238 Craigmillar and its Environs. 



belonged to Sir John Hemes, who had a beautiful 

 daughter. This young lady was inclined to be 

 melancholy, and appeared to be very strict in observ- 

 ing all the religious rites and ceremonies then in use. 

 A young Cistercian monk from the richly endowed 

 Abbey of Newbattle insinuated himself into her favour 

 under the pretext of holiness, — "but this rascal, by 

 his divellish rhetoric and allurements, soe far prevailed 

 upon the simplicitie of this gentlewoman that at length 

 he betrayed her."^ Sir John discovered his daughter's 

 guilt, and learned that intercourse was carried on 

 at Gilmerton Grange through the connivance of the 

 lady's nurse, who at this time was a widow, and re- 

 sided there. Being a passionate man. Sir John 

 threatened his daughter with death if ever it came to 

 his knowledge that she again frequented the Grange. 

 On a dark windy night he discovered that the objects 

 of his vengeance were engaged in a stolen interview, 

 and, accompanied by two of his servants, he repaired 

 to the Grange and demanded admittance. Notwith- 

 standing his threatenings, they made no answer to 

 ^ ' Memory of the Somer villas.' 



