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diff --git a/7005.txt b/7005.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 16de65a..0000000 --- a/7005.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,19067 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Antiquary, Complete, by Sir Walter Scott - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: The Antiquary, Complete - -Author: Sir Walter Scott - -Release Date: October 25, 2006 [EBook #7005] -[Last Updated: September 4, 2010] -[Last Updated: March 17, 2012] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ANTIQUARY, COMPLETE *** - - - - -Produced by David Widger - - - - - - -THE ANTIQUARY - - -BY SIR WALTER SCOTT, BART. - - -[Illustration: Titlepage] - - -[Illustration: Frontispiece] - - - - -CONTENTS - -VOLUME ONE - -INTRODUCTION - -EDITOR'S INTRODUCTION - -CHAPTER FIRST. - -CHAPTER SECOND. - -CHAPTER THIRD. - -CHAPTER FOURTH. - -CHAPTER FIFTH. - -CHAPTER SIXTH. - -CHAPTER SEVENTH. - -CHAPTER EIGHTH. - -CHAPTER NINTH. - -CHAPTER TENTH. - -CHAPTER ELEVENTH. - -CHAPTER TWELFTH. - -CHAPTER THIRTEENTH. - -CHAPTER FOURTEENTH. - -CHAPTER FIFTEENTH. - -CHAPTER SIXTEENTH. - -CHAPTER SEVENTEENTH. - -CHAPTER EIGHTEENTH. - -CHAPTER NINETEENTH. - -CHAPTER TWENTIETH. - -CHAPTER TWENTY-FIRST. - - - - -ILLUSTRATIONS - -Bookcover - -Spines - -Titlepage - -Frontispiece - -The Antiquary and Lovel--the Sanctum - -Sir Arthur and Miss Wardour - -The Rescue of Sir Arthur and Miss Wardour - -Eddie Ochiltree Visits Miss Wardour - -Mrs. Heukbane and Mrs. Shortcake - -St. Ruth (arbroath Abbey) - -The Ruins of St. Ruth - - - - - -VOLUME ONE - - I knew Anselmo. He was shrewd and prudent, - Wisdom and cunning had their shares of him; - But he was shrewish as a wayward child, - And pleased again by toys which childhood please; - As--book of fables, graced with print of wood, - Or else the jingling of a rusty medal, - Or the rare melody of some old ditty, - That first was sung to please King Pepin's cradle - - - - - -INTRODUCTION - -The present work completes a series of fictitious narratives, intended -to illustrate the manners of Scotland at three different periods. -Waverley embraced the age of our fathers, Guy Mannering that of our own -youth, and the Antiquary refers to the last ten years of the eighteenth -century. I have, in the two last narratives especially, sought my -principal personages in the class of society who are the last to feel -the influence of that general polish which assimilates to each other the -manners of different nations. Among the same class I have placed some -of the scenes in which I have endeavoured to illustrate the operation of -the higher and more violent passions; both because the lower orders are -less restrained by the habit of suppressing their feelings, and because -I agree, with my friend Wordsworth, that they seldom fail to express -them in the strongest and most powerful language. This is, I think, -peculiarly the case with the peasantry of my own country, a class with -whom I have long been familiar. The antique force and simplicity -of their language, often tinctured with the Oriental eloquence of -Scripture, in the mouths of those of an elevated understanding, give -pathos to their grief, and dignity to their resentment. - -I have been more solicitous to describe manners minutely than to arrange -in any case an artificial and combined narrative, and have but to regret -that I felt myself unable to unite these two requisites of a good Novel. - -The knavery of the adept in the following sheets may appear forced -and improbable; but we have had very late instances of the force of -superstitious credulity to a much greater extent, and the reader may be -assured, that this part of the narrative is founded on a fact of actual -occurrence. - -I have now only to express my gratitude to the Public for the -distinguished reception which, they have given to works, that have -little more than some truth of colouring to recommend them, and to take -my respectful leave, as one who is not likely again to solicit their -favour. - - -To the above advertisement, which was prefixed to the first edition -of the Antiquary, it is necessary in the present edition to add a -few words, transferred from the Introduction to the Chronicles of the -Canongate, respecting the character of Jonathan Oldbuck. - -"I may here state generally, that although I have deemed historical -personages free subjects of delineation, I have never on any occasion -violated the respect due to private life. It was indeed impossible that -traits proper to persons, both living and dead, with whom I have had -intercourse in society, should not have risen to my pen in such works -as Waverley, and those which followed it. But I have always studied to -generalise the portraits, so that they should still seem, on the whole, -the productions of fancy, though possessing some resemblance to real -individuals. Yet I must own my attempts have not in this last particular -been uniformly successful. There are men whose characters are so -peculiarly marked, that the delineation of some leading and principal -feature, inevitably places the whole person before you in his -individuality. Thus the character of Jonathan Oldbuck in the Antiquary, -was partly founded on that of an old friend of my youth, to whom I am -indebted for introducing me to Shakspeare, and other invaluable favours; -but I thought I had so completely disguised the likeness, that it could -not be recognised by any one now alive. I was mistaken, however, and -indeed had endangered what I desired should be considered as a secret; -for I afterwards learned that a highly respectable gentleman, one of the -few surviving friends of my father, and an acute critic, had said, upon -the appearance of the work, that he was now convinced who was the author -of it, as he recognised, in the Antiquary, traces of the character of a -very intimate friend* of my father's family." - -* [The late George Constable of Wallace Craigie, near Dundee.] - -I have only farther to request the reader not to suppose that my late -respected friend resembled Mr. Oldbuck, either in his pedigree, or the -history imputed to the ideal personage. There is not a single incident -in the Novel which is borrowed from his real circumstances, excepting -the fact that he resided in an old house near a flourishing seaport, and -that the author chanced to witness a scene betwixt him and the female -proprietor of a stage-coach, very similar to that which commences the -history of the Antiquary. An excellent temper, with a slight degree of -subacid humour; learning, wit, and drollery, the more poignant that -they were a little marked by the peculiarities of an old bachelor; a -soundness of thought, rendered more forcible by an occasional quaintness -of expression, were, the author conceives, the only qualities in which -the creature of his imagination resembled his benevolent and excellent -old friend. - -The prominent part performed by the Beggar in the following narrative, -induces the author to prefix a few remarks of that character, as it -formerly existed in Scotland, though it is now scarcely to be traced. - -Many of the old Scottish mendicants were by no means to be confounded -with the utterly degraded class of beings who now practise that -wandering trade. Such of them as were in the habit of travelling through -a particular district, were usually well received both in the farmer's -ha', and in the kitchens of the country gentlemen. Martin, author of -the Reliquiae Divi Sancti Andreae, written in 1683, gives the following -account of one class of this order of men in the seventeenth century, -in terms which would induce an antiquary like Mr. Oldbuck to regret its -extinction. He conceives them to be descended from the ancient bards, -and proceeds:--"They are called by others, and by themselves, -Jockies, who go about begging; and use still to recite the Sloggorne -(gathering-words or war-cries) of most of the true ancient surnames -of Scotland, from old experience and observation. Some of them I have -discoursed, and found to have reason and discretion. One of them told -me there were not now above twelve of them in the whole isle; but he -remembered when they abounded, so as at one time he was one of five that -usually met at St. Andrews." - -The race of Jockies (of the above description) has, I suppose, been long -extinct in Scotland; but the old remembered beggar, even in my own time, -like the Baccoch, or travelling cripple of Ireland, was expected to -merit his quarters by something beyond an exposition of his distresses. -He was often a talkative, facetious fellow, prompt at repartee, and not -withheld from exercising his powers that way by any respect of persons, -his patched cloak giving him the privilege of the ancient jester. To -be a gude crack, that is, to possess talents for conversation, was -essential to the trade of a "puir body" of the more esteemed class; and -Burns, who delighted in the amusement their discourse afforded, seems to -have looked forward with gloomy firmness to the possibility of himself -becoming one day or other a member of their itinerant society. In his -poetical works, it is alluded to so often, as perhaps to indicate that -he considered the consummation as not utterly impossible. Thus in the -fine dedication of his works to Gavin Hamilton, he says,-- - - And when I downa yoke a naig, - Then, Lord be thankit, I can beg. - -Again, in his Epistle to Davie, a brother Poet, he states, that in their -closing career-- - - The last o't, the warst o't, - Is only just to beg. - -And after having remarked, that - - To lie in kilns and barns at e'en, - When banes are crazed and blude is thin, - -Is doubtless great distress; the bard reckons up, with true poetical -spirit, the free enjoyment of the beauties of nature, which might -counterbalance the hardship and uncertainty of the life, even of -a mendicant. In one of his prose letters, to which I have lost the -reference, he details this idea yet more seriously, and dwells upon it, -as not ill adapted to his habits and powers. - -As the life of a Scottish mendicant of the eighteenth century seems to -have been contemplated without much horror by Robert Burns, the author -can hardly have erred in giving to Edie Ochiltree something of poetical -character and personal dignity, above the more abject of his miserable -calling. The class had, intact, some privileges. A lodging, such as -it was, was readily granted to them in some of the out-houses, and the -usual awmous (alms) of a handful of meal (called a gowpen) was scarce -denied by the poorest cottager. The mendicant disposed these, according -to their different quality, in various bags around his person, and thus -carried about with him the principal part of his sustenance, which he -literally received for the asking. At the houses of the gentry, his -cheer was mended by scraps of broken meat, and perhaps a Scottish -"twalpenny," or English penny, which was expended in snuff or whiskey. -In fact, these indolent peripatetics suffered much less real hardship -and want of food, than the poor peasants from whom they received alms. - -If, in addition to his personal qualifications, the mendicant chanced to -be a King's Bedesman, or Blue-Gown, he belonged, in virtue thereof, -to the aristocracy of his order, and was esteemed a parson of great -importance. - -These Bedesmen are an order of paupers to whom the Kings of Scotland -were in the custom of distributing a certain alms, in conformity with -the ordinances of the Catholic Church, and who were expected in return -to pray for the royal welfare and that of the state. This order is still -kept up. Their number is equal to the number of years which his Majesty -has lived; and one Blue-Gown additional is put on the roll for every -returning royal birth-day. On the same auspicious era, each Bedesman -receives a new cloak, or gown of coarse cloth, the colour light blue, -with a pewter badge, which confers on them the general privilege of -asking alms through all Scotland,--all laws against sorning, masterful -beggary, and every other species of mendicity, being suspended in favour -of this privileged class. With his cloak, each receives a leathern -purse, containing as many shillings Scots (videlicet, pennies sterling) -as the sovereign is years old; the zeal of their intercession for the -king's long life receiving, it is to be supposed, a great stimulus -from their own present and increasing interest in the object of their -prayers. On the same occasion one of the Royal Chaplains preaches a -sermon to the Bedesmen, who (as one of the reverend gentlemen expressed -himself) are the most impatient and inattentive audience in the world. -Something of this may arise from a feeling on the part of the Bedesmen, -that they are paid for their own devotions, not for listening to those -of others. Or, more probably, it arises from impatience, natural, though -indecorous in men bearing so venerable a character, to arrive at the -conclusion of the ceremonial of the royal birth-day, which, so far as -they are concerned, ends in a lusty breakfast of bread and ale; the -whole moral and religious exhibition terminating in the advice of -Johnson's "Hermit hoar" to his proselyte, - - Come, my lad, and drink some beer. - -Of the charity bestowed on these aged Bedesmen in money and clothing, -there are many records in the Treasurer's accompts. The following -extract, kindly supplied by Mr. Macdonald of the Register House, may -interest those whose taste is akin to that of Jonathan Oldbuck of -Monkbarns. BLEW GOWNIS. - - In the Account of Sir Robert Melvill of Murdocarney, - Treasurer-Depute of King James VI., there are the following Payments:-- - - "Junij 1590. - - "Item, to Mr. Peter Young, Elimosinar, twentie four gownis of blew - clayth, to be gevin to xxiiij auld men, according to the yeiris of his - hienes age, extending to viii xx viii elnis clayth; price of the elne - xxiiij s. Inde, ij cj li. xij s. - - "Item, for sextene elnis bukrum to the saidis gownis, price of the elne x - s. Inde, viij li. - - "Item, twentie four pursis, and in ilk purse twentie four schelling - Inde, xxciij li. xvj s. - "Item, the price of ilk purse iiij d. Inde, viij s. - - "Item, for making of the saidis gownis viij li." - - In the Account of John, Earl of Mar, Great Treasurer of Scotland, and of - Sir Gideon Murray of Enbank, Treasurer-Depute, the Blue-Gowns also appear - thus:-- - - - "Junij 1617. - - "Item, to James Murray, merchant, for fyftene scoir sex elnis and aine - half elne of blew claith to be gownis to fyftie ane aigeit men, according - to the yeiris of his Majesteis age, at xl s. the elne - Inde, vj c xiij li. - - "Item, to workmen for careing the blewis to James Aikman, tailyeour, his - hous xiij s. iiij d. - - "Item, for sex elnis and ane half of harden to the saidis gownis, at vj - s. viij d. the elne Inde, xliij s. iiij d. - - "Item, to the said workmen for careing of the gownis fra the said James - Aikman's hous to the palace of Halyrudehous xviij s. - - "Item, for making the saidis fyftie ane gownis, at xij s. the peice - Inde, xxx li. xij s. - - "Item, for fyftie ane pursis to the said puire menlj s. - - "Item, to Sir Peter Young, li s. to be put in everie ane of the saidis - ljpursis to the said poore men j cxxxl jj s. - - "Item, to the said Sir Peter, to buy breid and drink to the said puir men - vj li. xiij s. iiij d. - - "Item, to the said Sir Peter, to be delt amang uther puire folk j cli. - - "Item, upoun the last day of Junii to Doctor Young, Deane of Winchester, - Elimozinar Deput to his Majestic, twentie fyve pund sterling, to be gevin - to the puir be the way in his Majesteis progress Inde, iij c li." - -I have only to add, that although the institution of King's Bedesmen -still subsists, they are now seldom to be seen on the streets -of Edinburgh, of which their peculiar dress made them rather a -characteristic feature. - -Having thus given an account of the genus and species to which Edie -Ochiltree appertains, the author may add, that the individual he had -in his eye was Andrew Gemmells, an old mendicant of the character -described, who was many years since well known, and must still be -remembered, in the vales of Gala, Tweed, Ettrick, Yarrow, and the -adjoining country. - -The author has in his youth repeatedly seen and conversed with Andrew, -but cannot recollect whether he held the rank of Blue-Gown. He was a -remarkably fine old figure, very tall, and maintaining a soldierlike -or military manner and address. His features were intelligent, with a -powerful expression of sarcasm. His motions were always so graceful, -that he might almost have been suspected of having studied them; for -he might, on any occasion, have, served as a model for an artist, so -remarkably striking were his ordinary attitudes. Andrew Gemmells had -little of the cant of his calling; his wants were food and shelter, or -a trifle of money, which he always claimed, and seemed to receive as his -due. He, sung a good song, told a good story, and could crack a severe -jest with all the acumen of Shakespeare's jesters, though without using, -like them, the cloak of insanity. It was some fear of Andrew's satire, -as much as a feeling of kindness or charity, which secured him the -general good reception which he enjoyed everywhere. In fact, a jest of -Andrew Gemmells, especially at the expense of a person of consequence, -flew round the circle which he frequented, as surely as the bon-mot of -a man of established character for wit glides through the fashionable -world, Many of his good things are held in remembrance, but are -generally too local and personal to be introduced here. - -Andrew had a character peculiar to himself among his tribe for aught I -ever heard. He was ready and willing to play at cards or dice with any -one who desired such amusement. This was more in the character of the -Irish itinerant gambler, called in that country a "carrow," than of the -Scottish beggar. But the late Reverend Doctor Robert Douglas, minister -of Galashiels, assured the author, that the last time he saw Andrew -Gemmells, he was engaged in a game at brag with a gentleman of fortune, -distinction, and birth. To preserve the due gradations of rank, the -party was made at an open window of the chateau, the laird sitting on -his chair in the inside, the beggar on a stool in the yard; and they -played on the window-sill. The stake was a considerable parcel of -silver. The author expressing some surprise, Dr. Douglas observed, that -the laird was no doubt a humourist or original; but that many decent -persons in those times would, like him, have thought there was -nothing extraordinary in passing an hour, either in card-playing or -conversation, with Andrew Gemmells. - -This singular mendicant had generally, or was supposed to have, much -money about his person, as would have been thought the value of his life -among modern foot-pads. On one occasion, a country gentleman, generally -esteemed a very narrow man, happening to meet Andrew, expressed great -regret that he had no silver in his pocket, or he would have given him -sixpence.--"I can give you change for a note, laird," replied Andrew. - -Like most who have arisen to the head of their profession, the modern -degradation which mendicity has undergone was often the subject of -Andrew's lamentations. As a trade, he said, it was forty pounds a-year -worse since he had first practised it. On another occasion he observed, -begging was in modern times scarcely the profession of a gentleman; and -that, if he had twenty sons, he would not easily be induced to breed one -of them up in his own line. When or where this laudator temporis acti -closed his wanderings, the author never heard with certainty; but most -probably, as Burns says, - - --he died a cadger-powny's death, - At some dike side. - -The author may add another picture of the same kind as Edie Ochiltree -and Andrew Gemmells; considering these illustrations as a sort of -gallery, open to the reception of anything which may elucidate former -manners, or amuse the reader. - -The author's contemporaries at the university of Edinburgh will probably -remember the thin, wasted form of a venerable old Bedesman, who stood -by the Potterrow-Port, now demolished, and, without speaking a syllable, -gently inclined his head, and offered his hat, but with the least -possible degree of urgency, towards each individual who passed. This man -gained, by silence and the extenuated and wasted appearance of a palmer -from a remote country, the same tribute which was yielded to Andrew -Gemmells' sarcastic humour and stately deportment. He was understood to -be able to maintain a son a student in the theological classes of the -University, at the gate of which the father was a mendicant. The young -man was modest and inclined to learning, so that a student of the same -age, and whose parents where rather of the lower order, moved by seeing -him excluded from the society of other scholars when the secret of his -birth was suspected, endeavoured to console him by offering him some -occasional civilities. The old mendicant was grateful for this attention -to his son, and one day, as the friendly student passed, he stooped -forward more than usual, as if to intercept his passage. The scholar -drew out a halfpenny, which he concluded was the beggar's object, when -he was surprised to receive his thanks for the kindness he had shown to -Jemmie, and at the same time a cordial invitation to dine with them next -Saturday, "on a shoulder of mutton and potatoes," adding, "ye'll put on -your clean sark, as I have company." The student was strongly tempted -to accept this hospitable proposal, as many in his place would -probably have done; but, as the motive might have been capable of -misrepresentation, he thought it most prudent, considering the character -and circumstances of the old man, to decline the invitation. - -Such are a few traits of Scottish mendicity, designed to throw light on -a Novel in which a character of that description plays a prominent -part. We conclude, that we have vindicated Edie Ochiltree's right to the -importance assigned him; and have shown, that we have known one beggar -take a hand at cards with a person of distinction, and another give -dinner parties. - -I know not if it be worth while to observe, that the Antiquary,* was not -so well received on its first appearance as either of its predecessors, -though in course of time it rose to equal, and, with some readers, -superior popularity. - -* Note A. Mottoes. - - - - -EDITOR'S INTRODUCTION TO THE ANTIQUARY. - -"THE ANTIQUARY" was begun in 1815; the bargain for its publication by -Constable was made in the October of that year. On December 22 Scott -wrote to Morritt: "I shall set myself seriously to 'The Antiquary,' of -which I have only a very general sketch at present; but when once I get -my pen to the paper it will walk fast enough. I am sometimes tempted to -leave it alone, and try whether it will not write as well without the -assistance of my head as with it,--a hopeful prospect for the reader!'" -It is amazing enough that he even constructed "a general sketch," for -to such sketches he confesses that he never could keep constant. "I have -generally written to the middle of one of these novels without having -the least idea how it was to end,--in short, in the hab nab at a venture -style of composition" (Journal, Feb. 24, 1828). Yet it is almost -impossible but that the plot of "The Antiquary" should have been duly -considered. Scott must have known from the first who Lovel was to -turn out to be, and must have recognised in the hapless bride of -Lord Glenallan the object of the Antiquary's solitary and unfortunate -passion. To introduce another Wandering Heir immediately after the Harry -Bertram of "Guy Mannering" was rather audacious. But that old favourite, -the Lost Heir, is nearly certain to be popular. For the Antiquary's -immortal sorrow Scott had a model in his own experience. "What a romance -to tell!--and told, I fear, it will one day be. And then my three years -of dreaming and my two years of wakening will be chronicled doubtless. -But the dead will feel no pain." The dead, as Aristotle says, if they -care for such things at all, care no more than we do for what has passed -in a dream. - -The general sketch probably began to take full shape about the last day -of 1815. On December 29 Scott wrote to Ballantyne:-- - - DEAR JAMES,-- - I've done, thank'God, with the long yarns - Of the most prosy of Apostles--Paul, 1 - And now advance, sweet heathen of Monkbarns, - Step out, old quizz, as fast as I can scrawl. - -In "The Antiquary" Scott had a subject thoroughly to his mind. He -had been an antiquary from his childhood. His earliest pence had -been devoted to that collection of printed ballads which is still -at Abbotsford. These he mentions in the unfinished fragment of his -"Reliquiae Trotcosienses," in much the same words as in his manuscript -note on one of the seven volumes. - -"This little collection of Stall tracts and ballads was formed by me, -when a boy, from the baskets of the travelling pedlars. Until put into -its present decent binding it had such charms for the servants that it -was repeatedly, and with difficulty, recovered from their clutches. It -contains most of the pieces that were popular about thirty years since, -and, I dare say, many that could not now be procured for any price -(1810)." - -Nor did he collect only-- - - "The rare melody of some old ditties - That first were sung to please King Pepin's cradle. - -"Walter had soon begun to gather out-of-the-way things of all sorts. He -had more books than shelves [sic]; a small painted cabinet with Scotch -and Roman coins in it, and so forth. A claymore and Lochaber axe, -given him by old Invernahyle, mounted guard on a little print of Prince -Charlie; and Broughton's Saucer was hooked up on the wall below it." He -had entered literature through the ruined gateway of archleology, in the -"Border Minstrelsy," and his last project was an edition of Perrault's -"Contes de Ma Mere l'Oie." As pleasant to him as the purchase of new -lands like Turn Again, bought dearly, as in Monkbarns's case, from -"bonnet lauds," was a fresh acquisition of an old book or of old armour. -Yet, with all his enthusiasm, he did not please the antiquaries of his -own day. George Chalmers, in Constable's "Life and Correspondence" -(i. 431), sneers at his want of learning. "His notes are loose and -unlearned, as they generally are." Charles Kirkpatrick Sharpe, his -friend in life, disported himself in jealous and ribald mockery of -Scott's archaeological knowledge, when Scott was dead. In a letter of -the enigmatic Thomas Allen, or James Stuart Hay, father of John Sobieski -and Charles Edward Stuart, this mysterious person avers that he never -knew Scott's opinion to be held as of any value by antiquaries (1829). -They probably missed in him "a sort of pettifogging intimacy with dates, -names, and trifling matters of fact,--a tiresome and frivolous accuracy -of memory" which Sir Arthur Wardour reproves in Monkbarns. Scott, in -brief, was not as Dry-as-dust; all the dead bones that he touches come -to life. He was as great an archeologist as a poet can be, and, with -Virgil, was the greatest antiquary among poets. Like Monkbarns, he was -not incapable of being beguiled. As Oldbuck bought the bodle from the -pedlar at the price of a rare coin, so Scott took Surtees's "Barthram's -Dirge," and his Latin legend of the tourney with the spectre knight, for -genuine antiquities. No Edie Ochiltree ever revealed to him the truth -about these forgeries, and the spectre knight, with the ballad of -"Anthony Featherstonhaugh," hold their own in "Marmion," to assure the -world that this antiquary was gullible when the sleight was practised by -a friend. "Non est tanti," he would have said, had he learned the truth; -for he was ever conscious of the humorous side of the study of the -mouldering past. "I do not know anything which relieves the mind so much -from the sullens as a trifling discourse about antiquarian oldwomanries. -It is like knitting a stocking,--diverting the mind without occupying -it." ("Journal," March 9, 1828). - -Begun about Jan. 1, 1816, "The Antiquary" was published before May 16, -1816, when Scott writes to say that he has sent Mr. Morritt the novel -"some time since." "It is not so interesting as its predecessors; the -period does not admit of so much romantic situation. But it has been -more fortunate than any of them in the sale, for six thousand went off -in the first six days, and it is now at press again." The Preface of the -first edition ends with the melancholy statement that the author "takes -his respectful leave, as one who is not likely again to solicit favour." -Apparently Scott had already determined not to announce his next novels -("The Black Dwarf" and "Old Mortality") as "by the Author of Waverley." -Mr. Constable, in the biography of his father, says (iii. 84): "Even -before the publication of 'The Antiquary,' John Ballantyne had been -impowered by the Author to negotiate with Mr. Murray and Mr. Blackwood -for the first series of the 'Tales of my Landlord.'" The note of -withdrawal from the stage, in the first edition of "The Antiquary," -was probably only a part of another experiment on public sagacity. As -Lockhart says, Mr. Murray and Mr. Blackwood thought that the consequent -absence of the Author of "Waverley's" name from the "Tales of my -Landlord" would "check very much the first success of the book;" but -they risked this, "to disturb Constable's tenure." - -Scott's temporary desertion of Constable in the "Tales of my Landlord" -may have had various motives. There was a slight grudge against -Constable, born of some complications of the Ballantynes' affairs. -Perhaps the mere amusement of the experiment on public sagacity was one -of the more powerful reasons for the change. In our day Lord Lytton and -Mr. Trollope made similar trials of their popularity when anonymous, the -former author with the greater success. The idea of these masquerades -and veils of the incognito appears to have bewitched Constable. William -Godwin was writing for him his novel "Mandeville," and Godwin had -obviously been counselled to try a disguise. He says (Jan. 30, 1816) "I -have amused my imagination a thousand times since last we parted with -the masquerade you devised for me. The world is full of wonder. An old -favourite is always reviewed with coldness. . . . 'Pooh,' they say; -'Godwin has worn his pen to the stump!' . . . But let me once be -equipped with a significant mask and an unknown character from your -masquerade shop, and admitted to figure in with the 'Last Minstrel,' the -'Lady of the Lake,' and 'Guy Mannering' in the Scottish carnival, Gods! -how the boys and girls will admire me! 'Here is a new wonder!' they -will say. 'Ah, this is something like! Here is Godwin beaten on his own -ground. . . Here is for once a Scottish writer that they cannot say has -anything of the Scotchman about him.'" - -However, Mr. Godwin did not don the mask and domino. "Mandeville" came -out about the same time as "Rob Roy;" but the "craziness of the public" -for the Author of "Waverley" was not changed into a passion for the -father-in-law of Shelley. - -"'The Antiquary,' after a little pause of hesitation, attained -popularity not inferior to 'Guy Mannering,' and though the author -appears for a moment to have shared the doubts which he read in the -countenance of James Ballantyne, it certainly was, in the sequel, his -chief favourite among all his novels.'" - -As Scott said to Terry, "If a man will paint from nature, he will be -likely to amuse those who are daily looking at it." The years which saw -the first appearance of "Guy Mannering" also witnessed that of "Emma." -By the singular chance, or law, which links great authors closely -in time, giving us novelists in pairs, Miss Austen was "drawing from -nature" at the very moment when Scott was wedding nature with romance. -How generously and wisely he admired her is familiar, and it may, to -some, seem curious that he never deliberately set himself to a picture -of ordinary life, free from the intrusion of the unusual, of the heroic. -Once, looking down at the village which lies on the Tweed, opposite -Melrose, he remarked that under its roofs tragedies and tales were -doubtless being lived. 'I undertake to say there is some real romance at -this moment going on down there, that, if it could have justice done to -it, would be well worth all the fiction that was ever spun out of human -brains.' But the example he gave was terrible,--"anything more dreadful -was never conceived by Crabbe;" yet, adds Lockhart, "it would never have -entered into his head to elaborate such a tale." He could not dwell in -the unbroken gloom dear to some modern malingerers. But he could -easily have made a tale of common Scotch life, dark with the sorrow of -Mucklebackit, and bright with the mirth of Cuddie Headrigg. There was, -however, this difficulty,--that Scott cared not to write a story of a -single class. "From the peer to the ploughman," all society mingles in -each of his novels. A fiction of middle-class life did not allure him, -and he was not at the best, but at his worst, as Sydney Smith observed, -in the light talk of society. He could admire Miss Austen, and read her -novels again and again; but had he attempted to follow her, by way of -variety, then inevitably wild as well as disciplined humour would have -kept breaking in, and his fancy would have wandered like the old knights -of Arthur's Court, "at adventure." "St. Ronan's Well" proved the truth -of all this. Thus it happens that, in "The Antiquary," with all his -sympathy for the people, with all his knowledge of them, he does not -confine himself to their cottages. As Lockhart says, in his admirable -piece of criticism, he preferred to choose topics in which he could -display "his highest art, that of skilful contrast." - -Even the tragic romance of "Waverley" does not set off its Macwheebles -and Callum Begs better than the oddities of Jonathan Oldbuck and -his circle are relieved, on the one hand by the stately gloom of the -Glenallans, on the other by the stern affliction of the poor fisherman, -who, when discovered repairing "the auld black bitch of a boat," in -which his boy had been lost, and congratulated by his visitors on being -capable of the exertion, makes answer, "And what would you have me to -do, unless I wanted to see four children starve, because one is drowned? -It 's weel with you gentles, that can sit in the house with handkerchers -at your een, when ye lose a friend; but the like o' us maun to our work -again, if our hearts were beating as hard as ony hammer." And to his -work again Scott had to go when he lost the partner of his life. - -The simple unsought charm which Lockhart notes in "The Antiquary" may -have passed away in later works, when what had been the amusement of -happy days became the task of sadness. But this magic "The Antiquary" -keeps perhaps beyond all its companions,--the magic of pleasant memories -and friendly associations. The sketches of the epoch of expected -invasion, with its patriotic musters and volunteer drillings, are -pictures out of that part in the author's life which, with his early -Highland wanderings ("Waverley") and his Liddesdale raids ("Guy -Mannering"), was most dear to him. In "Redgauntlet," again, he makes, as -Alan Fairford, a return on his youth and his home, and in "Rob Roy" he -revives his Highland recollections, his Highland lairds of "the blawing, -bleezing stories." None of the rest of the tales are so intimate in -their connection with Scott's own personal history. "The Antiquary" has -always, therefore, been held in the very first rank of his novels. - -As far as plot goes, though Godwin denied that it had any story, "The -Antiquary" may be placed among the most careful. The underplot of the -Glenallans, gloomy almost beyond endurance, is very ingeniously made -to unravel the mystery of Lovel. The other side-narrative, that of -Dousterswivel, is the weak point of the whole; but this Scott justifies -by "very late instances of the force of superstitious credulity, to a -much greater extent." Some occurrence of the hour may have suggested the -knavish adept with his divining-rod. But facts are never a real excuse -for the morally incredible, or all but incredible, in fiction. On the -wealth and vraisemblance and variety of character it were superfluous to -dilate. As in Shakspeare, there is not even a minor person but lives -and is of flesh and blood, if we except, perhaps, Dousterswivel and Sir -Arthur Wardour. Sir Arthur is only Sir Robert Hazlewood over again, with -a slightly different folly and a somewhat more amiable nature. Lovel's -place, as usual, is among the shades of heroes, and his love-affair is -far less moving, far more summarily treated, than that of Jenny Caxon. -The skilful contrasts are perhaps most remarkable when we compare -Elspeth of the Burnfoot with the gossiping old women in the post-office -at Fairport,--a town studied perhaps from Arbroath. It was the opinion -of Sydney Smith that every one of the novels, before "The Fortunes of -Nigel," contained a Meg Merrilies and a Dominie Sampson. He may have -recognized a male Meg in Edie Ochiltree,--the invaluable character who is -always behind a wall, always overhears everything, and holds the threads -of the plot. Or he may have been hypercritical enough to think that -Elspeth of the Burnfoot is the Meg of the romance. Few will agree with -him that Meg Merrilies, in either of these cases, is "good, but good too -often." - -The supposed "originals" of certain persons in the tale have been -topics of discussion. The character of Oldbuck, like most characters in -fiction, is a combination of traits observed in various persons. Scott -says, in a note to the Ashiestiel fragment of Autobiography, that Mr. -George Constable, an old friend of his father's, "had many of those -peculiarities of character which long afterwards I tried to develop in -the character of Jonathan Oldbuck." Sir Walter, when a child, made Mr. -Constable's acquaintance at Prestonpans in 1777, where he explored the -battle-field "under the learned guidance of Dalgetty." Mr. Constable -first introduced him to Shakspeare's plays, and gave him his first -German dictionary. Other traits may have been suggested by John Clerk -of Eldin, whose grandfather was the hero of the story "Praetorian here, -Praetorian there, I made it wi' a flaughter spade." Lockhart is no -doubt right in thinking that Oldbuck is partly a caricature of Oldbuck's -creator,--Sir Walter indeed frankly accepted the kinship; and the book -which he began on his own collection he proposed to style "Reliquim -Trotcosienses; or, the Gabions of Jonathan Oldbuck." - -Another person who added a few points to Oldbuck was "Sandy Gordon," -author of the "Itinerarium Septentrionale" (1726), the very folio which -Monkbarns carried in the dilatory coach to Queensferry. Gordon had been -a student in the University of Aberdeen; he was an amateur in many arts, -but antiquarianism was his favourite hobby. He was an acquaintance of -Sir John Clerk of Eldin, the hero of the Praetorium. The words of Gordon -in his "Itinerarium," where he describes the battle of the Grampians, -have supplied, or suggested, the speech of Monkbarns at the Kaim -of Kinprunes. The great question was, Where is the Mons Grampius of -Tacitus? Dismissing Camden's Grantsbain, because he does not know where -it is, Gordon says, "As for our Scotch Antiquaries, they are so divided -that some will have it to be in the shire of Angus, or in the Mearns, -some at the Blair of Athol in Perthshire, or Ardoch in Strathallan, and -others at Inverpeffery." Gordon votes for Strathern, "half a mile short -of the Kirk of Comrie." This spot is both at the foot of the Montes -Grampii, "and boasts a Roman camp capable of holding an army fit to -encounter so formidable a number as thirty thousand Caledonians. . . . -Here is the Porta Decumana, opposite the Prcetoria, together with the -dextra and sinistra gates," all discovered by Sandy Gordon. "Moreover, -the situation of the ground is so very exact with the description -given by Tacitus, that in all my travels through Britain I never beheld -anything with more pleasure. . . . Nor is it difficult, in viewing this -ground, to say where the Covinarii, or Charioteers, stood. In fine, to -an Antiquary, this is a ravishing scene." He adds the argument "that -Galgacus's name still remains on this ground, for the moor on which the -camp stood is called to this day Galdachan, or Galgachan Rosmoor." -All this lore Gordon illustrates by an immense chart of a camp, and a -picture of very small Montes Grampii, about the size and shape of buns. -The plate is dedicated to his excellency General Wade. - -In another point Monkbapns borrows from Gordon. Sandy has a plate (page -20) of "The Roman Sacellum of Mars Signifer, vulgarly called 'Arthur's -Oon.' With regard to its shape, it is not unlike the famous Pantheon at -Rome before the noble Portico was added to it by Marcus Agrippa." Gordon -agrees with Stukeley in attributing Arthur's Oon to Agricola, and -here Monkbarns and Lovel adopt almost his words. "Time has left Julius -Agricola's very name on the place; . . . and if ever those initial -letters J. A. M. P. M. P. T., mentioned by Sir Robert Sibbald, were -engraven on a stone in this building, it may not be reckoned altogether -absurd that they should bear this reading, JULIUS AGRICOLA MAGNUS -PIETATIS MONUMENTUM POSUIT TEMPLUM; but this my reader may either accept -or reject as he pleases. However, I think it may be as probably received -as that inscription on Caligula's Pharos in Holland, which having these -following letters, C. C. P. F., is read Caius Caligula Pharum Fecit." -"This," Monkbarns adds, "has ever been recorded as a sound exposition." - -The character of Edie Ochiltree, Scott himself avers to have been -suggested by Andrew Gemmells, pleasantly described in the Introduction. -Mr. Chambers, in "Illustrations of the Author of 'Waverley," clears up -a point doubtful in Scott's memory, by saying that Geimells really was a -Blue-Gown. He rode a horse of his own, and at races was a bookmaker. -He once dropped at Rutherford, in Teviotdale, a clue of yarn containing -twenty guineas. Like Edie Ochiltree, he had served at Fontenoy. He -died at Roxburgh Newton in 1793, at the age of one hundred and five, -according to his own reckoning. "His wealth was the means of enriching -a nephew in Ayrshire, who is now (1825) a considerable landholder there, -and belongs to a respectable class of society." - -An old Irus of similar character patrolled Teviotdale, while Andrew -Gemmells was attached to Ettrick and Yarrow. This was Blind Willie Craw. -Willie was the Society Journal of Hawick, and levied blackmail on the -inhabitants. He is thus described by Mr. Grieve, in the Diary already -quoted: "He lived at Branxholme Town, in a free house set apart for the -gamekeeper, and for many a year carried all the bread from Hawick used -in my father's family. He came in that way at breakfast-time, and got a -wallet which he put it in, and returned at dinner-time with the 'bawbee -rows' and two loaves. He laid the town of Hawick under contribution for -bawbees, and he knew the history of every individual, and went rhyming -through the town from door to door; and as he knew something against -every one which they would rather wish should not be rehearsed, a bawbee -put a stop to the paragraph which they wished suppressed. Willie Craw -was the son of a gamekeeper of the duke's, and enjoyed a free house at -Branxholme Town as long as he lived." - -Had Burns ever betaken himself to the gaberlunzie's life, which he -speaks of in one of his poems as "the last o't, the worst o't," he would -have proved a much more formidable satirist than poor Willie Craw, the -last of the "blind crowders." Burns wrote, of course, in a spirit of -reckless humour; but he could not, even in sport, have alluded to the -life as "suited to his habits and powers," had gaberlunzies been mere -mendicants. In Herd's collection of Ballads is one on the ancient -Scottish beggar:-- - - In Scotland there lived a humble beggar, - He had nor house, nor hald, nor hame; - But he was well liked by ilk a body, - And they gave him sunkets to rax his wame. - - A sieve fu' o' meal, a handfu' o' groats, - A dad o' a bannock, or pudding bree, - Cauld porridge, or the lickings o' plates, - Wad make him as blythe as a body could be. - -The dress and trade of the beggar are said to have been adopted by -James V. in his adventures, and tradition attributes to him a song, "The -Gaberlunzie Man." - -One of Edie's most charming traits is his readiness to "fight for his -dish, like the laird for his land," when a French invasion was expected. -Scott places the date of "The False Alarm," when he himself rode a -hundred miles to join his regiment, on Feb. 2, 1804. - -Lockhart gives it as an event of 1805 (vol. ii. p. 275). The occasion -gave great pleasure to Scott, on account of the patriotism and courage -displayed by all classes. "Me no muckle to fight for?" says Edie. "Isna -there the country to fight for, and the burns I gang dandering beside, -and the hearths o' the gudewives that gie me my bit bread, and the bits -o' weans that come toddling to play wi' me when I come about a landward -town?" Edie had fought at Fontenoy, and was of the old school. Scott -would have been less pleased with a recruit from St. Boswells, on the -Tweed. This man was a shoemaker, John Younger, a very intelligent and -worthy person, famous as an angler and writer on angling, who has left -an account of the "False Alarm" in his memoirs. His view was that the -people, unlike Edie, had nothing to fight for, that only the rich had -any reason to be patriotic, that the French had no quarrel with the -poor. In fact, Mr. Younger was a cosmopolitan democrat, and sneered at -the old Border glories of the warlike days. Probably, however, he would -have done his duty, had the enemy landed, and, like Edie, might have -remembered the "burns he dandered beside," always with a fishingrod in -his hand. - - The Editor cannot resist the temptation to add that the patriotic - lady mentioned in Scott's note, who "would rather have seen her son - dead on that hearth than hear that he had been a horse's length - behind his companions," was his paternal great-grandmother, Mrs. - John Lang. Her husband, who died shortly afterwards, so that she was - a widow when Scott conversed with her, chanced to be chief - magistrate of Selkirk. His family was aroused late one night by the - sound of a carriage hurrying down the steep and narrow street. Lord - Napier was bringing, probably from Hawick, the tidings that the - beacons were ablaze. The town-bell was instantly rung, the - inhabitants met in the marketplace, where Scott's statue now stands, - and the whole force, with one solitary exception, armed and marched - to Dalkeith. According to the gentleman whose horse and arms were - sent on to meet him, it was intended, if the French proved - victorious, that the population of the Border towns should abandon - their homes and retire to the hills. - -No characters in the "Antiquary," except Monkbarns and Edie Ochiltree, -seem to have been borrowed from notable originals. The frauds of -Dousterswivel, Scott says, are rendered plausible by "very late -instances of the force of superstitious credulity to a much greater -extent." He can hardly be referring to the career of Cagliostro, but -he may have had in his memory some unsuccessful mining speculations by -Charles Earl of Traquair, who sought for lead and found little or none -in Traquair hills. The old "Statistical Account of Scotland" (vol. xii. -p. 370) says nothing about imposture, and merely remarks that "the noble -family of Traquair have made several attempts to discover lead mines, -and have found quantities of the ore of that metal, though not adequate -to indemnify the expenses of working, and have therefore given up the -attempt." This was published in 1794, so twenty years had passed -when "The Antiquary" was written. If there was here an "instance -of superstitious credulity," it was not "a very late instance." The -divining, or "dowsing," rod of Dousterswivel still keeps its place in -mining superstition and in the search for wells. - -With "The Antiquary" most contemporary reviews of the novels lose their -interest. Their author had firmly established his position, at least -till "The Monastery" caused some murmurings. Even the "Quarterly Review" -was infinitely more genial in its reception of "The Antiquary" than of -"Guy Mannering." The critic only grumbled at Lovel's feverish dreams, -which, he thought, showed an intention to introduce the marvellous. He -complained of "the dark dialect of Anglified Erse," but found comfort in -the glossary appended. The "Edinburgh Review" pronounced the chapter on -the escape from the tide to be "I the very best description we have ever -met, inverse or in prose, in ancient or in modern writing." No reviewer -seems to have noticed that the sun is made to set in the sea, on the -east coast of Scotland. The "Edinburgh," however, declared that the -Antiquary, "at least in so far as he is an Antiquary," was the chief -blemish on the book. The "sweet heathen of Monkbarns" has not suffered -from this disparagement. The "British Critic" pledged its reputation -that Scott was the author. If an argument were wanted, "it would be that -which has been applied to prove the authenticity of the last book of -the Iliad,--that Homer must have written it, because no one else could." -Alas! that argument does not convince German critics. - - ANDREW LANG. - - - - - -CHAPTER FIRST. - - Go call a coach, and let a coach be called, - And let the man who calleth be the caller; - And in his calling let him nothing call, - But Coach! Coach! Coach! O for a coach, ye gods! - Chrononhotonthologos. - -It was early on a fine summer's day, near the end of the eighteenth -century, when a young man, of genteel appearance, journeying towards the -north-east of Scotland, provided himself with a ticket in one of those -public carriages which travel between Edinburgh and the Queensferry, -at which place, as the name implies, and as is well known to all my -northern readers, there is a passage-boat for crossing the Firth of -Forth. The coach was calculated to carry six regular passengers, besides -such interlopers as the coachman could pick up by the way, and intrude -upon those who were legally in possession. The tickets, which conferred -right to a seat in this vehicle, of little ease, were dispensed by a -sharp-looking old dame, with a pair of spectacles on a very thin nose, -who inhabited a "laigh shop," anglice, a cellar, opening to the High -Street by a straight and steep stair, at the bottom of which she sold -tape, thread, needles, skeins of worsted, coarse linen cloth, and such -feminine gear, to those who had the courage and skill to descend to -the profundity of her dwelling, without falling headlong themselves, or -throwing down any of the numerous articles which, piled on each side of -the descent, indicated the profession of the trader below. - -The written hand-bill, which, pasted on a projecting board, announced -that the Queensferry Diligence, or Hawes Fly, departed precisely at -twelve o'clock on Tuesday, the fifteenth July 17--, in order to secure -for travellers the opportunity of passing the Firth with the flood-tide, -lied on the present occasion like a bulletin; for although that hour was -pealed from Saint Giles's steeple, and repeated by the Tron, no coach -appeared upon the appointed stand. It is true, only two tickets had been -taken out, and possibly the lady of the subterranean mansion might have -an understanding with her Automedon, that, in such cases, a little space -was to be allowed for the chance of filling up the vacant places--or the -said Automedon might have been attending a funeral, and be delayed by -the necessity of stripping his vehicle of its lugubrious trappings--or -he might have staid to take a half-mutchkin extraordinary with his crony -the hostler--or--in short, he did not make his appearance. - -The young gentleman, who began to grow somewhat impatient, was now -joined by a companion in this petty misery of human life--the person who -had taken out the other place. He who is bent upon a journey is usually -easily to be distinguished from his fellow-citizens. The boots, the -great-coat, the umbrella, the little bundle in his hand, the hat pulled -over his resolved brows, the determined importance of his pace, his -brief answers to the salutations of lounging acquaintances, are all -marks by which the experienced traveller in mail-coach or diligence can -distinguish, at a distance, the companion of his future journey, as he -pushes onward to the place of rendezvous. It is then that, with worldly -wisdom, the first comer hastens to secure the best berth in the coach -for himself, and to make the most convenient arrangement for his baggage -before the arrival of his competitors. Our youth, who was gifted with -little prudence, of any sort, and who was, moreover, by the absence of -the coach, deprived of the power of availing himself of his priority of -choice, amused himself, instead, by speculating upon the occupation and -character of the personage who was now come to the coach office. - -He was a good-looking man of the age of sixty, perhaps older,--but his -hale complexion and firm step announced that years had not impaired -his strength or health. His countenance was of the true Scottish -cast, strongly marked, and rather harsh in features, with a shrewd -and penetrating eye, and a countenance in which habitual gravity was -enlivened by a cast of ironical humour. His dress was uniform, and of a -colour becoming his age and gravity; a wig, well dressed and powdered, -surmounted by a slouched hat, had something of a professional air. He -might be a clergyman, yet his appearance was more that of a man of -the world than usually belongs to the kirk of Scotland, and his first -ejaculation put the matter beyond question. - -He arrived with a hurried pace, and, casting an alarmed glance towards -the dial-plate of the church, then looking at the place where the coach -should have been, exclaimed, "Deil's in it--I am too late after all!" - -The young man relieved his anxiety, by telling him the coach had not -yet appeared. The old gentleman, apparently conscious of his own want of -punctuality, did not at first feel courageous enough to censure that -of the coachman. He took a parcel, containing apparently a large folio, -from a little boy who followed him, and, patting him on the head, bid -him go back and tell Mr. B----, that if he had known he was to have had so -much time, he would have put another word or two to their bargain,--then -told the boy to mind his business, and he would be as thriving a lad as -ever dusted a duodecimo. The boy lingered, perhaps in hopes of a penny -to buy marbles; but none was forthcoming. Our senior leaned his little -bundle upon one of the posts at the head of the staircase, and, facing -the traveller who had first arrived, waited in silence for about five -minutes the arrival of the expected diligence. - -At length, after one or two impatient glances at the progress of the -minute-hand of the clock, having compared it with his own watch, a huge -and antique gold repeater, and having twitched about his features to -give due emphasis to one or two peevish pshaws, he hailed the old lady -of the cavern. - -"Good woman,--what the d--l is her name?--Mrs. Macleuchar!" - -Mrs. Macleuchar, aware that she had a defensive part to sustain in the -encounter which was to follow, was in no hurry to hasten the discussion -by returning a ready answer. - -"Mrs. Macleuchar,--Good woman" (with an elevated voice)--then apart, "Old -doited hag, she's as deaf as a post--I say, Mrs. Macleuchar!" - -"I am just serving a customer.--Indeed, hinny, it will no be a bodle -cheaper than I tell ye." - -"Woman," reiterated the traveller, "do you think we can stand here all -day till you have cheated that poor servant wench out of her half-year's -fee and bountith?" - -"Cheated!" retorted Mrs. Macleuchar, eager to take up the quarrel upon a -defensible ground; "I scorn your words, sir: you are an uncivil -person, and I desire you will not stand there, to slander me at my ain -stair-head." - -"The woman," said the senior, looking with an arch glance at his -destined travelling companion, "does not understand the words of -action.--Woman," again turning to the vault, "I arraign not thy -character, but I desire to know what is become of thy coach?" - -"What's your wull?" answered Mrs. Macleuchar, relapsing into deafness. - -"We have taken places, ma'am," said the younger stranger, "in your -diligence for Queensferry"--"Which should have been half-way on the road -before now," continued the elder and more impatient traveller, rising -in wrath as he spoke: "and now in all likelihood we shall miss the tide, -and I have business of importance on the other side--and your cursed -coach"-- - -"The coach?--Gude guide us, gentlemen, is it no on the stand yet?" -answered the old lady, her shrill tone of expostulation sinking into a -kind of apologetic whine. "Is it the coach ye hae been waiting for?" - -"What else could have kept us broiling in the sun by the side of the -gutter here, you--you faithless woman, eh?" - -Mrs. Macleuchar now ascended her trap stair (for such it might be -called, though constructed of stone), until her nose came upon a level -with the pavement; then, after wiping her spectacles to look for -that which she well knew was not to be found, she exclaimed, with -well-feigned astonishment, "Gude guide us--saw ever onybody the like o' -that?" - -"Yes, you abominable woman," vociferated the traveller, "many have seen -the like of it, and all will see the like of it that have anything to do -with your trolloping sex;" then pacing with great indignation before -the door of the shop, still as he passed and repassed, like a vessel who -gives her broadside as she comes abreast of a hostile fortress, he -shot down complaints, threats, and reproaches, on the embarrassed Mrs. -Macleuchar. He would take a post-chaise--he would call a hackney coach--he -would take four horses--he must--he would be on the north side, -to-day--and all the expense of his journey, besides damages, direct and -consequential, arising from delay, should be accumulated on the devoted -head of Mrs. Macleuchar. - -There, was something so comic in his pettish resentment, that the -younger traveller, who was in no such pressing hurry to depart, could -not help being amused with it, especially as it was obvious, that -every now and then the old gentleman, though very angry, could not help -laughing at his own vehemence. But when Mrs. Macleuchar began also to -join in the laughter, he quickly put a stop to her ill-timed merriment. - -"Woman," said he, "is that advertisement thine?" showing a bit of -crumpled printed paper: "Does it not set forth, that, God willing, as -you hypocritically express it, the Hawes Fly, or Queensferry Diligence, -would set forth to-day at twelve o'clock; and is it not, thou falsest of -creatures, now a quarter past twelve, and no such fly or diligence to -be seen?--Dost thou know the consequence of seducing the lieges by -false reports?--dost thou know it might be brought under the statute of -leasing-making? Answer--and for once in thy long, useless, and evil -life, let it be in the words of truth and sincerity,--hast thou such -a coach?--is it in rerum natura?--or is this base annunciation a mere -swindle on the incautious to beguile them of their time, their patience, -and three shillings of sterling money of this realm?--Hast thou, I say, -such a coach? ay or no?" - -"O dear, yes, sir; the neighbours ken the diligence weel, green picked -oat wi' red--three yellow wheels and a black ane." - -"Woman, thy special description will not serve--it may be only a lie with -a circumstance." - -"O, man, man!" said the overwhelmed Mrs. Macleuchar, totally exhausted -at having been so long the butt of his rhetoric, "take back your three -shillings, and make me quit o' ye." - -"Not so fast, not so fast, woman--Will three shillings transport me to -Queensferry, agreeably to thy treacherous program?--or will it requite -the damage I may sustain by leaving my business undone, or repay the -expenses which I must disburse if I am obliged to tarry a day at the -South Ferry for lack of tide?--Will it hire, I say, a pinnace, for which -alone the regular price is five shillings?" - -Here his argument was cut short by a lumbering noise, which proved to -be the advance of the expected vehicle, pressing forward with all the -dispatch to which the broken-winded jades that drew it could possibly -be urged. With ineffable pleasure, Mrs. Macleuchar saw her tormentor -deposited in the leathern convenience; but still, as it was driving off, -his head thrust out of the window reminded her, in words drowned amid -the rumbling of the wheels, that, if the diligence did not attain the -Ferry in time to save the flood-tide, she, Mrs. Macleuchar, should be -held responsible for all the consequences that might ensue. - -The coach had continued in motion for a mile or two before the stranger -had completely repossessed himself of his equanimity, as was manifested -by the doleful ejaculations, which he made from time to time, on the too -great probability, or even certainty, of their missing the flood-tide. -By degrees, however, his wrath subsided; he wiped his brows, relaxed his -frown, and, undoing the parcel in his hand, produced his folio, on which -he gazed from time to time with the knowing look of an amateur, admiring -its height and condition, and ascertaining, by a minute and individual -inspection of each leaf, that the volume was uninjured and entire -from title-page to colophon. His fellow-traveller took the liberty -of inquiring the subject of his studies. He lifted up his eyes with -something of a sarcastic glance, as if he supposed the young querist -would not relish, or perhaps understand, his answer, and pronounced -the book to be Sandy Gordon's Itinerarium Septentrionale,* a book -illustrative of the Roman remains in Scotland. - -* Note B. Sandy Gordon's Itinerarium. - -The querist, unappalled by this learned title, proceeded to put -several questions, which indicated that he had made good use of a good -education, and, although not possessed of minute information on the -subject of antiquities, had yet acquaintance enough with the classics to -render him an interested and intelligent auditor when they were enlarged -upon. The elder traveller, observing with pleasure the capacity of -his temporary companion to understand and answer him, plunged, nothing -loath, into a sea of discussion concerning urns, vases, votive, altars, -Roman camps, and the rules of castrametation. - -The pleasure of this discourse had such a dulcifying tendency, that, -although two causes of delay occurred, each of much more serious -duration than that which had drawn down his wrath upon the unlucky Mrs. -Macleuchar, our =Antiquary= only bestowed on the delay the honour of -a few episodical poohs and pshaws, which rather seemed to regard the -interruption of his disquisition than the retardation of his journey. - -The first of these stops was occasioned by the breaking of a spring, -which half an hour's labour hardly repaired. To the second, the -Antiquary was himself accessory, if not the principal cause of it; for, -observing that one of the horses had cast a fore-foot shoe, he apprized -the coachman of this important deficiency. "It's Jamie Martingale that -furnishes the naigs on contract, and uphauds them," answered John, "and -I am not entitled to make any stop, or to suffer prejudice by the like -of these accidents." - -"And when you go to--I mean to the place you deserve to go to, you -scoundrel,--who do you think will uphold you on contract? If you don't -stop directly and carry the poor brute, to the next smithy, I'll have -you punished, if there's a justice of peace in Mid-Lothian;" and, -opening the coach-door, out he jumped, while the coachman obeyed his -orders, muttering, that "if the gentlemen lost the tide now, they could -not say but it was their ain fault, since he was willing to get on." - -I like so little to analyze the complication of the causes which -influence actions, that I will not venture to ascertain whether our -Antiquary's humanity to the poor horse was not in some degree aided by -his desire of showing his companion a Pict's camp, or Round-about, -a subject which he had been elaborately discussing, and of which a -specimen, "very curious and perfect indeed," happened to exist about a -hundred yards distant from the spot where this interruption took place. -But were I compelled to decompose the motives of my worthy friend (for -such was the gentleman in the sober suit, with powdered wig and slouched -hat), I should say, that, although he certainly would not in any case -have suffered the coachman to proceed while the horse was unfit for -service, and likely to suffer by being urged forward, yet the man of -whipcord escaped some severe abuse and reproach by the agreeable mode -which the traveller found out to pass the interval of delay. - -So much time was consumed by these interruptions of their journey, that -when they descended the hill above the Hawes (for so the inn on the -southern side of the Queensferry is denominated), the experienced eye -of the Antiquary at once discerned, from the extent of wet sand, and -the number of black stones and rocks, covered with sea-weed, which were -visible along the skirts of the shore, that the hour of tide was past. -The young traveller expected a burst of indignation; but whether, as -Croaker says in "The Good-natured Man," our hero had exhausted himself -in fretting away his misfortunes beforehand, so that he did not feel -them when they actually arrived, or whether he found the company in -which he was placed too congenial to lead him to repine at anything -which delayed his journey, it is certain that he submitted to his lot -with much resignation. - -"The d--l's in the diligence and the old hag, it belongs to!--Diligence, -quoth I? Thou shouldst have called it the Sloth--Fly, quoth she? why, it -moves like a fly through a glue-pot, as the Irishman says. But, however, -time and tide tarry for no man, and so, my young friend, we'll have a -snack here at the Hawes, which is a very decent sort of a place, -and I'll be very happy to finish the account I was giving you of the -difference between the mode of entrenching castra stativa and castra -aestiva, things confounded by too many of our historians. Lack-a-day, if -they had ta'en the pains to satisfy their own eyes, instead of following -each other's blind guidance!--Well! we shall be pretty comfortable at the -Hawes; and besides, after all, we must have dined somewhere, and it will -be pleasanter sailing with the tide of ebb and the evening breeze." - -In this Christian temper of making the best of all occurrences, our -travellers alighted at the Hawes. - - - - -CHAPTER SECOND. - - Sir, they do scandal me upon the road here! - A poor quotidian rack of mutton roasted - Dry to be grated! and that driven down - With beer and butter-milk, mingled together. - It is against my freehold, my inheritance. - Wine is the word that glads the heart of man, - And mine's the house of wine. Sack, says my bush, - Be merry and drink Sherry, that's my posie. - Ben Jonson's New Inn. - -As the senior traveller descended the crazy steps of the diligence at -the inn, he was greeted by the fat, gouty, pursy landlord, with that -mixture of familiarity and respect which the Scotch innkeepers of the -old school used to assume towards their more valued customers. - -"Have a care o' us, Monkbarns (distinguishing him by his territorial -epithet, always most agreeable to the ear of a Scottish proprietor), is -this you? I little thought to have seen your honour here till the summer -session was ower." - -"Ye donnard auld deevil," answered his guest, his Scottish accent -predominating when in anger though otherwise not particularly -remarkable,--"ye donnard auld crippled idiot, what have I to do with the -session, or the geese that flock to it, or the hawks that pick their -pinions for them?" - -"Troth, and that's true," said mine host, who, in fact, only spoke upon -a very general recollection of the stranger's original education, yet -would have been sorry not to have been supposed accurate as to the -station and profession of him, or any other occasional guest--"That's -very true,--but I thought ye had some law affair of your ain to look -after--I have ane mysell--a ganging plea that my father left me, and his -father afore left to him. It's about our back-yard--ye'll maybe hae heard -of it in the Parliament-house, Hutchison against Mackitchinson--it's a -weel-kenn'd plea--its been four times in afore the fifteen, and deil ony -thing the wisest o' them could make o't, but just to send it out again -to the outer-house.--O it's a beautiful thing to see how lang and how -carefully justice is considered in this country!" - -"Hold your tongue, you fool," said the traveller, but in great -good-humour, "and tell us what you can give this young gentleman and me -for dinner." - -"Ou, there's fish, nae doubt,--that's sea-trout and caller haddocks," -said Mackitchinson, twisting his napkin; "and ye'll be for a -mutton-chop, and there's cranberry tarts, very weel preserved, and--and -there's just ony thing else ye like." - -"Which is to say, there is nothing else whatever? Well, well, the fish -and the chop, and the tarts, will do very well. But don't imitate the -cautious delay that you praise in the courts of justice. Let there be no -remits from the inner to the outer house, hear ye me?" - -"Na, na," said Mackitchinson, whose long and heedful perusal of -volumes of printed session papers had made him acquainted with some law -phrases--"the denner shall be served quam primum and that peremptorie." -And with the flattering laugh of a promising host, he left them in his -sanded parlour, hung with prints of the Four Seasons. - -As, notwithstanding his pledge to the contrary, the glorious delays of -the law were not without their parallel in the kitchen of the inn, our -younger traveller had an opportunity to step out and make some inquiry -of the people of the house concerning the rank and station of his -companion. The information which he received was of a general and less -authentic nature, but quite sufficient to make him acquainted with -the name, history, and circumstances of the gentleman, whom we shall -endeavour, in a few words, to introduce more accurately to our readers. - -Jonathan Oldenbuck, or Oldinbuck, by popular contraction Oldbuck, -of Monkbarns, was the second son of a gentleman possessed of a small -property in the neighbourhood of a thriving seaport town on the -north-eastern coast of Scotland, which, for various reasons, we shall -denominate Fairport. They had been established for several generations, -as landholders in the county, and in most shires of England would have -been accounted a family of some standing. But the shire of----was filled -with gentlemen of more ancient descent and larger fortune. In the last -generation, also, the neighbouring gentry had been almost uniformly -Jacobites, while the proprietors of Monkbarns, like the burghers of -the town near which they were settled, were steady assertors of the -Protestant succession. The latter had, however, a pedigree of their -own, on which they prided themselves as much as those who despised them -valued their respective Saxon, Norman, or Celtic genealogies. The first -Oldenbuck, who had settled in their family mansion shortly after the -Reformation, was, they asserted, descended from one of the original -printers of Germany, and had left his country in consequence of the -persecutions directed against the professors of the Reformed religion. -He had found a refuge in the town near which his posterity dwelt, -the more readily that he was a sufferer in the Protestant cause, and -certainly not the less so, that he brought with him money enough to -purchase the small estate of Monkbarns, then sold by a dissipated laird, -to whose father it had been gifted, with other church lands, on the -dissolution of the great and wealthy monastery to which it had belonged. -The Oldenbucks were therefore, loyal subjects on all occasions of -insurrection; and, as they kept up a good intelligence with the borough, -it chanced that the Laird of Monkbarns, who flourished in 1745, was -provost of the town during that ill-fated year, and had exerted himself -with much spirit in favour of King George, and even been put to expenses -on that score, which, according to the liberal conduct of the existing -government towards their friends, had never been repaid him. By dint -of solicitation, however, and borough interest, he contrived to gain -a place in the customs, and, being a frugal, careful man, had found -himself enabled to add considerably to his paternal fortune. He had only -two sons, of whom, as we have hinted, the present laird was the younger, -and two daughters, one of whom still flourished in single blessedness, -and the other, who was greatly more juvenile, made a love-match with a -captain in the Forty-twa, who had no other fortune but his commission -and a Highland pedigree. Poverty disturbed a union which love would -otherwise have made happy, and Captain M'Intyre, in justice to his wife -and two children, a boy and girl, had found himself obliged to seek his -fortune in the East Indies. Being ordered upon an expedition against -Hyder Ally, the detachment to which he belonged was cut off, and no news -ever reached his unfortunate wife, whether he fell in battle, or was -murdered in prison, or survived in what the habits of the Indian tyrant -rendered a hopeless captivity. She sunk under the accumulated load of -grief and uncertainty, and left a son and daughter to the charge of her -brother, the existing Laird of Monkbarns. - -The history of that proprietor himself is soon told. Being, as we have -said, a second son, his father destined him to a share in a substantial -mercantile concern, carried on by some of his maternal relations. From -this Jonathan's mind revolted in the most irreconcilable manner. He was -then put apprentice to the profession of a writer, or attorney, in which -he profited so far, that he made himself master of the whole forms -of feudal investitures, and showed such pleasure in reconciling their -incongruities, and tracing their origin, that his master had great -hope he would one day be an able conveyancer. But he halted upon the -threshold, and, though he acquired some knowledge of the origin and -system of the law of his country, he could never be persuaded to -apply it to lucrative and practical purposes. It was not from any -inconsiderate neglect of the advantages attending the possession -of money that he thus deceived the hopes of his master. "Were he -thoughtless or light-headed, or rei suae prodigus," said his instructor, -"I would know what to make of him. But he never pays away a shilling -without looking anxiously after the change, makes his sixpence go -farther than another lad's half-crown, and wilt ponder over an old -black-letter copy of the acts of parliament for days, rather than go to -the golf or the change-house; and yet he will not bestow one of these -days on a little business of routine, that would put twenty shillings -in his pocket--a strange mixture of frugality and industry, and negligent -indolence--I don't know what to make of him." - -But in process of time his pupil gained the means of making what he -pleased of himself; for his father having died, was not long survived by -his eldest son, an arrant fisher and fowler, who departed this life, in -consequence of a cold caught in his vocation, while shooting ducks in -the swamp called Kittlefittingmoss, notwithstanding his having drunk a -bottle of brandy that very night to keep the cold out of his stomach. -Jonathan, therefore, succeeded to the estate, and with it to the means -of subsisting without the hated drudgery of the law. His wishes were -very moderate; and as the rent of his small property rose with the -improvement of the country, it soon greatly exceeded his wants and -expenditure; and though too indolent to make money, he was by no means -insensible to the pleasure of beholding it accumulate. The burghers of -the town near which he lived regarded him with a sort of envy, as one -who affected to divide himself from their rank in society, and whose -studies and pleasures seemed to them alike incomprehensible. Still, -however, a sort of hereditary respect for the Laird of Monkbarns, -augmented by the knowledge of his being a ready-money man, kept up his -consequence with this class of his neighbours. The country gentlemen -were generally above him in fortune, and beneath him in intellect, -and, excepting one with whom he lived in habits of intimacy, had little -intercourse with Mr. Oldbuck of Monkbarns. He, had, however, the usual -resources, the company of the clergyman, and of the doctor, when he -chose to request it, and also his own pursuits and pleasures, being in -correspondence with most of the virtuosi of his time, who, like himself, -measured decayed entrenchments, made plans of ruined castles, read -illegible inscriptions, and wrote essays on medals in the proportion -of twelve pages to each letter of the legend. Some habits of hasty -irritation he had contracted, partly, it was said in the borough of -Fairport, from an early disappointment in love in virtue of which he had -commenced misogynist, as he called it, but yet more by the obsequious -attention paid to him by his maiden sister and his orphan niece, whom he -had trained to consider him as the greatest man upon earth, and whom he -used to boast of as the only women he had ever seen who were well -broke in and bitted to obedience; though, it must be owned, Miss Grizzy -Oldbuck was sometimes apt to jibb when he pulled the reins too tight. -The rest of his character must be gathered from the story, and we -dismiss with pleasure the tiresome task of recapitulation. - -During the time of dinner, Mr. Oldbuck, actuated by the same curiosity -which his fellow-traveller had entertained on his account, made some -advances, which his age and station entitled him to do in a more direct -manner, towards ascertaining the name, destination, and quality of his -young companion. - -His name, the young gentleman said, was Lovel. - -"What! the cat, the rat, and Lovel our dog? Was he descended from King -Richard's favourite?" - -"He had no pretensions," he said, "to call himself a whelp of that -litter; his father was a north-of-England gentleman. He was at present -travelling to Fairport (the town near to which Monkbarns was situated), -and, if he found the place agreeable, might perhaps remain there for -some weeks." - -"Was Mr. Lovel's excursion solely for pleasure?" - -"Not entirely." - -"Perhaps on business with some of the commercial people of Fairport?" - -"It was partly on business, but had no reference to commerce." - -Here he paused; and Mr. Oldbuck, having pushed his inquiries as far -as good manners permitted, was obliged to change the conversation. The -Antiquary, though by no means an enemy to good cheer, was a determined -foe to all unnecessary expense on a journey; and upon his companion -giving a hint concerning a bottle of port wine, he drew a direful -picture of the mixture, which, he said, was usually sold under that -denomination, and affirming that a little punch was more genuine and -better suited for the season, he laid his hand upon the bell to order -the materials. But Mackitchinson had, in his own mind, settled their -beverage otherwise, and appeared bearing in his hand an immense double -quart bottle, or magnum, as it is called in Scotland, covered with -saw-dust and cobwebs, the warrants of its antiquity. - -"Punch!" said he, catching that generous sound as he entered the -parlour, "the deil a drap punch ye'se get here the day, Monkbarns, and -that ye may lay your account wi'." - -"What do you mean, you impudent rascal?" - -"Ay, ay, it's nae matter for that--but do you mind the trick ye served me -the last time ye were here!" - -"I trick you!" - -"Ay, just yoursell, Monkbarns. The Laird o' Tamlowrie and Sir Gilbert -Grizzlecleuch, and Auld Rossballoh, and the Bailie, were just setting in -to make an afternoon o't, and you, wi' some o' your auld-warld stories, -that the mind o' man canna resist, whirl'd them to the back o' beyont to -look at the auld Roman camp--Ah, sir!" turning to Lovel, "he wad wile the -bird aff the tree wi' the tales he tells about folk lang syne--and did -not I lose the drinking o' sax pints o' gude claret, for the deil ane -wad hae stirred till he had seen that out at the least?" - -"D'ye hear the impudent scoundrel!" said Monkbarns, but laughing at -the same time; for the worthy landlord, as he used to boast, know the -measure of a guest's foot as well as e'er a souter on this side Solway; -"well, well, you may send us in a bottle of port." - -"Port! na, na! ye maun leave port and punch to the like o' us, it's -claret that's fit for you lairds; and, I dare say, nane of the folk ye -speak so much o' ever drank either of the twa." - -"Do you hear how absolute the knave is? Well, my young friend, we must -for once prefer the Falernian to the vile Sabinum." - -The ready landlord had the cork instantly extracted, decanted the wine -into a vessel of suitable capaciousness, and, declaring it parfumed the -very room, left his guests to make the most of it. - -Mackitchinson's wine was really good, and had its effect upon the -spirits of the elder guest, who told some good stories, cut some sly -jokes, and at length entered into a learned discussion concerning the -ancient dramatists; a ground on which he found his new acquaintance -so strong, that at length he began to suspect he had made them his -professional study. "A traveller partly for business and partly for -pleasure?--why, the stage partakes of both; it is a labour to the -performers, and affords, or is meant to afford, pleasure to the -spectators. He seems, in manner and rank, above the class of young men -who take that turn; but I remember hearing them say, that the little -theatre at Fairport was to open with the performance of a young -gentleman, being his first appearance on any stage.--If this should be -thee, Lovel!--Lovel? yes, Lovel or Belville are just the names which -youngsters are apt to assume on such occasions--on my life, I am sorry -for the lad." - -Mr. Oldbuck was habitually parsimonious, but in no respects mean; his -first thought was to save his fellow-traveller any part of the expense -of the entertainment, which he supposed must be in his situation more -or less inconvenient. He therefore took an opportunity of settling -privately with Mr. Mackitchinson. The young traveller remonstrated -against his liberality, and only acquiesced in deference to his years -and respectability. - -The mutual satisfaction which they found in each other's society induced -Mr. Oldbuck to propose, and Lovel willingly to accept, a scheme for -travelling together to the end of their journey. Mr. Oldbuck intimated -a wish to pay two-thirds of the hire of a post-chaise, saying, that a -proportional quantity of room was necessary to his accommodation; but -this Mr. Lovel resolutely declined. Their expense then was mutual, -unless when Lovel occasionally slipt a shilling into the hand of a -growling postilion; for Oldbuck, tenacious of ancient customs, never -extended his guerdon beyond eighteen-pence a stage. In this manner they -travelled, until they arrived at Fairport* about two o'clock on the -following day. - -* [The "Fairport" of this novel is supposed to refer to the town of * -Arbroath, in Forfarshire, and "Musselcrag," post, to the fishing village -of * Auchmithie, in the same county.] - -Lovel probably expected that his travelling companion would have invited -him to dinner on his arrival; but his consciousness of a want of ready -preparation for unexpected guests, and perhaps some other reasons, -prevented Oldbuck from paying him that attention. He only begged to -see him as early as he could make it convenient to call in a forenoon, -recommended him to a widow who had apartments to let, and to a person -who kept a decent ordinary; cautioning both of them apart, that he only -knew Mr. Lovel as a pleasant companion in a post-chaise, and did not -mean to guarantee any bills which he might contract while residing at -Fairport. The young gentleman's figure and manners; not to mention -a well-furnished trunk, which soon arrived by sea, to his address -at Fairport, probably went as far in his favour as the limited -recommendation of his fellow-traveller. - - - - -CHAPTER THIRD. - - He had a routh o' auld nick-nackets, - Rusty airn caps, and jinglin-jackets, - Would held the Loudons three in tackets, - A towmond gude; - And parritch-pats, and auld sayt-backets, - Afore the flude. - Burns. - -After he had settled himself in his new apartments at Fairport, -Mr. Lovel bethought him of paying the requested visit to his -fellow-traveller. He did not make it earlier, because, with all the old -gentleman's good-humour and information, there had sometimes glanced -forth in his language and manner towards him an air of superiority, -which his companion considered as being fully beyond what the difference -of age warranted. He therefore waited the arrival of his baggage from -Edinburgh, that he might arrange his dress according to the fashion -of the day, and make his exterior corresponding to the rank in society -which he supposed or felt himself entitled to hold. - -It was the fifth day after his arrival, that, having made the necessary -inquiries concerning the road, he went forth to pay his respects at -Monkbarns. A footpath leading over a heathy hill, and through two -or three meadows, conducted him to this mansion, which stood on the -opposite side of the hill aforesaid, and commanded a fine prospect of -the bay and shipping. Secluded from the town by the rising ground, which -also screened it from the north-west wind, the house had a solitary, and -sheltered appearance. The exterior had little to recommend it. It was an -irregular old-fashioned building, some part of which had belonged to a -grange, or solitary farm-house, inhabited by the bailiff, or steward, -of the monastery, when the place was in possession of the monks. It -was here that the community stored up the grain, which they received -as ground-rent from their vassals; for, with the prudence belonging to -their order, all their conventional revenues were made payable in kind, -and hence, as the present proprietor loved to tell, came the name of -Monkbarns. To the remains of the bailiff's house, the succeeding -lay inhabitants had made various additions in proportion to the -accommodation required by their families; and, as this was done with -an equal contempt of convenience within and architectural regularity -without, the whole bore the appearance of a hamlet which had suddenly -stood still when in the act of leading down one of Amphion's, or -Orpheus's, country dances. It was surrounded by tall clipped hedges of -yew and holly, some of which still exhibited the skill of the topiarian -artist,* and presented curious arm-chairs, towers, and the figures of -Saint George and the Dragon. - -* Ars Topiaria, the art of clipping yew-hedges into fantastic figures. -A Latin poem, entitled Ars Topiaria, contains a curious account of the -process. - -The taste of Mr. Oldbuck did not disturb these monuments of an art now -unknown, and he was the less tempted so to do, as it must necessarily -have broken the heart of the old gardener. One tall embowering holly -was, however, sacred from the shears; and, on a garden seat beneath its -shade, Lovel beheld his old friend with spectacles on nose, and pouch on -side, busily employed in perusing the London Chronicle, soothed by the -summer breeze through the rustling leaves, and the distant dash of the -waves as they rippled upon the sand. - -Mr. Oldbuck immediately rose, and advanced to greet his travelling -acquaintance with a hearty shake of the hand. "By my faith," said he, "I -began to think you had changed your mind, and found the stupid people of -Fairport so tiresome, that you judged them unworthy of your talents, and -had taken French leave, as my old friend and brother-antiquary Mac-Cribb -did, when he went off with one of my Syrian medals." - -"I hope, my good sir, I should have fallen under no such imputation." - -"Quite as bad, let me tell you, if you had stolen yourself away without -giving me the pleasure of seeing you again. I had rather you had taken -my copper Otho himself.--But come, let me show you the way into my -sanctum sanctorum--my cell I may call it, for, except two idle hussies -of womankind," (by this contemptuous phrase, borrowed from his -brother-antiquary, the cynic Anthony a-Wood, Mr. Oldbuck was used to -denote the fair sex in general, and his sister and niece in particular), -"that, on some idle pretext of relationship, have established themselves -in my premises, I live here as much a Coenobite as my predecessor, John -o' the Girnell, whose grave I will show you by and by." - -Thus speaking the old gentleman led the way through a low door; but -before entrance, suddenly stopped short to point out some vestiges of -what he called an inscription, and, shaking his head as he pronounced it -totally illegible, "Ah! if you but knew, Mr. Lovel, the time and trouble -that these mouldering traces of letters have cost me! No mother ever -travailed so for a child--and all to no purpose--although I am almost -positive that these two last marks imply the figures, or letters, LV, -and may give us a good guess at the real date of the building, since we -know, aliunde, that it was founded by Abbot Waldimir about the middle -of the fourteenth century--and, I profess, I think that centre ornament -might be made out by better eyes than mine." - -"I think," answered Lovel, willing to humour the old man, "it has -something the appearance of a mitre." - -"I protest you are right! you are right! it never struck me before--see -what it is to have younger eyes--A mitre--a mitre--it corresponds in every -respect." - -The resemblance was not much nearer than that of Polonius's cloud to a -whale, or an owzel; it was sufficient, however, to set the Antiquary's -brains to work. "A mitre, my dear sir," continued he, as he led the way -through a labyrinth of inconvenient and dark passages, and accompanied -his disquisition with certain necessary cautions to his guest--"A mitre, -my dear sir, will suit our abbot as well as a bishop--he was a mitred -abbot, and at the very top of the roll--take care of these three steps--I -know Mac-Cribb denies this, but it is as certain as that he took away my -Antigonus, no leave asked--you'll see the name of the Abbot of Trotcosey, -Abbas Trottocosiensis, at the head of the rolls of parliament in the -fourteenth and fifteenth centuries--there is very little light here, and -these cursed womankind always leave their tubs in the passage--now take, -care of the corner--ascend twelve steps, and ye are safe!" - -[Illustration: The Antiquary and Lovel--the Sanctum] - -Mr. Oldbuck had by this time attained the top of the winding stair which -led to his own apartment, and opening a door, and pushing aside a piece -of tapestry with which it was covered, his first exclamation was, "What -are you about here, you sluts?" A dirty barefooted chambermaid threw -down her duster, detected in the heinous fact of arranging the sanctum -sanctorum, and fled out of an opposite door from the face of her -incensed master. A genteel-looking young woman, who was superintending -the operation, stood her ground, but with some timidity. - -"Indeed, uncle, your room was not fit to be seen, and I just came to see -that Jenny laid everything down where she took it up." - -"And how dare you, or Jenny either, presume to meddle with my private -matters?" (Mr. Oldbuck hated puttting to rights as much as Dr. Orkborne, -or any other professed student.) "Go, sew your sampler, you monkey, and -do not let me find you here again, as you value your ears.--I assure -you, Mr. Lovel, that the last inroad of these pretended friends to -cleanliness was almost as fatal to my collection as Hudibras's visit to -that of Sidrophel; and I have ever since missed - - My copperplate, with almanacks - Engraved upon't and other knacks - My moon-dial, with Napier's bones, - And several constellation Stones; - My flea, my morpeon, and punaise, - I purchased for my proper ease. - -And so forth, as old Butler has it." - -The young lady, after courtesying to Lovel, had taken the opportunity to -make her escape during this enumeration of losses. "You'll be poisoned -here with the volumes of dust they have raised," continued the -Antiquary; "but I assure you the dust was very ancient, peaceful, quiet -dust, about an hour ago, and would have remained so for a hundred years, -had not these gipsies disturbed it, as they do everything else in the -world." - -It was indeed some time before Lovel could, through the thick -atmosphere, perceive in what sort of den his friend had constructed his -retreat. It was a lofty room of middling size, obscurely lighted by high -narrow latticed windows. One end was entirely occupied by book-shelves, -greatly too limited in space for the number of volumes placed upon them, -which were, therefore, drawn up in ranks of two or three files deep, -while numberless others littered the floor and the tables, amid a chaos -of maps, engraving, scraps of parchment, bundles of papers, pieces of -old armour, swords, dirks, helmets, and Highland targets. Behind Mr. -Oldbuck's seat (which was an ancient leathern-covered easy-chair, worn -smooth by constant use) was a huge oaken cabinet, decorated at each -corner with Dutch cherubs, having their little duck-wings displayed, and -great jolter-headed visages placed between them. The top of this cabinet -was covered with busts, and Roman lamps and paterae, intermingled -with one or two bronze figures. The walls of the apartment were partly -clothed with grim old tapestry, representing the memorable story of Sir -Gawaine's wedding, in which full justice was done to the ugliness of the -Lothely Lady; although, to judge from his own looks, the gentle knight -had less reason to be disgusted with the match on account of disparity -of outward favour, than the romancer has given us to understand. The -rest of the room was panelled, or wainscotted, with black oak, against -which hung two or three portraits in armour, being characters in -Scottish history, favourites of Mr. Oldbuck, and as many in tie-wigs -and laced coats, staring representatives of his own ancestors. A large -old-fashioned oaken table was covered with a profusion of papers, -parchments, books, and nondescript trinkets and gewgaws, which seemed to -have little to recommend them, besides rust and the antiquity which it -indicates. In the midst of this wreck of ancient books and utensils, -with a gravity equal to Marius among the ruins of Carthage, sat a large -black cat, which, to a superstitious eye, might have presented the -genius loci, the tutelar demon of the apartment. The floor, as well -as the table and chairs, was overflowed by the same mare magnum of -miscellaneous trumpery, where it would have been as impossible to find -any individual article wanted, as to put it to any use when discovered. - -Amid this medley, it was no easy matter to find one's way to a chair, -without stumbling over a prostrate folio, or the still more awkward -mischance of overturning some piece of Roman or ancient British pottery. -And, when the chair was attained, it had to be disencumbered, with a -careful hand, of engravings which might have received damage, and of -antique spurs and buckles, which would certainly have occasioned it -to any sudden occupant. Of this the Antiquary made Lovel particularly -aware, adding, that his friend, the Rev. Doctor Heavysterne from the -Low Countries, had sustained much injury by sitting down suddenly and -incautiously on three ancient calthrops, or craw-taes, which had been -lately dug up in the bog near Bannockburn, and which, dispersed by -Robert Bruce to lacerate the feet of the English chargers, came thus in -process of time to endamage the sitting part of a learned professor of -Utrecht. - -Having at length fairly settled himself, and being nothing loath to make -inquiry concerning the strange objects around him, which his host was -equally ready, as far as possible, to explain, Lovel was introduced to a -large club, or bludgeon, with an iron spike at the end of it, which, -it seems, had been lately found in a field on the Monkbarns property, -adjacent to an old burying-ground. It had mightily the air of such -a stick as the Highland reapers use to walk with on their annual -peregrinations from their mountains; but Mr. Oldbuck was strongly -tempted to believe, that, as its shape was singular, it might have been -one of the clubs with which the monks armed their peasants in lieu of -more martial weapons,--whence, he observed, the villains were called -Colve-carles, or Kolb-kerls, that is, Clavigeri, or club-bearers. For -the truth of this custom, he quoted the chronicle of Antwerp and that -of St. Martin; against which authorities Lovel had nothing to oppose, -having never heard of them till that moment. - -Mr. Oldbuck next exhibited thumb-screws, which had given the Covenanters -of former days the cramp in their joints, and a collar with the name of -a fellow convicted of theft, whose services, as the inscription bore, -had been adjudged to a neighbouring baron, in lieu of the modern -Scottish punishment, which, as Oldbuck said, sends such culprits to -enrich England by their labour, and themselves by their dexterity. -Many and various were the other curiosities which he showed;--but it -was chiefly upon his books that he prided himself, repeating, with a -complacent air, as he led the way to the crowded and dusty shelves, the -verses of old Chaucer-- - - For he would rather have, at his bed-head, - A twenty books, clothed in black or red, - Of Aristotle, or his philosophy, - Than robes rich, rebeck, or saltery. - -This pithy motto he delivered, shaking his head, and giving each -guttural the true Anglo-Saxon enunciation, which is now forgotten in the -southern parts of this realm. - -The collection was indeed a curious one, and might well be envied by -an amateur. Yet it was not collected at the enormous prices of modern -times, which are sufficient to have appalled the most determined as well -as earliest bibliomaniac upon record, whom we take to have been none -else than the renowned Don Quixote de la Mancha, as, among other slight -indications of an infirm understanding, he is stated, by his veracious -historian, Cid Hamet Benengeli, to have exchanged fields and farms for -folios and quartos of chivalry. In this species of exploit, the good -knight-errant has been imitated by lords, knights, and squires of our -own day, though we have not yet heard of any that has mistaken an inn -for a castle, or laid his lance in rest against a windmill. Mr. Oldbuck -did not follow these collectors in such excess of expenditure; but, -taking a pleasure in the personal labour of forming his library, saved -his purse at the expense of his time and toil, He was no encourager of -that ingenious race of peripatetic middle-men, who, trafficking between -the obscure keeper of a stall and the eager amateur, make their profit -at once of the ignorance of the former, and the dear-bought skill and -taste of the latter. When such were mentioned in his hearing, he seldom -failed to point out how necessary it was to arrest the object of your -curiosity in its first transit, and to tell his favourite story of -Snuffy Davie and Caxton's Game at Chess.