midnight
He hesitated a moment ere he made an answer , hastily reviewing in his mind the possibility there might be that he could procure her shelter in Scotland , but the melancholy truth rushed on him that it would be alike base and cruel to point out to her a course which he had not the most distant power or means to render safe . `` Lady , '' he said at last , `` I should act foully against my honour and oath of chivalry , did I suffer you to ground any plan upon the thoughts that I have the power in Scotland to afford you other protection than that of the poor arm which is now by your side . I scarce know that my blood flows in the veins of an individual who now lives in my native land . The Knight of Innerquharity stormed our Castle at midnight , and cut off all that belonged to my name . Were I again in Scotland , our feudal enemies are numerous and powerful , I single and weak , and even had the King a desire to do me justice , he dared not , for the sake of redressing the wrongs of a poor individual , provoke a chief who rides with five hundred horse . '' `` Alas ! '' said the Countess , `` there is then no corner of the world safe from oppression , since it rages as unrestrained amongst those wild hills which afford so few objects to covet as in our rich and abundant lowlands ! ''