under-espial

Updated: June 21, 2025

"Ay, ay, your conscience your conscience!" repeated she with satiric emphasis; "your conscience is the scape-goat; I warrant it an able one it will bear the burden of one of the best manors of the Abbey of Saint Mary of Kennaquhair", lately forfeited to our noble Lord the King, by the Abbot and community thereof, for the high crime of fidelity to their religious vows, and now to be granted by the High and Mighty Traitor, and so forth, James Earl of Murray, to the good squire of dames Roland Graeme, for his loyal and faithful service as under-espial, and deputy-turnkey, for securing the person of his lawful sovereign, Queen Mary."

Sir Walter Scott - The Abbot