--"Davy Wilson," he said, -"commonly called Snuffy Davy, from his inveterate addiction to black -rappee, was the very prince of scouts for searching blind alleys, -cellars, and stalls for rare volumes. He had the scent of a slow-hound, -sir, and the snap of a bull-dog. He would detect you an old black-letter -ballad among the leaves of a law-paper, and find an editio princeps -under the mask of a school Corderius. Snuffy Davy bought the Game of -Chess, 1474, the first book ever printed in England, from a stall in -Holland, for about two groschen, or twopence of our money. He sold it -to Osborne for twenty pounds, and as many books as came to twenty pounds -more. Osborne resold this inimitable windfall to Dr. Askew for sixty -guineas. At Dr. Askew's sale," continued the old gentleman, kindling as -he spoke, "this inestimable treasure blazed forth in its full value, -and was purchased by Royalty itself for one hundred and seventy -pounds!--Could a copy now occur, Lord only knows," he ejaculated, with a -deep sigh and lifted-up hands--"Lord only knows what would be its ransom; -and yet it was originally secured, by skill and research, for the -easy equivalent of two-pence sterling. * Happy, thrice happy, Snuffy -Davie!--and blessed were the times when thy industry could be so -rewarded! - -* This bibliomaniacal anecdote is literally true; and David Wilson, the -author need not tell his brethren of the Roxburghe and Bannatyne Clubs, -was a real personage. - -"Even I, sir," he went on, "though far inferior in industry and -discernment and presence of mind, to that great man, can show you a -few--a very few things, which I have collected, not by force of money, -as any wealthy man might,--although, as my friend Lucian says, he might -chance to throw away his coin only to illustrate his ignorance,--but -gained in a manner that shows I know something of the matter. See this -bundle of ballads, not one of them later than 1700, and some of them -an hundred years older. I wheedled an old woman out of these, who loved -them better than her psalm-book. Tobacco, sir, snuff, and the Complete -Syren, were the equivalent! For that, mutilated copy of the Complaynt of -Scotland, I sat out the drinking of two dozen bottles of strong ale with -the late learned proprietor, who, in gratitude, bequeathed it to me by -his last will. These little Elzevirs are the memoranda and trophies of -many a walk by night and morning through the Cowgate, the Canongate, the -Bow, St. Mary's Wynd,--wherever, in fine, there were to be found brokers -and trokers, those miscellaneous dealers in things rare and curious. -How often have I stood haggling on a halfpenny, lest, by a too ready -acquiescence in the dealer's first price, he should be led to suspect -the value I set upon the article!--how have I trembled, lest some passing -stranger should chop in between me and the prize, and regarded each poor -student of divinity that stopped to turn over the books at the stall, -as a rival amateur, or prowling bookseller in disguise!--And then, Mr. -Lovel, the sly satisfaction with which one pays the consideration, and -pockets the article, affecting a cold indifference, while the hand is -trembling with pleasure!--Then to dazzle the eyes of our wealthier and -emulous rivals by showing them such a treasure as this" (displaying a -little black smoked book about the size of a primer); "to enjoy their -surprise and envy, shrouding meanwhile, under a veil of mysterious -consciousness, our own superior knowledge and dexterity these, my young -friend, these are the white moments of life, that repay the toil, and -pains, and sedulous attention, which our profession, above all others, -so peculiarly demands!" - -Lovel was not a little amused at hearing the old gentleman run on in -this manner, and, however incapable of entering into the full merits -of what he beheld, he admired, as much as could have been expected, the -various treasures which Oldbuck exhibited. Here were editions esteemed -as being the first, and there stood those scarcely less regarded as -being the last and best; here was a book valued because it had the -author's final improvements, and there another which (strange to tell!) -was in request because it had them not. One was precious because it -was a folio, another because it was a duodecimo; some because they -were tall, some because they were short; the merit of this lay in the -title-page--of that in the arrangement of the letters in the word Finis. -There was, it seemed, no peculiar distinction, however trifling -or minute, which might not give value to a volume, providing the -indispensable quality of scarcity, or rare occurrence, was attached to -it. - -Not the least fascinating was the original broadside,--the Dying Speech, -Bloody Murder, or Wonderful Wonder of Wonders,--in its primary tattered -guise, as it was hawked through the streets, and sold for the cheap and -easy price of one penny, though now worth the weight of that penny in -gold. On these the Antiquary dilated with transport, and read, with a -rapturous voice, the elaborate titles, which bore the same proportion to -the contents that the painted signs without a showman's booth do to the -animals within. Mr. Oldbuck, for example, piqued himself especially -in possessing an unique broadside, entitled and called "Strange and -Wonderful News from Chipping-Norton, in the County of Oxon, of certain -dreadful Apparitions which were seen in the Air on the 26th of July -1610, at Half an Hour after Nine o'Clock at Noon, and continued till -Eleven, in which Time was seen Appearances of several flaming Swords, -strange Motions of the superior Orbs; with the unusual Sparkling of -the Stars, with their dreadful Continuations; With the Account of the -Opening of the Heavens, and strange Appearances therein disclosing -themselves, with several other prodigious Circumstances not heard of in -any Age, to the great Amazement of the Beholders, as it was communicated -in a Letter to one Mr. Colley, living in West Smithfield, and attested -by Thomas Brown, Elizabeth Greenaway, and Anne Gutheridge, who were -Spectators of the dreadful Apparitions: And if any one would be -further satisfied of the Truth of this Relation, let them repair to -Mr. Nightingale's at the Bear Inn, in West Smithfield, and they may be -satisfied."* - -* Of this thrice and four times rare broadside, the author possesses an -exemplar. - -"You laugh at this," said the proprietor of the collection, "and I -forgive you. I do acknowledge that the charms on which we doat are not -so obvious to the eyes of youth as those of a fair lady; but you will -grow wiser, and see more justly, when you come to wear spectacles.--Yet -stay, I have one piece of antiquity, which you, perhaps, will prize more -highly." - -So saying, Mr. Oldbuck unlocked a drawer, and took out a bundle of keys, -then pulled aside a piece of the tapestry which concealed the door of -a small closet, into which he descended by four stone steps, and, -after some tinkling among bottles and cans, produced two long-stalked -wine-glasses with bell mouths, such as are seen in Teniers' pieces, and -a small bottle of what he called rich racy canary, with a little bit -of diet cake, on a small silver server of exquisite old workmanship. "I -will say nothing of the server," he remarked, "though it is said to -have been wrought by the old mad Florentine, Benvenuto Cellini. But, Mr. -Lovel, our ancestors drank sack--you, who admire the drama, know where -that's to be found.--Here's success to your exertions at Fairport, sir!" - -"And to you, sir, and an ample increase to your treasure, with no more -trouble on your part than is just necessary to make the acquisitions -valuable." - -After a libation so suitable to the amusement in which they had been -engaged, Lovel rose to take his leave, and Mr. Oldbuck prepared to give -him his company a part of the way, and show him something worthy of his -curiosity on his return to Fairport. - - - - -CHAPTER FOURTH. - - The pawkie auld carle cam ower the lea, - Wi' mony good-e'ens and good-morrows to me, - Saying, Kind Sir, for your courtesy, - Will ye lodge a silly puir man? - The Gaberlunzie Man. - -Our two friends moved through a little orchard, where the aged -apple-trees, well loaded with fruit, showed, as is usual in the -neighbourhood of monastic buildings, that the days of the monks had not -always been spent in indolence, but often dedicated to horticulture -and gardening. Mr. Oldbuck failed not to make Lovel remark, that the -planters of those days were possessed of the modern secret of preventing -the roots of the fruit-trees from penetrating the till, and compelling -them to spread in a lateral direction, by placing paving-stones beneath -the trees when first planted, so as to interpose between their fibres -and the subsoil. "This old fellow," he said, "which was blown down last -summer, and still, though half reclined on the ground, is covered -with fruit, has been, as you may see, accommodated with such a -barrier between his roots and the unkindly till. That other tree has a -story:--the fruit is called the Abbot's Apple; the lady of a neighbouring -baron was so fond of it, that she would often pay a visit to Monkbarns, -to have the pleasure of gathering it from the tree. The husband, a -jealous man, belike, suspected that a taste so nearly resembling that -of Mother Eve prognosticated a similar fall. As the honour of a noble -family is concerned, I will say no more on the subject, only that the -lands of Lochard and Cringlecut still pay a fine of six bolls of barley -annually, to atone the guilt of their audacious owner, who intruded -himself and his worldly suspicions upon the seclusion of the Abbot and -his penitent.--Admire the little belfry rising above the ivy-mantled -porch--there was here a hospitium, hospitale, or hospitamentum (for it -is written all these various ways in the old writings and evidents), in -which the monks received pilgrims. I know our minister has said, in the -Statistical Account, that the hospitium was situated either in the lands -of Haltweary or upon those of Half-starvet; but he is incorrect, Mr. -Lovel--that is the gate called still the Palmer's Port, and my gardener -found many hewn stones, when he was trenching the ground for winter -celery, several of which I have sent as specimens to my learned friends, -and to the various antiquarian societies of which I am an unworthy -member. But I will say no more at present; I reserve something for -another visit, and we have an object of real curiosity before us." - -While he was thus speaking, he led the way briskly through one or two -rich pasture-meadows, to an open heath or common, and so to the top of -a gentle eminence. "Here," he said, "Mr. Lovel, is a truly remarkable -spot." - -"It commands a fine view," said his companion, looking around him. - -"True: but it is not for the prospect I brought you hither; do you see -nothing else remarkable?--nothing on the surface of the ground?" - -"Why, yes; I do see something like a ditch, indistinctly marked." - -"Indistinctly!--pardon me, sir, but the indistinctness must be in your -powers of vision. Nothing can be more plainly traced--a proper agger or -vallum, with its corresponding ditch or fossa. Indistinctly! why, Heaven -help you, the lassie, my niece, as light-headed a goose as womankind -affords, saw the traces of the ditch at once. Indistinct!--why, the great -station at Ardoch, or that at Burnswark in Annandale, may be clearer, -doubtless, because they are stative forts, whereas this was only an -occasional encampment. Indistinct!--why, you must suppose that fools, -boors, and idiots, have ploughed up the land, and, like beasts and -ignorant savages, have thereby obliterated two sides of the square, and -greatly injured the third; but you see, yourself, the fourth side is -quite entire!" - -Lovel endeavoured to apologize, and to explain away his ill-timed -phrase, and pleaded his inexperience. But he was not at once quite -successful. His first expression had come too frankly and naturally not -to alarm the Antiquary, and he could not easily get over the shock it -had given him. - -"My dear sir," continued the senior, "your eyes are not inexperienced: -you know a ditch from level ground, I presume, when you see them? -Indistinct! why, the very common people, the very least boy that can -herd a cow, calls it the Kaim of Kinprunes; and if that does not imply -an ancient camp, I am ignorant what does." - -Lovel having again acquiesced, and at length lulled to sleep the -irritated and suspicious vanity of the Antiquary, he proceeded in his -task of cicerone. "You must know," he said, "our Scottish antiquaries -have been greatly divided about the local situation of the final -conflict between Agricola and the Caledonians; some contend for Ardoch -in Strathallan, some for Innerpeffry, some for the Raedykes in the -Mearns, and some are for carrying the scene of action as far north as -Blair in Athole. Now, after all this discussion," continued the old -gentleman, with one of his slyest and most complacent looks, "what would -you think, Mr. Lovel,--I say, what would you think,--if the memorable -scene of conflict should happen to be on the very spot called the Kaim -of Kinprunes, the property of the obscure and humble individual who now -speaks to you?" Then, having paused a little, to suffer his guest to -digest a communication so important, he resumed his disquisition in a -higher tone. "Yes, my good friend, I am indeed greatly deceived if this -place does not correspond with all the marks of that celebrated place -of action. It was near to the Grampian mountains--lo! yonder they are, -mixing and contending with the sky on the skirts of the horizon! It was -in conspectu classis--in sight of the Roman fleet; and would any admiral, -Roman or British, wish a fairer bay to ride in than that on your right -hand? It is astonishing how blind we professed antiquaries sometimes -are! Sir Robert Sibbald, Saunders Gordon, General Roy, Dr. Stokely,--why, -it escaped all of them. I was unwilling to say a word about it till -I had secured the ground, for it belonged to auld Johnnie Howie, a -bonnet-laird* hard by, and many a communing we had before he and I could -agree. - -* A bonnet-laird signifies a petty proprietor, wearing the dress, along -with the habits of a yeoman. - -At length--I am almost ashamed to say it--but I even brought my mind to -give acre for acre of my good corn-land for this barren spot. But then -it was a national concern; and when the scene of so celebrated an event -became my own, I was overpaid.--Whose patriotism would not grow warmer, -as old Johnson says, on the plains of Marathon? I began to trench the -ground, to see what might be discovered; and the third day, sir, we -found a stone, which I have transported to Monkbarns, in order to have -the sculpture taken off with plaster of Paris; it bears a sacrificing -vessel, and the letters A. D. L. L. which may stand, without much -violence, for Agricola Dicavit Libens Lubens." - -"Certainly, sir; for the Dutch Antiquaries claim Caligula as the founder -of a light-house, on the sole authority of the letters C. C. P. F., -which they interpret Caius Caligula Pharum Fecit." - -"True, and it has ever been recorded as a sound exposition. I see -we shall make something of you even before you wear spectacles, -notwithstanding you thought the traces of this beautiful camp indistinct -when you first observed them." - -"In time, sir, and by good instruction"-- - -"--You will become more apt--I doubt it not. You shall peruse, upon your -next visit to Monkbarns, my trivial Essay upon Castrametation, with some -particular Remarks upon the Vestiges of Ancient Fortifications lately -discovered by the Author at the Kaim of Kinprunes. I think I have -pointed out the infallible touchstone of supposed antiquity. I premise a -few general rules on that point, on the nature, namely, of the evidence -to be received in such cases. Meanwhile be pleased to observe, for -example, that I could press into my service Claudian's famous line, - - Ille Caledoniis posuit qui castra pruinis. - -For pruinis, though interpreted to mean hoar frosts, to which I own we -are somewhat subject in this north-eastern sea-coast, may also signify -a locality, namely, Prunes; the Castra Pruinis posita would therefore be -the Kaim of Kinprunes. But I waive this, for I am sensible it might -be laid hold of by cavillers as carrying down my Castra to the time of -Theodosius, sent by Valentinian into Britain as late as the year 367, or -thereabout. No, my good friend, I appeal to people's eye-sight. Is -not here the Decuman gate? and there, but for the ravage of the horrid -plough, as a learned friend calls it, would be the Praetorian gate. On -the left hand you may see some slight vestiges of the porta sinistra, -and on the right, one side of the porta dextra wellnigh entire. Here, -then, let us take our stand, on this tumulus, exhibiting the foundation -of ruined buildings,--the central point--the praetorium, doubtless, of the -camp. From this place, now scarce to be distinguished but by its slight -elevation and its greener turf from the rest of the fortification, -we may suppose Agricola to have looked forth on the immense army -of Caledonians, occupying the declivities of yon opposite hill,--the -infantry rising rank over rank, as the form of ground displayed their -array to its utmost advantage,--the cavalry and covinarii, by which I -understand the charioteers--another guise of folks from your Bond-street -four-in-hand men, I trow--scouring the more level space below-- - - --See, then, Lovel--See-- - See that huge battle moving from the mountains! - Their gilt coats shine like dragon scales;--their march - Like a rough tumbling storm.--See them, and view them, - And then see Rome no more!-- - -Yes, my dear friend, from this stance it is probable--nay, it is nearly -certain, that Julius Agricola beheld what our Beaumont has so admirably -described!--From this very Praetorium"-- - -A voice from behind interrupted his ecstatic description--"Praetorian -here, Praetorian there, I mind the bigging o't." - -Both at once turned round, Lovel with surprise, and Oldbuck with mingled -surprise and indignation, at so uncivil an interruption. An auditor had -stolen upon them, unseen and unheard, amid the energy of the Antiquary's -enthusiastic declamation, and the attentive civility of Lovel. He -had the exterior appearance of a mendicant. A slouched hat of huge -dimensions; a long white beard which mingled with his grizzled hair; -an aged but strongly marked and expressive countenance, hardened, by -climate and exposure, to a right brick-dust complexion; a long blue -gown, with a pewter badge on the right arm; two or three wallets, or -bags, slung across his shoulder, for holding the different kinds of -meal, when he received his charity in kind from those who were but -a degree richer than himself:--all these marked at once a beggar by -profession, and one of that privileged class which are called in -Scotland the King's Bedesmen, or, vulgarly, Blue-Gowns. - -"What is that you say, Edie?" said Oldbuck, hoping, perhaps, that his -ears had betrayed their duty--"what were you speaking about!" - -"About this bit bourock, your honour," answered the undaunted Edie; "I -mind the bigging o't." - -"The devil you do! Why, you old fool, it was here before you were born, -and will be after you are hanged, man!" - -"Hanged or drowned, here or awa, dead or alive, I mind the bigging o't." - -"You--you--you--," said the Antiquary, stammering between confusion and -anger, "you strolling old vagabond, what the devil do you know about -it?" - -"Ou, I ken this about it, Monkbarns--and what profit have I for telling -ye a lie?--l just ken this about it, that about twenty years syne, I, -and a wheen hallenshakers like mysell, and the mason-lads that built the -lang dike that gaes down the loaning, and twa or three herds maybe, -just set to wark, and built this bit thing here that ye ca' -the--the--Praetorian, and a' just for a bield at auld Aiken Drum's bridal, -and a bit blithe gae-down wi' had in't, some sair rainy weather. Mair by -token, Monkbarns, if ye howk up the bourock, as ye seem to have began, -yell find, if ye hae not fund it already, a stane that ane o' the -mason-callants cut a ladle on to have a bourd at the bridegroom, and he -put four letters on't, that's A. D. L. L.--Aiken Drum's Lang Ladle--for -Aiken was ane o' the kale-suppers o' Fife." - -"This," thought Lovel to himself, "is a famous counterpart to the -story of Keip on this syde." He then ventured to steal a glance at our -Antiquary, but quickly withdrew it in sheer compassion. For, gentle -reader, if thou hast ever beheld the visage of a damsel of sixteen, -whose romance of true love has been blown up by an untimely discovery, -or of a child of ten years, whose castle of cards has been blown down by -a malicious companion, I can safely aver to you, that Jonathan Oldbuck -of Monkbarns looked neither more wise nor less disconcerted. - -"There is some mistake about this," he said, abruptly turning away from -the mendicant. - -"Deil a bit on my side o' the wa'," answered the sturdy beggar; "I never -deal in mistakes, they aye bring mischances.--Now, Monkbarns, that young -gentleman, that's wi' your honour, thinks little of a carle like me; and -yet, I'll wager I'll tell him whar he was yestreen at the gloamin, only -he maybe wadna like to hae't spoken o' in company." - -Lovel's soul rushed to his cheeks, with the vivid blush of -two-and-twenty. - -"Never mind the old rogue," said Mr. Oldbuck; "don't suppose I think -the worse of you for your profession; they are only prejudiced fools and -coxcombs that do so. You remember what old Tully says in his oration, -pro Archia poeta, concerning one of your confraternity--quis nostrum -tam anino agresti ac duro fuit--ut--ut--I forget the Latin--the meaning is, -which of us was so rude and barbarous as to remain unmoved at the death -of the great Roscius, whose advanced age was so far from preparing us -for his death, that we rather hoped one so graceful, so excellent in -his art, ought to be exempted from the common lot of mortality? So the -Prince of Orators spoke of the stage and its professor." - -The words of the old man fell upon Lovel's ears, but without conveying -any precise idea to his mind, which was then occupied in thinking by -what means the old beggar, who still continued to regard him with a -countenance provokingly sly and intelligent, had contrived to thrust -himself into any knowledge of his affairs. He put his hand in his pocket -as the readiest mode of intimating his desire of secrecy, and securing -the concurrence of the person whom he addressed; and while he bestowed -on him an alms, the amount of which rather bore proportion to his fears -than to his charity, looked at him with a marked expression, which -the mendicant, a physiognomist by profession, seemed perfectly to -understand.--"Never mind me, sir--I am no tale-pyet; but there are mair -een in the warld than mine," answered he as he pocketed Lovel's bounty, -but in a tone to be heard by him alone, and with an expression which -amply filled up what was left unspoken. Then turning to Oldbuck--"I am -awa' to the manse, your honour. Has your honour ony word there, or to -Sir Arthur, for I'll come in by Knockwinnock Castle again e'en?" - -Oldbuck started as from a dream; and, in a hurried tone, where vexation -strove with a wish to conceal it, paying, at the same time, a tribute -to Edie's smooth, greasy, unlined hat, he said, "Go down, go down to -Monkbarns--let them give you some dinner--Or stay; if you do go to the -manse, or to Knockwinnock, ye need say nothing about that foolish story -of yours." - -"Who, I?" said the mendicant--"Lord bless your honour, naebody sall ken a -word about it frae me, mair than if the bit bourock had been there since -Noah's flood. But, Lord, they tell me your honour has gien Johnnie Howie -acre for acre of the laigh crofts for this heathery knowe! Now, if he -has really imposed the bourock on ye for an ancient wark, it's my real -opinion the bargain will never haud gude, if you would just bring down -your heart to try it at the law, and say that he beguiled ye." - -"Provoking scoundrel!" muttered the indignant Antiquary between his -teeths--"I'll have the hangman's lash and his back acquainted for this." -And then, in a louder tone,--"Never mind, Edie--it is all a mistake." - -"Troth, I am thinking sae," continued his tormentor, who seemed to have -pleasure in rubbing the galled wound, "troth, I aye thought sae; and -it's no sae lang since I said to Luckie Gemmers, Never think you, -luckie' said I, that his honour Monkbarns would hae done sic a daft-like -thing as to gie grund weel worth fifty shillings an acre, for a mailing -that would be dear o'a pund Scots. Na, na,' quo' I, depend upon't the -lard's been imposed upon wi that wily do-little deevil, Johnnie Howie.' -But Lord haud a care o' us, sirs, how can that be,' quo' she again, when -the laird's sae book-learned, there's no the like o' him in the country -side, and Johnnie Howie has hardly sense eneugh to ca' the cows out o' -his kale-yard?' Aweel, aweel,' quo' I, but ye'll hear he's circumvented -him with some of his auld-warld stories,'--for ye ken, laird, yon other -time about the bodle that ye thought was an auld coin"-- - -"Go to the devil!" said Oldbuck; and then in a more mild tone, as one -that was conscious his reputation lay at the mercy of his antagonist, he -added--"Away with you down to Monkbarns, and when I come back, I'll send -ye a bottle of ale to the kitchen." - -"Heaven reward your honour!" This was uttered with the true mendicant -whine, as, setting his pike-staff before him, he began to move in the -direction of Monkbarns.--"But did your honour," turning round, "ever get -back the siller ye gae to the travelling packman for the bodle?" - -"Curse thee, go about thy business!" - -"Aweel, aweel, sir, God bless your honour! I hope ye'll ding Johnnie -Howie yet, and that I'll live to see it." And so saying, the old beggar -moved off, relieving Mr. Oldbuck of recollections which were anything -rather than agreeable. - -"Who is this familiar old gentleman?" said Lovel, when the mendicant was -out of hearing. - -"O, one of the plagues of the country--I have been always against -poor's-rates and a work-house--I think I'll vote for them now, to have -that scoundrel shut up. O, your old-remembered guest of a beggar becomes -as well acquainted with you as he is with his dish--as intimate as one -of the beasts familiar to man which signify love, and with which his own -trade is especially conversant. Who is he?--why, he has gone the vole-- -has been soldier, ballad-singer, travelling tinker, and is now a -beggar. He is spoiled by our foolish gentry, who laugh at his jokes, and -rehearse Edie Ochiltree's good thing's as regularly as Joe Miller's." - -"Why, he uses freedom apparently, which is the soul of wit," answered -Lovel. - -"O ay, freedom enough," said the Antiquary; "he generally invents some -damned improbable lie or another to provoke you, like that nonsense he -talked just now--not that I'll publish my tract till I have examined the -thing to the bottom." - -"In England," said Lovel, "such a mendicant would get a speedy check." - -"Yes, your churchwardens and dog-whips would make slender allowance -for his vein of humour! But here, curse him! he is a sort of privileged -nuisance--one of the last specimens of the old fashioned Scottish -mendicant, who kept his rounds within a particular space, and was the -news-carrier, the minstrel, and sometimes the historian of the district. -That rascal, now, knows more old ballads and traditions than any other -man in this and the four next parishes. And after all," continued he, -softening as he went on describing Edie's good gifts, "the dog has some -good humour. He has borne his hard fate with unbroken spirits, and it's -cruel to deny him the comfort of a laugh at his betters. The pleasure of -having quizzed me, as you gay folk would call it, will be meat and drink -to him for a day or two. But I must go back and look after him, or he -will spread his d--d nonsensical story over half the country."* - -* Note C. Praetorium. - -So saying our heroes parted, Mr. Oldbuck to return to his hospitium at -Monkbarns, and Lovel to pursue his way to Fairport, where he arrived -without farther adventure. - - - - -CHAPTER FIFTH. - - Launcelot Gobbo. Mark me now: - Now will I raise the waters. - Merchant of Venice. - -The theatre at Fairport had opened, but no Mr. Lovel appeared on the -boards, nor was there anything in the habits or deportment of the young -gentleman so named, which authorised Mr. Oldbuck's conjecture that his -fellow-traveller was a candidate for the public favour. Regular were the -Antiquary's inquiries at an old-fashioned barber who dressed the only -three wigs in the parish which, in defiance of taxes and times, were -still subjected to the operation of powdering and frizzling, and who for -that purpose divided his time among the three employers whom fashion -had yet left him; regular, I say, were Mr. Oldbuck's inquiries at -this personage concerning the news of the little theatre at Fairport, -expecting every day to hear of Mr. Lovel's appearance; on which occasion -the old gentleman had determined to put himself to charges in honour of -his young friend, and not only to go to the play himself, but to -carry his womankind along with him. But old Jacob Caxon conveyed no -information which warranted his taking so decisive a step as that of -securing a box. - -He brought information, on the contrary, that there was a young man -residing at Fairport, of whom the town (by which he meant all the -gossips, who, having no business of their own, fill up their leisure -moments by attending to that of other people) could make nothing. He -sought no society, but rather avoided that which the apparent gentleness -of his manners, and some degree of curiosity, induced many to offer him. -Nothing could be more regular, or less resembling an adventurer, than -his mode of living, which was simple, but so completely well arranged, -that all who had any transactions with him were loud in their -approbation. - -"These are not the virtues of a stage-struck hero," thought Oldbuck to -himself; and, however habitually pertinacious in his opinions, he must -have been compelled to abandon that which he had formed in the -present instance, but for a part of Caxon's communication. "The young -gentleman," he said, "was sometimes heard speaking to himsell, and -rampauging about in his room, just as if he was ane o' the player folk." - -Nothing, however, excepting this single circumstance, occurred to -confirm Mr. Oldbuck's supposition; and it remained a high and doubtful -question, what a well-informed young man, without friends, connections, -or employment of any kind, could have to do as a resident at Fairport. -Neither port wine nor whist had apparently any charms for him. He -declined dining with the mess of the volunteer cohort which had been -lately embodied, and shunned joining the convivialities of either of -the two parties which then divided Fairport, as they did more important -places. He was too little of an aristocrat to join the club of -Royal True Blues, and too little of a democrat to fraternise with an -affiliated society of the soi-disant Friends of the People, which the -borough had also the happiness of possessing. A coffee-room was his -detestation; and, I grieve to say it, he had as few sympathies with the -tea-table.--In short, since the name was fashionable in novel-writing, -and that is a great while agone, there was never a Master Lovel of whom -so little positive was known, and who was so universally described by -negatives. - -One negative, however, was important--nobody knew any harm of Lovel. -Indeed, had such existed, it would have been speedily made public; for -the natural desire of speaking evil of our neighbour could in his case -have been checked by no feelings of sympathy for a being so unsocial. On -one account alone he fell somewhat under suspicion. As he made free use -of his pencil in his solitary walks, and had drawn several views of the -harbour, in which the signal tower, and even the four-gun battery, were -introduced, some zealous friends of the public sent abroad a whisper, -that this mysterious stranger must certainly be a French spy. The -Sheriff paid his respects to Mr. Lovel accordingly; but in the interview -which followed, it would seem that he had entirely removed that -magistrate's suspicions, since he not only suffered him to remain -undisturbed in his retirement, but it was credibly reported, sent him -two invitations to dinner-parties, both which were civilly declined. But -what the nature of the explanation was, the magistrate kept a profound -secret, not only from the public at large, but from his substitute, his -clerk, his wife and his two daughters, who formed his privy council on -all questions of official duty. - -All these particulars being faithfully reported by Mr. Caxon to his -patron at Monkbarns, tended much to raise Lovel in the opinion of his -former fellow-traveller. "A decent sensible lad," said he to himself, -"who scorns to enter into the fooleries and nonsense of these idiot -people at Fairport--I must do something for him--I must give him a -dinner;--and I will write Sir Arthur to come to Monkbarns to meet him. I -must consult my womankind." - -Accordingly, such consultation having been previously held, a special -messenger, being no other than Caxon himself, was ordered to prepare -for a walk to Knockwinnock Castle with a letter, "For the honoured Sir -Arthur Wardour, of Knockwinnock, Bart." The contents ran thus: - -"Dear Sir Arthur, - -"On Tuesday the 17th curt. _stilo novo_, I hold a coenobitical symposion at -Monkbarns, and pray you to assist thereat, at four o'clock precisely. If -my fair enemy, Miss Isabel, can and will honour us by accompanying you, -my womankind will be but too proud to have the aid of such an auxiliary -in the cause of resistance to awful rule and right supremacy. If not, -I will send the womankind to the manse for the day. I have a young -acquaintance to make known to you, who is touched with some strain of -a better spirit than belongs to these giddy-paced times--reveres his -elders, and has a pretty notion of the classics--and, as such a youth -must have a natural contempt for the people about Fairport, I wish to -show him some rational as well as worshipful society.--I am, Dear Sir -Arthur, etc. etc. etc." - -"Fly with this letter, Caxon," said the senior, holding out his missive, -signatum atque sigillatum, "fly to Knockwinnock, and bring me back an -answer. Go as fast as if the town-council were met and waiting for the -provost, and the provost was waiting for his new-powdered wig." - -"Ah sir," answered the messenger, with a deep sigh, "thae days hae lang -gane by. Deil a wig has a provost of Fairport worn sin' auld Provost -Jervie's time--and he had a quean of a servant-lass that dressed it -herself, wi' the doup o' a candle and a drudging-box. But I hae seen the -day, Monkbarns, when the town-council of Fairport wad hae as soon wanted -their town-clerk, or their gill of brandy ower-head after the haddies, -as they wad hae wanted ilk ane a weel-favoured, sonsy, decent periwig on -his pow. Hegh, sirs! nae wonder the commons will be discontent and rise -against the law, when they see magistrates and bailies, and deacons, and -the provost himsell, wi' heads as bald and as bare as ane o' my blocks!" - -"And as well furnished within, Caxon. But away with you!--you have an -excellent view of public affairs, and, I dare say, have touched the -cause of our popular discontent as closely as the provost could have -done himself. But away with you, Caxon!" - -And off went Caxon upon his walk of three miles-- - - He hobbled--but his heart was good! - Could he go faster than he could?-- - -While he is engaged in his journey and return, it may not be impertinent -to inform the reader to whose mansion he was bearing his embassy. - -We have said that Mr. Oldbuck kept little company with the surrounding -gentlemen, excepting with one person only. This was Sir Arthur Wardour, -a baronet of ancient descent, and of a large but embarrassed fortune. -His father, Sir Anthony, had been a Jacobite, and had displayed all the -enthusiasm of that party, while it could be served with words only. No -man squeezed the orange with more significant gesture; no one could more -dexterously intimate a dangerous health without coming under the penal -statutes; and, above all, none drank success to the cause more deeply -and devoutly. But, on the approach of the Highland army in 1745, -it would appear that the worthy baronet's zeal became a little more -moderate just when its warmth was of most consequence. He talked much, -indeed, of taking the field for the rights of Scotland and Charles -Stuart; but his demi-pique saddle would suit only one of his horses; -and that horse could by no means be brought to stand fire. Perhaps -the worshipful owner sympathized in the scruples of this sagacious -quadruped, and began to think, that what was so much dreaded by the -horse could not be very wholesome for the rider. At any rate, while Sir -Anthony Wardour talked, and drank, and hesitated, the Sturdy provost of -Fairport (who, as we before noticed, was the father of our Antiquary) -sallied from his ancient burgh, heading a body of whig-burghers, -and seized at once, in the name of George II., upon the Castle of -Knockwinnock, and on the four carriage-horses, and person of the -proprietor. Sir Anthony was shortly after sent off to the Tower of -London by a secretary of state's warrant, and with him went his son, -Arthur, then a youth. But as nothing appeared like an overt act of -treason, both father and son were soon set at liberty, and returned to -their own mansion of Knockwinnock, to drink healths five fathoms deep, -and talk of their sufferings in the royal cause. This became so much a -matter of habit with Sir Arthur, that, even after his father's death, -the non-juring chaplain used to pray regularly for the restoration -of the rightful sovereign, for the downfall of the usurper, and for -deliverance from their cruel and bloodthirsty enemies; although all idea -of serious opposition to the House of Hanover had long mouldered away, -and this treasonable liturgy was kept up rather as a matter of form -than as conveying any distinct meaning. So much was this the case, that, -about the year 1770, upon a disputed election occurring in the county, -the worthy knight fairly gulped down the oaths of abjuration -and allegiance, in order to serve a candidate in whom he was -interested;--thus renouncing the heir for whose restoration he weekly -petitioned Heaven, and acknowledging the usurper whose dethronement he -had never ceased to pray for. And to add to this melancholy instance -of human inconsistency, Sir Arthur continued to pray for the House -of Stuart even after the family had been extinct, and when, in truth, -though in his theoretical loyalty he was pleased to regard them as -alive, yet, in all actual service and practical exertion, he was a most -zealous and devoted subject of George III. - -In other respects, Sir Arthur Wardour lived like most country gentlemen -in Scotland, hunted and fished--gave and received dinners--attended races -and county meetings--was a deputy-lieutenant and trustee upon turnpike -acts. But, in his more advanced years, as he became too lazy or unwieldy -for field-sports, he supplied them by now and then reading Scottish -history; and, having gradually acquired a taste for antiquities, though -neither very deep nor very correct, he became a crony of his neighbour, -Mr. Oldbuck of Monkbarns, and a joint-labourer with him in his -antiquarian pursuits. - -There were, however, points of difference between these two humourists, -which sometimes occasioned discord. The faith of Sir Arthur, as an -antiquary, was boundless, and Mr. Oldbuck (notwithstanding the affair -of the Praetorium at the Kaim of Kinprunes) was much more scrupulous in -receiving legends as current and authentic coin. Sir Arthur would have -deemed himself guilty of the crime of leze-majesty had he doubted the -existence of any single individual of that formidable head-roll of one -hundred and four kings of Scotland, received by Boethius, and rendered -classical by Buchanan, in virtue of whom James VI. claimed to rule his -ancient kingdom, and whose portraits still frown grimly upon the walls -of the gallery of Holyrood. Now Oldbuck, a shrewd and suspicious man, -and no respecter of divine hereditary right, was apt to cavil at this -sacred list, and to affirm, that the procession of the posterity -of Fergus through the pages of Scottish history, was as vain and -unsubstantial as the gleamy pageant of the descendants of Banquo through -the cavern of Hecate. - -Another tender topic was the good fame of Queen Mary, of which the -knight was a most chivalrous assertor, while the esquire impugned it, -in spite both of her beauty and misfortunes. When, unhappily, their -conversation turned on yet later times, motives of discord occurred in -almost every page of history. Oldbuck was, upon principle, a staunch -Presbyterian, a ruling elder of the kirk, and a friend to revolution -principles and Protestant succession, while Sir Arthur was the very -reverse of all this. They agreed, it is true, in dutiful love and -allegiance to the sovereign who now fills* the throne; but this was -their only point of union. - -* The reader will understand that this refers to the reign of our late -gracious Sovereign, George the Third. - -It therefore often happened, that bickerings hot broke out between them, -in which Oldbuck was not always able to suppress his caustic humour, -while it would sometimes occur to the Baronet that the descendant of a -German printer, whose sires had "sought the base fellowship of paltry -burghers," forgot himself, and took an unlicensed freedom of debate, -considering the rank and ancient descent of his antagonist. This, with -the old feud of the coach-horses, and the seizure of his manor-place and -tower of strength by Mr. Oldbuck's father, would at times rush upon his -mind, and inflame at once his cheeks and his arguments. And, lastly, as -Mr. Oldbuck thought his worthy friend and compeer was in some respects -little better than a fool, he was apt to come more near communicating -to him that unfavourable opinion, than the rules of modern politeness -warrant. In such cases they often parted in deep dudgeon, and with -something like a resolution to forbear each other's company in future: - -But with the morning calm reflection came; and as each was sensible that -the society of the other had become, through habit, essential to -his comfort, the breach was speedily made up between them. On such -occasions, Oldbuck, considering that the Baronet's pettishness resembled -that of a child, usually showed his superior sense by compassionately -making the first advances to reconciliation. But it once or twice -happened that the aristocratic pride of the far-descended knight took -a flight too offensive to the feelings of the representative of the -typographer. In these cases, the breach between these two originals -might have been immortal, but for the kind exertion and interposition -of the Baronet's daughter, Miss Isabella Wardour, who, with a son, now -absent upon foreign and military service, formed his whole surviving -family. She was well aware how necessary Mr. Oldbuck was to her father's -amusement and comfort, and seldom failed to interpose with effect, when -the office of a mediator between them was rendered necessary by the -satirical shrewdness of the one, or the assumed superiority of the -other. Under Isabella's mild influence, the wrongs of Queen Mary were -forgotten by her father, and Mr. Oldbuck forgave the blasphemy which -reviled the memory of King William. However, as she used in general to -take her father's part playfully in these disputes, Oldbuck was wont to -call Isabella his fair enemy, though in fact he made more account of her -than any other of her sex, of whom, as we have seen, he, was no admirer. - -There existed another connection betwixt these worthies, which had -alternately a repelling and attractive influence upon their intimacy. -Sir Arthur always wished to borrow; Mr. Oldbuck was not always willing -to lend. Mr. Oldbuck, per contra, always wished to be repaid with -regularity; Sir Arthur was not always, nor indeed often, prepared to -gratify this reasonable desire; and, in accomplishing an arrangement -between tendencies so opposite, little miffs would occasionally take -place. Still there was a spirit of mutual accommodation upon the whole, -and they dragged on like dogs in couples, with some difficulty and -occasional snarling, but without absolutely coming to a stand-still or -throttling each other. - -Some little disagreement, such as we have mentioned, arising out of -business, or politics, had divided the houses of Knockwinnock and -Monkbarns, when the emissary of the latter arrived to discharge his -errand. In his ancient Gothic parlour, whose windows on one side looked -out upon the restless ocean, and, on the other, upon the long straight -avenue, was the Baronet seated, now turning over the leaves of a folio, -now casting a weary glance where the sun quivered on the dark-green -foliage and smooth trunks of the large and branching limes with which -the avenue was planted. At length, sight of joy! a moving object is -seen, and it gives rise to the usual inquiries, Who is it? and what can -be his errand? The old whitish-grey coat, the hobbling gait, the hat -half-slouched, half-cocked, announced the forlorn maker of periwigs, and -left for investigation only the second query. This was soon solved by a -servant entering the parlour,--"A letter from Monkbarns, Sir Arthur." - -Sir Arthur took the epistle with a due assumption of consequential -dignity. - -"Take the old man into the kitchen, and let him get some refreshment," -said the young lady, whose compassionate eye had remarked his thin grey -hair and wearied gait. - -"Mr. Oldbuck, my love, invites us to dinner on Tuesday the 17th," said -the Baronet, pausing;--"he really seems to forget that he has not of late -conducted himself so civilly towards me as might have been expected." - -"Dear sir, you have so many advantages over poor Mr. Oldbuck, that no -wonder it should put him a little out of humour; but I know he has much -respect for your person and your conversation;--nothing would give him -more pain than to be wanting in any real attention." - -"True, true, Isabella; and one must allow for the original -descent;--something of the German boorishness still flows in the blood; -something of the whiggish and perverse opposition to established rank -and privilege. You may observe that he never has any advantage of me -in dispute, unless when he avails himself of a sort of pettifogging -intimacy with dates, names, and trifling matters of fact--a tiresome and -frivolous accuracy of memory, which is entirely owing to his mechanical -descent." - -"He must find it convenient in historical investigation, I should think, -sir?" said the young lady. - -"It leads to an uncivil and positive mode of disputing; and nothing -seems more unreasonable than to hear him impugn even Bellenden's rare -translation of Hector Boece, which I have the satisfaction to possess, -and which is a black-letter folio of great value, upon the authority of -some old scrap of parchment which he has saved from its deserved destiny -of being cut up into tailor's measures. And besides, that habit of -minute and troublesome accuracy leads to a mercantile manner of doing -business, which ought to be beneath a landed proprietor whose family has -stood two or three generations. I question if there's a dealer's clerk -in Fairport that can sum an account of interest better than Monkbarns." - -"But you'll accept his invitation, sir?" - -"Why, ye--yes; we have no other engagement on hand, I think. Who can the -young man be he talks of?--he seldom picks up new acquaintance; and he -has no relation that I ever heard of." - -"Probably some relation of his brother-in-law Captain M'Intyre." - -"Very possibly--yes, we will accept--the M'Intyres are of a very ancient -Highland family. You may answer his card in the affirmative, Isabella; I -believe I have, no leisure to be Dear Sirring myself." - -So this important matter being adjusted, Miss Wardour intimated "her -own and Sir Arthur's compliments, and that they would have the honour of -waiting upon Mr. Oldbuck. Miss Wardour takes this opportunity to renew -her hostility with Mr. Oldbuck, on account of his late long absence from -Knockwinnock, where his visits give so much pleasure." With this placebo -she concluded her note, with which old Caxon, now refreshed in limbs and -wind, set out on his return to the Antiquary's mansion. - - - - -CHAPTER SIXTH. - - Moth. By Woden, God of Saxons, - From whence comes Wensday, that is, Wodnesday, - Truth is a thing that I will ever keep - Unto thylke day in which I creep into - My sepulcre-- - Cartwright's Ordinary. - -Our young friend Lovel, who had received a corresponding invitation, -punctual to the hour of appointment, arrived at Monkbarns about five -minutes before four o'clock on the 17th of July. The day had been -remarkably sultry, and large drops of rain had occasionally fallen, -though the threatened showers had as yet passed away. - -Mr. Oldbuck received him at the Palmer's-port in his complete brown -suit, grey silk stockings, and wig powdered with all the skill of the -veteran Caxon, who having smelt out the dinner, had taken care not to -finish his job till the hour of eating approached. - -"You are welcome to my symposion, Mr. Lovel. And now let me introduce -you to my Clogdogdo's, as Tom Otter calls them--my unlucky and -good-for-nothing womankind--malae bestiae, Mr. Lovel." - -"I shall be disappointed, sir, if I do not find the ladies very -undeserving of your satire." - -"Tilley-valley, Mr. Lovel,--which, by the way, one commentator derives -from tittivillitium, and another from talley-ho--but tilley-valley, I -say--a truce with your politeness. You will find them but samples of -womankind--But here they be, Mr. Lovel. I present to you in due order, my -most discreet sister Griselda, who disdains the simplicity, as well as -patience annexed to the poor old name of Grizzel; and my most exquisite -niece Maria, whose mother was called Mary, and sometimes Molly." - -The elderly lady rustled in silks and satins, and bore upon her head a -structure resembling the fashion in the ladies' memorandum-book for the -year 1770--a superb piece of architecture, not much less than a modern -Gothic castle, of which the curls might represent the turrets, the black -pins the chevaux de frise, and the lappets the banners. - -The face, which, like that of the ancient statues of Vesta, was thus -crowned with towers, was large and long, and peaked at nose and chin, -and bore, in other respects, such a ludicrous resemblance to the -physiognomy of Mr. Jonathan Oldbuck, that Lovel, had they not appeared -at once, like Sebastian and Viola in the last scene of the "Twelfth -Night," might have supposed that the figure before him was his old -friend masquerading in female attire. An antique flowered silk gown -graced the extraordinary person to whom belonged this unparalleled tete, -which her brother was wont to say was fitter for a turban for Mahound -or Termagant, than a head-gear for a reasonable creature, or Christian -gentlewoman. Two long and bony arms were terminated at the elbows by -triple blond ruffles, and being, folded saltire-ways in front of her -person, and decorated with long gloves of a bright vermilion colour, -presented no bad resemblance to a pair of gigantic lobsters. High-heeled -shoes, and a short silk cloak, thrown in easy negligence over her -shoulders, completed the exterior of Miss Griselda Oldbuck. - -Her niece, the same whom Lovel had seen transiently during his first -visit, was a pretty young woman, genteelly dressed according to the -fashion of the day, with an air of espieglerie which became her very -well, and which was perhaps derived from the caustic humour peculiar to -her uncle's family, though softened by transmission. - -Mr. Lovel paid his respects to both ladies, and was answered by the -elder with the prolonged courtesy of 1760, drawn from the righteous -period, - - When folks conceived a grace - Of half an hour's space, - And rejoiced in a Friday's capon, - -and by the younger with a modern reverence, which, like the festive -benediction of a modern divine, was of much shorter duration. - -While this salutation was exchanging, Sir Arthur, with his fair daughter -hanging upon his arm, having dismissed his chariot, appeared at the -garden door, and in all due form paid his respects to the ladies. - -"Sir Arthur," said the Antiquary, "and you, my fair foe, let me make -known to you my young friend Mr. Lovel, a gentleman who, during the -scarlet-fever which is epidemic at present in this our island, has the -virtue and decency to appear in a coat of a civil complexion. You see, -however, that the fashionable colour has mustered in his cheeks which -appears not in his garments. Sir Arthur, let me present to you a young -gentleman, whom your farther knowledge will find grave, wise, courtly, -and scholar-like, well seen, deeply read, and thoroughly grounded in all -the hidden mysteries of the green-room and stage, from the days of Davie -Lindsay down to those of Dibdin--he blushes again, which is a sign of -grace." - -"My brother," said Miss Griselda, addressing Lovel, "has a humorous way -of expressing himself, sir; nobody thinks anything of what Monkbarns -says--so I beg you will not be so confused for the matter of his -nonsense; but you must have had a warm walk beneath this broiling -sun--would you take anything?--a glass of balm-wine?" - -Ere Lovel could answer, the Antiquary interposed. "Aroint thee, witch! -wouldst thou poison my guests with thy infernal decoctions? Dost thou -not remember how it fared with the clergyman whom you seduced to partake -of that deceitful beverage?" - -"O fy, fy, brother!--Sir Arthur, did you ever hear the like?--he must have -everything his ain way, or he will invent such stories--But there goes -Jenny to ring the old bell to tell us that the dinner is ready." - -Rigid in his economy, Mr. Oldbuck kept no male servant. This he -disguised under the pretext that the masculine sex was too noble to -be employed in those acts of personal servitude, which, in all early -periods of society, were uniformly imposed on the female. "Why," -would he say, "did the boy, Tam Rintherout, whom, at my wise sister's -instigation, I, with equal wisdom, took upon trial--why did he pilfer -apples, take birds' nests, break glasses, and ultimately steal my -spectacles, except that he felt that noble emulation which swells in the -bosom of the masculine sex, which has conducted him to Flanders with -a musket on his shoulder, and doubtless will promote him to a glorious -halbert, or even to the gallows? And why does this girl, his full -sister, Jenny Rintherout, move in the same vocation with safe and -noiseless step--shod, or unshod--soft as the pace of a cat, and docile as -a spaniel--Why? but because she is in her vocation. Let them minister to -us, Sir Arthur,--let them minister, I say,--it's the only thing they are -fit for. All ancient legislators, from Lycurgus to Mahommed, corruptly -called Mahomet, agree in putting them in their proper and subordinate -rank, and it is only the crazy heads of our old chivalrous ancestors -that erected their Dulcineas into despotic princesses." - -Miss Wardour protested loudly against this ungallant doctrine; but the -bell now rung for dinner. - -"Let me do all the offices of fair courtesy to so fair an antagonist," -said the old gentleman, offering his arm. "I remember, Miss Wardour, -Mahommed (vulgarly Mahomet) had some hesitation about the mode -of summoning his Moslemah to prayer. He rejected bells as used by -Christians, trumpets as the summons of the Guebres, and finally adopted -the human voice. I have had equal doubt concerning my dinner-call. -Gongs, now in present use, seemed a newfangled and heathenish invention, -and the voice of the female womankind I rejected as equally shrill and -dissonant; wherefore, contrary to the said Mahommed, or Mahomet, I have -resumed the bell. It has a local propriety, since it was the conventual -signal for spreading the repast in their refectory, and it has the -advantage over the tongue of my sister's prime minister, Jenny, that, -though not quite so loud and shrill, it ceases ringing the instant you -drop the bell-rope: whereas we know, by sad experience, that any attempt -to silence Jenny, only wakes the sympathetic chime of Miss Oldbuck and -Mary M'Intyre to join in chorus." - -With this discourse he led the way to his dining-parlour, which Lovel -had not yet seen;--it was wainscotted, and contained some curious -paintings. The dining-table was attended by Jenny; but an old -superintendent, a sort of female butler, stood by the sideboard, and -underwent the burden of bearing several reproofs from Mr. Oldbuck, and -inuendos, not so much marked, but not less cutting, from his sister. - -The dinner was such as suited a professed antiquary, comprehending many -savoury specimens of Scottish viands, now disused at the tables of those -who affect elegance. There was the relishing Solan goose, whose smell is -so powerful that he is never cooked within doors. Blood-raw he proved to -be on this occasion, so that Oldbuck half threatened to throw the -greasy sea-fowl at the head of the negligent housekeeper, who acted as -priestess in presenting this odoriferous offering. But, by good-hap, -she had been most fortunate in the hotch-potch, which was unanimously -pronounced to be inimitable. "I knew we should succeed here," said -Oldbuck exultingly, "for Davie Dibble, the gardener (an old bachelor -like myself), takes care the rascally women do not dishonour our -vegetables. And here is fish and sauce, and crappit-heads--I acknowledge -our womankind excel in that dish--it procures them the pleasure of -scolding, for half an hour at least, twice a-week, with auld Maggy -Mucklebackit, our fish-wife. The chicken-pie, Mr. Lovel, is made after -a recipe bequeathed to me by my departed grandmother of happy memory--And -if you will venture on a glass of wine, you will find it worthy of -one who professes the maxim of King Alphonso of Castile,--Old wood to -burn--old books to read--old wine to drink--and old friends, Sir Arthur--ay, -Mr. Lovel, and young friends too, to converse with." - -"And what news do you bring us from Edinburgh, Monkbarns?" said Sir -Arthur; "how wags the world in Auld Reekie?" - -"Mad, Sir Arthur, mad--irretrievably frantic--far beyond dipping in the -sea, shaving the crown, or drinking hellebore. The worst sort of frenzy, -a military frenzy, hath possessed man, woman, and child." - -"And high time, I think," said Miss Wardour, "when we are threatened -with invasion from abroad and insurrection at home." - -"O, I did not doubt you would join the scarlet host against me--women, -like turkeys, are always subdued by a red rag--But what says Sir Arthur, -whose dreams are of standing armies and German oppression?" - -"Why, I say, Mr. Oldbuck," replied the knight, "that so far as I am -capable of judging, we ought to resist cum toto corpore regni--as the -phrase is, unless I have altogether forgotten my Latin--an enemy who -comes to propose to us a Whiggish sort of government, a republican -system, and who is aided and abetted by a sort of fanatics of the worst -kind in our own bowels. I have taken some measures, I assure you, such -as become my rank in the community; for I have directed the constables -to take up that old scoundrelly beggar, Edie Ochiltree, for spreading -disaffection against church and state through the whole parish. He said -plainly to old Caxon, that Willie Howie's Kilmarnock cowl covered more -sense than all the three wigs in the parish--I think it is easy to make -out that inuendo--But the rogue shall be taught better manners." - -"O no, my dear sir," exclaimed Miss Wardour, "not old Edie, that we have -known so long;--I assure you no constable shall have my good graces that -executes such a warrant." - -"Ay, there it goes," said the Antiquary; "you, to be a staunch Tory, Sir -Arthur, have nourished a fine sprig of Whiggery in your bosom--Why, -Miss Wardour is alone sufficient to control a whole quarter-session--a -quarter-session? ay, a general assembly or convocation to boot--a -Boadicea she--an Amazon, a Zenobia." - -"And yet, with all my courage, Mr. Oldbuck, I am glad to hear our people -are getting under arms." - -"Under arms, Lord love thee! didst thou ever read the history of Sister -Margaret, which flowed from a head, that, though now old and somedele -grey, has more sense and political intelligence than you find now-a-days -in the whole synod? Dost thou remember the Nurse's dream in that -exquisite work, which she recounts in such agony to Hubble Bubble?--When -she would have taken up a piece of broad-cloth in her vision, lo! it -exploded like a great iron cannon; when she put out her hand to save a -pirn, it perked up in her face in the form of a pistol. My own vision in -Edinburgh has been something similar. I called to consult my lawyer; he -was clothed in a dragoon's dress, belted and casqued, and about to mount -a charger, which his writing-clerk (habited as a sharp-shooter) walked -to and fro before his door. I went to scold my agent for having sent me -to advise with a madman; he had stuck into his head the plume, which -in more sober days he wielded between his fingers, and figured as an -artillery officer. My mercer had his spontoon in his hand, as if he -measured his cloth by that implement, instead of a legitimate yard. The -banker's clerk, who was directed to sum my cash-account, blundered -it three times, being disordered by the recollection of his military -tellings-off at the morning-drill. I was ill, and sent for a surgeon-- - - He came--but valour so had fired his eye, - And such a falchion glittered on his thigh, - That, by the gods, with such a load of steel, - I thought he came to murder,--not to heal. - -I had recourse to a physician, but he also was practising a more -wholesale mode of slaughter than that which his profession had been -supposed at all times to open to him. And now, since I have returned -here, even our wise neighbours of Fairport have caught the same valiant -humour. I hate a gun like a hurt wild duck--I detest a drum like a -quaker;--and they thunder and rattle out yonder upon the town's common, -so that every volley and roll goes to my very heart." - -"Dear brother, dinna speak that gate o' the gentlemen volunteers--I am -sure they have a most becoming uniform--Weel I wot they have been wet to -the very skin twice last week--I met them marching in terribly doukit, an -mony a sair hoast was amang them--And the trouble they take, I am sure it -claims our gratitude." - -"And I am sure," said Miss M'Intyre, "that my uncle sent twenty guineas -to help out their equipments." - -"It was to buy liquorice and sugar-candy," said the cynic, "to encourage -the trade of the place, and to refresh the throats of the officers who -had bawled themselves hoarse in the service of their country." - -"Take care, Monkbarns! we shall set you down among the black-nebs by and -by." - -"No Sir Arthur--a tame grumbler I. I only claim the privilege of croaking -in my own corner here, without uniting my throat to the grand chorus of -the marsh--Ni quito Rey, ni pongo Rey--I neither make king nor mar king, -as Sancho says, but pray heartily for our own sovereign, pay scot and -lot, and grumble at the exciseman--But here comes the ewe-milk cheese in -good time; it is a better digestive than politics." - -When dinner was over, and the decanters placed on the table, Mr. Oldbuck -proposed the King's health in a bumper, which was readily acceded to -both by Lovel and the Baronet, the Jacobitism of the latter being now a -sort of speculative opinion merely,--the shadow of a shade. - -After the ladies had left the apartment, the landlord and Sir Arthur -entered into several exquisite discussions, in which the younger guest, -either on account of the abstruse erudition which they involved, or -for some other reason, took but a slender share, till at length he was -suddenly started out of a profound reverie by an unexpected appeal to -his judgment. - -"I will stand by what Mr. Lovel says; he was born in the north of -England, and may know the very spot." - -Sir Arthur thought it unlikely that so young a gentleman should have -paid much attention to matters of that sort. - -"I am avised of the contrary," said Oldbuck. - -"How say you, Mr. Lovel?--speak up for your own credit, man." - -Lovel was obliged to confess himself in the ridiculous situation of one -alike ignorant of the subject of conversation and controversy which had -engaged the company for an hour. - -"Lord help the lad, his head has been wool-gathering!--I thought how it -would be when the womankind were admitted--no getting a word of sense out -of a young fellow for six hours after.--Why, man, there was once a people -called the Piks"-- - -"More properly Picts," interrupted the Baronet. - -"I say the Pikar, Pihar, Piochtar, Piaghter, or Peughtar," vociferated -Oldbuck; "they spoke a Gothic dialect"-- - -"Genuine Celtic," again asseverated the knight. - -"Gothic! Gothic! I'll go to death upon it!" counter-asseverated the -squire. - -"Why, gentlemen," sad Lovel, "I conceive that is a dispute which may -be easily settled by philologists, if there are any remains of the -language." - -"There is but one word," said the Baronet, "but, in spite of Mr. -Oldbuck's pertinacity, it is decisive of the question." - -"Yes, in my favour," said Oldbuck: "Mr. Lovel, you shall be judge--I have -the learned Pinkerton on my side." - -"I, on mine, the indefatigable and erudite Chalmers." - -"Gordon comes into my opinion." - -"Sir Robert Sibbald holds mine." - -"Innes is with me!" vociferated Oldbuck. - -"Riston has no doubt!" shouted the Baronet. - -"Truly, gentlemen," said Lovel, "before you muster your forces and -overwhelm me with authorities, I should like to know the word in -dispute." - -"Benval" said both the disputants at once. - -"Which signifies caput valli," said Sir Arthur. - -"The head of the wall," echoed Oldbuck. - -There was a deep pause.--"It is rather a narrow foundation to build a -hypothesis upon," observed the arbiter. - -"Not a whit, not a whit," said Oldbuck; "men fight best in a narrow -ring--an inch is as good as a mile for a home-thrust." - -"It is decidedly Celtic," said the Baronet; "every hill in the Highlands -begins with Ben." - -"But what say you to Val, Sir Arthur; is it not decidedly the Saxon -wall?" - -"It is the Roman vallum," said Sir Arthur;--"the Picts borrowed that part -of the word." - -"No such thing; if they borrowed anything, it must have been your Ben, -which they might have from the neighbouring Britons of Strath Cluyd." - -"The Piks, or Picts," said Lovel, "must have been singularly poor in -dialect, since, in the only remaining word of their vocabulary, and that -consisting only of two syllables, they have been confessedly obliged to -borrow one of them from another language; and, methinks, gentlemen, with -submission, the controversy is not unlike that which the two knights -fought, concerning the shield that had one side white and the other -black. Each of you claim one-half of the word, and seem to resign the -other. But what strikes me most, is the poverty of the language which -has left such slight vestiges behind it." - -"You are in an error," said Sir Arthur; "it was a copious language, -and they were a great and powerful people; built two steeples--one at -Brechin, one at Abernethy. The Pictish maidens of the blood-royal were -kept in Edinburgh Castle, thence called Castrum Puellarum." - -"A childish legend," said Oldbuck, "invented to give consequence to -trumpery womankind. It was called the Maiden Castle, quasi lucus a non -lucendo, because it resisted every attack, and women never do." - -"There is a list of the Pictish kings," persisted Sir Arthur, "well -authenticated from Crentheminachcryme (the date of whose reign is -somewhat uncertain) down to Drusterstone, whose death concluded their -dynasty. Half of them have the Celtic patronymic Mac prefixed--Mac, -id est filius;--what do you say to that, Mr. Oldbuck? There is Drust -Macmorachin, Trynel Maclachlin (first of that ancient clan, as it may -be judged), and Gormach Macdonald, Alpin Macmetegus, Drust Mactallargam" -(here he was interrupted by a fit of coughing)--"ugh, ugh, ugh--Golarge -Macchan--ugh, ugh--Macchanan--ugh--Macchananail, Kenneth--ugh--ugh-- -Macferedith, Eachan Macfungus--and twenty more, decidedly Celtic names, -which I could repeat, if this damned cough would let me." - -"Take a glass of wine, Sir Arthur, and drink down that bead-roll of -unbaptized jargon, that would choke the devil--why, that last fellow has -the only intelligible name you have repeated--they are all of the tribe -of Macfungus--mushroom monarchs every one of them; sprung up from the -fumes of conceit, folly, and falsehood, fermenting in the brains of some -mad Highland seannachie." - -"I am surprised to hear you, Mr. Oldbuck: you know, or ought to know, -that the list of these potentates was copied by Henry Maule of Melguin, -from the Chronicles of Loch Leven and St. Andrews, and put forth by him -in his short but satisfactory history of the Picts, printed by Robert -Freebairn of Edinburgh, and sold by him at his shop in the Parliament -Close, in the year of God seventeen hundred and five, or six, I am not -precisely certain which--but I have a copy at home that stands next to my -twelvemo copy of the Scots Acts, and ranges on the shelf with them very -well. What say you to that, Mr. Oldbuck?" - -"Say?--why, I laugh at Harry Maule and his history," answered Oldbuck, -"and thereby comply with his request, of giving it entertainment -according to its merits." - -"Do not laugh at a better man than yourself," said Sir Arthur, somewhat -scornfully. - -"I do not conceive I do, Sir Arthur, in laughing either at him or his -history." - -"Henry Maule of Melgum was a gentleman, Mr. Oldbuck." - -"I presume he had no advantage of me in that particular," replied the -Antiquary, somewhat tartly. - -"Permit me, Mr. Oldbuck--he was a gentleman of high family, and ancient -descent, and therefore"-- - -"The descendant of a Westphalian printer should speak of him with -deference? Such may be your opinion, Sir Arthur--it is not mine. I -conceive that my descent from that painful and industrious typographer, -Wolfbrand Oldenbuck, who, in the month of December 1493, under the -patronage, as the colophon tells us, of Sebaldus Scheyter and Sebastian -Kammermaister, accomplished the printing of the great Chronicle of -Nuremberg--I conceive, I say, that my descent from that great restorer -of learning is more creditable to me as a man of letters, than if I had -numbered in my genealogy all the brawling, bullet-headed, iron-fisted, -old Gothic barons since the days of Crentheminachcryme--not one of whom, -I suppose, could write his own name." - -"If you mean the observation as a sneer at my ancestry," said the -knight, with an assumption of dignified superiority and composure, "I -have the pleasure to inform you, that the name of my ancestor, Gamelyn -de Guardover, Miles, is written fairly with his own hand in the earliest -copy of the Ragman-roll." - -"Which only serves to show that he was one of the earliest who set the -mean example of submitting to Edward I. What have, you to say for the -stainless loyalty of your family, Sir Arthur, after such a backsliding -as that?" - -"It's enough, sir," said Sir Arthur, starting up fiercely, and pushing -back his chair; "I shall hereafter take care how I honour with my -company one who shows himself so ungrateful for my condescension." - -"In that you will do as you find most agreeable, Sir Arthur;--I hope, -that as I was not aware of the extent of the obligation which you have -done me by visiting my poor house, I may be excused for not having -carried my gratitude to the extent of servility." - -"Mighty well--mighty well, Mr. Oldbuck--I wish you a good evening--Mr. -a--a--a--Shovel--I wish you a very good evening." - -Out of the parlour door flounced the incensed Sir Arthur, as if the -spirit of the whole Round Table inflamed his single bosom, and traversed -with long strides the labyrinth of passages which conducted to the -drawing-room. - -"Did you ever hear such an old tup-headed ass?" said Oldbuck, briefly -apostrophizing Lovel. "But I must not let him go in this mad-like way -neither." - -So saying, he pushed off after the retreating Baronet, whom he traced -by the clang of several doors which he opened in search of the apartment -for tea, and slammed with force behind him at every disappointment. -"You'll do yourself a mischief," roared the Antiquary; "Qui ambulat in -tenebris, nescit quo vadit--You'll tumble down the back-stair." - -Sir Arthur had now got involved in darkness, of which the sedative -effect is well known to nurses and governesses who have to deal with -pettish children. It retarded the pace of the irritated Baronet, if it -did not abate his resentment, and Mr. Oldbuck, better acquainted with -the locale, got up with him as he had got his grasp upon the handle of -the drawing-room door. - -"Stay a minute, Sir Arthur," said Oldbuck, opposing his abrupt entrance; -"don't be quite so hasty, my good old friend. I was a little too rude -with you about Sir Gamelyn--why, he is an old acquaintance of mine, man, -and a favourite; he kept company with Bruce and Wallace--and, I'll be -sworn on a black-letter Bible, only subscribed the Ragman-roll with -the legitimate and justifiable intention of circumventing the false -Southern--'twas right Scottish craft, my good knight--hundreds did it. -Come, come, forget and forgive--confess we have given the young fellow -here a right to think us two testy old fools." - -"Speak for yourself, Mr. Jonathan Oldbuck," said Sir Arthur with much -majesty. - -"A-well, a-well--a wilful man must have his way." - -With that the door opened, and into the drawing-room marched the -tall gaunt form of Sir Arthur, followed by Lovel and Mr. Oldbuck, the -countenances of all the three a little discomposed. - -"I have been waiting for you, sir," said Miss Wardour, "to propose we -should walk forward to meet the carriage, as the evening is so fine." - -Sir Arthur readily assented to this proposal, which suited the angry -mood in which he found himself; and having, agreeable to the established -custom in cases of pet, refused the refreshment of tea and coffee, he -tucked his daughter under his arm; and after taking a ceremonious leave -of the ladies, and a very dry one of Oldbuck--off he marched. - -"I think Sir Arthur has got the black dog on his back again," said Miss -Oldbuck. - -"Black dog!--black devil!--he's more absurd than womankind--What say you, -Lovel?--Why, the lad's gone too." - -"He took his leave, uncle, while Miss Wardour was putting on her things; -but I don't think you observed him." - -"The devil's in the people! This is all one gets by fussing and -bustling, and putting one's self out of one's way in order to give -dinners, besides all the charges they are put to!--O Seged, Emperor of -Ethiopia!" said he, taking up a cup of tea in the one hand, and a volume -of the Rambler in the other,--for it was his regular custom to read while -he was eating or drinking in presence of his sister, being a practice -which served at once to evince his contempt for the society of -womankind, and his resolution to lose no moment of instruction,--"O -Seged, Emperor of Ethiopia! well hast thou spoken--No man should presume -to say, This shall be a day of happiness." - -Oldbuck proceeded in his studies for the best part of an hour, -uninterrupted by the ladies, who each, in profound silence, pursued some -female employment. At length, a light and modest tap was heard at the -parlour door. "Is that you, Caxon?--come in, come in, man." - -The old man opened the door, and thrusting in his meagre face, thatched -with thin grey locks, and one sleeve of his white coat, said in a -subdued and mysterious tone of voice, "I was wanting to speak to you, -sir." - -"Come in then, you old fool, and say what you have got to say." - -"I'll maybe frighten the ladies," said the ex-friseur. - -"Frighten!" answered the Antiquary,--"what do you mean?--never mind the -ladies. Have you seen another ghaist at the Humlock-knowe?" - -"Na, sir--it's no a ghaist this turn," replied Caxton;--"but I'm no easy -in my mind." - -"Did you ever hear of any body that was?" answered Oldbuck;--"what reason -has an old battered powder-puff like you to be easy in your mind, more -than all the rest of the world besides?" - -"It's no for mysell, sir; but it threatens an awfu' night; and Sir -Arthur, and Miss Wardour, poor thing"-- - -"Why, man, they must have met the carriage at the head of the loaning, -or thereabouts; they must be home long ago." - -"Na, sir; they didna gang the road by the turnpike to meet the carriage, -they gaed by the sands." - -The word operated like electricity on Oldbuck. "The sands!" he -exclaimed; "impossible!" - -"Ou, sir, that's what I said to the gardener; but he says he saw them -turn down by the Mussel-craig. In troth, says I to him, an that be the -case, Davie, I am misdoubting"-- - -"An almanac! an almanac!" said Oldbuck, starting up in great alarm--"not -that bauble!" flinging away a little pocket almanac which his niece -offered him.--"Great God! my poor dear Miss Isabella!--Fetch me instantly -the Fairport Almanac."--It was brought, consulted, and added greatly to -his agitation. "I'll go myself--call the gardener and ploughman--bid them -bring ropes and ladders--bid them raise more help as they come along--keep -the top of the cliffs, and halloo down to them--I'll go myself." - -"What is the matter?" inquired Miss Oldbuck and Miss M'Intyre. - -"The tide!--the tide!" answered the alarmed Antiquary. - -"Had not Jenny better--but no, I'll run myself," said the younger lady, -partaking in all her uncle's terrors--"I'll run myself to Saunders -Mucklebackit, and make him get out his boat." - -"Thank you, my dear, that's the wisest word that has been spoken -yet--Run! run!--To go by the sands!" seizing his hat and cane; "was there -ever such madness heard of!" - - - - -CHAPTER SEVENTH. - - --Pleased awhile to view - The watery waste, the prospect wild and new; - The now receding waters gave them space, - On either side, the growing shores to trace - And then returning, they contract the scene, - Till small and smaller grows the walk between. - Crabbe. - -The information of Davie Dibble, which had spread such general alarm at -Monkbarns, proved to be strictly correct. Sir Arthur and his -daughter had set out, according to their first proposal, to return to -Knockwinnock by the turnpike road; but when they reached the head of the -loaning, as it was called, or great lane, which on one side made a sort -of avenue to the house of Monkbarns, they discerned, a little way -before them, Lovel, who seemed to linger on the way as if to give him -an opportunity to join them. Miss Wardour immediately proposed to her -father that they should take another direction; and, as the weather -was fine, walk home by the sands, which, stretching below a picturesque -ridge of rocks, afforded at almost all times a pleasanter passage -between Knockwinnock and Monkbarns than the high-road. - -[Illustration: Sir Arthur and Miss Wardour] - -Sir Arthur acquiesced willingly. "It would be unpleasant," he said, "to -be joined by that young fellow, whom Mr. Oldbuck had taken the freedom -to introduce them to." And his old-fashioned politeness had none of the -ease of the present day which permits you, if you have a mind, to cut -the person you have associated with for a week, the instant you feel or -suppose yourself in a situation which makes it disagreeable to own him. -Sir Arthur only stipulated, that a little ragged boy, for the guerdon -of one penny sterling, should run to meet his coachman, and turn his -equipage back to Knockwinnock. - -When this was arranged, and the emissary despatched, the knight and his -daughter left the high-road, and following a wandering path among sandy -hillocks, partly grown over with furze and the long grass called bent, -soon attained the side of the ocean. The tide was by no means so far out -as they had computed but this gave them no alarm;--there were seldom ten -days in the year when it approached so near the cliffs as not to leave a -dry passage. But, nevertheless, at periods of spring-tide, or even -when the ordinary flood was accelerated by high winds, this road was -altogether covered by the sea; and tradition had recorded several fatal -accidents which had happened on such occasions. Still, such dangers -were considered as remote and improbable; and rather served, with other -legends, to amuse the hamlet fireside, than to prevent any one from -going between Knockwinnock and Monkbarns by the sands. - -As Sir Arthur and Miss Wardour paced along, enjoying the pleasant -footing afforded by the cool moist hard sand, Miss Wardour could not -help observing that the last tide had risen considerably above the -usual water-mark. Sir Arthur made the same observation, but without its -occurring to either of them to be alarmed at the circumstance. The sun -was now resting his huge disk upon the edge of the level ocean, -and gilded the accumulation of towering clouds through which he had -travelled the livelong day, and which now assembled on all sides, like -misfortunes and disasters around a sinking empire and falling monarch. -Still, however, his dying splendour gave a sombre magnificence to the -massive congregation of vapours, forming out of their unsubstantial -gloom the show of pyramids and towers, some touched with gold, some with -purple, some with a hue of deep and dark red. The distant sea, stretched -beneath this varied and gorgeous canopy, lay almost portentously still, -reflecting back the dazzling and level beams of the descending luminary, -and the splendid colouring of the clouds amidst which he was setting. -Nearer to the beach the tide rippled onward in waves of sparkling -silver, that imperceptibly, yet rapidly, gained upon the sand. - -With a mind employed in admiration of the romantic scene, or perhaps -on some more agitating topic, Miss Wardour advanced in silence by her -father's side, whose recently offended dignity did not stoop to open -any conversation. Following the windings of the beach, they passed -one projecting point of headland or rock after another, and now found -themselves under a huge and continued extent of the precipices by which -that iron-bound coast is in most places defended. Long projecting reefs -of rock, extending under water and only evincing their existence by here -and there a peak entirely bare, or by the breakers which foamed over -those that were partially covered, rendered Knockwinnock bay dreaded by -pilots and ship-masters. The crags which rose between the beach and the -mainland, to the height of two or three hundred feet, afforded in -their crevices shelter for unnumbered sea-fowl, in situations seemingly -secured by their dizzy height from the rapacity of man. Many of these -wild tribes, with the instinct which sends them to seek the land before -a storm arises, were now winging towards their nests with the shrill and -dissonant clang which announces disquietude and fear. The disk of the -sun became almost totally obscured ere he had altogether sunk below the -horizon, and an early and lurid shade of darkness blotted the serene -twilight of a summer evening. The wind began next to arise; but its -wild and moaning sound was heard for some time, and its effects became -visible on the bosom of the sea, before the gale was felt on shore. The -mass of waters, now dark and threatening, began to lift itself in larger -ridges, and sink in deeper furrows, forming waves that rose high in -foam upon the breakers, or burst upon the beach with a sound resembling -distant thunder. - -Appalled by this sudden change of weather, Miss Wardour drew close to -her father, and held his arm fast. "I wish," at length she said, -but almost in a whisper, as if ashamed to express her increasing -apprehensions, "I wish we had kept the road we intended, or waited at -Monkbarns for the carriage." - -Sir Arthur looked round, but did not see, or would not acknowledge, any -signs of an immediate storm. They would reach Knockwinnock, he said, -long before the tempest began. But the speed with which he walked, and -with which Isabella could hardly keep pace, indicated a feeling that -some exertion was necessary to accomplish his consolatory prediction. - -They were now near the centre of a deep but narrow bay or recess, formed -by two projecting capes of high and inaccessible rock, which shot out -into the sea like the horns of a crescent;--and neither durst communicate -the apprehension which each began to entertain, that, from the unusually -rapid advance of the tide, they might be deprived of the power of -proceeding by doubling the promontory which lay before them, or of -retreating by the road which brought them thither. - -As they thus pressed forward, longing doubtless to exchange the easy -curving line, which the sinuosities of the bay compelled them to adopt, -for a straighter and more expeditious path, Sir Arthur observed a human -figure on the beach advancing to meet them. "Thank God," he exclaimed, -"we shall get round Halket-head!--that person must have passed it;" thus -giving vent to the feeling of hope, though he had suppressed that of -apprehension. - -"Thank God, indeed!" echoed his daughter, half audibly, half internally, -as expressing the gratitude which she strongly felt. - -The figure which advanced to meet them made many signs, which the -haze of the atmosphere, now disturbed by wind and by a drizzling rain, -prevented them from seeing or comprehending distinctly.--Some time before -they met, Sir Arthur could recognise the old blue-gowned beggar, Edie -Ochiltree. It is said that even the brute creation lay aside their -animosities and antipathies when pressed by an instant and common -danger. The beach under Halket-head, rapidly diminishing in extent by -the encroachments of a spring-tide and a north-west wind, was in like -manner a neutral field, where even a justice of peace and a strolling -mendicant might meet upon terms of mutual forbearance. - -"Turn back! turn back!" exclaimed the vagrant; "why did ye not turn when -I waved to you?" - -"We thought," replied Sir Arthur, in great agitation, "we thought we -could get round Halket-head." - -"Halket-head!--the tide will be running on Halket-head by this time like -the Fall of Fyers!--it was a' I could do to get round it twenty minutes -since--it was coming in three feet abreast. We will maybe get back by -Bally-burgh Ness Point yet. The Lord help us!--it's our only chance. We -can but try." - -"My God, my child!"--"My father! my dear father!" exclaimed the parent -and daughter, as, fear lending them strength and speed, they turned to -retrace their steps, and endeavoured to double the point, the projection -of which formed the southern extremity of the bay. - -"I heard ye were here frae the bit callant ye sent to meet your -carriage," said the beggar, as he trudged stoutly on a step or two -behind Miss Wardour; "and I couldna bide to think o' the dainty young -leddy's peril, that has aye been kind to ilka forlorn heart that cam -near her. Sae I lookit at the lift and the rin o' the tide, till I -settled it that if I could get down time eneugh to gie you warning, we -wad do weel yet. But I doubt, I doubt, I have been beguiled! for what -mortal ee ever saw sic a race as the tide is risening e'en now? See, -yonder's the Ratton's Skerry--he aye held his neb abune the water in my -day--but he's aneath it now." - -Sir Arthur cast a look in the direction in which the old man pointed. A -huge rock, which in general, even in spring-tides, displayed a hulk like -the keel of a large vessel, was now quite under water, and its place -only indicated by the boiling and breaking of the eddying waves which -encountered its submarine resistance. - -"Mak haste, mak haste, my bonny leddy," continued the old man--"mak -haste, and we may do yet! Take haud o' my arm--an auld and frail arm it's -now, but it's been in as sair stress as this is yet. Take haud o' my -arm, my winsome leddy! D'ye see yon wee black speck amang the wallowing -waves yonder? This morning it was as high as the mast o' a brig--it's -sma' eneugh now--but, while I see as muckle black about it as the crown -o' my hat, I winna believe but we'll get round the Ballyburgh Ness, for -a' that's come and gane yet." - -Isabella, in silence, accepted from the old man the assistance which Sir -Arthur was less able to afford her. The waves had now encroached so much -upon the beach, that the firm and smooth footing which they had hitherto -had on the sand must be exchanged for a rougher path close to the foot -of the precipice, and in some places even raised upon its lower ledges. -It would have been utterly impossible for Sir Arthur Wardour, or his -daughter, to have found their way along these shelves without the -guidance and encouragement of the beggar, who had been there before in -high tides, though never, he acknowledged, "in sae awsome a night as -this." - -It was indeed a dreadful evening. The howling of the storm mingled with -the shrieks of the sea-fowl, and sounded like the dirge of the three -devoted beings, who, pent between two of the most magnificent, yet -most dreadful objects of nature--a raging tide and an insurmountable -precipice--toiled along their painful and dangerous path, often lashed by -the spray of some giant billow, which threw itself higher on the beach -than those that had preceded it. Each minute did their enemy gain ground -perceptibly upon them! Still, however, loth to relinquish the last -hopes of life, they bent their eyes on the black rock pointed out -by Ochiltree. It was yet distinctly visible among the breakers, and -continued to be so, until they came to a turn in their precarious -path, where an intervening projection of rock hid it from their sight. -Deprived of the view of the beacon on which they had relied, they now -experienced the double agony of terror and suspense. They struggled -forward, however; but, when they arrived at the point from which they -ought to have seen the crag, it was no longer visible: the signal of -safety was lost among a thousand white breakers, which, dashing upon -the point of the promontory, rose in prodigious sheets of snowy foam, -as high as the mast of a first-rate man-of-war, against the dark brow of -the precipice. - -The countenance of the old man fell. Isabella gave a faint shriek, -and, "God have mercy upon us!" which her guide solemnly uttered, was -piteously echoed by Sir Arthur--"My child! my child!--to die such a -death!" - -"My father! my dear father!" his daughter exclaimed, clinging to -him--"and you too, who have lost your own life in endeavouring to save -ours!" - -"That's not worth the counting," said the old man. "I hae lived to be -weary o' life; and here or yonder--at the back o' a dyke, in a wreath o' -snaw, or in the wame o' a wave, what signifies how the auld gaberlunzie -dies?" - -"Good man," said Sir Arthur, "can you think of nothing?--of no help?--I'll -make you rich--I'll give you a farm--I'll"-- - -"Our riches will be soon equal," said the beggar, looking out upon the -strife of the waters--"they are sae already; for I hae nae land, and you -would give your fair bounds and barony for a square yard of rock that -would be dry for twal hours." - -While they exchanged these words, they paused upon the highest ledge of -rock to which they could attain; for it seemed that any further attempt -to move forward could only serve to anticipate their fate. Here, then, -they were to await the sure though slow progress of the raging element, -something in the situation of the martyrs of the early church, who, -exposed by heathen tyrants to be slain by wild beasts, were compelled -for a time to witness the impatience and rage by which the animals -were agitated, while awaiting the signal for undoing their grates, and -letting them loose upon the victims. - -Yet even this fearful pause gave Isabella time to collect the powers of -a mind naturally strong and courageous, and which rallied itself at this -terrible juncture. "Must we yield life," she said, "without a struggle? -Is there no path, however dreadful, by which we could climb the crag, or -at least attain some height above the tide, where we could remain till -morning, or till help comes? They must be aware of our situation, and -will raise the country to relieve us." - -Sir Arthur, who heard, but scarcely comprehended, his daughter's -question, turned, nevertheless, instinctively and eagerly to the old -man, as if their lives were in his gift. Ochiltree paused--"I was a -bauld craigsman," he said, "ance in my life, and mony a kittywake's and -lungie's nest hae I harried up amang thae very black rocks; but it's -lang, lang syne, and nae mortal could speel them without a rope--and if -I had ane, my ee-sight, and my footstep, and my hand-grip, hae a' failed -mony a day sinsyne--And then, how could I save you? But there was a path -here ance, though maybe, if we could see it, ye would rather bide where -we are--His name be praised!" he ejaculated suddenly, "there's ane coming -down the crag e'en now!"--Then, exalting his voice, he hilloa'd out to -the daring adventurer such instructions as his former practice, and -the remembrance of local circumstances, suddenly forced upon his -mind:--"Ye're right!--ye're right!--that gate--that gate!--fasten the rope -weel round Crummies-horn, that's the muckle black stane--cast twa plies -round it--that's it!--now, weize yoursell a wee easel-ward--a wee mair yet -to that ither stane--we ca'd it the Cat's-lug--there used to be the root -o' an aik tree there--that will do!--canny now, lad--canny now--tak tent and -tak time--Lord bless ye, tak time--Vera weel!--Now ye maun get to Bessy's -apron, that's the muckle braid flat blue stane--and then, I think, wi' -your help and the tow thegither, I'll win at ye, and then we'll be able -to get up the young leddy and Sir Arthur." - -The adventurer, following the directions of old Edie, flung him down -the end of the rope, which he secured around Miss Wardour, wrapping her -previously in his own blue gown, to preserve her as much as possible -from injury. Then, availing himself of the rope, which was made fast at -the other end, he began to ascend the face of the crag--a most precarious -and dizzy undertaking, which, however, after one or two perilous -escapes, placed him safe on the broad flat stone beside our friend -Lovel. Their joint strength was able to raise Isabella to the place of -safety which they had attained. Lovel then descended in order to assist -Sir Arthur, around whom he adjusted the rope; and again mounting to -their place of refuge, with the assistance of old Ochiltree, and such -aid as Sir Arthur himself could afford, he raised himself beyond the -reach of the billows. - -[Illustration: The Rescue of Sir Arthur and Miss Wardour] - -The sense of reprieve from approaching and apparently inevitable death, -had its usual effect. The father and daughter threw themselves into -each other's arms, kissed and wept for joy, although their escape -was connected with the prospect of passing a tempestuous night upon a -precipitous ledge of rock, which scarce afforded footing for the four -shivering beings, who now, like the sea-fowl around them, clung there -in hopes of some shelter from the devouring element which raged beneath. -The spray of the billows, which attained in fearful succession the foot -of the precipice, overflowing the beach on which they so lately stood, -flew as high as their place of temporary refuge; and the stunning sound -with which they dashed against the rocks beneath, seemed as if they -still demanded the fugitives in accents of thunder as their destined -prey. It was a summer night, doubtless; yet the probability was slender, -that a frame so delicate as that of Miss Wardour should survive till -morning the drenching of the spray; and the dashing of the rain, which -now burst in full violence, accompanied with deep and heavy gusts of -wind, added to the constrained and perilous circumstances of their -situation. - -"The lassie!--the puir sweet, lassie!" said the old man: "mony such a -night have I weathered at hame and abroad, but, God guide us, how can -she ever win through it!" - -His apprehension was communicated in smothered accents to Lovel; for -with the sort of freemasonry by which bold and ready spirits correspond -in moments of danger, and become almost instinctively known to each -other, they had established a mutual confidence.