Lamh Laudher felt considerably puzzled to know what object Ellen could

have had in sending the servant maid for his staff
Lamh Laudher felt considerably puzzled to know what object Ellen could
have had in sending the servant maid for his staff. Of one thing,
however, he was certain, that her motive must have had regard to his
own safety; but how, or in what manner, he could not conjecture. It is
certainly true some misgivings shot lightly across his imagination,
on reflecting that he had parted with the very weapon which he usually
brought with him to repel the violence of Ellen"s friends, should he be
detected in an interview with her. He remembered, too, that he had
met unlucky Nell M"Collum, and that the person who deprived him of his
principal means of defence was her niece. He had little time, however,
to think upon the subject, for in a few minutes after Nanse"s departure,
he recognized the light quick step of her whom he expected.