have to do in this neighbourhood.—(rising, aside) –I must to Osbaldistone Hall; Rashleigh has been there, no doubt; and Sir Frederick Vernon may wish to speak with me. I'll meet you at Glasgow, Mr Owen.

OWEN-Heaven help me! I shall never live to balance an account there without a companion or guide. I never was ten miles from Crane Alley before in all my days.

१

ROB-Pooh, man! there's nothing to fear. Where shall I hear of you OWEN-At Messrs MacVittie and MacFin's, in the Gallowgate, sir. We have another agent, one Mr Nicol Jarvie, in the Saltmarket, but I can't depend upon him.

ROB-Fare ye weel, Mr Owen-(Shake hands)-Rashleigh in the north! then the heather will soon be on fire.-(aside and going up.)

Enter TAM D. F.

TAM-Here's the Squire to speak wi' ane Mr Owen.

Enter FRANCIS OSBALDISTONE, D. in F.-after he enters ROB ROY Exits hastily, unperceived by him, D in F.

FRANCIS-Owen, my excellent, kind friend!

OWEN-0, Mr Frank! O, Mr Osbaldistone! such news!-(wiping his yes) -But why did you never answer our letters-mine and your good ather's?

FRANCIS-Letters! I have never yet received one.

epeatedly, and have been astonished at receiving no reply

I have written

OWEN-O, Lord! no letters! O, my stars! no letters! then they ave been intercepted. How has your poor father been deceived! O, Mr Francis, what have you not to answer for? But that's past now-its ll over!

FRANCIS--Good Heavens ! my father, he is ill-dead ?

OWEN-No, no, not so bad as that! thank Heaven, his day-book is still >pen, but his affairs are in worse confusion than my poor brain-Ob, lear!

FRANCIS-Explain yourself, I beseech you, and in terms less technical. OWEN-Well, well, the sum total is, that your cousin Rashleigh, taking advantage of my good master's absence in Holland, has absconded with papers of such consequence to ourselves and the Government, that unless we can recover them, or get help from our agents by a certain day, the house of Osbaldistone and Co., Crane Alley, London, is in the bankrupt list, as sure as the Gazette !

FRANCIS-Gracious Heavens! my folly and disobedience then have ruined my father! Tell me how shall I redeem the consequence of my error?

OWEN-Oh, Mi Frank, you raise my heart ten per cent. to hear you talk in that way. Repair to Glasgow, and assist my poor endeavours. Though you understand little, I grieve to say of debtor and creditor, you thoroughly understand, I rejoice to tell it, the great fundamental principle of all moral accounting-the great ethic rule of three-Let A do to B as he would have B do to him, and the product will give the rule of conduct required.

FRANCIS-It shall, it must be so-this very hour I'll bid adieu to the enchantress, who still must rule my destiny, and seek this destroyer, this traitor, Rashleigh! Set forward, Owen, instantly-by the time you have made the necessary inquiries at Glasgow, I shall be with you. Oh, Diana! must we then part?

OWEN-Diana! Ah, love, love! I thought so-never knew a man open an account with him, but his affairs got into confusion. I never had any dealings with him in all my life. It's more dangerous, Mr Francis, than meddling with contraband goods. But I've heard of the consignmentto Miss Diana Vernon, best affections! Item, heart! Item, honour! Item Oh, Mr Francis, look at the per contra, expenses, wife, large family, blank ! ruin! Oh, dear!

SONG,-AIR-"Low down in the broom."

O my love's like the red, red rose,
That's newly sprung in June,

O my love's like the melody,
That's sweetly played in tune.

Exit R. 1 E.

As fair art thou, my bonnie lass,
So deep in love am I ;

And I will love thee still, my dear,
Tho' a' the seas gang dry.

Till a' the seas gang dry, my dear,
And rocks melt wi' the sun;
And I will love thee still, my dear,
While the sands of life shall run.

But fare thee weel, my only love,
And fare thee weel awhile!
And I will come again, my love,

Tho' 'twere ten thousand mile.

Exit D. F.

SCENE II.-The Library of Osbaldistone Hall, moveable panel, L.

or is

Enter SIR FREDERICK VERNON, R, dressed in the style of Charles I, in armour, &c.
SIR FRED. I thought I heard the signal as if some friend were near,
it my too eager mind couating the minutes, hours?—(knocking heardon panel)—
I was not mistaken-(opens a panel, L )

Enter ROB ROY, disguised as a Priest by panel, L.

ROB-Heaven defend your Excellence, I am the bearer of important news that will make your heart right glad, here is a list of the names of gentlemen, lords and nobles, who have joined our cause in the south—(gives paper) -and every one will bring a hundred horsemen in his train.

SIR FRED.-(reads)-Derwentwatters, Foster, Lord Waddrington, Patten Standish, all, all men of loyalty and honour and of such importance that we cannot longer delay or keep them in suspense; how goes it with you in the north?

ROB-Right well, and so it may, for a cousin of my own, M'Gregor of Balbaldie, with a chosen band of right good fellows, have undertaken to capture Edinburgh Castle as soon as the moon admits of it.

SIR FRED. And is loyalty still as strong in the Highlands? Are the heads of the Clans as true as ever?