--"I'll climb up the -cliff again," said Lovel--"there's daylight enough left to see my footing; -I'll climb up, and call for more assistance." - -"Do so, do so, for Heaven's sake!" said Sir Arthur eagerly. - -"Are ye mad?" said the mendicant: "Francie o' Fowlsheugh, and he was the -best craigsman that ever speel'd heugh (mair by token, he brake his neck -upon the Dunbuy of Slaines), wodna hae ventured upon the Halket-head -craigs after sun-down--It's God's grace, and a great wonder besides, -that ye are not in the middle o' that roaring sea wi' what ye hae done -already--I didna think there was the man left alive would hae come down -the craigs as ye did. I question an I could hae done it mysell, at this -hoar and in this weather, in the youngest and yaldest of my strength--But -to venture up again--it's a mere and a clear tempting o' Providence." - -"I have no fear," answered Lovel; "I marked all the stations perfectly -as I came down, and there is still light enough left to see them quite -well--I am sure I can do it with perfect safety. Stay here, my good -friend, by Sir Arthur and the young lady." - -"Dell be in my feet then," answered the bedesman sturdily; "if ye gang, -I'll gang too; for between the twa o' us, we'll hae mair than wark -eneugh to get to the tap o' the heugh." - -"No, no--stay you here and attend to Miss Wardour--you see Sir Arthur is -quite exhausted." - -"Stay yoursell then, and I'll gae," said the old man;--"let death spare -the green corn and take the ripe." - -"Stay both of you, I charge you," said Isabella, faintly; "I am well, -and can spend the night very well here--I feel quite refreshed." So -saying, her voice failed her--she sunk down, and would have fallen from -the crag, had she not been supported by Lovel and Ochiltree, who placed -her in a posture half sitting, half reclining, beside her father, -who, exhausted by fatigue of body and mind so extreme and unusual, had -already sat down on a stone in a sort of stupor. - -"It is impossible to leave them," said Lovel--"What is to be done?--Hark! -hark!--did I not hear a halloo?" - -"The skreigh of a Tammie Norie," answered Ochiltree--"I ken the skirl -weel." - -"No, by Heaven!" replied Lovel, "it was a human voice." - -A distant hail was repeated, the sound plainly distinguishable among the -various elemental noises, and the clang of the sea-mews by which they -were surrounded. The mendicant and Lovel exerted their voices in a loud -halloo, the former waving Miss Wardour's handkerchief on the end of -his staff to make them conspicuous from above. Though the shouts were -repeated, it was some time before they were in exact response to -their own, leaving the unfortunate sufferers uncertain whether, in the -darkening twilight and increasing storm, they had made the persons who -apparently were traversing the verge of the precipice to bring them -assistance, sensible of the place in which they had found refuge. At -length their halloo was regularly and distinctly answered, and their -courage confirmed, by the assurance that they were within hearing, if -not within reach, of friendly assistance. - - - - -CHAPTER EIGHTH. - - There is a cliff, whose high and bending head - Looks fearfully on the confined deep; - Bring me but to the very brim of it, - And I'll repair the misery thou dost bear. - King Lear. - -The shout of human voices from above was soon augmented, and the gleam -of torches mingled with those lights of evening which still remained -amidst the darkness of the storm. Some attempt was made to hold -communication between the assistants above and the sufferers beneath, -who were still clinging to their precarious place of safety; but -the howling of the tempest limited their intercourse to cries as -inarticulate as those of the winged denizens of the crag, which shrieked -in chorus, alarmed by the reiterated sound of human voices, where they -had seldom been heard. - -On the verge of the precipice an anxious group had now assembled. -Oldbuck was the foremost and most earnest, pressing forward with -unwonted desperation to the very brink of the crag, and extending his -head (his hat and wig secured by a handkerchief under his chin) over the -dizzy height, with an air of determination which made his more timorous -assistants tremble. - -"Haud a care, haud a care, Monkbarns!" cried Caxon, clinging to the -skirts of his patron, and withholding him from danger as far as his -strength permitted--"God's sake, haud a care!--Sir Arthur's drowned -already, and an ye fa' over the cleugh too, there will be but ae wig -left in the parish, and that's the minister's." - -"Mind the peak there," cried Mucklebackit, an old fisherman and -smuggler--"mind the peak--Steenie, Steenie Wilks, bring up the tackle--I'se -warrant we'll sune heave them on board, Monkbarns, wad ye but stand out -o' the gate." - -"I see them," said Oldbuck--"I see them low down on that flat -stone--Hilli-hilloa, hilli-ho-a!" - -"I see them mysell weel eneugh," said Mucklebackit; "they are sitting -down yonder like hoodie-craws in a mist; but d'yo think ye'll help -them wi' skirling that gate like an auld skart before a flaw o' -weather?--Steenie, lad, bring up the mast--Od, I'se hae them up as we used -to bouse up the kegs o' gin and brandy lang syne--Get up the pickaxe, -make a step for the mast--make the chair fast with the rattlin--haul -taught and belay!" - -The fishers had brought with them the mast of a boat, and as half of the -country fellows about had now appeared, either out of zeal or curiosity, -it was soon sunk in the ground, and sufficiently secured. A yard across -the upright mast, and a rope stretched along it, and reeved through a -block at each end, formed an extempore crane, which afforded the means -of lowering an arm-chair, well secured and fastened, down to the flat -shelf on which the sufferers had roosted. Their joy at hearing the -preparations going on for their deliverance was considerably qualified -when they beheld the precarious vehicle by means of which they were to -be conveyed to upper air. It swung about a yard free of the spot which -they occupied, obeying each impulse of the tempest, the empty air all -around it, and depending upon the security of a rope, which, in the -increasing darkness, had dwindled to an almost imperceptible thread. -Besides the hazard of committing a human being to the vacant atmosphere -in such a slight means of conveyance, there was the fearful danger -of the chair and its occupant being dashed, either by the wind or the -vibrations of the cord, against the rugged face of the precipice. But -to diminish the risk as much as possible, the experienced seaman had let -down with the chair another line, which, being attached to it, and -held by the persons beneath, might serve by way of gy, as Mucklebackit -expressed it, to render its descent in some measure steady and regular. -Still, to commit one's self in such a vehicle, through a howling tempest -of wind and rain, with a beetling precipice above and a raging abyss -below, required that courage which despair alone can inspire. Yet, -wild as the sounds and sights of danger were, both above, beneath, and -around, and doubtful and dangerous as the mode of escaping appeared to -be, Lovel and the old mendicant agreed, after a moment's consultation, -and after the former, by a sudden strong pull, had, at his own imminent -risk, ascertained the security of the rope, that it would be best to -secure Miss Wardour in the chair, and trust to the tenderness and care -of those above for her being safely craned up to the top of the crag. - -"Let my father go first," exclaimed Isabella; "for God's sake, my -friends, place him first in safety!" - -"It cannot be, Miss Wardour," said Lovel;--"your life must be first -secured--the rope which bears your weight may"-- - -"I will not listen to a reason so selfish!" - -"But ye maun listen to it, my bonnie lassie," said Ochiltree, "for a' -our lives depend on it--besides, when ye get on the tap o' the heugh -yonder, ye can gie them a round guess o' what's ganging on in this -Patmos o' ours--and Sir Arthur's far by that, as I'm thinking." - -Struck with the truth of this reasoning, she exclaimed, "True, most -true; I am ready and willing to undertake the first risk--What shall I -say to our friends above?" - -"Just to look that their tackle does not graze on the face o' the crag, -and to let the chair down and draw it up hooly and fairly;--we will -halloo when we are ready." - -With the sedulous attention of a parent to a child, Lovel bound Miss -Wardour with his handkerchief, neckcloth, and the mendicant's leathern -belt, to the back and arms of the chair, ascertaining accurately the -security of each knot, while Ochiltree kept Sir Arthur quiet. "What are -ye doing wi' my bairn?--what are ye doing?--She shall not be separated -from me--Isabel, stay with me, I command you!" - -"Lordsake, Sir Arthur, haud your tongue, and be thankful to God that -there's wiser folk than you to manage this job," cried the beggar, worn -out by the unreasonable exclamations of the poor Baronet. - -"Farewell, my father!" murmured Isabella--"farewell, my--my friends!" and -shutting her eyes, as Edie's experience recommended, she gave the signal -to Lovel, and he to those who were above. She rose, while the chair in -which she sate was kept steady by the line which Lovel managed beneath. -With a beating heart he watched the flutter of her white dress, until -the vehicle was on a level with the brink of the precipice. - -"Canny now, lads, canny now!" exclaimed old Mucklebackit, who acted as -commodore; "swerve the yard a bit--Now--there! there she sits safe on dry -land." - -A loud shout announced the successful experiment to her fellow-sufferers -beneath, who replied with a ready and cheerful halloo. Monkbarns, in his -ecstasy of joy, stripped his great-coat to wrap up the young lady, and -would have pulled off his coat and waistcoat for the same purpose, had -he not been withheld by the cautious Caxon. "Haud a care o' us! your -honour will be killed wi' the hoast--ye'll no get out o'your night-cowl -this fortnight--and that will suit us unco ill.--Na, na--there's the -chariot down by; let twa o' the folk carry the young leddy there." - -"You're right," said the Antiquary, readjusting the sleeves and collar -of his coat, "you're right, Caxon; this is a naughty night to swim -in.--Miss Wardour, let me convey you to the chariot." - -"Not for worlds till I see my father safe." - -In a few distinct words, evincing how much her resolution had surmounted -even the mortal fear of so agitating a hazard, she explained the nature -of the situation beneath, and the wishes of Lovel and Ochiltree. - -"Right, right, that's right too--I should like to see the son of Sir -Gamelyn de Guardover on dry land myself--I have a notion he would sign -the abjuration oath, and the Ragman-roll to boot, and acknowledge Queen -Mary to be nothing better than she should be, to get alongside my bottle -of old port that he ran away from, and left scarce begun. But he's safe -now, and here a' comes"--(for the chair was again lowered, and Sir Arthur -made fast in it, without much consciousness on his own part)--"here a' -comes--Bowse away, my boys! canny wi' him--a pedigree of a hundred links -is hanging on a tenpenny tow--the whole barony of Knockwinnock depends on -three plies of hemp--respice finem, respice funem--look to your end--look -to a rope's end.--Welcome, welcome, my good old friend, to firm land, -though I cannot say to warm land or to dry land. A cord for ever against -fifty fathom of water, though not in the sense of the base proverb--a -fico for the phrase,--better _sus. per funem_, than _sus. per coll_." - -While Oldbuck ran on in this way, Sir Arthur was safely wrapped in the -close embraces of his daughter, who, assuming that authority which the -circumstances demanded, ordered some of the assistants to convey him to -the chariot, promising to follow in a few minutes, She lingered on the -cliff, holding an old countryman's arm, to witness probably the safety -of those whose dangers she had shared. - -"What have we here?" said Oldbuck, as the vehicle once more -ascended--"what patched and weather-beaten matter is this?" Then as the -torches illumed the rough face and grey hairs of old Ochiltree,--"What! -is it thou?--Come, old Mocker, I must needs be friends with thee--but who -the devil makes up your party besides?" - -"Ane that's weel worth ony twa o' us, Monkbarns;--it's the young stranger -lad they ca' Lovel--and he's behaved this blessed night as if he had -three lives to rely on, and was willing to waste them a' rather than -endanger ither folk's. Ca' hooly, sirs, as ye, wad win an auld man's -blessing!--mind there's naebody below now to haud the gy--Hae a care o' -the Cat's-lug corner--bide weel aff Crummie's-horn!" - -"Have a care indeed," echoed Oldbuck. "What! is it my rara avis--my -black swan--my phoenix of companions in a post-chaise?--take care of him, -Mucklebackit." - -"As muckle care as if he were a graybeard o' brandy; and I canna take -mair if his hair were like John Harlowe's.--Yo ho, my hearts! bowse away -with him!" - -Lovel did, in fact, run a much greater risk than any of his precursors. -His weight was not sufficient to render his ascent steady amid such a -storm of wind, and he swung like an agitated pendulum at the mortal risk -of being dashed against the rocks. But he was young, bold, and active, -and, with the assistance of the beggar's stout piked staff, which he had -retained by advice of the proprietor, contrived to bear himself from -the face of the precipice, and the yet more hazardous projecting cliffs -which varied its surface. Tossed in empty space, like an idle and -unsubstantial feather, with a motion that agitated the brain at once -with fear and with dizziness, he retained his alertness of exertion and -presence of mind; and it was not until he was safely grounded upon the -summit of the cliff, that he felt temporary and giddy sickness. As he -recovered from a sort of half swoon, he cast his eyes eagerly around. -The object which they would most willingly have sought, was already -in the act of vanishing. Her white garment was just discernible as she -followed on the path which her father had taken. She had lingered till -she saw the last of their company rescued from danger, and until she had -been assured by the hoarse voice of Mucklebackit, that "the callant had -come off wi' unbrizzed banes, and that he was but in a kind of dwam." -But Lovel was not aware that she had expressed in his fate even this -degree of interest,--which, though nothing more than was due to a -stranger who had assisted her in such an hour of peril, he would have -gladly purchased by braving even more imminent danger than he had that -evening been exposed to. The beggar she had already commanded to come to -Knockwinnock that night. He made an excuse.--"Then to-morrow let me see -you." - -The old man promised to obey. Oldbuck thrust something into his -hand--Ochiltree looked at it by the torchlight, and returned it--"Na, -na! I never tak gowd--besides, Monkbarns, ye wad maybe be rueing it the -morn." Then turning to the group of fishermen and peasants--"Now, sirs, -wha will gie me a supper and some clean pease-strae?" - -"I," "and I," "and I," answered many a ready voice. - -"Aweel, since sae it is, and I can only sleep in ae barn at ance, I'll -gae down with Saunders Mucklebackit--he has aye a soup o' something -comfortable about his begging--and, bairns, I'll maybe live to put ilka -ane o' ye in mind some ither night that ye hae promised me quarters and -my awmous;" and away he went with the fisherman. - -Oldbuck laid the band of strong possession on Lovel--"Deil a stride -ye's go to Fairport this night, young man--you must go home with me to -Monkbarns. Why, man, you have been a hero--a perfect Sir William Wallace, -by all accounts. Come, my good lad, take hold of my arm;--I am not a -prime support in such a wind--but Caxon shall help us out--Here, you old -idiot, come on the other side of me.--And how the deil got you down to -that infernal Bessy's-apron, as they call it? Bess, said they? Why, -curse her, she has spread out that vile pennon or banner of womankind, -like all the rest of her sex, to allure her votaries to death and -headlong ruin." - -"I have been pretty well accustomed to climbing, and I have long -observed fowlers practise that pass down the cliff." - -"But how, in the name of all that is wonderful, came you to discover the -danger of the pettish Baronet and his far more deserving daughter?" - -"I saw them from the verge of the precipice." - -"From the verge!--umph--And what possessed you dumosa pendere procul de -rupe?--though dumosa is not the appropriate epithet--what the deil, man, -tempted ye to the verge of the craig?" - -"Why--I like to see the gathering and growling of a coming storm--or, -in your own classical language, Mr. Oldbuck, suave mari magno--and -so forth--but here we reach the turn to Fairport. I must wish you -good-night." - -"Not a step, not a pace, not an inch, not a shathmont, as I may -say,--the meaning of which word has puzzled many that think -themselves antiquaries. I am clear we should read salmon-length for -shathmont's-length. You are aware that the space allotted for the -passage of a salmon through a dam, dike, or weir, by statute, is the -length within which a full-grown pig can turn himself round. Now I have -a scheme to prove, that, as terrestrial objects were thus appealed to -for ascertaining submarine measurement, so it must be supposed that the -productions of the water were established as gauges of the extent of -land.--Shathmont--salmont--you see the close alliance of the sounds; -dropping out two h's, and a t, and assuming an l, makes the whole -difference--I wish to heaven no antiquarian derivation had demanded -heavier concessions." - -"But, my dear sir, I really must go home--I am wet to the skin." - -"Shalt have my night-gown, man, and slippers, and catch the antiquarian -fever as men do the plague, by wearing infected garments. Nay, I know -what you would be at--you are afraid to put the old bachelor to charges. -But is there not the remains of that glorious chicken-pie--which, meo -arbitrio, is better cold than hot--and that bottle of my oldest port, out -of which the silly brain-sick Baronet (whom I cannot pardon, since he -has escaped breaking his neck) had just taken one glass, when his infirm -noddle went a wool-gathering after Gamelyn de Guardover?" - -So saying he dragged Lovel forward, till the Palmer's-port of Monkbarns -received them. Never, perhaps, had it admitted two pedestrians more -needing rest for Monkbarns's fatigue had been in a degree very contrary -to his usual habits, and his more young and robust companion had that -evening undergone agitation of mind which had harassed and wearied him -even more than his extraordinary exertions of body. - - - - -CHAPTER NINTH. - - "Be brave," she cried, "you yet may be our guest, - Our haunted room was ever held the best. - If, then, your valour can the sight sustain - Of rustling curtains and the clinking chain - If your courageous tongue have powers to talk, - When round your bed the horrid ghost shall walk - If you dare ask it why it leaves its tomb, - I'll see your sheets well air'd, and show the Room." - True Story. - -They reached the room in which they had dined, and were clamorously -welcomed by Miss Oldbuck. - -"Where's the younger womankind?" said the Antiquary. - -"Indeed, brother, amang a' the steery, Maria wadna be guided by me she -set away to the Halket-craig-head--I wonder ye didna see her." - -"Eh!--what--what's that you say, sister?--did the girl go out in a night -like this to the Halket-head?--Good God! the misery of the night is not -ended yet!" - -"But ye winna wait, Monkbarns--ye are so imperative and impatient"-- - -"Tittle-tattle, woman," said the impatient and agitated Antiquary, -"where is my dear Mary?" - -"Just where ye suld be yoursell, Monkbarns--up-stairs, and in her warm -bed." - -"I could have sworn it," said Oldbuck laughing, but obviously much -relieved--"I could have sworn it;--the lazy monkey did not care if we were -all drowned together. Why did you say she went out?" - -"But ye wadna wait to hear out my tale, Monkbarns--she gaed out, and she -came in again with the gardener sae sune as she saw that nane o' ye were -clodded ower the Craig, and that Miss Wardour was safe in the chariot; -she was hame a quarter of an hour syne, for it's now ganging ten--sair -droukit was she, puir thing, sae I e'en put a glass o' sherry in her -water-gruel." - -"Right, Grizel, right--let womankind alone for coddling each other. But -hear me, my venerable sister--start not at the word venerable; it implies -many praiseworthy qualities besides age; though that too is honourable, -albeit it is the last quality for which womankind would wish to be -honoured--But perpend my words: let Lovel and me have forthwith the -relics of the chicken-pie, and the reversion of the port." - -"The chicken-pie! the port!--ou dear! brother--there was but a wheen -banes, and scarce a drap o' the wine." - -The Antiquary's countenance became clouded, though he was too well bred -to give way, in the presence of a stranger, to his displeased surprise -at the disappearance of the viands on which he had reckoned with -absolute certainty. But his sister understood these looks of ire. "Ou -dear! Monkbarns, what's the use of making a wark?" - -"I make no wark, as ye call it, woman." - -"But what's the use o' looking sae glum and glunch about a pickle -banes?--an ye will hae the truth, ye maun ken the minister came in, -worthy man--sair distressed he was, nae doubt, about your precarious -situation, as he ca'd it (for ye ken how weel he's gifted wi' words), -and here he wad bide till he could hear wi' certainty how the matter was -likely to gang wi' ye a'--He said fine things on the duty of resignation -to Providence's will, worthy man! that did he." - -Oldbuck replied, catching the same tone, "Worthy man!--he cared not how -soon Monkbarns had devolved on an heir-female, I've a notion;--and -while he was occupied in this Christian office of consolation against -impending evil, I reckon that the chicken-pie and my good port -disappeared?" - -"Dear brother, how can you speak of sic frivolities, when you have had -sic an escape from the craig?" - -"Better than my supper has had from the minister's craig, Grizzle--it's -all discussed, I suppose?" - -"Hout, Monkbarns, ye speak as if there was nae mair meat in the -house--wad ye not have had me offer the honest man some slight -refreshment after his walk frae the manse?" - -Oldbuck half-whistled, half-hummed, the end of the old Scottish ditty, - - O, first they eated the white puddings, - And then they eated the black, O, - And thought the gudeman unto himsell, - The deil clink down wi' that, O! - -His sister hastened to silence his murmurs, by proposing some of -the relies of the dinner. He spoke of another bottle of wine, but -recommended in preference a glass of brandy which was really excellent. -As no entreaties could prevail on Lovel to indue the velvet night-cap -and branched morning-gown of his host, Oldbuck, who pretended to a -little knowledge of the medical art, insisted on his going to bed -as soon as possible, and proposed to despatch a messenger (the -indefatigable Caxon) to Fairport early in the morning, to procure him a -change of clothes. - -This was the first intimation Miss Oldbuck had received that the young -stranger was to be their guest for the night; and such was the surprise -with which she was struck by a proposal so uncommon, that, had the -superincumbent weight of her head-dress, such as we before described, -been less preponderant, her grey locks must have started up on end, and -hurled it from its position. - -"Lord haud a care o' us!" exclaimed the astounded maiden. - -"What's the matter now, Grizel?" - -"Wad ye but just speak a moment, Monkbarns?" - -"Speak!--what should I speak about? I want to get to my bed--and this poor -young fellow--let a bed be made ready for him instantly." - -"A bed?--The Lord preserve us!" again ejaculated Grizel. - -"Why, what's the matter now?--are there not beds and rooms enough in the -house?--was it not an ancient hospitium, in which, I am warranted to say, -beds were nightly made down for a score of pilgrims?" - -"O dear, Monkbarns! wha kens what they might do lang syne?--but in our -time--beds--ay, troth, there's beds enow sic as they are--and rooms enow -too--but ye ken yoursell the beds haena been sleepit in, Lord kens the -time, nor the rooms aired.--If I had kenn'd, Mary and me might hae gaen -down to the manse--Miss Beckie is aye fond to see us--(and sae is the -minister, brother)--But now, gude save us!"-- - -"Is there not the Green Room, Grizel?" - -"Troth is there, and it is in decent order too, though naebody has -sleepit there since Dr. Heavysterne, and"-- - -"And what?" - -"And what! I am sure ye ken yoursell what a night he had--ye wadna expose -the young gentleman to the like o' that, wad ye?" - -Lovel interfered upon hearing this altercation, and protested he would -far rather walk home than put them to the least inconvenience--that the -exercise would be of service to him--that he knew the road perfectly, -by night or day, to Fairport--that the storm was abating, and so -forth--adding all that civility could suggest as an excuse for escaping -from a hospitality which seemed more inconvenient to his host than he -could possibly have anticipated. But the howling of the wind, and the -pattering of the rain against the windows, with his knowledge of the -preceding fatigues of the evening, must have prohibited Oldbuck, even -had he entertained less regard for his young friend than he really felt, -from permitting him to depart. Besides, he was piqued in honour to show -that he himself was not governed by womankind--"Sit ye down, sit ye down, -sit ye down, man," he reiterated;--"an ye part so, I would I might never -draw a cork again, and here comes out one from a prime bottle of--strong -ale--right anno domini--none of your Wassia Quassia decoctions, but brewed -of Monkbarns barley--John of the Girnel never drew a better flagon to -entertain a wandering minstrel, or palmer, with the freshest news from -Palestine.--And to remove from your mind the slightest wish to depart, -know, that if you do so, your character as a gallant knight is gone -for ever. Why, 'tis an adventure, man, to sleep in the Green Room -at Monkbarns.--Sister, pray see it got ready--And, although the bold -adventurer, Heavysterne, dree'd pain and dolour in that charmed -apartment, it is no reason why a gallant knight like you, nearly twice -as tall, and not half so heavy, should not encounter and break the -spell." - -"What! a haunted apartment, I suppose?" - -"To be sure, to be sure--every mansion in this country of the slightest -antiquity has its ghosts and its haunted chamber, and you must not -suppose us worse off than our neighbours. They are going, indeed, -somewhat out of fashion. I have seen the day, when if you had doubted -the reality of a ghost in an old manor-house you ran the risk of being -made a ghost yourself, as Hamlet says.--Yes, if you had challenged -the existence of Redcowl in the Castle of Glenstirym, old Sir Peter -Pepperbrand would have had ye out to his court-yard, made you betake -yourself to your weapon, and if your trick of fence were not the better, -would have sticked you like a paddock, on his own baronial midden-stead. -I once narrowly escaped such an affray--but I humbled myself, and -apologised to Redcowl; for, even in my younger days, I was no friend to -the monomachia, or duel, and would rather walk with Sir Priest than with -Sir Knight--I care not who knows so much of my valour. Thank God, I am -old now, and can indulge my irritabilities without the necessity of -supporting them by cold steel." - -Here Miss Oldbuck re-entered, with a singularly sage expression of -countenance.--"Mr. Lovel's bed's ready, brother--clean sheets--weel aired--a -spunk of fire in the chimney--I am sure, Mr. Lovel," (addressing him), -"it's no for the trouble--and I hope you will have a good night's -rest--But"-- - -"You are resolved," said the Antiquary, "to do what you can to prevent -it." - -"Me?--I am sure I have said naething, Monkbarns." - -"My dear madam," said Lovel, "allow me to ask you the meaning of your -obliging anxiety on my account." - -"Ou, Monkbarns does not like to hear of it--but he kens himsell that the -room has an ill name. It's weel minded that it was there auld Rab Tull -the town-clerk was sleeping when he had that marvellous communication -about the grand law-plea between us and the feuars at the Mussel-craig. ---It had cost a hantle siller, Mr. Lovel; for law-pleas were no carried -on without siller lang syne mair than they are now--and the Monkbarns of -that day--our gudesire, Mr. Lovel, as I said before--was like to be waured -afore the Session for want of a paper--Monkbarns there kens weel what -paper it was, but I'se warrant he'll no help me out wi' my tale--but it -was a paper of great significance to the plea, and we were to be waured -for want o't. Aweel, the cause was to come on before the fifteen--in -presence, as they ca't--and auld Rab Tull, the town-clerk, he cam ower to -make a last search for the paper that was wanting, before our gudesire -gaed into Edinburgh to look after his plea--so there was little time to -come and gang on. He was but a doited snuffy body, Rab, as I've heard ---but then he was the town-clerk of Fairport, and the Monkbarns heritors -aye employed him on account of their connection wi' the burgh, ye ken." - -"Sister Grizel, this is abominable," interrupted Oldbuck; "I vow to -Heaven ye might have raised the ghosts of every abbot of Trotcosey, -since the days of Waldimir, in the time you have been detailing the -introduction to this single spectre.--Learn to be succinct in your -narrative.--Imitate the concise style of old Aubrey, an experienced -ghost-seer, who entered his memoranda on these subjects in a terse -business-like manner; exempli gratia--At Cirencester, 5th March, 1670, -was an apparition.--Being demanded whether good spirit or bad, made -no answer, but instantly disappeared with a curious perfume, and a -melodious twang'--Vide his Miscellanies, p. eighteen, as well as I can -remember, and near the middle of the page." - -"O, Monkbarns, man! do ye think everybody is as book-learned as -yoursell?--But ye like to gar folk look like fools--ye can do that to Sir -Arthur, and the minister his very sell." - -"Nature has been beforehand with me, Grizel, in both these instances, -and in another which shall be nameless--but take a glass of ale, Grizel, -and proceed with your story, for it waxes late." - -"Jenny's just warming your bed, Monkbarns, and ye maun e'en wait till -she's done.--Weel, I was at the search that our gudesire, Monkbarns that -then was, made wi' auld Rab Tull's assistance;--but ne'er-be-licket could -they find that was to their purpose. And sae after they had touzled out -mony a leather poke-full o' papers, the town-clerk had his drap punch at -e'en to wash the dust out of his throat--we never were glass-breakers in -this house, Mr. Lovel, but the body had got sic a trick of sippling and -tippling wi' the bailies and deacons when they met (which was amaist -ilka night) concerning the common gude o' the burgh, that he couldna -weel sleep without it--But his punch he gat, and to bed he gaed; and in -the middle of the night he got a fearfu' wakening!--he was never just -himsell after it, and he was strucken wi' the dead palsy that very day -four years. He thought, Mr. Lovel, that he heard the curtains o' his -bed fissil, and out he lookit, fancying, puir man, it might hae been the -cat--But he saw--God hae a care o' us! it gars my flesh aye creep, though -I hae tauld the story twenty times--he saw a weel-fa'ard auld gentleman -standing by his bedside, in the moonlight, in a queer-fashioned dress, -wi' mony a button and band-string about it, and that part o' his -garments which it does not become a leddy to particulareeze, was baith -side and wide, and as mony plies o't as of ony Hamburgh skipper's--He had -a beard too, and whiskers turned upwards on his upper-lip, as lang as -baudrons'--and mony mair particulars there were that Rab Tull tauld -o', but they are forgotten now--it's an auld story. Aweel, Rab was a -just-living man for a country writer--and he was less feared than maybe -might just hae been expected; and he asked in the name o' goodness what -the apparition wanted--and the spirit answered in an unknown tongue. Then -Rab said he tried him wi' Erse, for he cam in his youth frae the braes -of Glenlivat--but it wadna do. Aweel, in this strait, he bethought him -of the twa or three words o' Latin that he used in making out the town's -deeds, and he had nae sooner tried the spirit wi' that, than out cam sic -a blatter o' Latin about his lugs, that poor Rab Tull, wha was nae great -scholar, was clean overwhelmed. Od, but he was a bauld body, and he -minded the Latin name for the deed that he was wanting. It was something -about a cart, I fancy, for the ghaist cried aye, Carter, carter--" - -"Carta, you transformer of languages!" cried Oldbuck;--"if my ancestor -had learned no other language in the other world, at least he would not -forget the Latinity for which he was so famous while in this." - -"Weel, weel, carta be it then, but they ca'd it carter that tell'd me -the story. It cried aye carta, if sae be that it was carta, and made a -sign to Rab to follow it. Rab Tull keepit a Highland heart, and banged -out o' bed, and till some of his readiest claes--and he did follow the -thing up stairs and down stairs to the place we ca' the high dow-cot--(a -sort of a little tower in the corner of the auld house, where there was -a Rickle o' useless boxes and trunks)--and there the ghaist gae Rab a -kick wi' the tae foot, and a kick wi' the tother, to that very auld -east-country tabernacle of a cabinet that my brother has standing beside -his library table, and then disappeared like a fuff o' tobacco, leaving -Rab in a very pitiful condition." - -"Tenues secessit in auras," quoth Oldbuck. "Marry, sir, mansit odor--But, -sure enough, the deed was there found in a drawer of this forgotten -repository, which contained many other curious old papers, now properly -labelled and arranged, and which seemed to have belonged to my ancestor, -the first possessor of Monkbarns. The deed, thus strangely recovered, -was the original Charter of Erection of the Abbey, Abbey Lands, and so -forth, of Trotcosey, comprehending Monkbarns and others, into a Lordship -of Regality in favour of the first Earl of Glengibber, a favourite -of James the Sixth. It is subscribed by the King at Westminster, -the seventeenth day of January, A. D. one thousand six hundred and -twelve--thirteen. It's not worth while to repeat the witnesses' names." - -"I would rather," said Lovel with awakened curiosity, "I would rather -hear your opinion of the way in which the deed was discovered." - -"Why, if I wanted a patron for my legend, I could find no less a one -than Saint Augustine, who tells the story of a deceased person appearing -to his son, when sued for a debt which had been paid, and directing him -where, to find the discharge.* - -*Note D. Mr. Rutherford's dream. - -But I rather opine with Lord Bacon, who says that imagination is much -akin to miracle-working faith. There was always some idle story of -the room being haunted by the spirit of Aldobrand Oldenbuck, my -great-great-great-grandfather--it's a shame to the English language that, -we have not a less clumsy way of expressing a relationship of which we -have occasion to think and speak so frequently. He was a foreigner, and -wore his national dress, of which tradition had preserved an accurate -description; and indeed there is a print of him, supposed to be by -Reginald Elstracke, pulling the press with his own hand, as it works off -the sheets of his scarce edition of the Augsburg Confession. He was a -chemist as well as a good mechanic, and either of these qualities in -this country was at that time sufficient to constitute a white witch at -least. This superstitious old writer had heard all this, and probably -believed it, and in his sleep the image and idea of my ancestor recalled -that of his cabinet, which, with the grateful attention to antiquities -and the memory of our ancestors not unusually met with, had been pushed -into the pigeon-house to be out of the way--Add a quantum sufficit of -exaggeration, and you have a key to the whole mystery." - -"O brother! brother! but Dr. Heavysterne, brother--whose sleep was so -sore broken, that he declared he wadna pass another night in the Green -Room to get all Monkbarns, so that Mary and I were forced to yield our"-- - -"Why, Grizel, the doctor is a good, honest, pudding-headed German, of -much merit in his own way, but fond of the mystical, like many of his -countrymen. You and he had a traffic the whole evening in which you -received tales of Mesmer, Shropfer, Cagliostro, and other modern -pretenders to the mystery of raising spirits, discovering hidden -treasure, and so forth, in exchange for your legends of the green -bedchamber;--and considering that the Illustrissimus ate a pound and a -half of Scotch collops to supper, smoked six pipes, and drank ale and -brandy in proportion, I am not surprised at his having a fit of the -night-mare. But everything is now ready. Permit me to light you to your -apartment, Mr. Lovel--I am sure you have need of rest--and I trust my -ancestor is too sensible of the duties of hospitality to interfere with -the repose which you have so well merited by your manly and gallant -behaviour." - -So saying, the Antiquary took up a bedroom candlestick of massive silver -and antique form, which, he observed, was wrought out of the silver -found in the mines of the Harz mountains, and had been the property -of the very personage who had supplied them with a subject for -conversation. And having so said, he led the way through many a dusky -and winding passage, now ascending, and anon descending again, until he -came to the apartment destined for his young guest. - - - - -CHAPTER TENTH. - - When midnight o'er the moonless skies - Her pall of transient death has spread, - When mortals sleep, when spectres rise, - And none are wakeful but the dead; - No bloodless shape my way pursues, - No sheeted ghost my couch annoys, - Visions more sad my fancy views,-- - Visions of long departed joys. - W. R. Spenser. - -When they reached the Green Room, as it was called, Oldbuck placed the -candle on the toilet table, before a huge mirror with a black japanned -frame, surrounded by dressing-boxes of the same, and looked around him -with something of a disturbed expression of countenance. "I am seldom -in this apartment," he said, "and never without yielding to a melancholy -feeling--not, of course, on account of the childish nonsense that Grizel -was telling you, but owing to circumstances of an early and unhappy -attachment. It is at such moments as these, Mr. Lovel, that we feel the -changes of time. The same objects are before us--those inanimate things -which we have gazed on in wayward infancy and impetuous youth, in -anxious and scheming manhood--they are permanent and the same; but when -we look upon them in cold unfeeling old age, can we, changed in our -temper, our pursuits, our feelings--changed in our form, our limbs, and -our strength,--can we be ourselves called the same? or do we not rather -look back with a sort of wonder upon our former selves, as being -separate and distinct from what we now are? The philosopher who appealed -from Philip inflamed with wine to Philip in his hours of sobriety, did -not choose a judge so different, as if he had appealed from Philip in -his youth to Philip in his old age. I cannot but be touched with the -feeling so beautifully expressed in a poem which I have heard repeated:* - -*Probably Wordsworth's Lyrical Ballads had not as yet been published. - - My eyes are dim with childish tears, - My heart is idly stirred, - For the same sound is in my ears - Which in those days I heard. - - Thus fares it still in our decay; - And yet the wiser mind - Mourns less for what time takes away, - Than what he leaves behind. - -Well, time cures every wound, and though the scar may remain and -occasionally ache, yet the earliest agony of its recent infliction is -felt no more."--So saying, he shook Lovel cordially by the hand, wished -him good-night, and took his leave. - -Step after step Lovel could trace his host's retreat along the various -passages, and each door which he closed behind him fell with a sound -more distant and dead. The guest, thus separated from the living world, -took up the candle and surveyed the apartment. - -The fire blazed cheerfully. Mrs. Grizel's attention had left some -fresh wood, should he choose to continue it, and the apartment had a -comfortable, though not a lively appearance. It was hung with tapestry, -which the looms of Arras had produced in the sixteenth century, and -which the learned typographer, so often mentioned, had brought with -him as a sample of the arts of the Continent. The subject was a -hunting-piece; and as the leafy boughs of the forest-trees, branching -over the tapestry, formed the predominant colour, the apartment had -thence acquired its name of the Green Chamber. Grim figures in the -old Flemish dress, with slashed doublets covered with ribbands, -short cloaks, and trunk-hose, were engaged in holding grey-hounds, or -stag-hounds, in the leash, or cheering them upon the objects of their -game. Others, with boar-spears, swords, and old-fashioned guns, were -attacking stags or boars whom they had brought to bay. The branches of -the woven forest were crowded with fowls of various kinds, each depicted -with its proper plumage. It seemed as if the prolific and rich invention -of old Chaucer had animated the Flemish artist with its profusion, and -Oldbuck had accordingly caused the following verses, from that ancient -and excellent poet, to be embroidered in Gothic letters, on a sort of -border which he had added to the tapestry:-- - - Lo! here be oakis grete, streight as a line, - Under the which the grass, so fresh of line, - Be'th newly sprung--at eight foot or nine. - Everich tree well from his fellow grew, - With branches broad laden with leaves new, - That sprongen out against the sonne sheene, - Some golden red and some a glad bright green. - -And in another canton was the following similar legend:-- - - And many an hart and many an hind, - Was both before me, and behind. - Of fawns, sownders, bucks and does, - Was full the wood and many roes, - And many squirrels that ysate - High on the trees and nuts ate. - -The bed was of a dark and faded green, wrought to correspond with the -tapestry, but by a more modern and less skilful hand. The large and -heavy stuff-bottomed chairs, with black ebony backs, were embroidered -after the same pattern, and a lofty mirror, over the antique -chimney-piece, corresponded in its mounting with that on the -old-fashioned toilet. - -"I have heard," muttered Lovel, as he took a cursory view of the room -and its furniture, "that ghosts often chose the best room in the mansion -to which they attached themselves; and I cannot disapprove of the taste -of the disembodied printer of the Augsburg Confession." But he found it -so difficult to fix his mind upon the stories which had been told him of -an apartment with which they seemed so singularly to correspond, that he -almost regretted the absence of those agitated feelings, half fear half -curiosity, which sympathise with the old legends of awe and wonder, -from which the anxious reality of his own hopeless passion at present -detached him. For he now only felt emotions like those expressed in the -lines,-- - - Ah! cruel maid, how hast thou changed - The temper of my mind! - My heart, by thee from all estranged, - Becomes like thee unkind. - -He endeavoured to conjure up something like the feelings which would, at -another time, have been congenial to his situation, but his heart had -no room for these vagaries of imagination. The recollection of Miss -Wardour, determined not to acknowledge him when compelled to endure his -society, and evincing her purpose to escape from it, would have -alone occupied his imagination exclusively. But with this were -united recollections more agitating if less painful,--her hair-breadth -escape--the fortunate assistance which he had been able to render -her--Yet what was his requital? She left the cliff while his fate was yet -doubtful--while it was uncertain whether her preserver had not lost the -life which he had exposed for her so freely. Surely gratitude, at least, -called for some little interest in his fate--But no--she could not be -selfish or unjust--it was no part of her nature. She only desired to shut -the door against hope, and, even in compassion to him, to extinguish a -passion which she could never return. - -But this lover-like mode of reasoning was not likely to reconcile him to -his fate, since the more amiable his imagination presented Miss Wardour, -the more inconsolable he felt he should be rendered by the extinction of -his hopes. He was, indeed, conscious of possessing the power of removing -her prejudices on some points; but, even in extremity, he determined -to keep the original determination which he had formed, of ascertaining -that she desired an explanation, ere he intruded one upon her. And, turn -the matter as he would, he could not regard his suit as desperate. There -was something of embarrassment as well as of grave surprise in her look -when Oldbuck presented him--and, perhaps, upon second thoughts, the one -was assumed to cover the other. He would not relinquish a pursuit which -had already cost him such pains. Plans, suiting the romantic temper of -the brain that entertained them, chased each other through his head, -thick and irregular as the motes of the sun-beam, and, long after he had -laid himself to rest, continued to prevent the repose which he greatly -needed. Then, wearied by the uncertainty and difficulties with which -each scheme appeared to be attended, he bent up his mind to the strong -effort of shaking off his love, "like dew-drops from the lion's mane," -and resuming those studies and that career of life which his unrequited -affection had so long and so fruitlessly interrupted. In this last -resolution he endeavoured to fortify himself by every argument which -pride, as well as reason, could suggest. "She shall not suppose," he -said, "that, presuming on an accidental service to her or to her father, -I am desirous to intrude myself upon that notice, to which, personally, -she considered me as having no title. I will see her no more. I will -return to the land which, if it affords none fairer, has at least many -as fair, and less haughty than Miss Wardour. Tomorrow I will bid adieu -to these northern shores, and to her who is as cold and relentless -as her climate." When he had for some time brooded over this sturdy -resolution, exhausted nature at length gave way, and, despite of wrath, -doubt, and anxiety, he sank into slumber. - -It is seldom that sleep, after such violent agitation, is either sound -or refreshing. Lovel's was disturbed by a thousand baseless and confused -visions. He was a bird--he was a fish--or he flew like the one, and swam -like the other,--qualities which would have been very essential to his -safety a few hours before. Then Miss Wardour was a syren, or a bird of -Paradise; her father a triton, or a sea-gull; and Oldbuck alternately -a porpoise and a cormorant. These agreeable imaginations were varied by -all the usual vagaries of a feverish dream;--the air refused to bear the -visionary, the water seemed to burn him--the rocks felt like down pillows -as he was dashed against them--whatever he undertook, failed in some -strange and unexpected manner--and whatever attracted his attention, -underwent, as he attempted to investigate it, some wild and wonderful -metamorphosis, while his mind continued all the while in some degree -conscious of the delusion, from which it in vain struggled to free -itself by awaking;--feverish symptoms all, with which those who are -haunted by the night-hag, whom the learned call Ephialtes, are but too -well acquainted. At length these crude phantasmata arranged themselves -into something more regular, if indeed the imagination of Lovel, after -he awoke (for it was by no means the faculty in which his mind was least -rich), did not gradually, insensibly, and unintentionally, arrange in -better order the scene of which his sleep presented, it may be, a less -distinct outline. Or it is possible that his feverish agitation may have -assisted him in forming the vision. - -Leaving this discussion to the learned, we will say, that after a -succession of wild images, such as we have above described, our hero, -for such we must acknowledge him, so far regained a consciousness of -locality as to remember where he was, and the whole furniture of the -Green Chamber was depicted to his slumbering eye. And here, once more, -let me protest, that if there should be so much old-fashioned faith -left among this shrewd and sceptical generation, as to suppose that -what follows was an impression conveyed rather by the eye than by the -imagination, I do not impugn their doctrine. He was, then, or imagined -himself, broad awake in the Green Chamber, gazing upon the flickering -and occasional flame which the unconsumed remnants of the faggots sent -forth, as, one by one, they fell down upon the red embers, into which -the principal part of the boughs to which they belonged had crumbled -away. Insensibly the legend of Aldobrand Oldenbuck, and his mysterious -visits to the inmates of the chamber, awoke in his mind, and with it, -as we often feel in dreams, an anxious and fearful expectation, which -seldom fails instantly to summon up before our mind's eye the object of -our fear. Brighter sparkles of light flashed from the chimney, with -such intense brilliancy as to enlighten all the room. The tapestry waved -wildly on the wall, till its dusky forms seemed to become animated. The -hunters blew their horns--the stag seemed to fly, the boar to resist, -and the hounds to assail the one and pursue the other; the cry of deer, -mangled by throttling dogs--the shouts of men, and the clatter of horses' -hoofs, seemed at once to surround him--while every group pursued, with -all the fury of the chase, the employment in which the artist had -represented them as engaged. Lovel looked on this strange scene devoid -of wonder (which seldom intrudes itself upon the sleeping fancy), but -with an anxious sensation of awful fear. At length an individual figure -among the tissued huntsmen, as he gazed upon them more fixedly, seemed -to leave the arras and to approach the bed of the slumberer. As he -drew near, his figure appeared to alter. His bugle-horn became a brazen -clasped volume; his hunting-cap changed to such a furred head-gear as -graces the burgomasters of Rembrandt; his Flemish garb remained but his -features, no longer agitated with the fury of the chase, were changed -to such a state of awful and stern composure, as might best portray the -first proprietor of Monkbarns, such as he had been described to Lovel -by his descendants in the course of the preceding evening. As this -metamorphosis took place, the hubbub among the other personages in the -arras disappeared from the imagination of the dreamer, which was now -exclusively bent on the single figure before him. Lovel strove to -interrogate this awful person in the form of exorcism proper for the -occasion; but his tongue, as is usual in frightful dreams, refused its -office, and clung, palsied, to the roof of his mouth. Aldobrand held up -his finger, as if to impose silence upon the guest who had intruded on -his apartment, and began deliberately to unclasp the venerable, volume -which occupied his left hand. When it was unfolded, he turned over the -leaves hastily for a short space, and then raising his figure to its -full dimensions, and holding the book aloft in his left hand, pointed to -a passage in the page which he thus displayed. Although the language was -unknown to our dreamer, his eye and attention were both strongly caught -by the line which the figure seemed thus to press upon his notice, the -words of which appeared to blaze with a supernatural light, and remained -riveted upon his memory. As the vision shut his volume, a strain of -delightful music seemed to fill the apartment--Lovel started, and became -completely awake. The music, however, was still in his ears, nor ceased -till he could distinctly follow the measure of an old Scottish tune. - -He sate up in bed, and endeavoured to clear his brain of the phantoms -which had disturbed it during this weary night. The beams of the morning -sun streamed through the half-closed shutters, and admitted a distinct -light into the apartment. He looked round upon the hangings,--but the -mixed groups of silken and worsted huntsmen were as stationary as -tenter-hooks could make them, and only trembled slightly as the early -breeze, which found its way through an open crevice of the latticed -window, glided along their surface. Lovel leapt out of bed, and, -wrapping himself in a morning-gown, that had been considerately laid by -his bedside, stepped towards the window, which commanded a view of the -sea, the roar of whose billows announced it still disquieted by the -storm of the preceding evening, although the morning was fair and -serene. The window of a turret, which projected at an angle with the -wall, and thus came to be very near Lovel's apartment, was half-open, -and from that quarter he heard again the same music which had probably -broken short his dream. With its visionary character it had lost much -of its charms--it was now nothing more than an air on the harpsichord, -tolerably well performed--such is the caprice of imagination as -affecting the fine arts. A female voice sung, with some taste and -great simplicity, something between a song and a hymn, in words to the -following effect:-- - - "Why sitt'st thou by that ruin'd hall, - Thou aged carle so stern and grey? - Dost thou its former pride recall, - Or ponder how it passed away? - - "Know'st thou not me!" the Deep Voice cried, - "So long enjoyed, so oft misused-- - Alternate, in thy fickle pride, - Desired, neglected, and accused? - - "Before my breath, like, blazing flax, - Man and his marvels pass away; - And changing empires wane and wax, - Are founded, flourish and decay. - - "Redeem mine hours--the space is brief-- - While in my glass the sand-grains shiver, - And measureless thy joy or grief, - When Time and thou shalt part for ever!" - -While the verses were yet singing, Lovel had returned to his bed; the -train of ideas which they awakened was romantic and pleasing, such as -his soul delighted in, and, willingly adjourning till more broad day the -doubtful task of determining on his future line of conduct, he abandoned -himself to the pleasing languor inspired by the music, and fell into a -sound and refreshing sleep, from which he was only awakened at a late -hour by old Caxon, who came creeping into the room to render the offices -of a valet-de-chambre. - -"I have brushed your coat, sir," said the old man, when he perceived -Lovel was awake; "the callant brought it frae Fairport this morning, for -that ye had on yesterday is scantly feasibly dry, though it's been a' -night at the kitchen fire; and I hae cleaned your shoon. I doubt ye'll -no be wanting me to tie your hair, for" (with a gentle sigh) "a' the -young gentlemen wear crops now; but I hae the curling tangs here to -gie it a bit turn ower the brow, if ye like, before ye gae down to the -leddies." - -Lovel, who was by this time once more on his legs, declined the old -man's professional offices, but accompanied the refusal with such a -douceur as completely sweetened Caxon's mortification. - -"It's a pity he disna get his hair tied and pouthered," said the ancient -friseur, when he had got once more into the kitchen, in which, on one -pretence or other, he spent three parts of his idle time--that is to -say, of his whole time--"it's a great pity, for he's a comely young -gentleman." - -"Hout awa, ye auld gowk," said Jenny Rintherout, "would ye creesh his -bonny brown hair wi' your nasty ulyie, and then moust it like the auld -minister's wig? Ye'll be for your breakfast, I'se warrant?--hae, there's -a soup parritch for ye--it will set ye better tae be slaistering at them -and the lapper-milk than meddling wi' Mr. Lovel's head--ye wad spoil the -maist natural and beautifaest head o' hair in a' Fairport, baith burgh -and county." - -The poor barber sighed over the disrespect into which his art had so -universally fallen, but Jenny was a person too important to offend by -contradiction; so, sitting quietly down in the kitchen, he digested at -once his humiliation, and the contents of a bicker which held a Scotch -pint of substantial oatmeal porridge. - - - - -CHAPTER ELEVENTH. - - Sometimes he thinks that Heaven this pageant sent, - And ordered all the pageants as they went; - Sometimes that only 'twas wild Fancy's play,-- - The loose and scattered relics of the day. - -We must now request our readers to adjourn to the breakfast parlour -of Mr. Oldbuck, who, despising the modern slops of tea and coffee, was -substantially regaling himself, more majorum, with cold roast-beef, and -a glass of a sort of beverage called mum--a species of fat ale, brewed -from wheat and bitter herbs, of which the present generation only know -the name by its occurrence in revenue acts of parliament, coupled with -cider, perry, and other excisable commodities. Lovel, who was seduced to -taste it, with difficulty refrained from pronouncing it detestable, but -did refrain, as he saw he should otherwise give great offence to his -host, who had the liquor annually prepared with peculiar care, according -to the approved recipe bequeathed to him by the so-often mentioned -Aldobrand Oldenbuck. The hospitality of the ladies offered Lovel a -breakfast more suited to modern taste, and while he was engaged in -partaking of it, he was assailed by indirect inquiries concerning the -manner in which he had passed the night. - -"We canna compliment Mr. Lovel on his looks this morning, brother--but -he winna condescend on any ground of disturbance he has had in the night -time. I am certain he looks very pale, and when he came here he was as -fresh as a rose." - -"Why, sister, consider this rose of yours has been knocked about by sea -and wind all yesterday evening, as if he had been a bunch of kelp or -tangle, and how the devil would you have him retain his colour?" - -"I certainly do still feel somewhat fatigued," said Lovel, -"notwithstanding the excellent accommodations with which your -hospitality so amply supplied me." - -"Ah, sir!" said Miss Oldbuck looking at him with a knowing smile, or -what was meant to be one, "ye'll not allow of ony inconvenience, out of -civility to us." - -"Really, madam," replied Lovel, "I had no disturbance; for I cannot term -such the music with which some kind fairy favoured me." - -"I doubted Mary wad waken you wi' her skreighing; she dinna ken I had -left open a chink of your window, for, forbye the ghaist, the Green -Room disna vent weel in a high wind--But I am judging ye heard mair -than Mary's lilts yestreen. Weel, men are hardy creatures--they can gae -through wi' a' thing. I am sure, had I been to undergo ony thing of that -nature,--that's to say that's beyond nature--I would hae skreigh'd out at -once, and raised the house, be the consequence what liket--and, I dare -say, the minister wad hae done as mickle, and sae I hae tauld him,--I ken -naebody but my brother, Monkbarns himsell, wad gae through the like o't, -if, indeed, it binna you, Mr. Lovel." - -"A man of Mr. Oldbuck's learning, madam," answered the questioned party, -"would not be exposed to the inconvenience sustained by the Highland -gentleman you mentioned last night." - -"Ay, ay--ye understand now where the difficulty lies. Language? he has -ways o' his ain wad banish a' thae sort o' worricows as far as -the hindermost parts of Gideon" (meaning possibly Midian), "as Mr. -Blattergowl says--only ane widna be uncivil to ane's forbear, though he -be a ghaist. I am sure I will try that receipt of yours, brother, that -ye showed me in a book, if onybody is to sleep in that room again, -though I think, in Christian charity, ye should rather fit up the -matted-room--it's a wee damp and dark, to be sure, but then we hae sae -seldom occasion for a spare bed." - -"No, no, sister;--dampness and darkness are worse than spectres--ours are -spirits of light, and I would rather have you try the spell." - -"I will do that blythely, Monkbarns, an I had the ingredients, as my -cookery book ca's them--There was vervain and dill--I mind that--Davie -Dibble will ken about them, though, maybe, he'll gie them Latin -names--and Peppercorn, we hae walth o' them, for"-- - -"Hypericon, thou foolish woman!" thundered Oldbuck; "d'ye suppose you're -making a haggis--or do you think that a spirit, though he be formed of -air, can be expelled by a receipt against wind?--This wise Grizel of -mine, Mr. Lovel, recollects (with what accuracy you may judge) a -charm which I once mentioned to her, and which, happening to hit her -superstitious noddle, she remembers better than anything tending to a -useful purpose, I may chance to have said for this ten years. But many -an old woman besides herself"-- - -"Auld woman, Monkbarns!" said Miss Oldbuck, roused something above her -usual submissive tone; "ye really are less than civil to me." - -"Not less than just, Grizel: however, I include in the same class many -a sounding name, from Jamblichus down to Aubrey, who have wasted their -time in devising imaginary remedies for non-existing diseases.--But I -hope, my young friend, that, charmed or uncharmed--secured by the potency -of Hypericon, - - With vervain and with dill, - That hinder witches of their will, - -or left disarmed and defenceless to the inroads of the invisible world, -you will give another night to the terrors of the haunted apartment, and -another day to your faithful and feal friends." - -"I heartily wish I could, but"-- - -"Nay, but me no buts--I have set my heart upon it." - -"I am greatly obliged, my dear sir, but"-- - -"Look ye there, now--but again!--I hate but; I know no form of expression -in which he can appear, that is amiable, excepting as a butt of sack. -But is to me a more detestable combination of letters than no itself.No -is a surly, honest fellow--speaks his mind rough and round at once. But is -a sneaking, evasive, half-bred, exceptuous sort of a conjunction, which -comes to pull away the cup just when it is at your lips-- - - --it does allay - The good precedent--fie upon but yet! - But yet is as a jailor to bring forth - Some monstrous malefactor." - -"Well, then," answered Lovel, whose motions were really undetermined at -the moment, "you shall not connect the recollection of my name with -so churlish a particle. I must soon think of leaving Fairport, I am -afraid--and I will, since you are good enough to wish it, take this -opportunity of spending another day here." - -"And you shall be rewarded, my boy. First, you shall see John o' the -Girnel's grave, and then we'll walk gently along the sands, the state -of the tide being first ascertained (for we will have no more -Peter Wilkins' adventures, no more Glum and Gawrie work), as far as -Knockwinnock Castle, and inquire after the old knight and my fair -foe--which will but be barely civil, and then"-- - -"I beg pardon, my dear sir; but, perhaps, you had better adjourn your -visit till to-morrow--I am a stranger, you know." - -"And are, therefore, the more bound to show civility, I should suppose. -But I beg your pardon for mentioning a word that perhaps belongs only to -a collector of antiquities--I am one of the old school, - - When courtiers galloped o'er four counties - The ball's fair partner to behold, - And humbly hope she caught no cold." - -"Why, if--if--if you thought it would be expected--but I believe I had -better stay." - -"Nay, nay, my good friend, I am not so old-fashioned as to press you to -what is disagreeable, neither--it is sufficient that I see there is some -remora, some cause of delay, some mid impediment, which I have no title -to inquire into. Or you are still somewhat tired, perhaps;--I warrant I -find means to entertain your intellects without fatiguing your limbs--I -am no friend to violent exertion myself--a walk in the garden once -a-day is exercise, enough for any thinking being--none but a fool or a -fox-hunter would require more. Well, what shall we set about?--my Essay -on Castrametation--but I have that in petto for our afternoon cordial;--or -I will show you the controversy upon Ossian's Poems between Mac-Cribb -and me. I hold with the acute Orcadian--he with the defenders of the -authenticity;--the controversy began in smooth, oily, lady-like terms, -but is now waxing more sour and eager as we get on--it already partakes -somewhat of old Scaliger's style. I fear the rogue will get some scent -of that story of Ochiltree's--but at worst, I have a hard repartee for -him on the affair of the abstracted Antigonus--I will show you his last -epistle and the scroll of my answer--egad, it is a trimmer!" - -So saying, the Antiquary opened a drawer, and began rummaging among a -quantity of miscellaneous papers, ancient and modern. But it was the -misfortune of this learned gentleman, as it may be that of many learned -and unlearned, that he frequently experienced, on such occasions, what -Harlequin calls l'embarras des richesses; in other words, the abundance -of his collection often prevented him from finding the article he sought -for. "Curse the papers!--I believe," said Oldbuck, as he shuffled them to -and fro--"I believe they make themselves wings like grasshoppers, and fly -away bodily--but here, in the meanwhile, look at that little treasure." -So saying, he put into his hand a case made of oak, fenced at the corner -with silver roses and studs--"Pr'ythee, undo this button," said he, as -he observed Lovel fumbling at the clasp. He did so,--the lid opened, and -discovered a thin quarto, curiously bound in black shagreen--"There, Mr. -Lovel--there is the work I mentioned to you last night--the rare quarto of -the Augsburg Confession, the foundation at once and the bulwark of the -Reformation drawn up by the learned and venerable Melancthon, defended -by the Elector of Saxony, and the other valiant hearts who stood up -for their faith, even against the front of a powerful and victorious -emperor, and imprinted by the scarcely less venerable and praiseworthy -Aldobrand Oldenbuck, my happy progenitor, during the yet more tyrannical -attempts of Philip II. to suppress at once civil and religious liberty. -Yes, sir--for printing this work, that eminent man was expelled from his -ungrateful country, and driven to establish his household gods even here -at Monkbarns, among the ruins of papal superstition and domination.--Look -upon his venerable effigies, Mr. Lovel, and respect the honourable -occupation in which it presents him, as labouring personally at the -press for the diffusion of Christian and political knowledge.--And see -here his favourite motto, expressive of his independence and self-reliance, -which scorned to owe anything to patronage that was not earned by -desert--expressive also of that firmness of mind and tenacity of purpose -recommended by Horace. He was indeed a man who would have stood firm, -had his whole printing-house, presses, fonts, forms, great and small -pica, been shivered to pieces around him--Read, I say, his motto,--for -each printer had his motto, or device, when that illustrious art was -first practised. My ancestor's was expressed, as you see, in the -Teutonic phrase, Kunst macht Gunst--that is, skill, or prudence, in -availing ourselves of our natural talents and advantages, will compel -favour and patronage, even where it is withheld from prejudice or -ignorance." - -"And that," said Lovel, after a moment's thoughtful silence--"that, then, -is the meaning of these German words?" - -"Unquestionably. You perceive the appropriate application to a -consciousness of inward worth, and of eminence in a useful and -honourable art.--Each printer in those days, as I have already informed -you, had his device, his impresa, as I may call it, in the same manner -as the doughty chivalry of the age, who frequented tilt and tournament. -My ancestor boasted as much in his, as if he had displayed it over -a conquered field of battle, though it betokened the diffusion of -knowledge, not the effusion of blood. And yet there is a family -tradition which affirms him to have chosen it from a more romantic -circumstance." - -"And what is that said to have been, my good sir?" inquired his young -friend. - -"Why, it rather encroaches on my respected predecessor's fame for -prudence and wisdom--Sed semel insanivimus omnes--everybody has played the -fool in their turn. It is said, my ancestor, during his apprenticeship -with the descendant of old Faust, whom popular tradition hath sent to -the devil under the name of Faustus, was attracted by a paltry slip of -womankind, his master's daughter, called Bertha--they broke rings, or -went through some idiotical ceremony, as is usual on such idle occasions -as the plighting of a true-love troth, and Aldobrand set out on his -journey through Germany, as became an honest hand-werker; for such was -the custom of mechanics at that time, to make a tour through the empire, -and work at their trade for a time in each of the most eminent towns, -before they finally settled themselves for life. It was a wise custom; -for, as such travellers were received like brethren in each town by -those of their own handicraft, they were sure, in every case, to have -the means either of gaining or communicating knowledge. When my ancestor -returned to Nuremburg, he is said to have found his old master newly -dead, and two or three gallant young suitors, some of them half-starved -sprigs of nobility forsooth, in pursuit of the Yung-fraw Bertha, whose -father was understood to have bequeathed her a dowry which might weigh -against sixteen armorial quarters. But Bertha, not a bad sample of -womankind, had made a vow she would only marry that man who would work -her father's press. The skill, at that time, was as rare as wonderful; -besides that the expedient rid her at once of most of her gentle -suitors, who would have as soon wielded a conjuring wand as a composing -stick. Some of the more ordinary typographers made the attempt: but none -were sufficiently possessed of the mystery--But I tire you." - -"By no means; pray, proceed, Mr. Oldbuck--I listen with uncommon -interest." - -"Ah! it is all folly. However--Aldobrand arrived in the ordinary dress, -as we would say, of a journeyman printer--the same in which he had -traversed Germany, and conversed with Luther, Melancthon, Erasmus, and -other learned men, who disdained not his knowledge, and the power he -possessed of diffusing it, though hid under a garb so homely. But what -appeared respectable in the eyes of wisdom, religion, learning, and -philosophy, seemed mean, as might readily be supposed, and disgusting, -in those of silly and affected womankind, and Bertha refused to -acknowledge her former lover, in the torn doublet, skin cap, clouted -shoes, and leathern apron, of a travelling handicraftsman or mechanic. -He claimed his privilege, however, of being admitted to a trial; and -when the rest of the suitors had either declined the contest, or made -such work as the devil could not read if his pardon depended on it, all -eyes were bent on the stranger. Aldobrand stepped gracefully forward, -arranged the types without omission of a single letter, hyphen, or -comma, imposed them without deranging a single space, and pulled off the -first proof as clear and free from errors, as if it had been a triple -revise! All applauded the worthy successor of the immortal Faustus--the -blushing maiden acknowledged her error in trusting to the eye more than -the intellect--and the elected bridegroom thenceforward chose for his -impress or device the appropriate words, Skill wins favour.'--But what is -the matter with you?--you are in a brown study! Come, I told you this was -but trumpery conversation for thinking people--and now I have my hand on -the Ossianic Controversy." - -"I beg your pardon," said Lovel; "I am going to appear very silly and -changeable in your eyes, Mr. Oldbuck--but you seemed to think Sir Arthur -might in civility expect a call from me?" - -"Psha! psha! I can make your apology; and if you must leave us so soon -as you say, what signifies how you stand in his honours good graces?--And -I warn you that the Essay on Castrametation is something prolix, and -will occupy the time we can spare after dinner, so you may lose the -Ossianic Controversy if we do not dedicate this morning to it. We will -go out to my ever-green bower, my sacred holly-tree yonder, and have it -_fronde super viridi_. - - Sing heigh-ho! heigh-ho! for the green holly, - Most friendship is feigning, most loving mere folly. - -But, egad," continued the old gentleman, "when I look closer at you, -I begin to think you may be of a different opinion. Amen with all -my heart--I quarrel with no man's hobby, if he does not run it a tilt -against mine, and if he does--let him beware his eyes. What say you?--in -the language of the world and worldlings base, if you can condescend to -so mean a sphere, shall we stay or go?" - -"In the language of selfishness, then, which is of course the language -of the world--let us go by all means." - -"Amen, amen, quo' the Earl Marshall," answered Oldbuck, as he exchanged -his slippers for a pair of stout walking shoes, with cutikins, as he -called them, of black cloth. He only interrupted the walk by a slight -deviation to the tomb of John o' the Girnel, remembered as the last -bailiff of the abbey who had resided at Monkbarns. Beneath an old -oak-tree upon a hillock, sloping pleasantly to the south, and catching -a distant view of the sea over two or three rich enclosures, and the -Mussel-crag, lay a moss-grown stone, and, in memory of the departed -worthy, it bore an inscription, of which, as Mr. Oldbuck affirmed -(though many doubted), the defaced characters could be distinctly traced -to the following effect:-- - - Here lyeth John o' ye Girnell; - Erth has ye nit, and heuen ye kirnell. - In hys tyme ilk wyfe's hennis clokit, - Ilka gud mannis herth wi' bairnis was stokit. - He deled a boll o' bear in firlottis fyve, - Four for ye halie kirke, and ane for puir mennis wyvis. - -"You see how modest the author of this sepulchral commendation was;--he -tells us that honest John could make five firlots, or quarters, as you -would say, out of the boll, instead of four,--that he gave the fifth to -the wives of the parish, and accounted for the other four to the abbot -and CHAPTER--that in his time the wives' hens always laid eggs--and devil -thank them, if they got one-fifth of the abbey rents; and that honest -men's hearths were never unblest with offspring--an addition to the -miracle, which they, as well as I, must have considered as perfectly -unaccountable. But come on--leave we Jock o' the Girnel, and let us jog -on to the yellow sands, where the sea, like a repulsed enemy, is now -retreating from the ground on which he gave us battle last night." - -Thus saying, he led the way to the sands. Upon the links or downs close -to them, were seen four or five huts inhabited by fishers, whose boats, -drawn high upon the beach, lent the odoriferous vapours of pitch melting -under a burning sun, to contend with those of the offals of fish and -other nuisances usually collected round Scottish cottages. Undisturbed -by these complicated steams of abomination, a middle-aged woman, with a -face which had defied a thousand storms, sat mending a net at the door -of one of the cottages. A handkerchief close bound about her head, and -a coat which had formerly been that of a man, gave her a masculine air, -which was increased by her strength, uncommon stature, and harsh voice. -"What are ye for the day, your honour?" she said, or rather screamed, -to Oldbuck; "caller haddocks and whitings--a bannock-fluke and a -cock-padle." - -"How much for the bannock-fluke and cock-padle?" demanded the Antiquary. - -"Four white shillings and saxpence," answered the Naiad. - -"Four devils and six of their imps!" retorted the Antiquary; "do you -think I am mad, Maggie?" - -"And div ye think," rejoined the virago, setting her arms akimbo, "that -my man and my sons are to gae to the sea in weather like yestreen and -the day--sic a sea as it's yet outby--and get naething for their fish, and -be misca'd into the bargain, Monkbarns? It's no fish ye're buying--it's -men's lives." - -"Well, Maggie, I'll bid you fair--I'll bid you a shilling for the fluke -and the cock-padle, or sixpence separately--and if all your fish are as -well paid, I think your man, as you call him, and your sons, will make a -good voyage." - -"Deil gin their boat were knockit against the Bell-Rock rather! it wad -be better, and the bonnier voyage o' the twa. A shilling for thae twa -bonnie fish! Od, that's ane indeed!" - -"Well, well, you old beldam, carry your fish up to Monkbarns, and see -what my sister will give you for them." - -"Na, na, Monkbarns, deil a fit--I'll rather deal wi' yoursell; for though -you're near enough, yet Miss Grizel has an unco close grip--I'll gie ye -them" (in a softened tone) "for three-and-saxpence." - -"Eighteen-pence, or nothing!" - -"Eighteen-pence!!!" (in a loud tone of astonishment, which declined into -a sort of rueful whine, when the dealer turned as if to walk away)--"Yell -no be for the fish then?"--(then louder, as she saw him moving off)--"I'll -gie ye them--and--and--and a half-a-dozen o' partans to make the sauce, for -three shillings and a dram." - -"Half-a-crown then, Maggie, and a dram." - -"Aweel, your honour maun hae't your ain gate, nae doubt; but a dram's -worth siller now--the distilleries is no working." - -"And I hope they'll never work again in my time," said Oldbuck. - -"Ay, ay--it's easy for your honour, and the like o' you gentle-folks to -say sae, that hae stouth and routh, and fire and fending and meat and -claith, and sit dry and canny by the fireside--but an ye wanted fire, -and meat, and dry claes, and were deeing o' cauld, and had a sair heart, -whilk is warst ava', wi' just tippence in your pouch, wadna ye be glad -to buy a dram wi't, to be eilding and claes, and a supper and heart's -ease into the bargain, till the morn's morning?" - -"It's even too true an apology, Maggie. Is your goodman off to sea this -morning, after his exertions last night?" - -"In troth is he, Monkbarns; he was awa this morning by four o'clock, -when the sea was working like barm wi' yestreen's wind, and our bit -coble dancing in't like a cork." - -"Well, he's an industrious fellow. Carry the fish up to Monkbarns." - -"That I will--or I'll send little Jenny, she'll rin faster; but I'll ca' -on Miss Grizzy for the dram mysell, and say ye sent me." - -A nondescript animal, which might have passed for a mermaid, as it was -paddling in a pool among the rocks, was summoned ashore by the shrill -screams of its dam; and having been made decent, as her mother called -it, which was performed by adding a short red cloak to a petticoat, -which was at first her sole covering, and which reached scantily below -her knee, the child was dismissed with the fish in a basket, and a -request on the part of Monkbarns that they might be prepared for dinner. -"It would have been long," said Oldbuck, with much self-complacency, -"ere my womankind could have made such a reasonable bargain with that -old skin-flint, though they sometimes wrangle with her for an hour -together under my study window, like three sea-gulls screaming -and sputtering in a gale of wind. But come, wend we on our way to -Knockwinnock." - - - - -CHAPTER TWELFTH. - - Beggar?--the only freeman of your commonwealth; - Free above Scot-free, that observe no laws, - Obey no governor, use no religion - But what they draw from their own ancient custom, - Or constitute themselves, yet they are no rebels. - Brome. - -With our reader's permission, we will outstep the slow, though sturdy -pace of the Antiquary, whose halts, as he, turned round to his companion -at every moment to point out something remarkable in the landscape, or -to enforce some favourite topic more emphatically than the exercise of -walking permitted, delayed their progress considerably. - -Notwithstanding the fatigues and dangers of the preceding evening, Miss -Wardour was able to rise at her usual hour, and to apply herself to her -usual occupations, after she had first satisfied her anxiety concerning -her father's state of health. Sir Arthur was no farther indisposed than -by the effects of great agitation and unusual fatigue, but these were -sufficient to induce him to keep his bedchamber. - -To look back on the events of the preceding day, was, to Isabella, a -very unpleasing retrospect. She owed her life, and that of her father, -to the very person by whom, of all others, she wished least to be -obliged, because she could hardly even express common gratitude towards -him without encouraging hopes which might be injurious to them both. -"Why should it be my fate to receive such benefits, and conferred at -so much personal risk, from one whose romantic passion I have so -unceasingly laboured to discourage? Why should chance have given him -this advantage over me? and why, oh why, should a half-subdued feeling -in my own bosom, in spite of my sober reason, almost rejoice that he has -attained it?" - -While Miss Wardour thus taxed herself with wayward caprice, she, beheld -advancing down the avenue, not her younger and more dreaded preserver, -but the old beggar who had made such a capital figure in the melodrama -of the preceding evening. - -She rang the bell for her maid-servant. "Bring the old man up stairs." - -The servant returned in a minute or two--"He will come up at no rate, -madam;--he says his clouted shoes never were on a carpet in his life, and -that, please God, they never shall.--Must I take him into the servants' -hall?" - -"No; stay, I want to speak with him--Where is he?" for she had lost sight -of him as he approached the house. - -"Sitting in the sun on the stone-bench in the court, beside the window -of the flagged parlour." - -[Illustration: Eddie Ochiltree Visits Miss Wardour] - -"Bid him stay there--I'll come down to the parlour, and speak with him at -the window." - -She came down accordingly, and found the mendicant half-seated, -half-reclining, upon the bench beside the window. Edie Ochiltree, old -man and beggar as he was, had apparently some internal consciousness -of the favourable, impressions connected with his tall form, commanding -features, and long white beard and hair. It used to be remarked of him, -that he was seldom seen but in a posture which showed these personal -attributes to advantage. At present, as he lay half-reclined, with his -wrinkled yet ruddy cheek, and keen grey eye turned up towards the sky, -his staff and bag laid beside him, and a cast of homely wisdom and -sarcastic irony in the expression of his countenance, while he gazed for -a moment around the court-yard, and then resumed his former look upward, -he might have been taken by an artist as the model of an old philosopher -of the Cynic school, musing upon the frivolity of mortal pursuits, and -the precarious tenure of human possessions, and looking up to the source -from which aught permanently good can alone be derived. The young lady, -as she presented her tall and elegant figure at the open window, but -divided from the court-yard by a grating, with which, according to the -fashion of ancient times, the lower windows of the castle were secured, -gave an interest of a different kind, and might be supposed, by a -romantic imagination, an imprisoned damsel communicating a tale of her -durance to a palmer, in order that he might call upon the gallantry of -every knight whom he should meet in his wanderings, to rescue her from -her oppressive thraldom. - -After Miss Wardour had offered, in the terms she thought would be most -acceptable, those thanks which the beggar declined as far beyond his -merit, she began to express herself in a manner which she supposed would -speak more feelingly to his apprehension. "She did not know," she said, -"what her father intended particularly to do for their preserver, but -certainly it would be something that would make him easy for life; if he -chose to reside at the castle, she would give orders"-- - -The old man smiled, and shook his head. "I wad be baith a grievance -and a disgrace to your fine servants, my leddy, and I have never been a -disgrace to onybody yet, that I ken of." - -"Sir Arthur would give strict orders"-- - -"Ye're very kind--I doubtna, I doubtna; but there are some things a -master can command, and some he canna--I daresay he wad gar them keep -hands aff me--(and troth, I think they wad hardly venture on that ony -gate)--and he wad gar them gie me my soup parritch and bit meat. But trow -ye that Sir Arthur's command could forbid the gibe o' the tongue or the -blink o' the ee, or gar them gie me my food wi' the look o' kindness -that gars it digest sae weel, or that he could make them forbear a' -the slights and taunts that hurt ane's spirit mair nor downright -misca'ing?--Besides, I am the idlest auld carle that ever lived; I downa -be bound down to hours o' eating and sleeping; and, to speak the honest -truth, I wad be a very bad example in ony weel regulated family." - -"Well, then, Edie, what do you think of a neat cottage and a garden, and -a daily dole, and nothing to do but to dig a little in your garden when -you pleased yourself?" - -"And how often wad that be, trow ye, my leddy? maybe no ance atween -Candlemas and Yule and if a' thing were done to my hand, as if I was Sir -Arthur himsell, I could never bide the staying still in ae place, -and just seeing the same joists and couples aboon my head night after -night.--And then I have a queer humour o' my ain, that sets a strolling -beggar weel eneugh, whase word naebody minds--but ye ken Sir Arthur has -odd sort o' ways--and I wad be jesting or scorning at them--and ye wad be -angry, and then I wad be just fit to hang mysell." - -"O, you are a licensed man," said Isabella; "we shall give you all -reasonable scope: So you had better be ruled, and remember your age." - -"But I am no that sair failed yet," replied the mendicant. "Od, ance I -gat a wee soupled yestreen, I was as yauld as an eel. And then what wad -a' the country about do for want o' auld Edie Ochiltree, that -brings news and country cracks frae ae farm-steading to anither, and -gingerbread to the lasses, and helps the lads to mend their fiddles, and -the gudewives to clout their pans, and plaits rush-swords and grenadier -caps for the weans, and busks the laird's flees, and has skill o' -cow-ills and horse-ills, and kens mair auld sangs and tales than a' the -barony besides, and gars ilka body laugh wherever he comes? Troth, my -leddy, I canna lay down my vocation; it would be a public loss." - -"Well, Edie, if your idea of your importance is so strong as not to be -shaken by the prospect of independence"-- - -"Na, na, Miss--it's because I am mair independent as I am," answered the -old man; "I beg nae mair at ony single house than a meal o' meat, -or maybe but a mouthfou o't--if it's refused at ae place, I get it at -anither--sae I canna be said to depend on onybody in particular, but just -on the country at large." - -"Well, then, only promise me that you will let me know should you ever -wish to settle as you turn old, and more incapable of making your usual -rounds; and, in the meantime, take this." - -"Na, na, my leddy: I downa take muckle siller at ance--it's against -our rule; and--though it's maybe no civil to be repeating the like o' -that--they say that siller's like to be scarce wi' Sir Arthur himsell, -and that he's run himsell out o' thought wi' his honkings and minings -for lead and copper yonder." - -Isabella had some anxious anticipations to the same effect, but was -shocked to hear that her father's embarrassments were such public talk; -as if scandal ever failed to stoop upon so acceptable a quarry as the -failings of the good man, the decline of the powerful, or the decay of -the prosperous.--Miss Wardour sighed deeply--"Well, Edie, we have enough -to pay our debts, let folks say what they will, and requiting you is one -of the foremost--let me press this sum upon you." - -"That I might be robbed and murdered some night between town and town? -or, what's as bad, that I might live in constant apprehension o't?--I am -no"--(lowering his voice to a whisper, and looking keenly around him)--"I -am no that clean unprovided for neither; and though I should die at the -back of a dyke, they'll find as muckle quilted in this auld blue gown -as will bury me like a Christian, and gie the lads and lasses a blythe -lykewake too; sae there's the gaberlunzie's burial provided for, and I -need nae mair. Were the like o' me ever to change a note, wha the deil -d'ye think wad be sic fules as to gie me charity after that?--it wad flee -through the country like wildfire, that auld Edie suld hae done siccan -a like thing, and then, I'se warrant, I might grane my heart out or -onybody wad gie me either a bane or a bodle." - -"Is there nothing, then, that I can do for you?" - -"Ou ay--I'll aye come for my awmous as usual,--and whiles I wad be fain o' -a pickle sneeshin, and ye maun speak to the constable and ground-officer -just to owerlook me; and maybe ye'll gie a gude word for me to Sandie -Netherstanes, the miller, that he may chain up his muckle dog--I wadna -hae him to hurt the puir beast, for it just does its office in barking -at a gaberlunzie like me. And there's ae thing maybe mair,--but ye'll -think it's very bald o' the like o' me to speak o't." - -"What is it, Edie?--if it respects you it shall be done if it is in my -power." - -"It respects yoursell, and it is in your power, and I maun come -out wi't. Ye are a bonny young leddy, and a gude ane, and maybe a -weel-tochered ane--but dinna ye sneer awa the lad Lovel, as ye did a -while sinsyne on the walk beneath the Briery-bank, when I saw ye baith, -and heard ye too, though ye saw nae me. Be canny wi' the lad, for he -loes ye weel, and it's to him, and no to anything I could have done for -you, that Sir Arthur and you wan ower yestreen." - -He uttered these words in a low but distinct tone of voice; and without -waiting for an answer, walked towards a low door which led to the -apartments of the servants, and so entered the house. - -Miss Wardour remained for a moment or two in the situation in which -she had heard the old man's last extraordinary speech, leaning, namely, -against the bars of the window; nor could she determine upon saying even -a single word, relative to a subject so delicate, until the beggar was -out of sight. It was, indeed, difficult to determine what to do. That -her having had an interview and private conversation with this young and -unknown stranger, should be a secret possessed by a person of the last -class in which a young lady would seek a confidant, and at the mercy -of one who was by profession gossip-general to the whole neighbourhood, -gave her acute agony. She had no reason, indeed, to suppose that the old -man would wilfully do anything to hurt her feelings, much less to -injure her; but the mere freedom of speaking to her upon such a subject, -showed, as might have been expected, a total absence of delicacy; and -what he might take it into his head to do or say next, that she was -pretty sure so professed an admirer of liberty would not hesitate to do -or say without scruple. This idea so much hurt and vexed her, that she -half-wished the officious assistance of Lovel and Ochiltree had been -absent upon the preceding evening. - -While she was in this agitation of spirits, she suddenly observed -Oldbuck and Lovel entering the court. She drew instantly so far back -from the window, that she could without being seen, observe how the -Antiquary paused in front of the building, and pointing to the various -scutcheons of its former owners, seemed in the act of bestowing upon -Lovel much curious and erudite information, which, from the absent look -of his auditor, Isabella might shrewdly guess was entirely thrown away. -The necessity that she should take some resolution became instant and -pressing;--she rang, therefore, for a servant, and ordered him to show -the visitors to the drawing-room, while she, by another staircase, -gained her own apartment, to consider, ere she made her appearance, what -line of conduct were fittest for her to pursue. The guests, agreeably -to her instructions, were introduced into the room where company was -usually received. - - - - -CHAPTER THIRTEENTH. - - --The time was that I hated thee, - And yet it is not that I bear thee love. - Thy company, which erst was irksome to me, - I will endure-- - But do not look for further recompense. - As You Like It. - -Miss Isabella Wardour's complexion was considerably heightened, when, -after the delay necessary to arrange her ideas, she presented herself in -the drawing-room. - -"I am glad you are come, my fair foe," said the Antiquary greeting -her with much kindness, "for I have had a most refractory, or at least -negligent auditor, in my young friend here, while I endeavoured to make -him acquainted with the history of Knockwinnock Castle. I think the -danger of last night has mazed the poor lad. But you, Miss Isabel,--why, -you look as if flying through the night air had been your natural and -most congenial occupation; your colour is even better than when you -honoured my hospitium yesterday. And Sir Arthur--how fares my good old -friend?" - -"Indifferently well, Mr. Oldbuck; but I am afraid, not quite able to -receive your congratulations, or to pay--to pay--Mr. Lovel his thanks for -his unparalleled exertions." - -"I dare say not--A good down pillow for his good white head were more -meet than a couch so churlish as Bessy's-apron, plague on her!" - -"I had no thought of intruding," said Lovel, looking upon the ground, -and speaking with hesitation and suppressed emotion; "I did not--did -not mean to intrude upon Sir Arthur or Miss Wardour the presence of -one who--who must necessarily be unwelcome--as associated, I mean, with -painful reflections." - -"Do not think my father so unjust and ungrateful," said Miss Wardour. "I -dare say," she continued, participating in Lovel's embarrassment--"I dare -say--I am certain--that my father would be happy to show his gratitude--in -any way--that is, which Mr. Lovel could consider it as proper to point -out." - -"Why the deuce," interrupted Oldbuck, "what sort of a qualification is -that?--On my word, it reminds me of our minister, who, choosing, like a -formal old fop as he is, to drink to my sister's inclinations, thought -it necessary to add the saving clause, Provided, madam, they be -virtuous. Come, let us have no more of this nonsense--I dare say Sir -Arthur will bid us welcome on some future day. And what news from the -kingdom of subterranean darkness and airy hope?--What says the swart -spirit of the mine? Has Sir Arthur had any good intelligence of his -adventure lately in Glen-Withershins?" - -Miss Wardour shook her head--"But indifferent, I fear, Mr. Oldbuck; but -there lie some specimens which have lately been sent down." - -"Ah! my poor dear hundred pounds, which Sir Arthur persuaded me to give -for a share in that hopeful scheme, would have bought a porter's load of -mineralogy--But let me see them." - -And so saying, he sat down at the table in the recess, on which the -mineral productions were lying, and proceeded to examine them, grumbling -and pshawing at each which he took up and laid aside. - -In the meantime, Lovel, forced as it were by this secession of Oldbuck, -into a sort of tete-a'-tete with Miss Wardour, took an opportunity of -addressing her in a low and interrupted tone of voice. "I trust -Miss Wardour will impute, to circumstances almost irresistible, this -intrusion of a person who has reason to think himself--so unacceptable a -visitor." - -"Mr. Lovel," answered Miss Wardour, observing the same tone of caution, -"I trust you will not--I am sure you are incapable of abusing the -advantages given to you by the services you have rendered us, which, as -they affect my father, can never be sufficiently acknowledged or repaid. -Could Mr. Lovel see me without his own peace being affected--could he -see me as a friend--as a sister--no man will be--and, from all I have ever -heard of Mr. Lovel, ought to be, more welcome but"-- - -Oldbuck's anathema against the preposition but was internally echoed by -Lovel. "Forgive me if I interrupt you, Miss Wardour; you need not -fear my intruding upon a subject where I have been already severely -repressed;--but do not add to the severity of repelling my sentiments the -rigour of obliging me to disavow them." - -"I am much embarrassed, Mr. Lovel," replied the young lady, "by your--I -would not willingly use a strong word--your romantic and hopeless -pertinacity. It is for yourself I plead, that you would consider the -calls which your country has upon your talents--that you will not waste, -in an idle and fanciful indulgence of an ill-placed predilection, time, -which, well redeemed by active exertion, should lay the foundation -of future distinction. Let me entreat that you would form a manly -resolution"-- - -"It is enough, Miss Wardour;--I see plainly that"-- - -"Mr. Lovel, you are hurt--and, believe me, I sympathize in the pain -which I inflict; but can I, in justice to myself, in fairness to you, -do otherwise? Without my father's consent, I never will entertain the -addresses of any one, and how totally impossible it is that he should -countenance the partiality with which you honour me, you are yourself -fully aware; and, indeed"-- - -"No, Miss Wardour," answered Lovel, in a tone of passionate entreaty; -"do not go farther--is it not enough to crush every hope in our present -relative situation?