midnight
`` Could not say , indeed , my leddy , '' replied Knockdunder -- `` So , I knowing the people to pe unchancy , and not to lippen to , and hearing a pibroch in the wood , I pegan to pid my lads look to their flints , and then -- '' `` For , '' said Lady Staunton , with the most ruthless disregard to the narrative which she mangled by these interruptions , `` if that should be the case , it should cost Sir George but the asking a pair of colours for one of them at the War-Office , since we have always supported Government , and never had occasion to trouble ministers . '' `` And if you please , my leddy , '' said Duncan , who began to find some savour in this proposal , `` as I hae a braw weel-grown lad of a nevoy , ca 'd Duncan MacGilligan , that is as pig as paith the Putler pairns putten thegither , Sir George could ask a pair for him at the same time , and it wad pe put ae asking for a ' . '' Lady Staunton only answered this hint with a well-bred stare , which gave no sort of encouragement . Jeanie , who now returned , was lost in amazement at the wonderful difference betwixt the helpless and despairing girl , whom she had seen stretched on a flock-bed in a dungeon , expecting a violent and disgraceful death , and last as a forlorn exile upon the midnight beach , with the elegant , well-bred , beautiful woman before her . The features , now that her sister 's veil was laid aside , did not appear so extremely different , as the whole manner , expression , look , and bearing . In outside show , Lady Staunton seemed completely a creature too soft and fair for sorrow to have touched ; so much accustomed to have all her whims complied with by those around her , that she seemed to expect she should even be saved the trouble of forming them ; and so totally unacquainted with contradiction , that she did not even use the tone of self-will , since to breathe a wish was to have it fulfilled . She made no ceremony of ridding herself of Duncan as soon as the evening approached ; but complimented him out of the house under pretext of fatigue , with the utmost _ nonchalance .