ROB-They are. But your Excellence will have heard, no doubt, that Rashleigh has returned to Scotland, and taken with him his employers bills and money to a great amount, in consequence of which the house of Osbaldistone & Co., will become bankrupt, and will not be able to meet the bills they have granted to our gentlemen in the north for wood and wool, which fall due in a short time, and which have been all discounted by merchants in Glasgow and the West. If these bills are not paid, the merchant comes upon the Highland lairds, wha hae deil a bawbee to spare, and will ill like to gie up what has already been spent.

SIR FRED-And the result will be—

ROB-They will become dissatisfied, and will rise in hundreds; already M'Pherson, Nairn, and the noble Earl of Mar, have requested your Highness to name the day; so please delay no longer.

SIR FRED.-It shall be so,

ROB-And when that day shall come, the gallant Moray and the bonneted Chiefs shall descend like a whirlwind, and spread to the breeze the standard of King James, then will your Highness say, that Robin Campbell spake truth when he said there were twenty thousand loyal hearts in the Highlands.

SIR FRED.-Brave mountaineer, your services shall be rewarded. Here is a packet, convey it to the Earl of Mar, he will therein find instructions how to proceed.-(gives letter)-Iexpected a messenger from Frauce to-night, and if his Majesty will only give his consent, then the blow shall be struck. ROB-I ask for no reward, my Lord; but simply justice. A cruel law has deprived me of the lands on which my fathers dwelt. My race and name have been proscribed; our very cattle own another master; and, were there justice under heaven, or were it left to them and me alone, this should not be ; but the servants of King George are powerful! so when he in St Germans stands in St James's, Robin Campbell will expect his ain again, that is the only reward I ask for.

SIR FRED.-This I promise you. But I am concerned about your personal safety. Should your steps be traced to this mansion, the suspicion that already hangs over the house

ROB-Fear nothing for me, my lord, there are few will recognise Robin Campbell in this garb. No, no, my profession may be black enough but its far frae clerical.

SIR FRED. You cannot be too cautious in your visits, for, were it not that Father Vaughan is a tolerated person, could find little safety here. ROB-At Jonathan Brown's hostlery, where I am for the time being, there is a creature named Morris, a gauger, from Greenock, who is, I well know, in possession of large sums of money and papers; he is a Government spy on his way with instructions to the Commander-in-Chief, in Scotland. Would it not be well that possession should be taken of them in the name of King James ?

SIR FRED. The papers, no doubt, will be valuable to us.

ROB-And the money will be no less so, and I know them that will relieve him of both, and not let their conscience trouble them about it.

SIR FRED.-Away then, and success attend you ; but be careful that your steps are not watched, as it might ruin all and reveal my place of concealSome one approaches!

ment.

ROB-There is little fear of that, for no one would recognise me in the abandoned habits of a priest.

Exeunt L panel.

Enter DIANA VERNON, and MARTHA attending, R. 1 E.

We are sur

SIR FRED. (C.)-Remember, Diana, my instructions. rounded by dangers, which will require all your prudence to avert. "Tis evident your cousin Francis suspects the visit of a stranger to these apartments; and though this dress, resembling that of your ancestor's portrait, has hitherto enabled me to impose on the weak minds of the domestics, his penetration may discover who and what I am before the plans are matured, on which my hopes of future happiness now entirely rest.

Diana—(r.) – Rely on my discretion, sir! You may with safety.

MARTHA (L, advancing with a cloak, resembling that of a Catholic priest, and giving it to SIR FREDERICK)- Indeed Sir Frederick-I beg pardou, father

Vaughan, I mean your reverance has nothing to fear, though you are a Catholic and Jacobite. There is not a soul in the place, myself excepted, that dare stir a foot towards this part of the house after nightfall.

SIR FRED.-I repeat, it is not from them I fear detection; the character I openly bear, of co fessor to Miss Vernon, is a sufficient security; but re member, Diana, Francis Osbaldistone and his father are firm adherents of the present government; and should he discover me, or the purpose which renders my concealment in this part of the country necessary, it might be fatal to the cause of Scotland and ourselves.

DIANA- But my cousin is a man of honourable and affectionate feelings ; he would never betray you, sir.

SIR FRED. You mean he would never sacrifice his love in the person of Diana Vernon. Subdue those reflections, my child, for the sake of your future peace of mind-annihilate them, while it is yet in your power-think that you are devoted to a cloister, or the betrothed bride of Rashleigh Osbaldistone.

Exit at panel, L.

DIANA-You may leave me now, Martha. When my cousin Francis arrives, say I wish to speak with him here.

Exit MARTHA, L.

The bride of Rashleigh! never, never! any lot rather than that-the con. vent, the jail, the grave! I must act as becomes the descendant of a noble ancestry! Yet how preferable is the lot of those whose birth and situation neither renders them meanly dependant, nor raises them to the difficulties and dangers which too often accompany wealth and grandeur. (Song.)

AIR-JOCK O' HAZELDEAN.

Why weep ye by the tide lady,
Why weep ye by the tide ?
I'll wed you to my youngest son,
And ye shall be his bride.
And ye shall be his bride, lady,

Sae comely to be seen,

But aye she loot the tears down fa'
For Jock o' Hazeldean.

"Now let this wilful grief be done,
And dry thy cheek so pale;
Young Frank is chief of Errington,
And lord of Langley dale;
His step is first in peaceful ha'
His sword in battle keen;"

But aye she loot the tears down fa'
For Jock o' Hazeldean.

"A chain of gold ye shall not lack,
Nor braid to bind your hair,

Nor mettled hounds, nor manag'd hawk
Nor palfry fresh and fair ;