--do not carry your resolutions farther--why urge what -would be your conduct if Sir Arthur's objections could be removed?" - -"It is indeed vain, Mr. Lovel," said Miss Wardour, "because their -removal is impossible; and I only wish, as your friend, and as one who -is obliged to you for her own and her father's life, to entreat you to -suppress this unfortunate attachment--to leave a country which affords -no scope for your talents, and to resume the honourable line of the -profession which you seem to have abandoned." - -"Well, Miss Wardour, your wishes shall be obeyed;--have patience with me -one little month, and if, in the course of that space, I cannot show you -such reasons for continuing my residence at Fairport, as even you shall -approve of, I will bid adieu to its vicinity, and, with the same breath, -to all my hopes of happiness." - -"Not so, Mr. Lovel; many years of deserved happiness, founded on a more -rational basis than your present wishes, are, I trust, before, you. -But it is full time, to finish this conversation. I cannot force you to -adopt my advice--I cannot shut the door of my father's house against the -preserver of his life and mine; but the sooner Mr. Lovel can teach his -mind to submit to the inevitable disappointment of wishes which have -been so rashly formed, the more highly he will rise in my esteem--and, in -the meanwhile, for his sake as well as mine, he must excuse my putting -an interdict upon conversation on a subject so painful." - -A servant at this moment announced that Sir Arthur desired to speak to -Mr. Oldbuck in his dressing-room. - -"Let me show you the way," said Miss Wardour, who apparently dreaded -a continuation of her tete-a-tete with Lovel, and she conducted the -Antiquary accordingly to her father's apartment. - -Sir Arthur, his legs swathed in flannel, was stretched on the couch. -"Welcome, Mr. Oldbuck," he said; "I trust you have come better off than -I have done from the inclemency of yesterday evening?" - -"Truly, Sir Arthur, I was not so much exposed to it--I kept terra -firma--you fairly committed yourself to the cold night-air in the most -literal of all senses. But such adventures become a gallant knight -better than a humble esquire,--to rise on the wings of the night-wind--to -dive into the bowels of the earth. What news from our subterranean Good -Hope!--the terra incognita of Glen-Withershins?" - -"Nothing good as yet," said the Baronet, turning himself hastily, as if -stung by a pang of the gout; "but Dousterswivel does not despair." - -"Does he not?" quoth Oldbuck; "I do though, under his favour. Why, old -Dr. H--n* told me, when I was in Edinburgh, that we should never find -copper enough, judging from the specimens I showed him, to make a pair -of sixpenny knee-buckles--and I cannot see that those samples on the -table below differ much in quality." - -* Probably Dr. Hutton, the celebrated geologist. - -"The learned doctor is not infallible, I presume?" - -"No; but he is one of our first chemists; and this tramping philosopher -of yours--this Dousterswivel--is, I have a notion, one, of those learned -adventurers described by Kirchner, Artem habent sine arte, partem sine -parte, quorum medium est mentiri, vita eorum mendicatum ire; that is to -say, Miss Wardour"-- - -"It is unnecessary to translate," said Miss Wardour--"I comprehend your -general meaning; but I hope Mr. Dousterswivel will turn out a more -trustworthy character." - -"I doubt it not a little," said the Antiquary,--"and we are a foul way -out if we cannot discover this infernal vein that he has prophesied -about these two years." - -"You have no great interest in the matter, Mr. Oldbuck," said the -Baronet. - -"Too much, too much, Sir Arthur; and yet, for the sake of my fair foe -here, I would consent to lose it all so you had no more on the venture." - -There was a painful silence of a few moments, for Sir Arthur was too -proud to acknowledge the downfall of his golden dreams, though he could -no longer disguise to himself that such was likely to be the termination -of the adventure. "I understand," he at length said, "that the young -gentleman, to whose gallantry and presence of mind we were so much -indebted last night, has favoured me with a visit--I am distressed that I -am unable to see him, or indeed any one, but an old friend like you, Mr. -Oldbuck." - -A declination of the Antiquary's stiff backbone acknowledged the -preference. - -"You made acquaintance with this young gentleman in Edinburgh, I -suppose?" - -Oldbuck told the circumstances of their becoming known to each other. - -"Why, then, my daughter is an older acquaintance, of Mr. Lovel than you -are," said the Baronet. - -"Indeed! I was not aware of that," answered Oldbuck somewhat surprised. - -"I met Mr. Lovel," said Isabella, slightly colouring, "when I resided -this last spring with my aunt, Mrs. Wilmot." - -"In Yorkshire?--and what character did he bear then, or how was he -engaged?" said Oldbuck,--"and why did not you recognise him when I -introduced you?" - -Isabella answered the least difficult question, and passed over the -other--"He had a commission in the army, and had, I believe, served with -reputation; he was much respected, as an amiable and promising young -man." - -"And pray, such being the case," replied the Antiquary, not disposed -to take one reply in answer to two distinct questions, "why did you not -speak to the lad at once when you met him at my house? I thought you had -less of the paltry pride of womankind about you, Miss Wardour." - -"There was a reason for it," said Sir Arthur with dignity; "you know the -opinions--prejudices, perhaps you will call them--of our house concerning -purity of birth. This young gentleman is, it seems, the illegitimate -son of a man of fortune; my daughter did not choose to renew their -acquaintance till she should know whether I approved of her holding any -intercourse with him." - -"If it had been with his mother instead of himself," answered Oldbuck, -with his usual dry causticity of humour, "I could see an excellent -reason for it. Ah, poor lad! that was the cause, then, that he seemed so -absent and confused while I explained to him the reason of the bend of -bastardy upon the shield yonder under the corner turret!" - -"True," said the Baronet, with complacency--"it is the shield of Malcolm -the Usurper, as he is called. The tower which he built is termed, after -him, Malcolm's Tower, but more frequently Misticot's Tower, which I -conceive to be a corruption for Misbegot. He is denominated, in the -Latin pedigree of our family, Milcolumbus Nothus; and his temporary -seizure of our property, and most unjust attempt to establish his own -illegitimate line in the estate of Knockwinnock, gave rise to such -family feuds and misfortunes, as strongly to found us in that horror and -antipathy to defiled blood and illegitimacy which has been handed down -to me from my respected ancestry." - -"I know the story," said Oldbuck, "and I was telling it to Lovel this -moment, with some of the wise maxims and consequences which it has -engrafted on your family politics. Poor fellow! he must have been much -hurt: I took the wavering of his attention for negligence, and was -something piqued at it, and it proves to be only an excess of feeling. -I hope, Sir Arthur, you will not think the less of your life because it -has been preserved by such assistance?" - -"Nor the less of my assistant either," said the Baronet; "my doors and -table shall be equally open to him as if he had descended of the most -unblemished lineage." - -"Come, I am glad of that--he'll know where he can get a dinner, then, if -he wants one. But what views can he have in this neighbourhood? I must -catechise him; and if I find he wants it--or, indeed, whether he does or -not--he shall have my best advice." As the Antiquary made this liberal -promise, he took his leave of Miss Wardour and her father, eager to -commence operations upon Mr. Lovel. He informed him abruptly that Miss -Wardour sent her compliments, and remained in attendance on her father, -and then, taking him by the arm, he led him out of the castle. - -Knockwinnock still preserved much of the external attributes of a -baronial castle. It had its drawbridge, though now never drawn up, and -its dry moat, the sides of which had been planted with shrubs, chiefly -of the evergreen tribes. Above these rose the old building, partly from -a foundation of red rock scarped down to the sea-beach, and partly from -the steep green verge of the moat. The trees of the avenue have been -already mentioned, and many others rose around of large size,--as if to -confute the prejudice that timber cannot be raised near to the ocean. -Our walkers paused, and looked back upon the castle, as they attained -the height of a small knoll, over which lay their homeward road; for it -is to be supposed they did not tempt the risk of the tide by returning -along the sands. The building flung its broad shadow upon the tufted -foliage of the shrubs beneath it, while the front windows sparkled in -the sun. They were viewed by the gazers with very different feelings. -Lovel, with the fond eagerness of that passion which derives its food -and nourishment from trifles, as the chameleon is said to live on the -air, or upon the invisible insects which it contains, endeavoured to -conjecture which of the numerous windows belonged to the apartment now -graced by Miss Wardour's presence. The speculations of the Antiquary -were of a more melancholy cast, and were partly indicated by the -ejaculation of cito peritura! as he turned away from the prospect. -Lovel, roused from his reverie, looked at him as if to inquire the -meaning of an exclamation so ominous. The old man shook his head. "Yes, -my young friend," said he, "I doubt greatly--and it wrings my heart to -say it--this ancient family is going fast to the ground!" - -"Indeed!" answered Lovel--"you surprise me greatly." - -"We harden ourselves in vain," continued the Antiquary, pursuing his own -train of thought and feeling--"we harden ourselves in vain to treat with -the indifference they deserve, the changes of this trumpery whirligig -world. We strive ineffectually to be the self-sufficing invulnerable -being, the teres atque rotundus of the poet;--the stoical exemption which -philosophy affects to give us over the pains and vexations of human -life, is as imaginary as the state of mystical quietism and perfection -aimed at by some crazy enthusiasts." - -"And Heaven forbid that it should be otherwise!" said Lovel, -warmly--"Heaven forbid that any process of philosophy were capable so -to sear and indurate our feelings, that nothing should agitate them but -what arose instantly and immediately out of our own selfish interests! -I would as soon wish my hand to be as callous as horn, that it might -escape an occasional cut or scratch, as I would be ambitious of the -stoicism which should render my heart like a piece of the nether -millstone." - -The Antiquary regarded his youthful companion with a look half of pity, -half of sympathy, and shrugged up his shoulders as he replied--"Wait, -young man--wait till your bark has been battered by the storm of sixty -years of mortal vicissitude: you will learn by that time, to reef your -sails, that she may obey the helm;--or, in the language of this world, -you will find distresses enough, endured and to endure, to keep your -feelings and sympathies in full exercise, without concerning yourself -more in the fate of others than you cannot possibly avoid." - -"Well, Mr. Oldbuck, it may be so;--but as yet I resemble you more in your -practice than in your theory, for I cannot help being deeply interested -in the fate of the family we have just left." - -"And well you may," replied Oldbuck. "Sir Arthur's embarrassments have -of late become so many and so pressing, that I am surprised you have not -heard of them. And then his absurd and expensive operations carried on -by this High-German landlouper, Dousterswivel"-- - -"I think I have seen that person, when, by some rare chance, I -happened to be in the coffee-room at Fairport;--a tall, beetle-browed, -awkward-built man, who entered upon scientific subjects, as it appeared -to my ignorance at least, with more assurance than knowledge--was very -arbitrary in laying down and asserting his opinions, and mixed the terms -of science with a strange jargon of mysticism. A simple youth whispered -me that he was an Illumine', and carried on an intercourse with the -invisible world." - -"O, the same--the same. He has enough of practical knowledge to speak -scholarly and wisely to those of whose intelligence he stands in awe; -and, to say the truth, this faculty, joined to his matchless impudence, -imposed upon me for some time when I first knew him. But I have since -understood, that when he is among fools and womankind, he exhibits -himself as a perfect charlatan--talks of the magisterium--of sympathies -and antipathies--of the cabala--of the divining-rod--and all the trumpery -with which the Rosicrucians cheated a darker age, and which, to our -eternal disgrace, has in some degree revived in our own. My friend -Heavysterne knew this fellow abroad, and unintentionally (for he, you -must know, is, God bless the mark! a sort of believer) let me into a -good deal of his real character. Ah! were I caliph for a day, as Honest -Abon Hassan wished to be, I would scourge me these jugglers out of the -commonwealth with rods of scorpions. They debauch the spirit of the -ignorant and credulous with mystical trash, as effectually as if they -had besotted their brains with gin, and then pick their pockets with the -same facility. And now has this strolling blackguard and mountebank put -the finishing blow to the ruin of an ancient and honourable family!" - -"But how could he impose upon Sir Arthur to any ruinous extent?" - -"Why, I don't know. Sir Arthur is a good honourable gentleman; but, as -you may see from his loose ideas concerning the Pikish language, he is -by no means very strong in the understanding. His estate is strictly -entailed, and he has been always an embarrassed man. This rapparee -promised him mountains of wealth, and an English company was found -to advance large sums of money--I fear on Sir Arthur's guarantee. Some -gentlemen--I was ass enough to be one--took small shares in the concern, -and Sir Arthur himself made great outlay; we were trained on by specious -appearances and more specious lies; and now, like John Bunyan, we awake, -and behold it is a dream!" - -"I am surprised that you, Mr. Oldbuck, should have encouraged Sir Arthur -by your example." - -"Why," said Oldbuck, dropping his large grizzled eyebrow, "I am -something surprised and ashamed at it myself; it was not the lucre of -gain--nobody cares less for money (to be a prudent man) than I do--but I -thought I might risk this small sum. It will be expected (though I am -sure I cannot see why) that I should give something to any one who -will be kind enough to rid me of that slip of womankind, my niece, Mary -M'Intyre; and perhaps it may be thought I should do something to get -that jackanapes, her brother, on in the army. In either case, to treble -my venture, would have helped me out. And besides, I had some idea that -the Phoenicians had in former times wrought copper in that very spot. -That cunning scoundrel, Dousterswivel, found out my blunt side, and -brought strange tales (d--n him) of appearances of old shafts, and -vestiges of mining operations, conducted in a manner quite different -from those of modern times; and I--in short, I was a fool, and there -is an end. My loss is not much worth speaking about; but Sir Arthur's -engagements are, I understand, very deep, and my heart aches for him and -the poor young lady who must share his distress." - -Here the conversation paused, until renewed in the next CHAPTER. - - - - -CHAPTER FOURTEENTH. - - If I may trust the flattering eye of sleep, - My dreams presage some joyful news at hand: - My bosom's lord sits lightly on his throne, - And all this day, an unaccustomed spirit - Lifts me above the ground with cheerful thoughts. - Romeo and Juliet. - -The account of Sir Arthur's unhappy adventure had led Oldbuck somewhat -aside from his purpose of catechising Lovel concerning the cause of -his residence at Fairport. He was now, however, resolved to open the -subject. "Miss Wardour was formerly known to you, she tells me, Mr. -Lovel?" - -"He had had the pleasure," Lovel answered, "to see her at Mrs. Wilmot's, -in Yorkshire." - -"Indeed! you never mentioned that to me before, and you did not accost -her as an old acquaintance." - -"I--I did not know," said Lovel, a good deal embarrassed, "it was the -same lady, till we met; and then it was my duty to wait till she should -recognise me." - -"I am aware of your delicacy: the knight's a punctilious old fool, but -I promise you his daughter is above all nonsensical ceremony and -prejudice. And now, since you have, found a new set of friends here, may -I ask if you intend to leave Fairport as soon as you proposed?" - -"What if I should answer your question by another," replied Lovel, "and -ask you what is your opinion of dreams?" - -"Of dreams, you foolish lad!--why, what should I think of them but as -the deceptions of imagination when reason drops the reins? I know no -difference betwixt them and the hallucinations of madness--the unguided -horses run away with the carriage in both cases, only in the one the -coachman is drunk, and in the other he slumbers. What says our -Marcus Tullius--Si insanorum visis fides non est habenda, cur credatur -somnientium visis, quae multo etiam perturbatiora sunt, non intelligo." - -"Yes, sir; but Cicero also tells us, that as he who passes the whole day -in darting the javelin must sometimes hit the mark, so, amid the cloud -of nightly dreams, some may occur consonant to future events." - -"Ay--that is to say, you have hit the mark in your own sage opinion? -Lord! Lord! how this world is given to folly! Well, I will allow for -once the Oneirocritical science--I will give faith to the exposition of -dreams, and say a Daniel hath arisen to interpret them, if you can -prove to me that that dream of yours has pointed to a prudent line of -conduct." - -"Tell me, then," answered Lovel, "why when I was hesitating whether to -abandon an enterprise, which I have perhaps rashly undertaken, I -should last night dream I saw your ancestor pointing to a motto which -encouraged me to perseverance?--why should I have thought of those words -which I cannot remember to have heard before, which are in a language -unknown to me, and which yet conveyed, when translated, a lesson which I -could so plainly apply to my own circumstances?" - -The Antiquary burst into a fit of laughing. "Excuse me, my young -friend--but it is thus we silly mortals deceive ourselves, and look out -of doors for motives which originate in our own wilful will. I think I -can help out the cause of your vision. You were so abstracted in your -contemplations yesterday after dinner, as to pay little attention to the -discourse between Sir Arthur and me, until we fell upon the controversy -concerning the Piks, which terminated so abruptly;--but I remember -producing to Sir Arthur a book printed by my ancestor, and making -him observe the motto; your mind was bent elsewhere, but your ear had -mechanically received and retained the sounds, and your busy fancy, -stirred by Grizel's legend I presume, had introduced this scrap of -German into your dream. As for the waking wisdom which seized on so -frivolous a circumstance as an apology for persevering in some course -which it could find no better reason to justify, it is exactly one of -those juggling tricks which the sagest of us play off now and then, to -gratify our inclination at the expense of our understanding." - -"I own it," said Lovel, blushing deeply;--"I believe you are right, Mr. -Oldbuck, and I ought to sink in your esteem for attaching a moment's -consequence to such a frivolity;--but I was tossed by contradictory -wishes and resolutions, and you know how slight a line will tow a boat -when afloat on the billows, though a cable would hardly move her when -pulled up on the beach." - -"Right, right," exclaimed the Antiquary. "Fall in my opinion!--not a -whit--I love thee the better, man;--why, we have story for story against -each other, and I can think with less shame on having exposed myself -about that cursed Praetorium--though I am still convinced Agricola's camp -must have been somewhere in this neighbourhood. And now, Lovel, my good -lad, be sincere with me--What make you from Wittenberg?--why have you left -your own country and professional pursuits, for an idle residence in -such a place as Fairport? A truant disposition, I fear." - -"Even so," replied Lovel, patiently submitting to an interrogatory which -he could not well evade. "Yet I am so detached from all the world, have -so few in whom I am interested, or who are interested in me, that my -very state of destitution gives me independence. He whose good or evil -fortune affects himself alone, has the best right to pursue it according -to his own fancy." - -"Pardon me, young man," said Oldbuck, laying his hand kindly on his -shoulder, and making a full halt--"sufflamina--a little patience, if you -please. I will suppose that you have no friends to share or rejoice in -your success in life--that you cannot look back to those to whom you owe -gratitude, or forward to those to whom you ought to afford protection; -but it is no less incumbent on you to move steadily in the path of -duty--for your active exertions are due not only to society, but in -humble gratitude to the Being who made you a member of it, with powers -to serve yourself and others." - -"But I am unconscious of possessing such powers," said Lovel, somewhat -impatiently. "I ask nothing of society but the permission of walking -innoxiously through the path of life, without jostling others, or -permitting myself to be jostled. I owe no man anything--I have the means -of maintaining, myself with complete independence; and so moderate -are my wishes in this respect, that even these means, however limited, -rather exceed than fall short of them." - -"Nay, then," said Oldbuck, removing his hand, and turning again to -the road, "if you are so true a philosopher as to think you have money -enough, there's no more to be said--I cannot pretend to be entitled to -advise you;--you have attained the acme'--the summit of perfection. And -how came Fairport to be the selected abode of so much self-denying -philosophy? It is as if a worshipper of the true religion had set up his -staff by choice among the multifarious idolaters of the land of Egypt. -There is not a man in Fairport who is not a devoted worshipper of the -Golden Calf--the mammon of unrighteousness. Why, even I, man, am so -infected by the bad neighbourhood, that I feel inclined occasionally to -become an idolater myself." - -"My principal amusements being literary," answered Lovel, "and -circumstances which I cannot mention having induced me, for a time at -least, to relinquish the military service, I have pitched on Fairport -as a place where I might follow my pursuits without any of those -temptations to society which a more elegant circle might have presented -to me." - -"Aha!" replied Oldbuck, knowingly,--"I begin to understand your -application of my ancestor's motto. You are a candidate for public -favour, though not in the way I first suspected,--you are ambitious to -shine as a literary character, and you hope to merit favour by labour -and perseverance?" - -Lovel, who was rather closely pressed by the inquisitiveness of the old -gentleman, concluded it would be best to let him remain in the error -which he had gratuitously adopted. - -"I have been at times foolish enough," he replied, "to nourish some -thoughts of the kind." - -"Ah, poor fellow! nothing can be more melancholy; unless, as young -men sometimes do, you had fancied yourself in love with some trumpery -specimen of womankind, which is indeed, as Shakspeare truly says, -pressing to death, whipping, and hanging all at once." - -He then proceeded with inquiries, which he was sometimes kind enough to -answer himself. For this good old gentleman had, from his antiquarian -researches, acquired a delight in building theories out of premises -which were often far from affording sufficient ground for them; and -being, as the reader must have remarked, sufficiently opinionative, -he did not readily brook being corrected, either in matter of fact or -judgment, even by those who were principally interested in the subjects -on which he speculated. He went on, therefore, chalking out Lovel's -literary career for him. - -"And with what do you propose to commence your debut as a man of -letters?--But I guess--poetry--poetry--the soft seducer of youth. Yes! there -is an acknowledging modesty of confusion in your eye and manner. And -where lies your vein?--are you inclined to soar to the higher regions of -Parnassus, or to flutter around the base of the hill?" - -"I have hitherto attempted only a few lyrical pieces," said Lovel. - -"Just as I supposed--pruning your wing, and hopping from spray to spray. -But I trust you intend a bolder flight. Observe, I would by no means -recommend your persevering in this unprofitable pursuit--but you say you -are quite independent of the public caprice?" - -"Entirely so," replied Lovel. - -"And that you are determined not to adopt a more active course of life?" - -"For the present, such is my resolution," replied the young man. - -"Why, then, it only remains for me to give you my best advice and -assistance in the object of your pursuit. I have myself published two -essays in the Antiquarian Repository,--and therefore am an author of -experience, There was my Remarks on Hearne's edition of Robert of -Gloucester, signed Scrutator; and the other signed Indagator, upon a -passage in Tacitus. I might add, what attracted considerable notice at -the time, and that is my paper in the Gentleman's Magazine, upon the -inscription of OElia Lelia, which I subscribed OEdipus. So you see I am -not an apprentice in the mysteries of author-craft, and must necessarily -understand the taste and temper of the times. And now, once more, what -do you intend to commence with?" - -"I have no instant thoughts of publishing." - -"Ah! that will never do; you must have the fear of the public before -your eyes in all your undertakings. Let us see now: A collection of -fugitive pieces; but no--your fugitive poetry is apt to become -stationary with the bookseller. It should be something at once solid and -attractive--none of your romances or anomalous novelties--I would have you -take high ground at once. Let me see: What think you of a real epic?--the -grand old-fashioned historical poem which moved through twelve or -twenty-four books. We'll have it so--I'll supply you with a subject--The -battle between the Caledonians and Romans--The Caledoniad; or, Invasion -Repelled;--let that be the title--it will suit the present taste, and you -may throw in a touch of the times." - -"But the invasion of Agricola was not repelled." - -"No; but you are a poet--free of the corporation, and as little bound -down to truth or probability as Virgil himself--You may defeat the Romans -in spite of Tacitus." - -"And pitch Agricola's camp at the Kaim of--what do you call it," answered -Lovel, "in defiance of Edie Ochiltree?" - -"No more of that, an thou lovest me--And yet, I dare say, ye may -unwittingly speak most correct truth in both instances, in despite of -the toga of the historian and the blue gown of the mendicant." - -"Gallantly counselled!--Well, I will do my best--your kindness will assist -me with local information." - -"Will I not, man?--why, I will write the critical and historical notes on -each canto, and draw out the plan of the story myself. I pretend to some -poetical genius, Mr. Lovel, only I was never able to write verses." - -"It is a pity, sir, that you should have failed in a qualification -somewhat essential to the art." - -"Essential?--not a whit--it is the mere mechanical department. A man may -be a poet without measuring spondees and dactyls like the ancients, or -clashing the ends of lines into rhyme like the moderns, as one may be an -architect though unable to labour like a stone-mason--Dost think Palladio -or Vitruvius ever carried a hod?" - -"In that case, there should be two authors to each poem--one to think and -plan, another to execute." - -"Why, it would not be amiss; at any rate, we'll make the experiment;--not -that I would wish to give my name to the public--assistance from a -learned friend might be acknowledged in the preface after what flourish -your nature will--I am a total stranger to authorial vanity." - -Lovel was much entertained by a declaration not very consistent with -the eagerness wherewith his friend seemed to catch at an opportunity -of coming before the public, though in a manner which rather resembled -stepping up behind a carriage than getting into one. The Antiquary was -indeed uncommonly delighted; for, like many other men who spend their -lives in obscure literary research, he had a secret ambition to -appear in print, which was checked by cold fits of diffidence, fear of -criticism, and habits of indolence and procrastination. "But," thought -he, "I may, like a second Teucer, discharge my shafts from behind -the shield of my ally; and, admit that he should not prove to be a -first-rate poet, I am in no shape answerable for his deficiencies, and -the good notes may very probably help off an indifferent text. But he -is--he must be a good poet; he has the real Parnassian abstraction--seldom -answers a question till it is twice repeated--drinks his tea scalding, -and eats without knowing what he is putting into his mouth. This is -the real aestus, the awen of the Welsh bards, the divinus afflatus that -transports the poet beyond the limits of sublunary things. His visions, -too, are very symptomatical of poetic fury--I must recollect to send -Caxon to see he puts out his candle to-night--poets and visionaries are -apt to be negligent in that respect." Then, turning to his companion, he -expressed himself aloud in continuation-- - -"Yes, my dear Lovel, you shall have full notes; and, indeed, think -we may introduce the whole of the Essay on Castrametation into the -appendix--it will give great value to the work. Then we will revive the -good old forms so disgracefully neglected in modern times. You shall -invoke the Muse--and certainly she ought to be propitious to an author -who, in an apostatizing age, adheres with the faith of Abdiel to the -ancient form of adoration.--Then we must have a vision--in which the -Genius of Caledonia shall appear to Galgacus, and show him a procession -of the real Scottish monarchs:--and in the notes I will have a hit at -Boethius--No; I must not touch that topic, now that Sir Arthur is likely -to have vexation enough besides--but I'll annihilate Ossian, Macpherson, -and Mac-Cribb." - -"But we must consider the expense of publication," said Lovel, willing -to try whether this hint would fall like cold water on the blazing zeal -of his self-elected coadjutor. - -"Expense!" said Mr. Oldbuck, pausing, and mechanically fumbling in his -pocket--"that is true;--I would wish to do something--but you would not -like to publish by subscription?" - -"By no means," answered Lovel. - -"No, no!" gladly acquiesced the Antiquary--"it is not respectable. I'll -tell you what: I believe I know a bookseller who has a value for my -opinion, and will risk print and paper, and I will get as many copies -sold for you as I can." - -"O, I am no mercenary author," answered Lovel, smiling; "I only wish to -be out of risk of loss." - -"Hush! hush! we'll take care of that--throw it all on the publishers. -I do long to see your labours commenced. You will choose blank verse, -doubtless?--it is more grand and magnificent for an historical subject; -and, what concerneth you, my friend, it is, I have an idea, more easily -written." - -This conversation brought them to Monkbarns, where the Antiquary had -to undergo a chiding from his sister, who, though no philosopher, -was waiting to deliver a lecture to him in the portico. "Guide us, -Monkbarns! are things no dear eneugh already, but ye maun be raising the -very fish on us, by giving that randy, Luckie Mucklebackit, just what -she likes to ask?" - -"Why, Grizel," said the sage, somewhat abashed at this unexpected -attack, "I thought I made a very fair bargain." - -"A fair bargain! when ye gied the limmer a full half o' what she -seekit!--An ye will be a wife-carle, and buy fish at your ain hands, ye -suld never bid muckle mair than a quarter. And the impudent quean had -the assurance to come up and seek a dram--But I trow, Jenny and I sorted -her!" - -"Truly," said Oldbuck (with a sly look to his companion), "I think -our estate was gracious that kept us out of hearing of that -controversy.--Well, well, Grizel, I was wrong for once in my life ultra -crepidam--I fairly admit. But hang expenses!--care killed a cat--we'll eat -the fish, cost what it will.--And then, Lovel, you must know I pressed -you to stay here to-day, the rather because our cheer will be better -than usual, yesterday having been a gaude' day--I love the reversion of -a feast better than the feast itself. I delight in the analecta, the -collectanea, as I may call them, of the preceding day's dinner, which -appear on such occasions--And see, there is Jenny going to ring the -dinner-bell." - - - - -CHAPTER FIFTEENTH. - - Be this letter delivered with haste--haste--post-haste! - Ride, villain, ride,--for thy life--for thy life--for thy life. - Ancient Indorsation of Letters of Importance. - -Leaving Mr. Oldbuck and his friend to enjoy their hard bargain of -fish, we beg leave to transport the reader to the back-parlour of -the post-master's house at Fairport, where his wife, he himself being -absent, was employed in assorting for delivery the letters which had -come by the Edinburgh post. This is very often in country towns the -period of the day when gossips find it particularly agreeable to call on -the man or woman of letters, in order, from the outside of the epistles, -and, if they are not belied, occasionally from the inside also, to amuse -themselves with gleaning information, or forming conjectures about the -correspondence and affairs of their neighbours. Two females of this -description were, at the time we mention, assisting, or impeding, Mrs. -Mailsetter in her official duty. - -"Eh, preserve us, sirs!" said the butcher's wife, "there's ten-- -eleven--twall letters to Tennant and Co.--thae folk do mair business than -a' the rest o' the burgh." - -"Ay; but see, lass," answered the baker's lady, "there's twa o' them -faulded unco square, and sealed at the tae side--I doubt there will be -protested bills in them." - -"Is there ony letters come yet for Jenny Caxon?" inquired the woman of -joints and giblets; "the lieutenant's been awa three weeks." - -"Just ane on Tuesday was a week," answered the dame of letters. - -"Wast a ship-letter?" asked the Fornerina. - -"In troth wast." - -"It wad be frae the lieutenant then," replied the mistress of the -rolls, somewhat disappointed--"I never thought he wad hae lookit ower his -shouther after her." - -"Od, here's another," quoth Mrs. Mailsetter. "A ship-letter--post-mark, -Sunderland." All rushed to seize it.--"Na, na, leddies," said Mrs. -Mailsetter, interfering; "I hae had eneugh o' that wark--Ken ye that Mr. -Mailsetter got an unco rebuke frae the secretary at Edinburgh, for -a complaint that was made about the letter of Aily Bisset's that ye -opened, Mrs. Shortcake?" - -"Me opened!" answered the spouse of the chief baker of Fairport; "ye ken -yoursell, madam, it just cam open o' free will in my hand--what could I -help it?--folk suld seal wi' better wax." - -"Weel I wot that's true, too," said Mrs. Mailsetter, who kept a shop of -small wares, "and we have got some that I can honestly recommend, if ye -ken onybody wanting it. But the short and the lang o't is, that we'll -lose the place gin there's ony mair complaints o' the kind." - -"Hout, lass--the provost will take care o' that." - -"Na, na, I'll neither trust to provost nor bailier" said the -postmistress,--"but I wad aye be obliging and neighbourly, and I'm no -again your looking at the outside of a letter neither--See, the seal has -an anchor on't--he's done't wi' ane o' his buttons, I'm thinking." - -"Show me! show me!" quoth the wives of the chief butcher and chief -baker; and threw themselves on the supposed love-letter, like the weird -sisters in Macbeth upon the pilot's thumb, with curiosity as eager and -scarcely less malignant. Mrs. Heukbane was a tall woman--she held the -precious epistle up between her eyes and the window. Mrs. Shortcake, a -little squat personage, strained and stood on tiptoe to have her share -of the investigation. - -"Ay, it's frae him, sure eneugh," said the butcher's lady;--"I can read -Richard Taffril on the corner, and it's written, like John Thomson's -wallet, frae end to end." - -"Haud it lower down, madam," exclaimed Mrs. Shortcake, in a tone above -the prudential whisper which their occupation required--"haud it lower -down--Div ye think naebody can read hand o' writ but yoursell?" - -"Whist, whist, sirs, for God's sake!" said Mrs. Mailsetter, "there's -somebody in the shop,"--then aloud--"Look to the customers, Baby!"--Baby -answered from without in a shrill tone--"It's naebody but Jenny Caxon, -ma'am, to see if there's ony letters to her." - -"Tell her," said the faithful postmistress, winking to her compeers, "to -come back the morn at ten o'clock, and I'll let her ken--we havena had -time to sort the mail letters yet--she's aye in sic a hurry, as if her -letters were o' mair consequence than the best merchant's o' the town." - -Poor Jenny, a girl of uncommon beauty and modesty, could only draw her -cloak about her to hide the sigh of disappointment and return meekly -home to endure for another night the sickness of the heart occasioned by -hope delayed. - -"There's something about a needle and a pole," said Mrs. Shortcake, to -whom her taller rival in gossiping had at length yielded a peep at the -subject of their curiosity. - -"Now, that's downright shamefu'," said Mrs. Heukbane, "to scorn the poor -silly gait of a lassie after he's keepit company wi' her sae lang, and -had his will o' her, as I make nae doubt he has." - -"It's but ower muckle to be doubted," echoed Mrs. Shortcake;--"to cast up -to her that her father's a barber and has a pole at his door, and that -she's but a manty-maker hersell! Hout fy for shame!" - -"Hout tout, leddies," cried Mrs. Mailsetter, "ye're clean wrang--It's a -line out o' ane o' his sailors' sangs that I have heard him sing, about -being true like the needle to the pole." - -"Weel, weel, I wish it may be sae," said the charitable Dame -Heukbane,--"but it disna look weel for a lassie like her to keep up a -correspondence wi' ane o' the king's officers." - -"I'm no denying that," said Mrs. Mailsetter; "but it's a great advantage -to the revenue of the post-office thae love-letters. See, here's five or -six letters to Sir Arthur Wardour--maist o' them sealed wi' wafers, and -no wi' wax. There will be a downcome, there, believe me." - -"Ay; they will be business letters, and no frae ony o' his grand -friends, that seals wi' their coats of arms, as they ca' them," said -Mrs. Heukbane;--"pride will hae a fa'--he hasna settled his account wi' my -gudeman, the deacon, for this twalmonth--he's but slink, I doubt." - -"Nor wi' huz for sax months," echoed Mrs. Shortcake--"He's but a brunt -crust." - -"There's a letter," interrupted the trusty postmistress, "from his -son, the captain, I'm thinking--the seal has the same things wi' the -Knockwinnock carriage. He'll be coming hame to see what he can save out -o' the fire." - -The baronet thus dismissed, they took up the esquire--"Twa letters for -Monkbarns--they're frae some o' his learned friends now; see sae close as -they're written, down to the very seal--and a' to save sending a double -letter--that's just like Monkbarns himsell. When he gets a frank he fills -it up exact to the weight of an unce, that a carvy-seed would sink the -scale--but he's neer a grain abune it. Weel I wot I wad be broken if -I were to gie sic weight to the folk that come to buy our pepper and -brimstone, and suchlike sweetmeats." - -"He's a shabby body the laird o' Monkbarns," said Mrs. Heukbane; "he'll -make as muckle about buying a forequarter o' lamb in August as about a -back sey o' beef. Let's taste another drop of the sinning" (perhaps she -meant cinnamon) "waters, Mrs. Mailsetter, my dear. Ah, lasses! an ye -had kend his brother as I did--mony a time he wad slip in to see me wi' a -brace o' wild deukes in his pouch, when my first gudeman was awa at the -Falkirk tryst--weel, weel--we'se no speak o' that e'enow." - -"I winna say ony ill o'this Monkbarns," said Mrs. Shortcake; "his -brother neer brought me ony wild-deukes, and this is a douce honest man; -we serve the family wi' bread, and he settles wi' huz ilka week--only -he was in an unco kippage when we sent him a book instead o' the -nick-sticks,* whilk, he said, were the true ancient way o' counting -between tradesmen and customers; and sae they are, nae doubt." - -* Note E. Nick-sticks. - -"But look here, lasses," interrupted Mrs. Mailsetter, "here's a sight -for sair e'en! What wad ye gie to ken what's in the inside o' this -letter? This is new corn--I haena seen the like o' this--For William -Lovel, Esquire, at Mrs. Hadoway's, High Street, Fairport, by Edinburgh, -N. B. This is just the second letter he has had since he was here." - -"Lord's sake, let's see, lass!--Lord's sake, let's see!--that's him that -the hale town kens naething about--and a weel-fa'ard lad he is; let's -see, let's see!" Thus ejaculated the two worthy representatives of -mother Eve. - -"Na, na, sirs," exclaimed Mrs. Mailsetter; "haud awa--bide aff, I tell -you; this is nane o' your fourpenny cuts that we might make up the -value to the post-office amang ourselves if ony mischance befell it;--the -postage is five-and-twenty shillings--and here's an order frae the -Secretary to forward it to the young gentleman by express, if he's no at -hame. Na, na, sirs, bide aff;--this maunna be roughly guided." - -"But just let's look at the outside o't, woman." - -Nothing could be gathered from the outside, except remarks on the -various properties which philosophers ascribe to matter,--length, -breadth, depth, and weight, The packet was composed of strong thick -paper, imperviable by the curious eyes of the gossips, though they -stared as if they would burst from their sockets. The seal was a deep -and well-cut impression of arms, which defied all tampering. - -"Od, lass," said Mrs. Shortcake, weighing it in her hand, and wishing, -doubtless, that the too, too solid wax would melt and dissolve itself, -"I wad like to ken what's in the inside o' this, for that Lovel dings a' -that ever set foot on the plainstanes o' Fairport--naebody kens what to -make o' him." - -[Illustration: Mrs. Heukbane and Mrs. Shortcake] - -"Weel, weel, leddies," said the postmistress, "we'se sit down and crack -about it.--Baby, bring ben the tea-water--Muckle obliged to ye for your -cookies, Mrs. Shortcake--and we'll steek the shop, and cry ben Baby, and -take a hand at the cartes till the gudeman comes hame--and then we'll -try your braw veal sweetbread that ye were so kind as send me, Mrs. -Heukbane." - -"But winna ye first send awa Mr. Lovel's letter?" said Mrs. Heukbane. - -"Troth I kenna wha to send wi't till the gudeman comes hame, for auld -Caxon tell'd me that Mr. Lovel stays a' the day at Monkbarns--he's in a -high fever, wi' pu'ing the laird and Sir Arthur out o' the sea." - -"Silly auld doited carles!" said Mrs. Shortcake; "what gar'd them gang -to the douking in a night like yestreen!" - -"I was gi'en to understand it was auld Edie that saved them," said Mrs. -Heukbane--"Edie Ochiltree, the Blue-Gown, ye ken; and that he pu'd the -hale three out of the auld fish-pound, for Monkbarns had threepit on -them to gang in till't to see the wark o' the monks lang syne." - -"Hout, lass, nonsense!" answered the postmistress; "I'll tell ye, a' -about it, as Caxon tell'd it to me. Ye see, Sir Arthur and Miss Wardour, -and Mr. Lovel, suld hae dined at Monkbarns"-- - -"But, Mrs. Mailsetter," again interrupted Mrs. Heukbane, "will ye no -be for sending awa this letter by express?--there's our powny and our -callant hae gane express for the office or now, and the powny hasna gane -abune thirty mile the day;--Jock was sorting him up as I came ower by." - -"Why, Mrs. Heukbane," said the woman of letters, pursing up her mouth, -"ye ken my gudeman likes to ride the expresses himsell--we maun gie our -ain fish-guts to our ain sea-maws--it's a red half-guinea to him every -time he munts his mear; and I dare say he'll be in sune--or I dare to -say, it's the same thing whether the gentleman gets the express this -night or early next morning." - -"Only that Mr. Lovel will be in town before the express gaes aff," said -Mrs. Heukbane; "and where are ye then, lass? But ye ken yere ain ways -best." - -"Weel, weel, Mrs. Heukbane," answered Mrs. Mailsetter, a little out of -humour, and even out of countenance, "I am sure I am never against being -neighbour-like, and living and letting live, as they say; and since I -hae been sic a fule as to show you the post-office order--ou, nae doubt, -it maun be obeyed. But I'll no need your callant, mony thanks to -ye--I'll send little Davie on your powny, and that will be just -five-and-threepence to ilka ane o' us, ye ken." - -"Davie! the Lord help ye, the bairn's no ten year auld; and, to be plain -wi' ye, our powny reists a bit, and it's dooms sweer to the road, and -naebody can manage him but our Jock." - -"I'm sorry for that," answered the postmistress, gravely; "it's like we -maun wait then till the gudeman comes hame, after a'--for I wadna like to -be responsible in trusting the letter to sic a callant as Jock--our Davie -belangs in a manner to the office." - -"Aweel, aweel, Mrs. Mailsetter, I see what ye wad be at--but an ye like -to risk the bairn, I'll risk the beast." - -Orders were accordingly given. The unwilling pony was brought out of his -bed of straw, and again equipped for service--Davie (a leathern post-bag -strapped across his shoulders) was perched upon the saddle, with a tear -in his eye, and a switch in his hand. Jock good-naturedly led the animal -out of town, and, by the crack of his whip, and the whoop and halloo -of his too well-known voice, compelled it to take the road towards -Monkbarns. - -Meanwhile the gossips, like the sibyls after consulting their leaves, -arranged and combined the information of the evening, which flew next -morning through a hundred channels, and in a hundred varieties, through -the world of Fairport. Many, strange, and inconsistent, were the rumours -to which their communications and conjectures gave rise. Some said -Tennant and Co. were broken, and that all their bills had come back -protested--others that they had got a great contract from Government, and -letters from the principal merchants at Glasgow, desiring to have -shares upon a premium. One report stated, that Lieutenant Taffril had -acknowledged a private marriage with Jenny Caxon--another, that he had -sent her a letter upbraiding her with the lowness of her birth and -education, and bidding her an eternal adieu. It was generally rumoured -that Sir Arthur Wardour's affairs had fallen into irretrievable -confusion, and this report was only doubted by the wise, because it -was traced to Mrs. Mailsetter's shop,--a source more famous for the -circulation of news than for their accuracy. But all agreed that a -packet from the Secretary of State's office, had arrived, directed -for Mr. Lovel, and that it had been forwarded by an orderly dragoon, -despatched from the head-quarters at Edinburgh, who had galloped through -Fairport without stopping, except just to inquire the way to Monkbarns. -The reason of such an extraordinary mission to a very peaceful and -retired individual, was variously explained. Some said Lovel was an -emigrant noble, summoned to head an insurrection that had broken out -in La Vende'e--others that he was a spy--others that he was a general -officer, who was visiting the coast privately--others that he was a -prince of the blood, who was travelling incognito. - -Meanwhile the progress of the packet which occasioned so much -speculation, towards its destined owner at Monkbarns, had been perilous -and interrupted. The bearer, Davie Mailsetter, as little resembling -a bold dragoon as could well be imagined, was carried onwards towards -Monkbarns by the pony, so long as the animal had in his recollection -the crack of his usual instrument of chastisement, and the shout of the -butcher's boy. But feeling how Davie, whose short legs were unequal to -maintain his balance, swung to and fro upon his back, the pony began to -disdain furthur compliance with the intimations he had received. First, -then, he slackened his pace to a walk This was no point of quarrel -between him and his rider, who had been considerably discomposed by the -rapidity of his former motion, and who now took the opportunity of his -abated pace to gnaw a piece of gingerbread, which had been thrust into -his hand by his mother in order to reconcile this youthful emissary of -the post-office to the discharge of his duty. By and by, the crafty pony -availed himself of this surcease of discipline to twitch the rein out of -Davies hands, and applied himself to browse on the grass by the side of -the lane. Sorely astounded by these symptoms of self-willed rebellion, -and afraid alike to sit or to fall, poor Davie lifted up his voice -and wept aloud. The pony, hearing this pudder over his head, began -apparently to think it would be best both for himself and Davie to -return from whence they came, and accordingly commenced a retrograde -movement towards Fairport. But, as all retreats are apt to end in utter -rout, so the steed, alarmed by the boy's cries, and by the flapping of -the reins, which dangled about his forefeet--finding also his nose turned -homeward, began to set off at a rate which, if Davie kept the saddle (a -matter extremely dubious), would soon have presented him at Heukbane's -stable-door,--when, at a turn of the road, an intervening auxiliary, in -the shape of old Edie Ochiltree, caught hold of the rein, and stopped -his farther proceeding. "Wha's aught ye, callant? whaten a gate's that -to ride?" - -"I canna help it!" blubbered the express; "they ca' me little Davie." - -"And where are ye gaun?" - -"I'm gaun to Monkbarns wi' a letter." - -"Stirra, this is no the road to Monkbarns." - -But Davie could oinly answer the expostulation with sighs and tears. - -Old Edie was easily moved to compassion where childhood was in the -case.--"I wasna gaun that gate," he thought, "but it's the best o' my -way o' life that I canna be weel out o' my road. They'll gie me quarters -at Monkbarns readily eneugh, and I'll e'en hirple awa there wi' the -wean, for it will knock its hams out, puir thing, if there's no somebody -to guide the pony.--Sae ye hae a letter, hinney? will ye let me see't?" - -"I'm no gaun to let naebody see the letter," sobbed the boy, "till I -gie't to Mr. Lovel, for I am a faithfu' servant o' the office--if it -werena for the powny." - -"Very right, my little man," said Ochiltree, turning the reluctant -pony's head towards Monkbarns; "but we'll guide him atween us, if he's -no a' the sweerer." - -Upon the very height of Kinprunes, to which Monkbarns had invited Lovel -after their dinner, the Antiquary, again reconciled to the once degraded -spot, was expatiating upon the topics the scenery afforded for a -description of Agricola's camp at the dawn of morning, when his eye was -caught by the appearance of the mendicant and his protegee. "What the -devil!--here comes Old Edie, bag and baggage, I think." - -The beggar explained his errand, and Davie, who insisted upon a -literal execution of his commission by going on to Monkbarns, was with -difficulty prevailed upon to surrender the packet to its proper owner, -although he met him a mile nearer than the place he had been directed -to. "But my minnie said, I maun be sure to get twenty shillings and -five shillings for the postage, and ten shillings and sixpence for the -express--there's the paper." - -"Let me see--let me see," said Oldbuck, putting on his spectacles, and -examining the crumpled copy of regulations to which Davie appealed. -"Express, per man and horse, one day, not to exceed ten shillings and -sixpence. One day? why, it's not an hour--Man and horse? why, 'tis a -monkey on a starved cat!" - -"Father wad hae come himsell," said Davie, "on the muckle red mear, an -ye wad hae bidden till the morn's night." - -"Four-and-twenty hours after the regular date of delivery! You little -cockatrice egg, do you understand the art of imposition so early?" - -"Hout Monkbarns! dinna set your wit against a bairn," said the beggar; -"mind the butcher risked his beast, and the wife her wean, and I am sure -ten and sixpence isna ower muckle. Ye didna gang sae near wi' Johnnie -Howie, when"-- - -Lovel, who, sitting on the supposed Praetorium, had glanced over the -contents of the packet, now put an end to the altercation by paying -Davies demand; and then turning to Mr. Oldbuck, with a look of much -agitation, he excused himself from returning with him to Monkbarns' that -evening.--"I must instantly go to Fairport, and perhaps leave it on a -moment's notice;--your kindness, Mr. Oldbuck, I can never forget." - -"No bad news, I hope?" said the Antiquary. - -"Of a very chequered complexion," answered his friend. "Farewell--in good -or bad fortune I will not forget your regard." - -"Nay, nay--stop a moment. If--if--" (making an effort)--"if there be any -pecuniary inconvenience--I have fifty--or a hundred guineas at your -service--till--till Whitsunday--or indeed as long as you please." - -"I am much obliged, Mr. Oldbuck, but I am amply provided," said his -mysterious young friend. "Excuse me--I really cannot sustain further -conversation at present. I will write or see you, before I leave -Fairport--that is, if I find myself obliged to go." - -So saying, he shook the Antiquary's hand warmly, turned from him, and -walked rapidly towards the town, "staying no longer question." - -"Very extraordinary indeed!" said Oldbuck;--"but there's something about -this lad I can never fathom; and yet I cannot for my heart think ill of -him neither. I must go home and take off the fire in the Green Room, for -none of my womankind will venture into it after twilight." - -"And how am I to win hame?" blubbered the disconsolate express. - -"It's a fine night," said the Blue-Gown, looking up to the skies; "I had -as gude gang back to the town, and take care o' the wean." - -"Do so, do so, Edie;" and rummaging for some time in his huge waistcoat -pocket till he found the object of his search, the Antiquary added, -"there's sixpence to ye to buy sneeshin." - - - - -CHAPTER SIXTEENTH. - - "I am bewitched with the rogue's company. If the rascal has not - given me medicines to make me love him, I'll be hanged; it could - not be else. I have drunk medicines." - Second Part of Henry IV. - -Regular for a fortnight were the inquiries of the Antiquary at the -veteran Caxon, whether he had heard what Mr. Lovel was about; and as -regular were Caxon's answers, "that the town could learn naething about -him whatever, except that he had received anither muckle letter or twa -frae the south, and that he was never seen on the plainstanes at a'." - -"How does he live, Caxon?" - -"Ou, Mrs. Hadoway just dresses him a beefsteak or a muttonchop, or makes -him some Friar's chicken, or just what she likes hersell, and he eats it -in the little red parlour off his bedroom. She canna get him to say -that he likes ae thing better than anither; and she makes him tea in a -morning, and he settles honourably wi' her every week." - -"But does he never stir abroad?" - -"He has clean gi'en up walking, and he sits a' day in his room reading -or writing; a hantle letters he has written, but he wadna put them into -our post-house, though Mrs. Hadoway offered to carry them hersell, but -sent them a' under ae cover to the sheriff; and it's Mrs. Mailsetter's -belief, that the sheriff sent his groom to put them into the post-office -at Tannonburgh; it's my puir thought, that he jaloused their looking -into his letters at Fairport; and weel had he need, for my puir daughter -Jenny"-- - -"Tut, don't plague me with your womankind, Caxon. About this poor young -lad.--Does he write nothing but letters?" - -"Ou, ay--hale sheets o' other things, Mrs. Hadoway says. She wishes -muckle he could be gotten to take a walk; she thinks he's but looking -very puirly, and his appetite's clean gane; but he'll no hear o' ganging -ower the door-stane--him that used to walk sae muckle too." - -"That's wrong--I have a guess what he's busy about; but he must not -work too hard neither. I'll go and see him this very day--he's deep, -doubtless, in the Caledoniad." - -Having formed this manful resolution, Mr. Oldbuck equipped himself -for the expedition with his thick walking-shoes and gold-headed cane, -muttering the while the words of Falstaff which we have chosen for the -motto of this CHAPTER; for the Antiquary was himself rather surprised -at the degree of attachment which he could not but acknowledge be -entertained for this stranger. The riddle was notwithstanding easily -solved. Lovel had many attractive qualities, but he won our Antiquary's -heart by being on most occasions an excellent listener. - -A walk to Fairport had become somewhat of an adventure with Mr. Oldbuck, -and one which he did not often care to undertake. He hated greetings in -the market-place; and there were generally loiterers in the streets to -persecute him, either about the news of the day, or about some petty -pieces of business. So, on this occasion, he had no sooner entered the -streets of Fairport, than it was "Good-morrow, Mr. Oldbuck--a sight o' -you's gude, for sair een: what d'ye think of the news in the Sun the -day?--they say the great attempt will be made in a fortnight." - -"I wish to the Lord it were made and over, that I might hear no more -about it." - -"Monkbarns, your honour," said the nursery and seedsman, "I hope the -plants gied satisfaction?--and if ye wanted ony flower-roots fresh frae -Holland, or" (this in a lower key) "an anker or twa o' Cologne gin, ane -o' our brigs cam in yestreen." - -"Thank ye, thank ye,--no occasion at present, Mr. Crabtree," said the -Antiquary, pushing resolutely onward. - -"Mr. Oldbuck," said the town-clerk (a more important person, who came -in front and ventured to stop the old gentleman), "the provost, -understanding you were in town, begs on no account that you'll quit it -without seeing him; he wants to speak to ye about bringing the water -frae the Fairwell-spring through a part o' your lands." - -"What the deuce!--have they nobody's land but mine to cut and carve on?--I -won't consent, tell them." - -"And the provost," said the clerk, going on, without noticing the -rebuff, "and the council, wad be agreeable that you should hae the auld -stones at Donagild's chapel, that ye was wussing to hae." - -"Eh!--what?--Oho! that's another story--Well, well, I'll call upon the -provost, and we'll talk about it." - -"But ye maun speak your mind on't forthwith, Monkbarns, if ye want the -stones; for Deacon Harlewalls thinks the carved through-stanes might be -put with advantage on the front of the new council-house--that is, the -twa cross-legged figures that the callants used to ca' Robin and Bobbin, -ane on ilka door-cheek; and the other stane, that they ca'd Ailie -Dailie, abune the door. It will be very tastefu', the Deacon says, and -just in the style of modern Gothic." - -"Lord deliver me from this Gothic generation!" exclaimed the -Antiquary,--"A monument of a knight-templar on each side of a Grecian -porch, and a Madonna on the top of it!--O crimini!--Well, tell the provost -I wish to have the stones, and we'll not differ about the water-course. -It's lucky I happened to come this way to-day." - -They parted mutually satisfied; but the wily clerk had most reason to -exult in the dexterity he had displayed, since the whole proposal of -an exchange between the monuments (which the council had determined to -remove as a nuisance, because they encroached three feet upon the public -road), and the privilege of conveying the water to the burgh through the -estate of Monkbarns, was an idea which had originated with himself upon -the pressure of the moment. - -Through these various entanglements, Monkbarns (to use the phrase by -which he was distinguished in the country) made his way at length to -Mrs. Hadoway's. This good woman was the widow of a late clergyman at -Fairport, who had been reduced by her husband's untimely death, to that -state of straitened and embarrassed circumstances in which the widows of -the Scotch clergy are too often found. The tenement which she occupied, -and the furniture of which she was possessed, gave her the means of -letting a part of her house; and as Lovel had been a quiet, regular, -and profitable lodger, and had qualified the necessary intercourse which -they had together with a great deal of gentleness and courtesy, Mrs. -Hadoway, not, perhaps, much used to such kindly treatment, had become -greatly attached to her lodger, and was profuse in every sort of -personal attention which circumstances permitted her to render him. -To cook a dish somewhat better than ordinary for "the poor young -gentleman's dinner;" to exert her interest with those who remembered -her husband, or loved her for her own sake and his, in order to procure -scarce vegetables, or something which her simplicity supposed might -tempt her lodger's appetite, was a labour in which she delighted, -although she anxiously concealed it from the person who was its object. -She did not adopt this secrecy of benevolence to avoid the laugh of -those who might suppose that an oval face and dark eyes, with a clear -brown complexion, though belonging to a woman of five-and-forty, and -enclosed within a widow's close-drawn pinners, might possibly still -aim at making conquests; for, to say truth, such a ridiculous suspicion -having never entered into her own head, she could not anticipate its -having birth in that of any one else. But she concealed her attentions -solely out of delicacy to her guest, whose power of repaying them she -doubted as much as she believed in his inclination to do so, and in -his being likely to feel extreme pain at leaving any of her civilities -unrequited. She now opened the door to Mr. Oldbuck, and her surprise at -seeing him brought tears into her eyes, which she could hardly restrain. - -"I am glad to see you, sir--I am very glad to see you. My poor gentleman -is, I am afraid, very unwell; and oh, Mr. Oldbuck, he'll see neither -doctor, nor minister, nor writer! And think what it would be, if, as -my poor Mr. Hadoway used to say, a man was to die without advice of the -three learned faculties!" - -"Greatly better than with them," grumbled the cynical Antiquary. "I tell -you, Mrs. Hadoway, the clergy live by our sins, the medical faculty by -our diseases, and the law gentry by our misfortunes." - -"O fie, Monkbarns!--to hear the like o' that frae you!--But yell walk up -and see the poor young lad?--Hegh sirs? sae young and weel-favoured--and -day by day he has eat less and less, and now he hardly touches onything, -only just pits a bit on the plate to make fashion--and his poor cheek has -turned every day thinner and paler, sae that he now really looks as auld -as me, that might be his mother--no that I might be just that neither, -but something very near it." - -"Why does he not take some exercise?" said Oldbuck. - -"I think we have persuaded him to do that, for he has bought a horse -from Gibbie Golightly, the galloping groom. A gude judge o' horse-flesh -Gibbie tauld our lass that he was--for he offered him a beast he thought -wad answer him weel eneugh, as he was a bookish man, but Mr. Lovel wadna -look at it, and bought ane might serve the Master o' Morphie--they keep -it at the Graeme's Arms, ower the street;--and he rode out yesterday -morning and this morning before breakfast--But winna ye walk up to his -room?" - -"Presently, presently. But has he no visitors?" - -"O dear, Mr. Oldbuck, not ane; if he wadna receive them when he was weel -and sprightly, what chance is there of onybody in Fairport looking in -upon him now?" - -"Ay, ay, very true,--I should have been surprised had it been -otherwise--Come, show me up stairs, Mrs. Hadoway, lest I make a blunder, -and go where I should not." - -The good landlady showed Mr. Oldbuck up her narrow staircase, warning -him of every turn, and lamenting all the while that he was laid under -the necessity of mounting up so high. At length she gently tapped at -the door of her guest's parlour. "Come in," said Lovel; and Mrs. Hadoway -ushered in the Laird of Monkbarns. - -The little apartment was neat and clean, and decently -furnished--ornamented, too, by such relics of her youthful arts of -sempstress-ship as Mrs. Hadoway had retained; but it was close, -overheated, and, as it appeared to Oldbuck, an unwholesome situation -for a young person in delicate health,--an observation which ripened -his resolution touching a project that had already occurred to him in -Lovel's behalf. With a writing-table before him, on which lay a quantity -of books and papers, Lovel was seated on a couch, in his night-gown and -slippers. Oldbuck was shocked at the change which had taken place in -his personal appearance. His cheek and brow had assumed a ghastly white, -except where a round bright spot of hectic red formed a strong and -painful contrast, totally different from the general cast of hale and -hardy complexion which had formerly overspread and somewhat embrowned -his countenance. Oldbuck observed, that the dress he wore belonged to a -deep mourning suit, and a coat of the same colour hung on a chair -near to him. As the Antiquary entered, Lovel arose and came forward to -welcome him. - -"This is very kind," he said, shaking him by the hand, and thanking him -warmly for his visit--"this is very kind, and has anticipated a visit -with which I intended to trouble you. You must know I have become a -horseman lately." - -"I understand as much from Mrs. Hadoway--I only hope, my good young -friend, you have been fortunate in a quiet horse. I myself inadvertently -bought one from the said Gibbie Golightly, which brute ran two miles on -end with me after a pack of hounds, with which I had no more to do than -the last year's snow; and after affording infinite amusement, I suppose, -to the whole hunting field, he was so good as to deposit me in a dry -ditch--I hope yours is a more peaceful beast?" - -"I hope, at least, we shall make our excursions on a better plan of -mutual understanding." - -"That is to say, you think yourself a good horseman?" - -"I would not willingly," answered Lovel, "confess myself a very bad -one." - -"No--all you young fellows think that would be equal to calling -yourselves tailors at once--But have you had experience? for, crede -experto, a horse in a passion is no joker." - -"Why, I should be sorry to boast myself as a great horseman; but when -I acted as aide-de-camp to Sir----in the cavalry action at--, last year, I -saw many better cavaliers than myself dismounted." - -"Ah! you have looked in the face of the grisly god of arms then?--you are -acquainted with the frowns of Mars armipotent? That experience fills up -the measure of your qualifications for the epopea! The Britons, however, -you will remember, fought in chariots--covinarii is the phrase of -Tacitus;--you recollect the fine description of their dashing among the -Roman infantry, although the historian tells us how ill the rugged face -of the ground was calculated for equestrian combat; and truly, upon the -whole, what sort of chariots could be driven in Scotland anywhere but -on turnpike roads, has been to me always matter of amazement. And well -now--has the Muse visited you?--have you got anything to show me?" - -"My time," said Lovel, with a glance at his black dress, "has been less -pleasantly employed." - -"The death of a friend?" said the Antiquary. - -"Yes, Mr. Oldbuck--of almost the only friend I could ever boast of -possessing." - -"Indeed? Well, young man," replied his visitor, in a tone of seriousness -very different from his affected gravity, "be comforted. To have lost a -friend by death while your mutual regard was warm and unchilled, while -the tear can drop unembittered by any painful recollection of coldness -or distrust or treachery, is perhaps an escape from a more heavy -dispensation. Look round you--how few do you see grow old in the -affections of those with whom their early friendships were formed! Our -sources of common pleasure gradually dry up as we journey on through the -vale of Bacha, and we hew out to ourselves other reservoirs, from -which the first companions of our pilgrimage are excluded;--jealousies, -rivalries, envy, intervene to separate others from our side, until -none remain but those who are connected with us rather by habit than -predilection, or who, allied more in blood than in disposition, only -keep the old man company in his life, that they may not be forgotten at -his death-- - - Haec data poena diu viventibus. - -Ah, Mr. Lovel! if it be your lot to reach the chill, cloudy, and -comfortless evening of life, you will remember the sorrows of your youth -as the light shadowy clouds that intercepted for a moment the beams -of the sun when it was rising. But I cram these words into your ears -against the stomach of your sense." - -"I am sensible of your kindness," answered the youth; "but the wound -that is of recent infliction must always smart severely, and I should be -little comforted under my present calamity--forgive me for saying so--by -the conviction that life had nothing in reserve for me but a train of -successive sorrows. And permit me to add, you, Mr. Oldbuck, have -least reason of many men to take so gloomy a view of life. You have -a competent and easy fortune--are generally respected--may, in your own -phrase, vacare musis, indulge yourself in the researches to which your -taste addicts you; you may form your own society without doors--and -within you have the affectionate and sedulous attention of the nearest -relatives." - -"Why, yes--the womankind, for womankind, are, thanks to my training, very -civil and tractable--do not disturb me in my morning studies--creep across -the floor with the stealthy pace of a cat, when it suits me to take a -nap in my easy-chair after dinner or tea. All this is very well; but I -want something to exchange ideas with--something to talk to." - -"Then why do you not invite your nephew, Captain M'Intyre, who is -mentioned by every one as a fine spirited young fellow, to become a -member of your family?" - -"Who?" exclaimed Monkbarns, "my nephew Hector?--the Hotspur of the -North? Why, Heaven love you, I would as soon invite a firebrand into my -stackyard. He's an Almanzor, a Chamont--has a Highland pedigree as long -as his claymore, and a claymore as long as the High Street of Fairport, -which he unsheathed upon the surgeon the last time he was at Fairport. I -expect him here one of these days; but I will keep him at staff's end, I -promise you. He an inmate of my house! to make my very chairs and tables -tremble at his brawls. No, no--I'll none of Hector M'Intyre. But hark ye, -Lovel;--you are a quiet, gentle-tempered lad; had not you better set up -your staff at Monkbarns for a month or two, since I conclude you do not -immediately intend to leave this country?--I will have a door opened out -to the garden--it will cost but a trifle--there is the space for an old -one which was condemned long ago--by which said door you may pass and -repass into the Green Chamber at pleasure, so you will not interfere -with the old man, nor he with you. As for your fare, Mrs. Hadoway tells -me you are, as she terms it, very moderate of your mouth, so you will -not quarrel with my humble table. Your washing"-- - -"Hold, my dear Mr. Oldbuck," interposed Lovel, unable to repress a -smile; "and before your hospitality settles all my accommodations, let -me thank you most sincerely for so kind an offer--it is not at present -in my power to accept of it; but very likely, before I bid adieu -to Scotland, I shall find an opportunity to pay you a visit of some -length." - -Mr. Oldbuck's countenance fell. "Why, I thought I had hit on the very -arrangement that would suit us both,--and who knows what might happen -in the long run, and whether we might ever part? Why, I am master of my -acres, man--there is the advantage of being descended from a man of more -sense than pride--they cannot oblige me to transmit my goods chattels, -and heritages, any way but as I please. No string of substitute heirs of -entail, as empty and unsubstantial as the morsels of paper strung to -the train of a boy's kite, to cumber my flights of inclination, and my -humours of predilection. Well,--I see you won't be tempted at present--but -Caledonia goes on I hope?" - -"O certainly," said Lovel; "I cannot think of relinquishing a plan so -hopeful." - -"It is indeed," said the Antiquary, looking gravely upward,--for, though -shrewd and acute enough in estimating the variety of plans formed -by others, he had a very natural, though rather disproportioned good -opinion of the importance of those which originated with himself--"it is -indeed one of those undertakings which, if achieved with spirit equal -to that which dictates its conception, may redeem from the charge of -frivolity the literature of the present generation." - -Here he was interrupted by a knock at the room door, which introduced -a letter for Mr. Lovel. The servant waited, Mrs. Hadoway said, for an -answer. "You are concerned in this matter, Mr. Oldbuck," said Lovel, -after glancing over the billet, and handing it to the Antiquary as he -spoke. - -It was a letter from Sir Arthur Wardour, couched in extremely civil -language, regetting that a fit of the gout had prevented his hitherto -showing Mr. Lovel the attentions to which his conduct during a late -perilous occasion had so well entitled him--apologizing for not paying -his respects in person, but hoping Mr. Lovel would dispense with that -ceremony, and be a member of a small party which proposed to visit the -ruins of Saint Ruth's priory on the following day, and afterwards to -dine and spend the evening at Knockwinnock Castle. Sir Arthur concluded -with saying, that he had sent to request the Monkbarns family to join -the party of pleasure which he thus proposed. The place of rendezvous -was fixed at a turnpike-gate, which was about an equal distance from all -the points from which the company were to assemble. - -"What shall we do?" said Lovel, looking at the Antiquary, but pretty -certain of the part he would take. - -"Go, man--we'll go, by all means. Let me see--it will cost a post-chaise -though, which will hold you and me, and Mary M'Intyre, very well--and the -other womankind may go to the manse--and you can come out in the chaise -to Monkbarns, as I will take it for the day." - -"Why, I rather think I had better ride." - -"True, true, I forgot your Bucephalus. You are a foolish lad, by the by, -for purchasing the brute outright; you should stick to eighteenpence a -side, if you will trust any creature's legs in preference to your own." - -"Why, as the horse's have the advantage of moving considerably faster, -and are, besides, two pair to one, I own I incline"-- - -"Enough said--enough said--do as you please. Well then, I'll bring either -Grizel or the minister, for I love to have my full pennyworth out of -post-horses--and we meet at Tirlingen turnpike on Friday, at twelve -o'clock precisely. "--And with this ageement the friends separated. - - - - -CHAPTER SEVENTEENTH. - - Of seats they tell, where priests, 'mid tapers dim, - Breathed the warm prayer, or tuned the midnight hymn - To scenes like these the fainting soul retired; - Revenge and Anger in these cells expired: - By Pity soothed, Remorse lost half her fears, - And softened Pride dropped penitential tears. - Crabbe's Borough. - -The morning of Friday was as serene and beautiful as if no pleasure -party had been intended; and that is a rare event, whether in -novel-writing or real life. Lovel, who felt the genial influence of the -weather, and rejoiced at the prospect of once more meeting with Miss -Wardour, trotted forward to the place of rendezvous with better spirits -than he had for some time enjoyed. His prospects seemed in many respects -to open and brighten before him--and hope, although breaking like the -morning sun through clouds and showers, appeared now about to illuminate -the path before him. He was, as might have been expected from this state -of spirits, first at the place of meeting,--and, as might also have been -anticipated, his looks were so intently directed towards the road from -Knockwinnock Castles that he was only apprized of the arrival of -the Monkbarns division by the gee-hupping of the postilion, as the -post-chaise lumbered up behind him. In this vehicle were pent up, first, -the stately figure of Mr. Oldbuck himself; secondly, the scarce less -portly person of the Reverend Mr. Blattergowl, minister of Trotcosey, -the parish in which Monkbarns and Knockwinnock were both situated. The -reverend gentleman was equipped in a buzz wig, upon the top of which -was an equilateral cocked hat. This was the paragon of the three yet -remaining wigs of the parish, which differed, as Monkbarns used to -remark, like the three degrees of comparison--Sir Arthur's ramilies being -the positive, his own bob-wig the comparative, and the overwhelming -grizzle of the worthy clergyman figuring as the superlative. The -superintendent of these antique garnitures, deeming, or affecting to -deem, that he could not well be absent on an occasion which assembled -all three together, had seated himself on the board behind the carriage, -"just to be in the way in case they wanted a touch before the gentlemen -sat down to dinner." Between the two massive figures of Monkbarns -and the clergyman was stuck, by way of bodkin, the slim form of Mary -M'Intyre, her aunt having preferred a visit to the manse, and a social -chat with Miss Beckie Blattergowl, to investigating the ruins of the -priory of Saint Ruth. - -As greetings passed between the members of the Monkbarns party and Mr. -Lovel, the Baronet's carriage, an open barouche, swept onward to the -place of appointment, making, with its smoking bays, smart drivers, -arms, blazoned panels, and a brace of outriders, a strong contrast with -the battered vehicle and broken-winded hacks which had brought thither -the Antiquary and his followers. The principal seat of the carriage -was occupied by Sir Arthur and his daughter. At the first glance which -passed betwixt Miss Wardour and Lovel, her colour rose considerably;--but -she had apparently made up her mind to receive him as a friend, and only -as such, and there was equal composure and courtesy in the mode of her -reply to his fluttered salutation. Sir Arthur halted the barouche to -shake his preserver kindly by the hand, and intimate the pleasure he had -on this opportunity of returning him his personal thanks; then mentioned -to him, in a tone of slight introduction, "Mr. Dousterswivel, Mr. -Lovel." - -Lovel took the necessary notice of the German adept, who occupied the -front seat of the carriage, which is usually conferred upon dependants -or inferiors. The ready grin and supple inclination with which his -salutation, though slight, was answered by the foreigner, increased the -internal dislike which Lovel had already conceived towards him; and it -was plain, from the lower of the Antiquary's shaggy eye-brow, that he -too looked with displeasure on this addition to the company. Little -more than distant greeting passed among the members of the party, until, -having rolled on for about three miles beyond the place at which -they met, the carriages at length stopped at the sign of the Four -Horse-shoes, a small hedge inn, where Caxon humbly opened the door, and -let down the step of the hack-chaise, while the inmates of the barouche -were, by their more courtly attendants, assisted to leave their -equipage. - -Here renewed greetings passed: the young ladies shook hands; and -Oldbuck, completely in his element, placed himself as guide and cicerone -at the head of the party, who were now to advance on foot towards the -object of their curiosity. He took care to detain Lovel close beside him -as the best listener of the party, and occasionally glanced a word -of explanation and instruction to Miss Wardour and Mary M'Intyre, who -followed next in order. The Baronet and the clergyman he rather avoided, -as he was aware both of them conceived they understood such matters as -well, or better than he did; and Dousterswivel, besides that he looked -on him as a charlatan, was so nearly connected with his apprehended loss -in the stock of the mining company, that he could not abide the sight -of him. These two latter satellites, therefore, attended upon the orb -of Sir Arthur, to whom, moreover, as the most important person of the -society, they were naturally induced to attach themselves. - -It frequently happens that the most beautiful points of Scottish scenery -lie hidden in some sequestered dell, and that you may travel through the -country in every direction without being aware of your vicinity to what -is well worth seeing, unless intention or accident carry you to the -very spot. This is particularly the case in the country around Fairport, -which is, generally speaking, open, unenclosed, and bare. But here and -there the progress of rills, or small rivers, has formed dells, glens, -or as they are provincially termed, dens, on whose high and rocky banks -trees and shrubs of all kinds find a shelter, and grow with a luxuriant -profusion, which is the more gratifying, as it forms an unexpected -contrast with the general face of the country. This was eminently the -case with the approach to the ruins of Saint Ruth, which was for some -time merely a sheep-track, along the side of a steep and bare hill. By -degrees, however, as this path descended, and winded round the hillside, -trees began to appear, at first singly, stunted, and blighted, with -locks of wool upon their trunks, and their roots hollowed out into -recesses, in which the sheep love to repose themselves--a sight much more -gratifying to the eye of an admirer of the picturesque than to that of -a planter or forester. By and by the trees formed groups, fringed on the -edges, and filled up in the middle, by thorns and hazel bushes; and at -length these groups closed so much together, that although a broad glade -opened here and there under their boughs, or a small patch of bog or -heath occurred which had refused nourishment to the seed which they -sprinkled round, and consequently remained open and waste, the scene -might on the whole be termed decidedly woodland. The sides of the valley -began to approach each other more closely; the rush of a brook was heard -below, and between the intervals afforded by openings in the natural -wood, its waters were seen hurling clear and rapid under their silvan -canopy. - -Oldbuck now took upon himself the full authority of cicerone, and -anxiously directed the company not to go a foot-breadth off the track -which he pointed out to them, if they wished to enjoy in full perfection -what they came to see. "You are happy in me for a guide, Miss Wardour," -exclaimed the veteran, waving his hand and head in cadence as he -repeated with emphasis, - - I know each lane, and every alley green, - Dingle, or bushy dell, of this wild wood, - And every bosky bower from side to side. * - -* (Milton's Comus.) - -Ah! deuce take it!--that spray of a bramble has demolished all -Caxon's labours, and nearly canted my wig into the stream--so much for -recitations, hors de propos." - -"Never mind, my dear sir," said Miss Wardour; "you have your faithful -attendant ready to repair such a disaster when it happens, and when you -appear with it as restored to its original splendour, I will carry on -the quotation: - - So sinks the day-star in the ocean bed, - And yet anon repairs his drooping head, - And tricks his beams, and with new-spangled ore - Flames on the forehead"--* - -* (Lycidas.) - -"O! enough, enough!" answered Oldbuck; "I ought to have known what it -was to give you advantage over me--But here is what will stop your career -of satire, for you are an admirer of nature, I know." In fact, when they -had followed him through a breach in a low, ancient, and ruinous wall, -they came suddenly upon a scene equally unexpected and interesting. - -They stood pretty high upon the side of the glen, which had suddenly -opened into a sort of amphitheatre to give room for a pure and profound -lake of a few acres extent, and a space of level ground around it. The -banks then arose everywhere steeply, and in some places were varied by -rocks--in others covered with the copse, which run up, feathering their -sides lightly and irregularly, and breaking the uniformity of the green -pasture-ground.--Beneath, the lake discharged itself into the huddling -and tumultuous brook, which had been their companion since they had -entered the glen. At the point at which it issued from "its parent -lake," stood the ruins which they had come to visit. They were not -of great extent; but the singular beauty, as well as the wild and -sequestered character of the spot on which they were situated, gave them -an interest and importance superior to that which attaches itself -to architectural remains of greater consequence, but placed near to -ordinary houses, and possessing less romantic accompaniments. The -eastern window of the church remained entire, with all its ornaments -and tracery work; and the sides, upheld by flying buttresses whose airy -support, detached from the wall against which they were placed, and -ornamented with pinnacles and carved work, gave a variety and lightness -to the building. The roof and western end of the church were completely -ruinous; but the latter appeared to have made one side of a square, of -which the ruins of the conventual buildings formed other two, and the -gardens a fourth. The side of these buildings which overhung the brook, -was partly founded on a steep and precipitous rock; for the place had -been occasionally turned to military purposes, and had been taken with -great slaughter during Montrose's wars. The ground formerly occupied -by the garden was still marked by a few orchard trees. At a greater -distance from the buildings were detached oaks and elms and chestnuts, -growing singly, which had attained great size. The rest of the space -between the ruins and the hill was a close-cropt sward, which the -daily pasture of the sheep kept in much finer order than if it had been -subjected to the scythe and broom. The whole scene had a repose, which -was still and affecting without being monotonous. The dark, deep basin, -in which the clear blue lake reposed, reflecting the water lilies which -grew on its surface, and the trees which here and there threw their arms -from the banks, was finely contrasted with the haste and tumult of the -brook which broke away from the outlet, as if escaping from confinement -and hurried down the glen, wheeling around the base of the rock on which -the ruins were situated, and brawling in foam and fury with every shelve -and stone which obstructed its passage. A similar contrast was seen -between the level green meadow, in which the ruins were situated, and -the large timber-trees which were scattered over it, compared with the -precipitous banks which arose at a short distance around, partly fringed -with light and feathery underwood, partly rising in steeps clothed with -purple heath, and partly more abruptly elevated into fronts of grey -rock, chequered with lichen, and with those hardy plants which find root -even in the most arid crevices of the crags. - -"There was the retreat of learning in the days of darkness, Mr. Lovel!" -said Oldbuck,--around whom the company had now grouped themselves while -they admired the unexpected opening of a prospect so romantic;--"there -reposed the sages who were aweary of the world, and devoted either to -that which was to come, or to the service of the generations who should -follow them in this. I will show you presently the library;--see that -stretch of wall with square-shafted windows--there it existed, stored, -as an old manuscript in my possession assures me, with five thousand -volumes. And here I might well take up the lamentation of the learned -Leland, who, regretting the downfall of the conventual libraries, -exclaims, like Rachel weeping for her children, that if the Papal laws, -decrees, decretals, clementines, and other such drugs of the devil--yea, -if Heytesburg's sophisms, Porphyry's universals, Aristotle's logic, -and Dunse's divinity, with such other lousy legerdemains (begging your -pardon, Miss Wardour) and fruits of the bottomless pit,--had leaped -out of our libraries, for the accommodation of grocers, candlemakers, -soapsellers, and other worldly occupiers, we might have been therewith -contented. But to put our ancient chronicles, our noble histories, -our learned commentaries, and national muniments, to such offices of -contempt and subjection, has greatly degraded our nation, and showed -ourselves dishonoured in the eyes of posterity to the utmost stretch of -time--O negligence most unfriendly to our land!" - -"And, O John Knox" said the Baronet, "through whose influence, and under -whose auspices, the patriotic task was accomplished!" - -The Antiquary, somewhat in the situation of a woodcock caught in his own -springe, turned short round and coughed, to excuse a slight blush as he -mustered his answer--"as to the Apostle of the Scottish Reformation"-- - -But Miss Wardour broke in to interrupt a conversation so dangerous. -"Pray, who was the author you quoted, Mr. Oldbuck?" - -"The learned Leland, Miss Wardour, who lost his senses on witnessing the -destruction of the conventual libraries in England." - -"Now, I think," replied the young lady, "his misfortune may have saved -the rationality of some modern antiquaries, which would certainly have -been drowned if so vast a lake of learning had not been diminished by -draining." - -"Well, thank Heaven, there is no danger now--they have hardly left us a -spoonful in which to perform the dire feat." - -So saying, Mr. Oldbuck led the way down the bank, by a steep but secure -path, which soon placed them on the verdant meadow where the ruins -stood. "There they lived," continued the Antiquary, "with nought to do -but to spend their time in investigating points of remote antiquity, -transcribing manuscripts, and composing new works for the information of -posterity." - -"And," added the Baronet, "in exercising the rites of devotion with a -pomp and ceremonial worthy of the office of the priesthood." - -"And if Sir Arthur's excellence will permit," said the German, with a -low bow, "the monksh might also make de vary curious experiment in deir -laboraties, both in chemistry and magia naturalis." - -"I think," said the clergyman, "they would have enough to do in -collecting the teinds of the parsonage and vicarage of three good -parishes." - -"And all," added Miss Wardour, nodding to the Antiquary, "without -interruption from womankind." - -"True, my fair foe," said Oldbuck; "this was a paradise where no Eve was -admitted, and we may wonder the rather by what chance the good fathers -came to lose it." - -With such criticisms on the occupations of those by whom the ruins had -been formerly possessed, they wandered for some time from one moss-grown -shrine to another, under the guidance of Oldbuck, who explained, -with much plausibility, the ground-plan of the edifice, and read and -expounded to the company the various mouldering inscriptions which yet -were to be traced upon the tombs of the dead, or under the vacant niches -of the sainted images. - -"What is the reason," at length Miss Wardour asked the Antiquary, "why -tradition has preserved to us such meagre accounts of the inmates of -these stately edifices, raised with such expense of labour and taste, -and whose owners were in their times personages of such awful power and -importance? The meanest tower of a freebooting baron or squire who lived -by his lance and broadsword, is consecrated by its appropriate legend, -and the shepherd will tell you with accuracy the names and feats of -its inhabitants;--but ask a countryman concerning these beautiful and -extensive remains--these towers, these arches, and buttresses, -and shafted windows, reared at such cost,--three words fill up his -answer--they were made up by the monks lang syne.'" - -The question was somewhat puzzling. Sir Arthur looked upward, as if -hoping to be inspired with an answer--Oldbuck shoved back his wig--the -clergyman was of opinion that his parishioners were too deeply impressed -with the true presbyterian doctrine to preserve any records concerning -the papistical cumberers of the land, offshoots as they were of the -great overshadowing tree of iniquity, whose roots are in the bowels -of the seven hills of abomination--Lovel thought the question was best -resolved by considering what are the events which leave the deepest -impression on the minds of the common people--"These," he contended, -"were not such as resemble the gradual progress of a fertilizing river, -but the headlong and precipitous fury of some portentous flood. The eras -by which the vulgar compute time, have always reference to some period -of fear and tribulation, and they date by a tempest, an earthquake, or -burst of civil commotion. When such are the facts most alive, in the -memory of the common people, we cannot wonder," he concluded, "that the -ferocious warrior is remembered, and the peaceful abbots are abandoned -to forgetfulness and oblivion." - -"If you pleashe, gentlemans and ladies, and ashking pardon of Sir Arthur -and Miss Wardour, and this worthy clergymansh, and my goot friend Mr. -Oldenbuck, who is my countrymansh, and of goot young Mr. Lofel also, I -think it is all owing to de hand of glory." - -"The hand of what?" exclaimed Oldbuck. - -"De hand of glory, my goot Master Oldenbuck, which is a vary great and -terrible secrets--which de monksh used to conceal their treasures when -they were triven from their cloisters by what you call de Reform." - -"Ay, indeed! tell us about that," said Oldbuck, "for these are secrets -worth knowing." - -"Why, my goot Master Oldenbuck, you will only laugh at me--But de hand of -glory is vary well known in de countries where your worthy progenitors -did live--and it is hand cut off from a dead man, as has been hanged for -murther, and dried very nice in de shmoke of juniper wood; and if you -put a little of what you call yew wid your juniper, it will not be any -better--that is, it will not be no worse--then you do take something of de -fatsh of de bear, and of de badger, and of de great eber, as you call -de grand boar, and of de little sucking child as has not been christened -(for dat is very essentials), and you do make a candle, and put it -into de hand of glory at de proper hour and minute, with de proper -ceremonish, and he who seeksh for treasuresh shall never find none at -all." - -"I dare take my corporal oath of that conclusion," said the Antiquary. -"And was it the custom, Mr. Dousterswivel, in Westphalia, to make use of -this elegant candelabrum?" - -"Alwaysh, Mr. Oldenbuck, when you did not want nobody to talk of nothing -you wash doing about--And the monksh alwaysh did this when they did hide -their church-plates, and their great chalices, and de rings, wid very -preshious shtones and jewels." - -"But, notwithstanding, you knights of the Rosy Cross have means, no -doubt, of breaking the spell, and discovering what the poor monks have -put themselves to so much trouble to conceal?" - -"Ah! goot Mr. Oldenbuck," replied the adept, shaking his head -mysteriously, "you was very hard to believe; but if you had seen de -great huge pieces of de plate so massive, Sir Arthur,--so fine fashion, -Miss Wardour--and de silver cross dat we did find (dat was Schroepfer and -my ownself) for de Herr Freygraf, as you call de Baron Von Blunderhaus, -I do believe you would have believed then." - -"Seeing is believing indeed. But what was your art--what was your -mystery, Mr. Dousterswivel?" - -"Aha, Mr. Oldenbuck! dat is my little secret, mine goot sir--you sall -forgife me that I not tell that. But I will tell you dere are various -ways--yes, indeed, dere is de dream dat you dream tree times--dat is a -vary goot way." - -"I am glad of that," said Oldbuck; "I have a friend" (with a side-glance -to Lovel) "who is peculiarly favoured by the visits of Queen Mab." - -"Den dere is de sympathies, and de antipathies, and de strange -properties and virtues natural of divers herb, and of de little -divining-rod." - -"I would gladly rather see some of these wonders than hear of them," -said Miss Wardour. - -"Ah, but, my much-honoured young lady, this is not de time or de way to -do de great wonder of finding all de church's plate and treasure; but -to oblige you, and Sir Arthur my patron, and de reverend clergymans, -and goot Mr. Oldenbuck, and young Mr. Lofel, who is a very goot young -gentleman also, I will show you dat it is possible, a vary possible, -to discover de spring, of water, and de little fountain hidden in de -ground, without any mattock, or spade, or dig at all." - -"Umph!" quoth the Antiquary, "I have heard of that conundrum. That will -be no very productive art in our country;--you should carry that property -to Spain or Portugal, and turn it to good account." - -"Ah! my goot Master Oldenbuck, dere is de Inquisition and de -Auto-da-fe--they would burn me, who am but a simple philosopher, for one -great conjurer." - -"They would cast away their coals then," said Oldbuck; "but," continued -he, in a whisper to Lovel, "were they to pillory him for one of the -most impudent rascals that ever wagged a tongue, they would square the -punishment more accurately with his deserts. But let us see: I think he -is about to show us some of his legerdemain." - -In truth, the German was now got to a little copse-thicket at some -distance from the ruins, where he affected busily to search for such -a wand as would suit the purpose of his mystery: and after cutting and -examining, and rejecting several, he at length provided himself with a -small twig of hazel terminating in a forked end, which he pronounced -to possess the virtue proper for the experiment that he was about to -exhibit. Holding the forked ends of the wand, each between a finger and -thumb, and thus keeping the rod upright, he proceeded to pace the ruined -aisles and cloisters, followed by the rest of the company in admiring -procession. "I believe dere was no waters here," said the adept, when he -had made the round of several of the buildings, without perceiving -any of those indications which he pretended to expect--"I believe those -Scotch monksh did find de water too cool for de climate, and alwaysh -drank de goot comfortable, Rhinewine. But, aha!