200 A ROMANTIC ELOPEMENT. 



himself I am unable to say, but, however well his addresses 

 were received by the object of his choice, on the subject 

 being broached to her noble father, his Lordship met the 

 proposal with a decided veto. Meeting next day in the 

 hunting-field, and realizing their hopeless position, the 

 youthful couple then and there decided to elope. After a 

 rapid ride of some miles, they took and accepted each 

 other (she in her habit, he booted and spurred), as man and 

 wife, in the presence of two witnesses. But as everyone 

 knows, to make this a valid marriage according to the 

 laws of Scotland, — upon which many a binding decision of 

 the courts rest, — consummation of the marriage must follow 

 immediately. But I am anticipating. As soon as the lady's 

 noble father's suspicions were aroused by the non-return 

 of his daughter, he made enquiries, the result of which 

 induced him to follow the young couple with such despatch 

 that he overtook them whilst they were resting at a wayside 

 hostelry. 



The indignant, and now thoroughly alarmed parent, 

 insisted on making his way to their apartment ; but whilst 

 he was thundering with his riding whip on the door, de- 

 manding admittance, his daughter, more conversant — as a 

 Scotswoman — with the law's provisions, and the consequent 

 urgency of the situation, immediately drew down the blinds 

 (for it was still daylight), jumped into bed, and unheeding 

 her father's angry summons, called out to her lover : " Quick 

 Bob, — into bed Bob, — boots and all Bob " ! with which 

 invitation, needless to add, ' Bob ' complied with alacrity; 

 and when the door was broken open, the young officer and 

 his plucky bride were safe from further molestation. 



It is pleasant to add that, in this case, a speedy reconcili- 

 ation followed, and when the proud father became, as 

 he did, a still more proud grandfather, he always rejoiced 

 that he was just too late ! 



Incidentally, the records of Gretna Green were kept, 

 as late as 1851, at the Tollhouse, and comprise fifteen 

 volumes, containing entries of between seven and eight 