--see there!" Accordingly, -the assistants observed the rod to turn in his fingers, although -he pretended to hold it very tight.--"Dere is water here about, sure -enough," and, turning this way and that way, as the agitation of the -divining-rod seemed to increase or diminish, he at length advanced into -the midst of a vacant and roofless enclosure which had been the kitchen -of the priory, when the rod twisted itself so as to point almost -straight downwards. "Here is de place," said the adept, "and if you do -not find de water here, I will give you all leave to call me an impudent -knave." - -"I shall take that license," whispered the Antiquary to Lovel, "whether -the water is discovered or no." - -A servant, who had come up with a basket of cold refreshments, was now -despatched to a neighbouring forester's hut for a mattock and pick-axe. -The loose stones and rubbish being removed from the spot indicated by -the German, they soon came to the sides of a regularly-built well; and -when a few feet of rubbish were cleared out by the assistance of the -forester and his sons, the water began to rise rapidly, to the delight -of the philosopher, the astonishment of the ladies, Mr. Blattergowl, and -Sir Arthur, the surprise of Lovel, and the confusion of the incredulous -Antiquary. He did not fail, however, to enter his protest in Lovers ear -against the miracle. "This is a mere trick," he said; "the rascal had -made himself sure of the existence of this old well, by some means or -other, before he played off this mystical piece of jugglery. Mark -what he talks of next. I am much mistaken if this is not intended as -a prelude to some more serious fraud. See how the rascal assumes -consequence, and plumes himself upon the credit of his success, and how -poor Sir Arthur takes in the tide of nonsense which he is delivering to -him as principles of occult science!" - -"You do see, my goot patron, you do see, my goot ladies, you do see, -worthy Dr. Bladderhowl, and even Mr. Lofel and Mr. Oldenbuck may see, if -they do will to see, how art has no enemy at all but ignorance. Look at -this little slip of hazel nuts--it is fit for nothing at all but to -whip de little child"--("I would choose a cat and nine tails for your -occasions," whispered Oldbuck apart)--"and you put it in the hands of a -philosopher--paf! it makes de grand discovery. But this is nothing, -Sir Arthur,--nothing at all, worthy Dr. Botherhowl--nothing at all, -ladies--nothing at all, young Mr. Lofel and goot Mr. Oldenbuck, to what -art can do. Ah! if dere was any man that had de spirit and de courage, I -would show him better things than de well of water--I would show him"-- - -"And a little money would be necessary also, would it not?" said the -Antiquary. - -"Bah! one trifle, not worth talking about, maight be necessaries," -answered the adept. - -"I thought as much," rejoined the Antiquary, drily; "and I, in the -meanwhile, without any divining-rod, will show you an excellent venison -pasty, and a bottle of London particular Madeira, and I think that will -match all that Mr. Dousterswivel's art is like to exhibit." - -The feast was spread fronde super viridi, as Oldbuck expressed himself, -under a huge old tree called the Prior's Oak, and the company, sitting -down around it, did ample honour to the contents of the basket. - - - - -CHAPTER EIGHTEENTH. - - As when a Gryphon through the wilderness, - With winged course, o'er hill and moory dale, - Pursues the Arimaspian, who by stealth - Had from his wakeful custody purloined - The guarded gold: So eagerly the Fiend-- - Paradise Lost. - -When their collation was ended, Sir Arthur resumed the account of the -mysteries of the divining-rod, as a subject on which he had formerly -conversed with Dousterswivel. "My friend Mr. Oldbuck will now be -prepared, Mr. Dousterswivel, to listen with more respect to the stories -you have told us of the late discoveries in Germany by the brethren of -your association." - -"Ah, Sir Arthur, that was not a thing to speak to those gentlemans, -because it is want of credulity--what you call faith--that spoils the -great enterprise." - -"At least, however, let my daughter read the narrative she has taken -down of the story of Martin Waldeck." - -"Ah! that was vary true story--but Miss Wardour, she is so sly and so -witty, that she has made it just like one romance--as well as Goethe or -Wieland could have done it, by mine honest wort." - -"To say the truth, Mr. Dousterswivel," answered Miss Wardour, "the -romantic predominated in the legend so much above the probable, that it -was impossible for a lover of fairyland like me to avoid lending a few -touches to make it perfect in its kind. But here it is, and if you do -not incline to leave this shade till the heat of the day has somewhat -declined, and will have sympathy with my bad composition, perhaps Sir -Arthur or Mr. Oldbuck will read it to us." - -"Not I," said Sir Arthur; "I was never fond of reading aloud." - -"Nor I," said Oldbuck, "for I have forgot my spectacles. But here is -Lovel, with sharp eyes and a good voice; for Mr. Blattergowl, I know, -never reads anything, lest he should be suspected of reading his -sermons." - -The task was therefore imposed upon Lovel, who received, with some -trepidation, as Miss Wardour delivered, with a little embarrassment, a -paper containing the lines traced by that fair hand, the possession of -which he coveted as the highest blessing the earth could offer to -him. But there was a necessity of suppressing his emotions; and after -glancing over the manuscript, as if to become acquainted with the -character, he collected himself, and read the company the following -tale:-- - -The Fortunes of Martin Waldeck. - -The solitudes of the Harz forest in Germany, but especially the -mountains called Blocksberg, or rather Brockenberg, are the chosen -scenes for tales of witches, demons, and apparitions. - -[The outline of this story is taken from the German, though the Author -is at present unable to say in which of the various collections of the -popular legends in that language the original is to be found.] - -The occupation of the inhabitants, who are either miners or foresters, -is of a kind that renders them peculiarly prone to superstition, and -the natural phenomena which they witness in pursuit of their solitary or -subterraneous profession, are often set down by them to the interference -of goblins or the power of magic. Among the various legends current in -that wild country, there is a favourite one, which supposes the Harz to -be haunted by a sort of tutelar demon, in the shape of a wild man, -of huge stature, his head wreathed with oak leaves, and his middle -cinctured with the same, bearing in his hand a pine torn up by the -roots. It is certain that many persons profess to have seen such a form -traversing, with huge strides, in a line parallel to their own course, -the opposite ridge of a mountain, when divided from it by a narrow glen; -and indeed the fact of the apparition is so generally admitted, that -modern scepticism has only found refuge by ascribing it to optical -deception. * - -*The shadow of the person who sees the phantom, being reflected upon a -cloud of mist, like the image of the magic lantern upon a white sheet, -is supposed to have formed the apparition. - -In elder times, the intercourse of the demon with the inhabitants was -more familiar, and, according to the traditions of the Harz, he was -wont, with the caprice usually ascribed to these earth-born powers, -to interfere with the affairs of mortals, sometimes for their weal, -sometimes for their wo. But it was observed that even his gifts often -turned out, in the long run, fatal to those on whom they were bestowed, -and it was no uncommon thing for the pastors, in their care of their -flocks, to compose long sermons, the burden whereof was a warning -against having any intercourse, direct or indirect, with the Harz demon. -The fortunes of Martin Waldeck have been often quoted by the aged to -their giddy children, when they were heard to scoff at a danger which -appeared visionary. - -A travelling capuchin had possessed himself of the pulpit of the -thatched church at a little hamlet called Morgenbrodt, lying in the -Harz district, from which he declaimed against the wickedness of the -inhabitants, their communication with fiends, witches, and fairies, and, -in particular, with the woodland goblin of the Harz. The doctrines of -Luther had already begun to spread among the peasantry (for the incident -is placed under the reign of Charles V. ), and they laughed to scorn the -zeal with which the venerable man insisted upon his topic. At length, -as his vehemence increased with opposition, so their opposition rose -in proportion to his vehemence. The inhabitants did not like to hear an -accustomed quiet demon, who had inhabited the Brockenberg for so many -ages, summarily confounded with Baal-peor, Ashtaroth, and Beelzebub -himself, and condemned without reprieve to the bottomless Tophet. The -apprehensions that the spirit might avenge himself on them for listening -to such an illiberal sentence, added to their national interest in his -behalf. A travelling friar, they said, that is here to-day and away -to-morrow, may say what he pleases: but it is we, the ancient and -constant inhabitants of the country, that are left at the mercy of the -insulted demon, and must, of course, pay for all. Under the irritation -occasioned by these reflections, the peasants from injurious language -betook themselves to stones, and having pebbled the priest pretty -handsomely, they drove him out of the parish to preach against demons -elsewhere. - -Three young men, who had been present and assisting on this occasion -were upon their return to the hut where they carried on the laborious -and mean occupation of preparing charcoal for the smelting furnaces. On -the way, their conversation naturally turned upon the demon of the Harz -and the doctrine of the capuchin. Max and George Waldeck, the two elder -brothers, although they allowed the language of the capuchin to have -been indiscreet and worthy of censure, as presuming to determine upon -the precise character and abode of the spirit, yet contended it was -dangerous, in the highest degree, to accept of his gifts, or hold any -communication with him, He was powerful, they allowed, but wayward and -capricious, and those who had intercourse with him seldom came to a good -end. Did he not give the brave knight, Ecbert of Rabenwald, that famous -black steed, by means of which he vanquished all the champions at -the great tournament at Bremen? and did not the same steed afterwards -precipitate itself with its rider into an abyss so steep and fearful, -that neither horse nor man were ever seen more? Had he not given to Dame -Gertrude Trodden a curious spell for making butter come? and was she not -burnt for a witch by the grand criminal judge of the Electorate, because -she availed herself of his gift? But these, and many other instances -which they quoted, of mischance and ill-luck ultimately attending on -the apparent benefits conferred by the Harz spirit, failed to make any -impression upon Martin Waldeck, the youngest of the brothers. - -Martin was youthful, rash, and impetuous; excelling in all the exercises -which distinguish a mountaineer, and brave and undaunted from his -familiar intercourse with the dangers that attend them. He laughed at -the timidity of his brothers. "Tell me not of such folly," he said; "the -demon is a good demon--he lives among us as if he were a peasant like -ourselves--haunts the lonely crags and recesses of the mountains like -a huntsman or goatherd--and he who loves the Harz forest and its wild -scenes cannot be indifferent to the fate of the hardy children of the -soil. But, if the demon were as malicious as you would make him, how -should he derive power over mortals, who barely avail themselves of his -gifts, without binding themselves to submit to his pleasure? When you -carry your charcoal to the furnace, is not the money as good that is -paid you by blaspheming Blaize, the old reprobate overseer, as if you -got it from the pastor himself? It is not the goblins gifts which can -endanger you, then, but it is the use you shall make of them that you -must account for. And were the demon to appear to me at this moment, -and indicate to me a gold or silver mine, I would begin to dig away -even before his back were turned,--and I would consider myself as under -protection of a much Greater than he, while I made a good use of the -wealth he pointed out to me." - -To this the elder brother replied, that wealth ill won was seldom well -spent; while Martin presumptuously declared, that the possession of all -the treasures of the Harz would not make the slightest alteration on his -habits, morals, or character. - -His brother entreated Martin to talk less wildly upon the subject, and -with some difficulty contrived to withdraw his attention, by calling it -to the consideration of the approaching boar-chase. This talk brought -them to their hut, a wretched wigwam, situated upon one side of a wild, -narrow, and romantic dell, in the recesses of the Brockenberg. They -released their sister from attending upon the operation of charring the -wood, which requires constant attention, and divided among themselves -the duty of watching it by night, according to their custom, one always -waking, while his brothers slept. - -Max Waldeck, the eldest, watched during the first two hours of the -night, and was considerably alarmed by observing, upon the opposite -bank of the glen, or valley, a huge fire surrounded by some figures that -appeared to wheel around it with antic gestures. Max at first bethought -him of calling up his brothers; but recollecting the daring character of -the youngest, and finding it impossible to wake the elder without also -disturbing Martin--conceiving also what he saw to be an illusion of the -demon, sent perhaps in consequence of the venturous expressions used by -Martin on the preceding evening, he thought it best to betake himself to -the safeguard of such prayers as he could murmur over, and to watch in -great terror and annoyance this strange and alarming apparition. After -blazing for some time, the fire faded gradually away into darkness, and -the rest of Max's watch was only disturbed by the remembrance of its -terrors. - -George now occupied the place of Max, who had retired to rest. The -phenomenon of a huge blazing fire, upon the opposite bank of the glen, -again presented itself to the eye of the watchman. It was surrounded -as before by figures, which, distinguished by their opaque forms, being -between the spectator and the red glaring light, moved and fluctuated -around it as if engaged in some mystical ceremony. George, though -equally cautious, was of a bolder character than his elder brother. -He resolved to examine more nearly the object of his wonder; and, -accordingly after crossing the rivulet which divided the glen, he -climbed up the opposite bank, and approached within an arrow's flight -of the fire, which blazed apparently with the same fury as when he first -witnessed it. - -The appearance, of the assistants who surrounded it resembled those -phantoms which are seen in a troubled dream, and at once confirmed the -idea he had entertained from the first, that they did not belong to -the human world. Amongst these strange unearthly forms, George Waldeck -distinguished that of a giant overgrown with hair, holding an uprooted -fir in his hand, with which, from time to time, he seemed to stir the -blazing fire, and having no other clothing than a wreath of oak leaves -around his forehead and loins. George's heart sunk within him at -recognising the well-known apparition of the Harz demon, as he had been -often described to him by the ancient shepherds and huntsmen who had -seen his form traversing the mountains. He turned, and was about to fly; -but upon second thoughts, blaming his own cowardice, he recited mentally -the verse of the Psalmist, "All good angels, praise the Lord!" which -is in that country supposed powerful as an exorcism, and turned himself -once more towards the place where he had seen the fire. But it was no -longer visible. - -The pale moon alone enlightened the side of the valley; and when George, -with trembling steps, a moist brow, and hair bristling upright under -his collier's cap, came to the spot on which the fire had been so lately -visible, marked as it was by a scathed oak-tree, there appeared not on -the heath the slightest vestiges of what he had seen. The moss and wild -flowers were unscorched, and the branches of the oak-tree, which had so -lately appeared enveloped in wreaths of flame and smoke, were moist with -the dews of midnight. - -George returned to his hut with trembling steps, and, arguing like his -elder brother, resolved to say nothing of what he had seen, lest he -should awake in Martin that daring curiosity which he almost deemed to -be allied with impiety. - -It was now Martin's turn to watch. The household cock had given his -first summons, and the night was well-nigh spent. Upon examining the -state of the furnace in which the wood was deposited in order to its -being coked or charred, he was surprised to find that the fire had not -been sufficiently maintained; for in his excursion and its consequences, -George had forgot the principal object of his watch. Martin's first -thought was to call up the slumberers; but observing that both his -brothers slept unwontedly deep and heavily, he respected their repose, -and set himself to supply the furnace with fuel without requiring -their aid. What he heaped upon it was apparently damp and unfit for the -purpose, for the fire seemed rather to decay than revive. Martin next -went to collect some boughs from a stack which had been carefully cut -and dried for this purpose; but, when he returned, he found the fire -totally extinguished. This was a serious evil, and threatened them -with loss of their trade for more than one day. The vexed and mortified -watchman set about to strike a light in order to rekindle the fire -but the tinder was moist, and his labour proved in this respect also -ineffectual. He was now about to call up his brothers, for circumstances -seemed to be pressing, when flashes of light glimmered not only through -the window, but through every crevice of the rudely built hut, and -summoned him to behold the same apparition which had before alarmed -the successive watches of his brethren. His first idea was, that the -Muhllerhaussers, their rivals in trade, and with whom they had had many -quarrels, might have encroached upon their bounds for the purpose of -pirating their wood; and he resolved to awake his brothers, and -be revenged on them for their audacity. But a short reflection and -observation on the gestures and manner of those who seemed to "work -in the fire," induced him to dismiss this belief, and although -rather sceptical in such matters, to conclude that what he saw was a -supernatural phenomenon. "But be they men or fiends," said the undaunted -forester, "that busy themselves yonder with such fantastical rites and -gestures, I will go and demand a light to rekindle our furnace." He, -relinquished at the same time the idea of awaking his brethren. There -was a belief that such adventures as he was about to undertake were -accessible only to one person at a time; he feared also that his -brothers, in their scrupulous timidity, might interfere to prevent his -pursuing the investigation he had resolved to commence; and, therefore, -snatching his boar-spear from the wall, the undaunted Martin Waldeck set -forth on the adventure alone. - -With the same success as his brother George, but with courage far -superior, Martin crossed the brook, ascended the hill, and approached -so near the ghostly assembly, that he could recognise, in the presiding -figure, the attributes of the Harz demon. A cold shuddering assailed him -for the first time in his life; but the recollection that he had at a -distance dared and even courted the intercourse which was now about to -take place, confirmed his staggering courage; and pride supplying what -he wanted in resolution, he advanced with tolerable firmness towards -the fire, the figures which surrounded it appearing still more wild, -fantastical, and supernatural, the more near he approached to the -assembly. He was received with a loud shout of discordant and unnatural -laughter, which, to his stunned ears, seemed more alarming than a -combination of the most dismal and melancholy sounds that could be -imagined. "Who art thou?" said the giant, compressing his savage and -exaggerated features into a sort of forced gravity, while they were -occasionally agitated by the convulsion of the laughter which he seemed -to suppress. - -"Martin Waldeck, the forester," answered the hardy youth;--"and who are -you?" - -"The King of the Waste and of the Mine," answered the spectre;--"and why -hast thou dared to encroach on my mysteries?" - -"I came in search of light to rekindle my fire," answered Martin, -hardily, and then resolutely asked in his turn, "What mysteries are -those that you celebrate here?" - -"We celebrate," answered the complaisant demon, "the wedding of Hermes -with the Black Dragon--But take thy fire that thou camest to seek, and -begone! no mortal may look upon us and live." - -The peasant struck his spear-point into a large piece of blazing wood, -which he heaved up with some difficulty, and then turned round to regain -his hut, the shouts of laughter being renewed behind him with treble -violence, and ringing far down the narrow valley. When Martin returned -to the hut, his first care, however much astonished with what he had -seen, was to dispose the kindled coal among the fuel so as might best -light the fire of his furnace; but after many efforts, and all exertions -of bellows and fire-prong, the coal he had brought from the demon's fire -became totally extinct without kindling any of the others. He turned -about, and observed the fire still blazing on the hill, although those -who had been busied around it had disappeared. As he conceived the -spectre had been jesting with him, he gave way to the natural hardihood -of his temper, and, determining to see the adventure to an end, resumed -the road to the fire, from which, unopposed by the demon, he brought off -in the same manner a blazing piece of charcoal, but still without being -able to succeed in lighting his fire. Impunity having increased his -rashness, he resolved upon a third experiment, and was as successful as -before in reaching the fire; but when he had again appropriated a -piece of burning coal, and had turned to depart, he heard the harsh and -supernatural voice which had before accosted him, pronounce these words, -"Dare not return hither a fourth time!" - -The attempt to kindle the fire with this last coal having proved as -ineffectual as on the former occasions, Martin relinquished the hopeless -attempt, and flung himself on his bed of leaves, resolving to delay till -the next morning the communication of his supernatural adventure to his -brothers. He was awakened from a heavy sleep into which he had sunk, -from fatigue of body and agitation of mind, by loud exclamations -of surprise and joy. His brothers, astonished at finding the fire -extinguished when they awoke, had proceeded to arrange the fuel in order -to renew it, when they found in the ashes three huge metallic masses, -which their skill (for most of the peasants in the Harz are practical -mineralogists) immediately ascertained to be pure gold. - -It was some damp upon their joyful congratulations when they learned -from Martin the mode in which he had obtained this treasure, to which -their own experience of the nocturnal vision induced them to give full -credit. But they were unable to resist the temptation of sharing in -their brother's wealth. Taking now upon him as head of the house, Martin -Waldeck bought lands and forests, built a castle, obtained a patent of -nobility, and, greatly to the indignation of the ancient aristocracy -of the neighbourhood, was invested with all the privileges of a man of -family. His courage in public war, as well as in private feuds, together -with the number of retainers whom he kept in pay, sustained him for some -time against the odium which was excited by his sudden elevation, and -the arrogance of his pretensions. - -And now it was seen in the instance of Martin Waldeck, as it has been in -that of many others, how little mortals can foresee the effect of -sudden prosperity on their own disposition. The evil propensities in his -nature, which poverty had checked and repressed, ripened and bore their -unhallowed fruit under the influence of temptation and the means of -indulgence. As Deep calls unto Deep, one bad passion awakened another -the fiend of avarice invoked that of pride, and pride was to be -supported by cruelty and oppression. Waldeck's character, always bold -and daring but rendered harsh and assuming by prosperity, soon made him -odious, not to the nobles only, but likewise to the lower ranks, who -saw, with double dislike, the oppressive rights of the feudal nobility -of the empire so remorselessly exercised by one who had risen from the -very dregs of the people. His adventure, although carefully concealed, -began likewise to be whispered abroad, and the clergy already -stigmatized as a wizard and accomplice of fiends, the wretch, who, -having acquired so huge a treasure in so strange a manner, had not -sought to sanctify it by dedicating a considerable portion to the use -of the church. Surrounded by enemies, public and private, tormented by -a thousand feuds, and threatened by the church with excommunication, -Martin Waldeck, or, as we must now call him, the Baron von Waldeck, -often regretted bitterly the labours and sports of his unenvied poverty. -But his courage failed him not under all these difficulties, and seemed -rather to augment in proportion to the danger which darkened around him, -until an accident precipitated his fall. - -A proclamation by the reigning Duke of Brunswick had invited to a solemn -tournament all German nobles of free and honourable descent; and Martin -Waldeck, splendidly armed, accompanied by his two brothers, and a -gallantly-equipped retinue, had the arrogance to appear among the -chivalry of the province, and demand permission to enter the lists. This -was considered as filling up the measure of his presumption. A thousand -voices exclaimed, "We will have no cinder-sifter mingle in our games of -chivalry." Irritated to frenzy, Martin drew his sword and hewed down the -herald, who, in compliance with the general outcry, opposed his entry -into the lists. An hundred swords were unsheathed to avenge what was in -those days regarded as a crime only inferior to sacrilege or regicide. -Waldeck, after defending himself like a lion, was seized, tried on -the spot by the judges of the lists, and condemned, as the appropriate -punishment for breaking the peace of his sovereign, and violating the -sacred person of a herald-at-arms, to have his right hand struck from -his body, to be ignominiously deprived of the honour of nobility, of -which he was unworthy, and to be expelled from the city. When he had -been stripped of his arms, and sustained the mutilation imposed by this -severe sentence, the unhappy victim of ambition was abandoned to the -rabble, who followed him with threats and outcries levelled alternately -against the necromancer and oppressor, which at length ended in -violence. His brothers (for his retinue were fled and dispersed) at -length succeeded in rescuing him from the hands of the populace, when, -satiated with cruelty, they had left him half dead through loss -of blood, and through the outrages he had sustained. They were not -permitted, such was the ingenious cruelty of their enemies, to make use -of any other means of removing him, excepting such a collier's cart as -they had themselves formerly used, in which they deposited their brother -on a truss of straw, scarcely expecting to reach any place of shelter -ere death should release him from his misery. - -When the Waldecks, journeying in this miserable manner, had approached -the verge of their native country, in a hollow way, between two -mountains, they perceived a figure advancing towards them, which at -first sight seemed to be an aged man. But as he approached, his limbs -and stature increased, the cloak fell from his shoulders, his pilgrim's -staff was changed into an uprooted pine-tree, and the gigantic figure of -the Harz demon passed before them in his terrors. When he came opposite -to the cart which contained the miserable Waldeck, his huge features -dilated into a grin of unutterable contempt and malignity, as he asked -the sufferer, "How like you the fire my coals have kindled?" The power -of motion, which terror suspended in his two brothers, seemed to be -restored to Martin by the energy of his courage. He raised himself -on the cart, bent his brows, and, clenching his fist, shook it at the -spectre with a ghastly look of hate and defiance. The goblin vanished -with his usual tremendous and explosive laugh, and left Waldeck -exhausted with this effort of expiring nature. - -The terrified brethren turned their vehicle toward the towers of a -convent, which arose in a wood of pine-trees beside the road. They were -charitably received by a bare-footed and long-bearded capuchin, and -Martin survived only to complete the first confession he had made since -the day of his sudden prosperity, and to receive absolution from the -very priest whom, precisely on that day three years, he had assisted -to pelt out of the hamlet of Morgenbrodt. The three years of precarious -prosperity were supposed to have a mysterious correspondence with the -number of his visits to the spectral fire upon the bill. - -The body of Martin Waldeck was interred in the convent where he expired, -in which his brothers, having assumed the habit of the order, lived and -died in the performance of acts of charity and devotion. His lands, to -which no one asserted any claim, lay waste until they were reassumed by -the emperor as a lapsed fief, and the ruins of the castle, which Waldeck -had called by his own name, are still shunned by the miner and forester -as haunted by evil spirits. Thus were the miseries attendant upon -wealth, hastily attained and ill employed, exemplified in the fortunes -of Martin Waldeck. - - - - -CHAPTER NINETEENTH. - - Here has been such a stormy encounter - Betwixt my cousin Captain, and this soldier, - About I know not what!--nothing, indeed; - Competitions, degrees, and comparatives - Of soldiership!-- - A Faire Qurrell. - -The attentive audience gave the fair transcriber of the foregoing legend -the thanks which politeness required. Oldbuck alone curled up his nose, -and observed, that Miss Wardour's skill was something like that of the -alchemists, for she had contrived to extract a sound and valuable moral -out of a very trumpery and ridiculous legend. "It is the fashion, as I -am given to understand, to admire those extravagant fictions--for me, - - --I bear an English heart, - Unused at ghosts and rattling bones to start." - -"Under your favour, my goot Mr. Oldenbuck," said the German, "Miss -Wardour has turned de story, as she does every thing as she touches, -very pretty indeed; but all the history of de Harz goblin, and how he -walks among de desolate mountains wid a great fir-tree for his walking -cane, and wid de great green bush around his head and his waist--that is -as true as I am an honest man." - -"There is no disputing any proposition so well guaranteed," answered -the Antiquary, drily. But at this moment the approach of a stranger cut -short the conversation. - -The new comer was a handsome young man, about five-and-twenty, in a -military undress, and bearing, in his look and manner, a good deal -of the martial profession--nay, perhaps a little more than is quite -consistent with the ease of a man of perfect good-breeding, in whom no -professional habit ought to predominate. He was at once greeted by the -greater part of the company. "My dear Hector!" said Miss M'Intyre, as -she rose to take his hand-- - -"Hector, son of Priam, whence comest thou?" said the Antiquary. - -"From Fife, my liege," answered the young soldier, and continued, when -he had politely saluted the rest of the company, and particularly Sir -Arthur and his daughter--"I learned from one of the servants, as I rode -towards Monkbarns to pay my respects to you, that I should find the -present company in this place, and I willingly embrace the opportunity -to pay my respects to so many of my friends at once." - -"And to a new one also, my trusty Trojan," said Oldbuck. "Mr. Lovel, -this is my nephew, Captain M'Intyre--Hector, I recommend Mr. Lovel to -your acquaintance." - -The young soldier fixed his keen eye upon Lovel, and paid his compliment -with more reserve than cordiality and as our acquaintance thought his -coldness almost supercilious, he was equally frigid and haughty in -making the necessary return to it; and thus a prejudice seemed to arise -between them at the very commencement of their acquaintance. - -The observations which Lovel made during the remainder of this pleasure -party did not tend to reconcile him with this addition to their society. -Captain M'Intyre, with the gallantry to be expected from his age and -profession, attached himself to the service of Miss Wardour, and offered -her, on every possible opportunity, those marks of attention which Lovel -would have given the world to have rendered, and was only deterred from -offering by the fear of her displeasure. With forlorn dejection at -one moment, and with irritated susceptibility at another, he saw this -handsome young soldier assume and exercise all the privileges of a -cavaliere servente. He handed Miss Wardour's gloves, he assisted her -in putting on her shawl, he attached himself to her in the walks, had a -hand ready to remove every impediment in her path, and an arm to support -her where it was rugged or difficult; his conversation was addressed -chiefly to her, and, where circumstances permitted, it was exclusively -so. All this, Lovel well knew, might be only that sort of egotistical -gallantry which induces some young men of the present day to give -themselves the air of engrossing the attention of the prettiest women in -company, as if the others were unworthy of their notice. But he thought -he observed in the conduct of Captain M'Intyre something of marked and -peculiar tenderness, which was calculated to alarm the jealousy of -a lover. Miss Wardour also received his attentions; and although his -candour allowed they were of a kind which could not be repelled without -some strain of affectation, yet it galled him to the heart to witness -that she did so. - -The heart-burning which these reflections occasioned proved very -indifferent seasoning to the dry antiquarian discussions with which -Oldbuck, who continued to demand his particular attention, was -unremittingly persecuting him; and he underwent, with fits of impatience -that amounted almost to loathing, a course of lectures upon monastic -architecture, in all its styles, from the massive Saxon to the florid -Gothic, and from that to the mixed and composite architecture of -James the First's time, when, according to Oldbuck, all orders were -confounded, and columns of various descriptions arose side by side, or -were piled above each other, as if symmetry had been forgotten, and the -elemental principles of art resolved into their primitive confusion. -"What can be more cutting to the heart than the sight of evils," said -Oldbuck, in rapturous enthusiasm, "which we are compelled to behold, -while we do not possess the power of remedying them?" Lovel answered by -an involulatary groan. "I see, my dear young friend, and most congenial -spirit, that you feel these enormities almost as much as I do. Have you -ever approached them, or met them, without longing to tear, to deface, -what is so dishonourable?" - -"Dishonourable!" echoed Lovel--"in what respect dishonourable?" - -"I mean, disgraceful to the arts." - -"Where? how?" - -"Upon the portico, for example, of the schools of Oxford, where, at -immense expense, the barbarous, fantastic, and ignorant architect has -chosen to represent the whole five orders of architecture on the front -of one building." - -By such attacks as these, Oldbuck, unconscious of the torture he was -giving, compelled Lovel to give him a share of his attention,--as a -skilful angler, by means of his line, maintains an influence over the -most frantic movements of his agonized prey. - -They were now on their return to the spot where they had left the -carriages; and it is inconceivable how often, in the course of that -short walk, Lovel, exhausted by the unceasing prosing of his worthy -companion, mentally bestowed on the devil, or any one else that would -have rid him of hearing more of them, all the orders and disorders of -architecture which had been invented or combined from the building of -Solomon's temple downwards. A slight incident occurred, however, which -sprinkled a little patience on the heat of his distemperature. - -Miss Wardour, and her self-elected knight companion, rather preceded -the others in the narrow path, when the young lady apparently became -desirous to unite herself with the rest of the party, and, to break off -her tete-a-tete with the young officer, fairly made a pause until -Mr. Oldbuck came up. "I wished to ask you a question, Mr. Oldbuck, -concerning the date of these interesting ruins." - -It would be doing injustice to Miss Wardour's savoir faire, to suppose -she was not aware that such a question would lead to an answer of no -limited length. The Antiquary, starting like a war-horse at the trumpet -sound, plunged at once into the various arguments for and against the -date of 1273, which had been assigned to the priory of St. Ruth by a -late publication on Scottish architectural antiquities. He raked up the -names of all the priors who had ruled the institution, of the nobles who -had bestowed lands upon it, and of the monarchs who had slept their last -sleep among its roofless courts. As a train which takes fire is sure to -light another, if there be such in the vicinity, the Baronet, catching -at the name of one of his ancestors which occurred in Oldbuck's -disquisition, entered upon an account of his wars, his conquests, and -his trophies; and worthy Dr. Blattergowl was induced, from the mention -of a grant of lands, cum decimis inclusis tam vicariis quam garbalibus, -et nunquan antea separatis, to enter into a long explanation concerning -the interpretation given by the Teind Court in the consideration of -such a clause, which had occurred in a process for localling his last -augmentation of stipend. The orators, like three racers, each pressed -forward to the goal, without much regarding how each crossed and jostled -his competitors. Mr. Oldbuck harangued, the Baronet declaimed, Mr. -Blattergowl prosed and laid down the law, while the Latin forms of -feudal grants were mingled with the jargon of blazonry, and the yet -more barbarous phraseology of the Teind Court of Scotland. "He was," -exclaimed Oldbuck, speaking of the Prior Adhemar, "indeed an exemplary -prelate; and, from his strictness of morals, rigid execution of penance, -joined to the charitable disposition of his mind, and the infirmities -endured by his great age and ascetic habits"-- - -Here he chanced to cough, and Sir Arthur burst in, or rather -continued--"was called popularly Hell-in-Harness; he carried a shield, -gules with a sable fess, which we have since disused, and was slain at -the battle of Vernoil, in France, after killing six of the English with -his own"-- - -"Decreet of certification," proceeded the clergyman, in that prolonged, -steady, prosing tone, which, however overpowered at first by the -vehemence of competition, promised, in the long run, to obtain the -ascendancy in this strife of narrators;--"Decreet of certification having -gone out, and parties being held as confessed, the proof seemed to be -held as concluded, when their lawyer moved to have it opened up, on the -allegation that they had witnesses to bring forward, that they had been -in the habit of carrying the ewes to lamb on the teind-free land; which -was a mere evasion, for"-- - -But here the Baronet and Mr. Oldbuck having recovered their wind, -and continued their respective harangues, the three strands of the -conversation, to speak the language of a rope-work, were again twined -together into one undistinguishable string of confusion. - -Yet, howsoever uninteresting this piebald jargon might seem, it was -obviously Miss Wardour's purpose to give it her attention, in preference -to yielding Captain M'Intyre an opportunity of renewing their private -conversation. So that, after waiting for a little time with displeasure, -ill concealed by his haughty features, he left her to enjoy her bad -taste, and taking his sister by the arm, detained her a little behind -the rest of the party. - -"So I find, Mary, that your neighbour has neither become more lively nor -less learned during my absence." - -"We lacked your patience and wisdom to instruct us, Hector." - -"Thank you, my dear sister. But you have got a wiser, if not so lively -an addition to your society, than your unworthy brother--Pray, who is -this Mr. Lovel, whom our old uncle has at once placed so high in his -good graces?--he does not use to be so accessible to strangers." - -"Mr. Lovel, Hector, is a very gentleman-like young man." - -"Ay,--that is to say, he bows when he comes into a room, and wears a coat -that is whole at the elbows." - -"No, brother; it says a great deal more. It says that his manners and -discourse express the feelings and education of the higher class." - -"But I desire to know what is his birth and his rank in society, and -what is his title to be in the circle in which I find him domesticated?" - -"If you mean, how he comes to visit at Monkbarns, you must ask my uncle, -who will probably reply, that he invites to his own house such company -as he pleases; and if you mean to ask Sir Arthur, you must know that -Mr. Lovel rendered Miss Wardour and him a service of the most important -kind." - -"What! that romantic story is true, then?--And pray, does the valorous -knight aspire, as is befitting on such occasions, to the hand of the -young lady whom he redeemed from peril? It is quite in the rule of -romance, I am aware; and I did think that she was uncommonly dry to me -as we walked together, and seemed from time to time as if she watched -whether she was not giving offence to her gallant cavalier." - -"Dear Hector," said his sister, "if you really continue to nourish any -affection for Miss Wardour"-- - -"If, Mary?--what an if was there!" - -"--I own I consider your perseverance as hopeless." - -"And why hopeless, my sage sister?" asked Captain M'Intyre: "Miss -Wardour, in the state of her father's affairs, cannot pretend to much -fortune;--and, as to family, I trust that of Mlntyre is not inferior." - -"But, Hector," continued his sister, "Sir Arthur always considers us as -members of the Monkbarns family." - -"Sir Arthur may consider what he pleases," answered the Highlander -scornfully; "but any one with common sense will consider that the wife -takes rank from the husband, and that my father's pedigree of fifteen -unblemished descents must have ennobled my mother, if her veins had been -filled with printer's ink." - -"For God's sake, Hector," replied his anxious sister, "take care of -yourself! a single expression of that kind, repeated to my uncle by an -indiscreet or interested eavesdropper, would lose you his favour for -ever, and destroy all chance of your succeeding to his estate." - -"Be it so," answered the heedless young man; "I am one of a profession -which the world has never been able to do without, and will far less -endure to want for half a century to come; and my good old uncle may -tack his good estate and his plebeian name to your apron-string if he -pleases, Mary, and you may wed this new favourite of his if you please, -and you may both of you live quiet, peaceable, well-regulated lives, -if it pleases Heaven. My part is taken--I'll fawn on no man for an -inheritance which should be mine by birth." - -Miss M'Intyre laid her hand on her brother's arm, and entreated him to -suppress his vehemence. "Who," she said, "injures or seeks to injure -you, but your own hasty temper?--what dangers are you defying, but those -you have yourself conjured up?--Our uncle has hitherto been all that is -kind and paternal in his conduct to us, and why should you suppose he -will in future be otherwise than what he has ever been, since we were -left as orphans to his care?" - -"He is an excellent old gentleman, I must own," replied M'Intyre, "and -I am enraged at myself when I chance to offend him; but then his eternal -harangues upon topics not worth the spark of a flint--his investigations -about invalided pots and pans and tobacco-stoppers past service--all -these things put me out of patience. I have something of Hotspur in me, -sister, I must confess." - -"Too much, too much, my dear brother! Into how many risks, and, forgive -me for saying, some of them little creditable, has this absolute and -violent temper led you! Do not let such clouds darken the time you are -now to pass in our neighbourhood, but let our old benefactor see -his kinsman as he is--generous, kind, and lively, without being rude, -headstrong, and impetuous." - -"Well," answered Captain M'Intyre, "I am schooled--good-manners be my -speed! I'll do the civil thing by your new friend--I'll have some talk -with this Mr. Lovel." - -With this determination, in which he was for the time perfectly -sincere, he joined the party who were walking before them. The treble -disquisition was by this time ended; and Sir Arthur was speaking on the -subject of foreign news, and the political and military situation of the -country, themes upon which every man thinks himself qualified to give -an opinion. An action of the preceding year having come upon the tapis, -Lovel, accidentally mingling in the conversation, made some assertion -concerning it, of the accuracy of which Captain M'Intyre seemed not to -be convinced, although his doubts were politely expressed. - -"You must confess yourself in the wrong here, Hector," said his uncle, -"although I know no man less willing to give up an argument; but you -were in England at the time, and Mr. Lovel was probably concerned in the -affair." - -"I am speaking to a military man, then?" said M'Intyre; "may I inquire -to what regiment Mr. Lovel belongs?"--Mr. Lovel gave him the number -of the regiment. "It happens strangely that we should never have met -before, Mr. Lovel. I know your regiment very well, and have served along -with them at different times." - -A blush crossed Lovel's countenance. "I have not lately been with my -regiment," he replied; "I served the last campaign upon the staff of -General Sir----." - -"Indeed! that is more wonderful than the other circumstance!--for -although I did not serve with General Sir----, yet I had an opportunity of -knowing the names of the officers who held situations in his family, and -I cannot recollect that of Lovel." - -At this observation Lovel again blushed so deeply as to attract the -attention of the whole company, while, a scornful laugh seemed to -indicate Captain M'Intyre's triumph. "There is something strange in -this," said Oldbuck to himself; "but I will not readily give up my -phoenix of post-chaise companions--all his actions, language, and -bearing, are those of a gentleman." - -Lovel in the meanwhile had taken out his pocket-book, and selecting a -letter, from which he took off the envelope, he handed it to Mlntyre. -"You know the General's hand, in all probability--I own I ought not to -show these exaggerated expressions of his regard and esteem for me." The -letter contained a very handsome compliment from the officer in question -for some military service lately performed. Captain M'Intyre, as he -glanced his eye over it, could not deny that it was written in the -General's hand, but drily observed, as he returned it, that the address -was wanting. "The address, Captain M'Intyre," answered Lovel, in the -same tone, "shall be at your service whenever you choose to inquire -after it!" - -"I certainly shall not fail to do so," rejoined the soldier. - -"Come, come," exclaimed Oldbuck, "what is the meaning of all this? Have -we got Hiren here?--We'll have no swaggering youngsters. Are you come -from the wars abroad, to stir up domestic strife in our peaceful land? -Are you like bull-dog puppies, forsooth, that when the bull, poor -fellow, is removed from the ring, fall to brawl among themselves, worry -each other, and bite honest folk's shins that are standing by?" - -Sir Arthur trusted, he said, the young gentlemen would not so far forget -themselves as to grow warm upon such a trifling subject as the back of a -letter. - -Both the disputants disclaimed any such intention, and, with high colour -and flashing eyes, protested they were never so cool in their lives. But -an obvious damp was cast over the party;--they talked in future too much -by the rule to be sociable, and Lovel, conceiving himself the object -of cold and suspicious looks from the rest of the company, and sensible -that his indirect replies had given them permission to entertain strange -opinions respecting him, made a gallant determination to sacrifice the -pleasure he had proposed in spending the day at Knockwinnock. - -He affected, therefore, to complain of a violent headache, occasioned by -the heat of the day, to which he had not been exposed since his illness, -and made a formal apology to Sir Arthur, who, listening more to recent -suspicion than to the gratitude due for former services, did not press -him to keep his engagement more than good-breeding exactly demanded. - -When Lovel took leave of the ladies, Miss Wardour's manner seemed more -anxious than he had hitherto remarked it. She indicated by a glance of -her eye towards Captain M'Intyre, perceptible only by Lovel, the subject -of her alarm, and hoped, in a voice greatly under her usual tone, it was -not a less pleasant engagement which deprived them of the pleasure of -Mr. Lovel's company. "No engagement had intervened," he assured her; "it -was only the return of a complaint by which he had been for some time -occasionally attacked." - -"The best remedy in such a case is prudence, and I--every friend of Mr. -Lovel's will expect him to employ it." - -Lovel bowed low and coloured deeply, and Miss Wardour, as if she felt -that she had said too much, turned and got into the carriage. Lovel had -next to part with Oldbuck, who, during this interval, had, with Caxon's -assistance, been arranging his disordered periwig, and brushing his -coat, which exhibited some marks of the rude path they had traversed. -"What, man!" said Oldbuck, "you are not going to leave us on account of -that foolish Hector's indiscreet curiosity and vehemence? Why, he is -a thoughtless boy--a spoiled child from the time he was in the nurse's -arms--he threw his coral and bells at my head for refusing him a bit of -sugar; and you have too much sense to mind such a shrewish boy: aequam -servare mentem is the motto of our friend Horace. I'll school Hector by -and by, and put it all to rights." But Lovel persisted in his design of -returning to Fairport. - -The Antiquary then assumed a graver tone.--"Take heed, young man, to your -present feelings. Your life has been given you for useful and valuable -purposes, and should be reserved to illustrate the literature of your -country, when you are not called upon to expose it in her defence, or -in the rescue of the innocent. Private war, a practice unknown to the -civilised ancients, is, of all the absurdities introduced by the Gothic -tribes, the most gross, impious, and cruel. Let me hear no more of these -absurd quarrels, and I will show you the treatise upon the duello, which -I composed when the town-clerk and provost Mucklewhame chose to assume -the privileges of gentlemen, and challenged each other. I thought of -printing my Essay, which is signed Pacificator; but there was no need, -as the matter was taken up by the town-council of the borough." - -"But I assure you, my dear sir, there is nothing between Captain -M'Intyre and me that can render such respectable interference -necessary." - -"See it be so; for otherwise, I will stand second to both parties." - -So saying, the old gentleman got into the chaise, close to which Miss -M'Intyre had detained her brother, upon the same principle that -the owner of a quarrelsome dog keeps him by his side to prevent his -fastening upon another. But Hector contrived to give her precaution -the slip, for, as he was on horseback, he lingered behind the carriages -until they had fairly turned the corner in the road to Knockwinnock, and -then, wheeling his horse's head round, gave him the spur in the opposite -direction. - -A very few minutes brought him up with Lovel, who, perhaps anticipating -his intention, had not put his horse beyond a slow walk, when the -clatter of hoofs behind him announced Captain Mlntyre. The young -soldier, his natural heat of temper exasperated by the rapidity of -motion, reined his horse up suddenly and violently by Lovel's side, and -touching his hat slightly, inquired, in a very haughty tone of voice, -"What am I to understand, sir, by your telling me that your address was -at my service?" - -"Simply, sir," replied Lovel, "that my name is Lovel, and that my -residence is, for the present, Fairport, as you will see by this card." - -"And is this all the information you are disposed to give me?" - -"I see no right you have to require more." - -"I find you, sir, in company with my sister," said the young soldier, -"and I have a right to know who is admitted into Miss M'Intyre's -society." - -"I shall take the liberty of disputing that right," replied Lovel, -with a manner as haughty as that of the young soldier;--"you find me in -society who are satisfied with the degree of information on my affairs -which I have thought proper to communicate, and you, a mere stranger, -have no right to inquire further." - -"Mr. Lovel, if you served as you say you have"-- - -"If!" interrupted Lovel,--"if I have served as I say I have?" - -"Yes, sir, such is my expression--if you have so served, you must know -that you owe me satisfaction either in one way or other." - -"If that be your opinion, I shall be proud to give it to you, Captain -M'Intyre, in the way in which the word is generally used among -gentlemen." - -"Very well, sir," rejoined Hector, and, turning his horse round, -galloped off to overtake his party. - -His absence had already alarmed them, and his sister, having stopped the -carriage, had her neck stretched out of the window to see where he was. - -"What is the matter with you now?" said the Antiquary, "riding to and -fro as your neck were upon the wager--why do you not keep up with the -carriage?" - -"I forgot my glove, sir," said Hector. - -"Forgot your glove!--I presume you meant to say you went to throw it -down--But I will take order with you, my young gentleman--you shall return -with me this night to Monkbarns." So saying, he bid the postilion go on. - - - - -CHAPTER TWENTIETH. - - --If you fail Honour here, - Never presume to serve her any more; - Bid farewell to the integrity of armes; - And the honourable name of soldier - Fall from you, like a shivered wreath of laurel - By thunder struck from a desertlesse forehead. - A Faire Quarrell. - -Early the next morning, a gentleman came to wait upon Mr. Lovel, who was -up and ready to receive him. He was a military gentleman, a friend of -Captain M'Intyre's, at present in Fairport on the recruiting service. -Lovel and he were slightly known to each other. "I presume, sir," said -Mr. Lesley (such was the name of the visitor), "that you guess the -occasion of my troubling you so early?" - -"A message from Captain M'Intyre, I presume?" - -"The same. He holds himself injured by the manner in which you declined -yesterday to answer certain inquiries which he conceived himself -entitled to make respecting a gentleman whom he found in intimate -society with his family." - -"May I ask, if you, Mr. Lesley, would have inclined to satisfy -interrogatories so haughtily and unceremoniously put to you?" - -"Perhaps not;--and therefore, as I know the warmth of my friend M'Intyre -on such occasions, I feel very desirous of acting as peacemaker. From -Mr. Lovel's very gentleman-like manners, every one must strongly wish to -see him repel all that sort of dubious calumny which will attach itself -to one whose situation is not fully explained. If he will permit me, in -friendly conciliation, to inform Captain M'Intyre of his real name, for -we are led to conclude that of Lovel is assumed"-- - -"I beg your pardon, sir, but I cannot admit that inference." - -"--Or at least," said Lesley, proceeding, "that it is not the name by -which Mr. Lovel has been at all times distinguished--if Mr. Lovel will -have the goodness to explain this circumstance, which, in my opinion, -he should do in justice to his own character, I will answer for the -amicable arrangement of this unpleasant business." - -"Which is to say, Mr. Lesley, that if I condescend to answer questions -which no man has a right to ask, and which are now put to me under -penalty of Captain M'Intyre's resentment, Captain MIntyre will -condescend to rest satisfied? Mr. Lesley, I have just one word to say -on this subject--I have no doubt my secret, if I had one, might be safely -entrusted to your honour, but I do not feel called upon to satisfy the -curiosity of any one. Captain M'Intyre met me in society which of itself -was a warrant to all the world, and particularly ought to be such to -him, that I was a gentleman. He has, in my opinion, no right to go -any further, or to inquire the pedigree, rank, or circumstances, of a -stranger, who, without seeking any intimate connection with him, or his, -chances to dine with his uncle, or walk in company with his sister." - -"In that case, Captain M'Intyre requests you to be informed, that your -farther visits at Monkbarns, and all connection with Miss M'Intyre, must -be dropt, as disagreeable to him." - -"I shall certainly," said Lovel, "visit Mr. Oldbuck when it suits me, -without paying the least respect to his nephew's threats or irritable -feelings. I respect the young lady's name too much (though nothing -can be slighter than our acquaintance) to introduce it into such a -discussion." - -"Since that is your resolution, sir," answered Lesley, "Captain M'Intyre -requests that Mr. Lovel, unless he wishes to be announced as a very -dubious character, will favour him with a meeting this evening, at -seven, at the thorn-tree in the little valley close by the ruins of St. -Ruth." - -"Most unquestionably, I will wait upon him. There is only one -difficulty--I must find a friend to accompany me, and where to seek one -on this short notice, as I have no acquaintance in Fairport--I will be on -the spot, however--Captain M'Intyre may be assured of that." - -Lesley had taken his hat, and was as far as the door of the apartment, -when, as if moved by the peculiarity of Lovel's situation, he returned, -and thus addressed him: "Mr. Lovel, there is something so singular in -all this, that I cannot help again resuming the argument. You must be -yourself aware at this moment of the inconvenience of your preserving -an incognito, for which, I am convinced, there can be no dishonourable -reason. Still, this mystery renders it difficult for you to procure the -assistance of a friend in a crisis so delicate--nay, let me add, that -many persons will even consider it as a piece of Quixotry in M'Intyre to -give you a meeting, while your character and circumstances are involved -in such obscurity." - -"I understand your innuendo, Mr. Lesley," rejoined Lovel; and though -I might be offended at its severity, I am not so, because it is meant -kindly. But, in my opinion, he is entitled to all the privileges of a -gentleman, to whose charge, during the time he has been known in the -society where he happens to move, nothing can be laid that is unhandsome -or unbecoming. For a friend, I dare say I shall find some one or other -who will do me that good turn; and if his experience be less than I -could wish, I am certain not to suffer through that circumstance when -you are in the field for my antagonist." - -"I trust you will not," said Lesley; "but as I must, for my own sake, -be anxious to divide so heavy a responsibility with a capable assistant, -allow me to say, that Lieutenant Taffril's gun-brig is come into the -roadstead, and he himself is now at old Caxon's, where he lodges. I -think you have the same degree of acquaintance with him as with me, and, -as I am sure I should willingly have rendered you such a service were -I not engaged on the other side, I am convinced he will do so at your -first request." - -"At the thorn-tree, then, Mr. Lesley, at seven this evening--the arms, I -presume, are pistols?" - -"Exactly. M'Intyre has chosen the hour at which he can best escape from -Monkbarns--he was with me this morning by five, in order to return -and present himself before his uncle was up. Good-morning to you, Mr. -Lovel." And Lesley left the apartment. - -Lovel was as brave as most men; but none can internally regard such a -crisis as now approached, without deep feelings of awe and uncertainty. -In a few hours he might be in another world to answer for an action -which his calmer thought told him was unjustifiable in a religious point -of view, or he might be wandering about in the present like Cain, with -the blood of his brother on his head. And all this might be saved by -speaking a single word. Yet pride whispered, that to speak that word -now, would be ascribed to a motive which would degrade him more low than -even the most injurious reasons that could be assigned for his silence. -Every one, Miss Wardour included, must then, he thought, account him -a mean dishonoured poltroon, who gave to the fear of meeting Captain -M'Intyre the explanation he had refused to the calm and handsome -expostulations of Mr. Lesley. M'Intyre's insolent behaviour to himself -personally, the air of pretension which he assumed towards Miss Wardour, -and the extreme injustice, arrogance, and incivility of his demands -upon a perfect stranger, seemed to justify him in repelling his rude -investigation. In short, he formed the resolution which might have been -expected from so young a man,--to shut the eyes, namely, of his calmer -reason, and follow the dictates of his offended pride. With this purpose -he sought Lieutenant Taffril. - -The lieutenant received him with the good breeding of a gentleman and -the frankness of a sailor, and listened with no small surprise to the -detail which preceded his request that he might be favoured with his -company at his meeting with Captain M'Intyre. When he had finished, -Taffril rose up and walked through his apartment once or twice. "This is -a most singular circumstance," he said, "and really"-- - -"I am conscious, Mr. Taffril, how little I am entitled to make my -present request, but the urgency of circumstances hardly leaves me an -alternative." - -"Permit me to ask you one question," asked the sailor;--"is there -anything of which you are ashamed in the circumstances which you have -declined to communicate." - -"Upon my honour, no; there is nothing but what, in a very short time, I -trust I may publish to the whole world." - -"I hope the mystery arises from no false shame at the lowness of your -friends perhaps, or connections?" - -"No, on my word," replied Lovel. - -"I have little sympathy for that folly," said Taffril--"indeed I cannot -be supposed to have any; for, speaking of my relations, I may be said to -have come myself from before the mast, and I believe I shall very soon -form a connection, which the world will think low enough, with a very -amiable girl, to whom I have been attached since we were next-door -neighbours, at a time when I little thought of the good fortune which -has brought me forward in the service." - -"I assure you, Mr. Taffril," replied Lovel, "whatever were the rank of -my parents, I should never think of concealing it from a spirit of -petty pride. But I am so situated at present, that I cannot enter on the -subject of my family with any propriety." - -"It is quite enough," said the honest sailor--"give me your hand; I'll -see you as well through this business as I can, though it is but an -unpleasant one after all--But what of that? our own honour has the next -call on us after our country;--you are a lad of spirit, and I own I think -Mr. Hector M'Intyre, with his long pedigree and his airs of family, -very much of a jackanapes. His father was a soldier of fortune as I am a -sailor--he himself, I suppose, is little better, unless just as his uncle -pleases; and whether one pursues fortune by land, or sea, makes no great -difference, I should fancy." - -"None in the universe, certainly," answered Lovel. - -"Well," said his new ally, "we will dine together and arrange matters -for this rencounter. I hope you understand the use of the weapon?" - -"Not particularly," Lovel replied. - -"I am sorry for that--M'Intyre is said to be a marksman." - -"I am sorry for it also," said Lovel, "both for his sake and my own: I -must then, in self-defence, take my aim as well as I can." - -"Well," added Taffril, "I will have our surgeon's mate on the field--a -good clever young fellow at caulking a shot-hole. I will let Lesley, who -is an honest fellow for a landsman, know that he attends for the benefit -of either party. Is there anything I can do for you in case of an -accident?" - -"I have but little occasion to trouble you," said Lovel. "This small -billet contains the key of my escritoir, and my very brief secret. There -is one letter in the escritoir" (digesting a temporary swelling of the -heart as he spoke), "which I beg the favour of you to deliver with your -own hand." - -"I understand," said the sailor. "Nay, my friend, never be ashamed for -the matter--an affectionate heart may overflow for an instant at the -eyes, if the ship were clearing for action; and, depend on it, whatever -your injunctions are, Dan Taffril will regard them like the bequest of a -dying brother. But this is all stuff;--we must get our things in fighting -order, and you will dine with me and my little surgeon's mate, at the -Graeme's-Arms over the way, at four o'clock." - -"Agreed," said Lovel. - -"Agreed," said Taffril; and the whole affair was arranged. - -It was a beautiful summer evening, and the shadow of the solitary -thorn-tree was lengthening upon the short greensward of the narrow -valley, which was skirted by the woods that closed around the ruins of -St. Ruth. * - -* [Supposed to have been suggested by the old Abbey of Arbroath in * -Forfarshire.] - -[Illustration: St. Ruth (arbroath Abbey)] - -Lovel and Lieutenant Taffril, with the surgeon, came upon the ground -with a purpose of a nature very uncongenial to the soft, mild, and -pacific character of the hour and scene. The sheep, which during the -ardent heat of the day had sheltered in the breaches and hollows of the -gravelly bank, or under the roots of the aged and stunted trees, had -now spread themselves upon the face of the hill to enjoy their evening's -pasture, and bleated, to each other with that melancholy sound which -at once gives life to a landscape, and marks its solitude.--Taffril and -Lovel came on in deep conference, having, for fear of discovery, sent -their horses back to the town by the Lieutenant's servant. The opposite -party had not yet appeared on the field. But when they came upon the -ground, there sat upon the roots of the old thorn a figure as vigorous -in his decay as the moss-grown but strong and contorted boughs which -served him for a canopy. It was old Ochiltree. "This is embarrassing -enough," said Lovel:--"How shall we get rid of this old fellow?" - -"Here, father Adam," cried Taffril, who knew the mendicant of -yore--"here's half-a-crown for you. You must go to the Four Horse-shoes -yonder--the little inn, you know, and inquire for a servant with blue and -yellow livery. If he is not come, you'll wait for him, and tell him -we shall be with his master in about an hour's time. At any rate, wait -there till we come back,--and--Get off with you--Come, come, weigh anchor." - -"I thank ye for your awmous," said Ochiltree, pocketing the piece of -money; "but I beg your pardon, Mr. Taffril--I canna gang your errand e'en -now." - -"Why not, man? what can hinder you?" - -"I wad speak a word wi' young Mr. Lovel." - -"With me?" answered Lovel: "what would you say with me? Come, say on, -and be brief." - -The mendicant led him a few paces aside. "Are ye indebted onything to -the Laird o' Monkbarns?" - -"Indebted!--no, not I--what of that?--what makes you think so?" - -"Ye maun ken I was at the shirra's the day; for, God help me, I gang -about a' gates like the troubled spirit; and wha suld come whirling -there in a post-chaise, but Monkbarns in an unco carfuffle--now, it's no -a little thing that will make his honour take a chaise and post-horse -twa days rinnin'." - -"Well, well; but what is all this to me?" - -"Ou, ye'se hear, ye'se hear. Weel, Monkbarns is closeted wi' the -shirra whatever puir folk may be left thereout--ye needna doubt that--the -gentlemen are aye unco civil amang themsells." - -"For heaven's sake, my old friend"-- - -"Canna ye bid me gang to the deevil at ance, Mr. Lovel? it wad be mair -purpose fa'ard than to speak o' heaven in that impatient gate." - -"But I have private business with Lieutenant Taffril here." - -"Weel, weel, a' in gude time," said the beggar--"I can use a little -wee bit freedom wi' Mr. Daniel Taffril;--mony's the peery and the tap -I worked for him langsyne, for I was a worker in wood as weel as a -tinkler." - -"You are either mad, Adam, or have a mind to drive me mad." - -"Nane o' the twa," said Edie, suddenly changing his manner from the -protracted drawl of the mendicant to a brief and decided tone. "The -shirra sent for his clerk, and as the lad is rather light o' the tongue, -I fand it was for drawing a warrant to apprehend you--I thought it had -been on a fugie warrant for debt; for a' body kens the laird likes -naebody to pit his hand in his pouch--But now I may haud my tongue, for -I see the M'Intyre lad and Mr. Lesley coming up, and I guess that -Monkbarns's purpose was very kind, and that yours is muckle waur than it -should be." - -The antagonist now approached, and saluted with the stern civility -which befitted the occasion. "What has this old fellow to do here?" said -M'Intyre. - -"I am an auld fallow," said Edie, "but I am also an auld soldier o' your -father's, for I served wi' him in the 42d." - -"Serve where you please, you have no title to intrude on us," said -M'Intyre, "or"--and he lifted his cane in terrorem, though without the -idea of touching the old man. - -But Ochiltree's courage was roused by the insult. "Haud down your -switch, Captain M'Intyre! I am an auld soldier, as I said before, and -I'll take muckle frae your father's son; but no a touch o' the wand -while my pike-staff will haud thegither." - -"Well, well, I was wrong--I was wrong," said M'Intyre; "here's a crown -for you--go your ways--what's the matter now?" - -The old man drew himself up to the full advantage of his uncommon -height, and in despite of his dress, which indeed had more of the -pilgrim than the ordinary beggar, looked from height, manner, and -emphasis of voice and gesture, rather like a grey palmer or eremite -preacher, the ghostly counsellor of the young men who were around him, -than the object of their charity. His speech, indeed, was as homely -as his habit, but as bold and unceremonious as his erect and dignified -demeanour. "What are ye come here for, young men?" he said, addressing -himself to the surprised audience; "are ye come amongst the most lovely -works of God to break his laws? Have ye left the works of man, the -houses and the cities that are but clay and dust, like those that built -them--and are ye come here among the peaceful hills, and by the quiet -waters, that will last whiles aught earthly shall endure, to destroy -each other's lives, that will have but an unco short time, by the course -of nature, to make up a lang account at the close o't? O sirs! hae ye -brothers, sisters, fathers, that hae tended ye, and mothers that hae -travailed for ye, friends that hae ca'd ye like a piece o' their ain -heart? and is this the way ye tak to make them childless and brotherless -and friendless? Ohon! it's an ill feight whar he that wins has the warst -o't. Think on't, bairns. I'm a puir man--but I'm an auld man too--and what -my poverty takes awa frae the weight o' my counsel, grey hairs and a -truthfu' heart should add it twenty times. Gang hame, gang hame, like -gude lads--the French will be ower to harry us ane o' thae days, and -ye'll hae feighting eneugh, and maybe auld Edie will hirple out himsell -if he can get a feal-dyke to lay his gun ower, and may live to tell you -whilk o' ye does the best where there's a good cause afore ye." - -There was something in the undaunted and independent manner, hardy -sentiment, and manly rude elocution of the old man, that had its -effect upon the party, and particularly on the seconds, whose pride was -uninterested in bringing the dispute to a bloody arbitrament, and -who, on the contrary, eagerly watched for an opportunity to recommend -reconciliation. - -"Upon my word, Mr. Lesley," said Taffril, "old Adam speaks like an -oracle. Our friends here were very angry yesterday, and of course very -foolish;--today they should be cool, or at least we must be so in -their behalf. I think the word should be forget and forgive on both -sides,--that we should all shake hands, fire these foolish crackers in -the air, and go home to sup in a body at the Graeme's-Arms." - -"I would heartily recommend it," said Lesley; "for, amidst a great -deal of heat and irritation on both sides, I confess myself unable to -discover any rational ground of quarrel." - -"Gentlemen," said M'Intyre, very coldly, "all this should have been -thought of before. In my opinion, persons that have carried this matter -so far as we have done, and who should part without carrying it any -farther, might go to supper at the Graeme's-Arms very joyously, but -would rise the next morning with reputations as ragged as our friend -here, who has obliged us with a rather unnecessary display of his -oratory. I speak for myself, that I find myself bound to call upon you -to proceed without more delay." - -"And I," said Lovel, "as I never desired any, have also to request these -gentlemen to arrange preliminaries as fast as possible." - -"Bairns! bairns!" cried old Ochiltree; but perceiving he was no longer -attended to--"Madmen, I should say--but your blood be on your heads!" And -the old man drew off from the ground, which was now measured out by -the seconds, and continued muttering and talking to himself in sullen -indignation, mixed with anxiety, and with a strong feeling of painful -curiosity. Without paying farther attention to his presence or -remonstrances, Mr. Lesley and the Lieutenant made the necessary -arrangements for the duel, and it was agreed that both parties should -fire when Mr. Lesley dropped his handkerchief. - -The fatal sign was given, and both fired almost in the same moment. -Captain M'Intyre's ball grazed the side of his opponent, but did not -draw blood. That of Lovel was more true to the aim; M'Intyre reeled -and fell. Raising himself on his arm, his first exclamation was, "It is -nothing--it is nothing--give us the other pistols." But in an instant he -said, in a lower tone, "I believe I have enough--and what's worse, I -fear I deserve it. Mr. Lovel, or whatever your name is, fly and save -yourself--Bear all witness, I provoked this matter." Then raising himself -again on his arm, he added, "Shake hands, Lovel--I believe you to be -a gentleman--forgive my rudeness, and I forgive you my death--My poor -sister!" - -The surgeon came up to perform his part of the tragedy, and Lovel stood -gazing on the evil of which he had been the active, though unwilling -cause, with a dizzy and bewildered eye. He was roused from his trance by -the grasp of the mendicant. "Why stand you gazing on your deed?--What's -doomed is doomed--what's done is past recalling. But awa, awa, if ye wad -save your young blood from a shamefu' death--I see the men out by yonder -that are come ower late to part ye--but, out and alack! sune eneugh, and -ower sune, to drag ye to prison." - -"He is right--he is right," exclaimed Taffril; "you must not attempt to -get on the high-road--get into the wood till night. My brig will be -under sail by that time, and at three in the morning, when the tide -will serve, I shall have the boat waiting for you at the Mussel-crag. -Away-away, for Heaven's sake!" - -"O yes! fly, fly!" repeated the wounded man, his words faltering with -convulsive sobs. - -"Come with me," said the mendicant, almost dragging him off; "the -Captain's plan is the best--I'll carry ye to a place where ye might be -concealed in the meantime, were they to seek ye 'wi' sleuth-hounds." - -"Go, go," again urged Lieutenant Taffril--"to stay here is mere madness." - -"It was worse madness to have come hither," said Lovel, pressing his -hand--"But farewell!" And he followed Ochiltree into the recesses of the -wood. - - - - -CHAPTER TWENTY-FIRST. - - --The Lord Abbot had a soul - Subtile and quick, and searching as the fire; - By magic stairs he went as deep as hell, - And if in devils' possession gold be kept, - He brought some sure from thence--'tis hid in caves, - Known, save to me, to none.-- - The Wonder of a Kingdome. - -Lovel almost mechanically followed the beggar, who led the way with a -hasty and steady pace, through bush and bramble, avoiding the beaten -path, and often turning to listen whether there were any sounds of -pursuit behind them. They sometimes descended into the very bed of the -torrent, sometimes kept a narrow and precarious path, that the sheep -(which, with the sluttish negligence towards property of that sort -universal in Scotland, were allowed to stray in the copse) had made -along the very verge of its overhanging banks. From time to time Lovel -had a glance of the path which he had traversed the day before in -company with Sir Arthur, the Antiquary, and the young ladies. Dejected, -embarrassed, and occupied by a thousand inquietudes, as he then was, -what would he now have given to regain the sense of innocence which -alone can counter-balance a thousand evils! "Yet, then," such was his -hasty and involuntary reflection, "even then, guiltless and valued by -all around me, I thought myself unhappy. What am I now, with this young -man's blood upon my hands?--the feeling of pride which urged me to the -deed has now deserted me, as the actual fiend himself is said to do -those whom he has tempted to guilt." Even his affection for Miss Wardour -sunk for the time before the first pangs of remorse, and he thought -he could have encountered every agony of slighted love to have had -the conscious freedom from blood-guiltiness which he possessed in the -morning. - -These painful reflections were not interrupted by any conversation on -the part of his guide, who threaded the thicket before him, now holding -back the sprays to make his path easy, now exhorting him to make haste, -now muttering to himself, after the custom of solitary and neglected old -age, words which might have escaped Lovel's ear even had he listened to -them, or which, apprehended and retained, were too isolated to convey -any connected meaning,--a habit which may be often observed among people -of the old man's age and calling. - -At length, as Lovel, exhausted by his late indisposition, the harrowing -feelings by which he was agitated, and the exertion necessary to keep up -with his guide in a path so rugged, began to flag and fall behind, two -or three very precarious steps placed him on the front of a precipice -overhung with brushwood and copse. Here a cave, as narrow in its -entrance as a fox-earth, was indicated by a small fissure in the rock, -screened by the boughs of an aged oak, which, anchored by its thick and -twisted roots in the upper part of the cleft, flung its branches almost -straight outward from the cliff, concealing it effectually from all -observation. It might indeed have escaped the attention even of those -who had stood at its very opening, so uninviting was the portal at which -the beggar entered. But within, the cavern was higher and more roomy, -cut into two separate branches, which, intersecting each other at right -angles, formed an emblem of the cross, and indicated the abode of an -anchoret of former times. There are many caves of the same kind in -different parts of Scotland. I need only instance those of Gorton, near -Rosslyn, in a scene well known to the admirers of romantic nature. - -The light within the eave was a dusky twilight at the entrance, which -failed altogether in the inner recesses. "Few folks ken o' this place," -said the old man; "to the best o'my knowledge, there's just twa living -by mysell, and that's Jingling Jock and the Lang Linker. I have had mony -a thought, that when I fand mysell auld and forfairn, and no able to -enjoy God's blessed air ony langer, I wad drag mysell here wi' a pickle -ait-meal; and see, there's a bit bonny dropping well that popples that -self-same gate simmer and winter;--and I wad e'en streek mysell out here, -and abide my removal, like an auld dog that trails its useless ugsome -carcass into some bush or bracken no to gie living things a scunner wi' -the sight o't when it's dead--Ay, and then, when the dogs barked at the -lone farm-stead, the gudewife wad cry, Whisht, stirra, that'll be auld -Edie,' and the bits o' weans wad up, puir things, and toddle to the door -to pu' in the auld Blue-Gown that mends a' their bonny-dies--But there -wad be nae mair word o' Edie, I trow." - -He then led Lovel, who followed him unresistingly, into one of the -interior branches of the cave. "Here," he said, "is a bit turnpike-stair -that gaes up to the auld kirk abune. Some folks say this place was -howkit out by the monks lang syne to hide their treasure in, and some -said that they used to bring things into the abbey this gate by night, -that they durstna sae weel hae brought in by the main port and in open -day--And some said that ane o' them turned a saint (or aiblins wad hae -had folk think sae), and settled him down in this Saint Ruth's cell, as -the auld folks aye ca'd it, and garr'd big the stair, that he might -gang up to the kirk when they were at the divine service. The Laird -o' Monkbarns wad hae a hantle to say about it, as he has about maist -things, if he ken'd only about the place. But whether it was made for -man's devices or God's service, I have seen ower muckle sin done in it -in my day, and far ower muckle have I been partaker of--ay, even here in -this dark cove. Mony a gudewife's been wondering what for the red cock -didna craw her up in the morning, when he's been roasting, puir fallow, -in this dark hole--And, ohon! I wish that and the like o' that had been -the warst o't! Whiles they wad hae heard the din we were making in the -very bowels o' the earth, when Sanders Aikwood, that was forester in -thae days, the father o' Ringan that now is, was gaun daundering about -the wood at e'en, to see after the Laird's game and whiles he wad hae -seen a glance o' the light frae the door o' the cave, flaughtering -against the hazels on the other bank;--and then siccan stories as Sanders -had about the worricows and gyre-carlins that haunted about the auld -wa's at e'en, and the lights that he had seen, and the cries that he had -heard, when there was nae mortal e'e open but his ain; and eh! as he wad -thrum them ower and ower to the like o' me ayont the ingle at e'en, and -as I wad gie the auld silly carle grane for grane, and tale for tale, -though I ken'd muckle better about it than ever he did. Ay, ay--they were -daft days thae;--but they were a' vanity, and waur,--and it's fitting that -they wha hae led a light and evil life, and abused charity when they -were young, suld aiblins come to lack it when they are auld." - -While Ochiltree was thus recounting the exploits and tricks of his -earlier life, with a tone in which glee and compunction alternately -predominated, his unfortunate auditor had sat down upon the hermit's -seat, hewn out of the solid rock, and abandoned himself to that -lassitude, both of mind and body, which generally follows a course of -events that have agitated both, The effect of his late indisposition, -which had much weakened his system, contributed to this lethargic -despondency. "The puir bairn!" said auld Edie, "an he sleeps in this -damp hole, he'll maybe wauken nae mair, or catch some sair disease. It's -no the same to him as to the like o' us, that can sleep ony gate an anes -our wames are fu'. Sit up, Maister Lovel, lad! After a's come and gane, -I dare say the captain-lad will do weel eneugh--and, after a', ye are no -the first that has had this misfortune. I hae seen mony a man killed, -and helped to kill them mysell, though there was nae quarrel between -us--and if it isna wrang to kill folk we have nae quarrel wi', just -because they wear another sort of a cockade, and speak a foreign -language, I canna see but a man may have excuse for killing his ain -mortal foe, that comes armed to the fair field to kill him. I dinna say -it's right--God forbid--or that it isna sinfu' to take away what ye canna -restore, and that's the breath of man, whilk is in his nostrils; but I -say it is a sin to be forgiven if it's repented of. Sinfu' men are we -a'; but if ye wad believe an auld grey sinner that has seen the evil -o' his ways, there is as much promise atween the twa boards o' the -Testament as wad save the warst o' us, could we but think sae." - -With such scraps of comfort and of divinity as he possessed, the -mendicant thus continued to solicit and compel the attention of Lovel, -until the twilight began to fade into night. "Now," said Ochiltree, "I -will carry ye to a mair convenient place, where I hae sat mony a time to -hear the howlit crying out of the ivy tod, and to see the moonlight come -through the auld windows o' the ruins. There can be naebody come -here after this time o' night; and if they hae made ony search, thae -blackguard shirra'-officers and constables, it will hae been ower lang -syne. Od, they are as great cowards as ither folk, wi' a' their warrants -and king's keys*--I hae gien some o' them a gliff in my day, when they -were coming rather ower near me--But, lauded be grace for it! they canna -stir me now for ony waur than an auld man and a beggar, and my badge -is a gude protection; and then Miss Isabella Wardour is a tower o' -strength, ye ken"--(Lovel sighed)--"Aweel, dinna be cast down--bowls may a' -row right yet--gie the lassie time to ken her mind. She's the wale o' the -country for beauty, and a gude friend o' mine--I gang by the bridewell -as safe as by the kirk on a Sabbath--deil ony o' them daur hurt a hair o' -auld Edie's head now; I keep the crown o' the causey when I gae to the -borough, and rub shouthers wi' a bailie wi' as little concern as an he -were a brock." - -* The king's keys are, in law phrase, the crow-bars and hammers used to -force doors and locks, in execution of the king's warrant. - -While the mendicant spoke thus, he was busied in removing a few loose -stones in one angle of the eave, which obscured the entrance of the -staircase of which he had spoken, and led the way into it, followed by -Lovel in passive silence. - -"The air's free eneugh," said the old man; "the monks took care o' that, -for they werena a lang-breathed generation, I reckon; they hae contrived -queer tirlie-wirlie holes, that gang out to the open air, and keep the -stair as caller as a kail-blade." - -Lovel accordingly found the staircase well aired, and, though narrow, it -was neither ruinous nor long, but speedily admitted them into a narrow -gallery contrived to run within the side wall of the chancel, from which -it received air and light through apertures ingeniously hidden amid the -florid ornaments of the Gothic architecture. - -"This secret passage ance gaed round great part o' the biggin," said the -beggar, "and through the wa' o' the place I've heard Monkbarns ca' the -Refractory" [meaning probably Refectory], "and so awa to the Prior's ain -house. It's like he could use it to listen what the monks were saying at -meal-time,--and then he might come ben here and see that they were busy -skreighing awa wi' the psalms doun below there; and then, when he saw a' -was right and tight, he might step awa and fetch in a bonnie lass at -the cove yonder--for they were queer hands the monks, unless mony lees is -made on them. But our folk were at great pains lang syne to big up -the passage in some parts, and pu' it down in others, for fear o' some -uncanny body getting into it, and finding their way down to the cove: it -wad hae been a fashious job that--by my certie, some o' our necks wad hae -been ewking." - -They now came to a place where the gallery was enlarged into a small -circle, sufficient to contain a stone seat. A niche, constructed exactly -before it, projected forward into the chancel, and as its sides were -latticed, as it were, with perforated stone-work, it commanded a full -view of the chancel in every direction, and was probably constructed, as -Edie intimated, to be a convenient watch-tower, from which the superior -priest, himself unseen, might watch the behaviour of his monks, and -ascertain, by personal inspection, their punctual attendance upon those -rites of devotion which his rank exempted him from sharing with them. As -this niche made one of a regular series which stretched along the wall -of the chancel, and in no respect differed from the rest when seen from -below, the secret station, screened as it was by the stone figure of -St. Michael and the dragon, and the open tracery around the niche, was -completely hid from observation. The private passage, confined to its -pristine breadth, had originally continued beyond this seat; but the -jealous precautions of the vagabonds who frequented the cave of St. Ruth -had caused them to build it carefully up with hewn stones from the ruin. - -"We shall be better here," said Edie, seating himself on the stone -bench, and stretching the lappet of his blue gown upon the spot, when he -motioned Lovel to sit down beside him--"we shall be better here than doun -below; the air's free and mild, and the savour of the wallflowers, and -siccan shrubs as grow on thae ruined wa's, is far mair refreshing than -the damp smell doun below yonder. They smell sweetest by night-time thae -flowers, and they're maist aye seen about rained buildings. Now, Maister -Lovel, can ony o' you scholars gie a gude reason for that?" - -Lovel replied in the negative. - -"I am thinking," resumed the beggar, "that they'll be, like mony folk's -gude gifts, that often seem maist gracious in adversity--or maybe it's a -parable, to teach us no to slight them that are in the darkness of sin -and the decay of tribulation, since God sends odours to refresh the -mirkest hour, and flowers and pleasant bushes to clothe the ruined -buildings. And now I wad like a wise man to tell me whether Heaven is -maist pleased wi' the sight we are looking upon--thae pleasant and quiet -lang streaks o' moonlight that are lying sae still on the floor o' this -auld kirk, and glancing through the great pillars and stanchions o' the -carved windows, and just dancing like on the leaves o' the dark ivy as -the breath o' wind shakes it--I wonder whether this is mair pleasing to -Heaven than when it was lighted up wi' lamps, and candles nae doubt, and -roughies,* and wi' the mirth and the frankincent that they speak of in -the Holy Scripture, and wi' organs assuredly, and men and women singers, -and sackbuts, and dulcimers, and a' instruments o' music--I wonder -if that was acceptable, or whether it is of these grand parafle o' -ceremonies that holy writ says, It is an abomination to me. - -* Links, or torches. - -I am thinking, Maister Lovel, if twa puir contrite spirits like yours -and mine fand grace to make our petition"-- - -Here Lovel laid his hand eagerly on the mendicant's arm, saying,--"Hush! -I heard some one speak." - -"I am dull o' hearing," answered Edie, in a whisper, "but we're surely -safe here--where was the sound?" - -Lovel pointed to the door of the chancel, which, highly ornamented, -occupied the west end of the building, surmounted by the carved window, -which let in a flood of moonlight over it. - -"They can be nane o' our folk," said Edie in the same low and cautious -tone; "there's but twa o' them kens o' the place, and they're mony a -mile off, if they are still bound on their weary pilgrimage. I'll never -think it's the officers here at this time o' night. I am nae believer in -auld wives' stories about ghaists, though this is gey like a place for -them--But mortal, or of the other world, here they come!--twa men and a -light." - -And in very truth, while the mendicant spoke, two human figures darkened -with their shadows the entrance of the chancel--which had before opened -to the moon-lit meadow beyond, and the small lantern which one of them -displayed, glimmered pale in the clear and strong beams of the moon, as -the evening star does among the lights of the departing day. The first -and most obvious idea was, that, despite the asseverations of Edie -Ochiltree, the persons who approached the ruins at an hour so uncommon -must be the officers of justice in quest of Lovel. But no part of their -conduct confirmed the suspicion. A touch and a whisper from the old man -warned Lovel that his best course was to remain quiet, and watch their -motions from their present place of concealment. Should anything appear -to render retreat necessary, they had behind them the private stair-case -and cavern, by means of which they could escape into the wood long -before any danger of close pursuit. They kept themselves, therefore, as -still as possible, and observed with eager and anxious curiosity every -accent and motion of these nocturnal wanderers. - -After conversing together some time in whispers, the two figures -advanced into the middle of the chancel; and a voice, which Lovel at -once recognised, from its tone and dialect, to be that of Dousterswivel, -pronounced in a louder but still a smothered tone, "Indeed, mine goot -sir, dere cannot be one finer hour nor season for dis great purpose. -You shall see, mine goot sir, dat it is all one bibble-babble dat Mr. -Oldenbuck says, and dat he knows no more of what he speaks than one -little child. Mine soul! he expects to get as rich as one Jew for his -poor dirty one hundred pounds, which I care no more about, by mine -honest wort, than I care for an hundred stivers. But to you, my most -munificent and reverend patron, I will show all de secrets dat art can -show--ay, de secret of de great Pymander." - -[Illustration: The Ruins of St. Ruth] - -"That other ane," whispered Edie, "maun be, according to a' likelihood, -Sir Arthur Wardour--I ken naebody but himsell wad come here at this time -at e'en wi' that German blackguard;--ane wad think he's bewitched him--he -gars him e'en trow that chalk is cheese. Let's see what they can be -doing." - -This interruption, and the low tone in which Sir Arthur spoke, made -Lovel lose all Sir Arthur's answer to the adept, excepting the last -three emphatic words, "Very great expense;" to which Dousterswivel at -once replied--"Expenses!--to be sure--dere must be de great expenses. -You do not expect to reap before you do sow de seed: de expense is de -seed--de riches and de mine of goot metal, and now de great big chests -of plate, they are de crop--vary goot crop too, on mine wort. Now, Sir -Arthur, you have sowed this night one little seed of ten guineas -like one pinch of snuff, or so big; and if you do not reap de great -harvest--dat is, de great harvest for de little pinch of seed, for it -must be proportions, you must know--then never call one honest man, -Herman Dousterswivel. Now you see, mine patron--for I will not conceal -mine secret from you at all--you see this little plate of silver; you -know de moon measureth de whole zodiack in de space of twenty-eight -day--every shild knows dat. Well, I take a silver plate when she is -in her fifteenth mansion, which mansion is in de head of Libra, and I -engrave upon one side de worts, [Shedbarschemoth Schartachan]--dat is, -de Emblems of de Intelligence of de moon--and I make this picture like a -flying serpent with a turkey-cock's head--vary well. Then upon this side -I make de table of de moon, which is a square of nine, multiplied into -itself, with eighty-one numbers on every side, and diameter nine--dere it -is done very proper. Now I will make dis avail me at de change of every -quarter-moon dat I shall find by de same proportions of expenses I lay -out in de suffumigations, as nine, to de product of nine multiplied -into itself--But I shall find no more to-night as maybe two or dree times -nine, because dere is a thwarting power in de house of ascendency." - -"But, Dousterswivel," said the simple Baronet, "does not this look like -magic?--I am a true though unworthy son of the Episcopal church, and I -will have nothing to do with the foul fiend." - -"Bah! bah!--not a bit magic in it at all--not a bit--It is all founded on -de planetary influence, and de sympathy and force of numbers. I will -show you much finer dan dis. I do not say dere is not de spirit in it, -because of de suffumigation; but, if you are not afraid, he shall not be -invisible." - -"I have no curiosity to see him at all," said the Baronet, whose courage -seemed, from a certain quaver in his accent, to have taken a fit of the -ague. - -"Dat is great pity," said Dousterswivel; "I should have liked to show -you de spirit dat guard dis treasure like one fierce watchdog--but I know -how to manage him;--you would not care to see him?" - -"Not at all," answered the Baronet, in a tone of feigned indifference; -"I think we have but little time." - -"You shall pardon me, my patron; it is not yet twelve, and twelve -precise is just our planetary hours; and I could show you de spirit -vary well, in de meanwhile, just for pleasure. You see I would draw -a pentagon within a circle, which is no trouble at all, and make my -suffumigation within it, and dere we would be like in one strong castle, -and you would hold de sword while I did say de needful worts. Den you -should see de solid wall open like de gate of ane city, and den--let me -see--ay, you should see first one stag pursued by three black greyhounds, -and they should pull him down as they do at de elector's great -hunting-match; and den one ugly, little, nasty black negro should appear -and take de stag from them--and paf--all should be gone; den you should -hear horns winded dat all de ruins should ring--mine wort, they should -play fine hunting piece, as goot as him you call'd Fischer with his -oboi; vary well--den comes one herald, as we call Ernhold, winding his -horn--and den come de great Peolphan, called de mighty Hunter of de -North, mounted on hims black steed. But you would not care to see all -this?"* - -* Note F. Witchcraft. - - "Why, I am not afraid," answered the poor Baronet,--"if--that is--does -anything--any great mischiefs, happen on such occasions?" - -"Bah! mischiefs? no!--sometimes if de circle be no quite just, or -de beholder be de frightened coward, and not hold de sword firm and -straight towards him, de Great Hunter will take his advantage, and drag -him exorcist out of de circle and throttle him. Dat does happens." - -"Well then, Dousterswivel, with every confidence in my courage and your -skill, we will dispense with this apparition, and go on to the business -of the night." - -"With all mine heart--it is just one thing to me--and now it is de -time--hold you de sword till I kindle de little what you call chip." - -Dousterswivel accordingly set fire to a little pile of chips, touched -and prepared with some bituminous substance to make them burn fiercely; -and when the flame was at the highest, and lightened, with its -shortlived glare, all the ruins around, the German flung in a handful of -perfumes which produced a strong and pungent odour. The exorcist and his -pupil both were so much affected as to cough and sneeze heartily; and, -as the vapour floated around the pillars of the building, and penetrated -every crevice, it produced the same effect on the beggar and Lovel. - -"Was that an echo?" said the Baronet, astonished at the sternutation -which resounded from above; "or"--drawing close to the adept, "can it -be the spirit you talked of, ridiculing our attempt upon his hidden -treasures?" - -"N--n--no," muttered the German, who began to partake of his pupil's -terrors, "I hope not." - -Here a violent of sneezing, which the mendicant was unable to suppress, -and which could not be considered by any means as the dying fall of an -echo, accompanied by a grunting half-smothered cough, confounded the two -treasure-seekers. "Lord have mercy on us!" said the Baronet. - -"Alle guten Geistern loben den Herrn!" ejaculated the terrified adept. -"I was begun to think," he continued, after a moment's silence, "that -this would be de bestermost done in de day-light--we was bestermost to go -away just now." - -"You juggling villain!" said the Baronet, in whom these expressions -awakened a suspicion that overcame his terrors, connected as it was -with the sense of desperation arising from the apprehension of impending -ruin--"you juggling mountebank! this is some legerdemain trick of yours -to get off from the performance of your promise, as you have so often -done before. But, before Heaven! I will this night know what I have -trusted to when I suffered you to fool me on to my ruin! Go on, -then--come fairy, come fiend, you shall show me that treasure, or confess -yourself a knave and an impostor, or, by the faith of a desperate and -ruined man, I'll send you where you shall see spirits enough." - -The treasure-finder, trembling between his terror for the supernatural -beings by whom he supposed himself to be surrounded, and for his life, -which seemed to be at the mercy of a desperate man, could only bring -out, "Mine patron, this is not the allerbestmost usage. Consider, mine -honoured sir, that de spirits"-- - -Here Edie, who began to enter into the humour of the scene, uttered an -extraordinary howl, being an exaltation and a prolongation of the most -deplorable whine in which he was accustomed to solicit charity. - -Dousterswivel flung himself on his knees--"Dear Sir Arthurs, let us go, -or let me go!" - -"No, you cheating scoundrel!" said the knight, unsheathing the sword -which he had brought for the purposes of the exorcism, "that shift shall -not serve you--Monkbarns warned me long since of your juggling pranks--I -will see this treasure before you leave this place, or I will have you -confess yourself an impostor, or, by Heaven, I'll run this sword through -you, though all the spirits of the dead should rise around us!" - -"For de lofe of Heaven be patient, mine honoured patron, and you shall -hafe all de treasure as I knows of--yes, you shall indeed--But do not -speak about de spirits--it makes dem angry." - -Edie Ochiltree here prepared himself to throw in another groan, but was -restrained by Lovel, who began to take a more serious interest, as -he observed the earnest and almost desperate demeanour of Sir Arthur. -Dousterswivel, having at once before his eyes the fear of the foul -fiend, and the violence of Sir Arthur, played his part of a conjuror -extremely ill, hesitating to assume the degree of confidence necessary -to deceive the latter, lest it should give offence to the invisible -cause of his alarm. However, after rolling his eyes, muttering and -sputtering German exorcisms, with contortions of his face and person, -rather flowing from the impulse of terror than of meditated fraud, he at -length proceeded to a corner of the building where a flat stone lay upon -the ground, bearing upon its surface the effigy of an armed warrior in a -recumbent posture carved in bas-relief. He muttered to Sir Arthur, "Mine -patrons, it is here--Got save us all!" - -Sir Arthur, who, after the first moment of his superstitious fear -was over, seemed to have bent up all his faculties to the pitch of -resolution necessary to carry on the adventure, lent the adept his -assistance to turn over the stone, which, by means of a lever that -the adept had provided, their joint force with difficulty effected. No -supernatural light burst forth from below to indicate the subterranean -treasury, nor was there any apparition of spirits, earthly or infernal. -But when Dousterswivel had, with great trepidation, struck a few strokes -with a mattock, and as hastily thrown out a shovelful or two of earth -(for they came provided with the tools necessary for digging), something -was heard to ring like the sound of a falling piece of metal, and -Dousterswivel, hastily catching up the substance which produced it, and -which his shovel had thrown out along with the earth, exclaimed, "On -mine dear wort, mine patrons, dis is all--it is indeed; I mean all we can -do to-night;"--and he gazed round him with a cowering and fearful glance, -as if to see from what corner the avenger of his imposture was to start -forth. - -"Let me see it," said Sir Arthur; and then repeated, still more sternly, -"I will be satisfied--I will judge by mine own eyes." He accordingly -held the object to the light of the lantern. It was a small case, or -casket,--for Lovel could not at the distance exactly discern its shape, -which, from the Baronet's exclamation as he opened it, he concluded was -filled with coin. "Ay," said the Baronet, "this is being indeed in good -luck! and if it omens proportional success upon a larger venture, the -venture shall be made. That six hundred of Goldieword's, added to the -other incumbent claims, must have been ruin indeed. If you think we -can parry it by repeating this experiment--suppose when the moon next -changes,--I will hazard the necessary advance, come by it how I may." - -"Oh, mine good patrons, do not speak about all dat," said Dousterswivel, -"as just now, but help me to put de shtone to de rights, and let -us begone our own ways." And accordingly, so soon as the stone was -replaced, he hurried Sir Arthur, who was now resigned once more to his -guidance, away from a spot, where the German's guilty conscience and -superstitious fears represented goblins as lurking behind each pillar -with the purpose of punishing his treachery. - -"Saw onybody e'er the like o' that!" said Edie, when they had -disappeared like shadows through the gate by which they had entered--"saw -ony creature living e'er the like o' that!--But what can we do for that -puir doited deevil of a knight-baronet? Od, he showed muckle mair spunk, -too, than I thought had been in him--I thought he wad hae sent cauld iron -through the vagabond--Sir Arthur wasna half sae bauld at Bessie's-apron -yon night--but then, his blood was up even now, and that makes an unco -difference. I hae seen mony a man wad hae felled another an anger him, -that wadna muckle hae liked a clink against Crummies-horn yon time. But -what's to be done?" - -"I suppose," said Lovel, "his faith in this fellow is entirely restored -by this deception, which, unquestionably, he had arranged beforehand." - -"What! the siller?--Ay, ay--trust him for that--they that hide ken best -where to find. He wants to wile him out o' his last guinea, and then -escape to his ain country, the land-louper. I wad likeit weel just -to hae come in at the clipping-time, and gien him a lounder wi' my -pike-staff; he wad hae taen it for a bennison frae some o' the auld dead -abbots. But it's best no to be rash; sticking disna gang by strength, -but by the guiding o' the gally. I'se be upsides wi' him ae day." - -"What if you should inform Mr. Oldbuck?" said Lovel. - -"Ou, I dinna ken--Monkbarns and Sir Arthur are like, and yet they're no -like neither. Monkbarns has whiles influence wi' him, and whiles Sir -Arthur cares as little about him as about the like o' me. Monkbarns is -no that ower wise himsell, in some things;--he wad believe a bodle to -be an auld Roman coin, as he ca's it, or a ditch to be a camp, upon ony -leasing that idle folk made about it. I hae garr'd him trow mony a -queer tale mysell, gude forgie me. But wi' a' that, he has unco little -sympathy wi' ither folks; and he's snell and dure eneugh in casting up -their nonsense to them, as if he had nane o' his ain. He'll listen the -hale day, an yell tell him about tales o' Wallace, and Blind Harry, and -Davie Lindsay; but ye maunna speak to him about ghaists or fairies, or -spirits walking the earth, or the like o' that;--he had amaist flung auld -Caxon out o' the window (and he might just as weel hae flung awa -his best wig after him), for threeping he had seen a ghaist at the -humlock-knowe. Now, if he was taking it up in this way, he wad set up -the tother's birse, and maybe do mair ill nor gude--he's done that -twice or thrice about thae mine-warks; ye wad thought Sir Arthur had a -pleasure in gaun on wi' them the deeper, the mair he was warned against -it by Monkbarns." - -"What say you then," said Lovel, "to letting Miss Wardour know the -circumstance?" - -"Ou, puir thing, how could she stop her father doing his pleasure?--and, -besides, what wad it help? There's a sough in the country about that -six hundred pounds, and there's a writer chield in Edinburgh has been -driving the spur-rowels o' the law up to the head into Sir Arthur's -sides to gar him pay it, and if he canna, he maun gang to jail or flee -the country. He's like a desperate man, and just catches at this chance -as a' he has left, to escape utter perdition; so what signifies plaguing -the puir lassie about what canna be helped? And besides, to say -the truth, I wadna like to tell the secret o' this place. It's unco -convenient, ye see yoursell, to hae a hiding-hole o' ane's ain; and -though I be out o' the line o' needing ane e'en now, and trust in the -power o' grace that I'll neer do onything to need ane again, yet naebody -kens what temptation ane may be gien ower to--and, to be brief, I downa -bide the thought of anybody kennin about the place;--they say, keep a -thing seven year, an' yell aye find a use for't--and maybe I may need the -cove, either for mysell, or for some ither body." - -This argument, in which Edie Ochiltree, notwithstanding his scraps of -morality and of divinity, seemed to take, perhaps from old habit, a -personal interest, could not be handsomely controverted by Lovel, who -was at that moment reaping the benefit of the secret of which the old -man appeared to be so jealous. - -This incident, however, was of great service to Lovel, as diverting -his mind from the unhappy occurrence of the evening, and considerably -rousing the energies which had been stupefied by the first view of his -calamity. He reflected that it by no means necessarily followed that a -dangerous wound must be a fatal one--that he had been hurried from -the spot even before the surgeon had expressed any opinion of Captain -M'Intyre's situation--and that he had duties on earth to perform, even -should the very worst be true, which, if they could not restore his -peace of mind or sense of innocence, would furnish a motive for -enduring existence, and at the same time render it a course of active -benevolence.--Such were Lovel's feelings, when the hour arrived when, -according to Edie's calculation--who, by some train or process of his own -in observing the heavenly bodies, stood independent of the assistance -of a watch or time-keeper--it was fitting they should leave their -hiding-place, and betake themselves to the seashore, in order to meet -Lieutenant Taffril's boat according to appointment. - -They retreated by the same passage which had admitted them to the -prior's secret seat of observation, and when they issued from the -grotto into the wood, the birds which began to chirp, and even to sing, -announced that the dawn was advanced. This was confirmed by the light -and amber clouds that appeared over the sea, as soon as their exit -from the copse permitted them to view the horizon.--Morning, said to be -friendly to the muses, has probably obtained this character from its -effect upon the fancy and feelings of mankind. Even to those who, like -Lovel, have spent a sleepless and anxious night, the breeze of the dawn -brings strength and quickening both of mind and body. It was, therefore, -with renewed health and vigour that Lovel, guided by the trusty -mendicant, brushed away the dew as he traversed the downs which divided -the Den of St. Ruth, as the woods surrounding the ruins were popularly -called, from the sea-shore. - -The first level beam of the sun, as his brilliant disk began to emerge -from the ocean, shot full upon the little gun-brig which was lying-to -in the offing--close to the shore the boat was already waiting, Taffril -himself, with his naval cloak wrapped about him, seated in the stern. He -jumped ashore when he saw the mendicant and Lovel approach, and, -shaking the latter heartily by the hand, begged him not to be cast down. -"M'Intyre's wound," he said, "was doubtful, but far from desperate." -His attention had got Lovel's baggage privately sent on board the -brig; "and," he said, "he trusted that, if Lovel chose to stay with the -vessel, the penalty of a short cruise would be the only disagreeable -consequence of his rencontre. As for himself, his time and motions -were a good deal at his own disposal, he said, excepting the necessary -obligation of remaining on his station." - -"We will talk of our farther motions," said Lovel, "as we go on board." - -Then turning to Edie, he endeavoured to put money into his hand. "I -think," said Edie, as he tendered it back again, "the hale folk here -have either gane daft, or they hae made a vow to rain my trade, as they -say ower muckle water drowns the miller. I hae had mair gowd offered me -within this twa or three weeks than I ever saw in my life afore. Keep -the siller, lad--yell hae need o't, I'se warrant ye, and I hae nane my -claes is nae great things, and I get a blue gown every year, and as mony -siller groats as the king, God bless him, is years auld--you and I serve -the same master, ye ken, Captain Taffril; there's rigging provided -for--and my meat and drink I get for the asking in my rounds, or, at an -orra time, I can gang a day without it, for I make it a rule never to -pay for nane;--so that a' the siller I need is just to buy tobacco and -sneeshin, and maybe a dram at a time in a cauld day, though I am nae -dram-drinker to be a gaberlunzie;--sae take back your gowd, and just gie -me a lily-white shilling." - -Upon these whims, which he imagined intimately connected with the honour -of his vagabond profession, Edie was flint and adamant, not to be moved -by rhetoric or entreaty; and therefore Lovel was under the necessity of -again pocketing his intended bounty, and taking a friendly leave of the -mendicant by shaking him by the hand, and assuring him of his cordial -gratitude for the very important services which he had rendered him, -recommending, at the same time, secrecy as to what they had that night -witnessed.--"Ye needna doubt that," said Ochiltree; "I never tell'd tales -out o' yon cove in my life, though mony a queer thing I hae seen in't." - -The boat now put off. The old man remained looking after it as it made -rapidly towards the brig under the impulse of six stout rowers, and -Lovel beheld him again wave his blue bonnet as a token of farewell ere -he turned from his fixed posture, and began to move slowly along the -sands as if resuming his customary perambulations. - - - - - -VOLUME TWO. - - - -CONTENTS - -CHAPTER FIRST. - -CHAPTER SECOND. - -CHAPTER THIRD. - -CHAPTER FOURTH. - -CHAPTER FIFTH. - -CHAPTER SIXTH. - -CHAPTER SEVENTH. - -CHAPTER EIGHTH. - -CHAPTER NINTH - -CHAPTER TENTH. - -CHAPTER ELEVENTH - -CHAPTER TWELFTH. - -CHAPTER THIRTEENTH. - -CHAPTER FOURTEENTH - -CHAPTER FIFTEENTH. - -CHAPTER SIXTEENTH. - -CHAPTER SEVENTEENTH. - -CHAPTER EIGHTEENTH. - -CHAPTER NINETEENTH - -CHAPTER TWENTIETH. - -CHAPTER TWENTY-FIRST. - -CHAPTER TWENTY-SECOND. - -CHAPTER TWENTY-THIRD. - -CHAPTER TWENTY-FOURTH. - -NOTES TO THE ANTIQUARY. - - - - -ILLUSTRATIONS - -Bookcover - -Spines - -Titlepage - -Frontispiece-2 - -The Funeral of the Countess - -Lord Glenallen and Elspeth - -The Antiquary Visits Edie in Prison - -My Good Friends, 'favete Linguis' - -The Antiquary Arming - - - - - -CHAPTER FIRST. - - Wiser Raymondus, in his closet pent, - Laughs at such danger and adventurement - When half his lands are spent in golden smoke, - And now his second hopeful glasse is broke, - But yet, if haply his third furnace hold, - Devoteth all his pots and pans to gold.* - -* The author cannot remember where these lines are to be found: perhaps -in Bishop Hall's Satires. [They occur in Book iv. Satire iii.] - -About a week after the adventures commemorated in our last CHAPTER, Mr. -Oldbuck, descending to his breakfast-parlour, found that his womankind -were not upon duty, his toast not made, and the silver jug, which was -wont to receive his libations of mum, not duly aired for its reception. - -"This confounded hot-brained boy!" he said to himself; "now that he -begins to get out of danger, I can tolerate this life no longer. All -goes to sixes and sevens--an universal saturnalia seems to be proclaimed -in my peaceful and orderly family. I ask for my sister--no answer. I -call, I shout--I invoke my inmates by more names than the Romans gave -to their deities--at length Jenny, whose shrill voice I have heard this -half-hour lilting in the Tartarean regions of the kitchen, condescends -to hear me and reply, but without coming up stairs, so the conversation -must be continued at the top of my lungs. "--Here he again began to -hollow aloud--"Jenny, where's Miss Oldbuck?" - -"Miss Grizzy's in the captain's room." - -"Umph!--I thought so--and where's my niece?" - -"Miss Mary's making the captain's tea." - -"Umph! I supposed as much again--and where's Caxon?" - -"Awa to the town about the captain's fowling-gun, and his setting-dog." - -"And who the devil's to dress my periwig, you silly jade?--when you knew -that Miss Wardour and Sir Arthur were coming here early after breakfast, -how could you let Caxon go on such a Tomfool's errand?" - -"Me! what could I hinder him?--your honour wadna hae us contradict the -captain e'en now, and him maybe deeing?" - -"Dying!" said the alarmed Antiquary,--"eh! what? has he been worse?" - -"Na, he's no nae waur that I ken of."* - -* It is, I believe, a piece of free-masonry, or a point of conscience, -among the Scottish lower orders, never to admit that a patient is doing -better. The closest approach to recovery which they can be brought to -allow, is, that the pairty inquired after is "Nae waur." - -"Then he must be better--and what good is a dog and a gun to do here, but -the one to destroy all my furniture, steal from my larder, and perhaps -worry the cat, and the other to shoot somebody through the head. He -has had gunning and pistolling enough to serve him one while, I should -think." - -Here Miss Oldbuck entered the parlour, at the door of which Oldbuck was -carrying on this conversation, he bellowing downward to Jenny, and she -again screaming upward in reply. - -"Dear brother," said the old lady, "ye'll cry yoursell as hoarse as -a corbie--is that the way to skreigh when there's a sick person in the -house?" - -"Upon my word, the sick person's like to have all the house to himself,-- -I have gone without my breakfast, and am like to go without my wig; and -I must not, I suppose, presume to say I feel either hunger or cold, for -fear of disturbing the sick gentleman who lies six rooms off, and who -feels himself well enough to send for his dog and gun, though he knows -I detest such implements ever since our elder brother, poor Williewald, -marched out of the world on a pair of damp feet, caught in the -Kittlefitting-moss. But that signifies nothing; I suppose I shall be -expected by and by to lend a hand to carry Squire Hector out upon his -litter, while he indulges his sportsmanlike propensities by shooting my -pigeons, or my turkeys--I think any of the ferae naturae are safe from -him for one while." - -Miss M'Intyre now entered, and began to her usual morning's task of -arranging her uncle's breakfast, with the alertness of one who is too -late in setting about a task, and is anxious to make up for lost time. -But this did not avail her. "Take care, you silly womankind--that mum's -too near the fire--the bottle will burst; and I suppose you intend to -reduce the toast to a cinder as a burnt-offering for Juno, or what do -you call her--the female dog there, with some such Pantheon kind of -a name, that your wise brother has, in his first moments of mature -reflection, ordered up as a fitting inmate of my house (I thank him), -and meet company to aid the rest of the womankind of my household in -their daily conversation and intercourse with him." - -"Dear uncle, don't be angry about the poor spaniel; she's been tied up -at my brother's lodgings at Fairport, and she's broke her chain twice, -and came running down here to him; and you would not have us beat the -faithful beast away from the door?--it moans as if it had some sense -of poor Hector's misfortune, and will hardly stir from the door of his -room." - -"Why," said his uncle, "they said Caxon had gone to Fairport after his -dog and gun." - -"O dear sir, no," answered Miss M'Intyre, "it was to fetch some -dressings that were wanted, and Hector only wished him to bring out his -gun, as he was going to Fairport at any rate." - -"Well, then, it is not altogether so foolish a business, considering -what a mess of womankind have been about it--Dressings, quotha?--and who -is to dress my wig?--But I suppose Jenny will undertake"--continued the -old bachelor, looking at himself in the glass--"to make it somewhat -decent. And now let us set to breakfast--with what appetite we may. Well -may I say to Hector, as Sir Isaac Newton did to his dog Diamond, when -the animal (I detest dogs) flung down the taper among calculations which -had occupied the philosopher for twenty years, and consumed the whole -mass of materials--Diamond, Diamond, thou little knowest the mischief -thou hast done!" - -"I assure you, sir," replied his niece, "my brother is quite sensible -of the rashness of his own behaviour, and allows that Mr. Lovel behaved -very handsomely." - -"And much good that will do, when he has frightened the lad out of the -country! I tell thee, Mary, Hector's understanding, and far more that -of feminity, is inadequate to comprehend the extent of the loss which he -has occasioned to the present age and to posterity--aureum quidem opus--a -poem on such a subject, with notes illustrative of all that is clear, -and all that is dark, and all that is neither dark nor clear, but hovers -in dusky twilight in the region of Caledonian antiquities. I would have -made the Celtic panegyrists look about them. Fingal, as they conceitedly -term Fin-Mac-Coul, should have disappeared before my search, rolling -himself in his cloud like the spirit of Loda. Such an opportunity can -hardly again occur to an ancient and grey-haired man; and to see it lost -by the madcap spleen of a hot-headed boy! But I submit--Heaven's will be -done!" - -Thus continued the Antiquary to maunder, as his sister expressed it, -during the whole time of breakfast, while, despite of sugar and honey, -and all the comforts of a Scottish morning tea-table, his reflections -rendered the meal bitter to all who heard them. But they knew the -nature of the man. "Monkbarns's bark," said Miss Griselda Oldbuck, in -confidential intercourse with Miss Rebecca Blattergowl, "is muckle waur -than his bite." - -In fact, Mr. Oldbuck had suffered in mind extremely while his nephew was -in actual danger, and now felt himself at liberty, upon his returning -health, to indulge in complaints respecting the trouble he had been -put to, and the interruption of his antiquarian labours. Listened to, -therefore, in respectful silence, by his niece and sister, he unloaded -his discontent in such grumblings as we have rehearsed, venting many -a sarcasm against womankind, soldiers, dogs, and guns, all which -implements of noise, discord, and tumult, as he called them, he -professed to hold in utter abomination. - -This expectoration of spleen was suddenly interrupted by the noise of a -carriage without, when, shaking off all sullenness at the sound, Oldbuck -ran nimbly up stairs and down stairs, for both operations were necessary -ere he could receive Miss Wardour and her father at the door of his -mansion. - -A cordial greeting passed on both sides. And Sir Arthur, referring -to his previous inquiries by letter and message, requested to be -particularly informed of Captain M'Intyre's health. - -"Better than he deserves," was the answer--"better than he deserves, for -disturbing us with his vixen brawls, and breaking God's peace and the -King's." - -"The young gentleman," Sir Arthur said, "had been imprudent; but he -understood they were indebted to him for the detection of a suspicious -character in the young man Lovel." - -"No more suspicious than his own," answered the Antiquary, eager in -his favourites defence;--"the young gentleman was a little foolish and -headstrong, and refused to answer Hector's impertinent interrogatories-- -that is all. Lovel, Sir Arthur, knows how to choose his confidants -better--Ay, Miss Wardour, you may look at me--but it is very true;--it -was in my bosom that he deposited the secret cause of his residence -at Fairport; and no stone should have been left unturned on my part to -assist him in the pursuit to which he had dedicated himself." - -On hearing this magnanimous declaration on the part of the old -Antiquary, Miss Wardour changed colour more than once, and could -hardly trust her own ears. For of all confidants to be selected as the -depositary of love affairs,--and such she naturally supposed must have -been the subject of communication,--next to Edie Ochiltree, Oldbuck -seemed the most uncouth and extraordinary; nor could she sufficiently -admire or fret at the extraordinary combination of circumstances which -thus threw a secret of such a delicate nature into the possession of -persons so unfitted to be entrusted with it. She had next to fear the -mode of Oldbuck's entering upon the affair with her father, for such, -she doubted not, was his intention. She well knew that the honest -gentleman, however vehement in his prejudices, had no great sympathy -with those of others, and she had to fear a most unpleasant explosion -upon an e'claircissement taking place between them. It was therefore -with great anxiety that she heard her father request a private -interview, and observed Oldbuck readily arise and show the way to his -library. She remained behind, attempting to converse with the ladies of -Monkbarns, but with the distracted feelings of Macbeth, when compelled -to disguise his evil conscience by listening and replying to the -observations of the attendant thanes upon the storm of the preceding -night, while his whole soul is upon the stretch to listen for the alarm -of murder, which he knows must be instantly raised by those who have -entered the sleeping apartment of Duncan. But the conversation of the -two virtuosi turned on a subject very different from that which Miss -Wardour apprehended. - -"Mr. Oldbuck," said Sir Arthur, when they had, after a due exchange of -ceremonies, fairly seated themselves in the sanctum sanctorum of the -Antiquary,--"you, who know so much of my family matters, may probably be -surprised at the question I am about to put to you." - -"Why, Sir Arthur, if it relates to money, I am very sorry, but"-- - -"It does relate to money matters, Mr. Oldbuck." - -"Really, then, Sir Arthur," continued the Antiquary, "in the present -state of the money-market--and stocks being so low"-- - -"You mistake my meaning, Mr. Oldbuck," said the Baronet; "I wished to -ask your advice about laying out a large sum of money to advantage." - -"The devil!" exclaimed the Antiquary; and, sensible that his involuntary -ejaculation of wonder was not over and above civil, he proceeded to -qualify it by expressing his joy that Sir Arthur should have a sum of -money to lay out when the commodity was so scarce. "And as for the mode -of employing it," said he, pausing, "the funds are low at present, as I -said before, and there are good bargains of land to be had. But had you -not better begin by clearing off encumbrances, Sir Arthur?--There is the -sum in the personal bond--and the three notes of hand," continued -he, taking out of the right-hand drawer of his cabinet a certain red -memorandum-book, of which Sir Arthur, from the experience of former -frequent appeals to it, abhorred the very sight--"with the interest -thereon, amounting altogether to--let me see"-- - -"To about a thousand pounds," said Sir Arthur, hastily; "you told me the -amount the other day." - -"But there's another term's interest due since that, Sir Arthur, and it -amounts (errors excepted) to eleven hundred and thirteen pounds, seven -shillings, five pennies, and three-fourths of a penny sterling--But look -over the summation yourself." - -"I daresay you are quite right, my dear sir," said the Baronet, putting -away the book with his hand, as one rejects the old-fashioned civility -that presses food upon you after you have eaten till you nauseate-- -"perfectly right, I dare say; and in the course of three days or less -you shall have the full value--that is, if you choose to accept it in -bullion." - -"Bullion! I suppose you mean lead. What the deuce! have we hit on the -vein then at last? But what could I do with a thousand pounds' worth, -and upwards, of lead? The former abbots of Trotcosey might have roofed -their church and monastery with it indeed--but for me"-- - -"By bullion," said the Baronet, "I mean the precious metals,--gold and -silver." - -"Ay! indeed?--and from what Eldorado is this treasure to be imported?" - -"Not far from hence," said Sir Arthur, significantly. "And naow I think -of it, you shall see the whole process, on one small condition." - -"And what is that?" craved the Antiquary. - -"Why, it will be necessary for you to give me your friendly assistance, -by advancing one hundred pounds or thereabouts." - -Mr. Oldbuck, who had already been grasping in idea the sum, principal -and interest, of a debt which he had long regarded as wellnigh -desperate, was so much astounded at the tables being so unexpectedly -turned upon him, that he could only re-echo, in an accent of wo and -surprise, the words, "Advance one hundred pounds!" - -"Yes, my good sir," continued Sir Arthur; "but upon the best possible -security of being repaid in the course of two or three days." - -There was a pause--either Oldbuck's nether jaw had not recovered its -position, so as to enable him to utter a negative, or his curiosity kept -him silent. - -"I would not propose to you," continued Sir Arthur, "to oblige me -thus far, if I did not possess actual proofs of the reality of those -expectations which I now hold out to you. And I assure you, Mr. Oldbuck, -that in entering fully upon this topic, it is my purpose to show -my confidence in you, and my sense of your kindness on many former -occasions." - -Mr. Oldbuck professed his sense of obligation, but carefully avoided -committing himself by any promise of farther assistance. - -"Mr. Dousterswivel," said Sir Arthur, "having discovered"-- - -Here Oldbuck broke in, his eyes sparkling with indignation. "Sir Arthur, -I have so often warned you of the knavery of that rascally quack, that I -really wonder you should quote him to me." - -"But listen--listen," interrupted Sir Arthur in his turn, "it will do you -no harm. In short, Dousterswivel persuaded me to witness an experiment -which he had made in the ruins of St. Ruth--and what do you think we -found?" - -"Another spring of water, I suppose, of which the rogue had beforehand -taken care to ascertain the situation and source." - -"No, indeed--a casket of gold and silver coins--here they are." - -With that, Sir Arthur drew from his pocket a large ram's horn, with -a copper cover, containing a considerable quantity of coins, chiefly -silver, but with a few gold pieces intermixed. The Antiquary's eyes -glistened as he eagerly spread them out on the table. - -"Upon my word--Scotch, English, and foreign coins, of the fifteenth and -sixteenth centuries, and some of them rari--et rariores--etiam rarissimi! -Here is the bonnet-piece of James V., the unicorn of James II.,--ay, and -the gold festoon of Queen Mary, with her head and the Dauphin's. And -these were really found in the ruins of St. Ruth?" - -"Most assuredly--my own eyes witnessed it." - -"Well," replied Oldbuck; "but you must tell me the when--the where-the -how." - -"The when," answered Sir Arthur, "was at midnight the last full moon--the -where, as I have told you, in the ruins of St. Ruth's priory--the how, -was by a nocturnal experiment of Dousterswivel, accompanied only by -myself." - -"Indeed!" said Oldbuck; "and what means of discovery did you employ?" - -"Only a simple suffumigation," said the Baronet, "accompanied by -availing ourselves of the suitable planetary hour." - -"Simple suffumigation? simple nonsensification--planetary hour? planetary -fiddlestick! Sapiens dominabitur astris. My dear Sir Arthur, that fellow -has made a gull of you above ground and under ground, and he would have -made a gull of you in the air too, if he had been by when you was -craned up the devil's turnpike yonder at Halket-head--to be sure the -transformation would have been then peculiarly apropos." - -"Well, Mr. Oldbuck, I am obliged to you for your indifferent opinion of -my discernment; but I think you will give me credit for having seen what -I say I saw." - -"Certainly, Sir Arthur," said the Antiquary,--"to this extent at least, -that I know Sir Arthur Wardour will not say he saw anything but what he -thought he saw." - -"Well, then," replied the Baronet, "as there is a heaven above us, Mr. -Oldbuck, I saw, with my own eyes, these coins dug out of the chancel of -St. Ruth at midnight. And as to Dousterswivel, although the discovery -be owing to his science, yet, to tell the truth, I do not think he would -have had firmness of mind to have gone through with it if I had not been -beside him." - -"Ay! indeed?" said Oldbuck, in the tone used when one wishes to hear the -end of a story before making any comment. - -"Yes truly," continued Sir Arthur--"I assure you I was upon my guard--we -did hear some very uncommon sounds, that is certain, proceeding from -among the ruins." - -"Oh, you did?" said Oldbuck; "an accomplice hid among them, I suppose?" - -"Not a jot," said the Baronet;--"the sounds, though of a hideous and -preternatural character, rather resembled those of a man who sneezes -violently than any other--one deep groan I certainly heard besides; and -Dousterswivel assures me that he beheld the spirit Peolphan, the Great -Hunter of the North--(look for him in your Nicolaus Remigius, or Petrus -Thyracus, Mr. Oldbuck)--who mimicked the motion of snuff-taking and its -effects." - -"These indications, however singular as proceeding from such a -personage, seem to have been apropos to the matter," said the Antiquary; -"for you see the case, which includes these coins, has all the -appearance of being an old-fashioned Scottish snuff-mill. But you -persevered, in spite of the terrors of this sneezing goblin?" - -"Why, I think it probable that a man of inferior sense or consequence -might have given way; but I was jealous of an imposture, conscious -of the duty I owed to my family in maintaining my courage under every -contingency, and therefore I compelled Dousterswivel, by actual and -violent threats, to proceed with what he was about to do;--and, sir, the -proof of his skill and honesty is this parcel of gold and silver pieces, -out of which I beg you to select such coins or medals as will best suit -your collection." - -"Why, Sir Arthur, since you are so good, and on condition you will -permit me to mark the value according to Pinkerton's catalogue and -appreciation, against your account in my red book, I will with pleasure -select"-- - -"Nay," said Sir Arthur Wardour, "I do not mean you should consider them -as anything but a gift of friendship and least of all would I stand by -the valuation of your friend Pinkerton, who has impugned the ancient -and trustworthy authorities upon which, as upon venerable and moss-grown -pillars, the credit of Scottish antiquities reposed." - -"Ay, ay," rejoined Oldbuck, "you mean, I suppose, Mair and Boece, the -Jachin and Boaz, not of history but of falsification and forgery. -And notwithstanding all you have told me, I look on your friend -Dousterswivel to be as apocryphal as any of them." - -"Why then, Mr. Oldbuck," said Sir Arthur, "not to awaken old disputes, -I suppose you think, that because I believe in the ancient history of -my country, I have neither eyes nor ears to ascertain what modern events -pass before me?" - -"Pardon me, Sir Arthur," rejoined the Antiquary; "but I consider all the -affectation of terror which this worthy gentleman, your coadjutor, chose -to play off, as being merely one part of his trick or mystery. And with -respect to the gold or silver coins, they are so mixed and mingled in -country and date, that I cannot suppose they could be any genuine -hoard, and rather suppose them to be, like the purses upon the table of -Hudibras's lawyer-- - - --Money placed for show, - Like nest-eggs, to make clients lay, - And for his false opinions pay.-- - -It is the trick of all professions, my dear Sir Arthur. Pray, may I ask -you how much this discovery cost you?" - -"About ten guineas." - -"And you have gained what is equivalent to twenty in actual bullion, and -what may be perhaps worth as much more to such fools as ourselves, -who are willing to pay for curiosity. This was allowing you a tempting -profit on the first hazard, I must needs admit. And what is the next -venture he proposes?" - -"An hundred and fifty pounds;--I have given him one-third part of the -money, and I thought it likely you might assist me with the balance." - -"I should think that this cannot be meant as a parting blow--is not of -weight and importance sufficient; he will probably let us win this hand -also, as sharpers manage a raw gamester.--Sir Arthur, I hope you believe -I would serve you?" - -"Certainly, Mr. Oldbuck; I think my confidence in you on these occasions -leaves no room to doubt that." - -"Well, then, allow me to speak to Dousterswivel. If the money can -be advanced usefully and advantageously for you, why, for old -neighbourhood's sake, you shall not want it but if, as I think, I can -recover the treasure for you without making such an advance, you will, I -presume, have no objection!" - -"Unquestionably, I can have none whatsoever." - -"Then where is Dousterswivel?" continued the Antiquary. - -"To tell you the truth, he is in my carriage below; but knowing your -prejudice against him"-- - -"I thank Heaven, I am not prejudiced against any man, Sir Arthur: it is -systems, not individuals, that incur my reprobation." He rang the bell. -"Jenny, Sir Arthur and I offer our compliments to Mr. Dousterswivel, -the gentleman in Sir Arthur's carriage, and beg to have the pleasure of -speaking with him here." - -Jenny departed and delivered her message. It had been by no means a part -of the project of Dousterswivel to let Mr. Oldbuck into his supposed -mystery. He had relied upon Sir Arthur's obtaining the necessary -accommodation without any discussion as to the nature of the -application, and only waited below for the purpose of possessing himself -of the deposit as soon as possible, for he foresaw that his career was -drawing to a close. But when summoned to the presence of Sir Arthur and -Mr. Oldbuck, he resolved gallantly to put confidence in his powers of -impudence, of which, the reader may have observed, his natural share was -very liberal. - - - - -CHAPTER SECOND. - - --And this Doctor, - Your sooty smoky-bearded compeer, he - Will close you so much gold in a bolt's head, - And, on a turn, convey in the stead another - With sublimed mercury, that shall burst i' the heat, - And all fly out in fumo.-- - The Alchemist. - -"How do you do, goot Mr. Oldenbuck? and I do hope your young gentleman, -Captain M'Intyre, is getting better again? Ach! it is a bat business -when young gentlemens will put lead balls into each other's body." - -"Lead adventures of all kinds are very precarious, Mr. Dousterswivel; -but I am happy to learn," continued the Antiquary, "from my friend Sir -Arthur, that you have taken up a better trade, and become a discoverer -of gold." - -"Ach, Mr. Oldenbuck, mine goot and honoured patron should not have told -a word about dat little matter; for, though I have all reliance--yes, -indeed, on goot Mr. Oldenbuck's prudence and discretion, and his great -friendship for Sir Arthur Wardour--yet, my heavens! it is an great -ponderous secret." - -"More ponderous than any of the metal we shall make by it, I fear," -answered Oldbuck. - -"Dat is just as you shall have de faith and de patience for de grand -experiment--If you join wid Sir Arthur, as he is put one hundred and -fifty--see, here is one fifty in your dirty Fairport bank-note--you put -one other hundred and fifty in de dirty notes, and you shall have de -pure gold and silver, I cannot tell how much." - -"Nor any one for you, I believe," said the Antiquary. "But, hark you, -Mr. Dousterswivel: Suppose, without troubling this same sneezing spirit -with any farther fumigations, we should go in a body, and having fair -day-light and our good consciences to befriend us, using no other -conjuring implements than good substantial pick-axes and shovels, fairly -trench the area of the chancel in the ruins of St. Ruth, from one end -to the other, and so ascertain the existence of this supposed treasure, -without putting ourselves to any farther expense--the ruins belong to -Sir Arthur himself, so there can be no objection--do you think we shall -succeed in this way of managing the matter?" - -"Bah!--you will not find one copper thimble--But Sir Arthur will do his -pleasure. I have showed him how it is possible--very possible--to have -de great sum of money for his occasions--I have showed him de real -experiment. If he likes not to believe, goot Mr. Oldenbuck, it is -nothing to Herman Dousterswivel--he only loses de money and de gold and -de silvers--dat is all." - -Sir Arthur Wardour cast an intimidated glance at Oldbuck who, especially -when present, held, notwithstanding their frequent difference of -opinion, no ordinary influence over his sentiments. In truth, the -Baronet felt, what he would not willingly have acknowledged, that his -genius stood rebuked before that of the Antiquary. He respected him as a -shrewd, penetrating, sarcastic character--feared his satire, and had some -confidence in the general soundness of his opinions. He therefore -looked at him as if desiring his leave before indulging his credulity. -Dousterswivel saw he was in danger of losing his dupe, unless he could -make some favourable impression on the adviser. - -"I know, my goot Mr. Oldenbuck, it is one vanity to speak to you about -de spirit and de goblin. But look at this curious horn;--I know, you know -de curiosity of all de countries, and how de great Oldenburgh horn, as -they keep still in the Museum at Copenhagen, was given to de Duke of -Oldenburgh by one female spirit of de wood. Now I could not put one -trick on you if I were willing--you who know all de curiosity so well--and -dere it is de horn full of coins;--if it had been a box or case, I would -have said nothing." - -"Being a horn," said Oldbuck, "does indeed strengthen your argument. It -was an implement of nature's fashioning, and therefore much used -among rude nations, although, it may be, the metaphorical horn is more -frequent in proportion to the progress of civilisation. And this present -horn," he continued, rubbing it upon his sleeve, "is a curious and -venerable relic, and no doubt was intended to prove a cornucopia, or -horn of plenty, to some one or other; but whether to the adept or his -patron, may be justly doubted." - -"Well, Mr. Oldenbuck, I find you still hard of belief--but let me assure -you, de monksh understood de magisterium." - -"Let us leave talking of the magisterium, Mr. Dousterswivel, and think a -little about the magistrate. Are you aware that this occupation of yours -is against the law of Scotland, and that both Sir Arthur and myself are -in the commission of the peace?" - -"Mine heaven! and what is dat to de purpose when I am doing you all de -goot I can?" - -"Why, you must know that when the legislature abolished the cruel laws -against witchcraft, they had no hope of destroying the superstitious -feelings of humanity on which such chimeras had been founded; and to -prevent those feelings from being tampered with by artful and designing -persons, it is enacted by the ninth of George the Second, chap. 5, that -whosoever shall pretend, by his alleged skill in any occult or crafty -science, to discover such goods as are lost, stolen or concealed, he -shall suffer punishment by pillory and imprisonment, as a common cheat -and impostor." - -"And is dat de laws?" asked Dousterswivel, with some agitation. - -"Thyself shall see the act," replied the Antiquary. - -"Den, gentlemens, I shall take my leave of you, dat is all; I do not -like to stand on your what you call pillory--it is very bad way to take -de air, I think; and I do not like your prisons no more, where one -cannot take de air at all." - -"If such be your taste, Mr. Dousterswivel," said the Antiquary, "I -advise you to stay where you are, for I cannot let you go, unless it be -in the society of a constable; and, moreover, I expect you will attend -us just now to the ruins of St. Ruth, and point out the place where you -propose to find this treasure." - -"Mine heaven, Mr. Oldenbuck! what usage is this to your old friend, when -I tell you so plain as I can speak, dat if you go now, you will not get -so much treasure as one poor shabby sixpence?" - -"I will try the experiment, however, and you shall be dealt with -according to its success,--always with Sir Arthur's permission." - -Sir Arthur, during this investigation, had looked extremely embarrassed, -and, to use a vulgar but expressive phrase, chop-fallen. Oldbuck's -obstinate disbelief led him strongly to suspect the imposture of -Dousterswivel, and the adept's mode of keeping his ground was less -resolute than he had expected. Yet he did not entirely give him up. - - "Mr. Oldbuck," said the Baronet, "you do Mr. Dousterswivel less than -justice. He has undertaken to make this discovery by the use of his art, -and by applying characters descriptive of the Intelligences presiding -over the planetary hour in which the experiment is to be made; and you -require him to proceed, under pain of punishment, without allowing him -the use of any of the preliminaries which he considers as the means of -procuring success." - -"I did not say that exactly--I only required him to be present when we -make the search, and not to leave us during the interval. I fear he -may have some intelligence with the Intelligences you talk of, and that -whatever may be now hidden at Saint Ruth may disappear before we get -there." - -"Well, gentlemens," said Dousterswivel, sullenly, "I will make no -objections to go along with you but I tell you beforehand, you shall not -find so much of anything as shall be worth your going twenty yard from -your own gate." - -"We will put that to a fair trial," said the Antiquary; and the -Baronet's equipage being ordered, Miss Wardour received an intimation -from her father, that she was to remain at Monkbarns until his return -from an airing. The young lady was somewhat at a loss to reconcile this -direction with the communication which she supposed must have passed -between Sir Arthur and the Antiquary; but she was compelled, for the -present, to remain in a most unpleasant state of suspense. - -The journey of the treasure-seekers was melancholy enough. Dousterswivel -maintained a sulky silence, brooding at once over disappointed -expectation and the risk of punishment; Sir Arthur, whose golden dreams -had been gradually fading away, surveyed, in gloomy prospect, the -impending difficulties of his situation; and Oldbuck, who perceived that -his having so far interfered in his neighbours affairs gave the Baronet -a right to expect some actual and efficient assistance, sadly pondered -to what extent it would be necessary to draw open the strings of his -purse. Thus each being wrapped in his own unpleasant ruminations, there -was hardly a word said on either side, until they reached the Four -Horse-shoes, by which sign the little inn was distinguished. They -procured at this place the necessary assistance and implements for -digging, and, while they were busy about these preparations, were -suddenly joined by the old beggar, Edie Ochiltree. - -"The Lord bless your honour," began the Blue-Gown, with the genuine -mendicant whine, "and long life to you!--weel pleased am I to hear that -young Captain M'Intyre is like to be on his legs again sune--Think on -your poor bedesman the day." - -"Aha, old true-penny!" replied the Antiquary. "Why, thou hast never come -to Monkbarns since thy perils by rock and flood--here's something for -thee to buy snuff,"--and, fumbling for his purse, he pulled out at the -same time the horn which enclosed the coins. - -"Ay, and there's something to pit it in," said the mendicant, eyeing the -ram's horn--"that loom's an auld acquaintance o' mine. I could take my -aith to that sneeshing-mull amang a thousand--I carried it for mony a -year, till I niffered it for this tin ane wi' auld George Glen, the -dammer and sinker, when he took a fancy till't doun at Glen-Withershins -yonder." - -"Ay! indeed?" said Oldbuck;--"so you exchanged it with a miner? but -I presume you never saw it so well filled before"--and opening it, he -showed the coins. - -"Troth, ye may swear that, Monkbarns: when it was mine it neer had abune -the like o' saxpenny worth o' black rappee in't at ance. But I reckon -ye'll be gaun to mak an antic o't, as ye hae dune wi' mony an orra thing -besides. Od, I wish anybody wad mak an antic o' me; but mony ane will -find worth in rousted bits o' capper and horn and airn, that care unco -little about an auld carle o' their ain country and kind." - -"You may now guess," said Oldbuck, turning to Sir Arthur, "to whose good -offices you were indebted the other night. To trace this cornucopia of -yours to a miner, is bringing it pretty near a friend of ours--I hope we -shall be as successful this morning, without paying for it." - -"And whare is your honours gaun the day," said the mendicant, "wi' a' -your picks and shules?--Od, this will be some o' your tricks, Monkbarns: -ye'll be for whirling some o' the auld monks down by yonder out o' their -graves afore they hear the last call--but, wi' your leave, I'se follow ye -at ony rate, and see what ye mak o't." - -The party soon arrived at the ruins of the priory, and, having gained -the chancel, stood still to consider what course they were to pursue -next. The Antiquary, meantime, addressed the adept. - -"Pray, Mr. Dousterswivel, what is your advice in this matter? Shall we -have most likelihood of success if we dig from east to west, or from -west to east?--or will you assist us with your triangular vial of -May-dew, or with your divining-rod of witches-hazel?--or will you have -the goodness to supply us with a few thumping blustering terms of art, -which, if they fail in our present service, may at least be useful -to those who have not the happiness to be bachelors, to still their -brawling children withal?" - -"Mr. Oldenbuck," said Dousterswivel, doggedly, "I have told you already -that you will make no good work at all, and I will find some way of mine -own to thank you for your civilities to me--yes, indeed." - -"If your honours are thinking of tirling the floor," said old Edie, "and -wad but take a puir body's advice, I would begin below that muckle stane -that has the man there streekit out upon his back in the midst o't." - -"I have some reason for thinking favourably of that plan myself," said -the Baronet. - -"And I have nothing to say against it," said Oldbuck: "it was not -unusual to hide treasure in the tombs of the deceased--many instances -might be quoted of that from Bartholinus and others." - -The tombstone, the same beneath which the coins had been found by Sir -Arthur and the German, was once more forced aside, and the earth gave -easy way to the spade. - -"It's travell'd earth that," said Edie, "it howks gae eithly--I ken it -weel, for ance I wrought a simmer wi' auld Will Winnet, the bedral, and -howkit mair graves than ane in my day; but I left him in winter, for -it was unco cald wark; and then it cam a green Yule, and the folk died -thick and fast--for ye ken a green Yule makes a fat kirkyard; and I never -dowed to bide a hard turn o' wark in my life--sae aff I gaed, and left -Will to delve his last dwellings by himsell for Edie." - -The diggers were now so far advanced in their labours as to discover -that the sides of the grave which they were clearing out had been -originally secured by four walls of freestone, forming a parallelogram, -for the reception, probably, of the coffin. - -"It is worth while proceeding in our labours," said the Antiquary to Sir -Arthur, "were it but for curiosity's sake. I wonder on whose sepulchre -they have bestowed such uncommon pains." - -"The arms on the shield," said Sir Arthur, and sighed as he spoke it, -"are the same with those on Misticot's tower, supposed to have been -built by Malcolm the usurper. No man knew where he was buried, and there -is an old prophecy in our family, that bodes us no good when his grave -shall be discovered." - -"I wot," said the beggar, "I have often heard that when I was a bairn-- - - If Malcolm the Misticot's grave were fun', - The lands of Knockwinnock were lost and won." - -Oldbuck, with his spectacles on his nose, had already knelt down on the -monument, and was tracing, partly with his eye, partly with his finger, -the mouldered devices upon the effigy of the deceased warrior. "It is -the Knockwinnock arms, sure enough," he exclaimed, "quarterly with the -coat of Wardour." - -"Richard, called the red-handed Wardour, married Sybil Knockwinnock, -the heiress of the Saxon family, and by that alliance," said Sir Arthur, -"brought the castle and estate into the name of Wardour, in the year of -God 1150." - -"Very true, Sir Arthur; and here is the baton-sinister, the mark of -illegitimacy, extended diagonally through both coats upon the shield. -Where can our eyes have been, that they did not see this curious -monument before?" - -"Na, whare was the through-stane, that it didna come before our een till -e'enow?" said Ochiltree; "for I hae ken'd this auld kirk, man and bairn, -for saxty lang years, and I neer noticed it afore; and it's nae sic mote -neither, but what ane might see it in their parritch." - -All were now induced to tax their memory as to the former state of the -ruins in that corner of the chancel, and all agreed in recollecting a -considerable pile of rubbish which must have been removed and spread -abroad in order to make the tomb visible. Sir Arthur might, indeed, have -remembered seeing the monument on the former occasion, but his mind was -too much agitated to attend to the circumstance as a novelty. - -While the assistants were engaged in these recollections and -discussions, the workmen proceeded with their labour. They had already -dug to the depth of nearly five feet, and as the flinging out the soil -became more and more difficult, they began at length to tire of the job. - -"We're down to the till now," said one of them, "and the neer a coffin -or onything else is here--some cunninger chiel's been afore us, I -reckon;"--and the labourer scrambled out of the grave. - -"Hout, lad," said Edie, getting down in his room--"let me try my hand for -an auld bedral;--ye're gude seekers, but ill finders." - -So soon as he got into the grave, he struck his pike-staff forcibly -down; it encountered resistance in its descent, and the beggar -exclaimed, like a Scotch schoolboy when he finds anything, "Nae halvers -and quarters--hale o' mine ain and 'nane o' my neighbour's." - -Everybody, from the dejected Baronet to the sullen adept, now caught the -spirit of curiosity, crowded round the grave, and would have jumped into -it, could its space have contained them. The labourers, who had begun to -flag in their monotonous and apparently hopeless task, now resumed their -tools, and plied them with all the ardour of expectation. Their shovels -soon grated upon a hard wooden surface, which, as the earth was cleared -away, assumed the distinct form of a chest, but greatly smaller than -that of a coffin. Now all hands were at work to heave it out of the -grave, and all voices, as it was raised, proclaimed its weight and -augured its value. They were not mistaken. - -When the chest or box was placed on the surface, and the lid forced up -by a pickaxe, there was displayed first a coarse canvas cover, then -a quantity of oakum, and beneath that a number of ingots of silver. A -general exclamation hailed a discovery so surprising and unexpected. The -Baronet threw his hands and eyes up to heaven, with the silent rapture -of one who is delivered from inexpressible distress of mind. Oldbuck, -almost unable to credit his eyes, lifted one piece of silver after -another. There was neither inscription nor stamp upon them, excepting -one, which seemed to be Spanish. He could have no doubt of the purity -and great value of the treasure before him. Still, however, removing -piece by piece, he examined row by row, expecting to discover that the -lower layers were of inferior value; but he could perceive no difference -in this respect, and found himself compelled to admit, that Sir Arthur -had possessed himself of bullion to the value, perhaps of a thousand -pounds sterling. Sir Arthur now promised the assistants a handsome -recompense for their trouble, and began to busy himself about the mode -of conveying this rich windfall to the Castle of Knockwinnock, when the -adept, recovering from his surprise, which had equalled that exhibited -by any other individual of the party, twitched his sleeve, and having -offered his humble congratulations, turned next to Oldbuck with an air -of triumph. - -"I did tell you, my goot friend, Mr. Oldenbuck, dat I was to seek -opportunity to thank you for your civility; now do you not think I have -found out vary goot way to return thank?" - -"Why, Mr. Dousterswivel, do you pretend to have had any hand in our good -success?--you forget you refused us all aid of your science, man; and you -are here without your weapons that should have fought the battle which -you pretend to have gained in our behalf: you have used neither charm, -lamen, sigil, talisman, spell, crystal, pentacle, magic mirror, nor -geomantic figure. Where be your periapts, and your abracadabras man? -your Mayfern, your vervain, - - Your toad, your crow, your dragon, and your panther, - Your sun, your moon, your firmament, your adrop, - Your Lato, Azoch, Zernich, Chibrit, Heautarit, - With all your broths, your menstrues, your materials, - Would burst a man to name?-- - -Ah! rare Ben Jonson! long peace to thy ashes for a scourge of the quacks -of thy day!--who expected to see them revive in our own?" - -The answer of the adept to the Antiquary's tirade we must defer to our -next CHAPTER. - - - - -CHAPTER THIRD. - - Clause.--You now shall know the king o' the beggars' treasure:-- - Yes--ere to-morrow you shall find your harbour - Here,--fail me not, for if I live I'll fit you. - The Beggar's Bush. - -The German, determined, it would seem, to assert the vantage-ground -on which the discovery had placed him, replied with great pomp and -stateliness to the attack of the Antiquary. - -"Maister Oldenbuck, all dis may be very witty and comedy, but I have -nothing to say--nothing at all--to people dat will not believe deir own -eye-sights. It is vary true dat I ave not any of de things of de art, -and it makes de more wonder what I has done dis day. But I would ask of -you, mine honoured and goot and generous patron, to put your hand into -your right-hand waistcoat pocket, and show me what you shall find dere." - -Sir Arthur obeyed his direction, and pulled out the small plate of -silver which he had used under the adept's auspices upon the former -occasion. "It is very true," said Sir Arthur, looking gravely at the -Antiquary; "this is the graduated and calculated sigil by which Mr. -Dousterswivel and I regulated our first discovery." - -"Pshaw! pshaw! my dear friend," said Oldbuck, "you are too wise to -believe in the influence of a trumpery crown-piece, beat out thin, and -a parcel of scratches upon it. I tell thee, Sir Arthur, that if -Dousterswivel had known where to get this treasure himself, you would -not have been lord of the least share of it." - -"In troth, please your honour," said Edie, who put in his word on all -occasions, "I think, since Mr. Dunkerswivel has had sae muckle merit -in discovering a' the gear, the least ye can do is to gie him that o't -that's left behind for his labour; for doubtless he that kend where to -find sae muckle will hae nae difficulty to find mair." - -Dousterswivel's brow grew very dark at this proposal of leaving him to -his "ain purchase," as Ochiltree expressed it; but the beggar, drawing -him aside, whispered a word or two in his ear, to which he seemed to -give serious attention. - -Meanwhile Sir Arthur, his heart warm with his good fortune, said aloud, -"Never mind our friend Monkbarns, Mr. Dousterswivel, but come to the -Castle to-morrow, and I'll convince you that I am not ungrateful for the -hints you have given me about this matter--and the fifty Fairport dirty -notes, as you call them, are heartily at your service. Come, my lads, -get the cover of this precious chest fastened up again." - -But the cover had in the confusion fallen aside among the rubbish, or -the loose earth which had been removed from the grave--in short, it was -not to be seen. - -"Never mind, my good lads, tie the tarpaulin over it, and get it away to -the carriage.--Monkbarns, will you walk? I must go back your way to take -up Miss Wardour." - -"And, I hope, to take up your dinner also, Sir Arthur, and drink a glass -of wine for joy of our happy adventure. Besides, you should write about -the business to the Exchequer, in case of any interference on the part -of the Crown. As you are lord of the manor, it will be easy to get -a deed of gift, should they make any claim. We must talk about it, -though." - -"And I particularly recommend silence to all who are present," said Sir -Arthur, looking round. All bowed and professed themselves dumb. - -"Why, as to that," said Monkbarns, "recommending secrecy where a dozen -of people are acquainted with the circumstance to be concealed, is only -putting the truth in masquerade, for the story will be circulated under -twenty different shapes. But never mind--we will state the true one to -the Barons, and that is all that is necessary." - -"I incline to send off an express to-night," said the Baronet. - -"I can recommend your honour to a sure hand," said Ochiltree; "little -Davie Mailsetter, and the butcher's reisting powny." - -"We will talk over the matter as we go to Monkbarns," said Sir Arthur. -"My lads" (to the work-people), "come with me to the Four Horse-shoes, -that I may take down all your names.--Dousterswivel, I won't ask you to -go down to Monkbarns, as the laird and you differ so widely in opinion; -but do not fail to come to see me to-morrow." - -Dousterswivel growled out an answer, in which the words, "duty,"--"mine -honoured patron,"--and "wait upon Sir Arthurs,"--were alone -distinguishable; and after the Baronet and his friend had left the -ruins, followed by the servants and workmen, who, in hope of reward and -whisky, joyfully attended their leader, the adept remained in a brown -study by the side of the open grave. - -"Who was it as could have thought this?" he ejaculated unconsciously. -"Mine heiligkeit! I have heard of such things, and often spoken of such -things--but, sapperment! I never, thought to see them! And if I had gone -but two or dree feet deeper down in the earth--mein himmel! it had been -all mine own--so much more as I have been muddling about to get from this -fool's man." - -Here the German ceased his soliloquy, for, raising his eyes, he -encountered those of Edie Ochiltree, who had not followed the rest -of the company, but, resting as usual on his pike-staff, had planted -himself on the other side of the grave. The features of the old man, -naturally shrewd and expressive almost to an appearance of knavery, -seemed in this instance so keenly knowing, that even the assurance -of Dousterswivel, though a professed adventurer, sunk beneath their -glances. But he saw the necessity of an e'claircissement, and, rallying -his spirits, instantly began to sound the mendicant on the occurrences -of the day. "Goot Maister Edies Ochiltrees"-- - -"Edie Ochiltree, nae maister--your puir bedesman and the king's," -answered the Blue-Gown. - -"Awell den, goot Edie, what do you think of all dis?" - -"I was just thinking it was very kind (for I darena say very simple) o' -your honour to gie thae twa rich gentles, wha hae lands and lairdships, -and siller without end, this grand pose o' silver and treasure (three -times tried in the fire, as the Scripture expresses it), that might hae -made yoursell and ony twa or three honest bodies beside, as happy and -content as the day was lang." - -"Indeed, Edie, mine honest friends, dat is very true; only I did not -know, dat is, I was not sure, where to find the gelt myself." - -"What! was it not by your honours advice and counsel that Monkbarns and -the Knight of Knockwinnock came here then?" - -"Aha--yes; but it was by another circumstance. I did not know dat dey -would have found de treasure, mine friend; though I did guess, by such a -tintamarre, and cough, and sneeze, and groan, among de spirit one other -night here, dat there might be treasure and bullion hereabout. Ach, mein -himmel! the spirit will hone and groan over his gelt, as if he were -a Dutch Burgomaster counting his dollars after a great dinner at the -Stadthaus." - -"And do you really believe the like o' that, Mr. Dusterdeevil!--a -skeelfu' man like you--hout fie!" - -"Mein friend," answered the adept, foreed by circumstances to speak -something nearer the truth than he generally used to do, "I believed it -no more than you and no man at all, till I did hear them hone and moan -and groan myself on de oder night, and till I did this day see de cause, -which was an great chest all full of de pure silver from Mexico--and what -would you ave nae think den?" - -"And what wad ye gie to ony ane," said Edie, "that wad help ye to sic -another kistfu' o' silver!" - -"Give?--mein himmel!--one great big quarter of it." - -"Now if the secret were mine," said the mendicant, "I wad stand out for -a half; for you see, though I am but a puir ragged body, and couldna -carry silver or gowd to sell for fear o' being taen up, yet I could find -mony folk would pass it awa for me at unco muckle easier profit than -ye're thinking on." - -"Ach, himmel!--Mein goot friend, what was it I said?--I did mean to say -you should have de tree quarter for your half, and de one quarter to be -my fair half." - -"No, no, Mr. Dusterdeevil, we will divide equally what we find, like -brother and brother. Now, look at this board that I just flung into the -dark aisle out o' the way, while Monkbarns was glowering ower a' the -silver yonder. He's a sharp chiel Monkbarns--I was glad to keep the like -o' this out o' his sight. Ye'll maybe can read the character better than -me--I am nae that book learned, at least I'm no that muckle in practice." - -With this modest declaration of ignorance, Ochiltree brought forth from -behind a pillar the cover of the box or chest of treasure, which, when -forced from its hinges, had been carelessly flung aside during the -ardour of curiosity to ascertain the contents which it concealed, and -had been afterwards, as it seems, secreted by the mendicant. There was a -word and a number upon the plank, and the beggar made them more distinct -by spitting upon his ragged blue handkerchief, and rubbing off the clay -by which the inscription was obscured. It was in the ordinary black -letter. - -"Can ye mak ought o't?" said Edie to the adept. - -"S," said the philosopher, like a child getting his lesson in the -primer--"S, T, A, R, C, H,--Starch!--dat is what de woman-washers put into -de neckerchers, and de shirt collar." - -"Search!" echoed Ochiltree; "na, na, Mr. Dusterdeevil, ye are mair of a -conjuror than a clerk--it's search, man, search--See, there's the Ye clear -and distinct." - -"Aha! I see it now--it is search--number one. Mein himmel! then there must -be a number two, mein goot friend: for search is what you call to seek -and dig, and this is but number one! Mine wort, there is one great big -prize in de wheel for us, goot Maister Ochiltree." - -"Aweel, it may be sae; but we canna howk fort enow--we hae nae shules, -for they hae taen them a' awa--and it's like some o' them will be sent -back to fling the earth into the hole, and mak a' things trig again. But -an ye'll sit down wi' me a while in the wood, I'se satisfy your honour -that ye hae just lighted on the only man in the country that could hae -tauld about Malcolm Misticot and his hidden treasure--But first we'll rub -out the letters on this board, for fear it tell tales." - -And, by the assistance of his knife, the beggar erased and defaced the -characters so as to make them quite unintelligible, and then daubed the -board with clay so as to obliterate all traces of the erasure. - -Dousterswivel stared at him in ambiguous silence. There was an -intelligence and alacrity about all the old man's movements, which -indicated a person that could not be easily overreached, and yet (for -even rogues acknowledge in some degree the spirit of precedence) our -adept felt the disgrace of playing a secondary part, and dividing -winnings with so mean an associate. His appetite for gain, however, was -sufficiently sharp to overpower his offended pride, and though far more -an impostor than a dupe, he was not without a certain degree of personal -faith even in the gross superstitions by means of which he imposed upon -others. Still, being accustomed to act as a leader on such occasions, -he felt humiliated at feeling himself in the situation of a vulture -marshalled to his prey by a carrion-crow.--"Let me, however, hear this -story to an end," thought Dousterswivel, "and it will be hard if I do -not make mine account in it better as Maister Edie Ochiltrees makes -proposes." - -The adept, thus transformed into a pupil from a teacher of the mystic -art, followed Ochiltree in passive acquiescence to the Prior's Oak--a -spot, as the reader may remember, at a short distance from the -ruins, where the German sat down, and silence waited the old man's -communication. - -"Maister Dustandsnivel," said the narrator, "it's an unco while since -I heard this business treated anent;--for the lairds of Knockwinnock, -neither Sir Arthur, nor his father, nor his grandfather--and I mind a wee -bit about them a'--liked to hear it spoken about; nor they dinna like -it yet--But nae matter; ye may be sure it was clattered about in the -kitchen, like onything else in a great house, though it were forbidden -in the ha'--and sae I hae heard the circumstance rehearsed by auld -servants in the family; and in thir present days, when things o' that -auld-warld sort arena keepit in mind round winter fire-sides as they -used to be, I question if there's onybody in the country can tell the -tale but mysell--aye out-taken the laird though, for there's a parchment -book about it, as I have heard, in the charter-room at Knockwinnock -Castle." - -"Well, all dat is vary well--but get you on with your stories, mine goot -friend," said Dousterswivel. - -"Aweel, ye see," continued the mendicant, "this was a job in the auld -times o' rugging and riving through the hale country, when it was ilka -ane for himsell, and God for us a'--when nae man wanted property if he -had strength to take it, or had it langer than he had power to keep it. -It was just he ower her, and she ower him, whichever could win upmost, -a' through the east country here, and nae doubt through the rest o' -Scotland in the self and same manner. - -"Sae in these days Sir Richard Wardour came into the land, and that was -the first o' the name ever was in this country. There's been mony o' -them sin' syne; and the maist, like him they ca'd Hell-in-Harness, and -the rest o' them, are sleeping down in yon ruins. They were a proud -dour set o' men, but unco brave, and aye stood up for the weel o' the -country, God sain them a'--there's no muckle popery in that wish. They -ca'd them the Norman Wardours, though they cam frae the south to this -country. So this Sir Richard, that they ca'd Red-hand, drew up wi' the -auld Knockwinnock o' that day--for then they were Knockwinnocks of that -Ilk--and wad fain marry his only daughter, that was to have the castle -and the land. Laith, laith was the lass--(Sybil Knockwinnock they ca'd -her that tauld me the tale)--laith, laith was she to gie into the match, -for she had fa'en a wee ower thick wi' a cousin o' her ain that her -father had some ill-will to; and sae it was, that after she had been -married to Sir Richard jimp four months--for marry him she maun, it's -like--ye'll no hinder her gieing them a present o' a bonny knave bairn. -Then there was siccan a ca'-thro', as the like was never seen; and she's -be burnt, and he's be slain, was the best words o' their mouths. But it -was a' sowdered up again some gait, and the bairn was sent awa, and bred -up near the Highlands, and grew up to be a fine wanle fallow, like mony -ane that comes o' the wrang side o' the blanket; and Sir Richard wi' the -Red-hand, he had a fair offspring o'his ain, and a was lound and -quiet till his head was laid in the ground. But then down came Malcolm -Misticot--(Sir Arthur says it should be Misbegot, but they aye ca'd -him Misticot that spoke o't lang syne)--down cam this Malcolm, the -love-begot, frae Glen-isla, wi' a string o' lang-legged Highlanders at -his heels, that's aye ready for onybody's mischief, and he threeps the -castle and lands are his ain as his mother's eldest son, and turns -a' the Wardours out to the hill. There was a sort of fighting and -blude-spilling about it, for the gentles took different sides; but -Malcolm had the uppermost for a lang time, and keepit the Castle of -Knockwinnock, and strengthened it, and built that muckle tower that they -ca' Misticot's tower to this day." - -"Mine goot friend, old Mr. Edie Ochiltree." interrupted the German, -"this is all as one like de long histories of a baron of sixteen -quarters in mine countries; but I would as rather hear of de silver and -gold." - -"Why, ye see," continued the mendicant, "this Malcolm was weel helped -by an uncle, a brother o' his father's, that was Prior o' St. Ruth here; -and muckle treasure they gathered between them, to secure the succession -of their house in the lands of Knockwinnock. Folk said that the monks in -thae days had the art of multiplying metals--at ony rate, they were -very rich. At last it came to this, that the young Wardour, that was -Red-hand's son, challenged Misticot to fight with him in the lists -as they ca'd them--that's no lists or tailor's runds and selvedges -o' claith, but a palin'-thing they set up for them to fight in like -game-cocks. Aweel, Misticot was beaten, and at his brother's mercy--but -he wadna touch his life, for the blood of Knockwinnock that was in baith -their veins: so Malcolm was compelled to turn a monk, and he died soon -after in the priory, of pure despite and vexation. Naebody ever kenn'd -whare his uncle the prior earded him, or what he did wi' his gowd and -silver, for he stood on the right o' halie kirk, and wad gie nae account -to onybody. But the prophecy gat abroad in the country, that whenever -Misticot's grave was fund out, the estate of Knockwinnock should be lost -and won." - -"Ach! mine goot old friend, Maister Edie, and dat is not so very -unlikely, if Sir Arthurs will quarrel wit his goot friends to please Mr. -Oldenbuck.--And so you do tink dat dis golds and silvers belonged to goot -Mr. Malcolm Mishdigoat?" - -"Troth do I, Mr. Dousterdeevil." - -"And you do believe dat dere is more of dat sorts behind?" - -"By my certie do I--How can it be otherwise?--Search--No. I--that is as -muckle as to say, search and ye'll find number twa. Besides, yon kist -is only silver, and I aye heard that' Misticot's pose had muckle yellow -gowd in't." - -"Den, mine goot friends," said the adept, jumping up hastily, "why do we -not set about our little job directly?" - -"For twa gude reasons," answered the beggar, who quietly kept his -sitting posture;--"first, because, as I said before, we have naething -to dig wi', for they hae taen awa the picks and shules; and, secondly, -because there will be a wheen idle gowks coming to glower at the hole as -lang as it is daylight, and maybe the laird may send somebody to fill it -up--and ony way we wad be catched. But if you will meet me on this place -at twal o'clock wi' a dark lantern, I'll hae tools ready, and we'll gang -quietly about our job our twa sells, and naebody the wiser for't." - -"Be--be--but, mine goot friend," said Dousterswivel, from whose -recollection his former nocturnal adventure was not to be altogether -erased, even by the splendid hopes which Edie's narrative held forth, -"it is not so goot or so safe, to be about goot Maister Mishdigoat's -grabe at dat time of night--you have forgot how I told you de spirits did -hone and mone dere. I do assure you, dere is disturbance dere." - -"If ye're afraid of ghaists," answered the mendicant, coolly, "I'll do -the job mysell, and bring your share o' the siller to ony place you like -to appoint." - -"No--no--mine excellent old Mr. Edie,--too much trouble for you--I will not -have dat--I will come myself--and it will be bettermost; for, mine old -friend, it was I, Herman Dousterswivel, discovered Maister Mishdigoat's -grave when I was looking for a place as to put away some little trumpery -coins, just to play one little trick on my dear friend Sir Arthur, for a -little sport and pleasures. Yes, I did take some what you call rubbish, -and did discover Maister Mishdigoat's own monumentsh-- It's like dat he -meant I should be his heirs--so it would not be civility in me not to -come mineself for mine inheritance." - -"At twal o'clock, then," said the mendicant, "we meet under this tree. -I'll watch for a while, and see that naebody meddles wi' the grave--it's -only saying the laird's forbade it--then get my bit supper frae Ringan -the poinder up by, and leave to sleep in his barn; and I'll slip out at -night, and neer be mist." - -"Do so, mine goot Maister Edie, and I will meet you here on this very -place, though all de spirits should moan and sneeze deir very brains -out." - -So saying he shook hands with the old man, and with this mutual pledge -of fidelity to their appointment, they separated for the present. - - - - -CHAPTER FOURTH. - - --See thou shake the bags - Of hoarding abbots; angels imprisoned - Set thou at liberty-- - Bell, book, and candle, shall not drive me back, - If gold and silver beckon to come on. - King John. - -The night set in stormy, with wind and occasional showers of rain. "Eh, -sirs," said the old mendicant, as he took his place on the sheltered -side of the large oak-tree to wait for his associate--"Eh, sirs, but -human nature's a wilful and wilyard thing!--Is it not an unco lucre o' -gain wad bring this Dousterdivel out in a blast o' wind like this, at -twal o'clock at night, to thir wild gousty wa's?--and amna I a bigger -fule than himsell to bide here waiting for him?" - -Having made these sage reflections, he wrapped himself close in his -cloak, and fixed his eye on the moon as she waded amid the stormy and -dusky clouds, which the wind from time to time drove across her surface. -The melancholy and uncertain gleams that she shot from between the -passing shadows fell full upon the rifted arches and shafted windows of -the old building, which were thus for an instant made distinctly visible -in their ruinous state, and anon became again a dark, undistinguished, -and shadowy mass. The little lake had its share of these transient beams -of light, and showed its waters broken, whitened, and agitated under -the passing storm, which, when the clouds swept over the moon, were only -distinguished by their sullen and murmuring plash against the beach. The -wooded glen repeated, to every successive gust that hurried through its -narrow trough, the deep and various groan with which the trees replied -to the whirlwind, and the sound sunk again, as the blast passed away, -into a faint and passing murmur, resembling the sighs of an exhausted -criminal after the first pangs of his torture are over. In these sounds, -superstition might have found ample gratification for that State of -excited terror which she fears and yet loves. But such feeling is made -no part of Ochiltree's composition. His mind wandered back to the scenes -of his youth. - -"I have kept guard on the outposts baith in Germany and America," he -said to himself, "in mony a waur night than this, and when I ken'd there -was maybe a dozen o' their riflemen in the thicket before me. But I was -aye gleg at my duty--naebody ever catched Edie sleeping." - -As he muttered thus to himself, he instinctively shouldered his trusty -pike-staff, assumed the port of a sentinel on duty, and, as a step -advanced towards the tree, called, with a tone assorting better with his -military reminiscences than his present state--"Stand! who goes there?" - -"De devil, goot Edie," answered Dousterswivel, "why does you speak -so loud as a baarenhauter, or what you call a factionary--I mean a -sentinel?" - -"Just because I thought I was a sentinel at that moment," answered the -mendicant. "Here's an awsome night! Hae ye brought the lantern and a -pock for the siller?" - -"Ay-ay, mine goot friend," said the German, "here it is--my pair of what -you call saddlebag; one side will be for you, one side for me;--I will -put dem on my horse to save you de trouble, as you are old man." - -"Have you a horse here, then?" asked Edie Ochiltree. - -"O yes, mine friend--tied yonder by de stile," responded the adept. - -"Weel, I hae just ae word to the bargain--there sall nane o' my gear gang -on your beast's back." - -"What was it as you would be afraid of?" said the foreigner. - -"Only of losing sight of horse, man, and money," again replied the -gaberlunzie. - -"Does you know dat you make one gentlemans out to be one great rogue?" - -"Mony gentlemen," replied Ochiltree, "can make that out for themselves-- -But what's the sense of quarrelling?--If ye want to gang on, gang on--if -no--I'll gae back to the gude ait-straw in Ringan Aikwood's barn that I -left wi' right ill-will e'now, and I'll pit back the pick and shule whar -I got them." - -Dousterswivel deliberated a moment, whether, by suffering Edie to -depart, he might not secure the whole of the expected wealth for his -own exclusive use. But the want of digging implements, the uncertainty -whether, if he had them, he could clear out the grave to a sufficient -depth without assistance, and, above all, the reluctance which he felt, -owing to the experience of the former night, to venture alone on -the terrors of Misticot's grave, satisfied him the attempt would be -hazardous. Endeavouring, therefore, to assume his usual cajoling tone, -though internally incensed, he begged "his goot friend Maister Edie -Ochiltrees would lead the way, and assured him of his acquiescence in -all such an excellent friend could propose." - -"Aweel, aweel, then," said Edie, "tak gude care o' your feet amang the -lang grass and the loose stones. I wish we may get the light keepit -in neist, wi' this fearsome wind--but there's a blink o' moonlight at -times." - -Thus saying, old Edie, closely accompanied by the adept, led the way -towards the ruins, but presently made a full halt in front of them. - -"Ye're a learned man, Mr. Dousterdeevil, and ken muckle o' the -marvellous works o' nature--Now, will ye tell me ae thing?--D'ye believe -in ghaists and spirits that walk the earth?--d'ye believe in them, ay or -no?" - -"Now, goot Mr. Edie," whispered Dousterswivel, in an expostulatory tone -of voice, "is this a times or a places for such a questions?" - -"Indeed is it, baith the tane and the t'other, Mr. Dustanshovel; for I -maun fairly tell ye, there's reports that auld Misticot walks. Now this -wad be an uncanny night to meet him in, and wha kens if he wad be ower -weel pleased wi' our purpose of visiting his pose?" - -"Alle guten Geister"--muttered the adept, the rest of the conjuration -being lost in a tremulous warble of his voice,--"I do desires you not to -speak so, Mr. Edie; for, from all I heard dat one other night, I do much -believes"-- - -"Now I," said Ochiltree, entering the chancel, and flinging abroad his -arm with an air of defiance, "I wadna gie the crack o' my thumb for him -were he to appear at this moment: he's but a disembodied spirit, as we -are embodied anes." - -"For the lofe of heavens," said Dousterswivel, "say nothing at all -neither about somebodies or nobodies!" - -"Aweel," said the beggar (expanding the shade of the lantern), "here's -the stane, and, spirit or no spirit, I'se be a wee bit deeper in the -grave;" and he jumped into the place from which the precious chest had -that morning been removed. After striking a few strokes, he tired, or -affected to tire, and said to his companion, "I'm auld and failed now, -and canna keep at it--time about's fair play, neighbour; ye maun get in -and tak the shule a bit, and shule out the loose earth, and then I'll -tak turn about wi' you." - -Dousterswivel accordingly took the place which the beggar had evacuated, -and toiled with all the zeal that awakened avarice, mingled with the -anxious wish to finish the undertaking and leave the place as soon -as possible, could inspire in a mind at once greedy, suspicious, and -timorous. - -Edie, standing much at his ease by the side of the hole, contented -himself with exhorting his associate to labour hard. "My certie! few -ever wrought for siccan a day's wage; an it be but--say the tenth part o' -the size o' the kist, No. I., it will double its value, being filled wi' -gowd instead of silver. Od, ye work as if ye had been bred to pick and -shule--ye could win your round half-crown ilka day. Tak care o' your -taes wi' that stane!" giving a kick to a large one which the adept had -heaved out with difficulty, and which Edie pushed back again to the -great annoyance of his associate's shins. - -Thus exhorted by the mendicant, Dousterswivel struggled and laboured -among the stones and stiff clay, toiling like a horse, and internally -blaspheming in German. When such an unhallowed syllable escaped his -lips, Edie changed his battery upon him. - -"O dinna swear! dinna swear! Wha kens whals listening!--Eh! gude guide -us, what's yon!--Hout, it's just a branch of ivy flightering awa frae the -wa'; when the moon was in, it lookit unco like a dead man's arm wi' a -taper in't--I thought it was Misticot himsell. But never mind, work you -away--fling the earth weel up by out o' the gate--Od, if ye're no as clean -a worker at a grave as Win Winnet himsell! What gars ye stop now?--ye're -just at the very bit for a chance." - -"Stop!" said the German, in a tone of anger and disappointment, "why, -I am down at de rocks dat de cursed ruins (God forgife me!) is founded -upon." - -"Weel," said the beggar, "that's the likeliest bit of ony. It will be -but a muckle through-stane laid doun to kiver the gowd--tak the pick -till't, and pit mair strength, man--ae gude down-right devvel will split -it, I'se warrant ye--Ay, that will do Od, he comes on wi' Wallace's -straiks!" - -In fact, the adept, moved by Edie's exhortations, fetched two or three -desperate blows, and succeeded in breaking, not indeed that against -which he struck, which, as he had already conjectured, was the solid -rock, but the implement which he wielded, jarring at the same time his -arms up to the shoulder-blades. - -"Hurra, boys!--there goes Ringan's pick-axe!" cried Edie "it's a shame o' -the Fairport folk to sell siccan frail gear. Try the shule--at it again, -Mr. Dusterdeevil." - -The adept, without reply, scrambled out of the pit, which was now about -six feet deep, and addressed his associate in a voice that trembled with -anger. "Does you know, Mr. Edies Ochiltrees, who it is you put off your -gibes and your jests upon?" - -"Brawly, Mr. Dusterdeevil--brawly do I ken ye, and has done mony a day; -but there's nae jesting in the case, for I am wearying to see ae our -treasures; we should hae had baith ends o' the pockmanky filled by this -time--I hope it's bowk eneugh to haud a' the gear?" - -"Look you, you base old person," said the incensed philosopher, "if you -do put another jest upon me, I will cleave your skull-piece with this -shovels!" - -"And whare wad my hands and my pike-staff be a' the time?" replied -Edie, in a tone that indicated no apprehension. "Hout, tout, Maister -Dusterdeevil, I haena lived sae lang in the warld neither, to be shuled -out o't that gate. What ails ye to be cankered, man, wi' your friends? -I'll wager I'll find out the treasure in a minute;" and he jumped into -the pit, and took up the spade. - -"I do swear to you," said the adept, whose suspicions were now fully -awake, "that if you have played me one big trick, I will give you one -big beating, Mr. Edies." - -"Hear till him now!" said Ochiltree, "he kens how to gar folk find out -the gear--Od, I'm thinking he's been drilled that way himsell some day." - -At this insinuation, which alluded obviously to the former scene betwixt -himself and Sir Arthur, the philosopher lost the slender remnant of -patience he had left, and being of violent passions, heaved up the -truncheon of the broken mattock to discharge it upon the old man's head. -The blow would in all probability have been fatal, had not he at whom it -was aimed exclaimed in a stern and firm voice, "Shame to ye, man!--do ye -think Heaven or earth will suffer ye to murder an auld man that might be -your father?--Look behind ye, man!" - -Dousterswivel turned instinctively, and beheld, to his utter -astonishment, a tall dark figure standing close behind him. The -apparition gave him no time to proceed by exorcism or otherwise, but -having instantly recourse to the voie de fait, took measure of the -adept's shoulders three or four times with blows so substantial, that he -fell under the weight of them, and remained senseless for some minutes -between fear and stupefaction. When he came to himself, he was alone in -the ruined chancel, lying upon the soft and damp earth which had been -thrown out of Misticot's grave. He raised himself with a confused -sensation of anger, pain, and terror, and it was not until he had sat -upright for some minutes, that he could arrange his ideas sufficiently -to recollect how he came there, or with what purpose. As his -recollection returned, he could have little doubt that the bait held out -to him by Ochiltree, to bring him to that solitary spot, the sarcasms by -which he had provoked him into a quarrel, and the ready assistance which -he had at hand for terminating it in the manner in which it had ended, -were all parts of a concerted plan to bring disgrace and damage on -Herman Dousterswivel. He could hardly suppose that he was indebted for -the fatigue, anxiety, and beating which he had undergone, purely to the -malice of Edie Ochiltree singly, but concluded that the mendicant had -acted a part assigned to him by some person of greater importance. His -suspicions hesitated between Oldbuck and Sir Arthur Wardour. The former -had been at no pains to conceal a marked dislike of him--but the latter -he had deeply injured; and although he judged that Sir Arthur did not -know the extent of his wrongs towards him, yet it was easy to suppose -he had gathered enough of the truth to make him desirous of revenge. -Ochiltree had alluded to at least one circumstance which the adept had -every reason to suppose was private between Sir Arthur and himself, -and therefore must have been learned from the former. The language of -Oldbuck also intimated a conviction of his knavery, which Sir Arthur -heard without making any animated defence. Lastly, the way in which -Dousterswivel supposed the Baronet to have exercised his revenge, was -not inconsistent with the practice of other countries with which the -adept was better acquainted than with those of North Britain. With him, -as with many bad men, to suspect an injury, and to nourish the purpose -of revenge, was one and the same movement. And before Dousterswivel -had fairly recovered his legs, he had mentally sworn the ruin of his -benefactor, which, unfortunately, he possessed too much the power of -accelerating. - -But although a purpose of revenge floated through his brain, it was -no time to indulge such speculations. The hour, the place, his own -situation, and perhaps the presence or near neighbourhood of his -assailants, made self-preservation the adept's first object. The lantern -had been thrown down and extinguished in the scuffle. The wind, which -formerly howled so loudly through the aisles of the ruin, had now -greatly fallen, lulled by the rain, which was descending very fast. -The moon, from the same cause, was totally obscured, and though -Dousterswivel had some experience of the ruins, and knew that he must -endeavour to regain the eastern door of the chancel, yet the confusion -of his ideas was such, that he hesitated for some time ere he could -ascertain in what direction he was to seek it. In this perplexity, the -suggestions of superstition, taking the advantage of darkness and his -evil conscience, began again to present themselves to his disturbed -imagination. "But bah!" quoth he valiantly to himself, "it is all -nonsense all one part of de damn big trick and imposture. Devil! that -one thick-skulled Scotch Baronet, as I have led by the nose for five -year, should cheat Herman Dousterswivel!" - -As he had come to this conclusion, an incident occurred which tended -greatly to shake the grounds on which he had adopted it. Amid the -melancholy sough of the dying wind, and the plash of the rain-drops on -leaves and stones, arose, and apparently at no great distance from the -listener, a strain of vocal music so sad and solemn, as if the departed -spirits of the churchmen who had once inhabited these deserted ruins -were mourning the solitude and desolation to which their hallowed -precincts had been abandoned. Dousterswivel, who had now got upon his -feet, and was groping around the wall of the chancel, stood rooted to -the ground on the occurrence of this new phenomenon. Each faculty of his -soul seemed for the moment concentred in the sense of hearing, and all -rushed back with the unanimous information, that the deep, wild, and -prolonged chant which he now heard, was the appropriate music of one of -the most solemn dirges of the Church of Rome. Why performed in such -a solitude, and by what class of choristers, were questions which -the terrified imagination of the adept, stirred with all the German -superstitions of nixies, oak-kings, wer-wolves, hobgoblins, black -spirits and white, blue spirits and grey, durst not even attempt to -solve. - -Another of his senses was soon engaged in the investigation. At the -extremity of one of the transepts of the church, at the bottom of a few -descending steps, was a small iron-grated door, opening, as far as he -recollected, to a sort of low vault or sacristy. As he cast his eye in -the direction of the sound, he observed a strong reflection of red light -glimmering through these bars, and against the steps which descended to -them. Dousterswivel stood a moment uncertain what to do; then, suddenly -forming a desperate resolution, he moved down the aisle to the place -from which the light proceeded. - -[Illustration: The Funeral of the Countess] - -Fortified with the sign of the cross, and as many exorcisms as his -memory could recover, he advanced to the grate, from which, unseen, he -could see what passed in the interior of the vault. As he approached -with timid and uncertain steps, the chant, after one or two wild and -prolonged cadences, died away into profound silence. The grate, when -he reached it, presented a singular spectacle in the interior of the -sacristy. An open grave, with four tall flambeaus, each about six feet -high, placed at the four corners--a bier, having a corpse in its shroud, -the arms folded upon the breast, rested upon tressels at one side of -the grave, as if ready to be interred--a priest, dressed in his cope and -stole, held open the service book--another churchman in his vestments -bore a holy-water sprinkler, and two boys in white surplices held -censers with incense--a man, of a figure once tall and commanding, but -now bent with age or infirmity, stood alone and nearest to the coffin, -attired in deep mourning--such were the most prominent figures of the -group. At a little distance were two or three persons of both sexes, -attired in long mourning hoods and cloaks; and five or six others in the -same lugubrious dress, still farther removed from the body, around the -walls of the vault, stood ranged in motionless order, each bearing -in his hand a huge torch of black wax. The smoky light from so many -flambeaus, by the red and indistinct atmosphere which it spread around, -gave a hazy, dubious, and as it were phantom-like appearance to the -outlines of this singular apparition, The voice of the priest--loud, -clear, and sonorous--now recited, from the breviary which he held in his -hand, those solemn words which the ritual of the Catholic church has -consecrated to the rendering of dust to dust. Meanwhile, Dousterswivel, -the place, the hour, and the surprise considered, still remained -uncertain whether what he saw was substantial, or an unearthly -representation of the rites to which in former times these walls were -familiar, but which are now rarely practised in Protestant countries, -and almost never in Scotland. He was uncertain whether to abide the -conclusion of the ceremony, or to endeavour to regain the chancel, when -a change in his position made him visible through the grate to one of -the attendant mourners. The person who first espied him indicated his -discovery to the individual who stood apart and nearest the coffin, by -a sign, and upon his making a sign in reply, two of the group detached -themselves, and, gliding along with noiseless steps, as if fearing to -disturb the service, unlocked and opened the grate which separated them -from the adept. Each took him by an arm, and exerting a degree of force, -which he would have been incapable of resisting had his fear permitted -him to attempt opposition, they placed him on the ground in the chancel, -and sat down, one on each side of him, as if to detain him. Satisfied he -was in the power of mortals like himself, the adept would have put some -questions to them; but while one pointed to the vault, from which the -sound of the priest's voice was distinctly heard, the other placed -his finger upon his lips in token of silence, a hint which the German -thought it most prudent to obey. And thus they detained him until a loud -Alleluia, pealing through the deserted arches of St. Ruth, closed the -singular ceremony which it had been his fortune to witness. - -When the hymn had died away with all its echoes, the voice of one of the -sable personages under whose guard the adept had remained, said, in a -familiar tone and dialect, "Dear sirs, Mr. Dousterswivel, is this you? -could not ye have let us ken an ye had wussed till hae been present -at the ceremony?--My lord couldna tak it weel your coming blinking and -jinking in, in that fashion." - -"In de name of all dat is gootness, tell me what you are?" interrupted -the German in his turn. - -"What I am? why, wha should I be but Ringan Aikwood, the Knockwinnock -poinder?--and what are ye doing here at this time o' night, unless ye -were come to attend the leddy's burial?" - -"I do declare to you, mine goot Poinder Aikwood," said the German, -raising himself up, "that I have been this vary nights murdered, robbed, -and put in fears of my life." - -"Robbed! wha wad do sic a deed here?--Murdered! od ye speak pretty -blithe for a murdered man--Put in fear! what put you in fear, Mr. -Dousterswivel?" - -"I will tell you, Maister Poinder Aikwood Ringan, just dat old miscreant -dog villain blue-gown, as you call Edie Ochiltrees." - -"I'll neer believe that," answered Ringan;--"Edie was ken'd to me, and -my father before me, for a true, loyal, and sooth-fast man; and, mair -by token, he's sleeping up yonder in our barn, and has been since ten -at e'en--Sae touch ye wha liket, Mr. Dousterswivel, and whether onybody -touched ye or no, I'm sure Edie's sackless." - -"Maister Ringan Aikwood Poinders, I do not know what you call sackless,-- -but let alone all de oils and de soot dat you say he has, and I will -tell you I was dis night robbed of fifty pounds by your oil and sooty -friend, Edies Ochiltree; and he is no more in your barn even now dan I -ever shall be in de kingdom of heafen." - -"Weel, sir, if ye will gae up wi' me, as the burial company has -dispersed, we'se mak ye down a bed at the lodge, and we'se see if Edie's -at the barn. There was twa wild-looking chaps left the auld kirk when we -were coming up wi' the corpse, that's certain; and the priest, wha likes -ill that ony heretics should look on at our church ceremonies, sent twa -o' the riding saulies after them; sae we'll hear a' about it frae them." - -Thus speaking, the kindly apparition, with the assistance of the mute -personage, who was his son, disencumbered himself of his cloak, and -prepared to escort Dousterswivel to the place of that rest which the -adept so much needed. - -"I will apply to the magistrates to-morrow," said the adept; "oder, I -will have de law put in force against all the peoples." - -While he thus muttered vengeance against the cause of his injury, he -tottered from among the ruins, supporting himself on Ringan and his son, -whose assistance his state of weakness rendered very necessary. - -When they were clear of the priory, and had gained the little meadow -in which it stands, Dousterswivel could perceive the torches which had -caused him so much alarm issuing in irregular procession from the ruins, -and glancing their light, like that of the ignis fatuus, on the banks -of the lake. After moving along the path for some short space with a -fluctuating and irregular motion, the lights were at once extinguished. - -"We aye put out the torches at the Halie-cross Well on sic occasions," -said the forester to his guest. And accordingly no farther visible sign -of the procession offered itself to Dousterswivel, although his ear -could catch the distant and decreasing echo of horses' hoofs in the -direction towards which the mourners had bent their course. - - - - -CHAPTER FIFTH. - - O weel may the boatie row - And better may she speed, - And weel may the boatie row - That earns the bairnies' bread! - The boatie rows, the boatie rows, - The boatie rows fu' weel, - And lightsome be their life that bear - The merlin and the creel! - Old Ballad. - -We must now introduce our reader to the interior of the fisher's cottage -mentioned in CHAPTER eleventh of this edifying history. I wish I could -say that its inside was well arranged, decently furnished, or tolerably -clean. On the contrary, I am compelled to admit, there was confusion,-- -there was dilapidation,--there was dirt good store. Yet, with all this, -there was about the inmates, Luckie Mucklebackit and her family, an -appearance of ease, plenty, and comfort, that seemed to warrant their -old sluttish proverb, "The clartier the cosier." A huge fire, though the -season was summer, occupied the hearth, and served at once for affording -light, heat, and the means of preparing food. The fishing had been -successful, and the family, with customary improvidence, had, since -unlading the cargo, continued an unremitting operation of broiling and -frying that part of the produce reserved for home consumption, and the -bones and fragments lay on the wooden trenchers, mingled with morsels -of broken bannocks and shattered mugs of half-drunk beer. The stout and -athletic form of Maggie herself, bustling here and there among a pack of -half-grown girls and younger children, of whom she chucked one now here -and another now there, with an exclamation of "Get out o' the gate, -ye little sorrow!" was strongly contrasted with the passive and -half-stupified look and manner of her husband's mother, a woman advanced -to the last stage of human life, who was seated in her wonted chair -close by the fire, the warmth of which she coveted, yet hardly seemed -to be sensible of--now muttering to herself, now smiling vacantly to the -children as they pulled the strings of her toy or close cap, or twitched -her blue checked apron. With her distaff in her bosom, and her spindle -in her hand, she plied lazily and mechanically the old-fashioned -Scottish thrift, according to the old-fashioned Scottish manner. The -younger children, crawling among the feet of the elder, watched the -progress of grannies spindle as it twisted, and now and then ventured -to interrupt its progress as it danced upon the floor in those -vagaries which the more regulated spinning-wheel has now so universally -superseded, that even the fated Princess in the fairy tale might roam -through all Scotland without the risk of piercing her hand with a -spindle, and dying of the wound. Late as the hour was (and it was -long past midnight), the whole family were still on foot, and far from -proposing to go to bed; the dame was still busy broiling car-cakes -on the girdle, and the elder girl, the half-naked mermaid elsewhere -commemorated, was preparing a pile of Findhorn haddocks (that is, -haddocks smoked with green wood), to be eaten along with these relishing -provisions. - -While they were thus employed, a slight tap at the door, accompanied -with the question, "Are ye up yet, sirs?" announced a visitor. The -answer, "Ay, ay,--come your ways ben, hinny," occasioned the lifting of -the latch, and Jenny Rintherout, the female domestic of our Antiquary, -made her appearance. - -"Ay, ay," exclaimed the mistress of the family--"Hegh, sirs! can this be -you, Jenny?--a sight o' you's gude for sair een, lass." - -"O woman, we've been sae ta'en up wi' Captain Hector's wound up by, that -I havena had my fit out ower the door this fortnight; but he's better -now, and auld Caxon sleeps in his room in case he wanted onything. Sae, -as soon as our auld folk gaed to bed, I e'en snodded my head up a bit, -and left the house-door on the latch, in case onybody should be wanting -in or out while I was awa, and just cam down the gate to see an there -was ony cracks amang ye." - -"Ay, ay," answered Luckie Mucklebackit, "I see you hae gotten a' your -braws on; ye're looking about for Steenie now--but he's no at hame the -night; and ye'll no do for Steenie, lass--a feckless thing like you's no -fit to mainteen a man." - -"Steenie will no do for me," retorted Jenny, with a toss of her head -that might have become a higher-born damsel; "I maun hae a man that can -mainteen his wife." - -"Ou ay, hinny--thae's your landward and burrows-town notions. My -certie!--fisherwives ken better--they keep the man, and keep the house, -and keep the siller too, lass." - -"A wheen poor drudges ye are," answered the nymph of the land to the -nymph of the sea. "As sune as the keel o' the coble touches the sand, -deil a bit mair will the lazy fisher loons work, but the wives maun kilt -their coats, and wade into the surf to tak the fish ashore. And then the -man casts aff the wat and puts on the dry, and sits down wi' his pipe -and his gill-stoup ahint the ingle, like ony auld houdie, and neer a -turn will he do till the coble's afloat again! And the wife she maun get -the scull on her back, and awa wi' the fish to the next burrows-town, -and scauld and ban wi'ilka wife that will scauld and ban wi'her till -it's sauld--and that's the gait fisher-wives live, puir slaving bodies." - -"Slaves?--gae wa', lass!--ca' the head o' the house slaves? little ye ken -about it, lass. Show me a word my Saunders daur speak, or a turn he daur -do about the house, without it be just to tak his meat, and his drink, -and his diversion, like ony o' the weans. He has mair sense than to ca' -anything about the bigging his ain, frae the rooftree down to a crackit -trencher on the bink. He kens weel eneugh wha feeds him, and cleeds him, -and keeps a' tight, thack and rape, when his coble is jowing awa in the -Firth, puir fallow. Na, na, lass!--them that sell the goods guide the -purse--them that guide the purse rule the house. Show me ane o' yer bits -o' farmer-bodies that wad let their wife drive the stock to the market, -and ca' in the debts. Na, na." - -"Aweel, aweel, Maggie, ilka land has its ain lauch--But where's Steenie -the night, when a's come and gane? And where's the gudeman?"* - -* Note G. Gynecocracy. - -"I hae putten the gudeman to his bed, for he was e'en sair forfain; and -Steenie's awa out about some barns-breaking wi' the auld gaberlunzie, -Edie Ochiltree: they'll be in sune, and ye can sit doun." - -"Troth, gudewife" (taking a seat), "I haena that muckle time to stop--but -I maun tell ye about the news. Yell hae heard o' the muckle kist o' gowd -that Sir Arthur has fund down by at St. Ruth?--He'll be grander than ever -now--he'll no can haud down his head to sneeze, for fear o' seeing his -shoon." - -"Ou ay--a' the country's heard o' that; but auld Edie says that they ca' -it ten times mair than ever was o't, and he saw them howk it up. Od, it -would be lang or a puir body that needed it got sic a windfa'." - -"Na, that's sure eneugh.--And yell hae heard o' the Countess o' Glenallan -being dead and lying in state, and how she's to be buried at St. Ruth's -as this night fa's, wi' torch-light; and a' the popist servants, and -Ringan Aikwood, that's a papist too, are to be there, and it will be the -grandest show ever was seen." - -"Troth, hinny," answered the Nereid, "if they let naebody but papists -come there, it'll no be muckle o' a show in this country, for the auld -harlot, as honest Mr. Blattergowl ca's her, has few that drink o' her -cup o' enchantments in this corner o' our chosen lands.--But what can ail -them to bury the auld carlin (a rudas wife she was) in the night-time?--I -dare say our gudemither will ken." - -Here she exalted her voice, and exclaimed twice or thrice, "Gudemither! -gudemither!" but, lost in the apathy of age and deafness, the aged sibyl -she addressed continued plying her spindle without understanding the -appeal made to her. - -"Speak to your grandmither, Jenny--Od, I wad rather hail the coble half a -mile aff, and the nor-wast wind whistling again in my teeth." - -"Grannie," said the little mermaid, in a voice to which the old woman -was better accustomed, "minnie wants to ken what for the Glenallan folk -aye bury by candle-light in the ruing of St. Ruth!" - -The old woman paused in the act of twirling the spindle, turned round to -the rest of the party, lifted her withered, trembling, and clay-coloured -hand, raised up her ashen-hued and wrinkled face, which the quick -motion of two light-blue eyes chiefly distinguished from the visage of a -corpse, and, as if catching at any touch of association with the living -world, answered, "What gars the Glenallan family inter their dead by -torchlight, said the lassie?--Is there a Glenallan dead e'en now?" - -"We might be a' dead and buried too," said Maggie, "for onything ye -wad ken about it;"--and then, raising her voice to the stretch of her -mother-in-law's comprehension, she added, - -"It's the auld Countess, gudemither." - -"And is she ca'd hame then at last?" said the old woman, in a voice -that seemed to be agitated with much more feeling than belonged to -her extreme old age, and the general indifference and apathy of her -manner--"is she then called to her last account after her lang race o' -pride and power?--O God, forgie her!" - -"But minnie was asking ye," resumed the lesser querist, "what for the -Glenallan family aye bury their dead by torch-light?" - -"They hae aye dune sae," said the grandmother, "since the time the Great -Earl fell in the sair battle o' the Harlaw, when they say the coronach -was cried in ae day from the mouth of the Tay to the Buck of the -Cabrach, that ye wad hae heard nae other sound but that of lamentation -for the great folks that had fa'en fighting against Donald of the Isles. -But the Great Earl's mither was living--they were a doughty and a dour -race, the women o' the house o' Glenallan--and she wad hae nae coronach -cried for her son, but had him laid in the silence o' midnight in his -place o' rest, without either drinking the dirge, or crying the lament. -She said he had killed enow that day he died, for the widows and -daughters o' the Highlanders he had slain to cry the coronach for them -they had lost, and for her son too; and sae she laid him in his gave wi' -dry eyes, and without a groan or a wail. And it was thought a proud word -o' the family, and they aye stickit by it--and the mair in the latter -times, because in the night-time they had mair freedom to perform their -popish ceremonies by darkness and in secrecy than in the daylight--at -least that was the case in my time; they wad hae been disturbed in -the day-time baith by the law and the commons of Fairport--they may be -owerlooked now, as I have heard: the warlds changed--I whiles hardly ken -whether I am standing or sitting, or dead or living." - -And looking round the fire, as if in a state of unconscious uncertainty -of which she complained, old Elspeth relapsed into her habitual and -mechanical occupation of twirling the spindle. - -"Eh, sirs!" said Jenny Rintherout, under her breath to her gossip, "it's -awsome to hear your gudemither break out in that gait--it's like the dead -speaking to the living." - -"Ye're no that far wrang, lass; she minds naething o' what passes the -day--but set her on auld tales, and she can speak like a prent buke. -She kens mair about the Glenallan family than maist folk--the gudeman's -father was their fisher mony a day. Ye maun ken the papists make a great -point o' eating fish--it's nae bad part o' their religion that, whatever -the rest is--I could aye sell the best o' fish at the best o' prices for -the Countess's ain table, grace be wi' her! especially on a Friday--But -see as our gudemither's hands and lips are ganging--now it's working in -her head like barm--she'll speak eneugh the night. Whiles she'll no speak -a word in a week, unless it be to the bits o' bairns." - -"Hegh, Mrs. Mucklebackit, she's an awsome wife!" said Jenny in reply. -"D'ye think she's a'thegither right? Folk say she downa gang to the -kirk, or speak to the minister, and that she was ance a papist but since -her gudeman's been dead, naebody kens what she is. D'ye think yoursell -that she's no uncanny?" - -"Canny, ye silly tawpie! think ye ae auld wife's less canny than -anither? unless it be Alison Breck--I really couldna in conscience swear -for her; I have kent the boxes she set fill'd wi' partans, when"-- - -"Whisht, whisht, Maggie," whispered Jenny--"your gudemither's gaun to -speak again." - -"Wasna there some ane o' ye said," asked the old sibyl, "or did I dream, -or was it revealed to me, that Joscelind, Lady Glenallan, is dead, an' -buried this night?" - -"Yes, gudemither," screamed the daughter-in-law, "it's e'en sae." - -"And e'en sae let it be," said old Elspeth; "she's made mony a sair -heart in her day--ay, e'en her ain son's--is he living yet?" - -"Ay, he's living yet; but how lang he'll live--however, dinna ye mind his -coming and asking after you in the spring, and leaving siller?" - -"It may be sae, Magge--I dinna mind it--but a handsome gentleman he was, -and his father before him. Eh! if his father had lived, they might hae -been happy folk! But he was gane, and the lady carried it in--ower and -out-ower wi' her son, and garr'd him trow the thing he never suld hae -trowed, and do the thing he has repented a' his life, and will repent -still, were his life as lang as this lang and wearisome ane o' mine." - -"O what was it, grannie?"--and "What was it, gudemither?"--and "What was -it, Luckie Elspeth?" asked the children, the mother, and the visitor, in -one breath. - -"Never ask what it was," answered the old sibyl, "but pray to God that -ye arena left to the pride and wilfu'ness o' your ain hearts: they may -be as powerful in a cabin as in a castle--I can bear a sad witness to -that. O that weary and fearfu' night! will it never gang out o' my auld -head!--Eh! to see her lying on the floor wi' her lang hair dreeping wi' -the salt water!--Heaven will avenge on a' that had to do wi't. Sirs! is -my son out wi' the coble this windy e'en?" - -"Na, na, mither--nae coble can keep the sea this wind; he's sleeping in -his bed out-ower yonder ahint the hallan." - -"Is Steenie out at sea then?" - -"Na, grannie--Steenie's awa out wi' auld Edie Ochiltree, the gaberlunzie; -maybe they'll be gaun to see the burial." - -"That canna be," said the mother of the family; "we kent naething o't -till Jock Rand cam in, and tauld us the Aikwoods had warning to attend-- -they keep thae things unco private--and they were to bring the corpse a' -the way frae the Castle, ten miles off, under cloud o' night. She has -lain in state this ten days at Glenallan House, in a grand chamber a' -hung wi' black, and lighted wi' wax cannle." - -"God assoilzie her!" ejaculated old Elspeth, her head apparently still -occupied by the event of the Countess's death; "she was a hard-hearted -woman, but she's gaen to account for it a', and His mercy is infinite-- -God grant she may find it sae!" And she relapsed into silence, which she -did not break again during the rest of the evening. - -"I wonder what that auld daft beggar carle and our son Steenie can be -doing out in sic a nicht as this," said Maggie Mucklebackit; and her -expression of surprise was echoed by her visitor. "Gang awa, ane o' ye, -hinnies, up to the heugh head, and gie them a cry in case they're within -hearing; the car-cakes will be burnt to a cinder." - -The little emissary departed, but in a few minutes came running back -with the loud exclamation, "Eh, Minnie! eh, grannie! there's a white -bogle chasing twa black anes down the heugh." - -A noise of footsteps followed this singular annunciation, and young -Steenie Mucklebackit, closely followed by Edie Ochiltree, bounced into -the hut. They were panting and out of breath. The first thing Steenie -did was to look for the bar of the door, which his mother reminded him -had been broken up for fire-wood in the hard winter three years ago; -"for what use," she said, "had the like o' them for bars?" - -"There's naebody chasing us," said the beggar, after he had taken his -breath: "we're e'en like the wicked, that flee when no one pursueth." - -"Troth, but we were chased," said Steenie, "by a spirit or something -little better." - -"It was a man in white on horseback," said Edie, "for the soft grund -that wadna bear the beast, flung him about, I wot that weel; but I didna -think my auld legs could have brought me aff as fast; I ran amaist as -fast as if I had been at Prestonpans."* - -* [This refers to the flight of the government forces at the battle of -Prestonpans, 1745.] - -"Hout, ye daft gowks!" said Luckie Mucklebackit, "it will hae been some -o' the riders at the Countess's burial." - -"What!" said Edie, "is the auld Countess buried the night at St. Ruth's? -Ou, that wad be the lights and the noise that scarr'd us awa; I wish I -had ken'd--I wad hae stude them, and no left the man yonder--but they'll -take care o' him. Ye strike ower hard, Steenie I doubt ye foundered the -chield." - -"Neer a bit," said Steenie, laughing; "he has braw broad shouthers, and -I just took measure o' them wi' the stang. Od, if I hadna been something -short wi' him, he wad hae knockit your auld hams out, lad." - -"Weel, an I win clear o' this scrape," said Edie, "I'se tempt Providence -nae mair. But I canna think it an unlawfu' thing to pit a bit trick on -sic a landlouping scoundrel, that just lives by tricking honester folk." - -"But what are we to do with this?" said Steenie, producing a -pocket-book. - -"Od guide us, man," said Edie in great alarm, "what garr'd ye touch the -gear? a very leaf o' that pocket-book wad be eneugh to hang us baith." - -"I dinna ken," said Steenie; "the book had fa'en out o' his pocket, I -fancy, for I fand it amang my feet when I was graping about to set him -on his logs again, and I just pat it in my pouch to keep it safe; and -then came the tramp of horse, and you cried, Rin, rin,' and I had nae -mair thought o' the book." - -"We maun get it back to the loon some gait or other; ye had better take -it yoursell, I think, wi' peep o' light, up to Ringan Aikwood's. I wadna -for a hundred pounds it was fund in our hands." - -Steenie undertook to do as he was directed. - -"A bonny night ye hae made o't, Mr. Steenie," said Jenny Rintherout, -who, impatient of remaining so long unnoticed, now presented herself to -the young fisherman--"A bonny night ye hae made o't, tramping about wi' -gaberlunzies, and getting yoursell hunted wi' worricows, when ye suld be -sleeping in your bed, like your father, honest man." - -This attack called forth a suitable response of rustic raillery from -the young fisherman. An attack was now commenced upon the car-cakes and -smoked fish, and sustained with great perseverance by assistance of a -bicker or two of twopenny ale and a bottle of gin. The mendicant then -retired to the straw of an out-house adjoining,--the children had one -by one crept into their nests,--the old grandmother was deposited in -her flock-bed,--Steenie, notwithstanding his preceding fatigue, had the -gallantry to accompany Miss Rintherout to her own mansion, and at what -hour he returned the story saith not,--and the matron of the family, -having laid the gathering-coal upon the fire, and put things in some -sort of order, retired to rest the last of the family. - - - - -CHAPTER SIXTH. - - --Many great ones - Would part with half their states, to have the plan - And credit to beg in the first style. - Beggar's Bush. - -Old Edie was stirring with the lark, and his first inquiry was after -Steenie and the pocket-book. The young fisherman had been under the -necessity of attending his father before daybreak, to avail themselves -of the tide, but he had promised that, immediately on his return, the -pocket-book, with all its contents, carefully wrapped up in a piece -of sail-cloth, should be delivered by him to Ringan Aikwood, for -Dousterswivel, the owner. - -The matron had prepared the morning meal for the family, and, -shouldering her basket of fish, tramped sturdily away towards Fairport. -The children were idling round the door, for the day was fair and -sun-shiney. The ancient grandame, again seated on her wicker-chair by -the fire, had resumed her eternal spindle, wholly unmoved by the yelling -and screaming of the children, and the scolding of the mother, which -had preceded the dispersion of the family. Edie had arranged his various -bags, and was bound for the renewal of his wandering life, but first -advanced with due courtesy to take his leave of the ancient crone. - -"Gude day to ye, cummer, and mony ane o' them. I will be back about the -fore-end o'har'st, and I trust to find ye baith haill and fere." - -"Pray that ye may find me in my quiet grave," said the old woman, in -a hollow and sepulchral voice, but without the agitation of a single -feature. - -"Ye're auld, cummer, and sae am I mysell; but we maun abide His will-- -we'll no be forgotten in His good time." - -"Nor our deeds neither," said the crone: "what's dune in the body maun -be answered in the spirit." - -"I wot that's true; and I may weel tak the tale hame to mysell, that hae -led a misruled and roving life. But ye were aye a canny wife. We're a' -frail--but ye canna hae sae muckle to bow ye down." - -"Less than I might have had--but mair, O far mair, than wad sink the -stoutest brig e'er sailed out o' Fairport harbour!--Didna somebody say -yestreen--at least sae it is borne in on my mind, but auld folk hae weak -fancies--did not somebody say that Joscelind, Countess of Glenallan, was -departed frae life?" - -"They said the truth whaever said it," answered old Edie; "she was -buried yestreen by torch-light at St. Ruth's, and I, like a fule, gat a -gliff wi' seeing the lights and the riders." - -"It was their fashion since the days of the Great Earl that was killed -at Harlaw;--they did it to show scorn that they should die and be buried -like other mortals; the wives o' the house of Glenallan wailed nae wail -for the husband, nor the sister for the brother.--But is she e'en ca'd to -the lang account?" - -"As sure," answered Edie, "as we maun a' abide it." - -"Then I'll unlade my mind, come o't what will." - -This she spoke with more alacrity than usually attended her expressions, -and accompanied her words with an attitude of the hand, as if throwing -something from her. She then raised up her form, once tall, and still -retaining the appearance of having been so, though bent with age and -rheumatism, and stood before the beggar like a mummy animated by some -wandering spirit into a temporary resurrection. Her light-blue eyes -wandered to and fro, as if she occasionally forgot and again remembered -the purpose for which her long and withered hand was searching among the -miscellaneous contents of an ample old-fashioned pocket. At length she -pulled out a small chip-box, and opening it, took out a handsome ring, -in which was set a braid of hair, composed of two different colours, -black and light brown, twined together, encircled with brilliants of -considerable value. - -"Gudeman," she said to Ochiltree, "as ye wad e'er deserve mercy, ye maun -gang my errand to the house of Glenallan, and ask for the Earl." - -"The Earl of Glenallan, cummer! ou, he winna see ony o' the gentles o' -the country, and what likelihood is there that he wad see the like o' an -auld gaberlunzie?" - -"Gang your ways and try;--and tell him that Elspeth o' the -Craigburnfoot--he'll mind me best by that name--maun see him or she be -relieved frae her lang pilgrimage, and that she sends him that ring in -token of the business she wad speak o'." - -Ochiltree looked on the ring with some admiration of its apparent value, -and then carefully replacing it in the box, and wrapping it in an old -ragged handkerchief, he deposited the token in his bosom. - -"Weel, gudewife," he said, "I'se do your bidding, or it's no be my -fault. But surely there was never sic a braw propine as this sent to -a yerl by an auld fishwife, and through the hands of a gaberlunzie -beggar." - -With this reflection, Edie took up his pike-staff, put on his -broad-brimmed bonnet, and set forth upon his pilgrimage. The old woman -remained for some time standing in a fixed posture, her eyes directed -to the door through which her ambassador had departed. The appearance -of excitation, which the conversation had occasioned, gradually left -her features; she sank down upon her accustomed seat, and resumed her -mechanical labour of the distaff and spindle, with her wonted air of -apathy. - -Edie Ochiltree meanwhile advanced on his journey. The distance to -Glenallan was ten miles, a march which the old soldier accomplished in -about four hours. With the curiosity belonging to his idle trade and -animated character, he tortured himself the whole way to consider -what could be the meaning of this mysterious errand with which he was -entrusted, or what connection the proud, wealthy, and powerful Earl -of Glenallan could have with the crimes or penitence of an old doting -woman, whose rank in life did not greatly exceed that of her messenger. -He endeavoured to call to memory all that he had ever known or heard of -the Glenallan family, yet, having done so, remained altogether unable -to form a conjecture on the subject. He knew that the whole extensive -estate of this ancient and powerful family had descended to the -Countess, lately deceased, who inherited, in a most remarkable degree, -the stern, fierce, and unbending character which had distinguished the -house of Glenallan since they first figured in Scottish annals. Like -the rest of her ancestors, she adhered zealously to the Roman Catholic -faith, and was married to an English gentleman of the same communion, -and of large fortune, who did not survive their union two years. The -Countess was, therefore, left an early widow, with the uncontrolled -management of the large estates of her two sons. The elder, Lord -Geraldin, who was to succeed to the title and fortune of Glenallan, was -totally dependent on his mother during her life. The second, when -he came of age, assumed the name and arms of his father, and took -possession of his estate, according to the provisions of the Countess's -marriage-settlement. After this period, he chiefly resided in England, -and paid very few and brief visits to his mother and brother; and these -at length were altogether dispensed with, in consequence of his becoming -a convert to the reformed religion. - -But even before this mortal offence was given to its mistress, his -residence at Glenallan offered few inducements to a gay young man like -Edward Geraldin Neville, though its gloom and seclusion seemed to suit -the retired and melancholy habits of his elder brother. Lord Geraldin, -in the outset of life, had been a young man of accomplishment and hopes. -Those who knew him upon his travels entertained the highest expectations -of his future career. But such fair dawns are often strangely overcast. -The young nobleman returned to Scotland, and after living about a year -in his mother's society at Glenallan House, he seemed to have adopted -all the stern gloom and melancholy of her character. Excluded from -politics by the incapacities attached to those of his religion, and -from all lighter avocationas by choice, Lord Geraldin led a life of the -strictest retirement. His ordinary society was composed of the clergyman -of his communion, who occasionally visited his mansion; and very rarely, -upon stated occasions of high festival, one or two families who still -professed the Catholic religion were formally entertained at Glenallan -House. But this was all; their heretic neighbours knew nothing of -the family whatever; and even the Catholics saw little more than the -sumptuous entertainment and solemn parade which was exhibited on those -formal occasions, from which all returned without knowing whether most -to wonder at the stern and stately demeanour of the Countess, or the -deep and gloomy dejection which never ceased for a moment to cloud the -features of her son. The late event had put him in possession of his -fortune and title, and the neighbourhood had already begun to conjecture -whether gaiety would revive with independence, when those who had some -occasional acquaintance with the interior of the family spread abroad -a report, that the Earl's constitution was undermined by religious -austerities, and that in all probability he would soon follow his mother -to the grave. This event was the more probable, as his brother had died -of a lingering complaint, which, in the latter years of his life, -had affected at once his frame and his spirits; so that heralds and -genealogists were already looking back into their records to discover -the heir of this ill-fated family, and lawyers were talking with -gleesome anticipation, of the probability of a "great Glenallan cause." - -As Edie Ochiltree approached the front of Glenallan House,* an ancient -building of great extent, the most modern part of which had been -designed by the celebrated Inigo Jones, he began to consider in what -way he should be most likely to gain access for delivery of his message; -and, after much consideration, resolved to send the token to the Earl by -one of the domestics. - -* [Supposed to represent Glammis Castle, in Forfarshire, with which the -Author was well acquainted.] - -With this purpose he stopped at a cottage, where he obtained the means -of making up the ring in a sealed packet like a petition, addressed, -Forr his hounor the Yerl of Glenllan--These. But being aware that -missives delivered at the doors of great houses by such persons as -himself, do not always make their way according to address, Edie -determined, like an old soldier, to reconnoitre the ground before -he made his final attack. As he approached the porter's lodge, he -discovered, by the number of poor ranked before it, some of them being -indigent persons in the vicinity, and others itinerants of his own -begging profession,--that there was about to be a general dole or -distribution of charity. - -"A good turn," said Edie to himself, "never goes unrewarded--I'll maybe -get a good awmous that I wad hae missed but for trotting on this auld -wife's errand." - -Accordingly, he ranked up with the rest of this ragged regiment, -assuming a station as near the front as possible,--a distinction due, as -he conceived, to his blue gown and badge, no less than to his years and -experience; but he soon found there was another principle of precedence -in this assembly, to which he had not adverted. - -"Are ye a triple man, friend, that ye press forward sae bauldly?--I'm -thinking no, for there's nae Catholics wear that badge." - -"Na, na, I am no a Roman," said Edie. - -"Then shank yoursell awa to the double folk, or single folk, that's the -Episcopals or Presbyterians yonder: it's a shame to see a heretic hae -sic a lang white beard, that would do credit to a hermit." - -Ochiltree, thus rejected from the society of the Catholic mendicants, -or those who called themselves such, went to station himself with the -paupers of the communion of the church of England, to whom the noble -donor allotted a double portion of his charity. But never was a -poor occasional conformist more roughly rejected by a High-church -congregation, even when that matter was furiously agitated in the days -of good Queen Anne. - -"See to him wi' his badge!" they said;--"he hears ane o' the king's -Presbyterian chaplains sough out a sermon on the morning of every -birth-day, and now he would pass himsell for ane o' the Episcopal -church! Na, na!--we'll take care o' that." - -Edie, thus rejected by Rome and Prelacy, was fain to shelter himself -from the laughter of his brethren among the thin group of Presbyterians, -who had either disdained to disguise their religious opinions for the -sake of an augmented dole, or perhaps knew they could not attempt the -imposition without a certainty of detection. - -The same degree of precedence was observed in the mode of distributing -the charity, which consisted in bread, beef, and a piece of money, to -each individual of all the three classes. The almoner, an ecclesiastic -of grave appearance and demeanour, superintended in person the -accommodation of the Catholic mendicants, asking a question or two of -each as he delivered the charity, and recommending to their prayers -the soul of Joscelind, late Countess of Glenallan, mother of their -benefactor. The porter, distinguished by his long staff headed with -silver, and by the black gown tufted with lace of the same colour, which -he had assumed upon the general mourning in the family, overlooked -the distribution of the dole among the prelatists. The less-favoured -kirk-folk were committed to the charge of an aged domestic. - -As this last discussed some disputed point with the porter, his name, as -it chanced to be occasionally mentioned, and then his features, struck -Ochiltree, and awakened recollections of former times. The rest of the -assembly were now retiring, when the domestic, again approaching the -place where Edie still lingered, said, in a strong Aberdeenshire accent, -"Fat is the auld feel-body deeing, that he canna gang avay, now that -he's gotten baith meat and siller?" - -"Francis Macraw," answered Edie Ochiltree, "d'ye no mind Fontenoy, and -keep thegither front and rear?'" - -"Ohon! ohon!" cried Francie, with a true north-country yell of -recognition, "naebody could hae said that word but my auld front-rank -man, Edie Ochiltree! But I'm sorry to see ye in sic a peer state, man." - -"No sae ill aff as ye may think, Francis. But I'm laith to leave this -place without a crack wi' you, and I kenna when I may see you again, for -your folk dinna mak Protestants welcome, and that's ae reason that I hae -never been here before." - -"Fusht, fusht," said Francie, "let that flee stick i' the wa'--when the -dirt's dry it will rub out;--and come you awa wi' me, and I'll gie ye -something better thau that beef bane, man." - -Having then spoke a confidential word with the porter (probably to -request his connivance), and having waited until the almoner had -returned into the house with slow and solemn steps, Francie Macraw -introduced his old comrade into the court of Glenallan House, the gloomy -gateway of which was surmounted by a huge scutcheon, in which the herald -and undertaker had mingled, as usual, the emblems of human pride and of -human nothingness,--the Countess's hereditary coat-of-arms, with all -its numerous quarterings, disposed in a lozenge, and surrounded by the -separate shields of her paternal and maternal ancestry, intermingled -with scythes, hour glasses, skulls, and other symbols of that mortality -which levels all distinctions. Conducting his friend as speedily as -possible along the large paved court, Macraw led the way through a -side-door to a small apartment near the servants' hall, which, in virtue -of his personal attendance upon the Earl of Glenallan, he was entitled -to call his own. To produce cold meat of various kinds, strong beer, -and even a glass of spirits, was no difficulty to a person of Francis's -importance, who had not lost, in his sense of conscious dignity, the -keen northern prudence which recommended a good understanding with the -butler. Our mendicant envoy drank ale, and talked over old stories -with his comrade, until, no other topic of conversation occurring, he -resolved to take up the theme of his embassy, which had for some time -escaped his memory. - -"He had a petition to present to the Earl," he said;--for he judged -it prudent to say nothing of the ring, not knowing, as he afterwards -observed, how far the manners of a single soldier* might have been -corrupted by service in a great house. - -* A single soldier means, in Scotch, a private soldier. - -"Hout, tout, man," said Francie, "the Earl will look at nae petitions-- -but I can gie't to the almoner." - -"But it relates to some secret, that maybe my lord wad like best to -see't himsell." - -"I'm jeedging that's the very reason that the almoner will be for seeing -it the first and foremost." - -"But I hae come a' this way on purpose to deliver it, Francis, and ye -really maun help me at a pinch." - -"Neer speed then if I dinna," answered the Aberdeenshire man: "let them -be as cankered as they like, they can but turn me awa, and I was -just thinking to ask my discharge, and gang down to end my days at -Inverurie." - -With this doughty resolution of serving his friend at all ventures, -since none was to be encountered which could much inconvenience himself, -Francie Macraw left the apartment. It was long before he returned, and -when he did, his manner indicated wonder and agitation. - -"I am nae seer gin ye be Edie Ochiltree o' Carrick's company in the -Forty-twa, or gin ye be the deil in his likeness!" - -"And what makes ye speak in that gait?" demanded the astonished -mendicant. - -"Because my lord has been in sic a distress and surpreese as I neer saw -a man in my life. But he'll see you--I got that job cookit. He was like a -man awa frae himsell for mony minutes, and I thought he wad hae swarv't -a'thegither,--and fan he cam to himsell, he asked fae brought the -packet--and fat trow ye I said?" - -"An auld soger," says Edie--"that does likeliest at a gentle's door; at -a farmer's it's best to say ye're an auld tinkler, if ye need ony -quarters, for maybe the gudewife will hae something to souther." - -"But I said neer ane o' the twa," answered Francis; "my lord cares -as little about the tane as the tother--for he's best to them that can -souther up our sins. Sae I e'en said the bit paper was brought by an -auld man wi' a long fite beard--he might be a capeechin freer for fat I -ken'd, for he was dressed like an auld palmer. Sae ye'll be sent up for -fanever he can find mettle to face ye." - -"I wish I was weel through this business," thought Edie to himself; -"mony folk surmise that the Earl's no very right in the judgment, and -wha can say how far he may be offended wi' me for taking upon me sae -muckle?" - -But there was now no room for retreat--a bell sounded from a distant part -of the mansion, and Macraw said, with a smothered accent, as if already -in his master's presence, "That's my lord's bell!--follow me, and step -lightly and cannily, Edie." - -Edie followed his guide, who seemed to tread as if afraid of being -overheard, through a long passage, and up a back stair, which admitted -them into the family apartments. They were ample and extensive, -furnished at such cost as showed the ancient importance and splendour -of the family. But all the ornaments were in the taste of a former and -distant period, and one would have almost supposed himself traversing -the halls of a Scottish nobleman before the union of the crowns. The -late Countess, partly from a haughty contempt of the times in which -she lived, partly from her sense of family pride, had not permitted the -furniture to be altered or modernized during her residence at Glenallan -House. The most magnificent part of the decorations was a valuable -collection of pictures by the best masters, whose massive frames were -somewhat tarnished by time. In this particular also the gloomy taste of -the family seemed to predominate. There were some fine family portraits -by Vandyke and other masters of eminence; but the collection was richest -in the Saints and Martyrdoms of Domenichino, Velasquez, and Murillo, and -other subjects of the same kind, which had been selected in preference -to landscapes or historical pieces. The manner in which these awful, -and sometimes disgusting, subjects were represented, harmonized with the -gloomy state of the apartments,--a circumstance which was not altogether -lost on the old man, as he traversed them under the guidance of his -quondam fellow-soldier. He was about to express some sentiment of this -kind, but Francie imposed silence on him by signs, and opening a door -at the end of the long picture-gallery, ushered him into a small -antechamber hung with black. Here they found the almoner, with his ear -turned to a door opposite that by which they entered, in the attitude of -one who listens with attention, but is at the same time afraid of being -detected in the act. - -The old domestic and churchman started when they perceived each other. -But the almoner first recovered his recollection, and advancing towards -Macraw, said, under his breath, but with an authoritative tone, "How -dare you approach the Earl's apartment without knocking? and who is this -stranger, or what has he to do here?--Retire to the gallery, and wait for -me there." - -"It's impossible just now to attend your reverence," answered Macraw, -raising his voice so as to be heard in the next room, being conscious -that the priest would not maintain the altercation within hearing of his -patron,--"the Earl's bell has rung." - -He had scarce uttered the words, when it was rung again with greater -violence than before; and the ecclesiastic, perceiving further -expostulation impossible, lifted his finger at Macraw, with a menacing -attitude, as he left the apartment. - -"I tell'd ye sae," said the Aberdeen man in a whisper to Edie, and then -proceeded to open the door near which they had observed the chaplain -stationed. - - - - -CHAPTER SEVENTH. - - --This ring.-- - This little ring, with necromantic force, - Has raised the ghost of pleasure to my fears, - Conjured the sense of honour and of love - Into such shapes, they fright me from myself. - The Fatal Marriage. - -The ancient forms of mourning were observed in Glenallan House, -notwithstanding the obduracy with which the members of the family -were popularly supposed to refuse to the dead the usual tribute of -lamentation. It was remarked, that when she received the fatal letter -announcing the death of her second, and, as was once believed, her -favourite son, the hand of the Countess did not shake, nor her eyelid -twinkle, any more than upon perusal of a letter of ordinary business. -Heaven only knows whether the suppression of maternal sorrow, which her -pride commanded, might not have some effect in hastening her own death. -It was at least generally supposed that the apoplectic stroke, which so -soon afterwards terminated her existence, was, as it were, the vengeance -of outraged Nature for the restraint to which her feelings had been -subjected. But although Lady Glenallan forebore the usual external signs -of grief, she had caused many of the apartments, amongst others her own -and that of the Earl, to be hung with the exterior trappings of woe. - -The Earl of Glenallan was therefore seated in an apartment hung with -black cloth, which waved in dusky folds along its lofty walls. A screen, -also covered with black baize, placed towards the high and narrow -window, intercepted much of the broken light which found its way through -the stained glass, that represented, with such skill as the fourteenth -century possessed, the life and sorrows of the prophet Jeremiah. The -table at which the Earl was seated was lighted with two lamps wrought -in silver, shedding that unpleasant and doubtful light which arises from -the mingling of artificial lustre with that of general daylight. The -same table displayed a silver crucifix, and one or two clasped parchment -books. A large picture, exquisitely painted by Spagnoletto, represented -the martyrdom of St. Stephen, and was the only ornament of the -apartment. - -The inhabitant and lord of this disconsolate chamber was a man not past -the prime of life, yet so broken down with disease and mental misery, so -gaunt and ghastly, that he appeared but a wreck of manhood; and when -he hastily arose and advanced towards his visitor, the exertion seemed -almost to overpower his emaciated frame. As they met in the midst of -the apartment, the contrast they exhibited was very striking. The hale -cheek, firm step, erect stature, and undaunted presence and bearing of -the old mendicant, indicated patience and content in the extremity of -age, and in the lowest condition to which humanity can sink; while the -sunken eye, pallid cheek, and tottering form of the nobleman with -whom he was confronted, showed how little wealth, power, and even the -advantages of youth, have to do with that which gives repose to the -mind, and firmness to the frame. - -The Earl met the old man in the middle of the room, and having commanded -his attendant to withdraw into the gallery, and suffer no one to enter -the antechamber till he rung the bell, awaited, with hurried yet fearful -impatience, until he heard first the door of his apartment, and then -that of the antechamber, shut and fastened by the spring-bolt. When he -was satisfied with this security against being overheard, Lord Glenallan -came close up to the mendicant, whom he probably mistook for some person -of a religious order in disguise, and said, in a hasty yet faltering -tone, "In the name of all our religion holds most holy, tell me, -reverend father, what am I to expect from a communication opened by a -token connected with such horrible recollections?" - -The old man, appalled by a manner so different from what he had expected -from the proud and powerful nobleman, was at a loss how to answer, and -in what manner to undeceive him. "Tell me," continued the Earl, in a -tone of increasing trepidation and agony--"tell me, do you come to say -that all that has been done to expiate guilt so horrible, has been too -little and too trivial for the offence, and to point out new and -more efficacious modes of severe penance?--I will not blench from it, -father--let me suffer the pains of my crime here in the body, rather than -hereafter in the spirit!" - -Edie had now recollection enough to perceive, that if he did not -interrupt the frankness of Lord Glenallan's admissions, he was likely -to become the confidant of more than might be safe for him to know. -He therefore uttered with a hasty and trembling voice--"Your lordship's -honour is mistaken--I am not of your persuasion, nor a clergyman, but, -with all reverence, only puir Edie Ochiltree, the king's bedesman and -your honour's." - -This explanation he accompanied by a profound bow after his manner, and -then, drawing himself up erect, rested his arm on his staff, threw back -his long white hair, and fixed his eyes upon the Earl, as he waited for -an answer. - -"And you are not then," said Lord Glenallan, after a pause of surprise-- -"You are not then a Catholic priest?" - -"God forbid!" said Edie, forgetting in his confusion to whom he was -speaking; "I am only the king's bedesman and your honour's, as I said -before." - -The Earl turned hastily away, and paced the room twice or thrice, as if -to recover the effects of his mistake, and then, coming close up to the -mendicant, he demanded, in a stern and commanding tone, what he meant -by intruding himself on his privacy, and from whence he had got the ring -which he had thought proper to send him. Edie, a man of much spirit, was -less daunted at this mode of interrogation than he had been confused by -the tone of confidence in which the Earl had opened their conversation. -To the reiterated question from whom he had obtained the ring, he -answered composedly, "From one who was better known to the Earl than to -him." - -"Better known to me, fellow?" said Lord Glenallan: "what is your -meaning?--explain yourself instantly, or you shall experience the -consequence of breaking in upon the hours of family distress." - -"It was auld Elspeth Mucklebackit that sent me here," said the beggar, -"in order to say"-- - -"You dote, old man!" said the Earl; "I never heard the name--but this -dreadful token reminds me"-- - -"I mind now, my lord," said Ochiltree, "she tauld me your lordship would -be mair familiar wi' her, if I ca'd her Elspeth o' the Craigburnfoot--she -had that name when she lived on your honour's land, that is, your -honour's worshipful mother's that was then--Grace be wi' her!" - -"Ay," said the appalled nobleman, as his countenance sunk, and his cheek -assumed a hue yet more cadaverous; "that name is indeed written in the -most tragic page of a deplorable history. But what can she desire of me? -Is she dead or living?" - -"Living, my lord; and entreats to see your lordship before she dies, for -she has something to communicate that hangs upon her very soul, and she -says she canna flit in peace until she sees you." - -"Not until she sees me!--what can that mean? But she is doting with age -and infirmity. I tell thee, friend, I called at her cottage myself, not -a twelvemonth since, from a report that she was in distress, and she did -not even know my face or voice." - -"If your honour wad permit me," said Edie, to whom the length of the -conference restored a part of his professional audacity and native -talkativeness--"if your honour wad but permit me, I wad say, under -correction of your lordship's better judgment, that auld Elspeth's like -some of the ancient ruined strengths and castles that ane sees amang the -hills. There are mony parts of her mind that appear, as I may say, laid -waste and decayed, but then there's parts that look the steever, and -the stronger, and the grander, because they are rising just like to -fragments amaong the ruins o' the rest. She's an awful woman." - -"She always was so," said the Earl, almost unconsciously echoing the -observation of the mendicant; "she always was different from other -women--likest perhaps to her who is now no more, in her temper and turn -of mind.--She wishes to see me, then?" - -"Before she dies," said Edie, "she earnestly entreats that pleasure." - -"It will be a pleasure to neither of us," said the Earl, sternly, "yet -she shall be gratified. She lives, I think, on the sea-shore to the -southward of Fairport?" - -"Just between Monkbarns and Knockwinnock Castle, but nearer to -Monkbarns. Your lordship's honour will ken the laird and Sir Arthur, -doubtless?" - -A stare, as if he did not comprehend the question, was Lord Glenallan's -answer. Edie saw his mind was elsewhere, and did not venture to repeat a -query which was so little germain to the matter. - -"Are you a Catholic, old man?" demanded the Earl. - -"No, my lord," said Ochiltree stoutly; for the remembrance of the -unequal division of the dole rose in his mind at the moment; "I thank -Heaven I am a good Protestant." - -"He who can conscientiously call himself good, has indeed reason to -thank Heaven, be his form of Christianity what it will--But who is he -that shall dare to do so!" - -"Not I," said Edie; "I trust to beware of the sin of presumption." - -"What was your trade in your youth?" continued the Earl. - -"A soldier, my lord; and mony a sair day's kemping I've seen. I was to -have been made a sergeant, but"-- - -"A soldier! then you have slain and burnt, and sacked and spoiled?" - -"I winna say," replied Edie, "that I have been better than my -neighbours;--it's a rough trade--war's sweet to them that never tried it." - -"And you are now old and miserable, asking from precarious charity the -food which in your youth you tore from the hand of the poor peasant?" - -"I am a beggar, it is true, my lord; but I am nae just sae miserable -neither. For my sins, I hae had grace to repent of them, if I might say -sae, and to lay them where they may be better borne than by me; and for -my food, naebody grudges an auld man a bit and a drink--Sae I live as I -can, and am contented to die when I am ca'd upon." - -"And thus, then, with little to look back upon that is pleasant or -praiseworthy in your past life--with less to look forward to on this side -of eternity, you are contented to drag out the rest of your existence? -Go, begone! and in your age and poverty and weariness, never envy -the lord of such a mansion as this, either in his sleeping or waking -moments--Here is something for thee." - -The Earl put into the old man's hand five or six guineas. Edie would -perhaps have stated his scruples, as upon other occasions, to the amount -of the benefaction, but the tone of Lord Glenallan was too absolute to -admit of either answer or dispute. The Earl then called his servant--"See -this old man safe from the castle--let no one ask him any questions--and -you, friend, begone, and forget the road that leads to my house." - -"That would be difficult for me," said Edie, looking at the gold which -he still held in his hand, "that would be e'en difficult, since your -honour has gien me such gade cause to remember it." - -Lord Glenallan stared, as hardly comprehending the old man's boldness -in daring to bandy words with him, and, with his hand, made him another -signal of departure, which the mendicant instantly obeyed. - - - - -CHAPTER EIGHTH. - - For he was one in all their idle sport, - And like a monarch, ruled their little court - The pliant bow he formed, the flying ball, - The bat, the wicket, were his labours all. - Crabbe's Village. - -Francis Macraw, agreeably to the commands of his master, attended -the mendicant, in order to see him fairly out of the estate, without -permitting him to have conversation, or intercourse, with any of the -Earl's dependents or domestics. But, judiciously considering that the -restriction did not extend to himself, who was the person entrusted with -the convoy, he used every measure in his power to extort from Edie the -nature of his confidential and secret interview with Lord Glenallan. But -Edie had been in his time accustomed to cross-examination, and easily -evaded those of his quondam comrade. "The secrets of grit folk," said -Ochiltree within himself, "are just like the wild beasts that are shut -up in cages. Keep them hard and fast sneaked up, and it's a' very weel -or better--but ance let them out, they will turn and rend you. I mind how -ill Dugald Gunn cam aff for letting loose his tongue about the Major's -leddy and Captain Bandilier." - -Francis was therefore foiled in his assaults upon the fidelity of the -mendicant, and, like an indifferent chess-player, became, at every -unsuccessful movement, more liable to the counter-checks of his -opponent. - -"Sae ye uphauld ye had nae particulars to say to my lord but about yer -ain matters?" - -"Ay, and about the wee bits o' things I had brought frae abroad," said -Edie. "I ken'd you popist folk are unco set on the relics that are -fetched frae far-kirks and sae forth." - -"Troth, my Lord maun be turned feel outright," said the domestic, "an -he puts himsell into sic a carfuffle, for onything ye could bring him, -Edie." - -"I doubtna ye may say true in the main, neighbour," replied the beggar; -"but maybe he's had some hard play in his younger days, Francis, and -that whiles unsettles folk sair." - -"Troth, Edie, and ye may say that--and since it's like yell neer come -back to the estate, or, if ye dee, that ye'll no find me there, I'se -e'en tell you he had a heart in his young time sae wrecked and rent, -that it's a wonder it hasna broken outright lang afore this day." - -"Ay, say ye sae?" said Ochiltree; "that maun hae been about a woman, I -reckon?" - -"Troth, and ye hae guessed it," said Francie--"jeest a cusin o' his -nain--Miss Eveline Neville, as they suld hae ca'd her;--there was a sough -in the country about it, but it was hushed up, as the grandees -were concerned;--it's mair than twenty years syne--ay, it will be -three-and-twenty." - -"Ay, I was in America then," said the mendicant, "and no in the way to -hear the country clashes." - -"There was little clash about it, man," replied Macraw; "he liked this -young leddy, ana suld hae married her, but his mother fand it out, and -then the deil gaed o'er Jock Webster. At last, the peer lass clodded -hersell o'er the scaur at the Craigburnfoot into the sea, and there was -an end o't." - -"An end o't wi' the puir leddy," said the mendicant, "but, as I reckon, -nae end o't wi' the yerl." - -"Nae end o't till his life makes an end," answered the Aberdonian. - -"But what for did the auld Countess forbid the marriage?" continued the -persevering querist. - -"Fat for!--she maybe didna weel ken for fat hersell, for she gar'd a' -bow to her bidding, right or wrang--But it was ken'd the young leddy was -inclined to some o' the heresies of the country--mair by token, she was -sib to him nearer than our Church's rule admits of. Sae the leddy was -driven to the desperate act, and the yerl has never since held his head -up like a man." - -"Weel away!" replied Ochiltree:--"it's e'en queer I neer heard this tale -afore." - -"It's e'en queer that ye heard it now, for deil ane o' the servants -durst hae spoken o't had the auld Countess been living. Eh, man, Edie! -but she was a trimmer--it wad hae taen a skeely man to hae squared wi' -her!--But she's in her grave, and we may loose our tongues a bit fan -we meet a friend.--But fare ye weel, Edie--I maun be back to the -evening-service. An' ye come to Inverurie maybe sax months awa, dinna -forget to ask after Francie Macraw." - -What one kindly pressed, the other as firmly promised; and the friends -having thus parted, with every testimony of mutual regard, the domestic -of Lord Glenallan took his road back to the seat of his master, leaving -Ochiltree to trace onward his habitual pilgrimage. - -It was a fine summer evening, and the world--that is, the little circle -which was all in all to the individual by whom it was trodden, lay -before Edie Ochiltree, for the choosing of his night's quarters. When -he had passed the less hospitable domains of Glenallan, he had in his -option so many places of refuge for the evening, that he was nice, and -even fastidious in the choice. Ailie Sim's public was on the road-side -about a mile before him, but there would be a parcel of young fellows -there on the Saturday night, and that was a bar to civil conversation. -Other "gudemen and gudewives," as the farmers and their dames are termed -in Scotland, successively presented themselves to his imagination. But -one was deaf, and could not hear him; another toothless, and could not -make him hear; a third had a cross temper; and a fourth an ill-natured -house-dog. At Monkbarns or Knockwinnock he was sure of a favourable -and hospitable reception; but they lay too distant to be conveniently -reached that night. - -"I dinna ken how it is," said the old man, "but I am nicer about my -quarters this night than ever I mind having been in my life. I think, -having seen a' the braws yonder, and finding out ane may be happier -without them, has made me proud o' my ain lot--But I wuss it bode me -gude, for pride goeth before destruction. At ony rate, the warst barn -e'er man lay in wad be a pleasanter abode than Glenallan House, wi' a' -the pictures and black velvet, and silver bonny-wawlies belonging to it-- -Sae I'll e'en settle at ance, and put in for Ailie Sims." - -As the old man descended the hill above the little hamlet to which he -was bending his course, the setting sun had relieved its inmates -from their labour, and the young men, availing themselves of the fine -evening, were engaged in the sport of long-bowls on a patch of common, -while the women and elders looked on. The shout, the laugh, the -exclamations of winners and losers, came in blended chorus up the path -which Ochiltree was descending, and awakened in his recollection the -days when he himself had been a keen competitor, and frequently victor, -in games of strength and agility. These remembrances seldom fail to -excite a sigh, even when the evening of life is cheered by brighter -prospects than those of our poor mendicant. "At that time of day," was -his natural reflection, "I would have thought as little about ony auld -palmering body that was coming down the edge of Kinblythemont, as ony o' -thae stalwart young chiels does e'enow about auld Edie Ochiltree." - -He was, however, presently cheered, by finding that more importance was -attached to his arrival than his modesty had anticipated. A disputed -cast had occurred between the bands of players, and as the gauger -favoured the one party, and the schoolmaster the other, the matter might -be said to be taken up by the higher powers. The miller and smith, also, -had espoused different sides, and, considering the vivacity of two -such disputants, there was reason to doubt whether the strife might -be amicably terminated. But the first person who caught a sight of the -mendicant exclaimed, "Ah! here comes auld Edie, that kens the rules of -a' country games better than ony man that ever drave a bowl, or threw -an axle-tree, or putted a stane either;--let's hae nae quarrelling, -callants--we'll stand by auld Edie's judgment." - -Edie was accordingly welcomed, and installed as umpire, with a general -shout of gratulation. With all the modesty of a Bishop to whom the -mitre is proffered, or of a new Speaker called to the chair, the old man -declined the high trust and responsibility with which it was proposed to -invest him, and, in requital for his self-denial and humility, had -the pleasure of receiving the reiterated assurances of young, old, and -middle-aged, that he was simply the best qualified person for the office -of arbiter "in the haill country-side." Thus encouraged, he proceeded -gravely to the execution of his duty, and, strictly forbidding all -aggravating expressions on either side, he heard the smith and gauger on -one side, the miller and schoolmaster on the other, as junior and senior -counsel. Edie's mind, however, was fully made up on the subject before -the pleading began; like that of many a judge, who must nevertheless go -through all the forms, and endure in its full extent the eloquence and -argumentation of the Bar. For when all had been said on both sides, -and much of it said over oftener than once, our senior, being well and -ripely advised, pronounced the moderate and healing judgment, that the -disputed cast was a drawn one, and should therefore count to neither -party. This judicious decision restored concord to the field of -players; they began anew to arrange their match and their bets, with the -clamorous mirth usual on such occasions of village sport, and the more -eager were already stripping their jackets, and committing them, -with their coloured handkerchiefs, to the care of wives, sisters, and -mistresses. But their mirth was singularly interrupted. - -On the outside of the group of players began to arise sounds of a -description very different from those of sport--that sort of suppressed -sigh and exclamation, with which the first news of calamity is received -by the hearers, began to be heard indistinctly. A buzz went about among -the women of "Eh, sirs! sae young and sae suddenly summoned!"--It then -extended itself among the men, and silenced the sounds of sportive -mirth. - -All understood at once that some disaster had happened in the country, -and each inquired the cause at his neighbour, who knew as little as the -querist. At length the rumour reached, in a distinct shape, the ears of -Edie Ochiltree, who was in the very centre of the assembly. The boat of -Mucklebackit, the fisherman whom we have so often mentioned, had been -swamped at sea, and four men had perished, it was affirmed, including -Mucklebackit and his son. Rumour had in this, however, as in other -cases, gone beyond the truth. The boat had indeed been overset; but -Stephen, or, as he was called, Steenie Mucklebackit, was the only man -who had been drowned. Although the place of his residence and his mode -of life removed the young man from the society of the country folks, yet -they failed not to pause in their rustic mirth to pay that tribute to -sudden calamity which it seldom fails to receive in cases of infrequent -occurrence. To Ochiltree, in particular, the news came like a knell, the -rather that he had so lately engaged this young man's assistance in -an affair of sportive mischief; and though neither loss nor injury was -designed to the German adept, yet the work was not precisely one in -which the latter hours of life ought to be occupied. - -Misfortunes never come alone. While Ochiltree, pensively leaning upon -his staff, added his regrets to those of the hamlet which bewailed -the young man's sudden death, and internally blamed himself for the -transaction in which he had so lately engaged him, the old man's collar -was seized by a peace-officer, who displayed his baton in his right -hand, and exclaimed, "In the king's name." - -The gauger and schoolmaster united their rhetoric, to prove to the -constable and his assistant that he had no right to arrest the king's -bedesman as a vagrant; and the mute eloquence of the miller and smith, -which was vested in their clenched fists, was prepared to give Highland -bail for their arbiter; his blue gown, they said, was his warrant for -travelling the country. - -"But his blue gown," answered the officer, "is nae protection for -assault, robbery, and murder; and my warrant is against him for these -crimes." - -"Murder!" said Edie, "murder! wha did I e'er murder?" - -"Mr. German Doustercivil, the agent at Glen-Withershins mining-works." - -"Murder Doustersnivel?--hout, he's living, and life-like, man." - -"Nae thanks to you if he be; he had a sair struggle for his life, if a' -be true he tells, and ye maun answer for't at the bidding of the law." - -The defenders of the mendicant shrunk back at hearing the atrocity of -the charges against him, but more than one kind hand thrust meat and -bread and pence upon Edie, to maintain him in the prison, to which the -officers were about to conduct him. - -"Thanks to ye! God bless ye a', bairns!--I've gotten out o' mony a snare -when I was waur deserving o' deliverance--I shall escape like a bird from -the fowler. Play out your play, and never mind me--I am mair grieved for -the puir lad that's gane, than for aught they can do to me." - -Accordingly, the unresisting prisoner was led off, while he mechanically -accepted and stored in his wallets the alms which poured in on every -hand, and ere he left the hamlet, was as deep-laden as a government -victualler. The labour of bearing this accumulating burden was, however, -abridged, by the officer procuring a cart and horse to convey the old -man to a magistrate, in order to his examination and committal. - -The disaster of Steenie, and the arrest of Edie, put a stop to the -sports of the village, the pensive inhabitants of which began to -speculate upon the vicissitudes of human affairs, which had so suddenly -consigned one of their comrades to the grave, and placed their master -of the revels in some danger of being hanged. The character of -Dousterswivel being pretty generally known, which was in his case -equivalent to being pretty generally detested, there were many -speculations upon the probability of the accusation being malicious. But -all agreed, that if Edie Ochiltree behoved in all events to suffer upon -this occasion, it was a great pity he had not better merited his fate by -killing Dousterswivel outright. - - - - -CHAPTER NINTH - - Who is he?--One that for the lack of land - Shall fight upon the water--he hath challenged - Formerly the grand whale; and by his titles - Of Leviathan, Behemoth, and so forth. - He tilted with a sword-fish--Marry, sir, - Th' aquatic had the best--the argument - Still galls our champion's breech. - Old Play. - -"And the poor young fellow, Steenie Mucklebackit, is to be buried this -morning," said our old friend the Antiquary, as he exchanged his quilted -night-gown for an old-fashioned black coat in lieu of the snuff-coloured -vestment which he ordinarily wore, "and, I presume, it is expected that -I should attend the funeral?" - -"Ou, ay," answered the faithful Caxon, officiously brushing the white -threads and specks from his patron's habit. "The body, God help us! was -sae broken against the rocks that they're fain to hurry the burial. The -sea's a kittle cast, as I tell my daughter, puir thing, when I want -her to get up her spirits; the sea, says I, Jenny, is as uncertain a -calling"-- - -"As the calling of an old periwig-maker, that's robbed of his business -by crops and the powder-tax. Caxon, thy topics of consolation are as ill -chosen as they are foreign to the present purpose. _Quid mihi cum faemina?_ -What have I to do with thy womankind, who have enough and to spare of -mine own?--I pray of you again, am I expected by these poor people to -attend the funeral of their son?" - -"Ou, doubtless, your honour is expected," answered Caxon; "weel I wot ye -are expected. Ye ken, in this country ilka gentleman is wussed to be sae -civil as to see the corpse aff his grounds; ye needna gang higher than -the loan-head--it's no expected your honour suld leave the land; it's -just a Kelso convoy, a step and a half ower the doorstane." - -"A Kelso convoy!" echoed the inquisitive Antiquary; "and why a Kelso -convoy more than any other?" - -"Dear sir," answered Caxon, "how should I ken? it's just a by-word." - -"Caxon," answered Oldbuck, "thou art a mere periwig-maker--Had I asked -Ochiltree the question, he would have had a legend ready made to my -hand." - -"My business," replied Caxon, with more animation than he commonly -displayed, "is with the outside of your honour's head, as ye are -accustomed to say." - -"True, Caxon, true; and it is no reproach to a thatcher that he is not -an upholsterer." - -He then took out his memorandum-book and wrote down "Kelso convoy--said -to be a step and a half over the threshold. Authority--Caxon.--Quaere-- -Whence derived? Mem. To write to Dr. Graysteel upon the subject." - -Having made this entry, he resumed--"And truly, as to this custom of -the landlord attending the body of the peasant, I approve it, Caxon. It -comes from ancient times, and was founded deep in the notions of mutual -aid and dependence between the lord and cultivator of the soil. And -herein I must say, the feudal system--(as also in its courtesy towards -womankind, in which it exceeded)--herein, I say, the feudal usages -mitigated and softened the sternness of classical times. No man, Caxon, -ever heard of a Spartan attending the funeral of a Helot--yet I dare be -sworn that John of the Girnel--ye have heard of him, Caxon?" - -"Ay, ay, sir," answered Caxon; "naebody can hae been lang in your -honour's company without hearing of that gentleman." - -"Well," continued the Antiquary, "I would bet a trifle there was not -a kolb kerl, or bondsman, or peasant, ascriptus glebae, died upon the -monks' territories down here, but John of the Girnel saw them fairly and -decently interred." - -"Ay, but if it like your honour, they say he had mair to do wi' the -births than the burials. Ha! ha! ha!" with a gleeful chuckle. - -"Good, Caxon, very good!--why, you shine this morning." - -"And besides," added Caxon, slyly, encouraged by his patron's -approbation, "they say, too, that the Catholic priests in thae times gat -something for ganging about to burials." - -"Right, Caxon! right as my glove! By the by, I fancy that phrase comes -from the custom of pledging a glove as the signal of irrefragable faith-- -right, I say, as my glove, Caxon--but we of the Protestant ascendency -have the more merit in doing that duty for nothing, which cost money in -the reign of that empress of superstition, whom Spenser, Caxon, terms in -his allegorical phrase, - - --The daughter of that woman blind, - Abessa, daughter of Corecca slow-- - -But why talk I of these things to thee?--my poor Lovel has spoiled me, -and taught me to speak aloud when it is much the same as speaking to -myself. Where's my nephew, Hector M'Intyre?" - -"He's in the parlour, sir, wi' the leddies." - -"Very well," said the Antiquary, "I will betake me thither." - -"Now, Monkbarns," said his sister, on his entering the parlour, "ye -maunna be angry." - -"My dear uncle!" began Miss M'Intyre. - -"What's the meaning of all this?" said Oldbuck, in alarm of some -impending bad news, and arguing upon the supplicating tone of the -ladies, as a fortress apprehends an attack from the very first flourish -of the trumpet which announces the summons--"what's all this?--what do you -bespeak my patience for?" - -"No particular matter, I should hope, sir," said Hector, who, with his -arm in a sling, was seated at the breakfast table;--"however, whatever it -may amount to I am answerable for it, as I am for much more trouble -that I have occasioned, and for which I have little more than thanks to -offer." - -"No, no! heartily welcome, heartily welcome--only let it be a warning to -you," said the Antiquary, "against your fits of anger, which is a short -madness--Ira furor brevis--but what is this new disaster?" - -"My dog, sir, has unfortunately thrown down"-- - -"If it please Heaven, not the lachrymatory from Clochnaben!" interjected -Oldbuck. - -"Indeed, uncle," said the young lady, "I am afraid--it was that which -stood upon the sideboard--the poor thing only meant to eat the pat of -fresh butter." - -"In which she has fully succeeded, I presume, for I see that on the -table is salted. But that is nothing--my lachrymatory, the main pillar -of my theory on which I rested to show, in despite of the ignorant -obstinacy of Mac-Cribb, that the Romans had passed the defiles of -these mountains, and left behind them traces of their arts and arms, is -gone--annihilated--reduced to such fragments as might be the shreds of a -broken-flowerpot! - - --Hector, I love thee, - But never more be officer of mine." - -"Why, really, sir, I am afraid I should make a bad figure in a regiment -of your raising." - -"At least, Hector, I would have you despatch your camp train, and -travel expeditus, or relictis impedimentis. You cannot conceive how I am -annoyed by this beast--she commits burglary, I believe, for I heard her -charged with breaking into the kitchen after all the doors were locked, -and eating up a shoulder of mutton. "--(Our readers, if they chance to -remember Jenny Rintherout's precaution of leaving the door open when -she went down to the fisher's cottage, will probably acquit poor Juno of -that aggravation of guilt which the lawyers call a claustrum fregit, and -which makes the distinction between burglary and privately stealing. ) - -"I am truly sorry, sir," said Hector, "that Juno has committed so much -disorder; but Jack Muirhead, the breaker, was never able to bring her -under command. She has more travel than any bitch I ever knew, but"-- - -"Then, Hector, I wish the bitch would travel herself out of my grounds." - -"We will both of us retreat to-morrow, or to-day, but I would not -willingly part from my mother's brother in unkindness about a paltry -pipkin." - -"O brother! brother!" ejaculated Miss M'Intyre, in utter despair at this -vituperative epithet. - -"Why, what would you have me call it?" continued Hector; "it was just -such a thing as they use in Egypt to cool wine, or sherbet, or water;--I -brought home a pair of them--I might have brought home twenty." - -"What!" said Oldbuck, "shaped such as that your dog threw down?" - -"Yes, sir, much such a sort of earthen jar as that which was on the -sideboard. They are in my lodgings at Fairport; we brought a parcel of -them to cool our wine on the passage--they answer wonderfully well. If -I could think they would in any degree repay your loss, or rather that -they could afford you pleasure, I am sure I should be much honoured by -your accepting them." - -"Indeed, my dear boy, I should be highly gratified by possessing them. -To trace the connection of nations by their usages, and the similarity -of the implements which they employ, has been long my favourite study. -Everything that can illustrate such connections is most valuable to me." - -"Well, sir, I shall be much gratified by your acceptance of them, and -a few trifles of the same kind. And now, am I to hope you have forgiven -me?" - -"O, my dear boy, you are only thoughtless and foolish." - -"But Juno--she is only thoughtless too, I assure you--the breaker tells me -she has no vice or stubbornness." - -"Well, I grant Juno also a free pardon--conditioned, that you will -imitate her in avoiding vice and stubbornness, and that henceforward she -banish herself forth of Monkbarns parlour." - -"Then, uncle," said the soldier, "I should have been very sorry and -ashamed to propose to you anything in the way of expiation of my own -sins, or those of my follower, that I thought worth your acceptance; but -now, as all is forgiven, will you permit the orphan-nephew, to whom you -have been a father, to offer you a trifle, which I have been assured -is really curious, and which only the cross accident of my wound has -prevented my delivering to you before? I got it from a French savant, to -whom I rendered some service after the Alexandria affair." - -The captain put a small ring-case into the Antiquary's hands, which, -when opened, was found to contain an antique ring of massive gold, with -a cameo, most beautifully executed, bearing a head of Cleopatra. -The Antiquary broke forth into unrepressed ecstasy, shook his nephew -cordially by the hand, thanked him an hundred times, and showed the -ring to his sister and niece, the latter of whom had the tact to give -it sufficient admiration; but Miss Griselda (though she had the same -affection for her nephew) had not address enough to follow the lead. - -"It's a bonny thing," she said, "Monkbarns, and, I dare say, a valuable; -but it's out o'my way--ye ken I am nae judge o' sic matters." - -"There spoke all Fairport in one voice!" exclaimed Oldbuck "it is the -very spirit of the borough has infected us all; I think I have smelled -the smoke these two days, that the wind has stuck, like a remora, in the -north-east--and its prejudices fly farther than its vapours. Believe -me, my dear Hector, were I to walk up the High Street of Fairport, -displaying this inestimable gem in the eyes of each one I met, no human -creature, from the provost to the town-crier, would stop to ask me its -history. But if I carried a bale of linen cloth under my arm, I could -not penetrate to the Horsemarket ere I should be overwhelmed with -queries about its precise texture and price. Oh, one might parody their -brutal ignorance in the words of Gray: - - Weave the warp and weave the woof, - The winding-sheet of wit and sense, - Dull garment of defensive proof, - 'Gainst all that doth not gather pence." - -The most remarkable proof of this peace-offering being quite acceptable -was, that while the Antiquary was in full declamation, Juno, who held -him in awe, according to the remarkable instinct by which dogs instantly -discover those who like or dislike them, had peeped several times into -the room, and encountering nothing very forbidding in his aspect, had at -length presumed to introduce her full person; and finally, becoming bold -by impunity, she actually ate up Mr. Oldbuck's toast, as, looking -first at one then at another of his audience, he repeated, with -self-complacency, - - "Weave the warp and weave the woof,-- - -"You remember the passage in the Fatal Sisters, which, by the way, is -not so fine as in the original--But, hey-day! my toast has vanished!--I -see which way--Ah, thou type of womankind! no wonder they take offence -at thy generic appellation!"--(So saying, he shook his fist at Juno, who -scoured out of the parlour.)--"However, as Jupiter, according to Homer, -could not rule Juno in heaven, and as Jack Muirhead, according to Hector -M'Intyre, has been equally unsuccessful on earth, I suppose she must -have her own way." And this mild censure the brother and sister justly -accounted a full pardon for Juno's offences, and sate down well pleased -to the morning meal. - -When breakfast was over, the Antiquary proposed to his nephew to go -down with him to attend the funeral. The soldier pleaded the want of a -mourning habit. - -"O, that does not signify--your presence is all that is requisite. I -assure you, you will see something that will entertain--no, that's an -improper phrase--but that will interest you, from the resemblances which -I will point out betwixt popular customs on such occasions and those of -the ancients." - -"Heaven forgive me!" thought M'Intyre;--"I shall certainly misbehave, and -lose all the credit I have so lately and accidentally gained." - -When they set out, schooled as he was by the warning and entreating -looks of his sister, the soldier made his resolution strong to give no -offence by evincing inattention or impatience. But our best resolutions -are frail, when opposed to our predominant inclinations. Our -Antiquary,--to leave nothing unexplained, had commenced with the funeral -rites of the ancient Scandinavians, when his nephew interrupted him, in -a discussion upon the "age of hills," to remark that a large sea-gull, -which flitted around them, had come twice within shot. This error being -acknowledged and pardoned, Oldbuck resumed his disquisition. - -"These are circumstances you ought to attend to and be familiar with, my -dear Hector; for, in the strange contingencies of the present war which -agitates every corner of Europe, there is no knowing where you may be -called upon to serve. If in Norway, for example, or Denmark, or any part -of the ancient Scania, or Scandinavia, as we term it, what could be -more convenient than to have at your fingers' ends the history and -antiquities of that ancient country, the officina gentium, the mother of -modern Europe, the nursery of those heroes, - - Stern to inflict, and stubborn to endure, - Who smiled in death?-- - -How animating, for example, at the conclusion of a weary march, to find -yourself in the vicinity of a Runic monument, and discover that you have -pitched your tent beside the tomb of a hero!" - -"I am afraid, sir, our mess would be better supplied if it chanced to be -in the neighbourhood of a good poultry-yard." - -"Alas, that you should say so! No wonder the days of Cressy and -Agincourt are no more, when respect for ancient valour has died away in -the breasts of the British soldiery." - -"By no means, sir--by no manner of means. I dare say that Edward and -Henry, and the rest of these heroes, thought of their dinner, however, -before they thought of examining an old tombstone. But I assure you, we -are by no means insensible to the memoir of our fathers' fame; I used -often of an evening to get old Rory MAlpin to sing us songs out of -Ossian about the battles of Fingal and Lamon Mor, and Magnus and the -Spirit of Muirartach." - -"And did you believe," asked the aroused Antiquary, "did you absolutely -believe that stuff of Macpherson's to be really ancient, you simple -boy?" - -"Believe it, sir?--how could I but believe it, when I have heard the -songs sung from my infancy?" - -"But not the same as Macpherson's English Ossian--you're not absurd -enough to say that, I hope?" said the Antiquary, his brow darkening with -wrath. - -But Hector stoutly abode the storm; like many a sturdy Celt, he imagined -the honour of his country and native language connected with the -authenticity of these popular poems, and would have fought knee-deep, -or forfeited life and land, rather than have given up a line of them. -He therefore undauntedly maintained, that Rory MAlpin could repeat -the whole book from one end to another;--and it was only upon -cross-examination that he explained an assertion so general, by adding -"At least, if he was allowed whisky enough, he could repeat as long as -anybody would hearken to him." - -"Ay, ay," said the Antiquary; "and that, I suppose, was not very long." - -"Why, we had our duty, sir, to attend to, and could not sit listening -all night to a piper." - -"But do you recollect, now," said Oldbuck, setting his teeth firmly -together, and speaking without opening them, which was his custom when -contradicted--"Do you recollect, now, any of these verses you thought -so beautiful and interesting--being a capital judge, no doubt, of such -things?" - -"I don't pretend to much skill, uncle; but it's not very reasonable to -be angry with me for admiring the antiquities of my own country more -than those of the Harolds, Harfagers, and Hacos you are so fond of." - -"Why, these, sir--these mighty and unconquered Goths--were your ancestors! -The bare-breeched Celts whom theysubdued, and suffered only to exist, -like a fearful people, in the crevices of the rocks, were but their -Mancipia and Serfs!" - -Hector's brow now grew red in his turn. "Sir," he said, "I don't -understand the meaning of Mancipia and Serfs, but I conceive that such -names are very improperly applied to Scotch Highlanders: no man but my -mother's brother dared to have used such language in my presence; and -I pray you will observe, that I consider it as neither hospitable, -handsome, kind, nor generous usage towards your guest and your kinsman. -My ancestors, Mr. Oldbuck"-- - -"Were great and gallant chiefs, I dare say, Hector; and really I did -not mean to give you such immense offence in treating a point of remote -antiquity, a subject on which I always am myself cool, deliberate, and -unimpassioned. But you are as hot and hasty, as if you were Hector and -Achilles, and Agamemnon to boot." - -"I am sorry I expressed myself so hastily, uncle, especially to you, who -have been so generous and good. But my ancestors"-- - -"No more about it, lad; I meant them no affront--none." - -"I'm glad of it, sir; for the house of M'Intyre"-- - -"Peace be with them all, every man of them," said the Antiquary. "But to -return to our subject--Do you recollect, I say, any of those poems which -afforded you such amusement?" - -"Very hard this," thought M'Intyre, "that he will speak with such glee -of everything which is ancient, excepting my family. "--Then, after -some efforts at recollection, he added aloud, "Yes, sir,--I think I do -remember some lines; but you do not understand the Gaelic language." - -"And will readily excuse hearing it. But you can give me some idea of -the sense in our own vernacular idiom?" - -"I shall prove a wretched interpreter," said M'Intyre, running over -the original, well garnished with aghes, aughs, and oughs, and similar -gutterals, and then coughing and hawking as if the translation stuck -in his throat. At length, having premised that the poem was a dialogue -between the poet Oisin, or Ossian, and Patrick, the tutelar Saint of -Ireland, and that it was difficult, if not impossible, to render the -exquisite felicity of the first two or three lines, he said the sense -was to this purpose: - - "Patrick the psalm-singer, - Since you will not listen to one of my stories, - Though you never heard it before, - I am sorry to tell you - You are little better than an ass"-- - -"Good! good!" exclaimed the Antiquary; "but go on. Why, this is, after -all, the most admirable fooling--I dare say the poet was very right. What -says the Saint?" - -"He replies in character," said M'Intyre; "but you should hear MAlpin -sing the original. The speeches of Ossian come in upon a strong deep -bass--those of Patrick are upon a tenor key." - -"Like MAlpin's drone and small pipes, I suppose," said Oldbuck. "Well? -Pray go on." - -"Well then, Patrick replies to Ossian: - - Upon my word, son of Fingal, - While I am warbling the psalms, - The clamour of your old women's tales - Disturbs my devotional exercises." - -"Excellent!--why, this is better and better. I hope Saint Patrick sung -better than Blattergowl's precentor, or it would be hang--choice between -the poet and psalmist. But what I admire is the courtesy of these two -eminent persons towards each other. It is a pity there should not be a -word of this in Macpherson's translation." - -"If you are sure of that," said M'Intyre, gravely, "he must have taken -very unwarrantable liberties with his original." - -"It will go near to be thought so shortly--but pray proceed." - -"Then," said M'Intyre, "this is the answer of Ossian: - - Dare you compare your psalms, - You son of a--" - -"Son of a what?" exclaimed Oldbuck. - -"It means, I think," said the young soldier, with some reluctance, "son -of a female dog: - - Do you compare your psalms, - To the tales of the bare-arm'd Fenians" - -"Are you sure you are translating that last epithet correctly, Hector?" - -"Quite sure, sir," answered Hector, doggedly. - -"Because I should have thought the nudity might have been quoted as -existing in a different part of the body." - -Disdaining to reply to this insinuation, Hector proceeded in his -recitation: - - "I shall think it no great harm - To wring your bald head from your shoulders-- - -But what is that yonder?" exclaimed Hector, interrupting himself. - -"One of the herd of Proteus," said the Antiquary--"a phoca, or seal, -lying asleep on the beach." - -Upon which M'Intyre, with the eagerness of a young sportsman, totally -forgot both Ossian, Patrick, his uncle, and his wound, and exclaiming--"I -shall have her! I shall have her!" snatched the walking-stick out of the -hand of the astonished Antiquary, at some risk of throwing him down, and -set off at full speed to get between the animal and the sea, to which -element, having caught the alarm, she was rapidly retreating. - -Not Sancho, when his master interrupted his account of the combatants of -Pentapolin with the naked arm, to advance in person to the charge of -the flock of sheep, stood more confounded than Oldbuck at this sudden -escapade of his nephew. - -"Is the devil in him," was his first exclamation, "to go to disturb -the brute that was never thinking of him!"--Then elevating his voice, -"Hector--nephew--fool--let alone the Phoca--let alone the Phoca!-- they bite, -I tell you, like furies. He minds me no more than a post. There--there -they are at it--Gad, the Phoca has the best of it! I am glad to see it," -said he, in the bitterness of his heart, though really alarmed for his -nephew's safety--"I am glad to see it, with all my heart and spirit." - -In truth, the seal, finding her retreat intercepted by the light-footed -soldier, confronted him manfully, and having sustained a heavy blow -without injury, she knitted her brows, as is the fashion of the animal -when incensed, and making use at once of her fore-paws and her unwieldy -strength, wrenched the weapon out of the assailant's hand, overturned -him on the sands, and scuttled away into the sea, without doing him any -farther injury. Captain M'Intyre, a good deal out of countenance at -the issue of his exploit, just rose in time to receive the ironical -congratulations of his uncle, upon a single combat worthy to be -commemorated by Ossian himself, "since," said the Antiquary, "your -magnanimous opponent has fled, though not upon eagle's wings, from the -foe that was low--Egad, she walloped away with all the grace of triumph, -and has carried my stick off also, by way of spolia opima." - -M'Intyre had little to answer for himself, except that a Highlander -could never pass a deer, a seal, or a salmon, where there was a -possibility of having a trial of skill with them, and that he had forgot -one of his arms was in a sling. He also made his fall an apology for -returning back to Monkbarns, and thus escape the farther raillery of his -uncle, as well as his lamentations for his walking-stick. - -"I cut it," he said, "in the classic woods of Hawthornden, when I did -not expect always to have been a bachelor--I would not have given it for -an ocean of seals--O Hector! Hector!--thy namesake was born to be the prop -of Troy, and thou to be the plague of Monkbarns!" - - - - -CHAPTER TENTH. - - Tell me not of it, friend--when the young weep, - Their tears are luke-warm brine;--from your old eyes - Sorrow falls down like hail-drops of the North, - Chilling the furrows of our withered cheeks, - Cold as our hopes, and hardened as our feeling-- - Theirs, as they fall, sink sightless--ours recoil, - Heap the fair plain, and bleaken all before us. - Old Play. - -The Antiquary, being now alone, hastened his pace, which had been -retarded by these various discussions, and the rencontre which had -closed them, and soon arrived before the half-dozen cottages at -Mussel-crag. They had now, in addition to their usual squalid and -uncomfortable appearance, the melancholy attributes of the house of -mourning. The boats were all drawn up on the beach; and, though the day -was fine, and the season favourable, the chant, which is used by the -fishers when at sea, was silent, as well as the prattle of the children, -and the shrill song of the mother, as she sits mending her nets by the -door. A few of the neighbours, some in their antique and well-saved -suits of black, others in their ordinary clothes, but all bearing an -expression of mournful sympathy with distress so sudden and unexpected, -stood gathered around the door of Mucklebackit's cottage, waiting till -"the body was lifted." As the Laird of Monkbarns approached, they made -way for him to enter, doffing their hats and bonnets as he passed, with -an air of melancholy courtesy, and he returned their salutes in the same -manner. - -In the inside of the cottage was a scene which our Wilkie alone could -have painted, with that exquisite feeling of nature that characterises -his enchanting productions. - -The body was laid in its coffin within the wooden bedstead which the -young fisher had occupied while alive. At a little distance stood the -father, whose rugged weather-beaten countenance, shaded by his -grizzled hair, had faced many a stormy night and night-like day. He was -apparently revolving his loss in his mind, with that strong feeling -of painful grief peculiar to harsh and rough characters, which almost -breaks forth into hatred against the world, and all that remain in it, -after the beloved object is withdrawn. The old man had made the most -desperate efforts to save his son, and had only been withheld by main -force from renewing them at a moment when, without the possibility -of assisting the sufferer, he must himself have perished. All this -apparently was boiling in his recollection. His glance was directed -sidelong towards the coffin, as to an object on which he could not -stedfastly look, and yet from which he could not withdraw his eyes. His -answers to the necessary questions which were occasionally put to him, -were brief, harsh, and almost fierce. His family had not yet dared to -address to him a word, either of sympathy or consolation. His masculine -wife, virago as she was, and absolute mistress of the family, as she -justly boasted herself, on all ordinary occasions, was, by this great -loss, terrified into silence and submission, and compelled to hide from -her husband's observation the bursts of her female sorrow. As he had -rejected food ever since the disaster had happened, not daring herself -to approach him, she had that morning, with affectionate artifice, -employed the youngest and favourite child to present her husband with -some nourishment. His first action was to put it from him with an angry -violence that frightened the child; his next, to snatch up the boy -and devour him with kisses. "Yell be a bra' fallow, an ye be spared, -Patie,--but ye'll never--never can be--what he was to me!--He has sailed the -coble wi' me since he was ten years auld, and there wasna the like -o' him drew a net betwixt this and Buchan-ness.--They say folks maun -submit--I will try." - -And he had been silent from that moment until compelled to answer the -necessary questions we have already noticed. Such was the disconsolate -state of the father. - -In another corner of the cottage, her face covered by her apron, which -was flung over it, sat the mother--the nature of her grief sufficiently -indicated by the wringing of her hands, and the convulsive agitation -of the bosom, which the covering could not conceal. Two of her gossips, -officiously whispering into her ear the commonplace topic of resignation -under irremediable misfortune, seemed as if they were endeavouring to -stun the grief which they could not console. - -The sorrow of the children was mingled with wonder at the preparations -they beheld around them, and at the unusual display of wheaten bread -and wine, which the poorest peasant, or fisher, offers to the guests on -these mournful occasions; and thus their grief for their brother's death -was almost already lost in admiration of the splendour of his funeral. - -But the figure of the old grandmother was the most remarkable of the -sorrowing group. Seated on her accustomed chair, with her usual air of -apathy, and want of interest in what surrounded her, she seemed every -now and then mechanically to resume the motion of twirling her spindle; -then to look towards her bosom for the distaff, although both had been -laid aside. She would then cast her eyes about, as if surprised at -missing the usual implements of her industry, and appear struck by the -black colour of the gown in which they had dressed her, and embarrassed -by the number of persons by whom she was surrounded. Then, finally, she -would raise her head with a ghastly look, and fix her eyes upon the bed -which contained the coffin of her grandson, as if she had at once, -and for the first time, acquired sense to comprehend her inexpressible -calamity. These alternate feelings of embarrassment, wonder, and grief, -seemed to succeed each other more than once upon her torpid features. -But she spoke not a word--neither had she shed a tear--nor did one of the -family understand, either from look or expression, to what extent she -comprehended the uncommon bustle around her. Thus she sat among the -funeral assembly like a connecting link between the surviving mourners -and the dead corpse which they bewailed--a being in whom the light of -existence was already obscured by the encroaching shadows of death. - -When Oldbuck entered this house of mourning, he was received by a -general and silent inclination of the head, and, according to the -fashion of Scotland on such occasions, wine and spirits and bread -were offered round to the guests. Elspeth, as these refreshments were -presented, surprised and startled the whole company by motioning to the -person who bore them to stop; then, taking a glass in her hand, she rose -up, and, as the smile of dotage played upon her shrivelled features, she -pronounced, with a hollow and tremulous voice, "Wishing a' your healths, -sirs, and often may we hae such merry meetings!" - -All shrunk from the ominous pledge, and set down the untasted liquor -with a degree of shuddering horror, which will not surprise those who -know how many superstitions are still common on such occasions among the -Scottish vulgar. But as the old woman tasted the liquor, she suddenly -exclaimed with a sort of shriek, "What's this?--this is wine--how should -there be wine in my son's house?--Ay," she continued with a suppressed -groan, "I mind the sorrowful cause now," and, dropping the glass from -her hand, she stood a moment gazing fixedly on the bed in which the -coffin of her grandson was deposited, and then sinking gradually into -her seat, she covered her eyes and forehead with her withered and pallid -hand. - -At this moment the clergyman entered the cottage. Mr. Blattergowl, -though a dreadful proser, particularly on the subject of augmentations, -localities, teinds, and overtures in that session of the General -Assembly, to which, unfortunately for his auditors, he chanced one year -to act as moderator, was nevertheless a good man, in the old Scottish -presbyterian phrase, God-ward and man-ward. No divine was more attentive -in visiting the sick and afflicted, in catechising the youth, in -instructing the ignorant, and in reproving the erring. And hence, -notwithstanding impatience of his prolixity and prejudices, personal or -professional, and notwithstanding, moreover, a certain habitual contempt -for his understanding, especially on affairs of genius and taste, -on which Blattergowl was apt to be diffuse, from his hope of one -day fighting his way to a chair of rhetoric or belles lettres,-- -notwithstanding, I say, all the prejudices excited against him by these -circumstances, our friend the Antiquary looked with great regard and -respect on the said Blattergowl, though I own he could seldom, even by -his sense of decency and the remonstrances of his womankind, be hounded -out, as he called it, to hear him preach. But he regularly took shame to -himself for his absence when Blattergowl came to Monkbarns to dinner, -to which he was always invited of a Sunday, a mode of testifying his -respect which the proprietor probably thought fully as agreeable to the -clergyman, and rather more congenial to his own habits. - -To return from a digression which can only serve to introduce the honest -clergyman more particularly to our readers, Mr. Blattergowl had no -sooner entered the hut, and received the mute and melancholy salutations -of the company whom it contained, than he edged himself towards the -unfortunate father, and seemed to endeavour to slide in a few words of -condolence or of consolation. But the old man was incapable as yet of -receiving either; he nodded, however, gruffly, and shook the clergyman's -hand in acknowledgment of his good intentions, but was either unable or -unwilling to make any verbal reply. - -The minister next passed to the mother, moving along the floor as -slowly, silently, and gradually, as if he had been afraid that the -ground would, like unsafe ice, break beneath his feet, or that the first -echo of a footstep was to dissolve some magic spell, and plunge the hut, -with all its inmates, into a subterranean abyss. The tenor of what he -had said to the poor woman could only be judged by her answers, as, -half-stifled by sobs ill-repressed, and by the covering which she still -kept over her countenance, she faintly answered at each pause in his -speech--"Yes, sir, yes!--Ye're very gude--ye're very gude!--Nae doubt, nae -doubt!--It's our duty to submit!--But, oh dear! my poor Steenie! the pride -o' my very heart, that was sae handsome and comely, and a help to his -family, and a comfort to us a', and a pleasure to a' that lookit on -him!--Oh, my bairn! my bairn! my bairn! what for is thou lying there!--and -eh! what for am I left to greet for ye!" - -There was no contending with this burst of sorrow and natural affection. -Oldbuck had repeated recourse to his snuff-box to conceal the tears -which, despite his shrewd and caustic temper, were apt to start on such -occasions. The female assistants whimpered, the men held their bonnets -to their faces, and spoke apart with each other. The clergyman, -meantime, addressed his ghostly consolation to the aged grandmother. -At first she listened, or seemed to listen, to what he said, with the -apathy of her usual unconsciousness. But as, in pressing this theme, -he approached so near to her ear that the sense of his words became -distinctly intelligible to her, though unheard by those who stood more -distant, her countenance at once assumed that stern and expressive cast -which characterized her intervals of intelligence. She drew up her head -and body, shook her head in a manner that showed at least impatience, -if not scorn of his counsel, and waved her hand slightly, but with a -gesture so expressive, as to indicate to all who witnessed it a marked -and disdainful rejection of the ghostly consolation proffered to her. -The minister stepped back as if repulsed, and, by lifting gently and -dropping his hand, seemed to show at once wonder, sorrow, and compassion -for her dreadful state of mind. The rest of the company sympathized, and -a stifled whisper went through them, indicating how much her desperate -and determined manner impressed them with awe, and even horror. - -In the meantime, the funeral company was completed, by the arrival of -one or two persons who had been expected from Fairport. The wine -and spirits again circulated, and the dumb show of greeting was anew -interchanged. The grandame a second time took a glass in her hand, drank -its contents, and exclaimed, with a sort of laugh,--"Ha! ha! I hae tasted -wine twice in ae day--Whan did I that before, think ye, cummers?--Never -since"--and the transient glow vanishing from her countenance, she set -the glass down, and sunk upon the settle from whence she had risen to -snatch at it. - -As the general amazement subsided, Mr. Oldbuck, whose heart bled to -witness what he considered as the errings of the enfeebled intellect -struggling with the torpid chill of age and of sorrow, observed to the -clergyman that it was time to proceed with the ceremony. The father was -incapable of giving directions, but the nearest relation of the family -made a sign to the carpenter, who in such cases goes through the duty of -the undertaker, to proceed in his office. The creak of the screw-nails -presently announced that the lid of the last mansion of mortality was in -the act of being secured above its tenant. The last act which separates -us for ever, even from the mortal relies of the person we assemble to -mourn, has usually its effect upon the most indifferent, selfish, and -hard-hearted. With a spirit of contradiction, which we may be pardoned -for esteeming narrow-minded, the fathers of the Scottish kirk rejected, -even on this most solemn occasion, the form of an address to the -Divinity, lest they should be thought to give countenance to the rituals -of Rome or of England. With much better and more liberal judgment, it -is the present practice of most of the Scottish clergymen to seize this -opportunity of offering a prayer, and exhortation, suitable to make an -impression upon the living, while they are yet in the very presence -of the relics of him whom they have but lately seen such as they -themselves, and who now is such as they must in their time become. But -this decent and praiseworthy practice was not adopted at the time of -which I am treating, or at least, Mr. Blattergowl did not act upon it, -and the ceremony proceeded without any devotional exercise. - -The coffin, covered with a pall, and supported upon hand-spikes by the -nearest relatives, now only waited the father to support the head, as is -customary. Two or three of these privileged persons spoke to him, but he -only answered by shaking his hand and his head in token of refusal. With -better intention than judgment, the friends, who considered this as -an act of duty on the part of the living, and of decency towards the -deceased, would have proceeded to enforce their request, had not -Oldbuck interfered between the distressed father and his well-meaning -tormentors, and informed them, that he himself, as landlord and master -to the deceased, "would carry his head to the grave." In spite of the -sorrowful occasion, the hearts of the relatives swelled within them at -so marked a distinction on the part of the laird; and old Alison Breck, -who was present among other fish-women, swore almost aloud, "His honour -Monkbarns should never want sax warp of oysters in the season" (of -which fish he was understood to be fond), "if she should gang to sea and -dredge for them hersell, in the foulest wind that ever blew." And such -is the temper of the Scottish common people, that, by this instance -of compliance with their customs, and respect for their persons, Mr. -Oldbuck gained more popularity than by all the sums which he had yearly -distributed in the parish for purposes of private or general charity. - -The sad procession now moved slowly forward, preceded by the beadles, or -saulies, with their batons,--miserable-looking old men, tottering as if -on the edge of that grave to which they were marshalling another, and -clad, according to Scottish guise, with threadbare black coats, and -hunting-caps decorated with rusty crape. Monkbarns would probably have -remonstrated against this superfluous expense, had he been consulted; -but, in doing so, he would have given more offence than he gained -popularity by condescending to perform the office of chief-mourner. Of -this he was quite aware, and wisely withheld rebuke, where rebuke -and advice would have been equally unavailing. In truth, the Scottish -peasantry are still infected with that rage for funeral ceremonial, -which once distinguished the grandees of the kingdom so much, that a -sumptuary law was made by the Parliament of Scotland for the purpose of -restraining it; and I have known many in the lowest stations, who have -denied themselves not merely the comforts, but almost the necessaries -of life, in order to save such a sum of money as might enable their -surviving friends to bury them like Christians, as they termed it; -nor could their faithful executors be prevailed upon, though equally -necessitous, to turn to the use and maintenance of the living the money -vainly wasted upon the interment of the dead. - -The procession to the churchyard, at about half-a-mile's distance, was -made with the mournful solemnity usual on these occasions,--the body was -consigned to its parent earth,--and when the labour of the gravediggers -had filled up the trench, and covered it with fresh sod, Mr. Oldbuck, -taking his hat off, saluted the assistants, who had stood by in -melancholy silence, and with that adieu dispersed the mourners. - -The clergyman offered our Antiquary his company to walk homeward; but -Mr. Oldbuck had been so much struck with the deportment of the fisherman -and his mother, that, moved by compassion, and perhaps also, in some -degree, by that curiosity which induces us to seek out even what gives -us pain to witness, he preferred a solitary walk by the coast, for the -purpose of again visiting the cottage as he passed. - - - - -CHAPTER ELEVENTH - - What is this secret sin, this untold tale, - That art cannot extract, nor penance cleanse? - --Her muscles hold their place; - Nor discomposed, nor formed to steadiness, - No sudden flushing, and no faltering lip.-- - Mysterious Mother. - -The coffin had been borne from the place where it rested. The mourners, -in regular gradation, according to their rank or their relationship -to the deceased, had filed from the cottage, while the younger male -children were led along to totter after the bier of their brother, and -to view with wonder a ceremonial which they could hardly comprehend. -The female gossips next rose to depart, and, with consideration for -the situation of the parents, carried along with them the girls of the -family, to give the unhappy pair time and opportunity to open their -hearts to each other and soften their grief by communicating it. But -their kind intention was without effect. The last of them had darkened -the entrance of the cottage, as she went out, and drawn the door softly -behind her, when the father, first ascertaining by a hasty glance that -no stranger remained, started up, clasped his hands wildly above his -head, uttered a cry of the despair which he had hitherto repressed, -and, in all the impotent impatience of grief, half rushed half staggered -forward to the bed on which the coffin had been deposited, threw -himself down upon it, and smothering, as it were, his head among the -bed-clothes, gave vent to the full passion of his sorrow. It was in vain -that the wretched mother, terrified by the vehemence of her husband's -affliction--affliction still more fearful as agitating a man of hardened -manners and a robust frame--suppressed her own sobs and tears, and, -pulling him by the skirts of his coat, implored him to rise and -remember, that, though one was removed, he had still a wife and children -to comfort and support. The appeal came at too early a period of -his anguish, and was totally unattended to; he continued to remain -prostrate, indicating, by sobs so bitter and violent, that they shook -the bed and partition against which it rested, by clenched hands which -grasped the bed-clothes, and by the vehement and convulsive motion of -his legs, how deep and how terrible was the agony of a father's sorrow. - -"O, what a day is this! what a day is this!" said the poor mother, her -womanish affliction already exhausted by sobs and tears, and now almost -lost in terror for the state in which she beheld her husband--"O, what an -hour is this! and naebody to help a poor lone woman--O, gudemither, could -ye but speak a word to him!--wad ye but bid him be comforted!" - -To her astonishment, and even to the increase of her fear, her husband's -mother heard and answered the appeal. She rose and walked across -the floor without support, and without much apparent feebleness, and -standing by the bed on which her son had extended himself, she said, -"Rise up, my son, and sorrow not for him that is beyond sin and sorrow -and temptation. Sorrow is for those that remain in this vale of sorrow -and darkness--I, wha dinna sorrow, and wha canna sorrow for ony ane, hae -maist need that ye should a' sorrow for me." - -The voice of his mother, not heard for years as taking part in the -active duties of life, or offering advice or consolation, produced its -effect upon her son. He assumed a sitting posture on the side of the -bed, and his appearance, attitude, and gestures, changed from those of -angry despair to deep grief and dejection. The grandmother retired to -her nook, the mother mechanically took in her hand her tattered Bible, -and seemed to read, though her eyes were drowned with tears. - -They were thus occupied, when a loud knock was heard at the door. - -"Hegh, sirs!" said the poor mother, "wha is that can be coming in that -gate e'enow?--They canna hae heard o' our misfortune, I'm sure." - -The knock being repeated, she rose and opened the door, saying -querulously, "Whatna gait's that to disturb a sorrowfu' house?" - -A tall man in black stood before her, whom she instantly recognised to -be Lord Glenallan. "Is there not," he said, "an old woman lodging in -this or one of the neighbouring cottages, called Elspeth, who was long -resident at Craigburnfoot of Glenallan?" - -"It's my gudemither, my lord," said Margaret; "but she canna see -onybody e'enow--Ohon! we're dreeing a sair weird--we hae had a heavy -dispensation!" - -"God forbid," said Lord Glenallan, "that I should on light occasion -disturb your sorrow;--but my days are numbered--your mother-in-law is in -the extremity of age, and, if I see her not to-day, we may never meet on -this side of time." - -"And what," answered the desolate mother, "wad ye see at an auld woman, -broken down wi' age and sorrow and heartbreak? Gentle or semple shall -not darken my door the day my bairn's been carried out a corpse." - -While she spoke thus, indulging the natural irritability of disposition -and profession, which began to mingle itself with her grief when -its first uncontrolled bursts were gone by, she held the door about -one-third part open, and placed herself in the gap, as if to render the -visitor's entrance impossible. But the voice of her husband was heard -from within--"Wha's that, Maggie? what for are ye steaking them out?--let -them come in; it doesna signify an auld rope's end wha comes in or wha -gaes out o' this house frae this time forward." - -The woman stood aside at her husband's command, and permitted Lord -Glenallan to enter the hut. The dejection exhibited in his broken frame -and emaciated countenance, formed a strong contrast with the effects of -grief, as they were displayed in the rude and weatherbeaten visage of -the fisherman, and the masculine features of his wife. He approached -the old woman as she was seated on her usual settle, and asked her, in -a tone as audible as his voice could make it, "Are you Elspeth of the -Craigburnfoot of Glenallan?" - -"Wha is it that asks about the unhallowed residence of that evil woman?" -was the answer returned to his query. - -"The unhappy Earl of Glenallan." - -"Earl!--Earl of Glenallan!" - -"He who was called William Lord Geraldin," said the Earl; "and whom his -mother's death has made Earl of Glenallan." - -"Open the bole," said the old woman firmly and hastily to her -daughter-in-law, "open the bole wi' speed, that I may see if this be -the right Lord Geraldin--the son of my mistress--him that I received in my -arms within the hour after he was born--him that has reason to curse me -that I didna smother him before the hour was past!" - -The window, which had been shut in order that a gloomy twilight -might add to the solemnity of the funeral meeting, was opened as she -commanded, and threw a sudden and strong light through the smoky and -misty atmosphere of the stifling cabin. Falling in a stream upon the -chimney, the rays illuminated, in the way that Rembrandt would have -chosen, the features of the unfortunate nobleman, and those of the old -sibyl, who now, standing upon her feet, and holding him by one hand, -peered anxiously in his features with her light-blue eyes, and holding -her long and withered fore-finger within a small distance of his face, -moved it slowly as if to trace the outlines and reconcile what she -recollected with that she now beheld. As she finished her scrutiny, she -said, with a deep sigh, "It's a sair--sair change; and wha's fault is -it?--but that's written down where it will be remembered--it's written on -tablets of brass with a pen of steel, where all is recorded that is done -in the flesh.--And what," she said after a pause, "what is Lord Geraldin -seeking from a poor auld creature like me, that's dead already, and only -belongs sae far to the living that she isna yet laid in the moulds?" - -"Nay," answered Lord Glenallan, "in the name of Heaven, why was it that -you requested so urgently to see me?--and why did you back your request -by sending a token which you knew well I dared not refuse?" - -As he spoke thus, he took from his purse the ring which Edie Ochiltree -had delivered to him at Glenallan House. The sight of this token -produced a strange and instantaneous effect upon the old woman. The -palsy of fear was immediately added to that of age, and she began -instantly to search her pockets with the tremulous and hasty agitation -of one who becomes first apprehensive of having lost something of great -importance;--then, as if convinced of the reality of her fears, she -turned to the Earl, and demanded, "And how came ye by it then?--how came -ye by it? I thought I had kept it sae securely--what will the Countess -say?" - -"You know," said the Earl, "at least you must have heard, that my mother -is dead." - -"Dead! are ye no imposing upon me? has she left a' at last, lands and -lordship and lineages?" - -"All, all," said the Earl, "as mortals must leave all human vanities." - -"I mind now," answered Elspeth--"I heard of it before but there has been -sic distress in our house since, and my memory is sae muckle impaired-- -But ye are sure your mother, the Lady Countess, is gane hame?" - -The Earl again assured her that her former mistress was no more. - -"Then," said Elspeth, "it shall burden my mind nae langer!--When she -lived, wha dared to speak what it would hae displeased her to hae had -noised abroad? But she's gane--and I will confess all." - -Then turning to her son and daughter-in-law, she commanded them -imperatively to quit the house, and leave Lord Geraldin (for so she -still called him) alone with her. But Maggie Mucklebackit, her first -burst of grief being over, was by no means disposed in her own house to -pay passive obedience to the commands of her mother-in-law, an authority -which is peculiarly obnoxious to persons in her rank of life, and which -she was the more astonished at hearing revived, when it seemed to have -been so long relinquished and forgotten. - -"It was an unco thing," she said, in a grumbling tone of voice,--for the -rank of Lord Glenallan was somewhat imposing--"it was an unco thing to -bid a mother leave her ain house wi' the tear in her ee, the moment her -eldest son had been carried a corpse out at the door o't." - -The fisherman, in a stubborn and sullen tone, added to the same purpose. -"This is nae day for your auld-warld stories, mother. My lord, if he be -a lord, may ca' some other day--or he may speak out what he has gotten to -say if he likes it; there's nane here will think it worth their while -to listen to him or you either. But neither for laird or loon, gentle or -semple, will I leave my ain house to pleasure onybody on the very day my -poor"-- - -Here his voice choked, and he could proceed no farther; but as he had -risen when Lord Glenallan came in, and had since remained standing, -he now threw himself doggedly upon a seat, and remained in the sullen -posture of one who was determined to keep his word. - -But the old woman, whom this crisis seemed to repossess in all those -powers of mental superiority with which she had once been eminently -gifted, arose, and advancing towards him, said, with a solemn voice, -"My son, as ye wad shun hearing of your mother's shame--as ye wad not -willingly be a witness of her guilt--as ye wad deserve her blessing and -avoid her curse, I charge ye, by the body that bore and that nursed ye, -to leave me at freedom to speak with Lord Geraldin, what nae mortal ears -but his ain maun listen to. Obey my words, that when ye lay the moulds -on my head--and, oh that the day were come!--ye may remember this hour -without the reproach of having disobeyed the last earthly command that -ever your mother wared on you." - -The terms of this solemn charge revived in the fisherman's heart the -habit of instinctive obedience in which his mother had trained him up, -and to which he had submitted implicitly while her powers of exacting -it remained entire. The recollection mingled also with the prevailing -passion of the moment; for, glancing his eye at the bed on which the -dead body had been laid, he muttered to himself, "He never disobeyed me, -in reason or out o' reason, and what for should I vex her?" Then, taking -his reluctant spouse by the arm, he led her gently out of the cottage, -and latched the door behind them as he left it. - -As the unhappy parents withdrew, Lord Glenallan, to prevent the old -woman from relapsing into her lethargy, again pressed her on the subject -of the communication which she proposed to make to him. - -"Ye will have it sune eneugh," she replied;--"my mind's clear eneugh now, -and there is not--I think there is not--a chance of my forgetting what I -have to say. My dwelling at Craigburnfoot is before my een, as it were -present in reality:--the green bank, with its selvidge, just where the -burn met wi' the sea--the twa little barks, wi' their sails furled, lying -in the natural cove which it formed--the high cliff that joined it with -the pleasure-grounds of the house of Glenallan, and hung right ower the -stream--Ah! yes--I may forget that I had a husband and have lost him-- -that I hae but ane alive of our four fair sons--that misfortune upon -misfortune has devoured our ill-gotten wealth--that they carried the -corpse of my son's eldest-born frae the house this morning--But I never -can forget the days I spent at bonny Craigburnfoot!" - -"You were a favourite of my mother," said Lord Glenallan, desirous to -bring her back to the point, from which she was wandering. - -"I was, I was,--ye needna mind me o' that. She brought me up abune my -station, and wi' knowledge mair than my fellows--but, like the tempter of -auld, wi' the knowledge of gude she taught me the knowledge of evil." - -"For God's sake, Elspeth," said the astonished Earl, "proceed, if you -can, to explain the dreadful hints you have thrown out! I well know you -are confidant to one dreadful secret, which should split this roof even -to hear it named--but speak on farther." - -"I will," she said--"I will!--just bear wi' me for a little;"--and again -she seemed lost in recollection, but it was no longer tinged with -imbecility or apathy. She was now entering upon the topic which had long -loaded her mind, and which doubtless often occupied her whole soul -at times when she seemed dead to all around her. And I may add, as a -remarkable fact, that such was the intense operation of mental energy -upon her physical powers and nervous system, that, notwithstanding her -infirmity of deafness, each word that Lord Glenallan spoke during this -remarkable conference, although in the lowest tone of horror or agony, -fell as full and distinct upon Elspeth's ear as it could have done at -any period of her life. She spoke also herself clearly, distinctly, and -slowly, as if anxious that the intelligence she communicated should -be fully understood; concisely at the same time, and with none of the -verbiage or circumlocutory additions natural to those of her sex and -condition. In short, her language bespoke a better education, as well as -an uncommonly firm and resolved mind, and a character of that sort from -which great virtues or great crimes may be naturally expected. The tenor -of her communication is disclosed in the following CHAPTER. - - - - -CHAPTER TWELFTH. - - Remorse--she neer forsakes us-- - A bloodhound staunch--she tracks our rapid step - Through the wild labyrinth of youthful frenzy, - Unheard, perchance, until old age hath tamed us - Then in our lair, when Time hath chilled our joints, - And maimed our hope of combat, or of flight, - We hear her deep-mouthed bay, announcing all - Of wrath, and wo, and punishment that bides us. - Old Play. - -"I need not tell you," said the old woman, addressing the Earl of -Glenallan, "that I was the favourite and confidential attendant of -Joscelind, Countess of Glenallan, whom God assoilzie!"--(here she crossed -herself)--"and I think farther, ye may not have forgotten that I -shared her regard for mony years. I returned it by the maist -sincere attachment, but I fell into disgrace frae a trifling act of -disobedience, reported to your mother by ane that thought, and she wasna -wrang, that I was a spy upon her actions and yours." - -"I charge thee, woman," said the Earl, in a voice trembling with -passion, "name not her name in my hearing!" - -"I must," returned the penitent firmly and calmly, "or how can you -understand me?" - -The Earl leaned upon one of the wooden chairs of the hut, drew his hat -over his face, clenched his hands together, set his teeth like one who -summons up courage to undergo a painful operation, and made a signal to -her to proceed. - -"I say, then," she resumed, "that my disgrace with my mistress was -chiefly owing to Miss Eveline Neville, then bred up in Glenallan House -as the daughter of a cousin-german and intimate friend of your father -that was gane. There was muckle mystery in her history,--but wha dared to -inquire farther than the Countess liked to tell?--All in Glenallan House -loved Miss Neville--all but twa, your mother and mysell--we baith hated -her." - -"God! for what reason, since a creature so mild, so gentle, so formed to -inspire affection, never walked on this wretched world?" - -"It may hae been sae," rejoined Elspeth, "but your mother hated a' -that cam of your father's family--a' but himsell. Her reasons related to -strife which fell between them soon after her marriage; the particulars -are naething to this purpose. But oh! doubly did she hate Eveline -Neville when she perceived that there was a growing kindness atween -you and that unfortunate young leddy! Ye may mind that the Countess's -dislike didna gang farther at first than just showing o' the cauld -shouther--at least it wasna seen farther; but at the lang run it brak -out into such downright violence that Miss Neville was even fain to seek -refuge at Knockwinnock Castle with Sir Arthur's leddy, wha (God sain -her!) was then wi' the living." - -"You rend my heart by recalling these particulars--But go on,--and may -my present agony be accepted as additional penance for the involuntary -crime!" - -"She had been absent some months," continued Elspeth, "when I was ae -night watching in my hut the return of my husband from fishing, and -shedding in private those bitter tears that my proud spirit wrung frae -me whenever I thought on my disgrace. The sneck was drawn, and the -Countess your mother entered my dwelling. I thought I had seen a -spectre, for even in the height of my favour, this was an honour she had -never done me, and she looked as pale and ghastly as if she had risen -from the grave. She sat down, and wrung the draps from her hair and -cloak,--for the night was drizzling, and her walk had been through the -plantations, that were a' loaded with dew. I only mention these things -that you may understand how weel that night lives in my memory,--and weel -it may. I was surprised to see her, but I durstna speak first, mair than -if I had seen a phantom-- Na, I durst not, my lord, I that hae seen mony -sights of terror, and never shook at them. Sae, after a silence, she -said, Elspeth Cheyne (for she always gave me my maiden name), are not ye -the daughter of that Reginald Cheyne who died to save his master, Lord -Glenallan, on the field of Sheriffmuir?' And I answered her as proudly -as hersell nearly--As sure as you are the daughter of that Earl of -Glenallan whom my father saved that day by his own death.'" - -Here she made a deep pause. - -"And what followed?--what followed?--For Heaven's sake, good woman--But why -should I use that word?--Yet, good or bad, I command you to tell me." - -"And little I should value earthly command," answered Elspeth, "were -there not a voice that has spoken to me sleeping and waking, that drives -me forward to tell this sad tale. Aweel, my Lord--the Countess said to -me, My son loves Eveline Neville--they are agreed--they are plighted: -should they have a son, my right over Glenallan merges--I sink from -that moment from a Countess into a miserable stipendiary dowager, I -who brought lands and vassals, and high blood and ancient fame, to my -husband, I must cease to be mistress when my son has an heir-male. But -I care not for that--had he married any but one of the hated Nevilles, -I had been patient. But for them--that they and their descendants should -enjoy the right and honours of my ancestors, goes through my heart like -a two-edged dirk. And this girl--I detest her!'--And I answered, for my -heart kindled at her words, that her hate was equalled by mine." - -"Wretch!" exclaimed the Earl, in spite of his determination to preserve -silence--"wretched woman! what cause of hate could have arisen from a -being so innocent and gentle?" - -"I hated what my mistress hated, as was the use with the liege vassals -of the house of Glenallan; for though, my Lord, I married under my -degree, yet an ancestor of yours never went to the field of battle, but -an ancestor of the frail, demented, auld, useless wretch wha now speaks -with you, carried his shield before him. But that was not a'," continued -the beldam, her earthly and evil passions rekindling as she became -heated in her narration--"that was not a'; I hated Miss Eveline Neville -for her ain sake, I brought her frae England, and, during our whole -journey, she gecked and scorned at my northern speech and habit, as her -southland leddies and kimmers had done at the boarding-school, as they -cald it"--(and, strange as it may seem, she spoke of an affront offered -by a heedless school-girl without intention, with a degree of inveteracy -which, at such a distance of time, a mortal offence would neither have -authorized or excited in any well-constituted mind)--"Yes, she scorned -and jested at me--but let them that scorn the tartan fear the dirk!" - -She paused, and then went on--"But I deny not that I hated her mair than -she deserved. My mistress, the Countess, persevered and said, Elspeth -Cheyne, this unruly boy will marry with the false English blood. -Were days as they have been, I could throw her into the Massymore* of -Glenallan, and fetter him in the Keep of Strathbonnel. - -* Massa-mora, an ancient name for a dungeon, derived from the Moorish -language, perhaps as far back as the time of the Crusades. - -But these times are past, and the authority which the nobles of the -land should exercise is delegated to quibbling lawyers and their baser -dependants. Hear me, Elspeth Cheyne! if you are your father's daughter -as I am mine, I will find means that they shall not marry. She walks -often to that cliff that overhangs your dwelling to look for her -lover's boat--(ye may remember the pleasure ye then took on the sea, my -Lord)--let him find her forty fathom lower than he expects!'--Yes! ye may -stare and frown and clench your hand; but, as sure as I am to face the -only Being I ever feared--and, oh that I had feared him mair!--these were -your mother's words. What avails it to me to lie to you?--But I wadna -consent to stain my hand with blood.--Then she said, By the religion of -our holy Church they are ower sibb thegither. But I expect nothing but -that both will become heretics as well as disobedient reprobates;'--that -was her addition to that argument. And then, as the fiend is ever ower -busy wi' brains like mine, that are subtle beyond their use and station, -I was unhappily permitted to add--But they might be brought to think -themselves sae sibb as no Christian law will permit their wedlock.'" - -Here the Earl of Glenallan echoed her words, with a shriek so piercing -as almost to rend the roof of the cottage.--"Ah! then Eveline Neville was -not the--the"-- - -"The daughter, ye would say, of your father?" continued Elspeth. "No--be -it a torment or be it a comfort to you--ken the truth, she was nae mair a -daughter of your father's house than I am." - -"Woman, deceive me not!--make me not curse the memory of the parent I -have so lately laid in the grave, for sharing in a plot the most cruel, -the most infernal"-- - -"Bethink ye, my Lord Geraldin, ere ye curse the memory of a parent -that's gane, is there none of the blood of Glenallan living, whose -faults have led to this dreadfu' catastrophe?" - -"Mean you my brother?--he, too, is gone," said the Earl. - -"No," replied the sibyl, "I mean yoursell, Lord Geraldin. Had you not -transgressed the obedience of a son by wedding Eveline Neville in secret -while a guest at Knockwinnock, our plot might have separated you for -a time, but would have left at least your sorrows without remorse to -canker them. But your ain conduct had put poison in the weapon that we -threw, and it pierced you with the mair force because ye cam rushing to -meet it. Had your marriage been a proclaimed and acknowledged action, -our stratagem to throw an obstacle into your way that couldna be got -ower, neither wad nor could hae been practised against ye." - -"Great Heaven!" said the unfortunate nobleman--"it is as if a film fell -from my obscured eyes! Yes, I now well understand the doubtful hints -of consolation thrown out by my wretched mother, tending indirectly -to impeach the evidence of the horrors of which her arts had led me to -believe myself guilty." - -"She could not speak mair plainly," answered Elspeth, "without -confessing her ain fraud,--and she would have submitted to be torn by -wild horses, rather than unfold what she had done; and if she had still -lived, so would I for her sake. They were stout hearts the race of -Glenallan, male and female, and sae were a' that in auld times cried -their gathering-word of Clochnaben--they stood shouther to shouther--nae -man parted frae his chief for love of gold or of gain, or of right or of -wrang. The times are changed, I hear, now." - -The unfortunate nobleman was too much wrapped up in his own confused -and distracted reflections, to notice the rude expressions of savage -fidelity, in which, even in the latest ebb of life, the unhappy author -of his misfortunes seemed to find a stern and stubborn source of -consolation. - -"Great Heaven!" he exclaimed, "I am then free from a guilt the most -horrible with which man can be stained, and the sense of which, however -involuntary, has wrecked my peace, destroyed my health, and bowed me -down to an untimely grave. Accept," he fervently uttered, lifting his -eyes upwards, "accept my humble thanks! If I live miserable, at least -I shall not die stained with that unnatural guilt!--And thou--proceed if -thou hast more to tell--proceed, while thou hast voice to speak it, and I -have powers to listen." - -"Yes," answered the beldam, "the hour when you shall hear, and I shall -speak, is indeed passing rapidly away. Death has crossed your brow with -his finger, and I find his grasp turning every day coulder at my heart. -Interrupt me nae mair with exclamations and groans and accusations, but -hear my tale to an end! And then--if ye be indeed sic a Lord of Glenallan -as I hae heard of in my day--make your merrymen gather the thorn, and -the brier, and the green hollin, till they heap them as high as the -house-riggin', and burn! burn! burn! the auld witch Elspeth, and a' that -can put ye in mind that sic a creature ever crawled upon the land!" - -"Go on," said the Earl, "go on--I will not again interrupt you." - -He spoke in a half-suffocated yet determined voice, resolved that no -irritability on his part should deprive him of this opportunity of -acquiring proofs of the wonderful tale he then heard. But Elspeth had -become exhausted by a continuous narration of such unusual length; -the subsequent part of her story was more broken, and though still -distinctly intelligible in most parts, had no longer the lucid -conciseness which the first part of her narrative had displayed to such -an astonishing degree. Lord Glenallan found it necessary, when she had -made some attempts to continue her narrative without success, to prompt -her memory by demanding--"What proofs she could propose to bring of the -truth of a narrative so different from that which she had originally -told?" - -"The evidence," she replied, "of Eveline Neville's real birth was in -the Countess's possession, with reasons for its being for some time kept -private;--they may yet be found, if she has not destroyed them, in the -left hand drawer of the ebony cabinet that stood in the dressing-room. -These she meant to suppress for the time, until you went abroad again, -when she trusted, before your return, to send Miss Neville back to her -ain country, or to get her settled in marriage." - -"But did you not show me letters of my father's, which seemed to me, -unless my senses altogether failed me in that horrible moment, to avow -his relationship to--to the unhappy"-- - -"We did; and, with my testimony, how could you doubt the fact, or her -either? But we suppressed the true explanation of these letters, and -that was, that your father thought it right the young leddy should pass -for his daughter for a while, on account o'some family reasons that were -amang them." - -"But wherefore, when you learned our union, was this dreadful artifice -persisted in?" - -"It wasna," she replied, "till Lady Glenallan had communicated this -fause tale, that she suspected ye had actually made a marriage--nor even -then did you avow it sae as to satisfy her whether the ceremony had in -verity passed atween ye or no--But ye remember, O ye canna but remember -weel, what passed in that awfu' meeting!" - -"Woman! you swore upon the gospels to the fact which you now disavow." - -"I did,--and I wad hae taen a yet mair holy pledge on it, if there had -been ane--I wad not hae spared the blood of my body, or the guilt of my -soul, to serve the house of Glenallan." - -"Wretch! do you call that horrid perjury, attended with consequences -yet more dreadful--do you esteem that a service to the house of your -benefactors?" - -"I served her, wha was then the head of Glenallan, as she required me -to serve her. The cause was between God and her conscience--the manner -between God and mine--She is gane to her account, and I maun follow. Have -I taulds you a'?" - -"No," answered Lord Glenallan--"you have yet more to tell--you have to -tell me of the death of the angel whom your perjury drove to despair, -stained, as she thought herself, with a crime so horrible. Speak -truth--was that dreadful--was that horrible incident"--he could scarcely -articulate the words--"was it as reported? or was it an act of yet -further, though not more atrocious cruelty, inflicted by others?" - -"I understand you," said Elspeth. "But report spoke truth;--our false -witness was indeed the cause, but the deed was her ain distracted act. -On that fearfu' disclosure, when ye rushed frae the Countess's presence -and saddled your horse, and left the castle like a fire-flaught, the -Countess hadna yet discovered your private marriage; she hadna fund out -that the union, which she had framed this awfu' tale to prevent, had -e'en taen place. Ye fled from the house as if the fire o' Heaven was -about to fa' upon it, and Miss Neville, atween reason and the want -o't, was put under sure ward. But the ward sleep't, and the prisoner -waked--the window was open--the way was before her--there was the cliff, -and there was the sea!--O, when will I forget that!" - -"And thus died," said the Earl, "even so as was reported?" - -"No, my lord. I had gane out to the cove--the tide was in, and it flowed, -as ye'll remember, to the foot o' that cliff--it was a great convenience -that for my husband's trade--Where am I wandering?--I saw a white object -dart frae the tap o' the cliff like a sea-maw through the mist, and -then a heavy flash and sparkle of the waters showed me it was a human -creature that had fa'en into the waves. I was bold and strong, and -familiar with the tide. I rushed in and grasped her gown, and drew -her out and carried her on my shouthers--I could hae carried twa sic -then--carried her to my hut, and laid her on my bed. Neighbours cam and -brought help; but the words she uttered in her ravings, when she got -back the use of speech, were such, that I was fain to send them awa, -and get up word to Glenallan House. The Countess sent down her Spanish -servant Teresa--if ever there was a fiend on earth in human form, that -woman was ane. She and I were to watch the unhappy leddy, and let no -other person approach.--God knows what Teresa's part was to hae been--she -tauld it not to me--but Heaven took the conclusion in its ain hand. The -poor leddy! she took the pangs of travail before her time, bore a -male child, and died in the arms of me--of her mortal enemy! Ay, ye may -weep--she was a sightly creature to see to--but think ye, if I didna mourn -her then, that I can mourn her now? Na, na, I left Teresa wi' the dead -corpse and new-born babe, till I gaed up to take the Countess's commands -what was to be done. Late as it was, I ca'd her up, and she gar'd me ca' -up your brother"-- - -"My brother?" - -"Yes, Lord Geraldin, e'en your brother, that some said she aye wished -to be her heir. At ony rate, he was the person maist concerned in the -succession and heritance of the house of Glenallan." - -"And is it possible to believe, then, that my brother, out of avarice to -grasp at my inheritance, would lend himself to such a base and dreadful -stratagem?" - -"Your mother believed it," said the old beldam with a fiendish laugh--"it -was nae plot of my making; but what they did or said I will not say, -because I did not hear. Lang and sair they consulted in the black -wainscot dressing-room; and when your brother passed through the room -where I was waiting, it seemed to me (and I have often thought sae since -syne) that the fire of hell was in his cheek and een. But he had left -some of it with his mother, at ony rate. She entered the room like a -woman demented, and the first words she spoke were, Elspeth Cheyne, did -you ever pull a new-budded flower?' I answered, as ye may believe, that -I often had. Then,' said she, ye will ken the better how to blight -the spurious and heretical blossom that has sprung forth this night to -disgrace my father's noble house--See here;'--(and she gave me a golden -bodkin)--nothing but gold must shed the blood of Glenallan. This child is -already as one of the dead, and since thou and Teresa alone ken that -it lives, let it be dealt upon as ye will answer to me!' and she turned -away in her fury, and left me with the bodkin in my hand.--Here it -is; that and the ring of Miss Neville, are a' I hae preserved of my -ill-gotten gear--for muckle was the gear I got. And weel hae I keepit the -secret, but no for the gowd or gear either." - -Her long and bony hand held out to Lord Glenallan a gold bodkin, down -which in fancy he saw the blood of his infant trickling. - -"Wretch! had you the heart?" - -"I kenna if I could hae had it or no. I returned to my cottage without -feeling the ground that I trode on; but Teresa and the child were gane-- -a' that was alive was gane--naething left but the lifeless corpse." - -"And did you never learn my infant's fate?" - -"I could but guess. I have tauld ye your mother's purpose, and I ken -Teresa was a fiend. She was never mair seen in Scotland, and I have -heard that she returned to her ain land. A dark curtain has fa'en ower -the past, and the few that witnessed ony part of it could only surmise -something of seduction and suicide. You yourself"-- - -"I know--I know it all," answered the Earl. - -"You indeed know all that I can say--And now, heir of Glenallan, can you -forgive me?" - -[Illustration: Lord Glenallen and Elspeth] - -"Ask forgiveness of God, and not of man," said the Earl, turning away. - -"And how shall I ask of the pure and unstained what is denied to me by -a sinner like mysell? If I hae sinned, hae I not suffered?--Hae I had a -day's peace or an hour's rest since these lang wet locks of hair first -lay upon my pillow at Craigburnfoot?--Has not my house been burned, wi' -my bairn in the cradle?--Have not my boats been wrecked, when a' others -weather'd the gale?--Have not a' that were near and dear to me dree'd -penance for my sin?--Has not the fire had its share o' them--the winds had -their part--the sea had her part?--And oh!" she added, with a lengthened -groan, looking first upwards towards Heaven, and then bending her eyes -on the floor--"O that the earth would take her part, that's been lang -lang wearying to be joined to it!" - -Lord Glenallan had reached the door of the cottage, but the generosity -of his nature did not permit him to leave the unhappy woman in this -state of desperate reprobation. "May God forgive thee, wretched woman," -he said, "as sincerely as I do!--Turn for mercy to Him who can alone -grant mercy, and may your prayers be heard as if they were mine own!--I -will send a religious man." - -"Na, na--nae priest! nae priest!" she ejaculated; and the door of the -cottage opening as she spoke, prevented her from proceeding. - - - - -CHAPTER THIRTEENTH. - - Still in his dead hand clenched remain the strings - That thrill his father's heart--e'en as the limb, - Lopped off and laid in grave, retains, they tell us, - Strange commerce with the mutilated stump, - Whose nerves are twinging still in maimed existence. - Old Play. - -The Antiquary, as we informed the reader in the end of the thirty-first -CHAPTER, [tenth] had shaken off the company of worthy Mr. Blattergowl, -although he offered to entertain him with an abstract of the ablest -speech he had ever known in the teind court, delivered by the procurator -for the church in the remarkable case of the parish of Gatherem. -Resisting this temptation, our senior preferred a solitary path, which -again conducted him to the cottage of Mucklebackit. When he came in -front of the fisherman's hut, he observed a man working intently, as if -to repair a shattered boat which lay upon the beach, and going up to him -was surprised to find it was Mucklebackit himself. "I am glad," he said -in a tone of sympathy--"I am glad, Saunders, that you feel yourself able -to make this exertion." - -"And what would ye have me to do," answered the fisher gruffly, "unless -I wanted to see four children starve, because ane is drowned? It's weel -wi' you gentles, that can sit in the house wi' handkerchers at your een -when ye lose a friend; but the like o' us maun to our wark again, if our -hearts were beating as hard as my hammer." - -Without taking more notice of Oldbuck, he proceeded in his labour; and -the Antiquary, to whom the display of human nature under the influence -of agitating passions was never indifferent, stood beside him, in silent -attention, as if watching the progress of the work. He observed more -than once the man's hard features, as if by the force of association, -prepare to accompany the sound of the saw and hammer with his usual -symphony of a rude tune, hummed or whistled,--and as often a slight -twitch of convulsive expression showed, that ere the sound was uttered, -a cause for suppressing it rushed upon his mind. At length, when he -had patched a considerable rent, and was beginning to mend another, his -feelings appeared altogether to derange the power of attention necessary -for his work. The piece of wood which he was about to nail on was at -first too long; then he sawed it off too short, then chose another -equally ill adapted for the purpose. At length, throwing it down in -anger, after wiping his dim eye with his quivering hand, he exclaimed, -"There is a curse either on me or on this auld black bitch of a boat, -that I have hauled up high and dry, and patched and clouted sae mony -years, that she might drown my poor Steenie at the end of them, an' be -d--d to her!" and he flung his hammer against the boat, as if she had -been the intentional cause of his misfortune. Then recollecting himself, -he added, "Yet what needs ane be angry at her, that has neither soul nor -sense?--though I am no that muckle better mysell. She's but a rickle -o' auld rotten deals nailed thegither, and warped wi' the wind and the -sea--and I am a dour carle, battered by foul weather at sea and land till -I am maist as senseless as hersell. She maun be mended though again the -morning tide--that's a thing o' necessity." - -Thus speaking, he went to gather together his instruments, and attempt -to resume his labour,--but Oldbuck took him kindly by the arm. "Come, -come," he said, "Saunders, there is no work for you this day--I'll send -down Shavings the carpenter to mend the boat, and he may put the day's -work into my account--and you had better not come out to-morrow, but stay -to comfort your family under this dispensation, and the gardener will -bring you some vegetables and meal from Monkbarns." - -"I thank ye, Monkbarns," answered the poor fisher; "I am a plain-spoken -man, and hae little to say for mysell; I might hae learned fairer -fashions frae my mither lang syne, but I never saw muckle gude they did -her; however, I thank ye. Ye were aye kind and neighbourly, whatever -folk says o' your being near and close; and I hae often said, in thae -times when they were ganging to raise up the puir folk against the -gentles--I hae often said, neer a man should steer a hair touching to -Monkbarns while Steenie and I could wag a finger--and so said Steenie -too. And, Monkbarns, when ye laid his head in the grave (and mony thanks -for the respect), ye, saw the mouls laid on an honest lad that likit you -weel, though he made little phrase about it." - -Oldbuck, beaten from the pride of his affected cynicism, would not -willingly have had any one by on that occasion to quote to him his -favourite maxims of the Stoic philosophy. The large drops fell fast -from his own eyes, as he begged the father, who was now melted at -recollecting the bravery and generous sentiments of his son, to forbear -useless sorrow, and led him by the arm towards his own home, where -another scene awaited our Antiquary. - -As he entered, the first person whom he beheld was Lord Glenallan. -Mutual surprise was in their countenances as they saluted each -other--with haughty reserve on the part of Mr. Oldbuck, and embarrassment -on that of the Earl. - -"My Lord Glenallan, I think?" said Mr. Oldbuck. - -"Yes--much changed from what he was when he knew Mr. Oldbuck." - -"I do not mean," said the Antiquary, "to intrude upon your lordship--I -only came to see this distressed family." - -"And you have found one, sir, who has still greater claims on your -compassion." - -"My compassion? Lord Glenallan cannot need my compassion. If Lord -Glenallan could need it, I think he would hardly ask it." - -"Our former acquaintance," said the Earl-- - -"Is of such ancient date, my lord--was of such short duration, and was -connected with circumstances so exquisitely painful, that I think we may -dispense with renewing it." - -So saying, the Antiquary turned away, and left the hut; but Lord -Glenallan followed him into the open air, and, in spite of a hasty "Good -morning, my lord," requested a few minutes' conversation, and the favour -of his advice in an important matter. - -"Your lordship will find many more capable to advise you, my lord, and -by whom your intercourse will be deemed an honour. For me, I am a man -retired from business and the world, and not very fond of raking up -the past events of my useless life;--and forgive me if I say, I have -particular pain in reverting to that period of it when I acted like a -fool, and your lordship like"--He stopped short. - -"Like a villain, you would say," said Lord Glenallan--"for such I must -have appeared to you." - -"My lord--my lord, I have no desire to hear your shrift," said the -Antiquary. - -"But, sir, if I can show you that I am more sinned against than sinning-- -that I have been a man miserable beyond the power of description, and -who looks forward at this moment to an untimely grave as to a haven -of rest, you will not refuse the confidence which, accepting your -appearance at this critical moment as a hint from Heaven, I venture thus -to press on you." - -"Assuredly, my lord, I shall shun no longer the continuation of this -extraordinary interview." - -"I must then recall to you our occasional meetings upwards of twenty -years since at Knockwinnock Castle,--and I need not remind you of a lady -who was then a member of that family." - -"The unfortunate Miss Eveline Neville, my lord; I remember it well." - -"Towards whom you entertained sentiments"-- - -"Very different from those with which I before and since have regarded -her sex. Her gentleness, her docility, her pleasure in the studies which -I pointed out to her, attached my affections more than became my age -though that was not then much advanced--or the solidity of my character. -But I need not remind your lordship of the various modes in which you -indulged your gaiety at the expense of an awkward and retired student, -embarrassed by the expression of feelings so new to him, and I have no -doubt that the young lady joined you in the well-deserved ridicule--it is -the way of womankind. I have spoken at once to the painful circumstances -of my addresses and their rejection, that your lordship may be satisfied -everything is full in my memory, and may, so far as I am concerned, tell -your story without scruple or needless delicacy." - -"I will," said Lord Glenallan. "But first let me say, you do injustice -to the memory of the gentlest and kindest, as well as to the most -unhappy of women, to suppose she could make a jest of the honest -affection of a man like you. Frequently did she blame me, Mr. Oldbuck, -for indulging my levity at your expense--may I now presume you will -excuse the gay freedoms which then offended you?--my state of mind -has never since laid me under the necessity of apologizing for the -inadvertencies of a light and happy temper." - -"My lord, you are fully pardoned," said Mr. Oldbuck. "You should be -aware, that, like all others, I was ignorant at the time that I placed -myself in competition with your lordship, and understood that Miss -Neville was in a state of dependence which might make her prefer a -competent independence and the hand of an honest man--But I am wasting -time--I would I could believe that the views entertained towards her by -others were as fair and honest as mine!" - -"Mr. Oldbuck, you judge harshly." - -"Not without cause, my lord. When I only, of all the magistrates of this -county--having neither, like some of them, the honour to be connected -with your powerful family--nor, like others, the meanness to fear it,-- -when I made some inquiry into the manner of Miss Neville's death--I shake -you, my lord, but I must be plain--I do own I had every reason to believe -that she had met most unfair dealing, and had either been imposed upon -by a counterfeit marriage, or that very strong measures had been adopted -to stifle and destroy the evidence of a real union. And I cannot doubt -in my own mind, that this cruelty on your lordship's part, whether -coming of your own free will, or proceeding from the influence of the -late Countess, hurried the unfortunate young lady to the desperate act -by which her life was terminated." - -"You are deceived, Mr. Oldbuck, into conclusions which are not just, -however naturally they flow from the circumstances. Believe me, I -respected you even when I was most embarrassed by your active attempts -to investigate our family misfortunes. You showed yourself more worthy -of Miss Neville than I, by the spirit with which you persisted in -vindicating her reputation even after her death. But the firm belief -that your well-meant efforts could only serve to bring to light a story -too horrible to be detailed, induced me to join my unhappy mother in -schemes to remove or destroy all evidence of the legal union which had -taken place between Eveline and myself. And now let us sit down on -this bank,--for I feel unable to remain longer standing,--and have the -goodness to listen to the extraordinary discovery which I have this day -made." - -They sate down accordingly; and Lord Glenallan briefly narrated his -unhappy family history--his concealed marriage--the horrible invention by -which his mother had designed to render impossible that union which had -already taken place. He detailed the arts by which the Countess, having -all the documents relative to Miss Neville's birth in her hands, had -produced those only relating to a period during which, for family -reasons, his father had consented to own that young lady as his natural -daughter, and showed how impossible it was that he could either suspect -or detect the fraud put upon him by his mother, and vouched by the oaths -of her attendants, Teresa and Elspeth. "I left my paternal mansion," he -concluded, "as if the furies of hell had driven me forth, and travelled -with frantic velocity I knew not whither. Nor have I the slightest -recollection of what I did or whither I went, until I was discovered by -my brother. I will not trouble you with an account of my sick-bed and -recovery, or how, long afterwards, I ventured to inquire after the -sharer of my misfortunes, and heard that her despair had found a -dreadful remedy for all the ills of life. The first thing that roused me -to thought was hearing of your inquiries into this cruel business; and -you will hardly wonder, that, believing what I did believe, I should -join in those expedients to stop your investigation, which my brother -and mother had actively commenced. The information which I gave them -concerning the circumstances and witnesses of our private marriage -enabled them to baffle your zeal. The clergyman, therefore, and -witnesses, as persons who had acted in the matter only to please the -powerful heir of Glenallan, were accessible to his promises and threats, -and were so provided for, that they had no objections to leave this -country for another. For myself, Mr. Oldbuck," pursued this unhappy man, -"from that moment I considered myself as blotted out of the book of -the living, and as having nothing left to do with this world. My mother -tried to reconcile me to life by every art--even by intimations which I -can now interpret as calculated to produce a doubt of the horrible tale -she herself had fabricated. But I construed all she said as the fictions -of maternal affection. I will forbear all reproach. She is no more--and, -as her wretched associate said, she knew not how the dart was poisoned, -or how deep it must sink, when she threw it from her hand. But, Mr. -Oldbuck, if ever, during these twenty years, there crawled upon earth a -living being deserving of your pity, I have been that man. My food has -not nourished me--my sleep has not refreshed me--my devotions have not -comforted me--all that is cheering and necessary to man has been to me -converted into poison. The rare and limited intercourse which I have -held with others has been most odious to me. I felt as if I were -bringing the contamination of unnatural and inexpressible guilt among -the gay and the innocent. There have been moments when I had thoughts -of another description--to plunge into the adventures of war, or to brave -the dangers of the traveller in foreign and barbarous climates--to -mingle in political intrigue, or to retire to the stern seclusion of -the anchorites of our religion;--all these are thoughts which have -alternately passed through my mind, but each required an energy, -which was mine no longer, after the withering stroke I had received. I -vegetated on as I could in the same spot--fancy, feeling, judgment, -and health, gradually decaying, like a tree whose bark has been -destroyed,--when first the blossoms fade, then the boughs, until its -state resembles the decayed and dying trunk that is now before you. Do -you now pity and forgive me?" - -"My lord," answered the Antiquary, much affected, "my pity--my -forgiveness, you have not to ask, for your dismal story is of itself not -only an ample excuse for whatever appeared mysterious in your conduct, -but a narrative that might move your worst enemies (and I, my lord, was -never of the number) to tears and to sympathy. But permit me to ask what -you now mean to do, and why you have honoured me, whose opinion can be -of little consequence, with your confidence on this occasion?" - -"Mr. Oldbuck," answered the Earl, "as I could never have foreseen the -nature of that confession which I have heard this day, I need not say -that I had no formed plan of consulting you, or any one, upon affairs -the tendency of which I could not even have suspected. But I am without -friends, unused to business, and, by long retirement, unacquainted alike -with the laws of the land and the habits of the living generation; and -when, most unexpectedly, I find myself immersed in the matters of which -I know least, I catch, like a drowning man, at the first support that -offers. You are that support, Mr. Oldbuck. I have always heard you -mentioned as a man of wisdom and intelligence--I have known you myself -as a man of a resolute and independent spirit;--and there is one -circumstance," said he, "which ought to combine us in some degree--our -having paid tribute to the same excellence of character in poor Eveline. -You offered yourself to me in my need, and you were already acquainted -with the beginning of my misfortunes. To you, therefore, I have recourse -for advice, for sympathy, for support." - -"You shall seek none of them in vain, my lord," said Oldbuck, "so far as -my slender ability extends;--and I am honoured by the preference, whether -it arises from choice, or is prompted by chance. But this is a matter -to be ripely considered. May I ask what are your principal views at -present?" - -"To ascertain the fate of my child," said the Earl, "be the consequences -what they may, and to do justice to the honour of Eveline, which I -have only permitted to be suspected to avoid discovery of the yet more -horrible taint to which I was made to believe it liable." - -"And the memory of your mother?" - -"Must bear its own burden," answered the Earl with a sigh: "better that -she were justly convicted of deceit, should that be found necessary, -than that others should be unjustly accused of crimes so much more -dreadful." - -"Then, my lord," said Oldbuck, "our first business must be to put the -information of the old woman, Elspeth, into a regular and authenticated -form." - -"That," said Lord Glenallan, "will be at present, I fear, impossible. -She is exhausted herself, and surrounded by her distressed family. -To-morrow, perhaps, when she is alone--and yet I doubt, from her -imperfect sense of right and wrong, whether she would speak out in any -one's presence but my own. I am too sorely fatigued." - -"Then, my lord," said the Antiquary, whom the interest of the moment -elevated above points of expense and convenience, which had generally -more than enough of weight with him, "I would propose to your lordship, -instead of returning, fatigued as you are, so far as to Glenallan House, -or taking the more uncomfortable alternative of going to a bad inn at -Fairport, to alarm all the busybodies of the town--I would propose, -I say, that you should be my guest at Monkbarns for this night. By -to-morrow these poor people will have renewed their out-of-doors -vocation--for sorrow with them affords no respite from labour,--and we -will visit the old woman Elspeth alone, and take down her examination." - -After a formal apology for the encroachment, Lord Glenallan agreed to -go with him, and underwent with patience in their return home the whole -history of John of the Girnel, a legend which Mr. Oldbuck was never -known to spare any one who crossed his threshold. - -The arrival of a stranger of such note, with two saddle-horses and a -servant in black, which servant had holsters on his saddle-bow, and a -coronet upon the holsters, created a general commotion in the house of -Monkbarns. Jenny Rintherout, scarce recovered from the hysterics which -she had taken on hearing of poor Steenie's misfortune, chased about -the turkeys and poultry, cackled and screamed louder than they did, -and ended by killing one-half too many. Miss Griselda made many wise -reflections on the hot-headed wilfulness of her brother, who had -occasioned such devastation, by suddenly bringing in upon them a papist -nobleman. And she ventured to transmit to Mr. Blattergowl some hint of -the unusual slaughter which had taken place in the basse-cour, which -brought the honest clergyman to inquire how his friend Monkbarns had -got home, and whether he was not the worse of being at the funeral, at -a period so near the ringing of the bell for dinner, that the Antiquary -had no choice left but to invite him to stay and bless the meat. Miss -M'Intyre had on her part some curiosity to see this mighty peer, of -whom all had heard, as an eastern caliph or sultan is heard of by his -subjects, and felt some degree of timidity at the idea of encountering a -person, of whose unsocial habits and stern manners so many stories were -told, that her fear kept at least pace with her curiosity. The aged -housekeeper was no less flustered and hurried in obeying the numerous -and contradictory commands of her mistress, concerning preserves, pastry -and fruit, the mode of marshalling and dishing the dinner, the necessity -of not permitting the melted butter to run to oil, and the danger of -allowing Juno--who, though formally banished from the parlour, failed not -to maraud about the out-settlements of the family--to enter the kitchen. - -The only inmate of Monkbarns who remained entirely indifferent on this -momentous occasion was Hector M'Intyre, who cared no more for an -Earl than he did for a commoner, and who was only interested in the -unexpected visit, as it might afford some protection against his uncle's -displeasure, if he harboured any, for his not attending the funeral, -and still more against his satire upon the subject of his gallant but -unsuccessful single combat with the phoca, or seal. - -To these, the inmates of his household, Oldbuck presented the Earl of -Glenallan, who underwent, with meek and subdued civility, the prosing -speeches of the honest divine, and the lengthened apologies of Miss -Griselda Oldbuck, which her brother in vain endeavoured to abridge. -Before the dinner hour, Lord Glenallan requested permission to retire -a while to his chamber. Mr. Oldbuck accompanied his guest to the Green -Room, which had been hastily prepared for his reception. He looked -around with an air of painful recollection. - -"I think," at length he observed, "I think, Mr. Oldbuck, that I have -been in this apartment before." - -"Yes, my lord," answered Oldbuck, "upon occasion of an excursion hither -from Knockwinnock--and since we are upon a subject so melancholy, you may -perhaps remember whose taste supplied these lines from Chaucer, which -now form the motto of the tapestry." - -"I guess", said the Earl, "though I cannot recollect. She excelled me, -indeed, in literary taste and information, as in everything else; and it -is one of the mysterious dispensations of Providence, Mr. Oldbuck, that -a creature so excellent in mind and body should have been cut off in so -miserable a manner, merely from her having formed a fatal attachment to -such a wretch as I am." - -Mr. Oldbuck did not attempt an answer to this burst of the grief -which lay ever nearest to the heart of his guest, but, pressing Lord -Glenallan's hand with one of his own, and drawing the other across his -shaggy eyelashes, as if to brush away a mist that intercepted his sight, -he left the Earl at liberty to arrange himself previous to dinner. - - - - -CHAPTER FOURTEENTH - - --Life, with you, - Glows in the brain and dances in the arteries; - 'Tis like the wine some joyous guest hath quaffed, - That glads the heart and elevates the fancy: - Mine is the poor residuum of the cup, - Vapid, and dull, and tasteless, only soiling, - With its base dregs, the vessel that contains it. - Old Play. - -"Now, only think what a man my brother is, Mr. Blattergowl, for a -wise man and a learned man, to bring this Yerl into our house -without speaking a word to a body! And there's the distress of thae -Mucklebackits--we canna get a fin o' fish--and we hae nae time to send -ower to Fairport for beef, and the mutton's but new killed--and that -silly fliskmahoy, Jenny Rintherout, has taen the exies, and done -naething but laugh and greet, the skirl at the tail o' the guffaw, for -twa days successfully--and now we maun ask that strange man, that's as -grand and as grave as the Yerl himsell, to stand at the sideboard! and I -canna gang into the kitchen to direct onything, for he's hovering there, -making some pousowdie* for my Lord, for he doesna eat like ither folk -neither--And how to sort the strange servant man at dinner time--I am -sure, Mr. Blattergowl, a'thegither, it passes my judgment." - -* Pousowdie,--Miscellaneous mess. - -"Truly, Miss Griselda," replied the divine, "Monkbarns was -inconsiderate. He should have taen a day to see the invitation, as they -do wi' the titular's condescendence in the process of valuation and -sale. But the great man could not have come on a sudden to ony house in -this parish where he could have been better served with vivers--that I -must say--and also that the steam from the kitchen is very gratifying -to my nostrils;--and if ye have ony household affairs to attend to, Mrs. -Griselda, never make a stranger of me--I can amuse mysell very weel with -the larger copy of Erskine's Institutes." - -And taking down from the window-seat that amusing folio, (the Scottish -Coke upon Littleton), he opened it, as if instinctively, at the tenth -title of Book Second, "of Teinds or Tythes," and was presently deeply -wrapped up in an abstruse discussion concerning the temporality of -benefices. - -The entertainment, about which Miss Oldbuck expressed so much anxiety, -was at length placed upon the table; and the Earl of Glenallan, for the -first time since the date of his calamity, sat at a stranger's board, -surrounded by strangers. He seemed to himself like a man in a dream, -or one whose brain was not fully recovered from the effects of an -intoxicating potion. Relieved, as he had that morning been, from the -image of guilt which had so long haunted his imagination, he felt his -sorrows as a lighter and more tolerable load, but was still unable -to take any share in the conversation that passed around him. It was, -indeed, of a cast very different from that which he had been accustomed -to. The bluntness of Oldbuck, the tiresome apologetic harangues of -his sister, the pedantry of the divine, and the vivacity of the young -soldier, which savoured much more of the camp than of the court, were -all new to a nobleman who had lived in a retired and melancholy state -for so many years, that the manners of the world seemed to him equally -strange and unpleasing. Miss M'Intyre alone, from the natural politeness -and unpretending simplicity of her manners, appeared to belong to that -class of society to which he had been accustomed in his earlier and -better days. - -Nor did Lord Glenallan's deportment less surprise the company. Though a -plain but excellent family-dinner was provided (for, as Mr. Blattergowl -had justly said, it was impossible to surprise Miss Griselda when her -larder was empty), and though the Antiquary boasted his best port, and -assimilated it to the Falernian of Horace, Lord Glenallan was proof to -the allurements of both. His servant placed before him a small mess -of vegetables, that very dish, the cooking of which had alarmed Miss -Griselda, arranged with the most minute and scrupulous neatness. He ate -sparingly of these provisions; and a glass of pure water, sparkling from -the fountain-head, completed his repast. Such, his servant said, had -been his lordship's diet for very many years, unless upon the high -festivals of the Church, or when company of the first rank were -entertained at Glenallan House, when he relaxed a little in the -austerity of his diet, and permitted himself a glass or two of wine. But -at Monkbarns, no anchoret could have made a more simple and scanty meal. - -The Antiquary was a gentleman, as we have seen, in feeling, but blunt -and careless in expression, from the habit of living with those before -whom he had nothing to suppress. He attacked his noble guest without -scruple on the severity of his regimen. - -"A few half-cold greens and potatoes--a glass of ice-cold water to wash -them down--antiquity gives no warrant for it, my lord. This house used -to be accounted a hospitium, a place of retreat for Christians; but your -lordship's diet is that of a heathen Pythagorean, or Indian Bramin--nay, -more severe than either, if you refuse these fine apples." - -"I am a Catholic, you are aware," said Lord Glenallan, wishing to escape -from the discussion, "and you know that our church"---- - -"Lays down many rules of mortification," proceeded the dauntless -Antiquary; "but I never heard that they were quite so rigorously -practised--Bear witness my predecessor, John of the Girnel, or the jolly -Abbot, who gave his name to this apple, my lord." - -And as he pared the fruit, in spite of his sister's "O fie, Monkbarns!" -and the prolonged cough of the minister, accompanied by a shake of his -huge wig, the Antiquary proceeded to detail the intrigue which had -given rise to the fame of the abbot's apple with more slyness and -circumstantiality than was at all necessary. His jest (as may readily be -conceived) missed fire, for this anecdote of conventual gallantry failed -to produce the slightest smile on the visage of the Earl. Oldbuck then -took up the subject of Ossian, Macpherson, and Mac-Cribb; but Lord -Glenallan had never so much as heard of any of the three, so little -conversant had he been with modern literature. The conversation was -now in some danger of flagging, or of falling into the hands of Mr. -Blattergowl, who had just pronounced the formidable word, "teind-free," -when the subject of the French Revolution was started--a political event -on which Lord Glenallan looked with all the prejudiced horror of a -bigoted Catholic and zealous aristocrat. Oldbuck was far from carrying -his detestation of its principles to such a length. - -"There were many men in the first Constituent Assembly," he said, "who -held sound Whiggish doctrines, and were for settling the Constitution -with a proper provision for the liberties of the people. And if a set -of furious madmen were now in possession of the government, it was," -he continued, "what often happened in great revolutions, where extreme -measures are adopted in the fury of the moment, and the State resembles -an agitated pendulum which swings from side to side for some time ere it -can acquire its due and perpendicular station. Or it might be likened to -a storm or hurricane, which, passing over a region, does great damage -in its passage, yet sweeps away stagnant and unwholesome vapours, and -repays, in future health and fertility, its immediate desolation and -ravage." - -The Earl shook his head; but having neither spirit nor inclination for -debate, he suffered the argument to pass uncontested. - -This discussion served to introduce the young soldier's experiences; and -he spoke of the actions in which he, had been engaged, with modesty, -and at the same time with an air of spirit and zeal which delighted the -Earl, who had been bred up, like others of his house, in the opinion -that the trade of arms was the first duty of man, and believed that to -employ them against the French was a sort of holy warfare. - -"What would I give," said he apart to Oldbuck, as they rose to join the -ladies in the drawing-room, "what would I give to have a son of such -spirit as that young gentleman!--He wants something of address and -manner, something of polish, which mixing in good society would soon -give him; but with what zeal and animation he expresses himself--how -fond of his profession--how loud in the praise of others--how modest when -speaking of himself!" - -"Hector is much obliged to you, my lord," replied his uncle, gratified, -yet not so much so as to suppress his consciousness of his own mental -superiority over the young soldier; "I believe in my heart nobody ever -spoke half so much good of him before, except perhaps the sergeant of -his company, when was wheedling a Highland recruit to enlist with him. -He is a good lad notwithstanding, although he be not quite the hero your -lordship supposes him, and although my commendations rather attest the -kindness than the vivacity of his character. In fact, his high spirit is -a sort of constitutional vehemence, which attends him in everything he -sets about, and is often very inconvenient to his friends. I saw him -to-day engage in an animated contest with a phoca, or seal (sealgh, our -people more properly call them, retaining the Gothic guttural gh), with -as much vehemence as if he had fought against Dumourier--Marry, my lord, -the phoca had the better, as the said Dumourier had of some other folks. -And he'll talk with equal if not superior rapture of the good behaviour -of a pointer bitch, as of the plan of a campaign." - -"He shall have full permission to sport over my grounds," said the Earl, -"if he is so fond of that exercise." - -"You will bind him to you, my lord," said Monkbarns, "body and soul: -give him leave to crack off his birding-piece at a poor covey of -partridges or moor-fowl, and he's yours for ever--I will enchant him by -the intelligence. But O, my lord, that you could have seen my phoenix -Lovel!--the very prince and chieftain of the youth of this age; and not -destitute of spirit neither--I promise you he gave my termagant kinsman -a quid pro quo--a Rowland for his Oliver, as the vulgar say, alluding to -the two celebrated Paladins of Charlemagne." - -After coffee, Lord Glenallan requested a private interview with the -Antiquary, and was ushered to his library. - -"I must withdraw you from your own amiable family," he said, "to involve -you in the perplexities of an unhappy man. You are acquainted with the -world, from which I have long been banished; for Glenallan House has -been to me rather a prison than a dwelling, although a prison which I -had neither fortitude nor spirit to break from." - -"Let me first ask your lordship," said the Antiquary, "what are your own -wishes and designs in this matter?" - -"I wish most especially," answered Lord Glenallan, "to declare my -luckless marriage, and to vindicate the reputation of the unhappy -Eveline--that is, if you see a possibility of doing so without making -public the conduct of my mother." - -"Suum cuique tribuito," said the Antiquary; "do right to everyone. The -memory of that unhappy young lady has too long suffered, and I think it -might be cleared without further impeaching that of your mother, than -by letting it be understood in general that she greatly disapproved and -bitterly opposed the match. All--forgive me, my lord--all who ever -heard of the late Countess of Glenallan, will learn that without much -surprise." - -"But you forget one horrible circumstance, Mr. Oldbuck," said the Earl, -in an agitated voice. - -"I am not aware of it," replied the Antiquary. - -"The fate of the infant--its disappearance with the confidential -attendant of my mother, and the dreadful surmises which may be drawn -from my conversation with Elspeth." - -"If you would have my free opinion, my lord," answered Mr. Oldbuck, "and -will not catch too rapidly at it as matter of hope, I would say that it -is very possible the child yet lives. For thus much I ascertained, by my -former inquiries concerning the event of that deplorable evening, that -a child and woman were carried that night from the cottage at the -Craigburnfoot in a carriage and four by your brother Edward Geraldin -Neville, whose journey towards England with these companions I traced -for several stages. I believed then it was a part of the family compact -to carry a child whom you meant to stigmatize with illegitimacy, out of -that country where chance might have raised protectors and proofs of its -rights. But I now think that your brother, having reason, like yourself, -to believe the child stained with shame yet more indelible, had -nevertheless withdrawn it, partly from regard to the honour of his -house, partly from the risk to which it might have been exposed in the -neighbourhood of the Lady Glenallan." - -As he spoke, the Earl of Glenallan grew extremely pale, and had nearly -fallen from his chair.--The alarmed Antiquary ran hither and thither -looking for remedies; but his museum, though sufficiently well filled -with a vast variety of useless matters, contained nothing that could be -serviceable on the present or any other occasion. As he posted out -of the room to borrow his sister's salts, he could not help giving a -constitutional growl of chagrin and wonder at the various incidents -which had converted his mansion, first into an hospital for a wounded -duellist, and now into the sick chamber of a dying nobleman. "And yet," -said he, "I have always kept aloof from the soldiery and the peerage. -My coenobitium has only next to be made a lying-in hospital, and then, I -trow, the transformation will be complete." - -When he returned with the remedy, Lord Glenallan was much better. -The new and unexpected light which Mr. Oldbuck had thrown upon the -melancholy history of his family had almost overpowered him. "You think, -then, Mr. Oldbuck--for you are capable of thinking, which I am not--you -think, then, that it is possible--that is, not impossible--my child may -yet live?" - -"I think," said the Antiquary, "it is impossible that it could come to -any violent harm through your brother's means. He was known to be a gay -and dissipated man, but not cruel nor dishonourable; nor is it possible, -that, if he had intended any foul play, he would have placed himself so -forward in the charge of the infant, as I will prove to your lordship he -did." - -So saying, Mr. Oldbuck opened a drawer of the cabinet of his ancestor -Aldobrand, and produced a bundle of papers tied with a black ribband, -and labelled,--Examinations, etc., taken by Jonathan Oldbuck, J. P., upon -the 18th of February, 17--; a little under was written, in a small -hand, Eheu Evelina! The tears dropped fast from the Earl's eyes, as -he endeavoured, in vain, to unfasten the knot which secured these -documents. - -"Your lordship," said Mr. Oldbuck, "had better not read these at -present. Agitated as you are, and having much business before you, you -must not exhaust your strength. Your brother's succession is now, I -presume, your own, and it will be easy for you to make inquiry among -his servants and retainers, so as to hear where the child is, if, -fortunately, it shall be still alive." - -"I dare hardly hope it," said the Earl, with a deep sigh. "Why should my -brother have been silent to me?" - -"Nay, my lord, why should he have communicated to your lordship the -existence of a being whom you must have supposed the offspring of"-- - -"Most true--there is an obvious and a kind reason for his being silent. -If anything, indeed, could have added to the horror of the ghastly dream -that has poisoned my whole existence, it must have been the knowledge -that such a child of misery existed." - -"Then," continued the Antiquary, "although it would be rash to conclude, -at the distance of more than twenty years, that your son must needs be -still alive because he was not destroyed in infancy, I own I think you -should instantly set on foot inquiries." - -"It shall be done," replied Lord Glenallan, catching eagerly at the -hope held out to him, the first he had nourished for many years;--"I will -write to a faithful steward of my father, who acted in the same capacity -under my brother Neville--But, Mr. Oldbuck, I am not my brother's heir." - -"Indeed!--I am sorry for that, my lord--it is a noble estate, and the -ruins of the old castle of Neville's-Burgh alone, which are the most -superb relics of Anglo-Norman architecture in that part of the country, -are a possession much to be coveted. I thought your father had no other -son or near relative." - -"He had not, Mr. Oldbuck," replied Lord Glenallan; "but my brother -adopted views in politics, and a form of religion, alien from those -which had been always held by our house. Our tempers had long differed, -nor did my unhappy mother always think him sufficiently observant -to her. In short, there was a family quarrel, and my brother, whose -property was at his own free disposal, availed himself of the power -vested in him to choose a stranger for his heir. It is a matter which -never struck me as being of the least consequence--for if worldly -possessions could alleviate misery, I have enough and to spare. But -now I shall regret it, if it throws any difficulty in the way of our -inquiries--and I bethink me that it may; for in case of my having a -lawful son of my body, and my brother dying without issue, my father's -possessions stood entailed upon my son. It is not therefore likely -that this heir, be he who he may, will afford us assistance in making a -discovery which may turn out so much to his own prejudice." - -"And in all probability the steward your lordship mentions is also in -his service," said the Antiquary. - -"It is most likely; and the man being a Protestant--how far it is safe to -entrust him"-- - -"I should hope, my lord," said Oldbuck gravely, "that a Protestant -may be as trustworthy as a Catholic. I am doubly interested in the -Protestant faith, my lord. My ancestor, Aldobrand Oldenbuck, printed the -celebrated Confession of Augsburg, as I can show by the original edition -now in this house." - -"I have not the least doubt of what you say, Mr. Oldbuck," replied the -Earl, "nor do I speak out of bigotry or intolerance; but probably the -Protestant steward will favour the Protestant heir rather than the -Catholic--if, indeed, my son has been bred in his father's faith--or, -alas! if indeed he yet lives." - -"We must look close into this," said Oldbuck, "before committing -ourselves. I have a literary friend at York, with whom I have long -corresponded on the subject of the Saxon horn that is preserved in the -Minster there; we interchanged letters for six years, and have only as -yet been able to settle the first line of the inscription. I will write -forthwith to this gentleman, Dr. Dryasdust, and be particular in my -inquiries concerning the character, etc., of your brother's heir, of -the gentleman employed in his affairs, and what else may be likely to -further your lordship's inquiries. In the meantime your lordship -will collect the evidence of the marriage, which I hope can still be -recovered?" - -"Unquestionably," replied the Earl: "the witnesses, who were formerly -withdrawn from your research, are still living. My tutor, who solemnized -the marriage, was provided for by a living in France, and has lately -returned to this country as an emigrant, a victim of his zeal for -loyalty, legitimacy, and religion." - -"That's one lucky consequence of the French, revolution, my lord--you -must allow that, at least," said Oldbuck: "but no offence; I will act -as warmly in your affairs as if I were of your own faith in politics -and religion. And take my advice--If you want an affair of consequence -properly managed, put it into the hands of an antiquary; for as they -are eternally exercising their genius and research upon trifles, it -is impossible they can be baffled in affairs of importance;--use makes -perfect--and the corps that is most frequently drilled upon the parade, -will be most prompt in its exercise upon the day of battle. And, talking -upon that subject, I would willingly read to your lordship, in order to -pass away the time betwixt and supper"-- - -"I beg I may not interfere with family arrangements," said Lord -Glenallan, "but I never taste anything after sunset." - -"Nor I either, my lord," answered his host, "notwithstanding it is said -to have been the custom of the ancients. But then I dine differently -from your lordship, and therefore am better enabled to dispense with -those elaborate entertainments which my womankind (that is, my sister -and niece, my lord) are apt to place on the table, for the display -rather of their own house-wifery than the accommodation of our wants. -However, a broiled bone, or a smoked haddock, or an oyster, or a slice -of bacon of our own curing, with a toast and a tankard--or something or -other of that sort, to close the orifice of the stomach before going -to bed, does not fall under my restriction, nor, I hope, under your -lordship's." - -"My no-supper is literal, Mr. Oldbuck; but I will attend you at your -meal with pleasure." - -"Well, my lord," replied the Antiquary, "I will endeavour to entertain -your ears at least, since I cannot banquet your palate. What I am about -to read to your lordship relates to the upland glens." - -Lord Glenallan, though he would rather have recurred to the subject of -his own uncertainties, was compelled to make a sign of rueful civility -and acquiescence. - -The Antiquary, therefore, took out his portfolio of loose sheets, and -after premising that the topographical details here laid down were -designed to illustrate a slight essay upon castrametation, which had -been read with indulgence at several societies of Antiquaries, he -commenced as follows: "The subject, my lord, is the hill-fort of -Quickens-bog, with the site of which your lordship is doubtless -familiar--it is upon your store-farm of Mantanner, in the barony of -Clochnaben." - -"I think I have heard the names of these places," said the Earl, in -answer to the Antiquary's appeal. - -"Heard the name? and the farm brings him six hundred a-year--O Lord!" - -Such was the scarce-subdued ejaculation of the Antiquary. But his -hospitality got the better of his surprise, and he proceeded to read his -essay with an audible voice, in great glee at having secured a patient, -and, as he fondly hoped, an interested hearer. - -"Quickens-bog may at first seem to derive its name from the plant -Quicken, by which, Scottice, we understand couch-grass, dog-grass, or -the Triticum repens of Linnaeus, and the common English monosyllable -Bog, by which we mean, in popular language, a marsh or morass--in -Latin, Palus. But it may confound the rash adopters of the more obvious -etymological derivations, to learn that the couch-grass or dog-grass, -or, to speak scientifically, the Triticum repens of Linnaeus, does not -grow within a quarter of a mile of this castrum or hill-fort, whose -ramparts are uniformly clothed with short verdant turf; and that we must -seek a bog or palus at a still greater distance, the nearest being that -of Gird-the-mear, a full half-mile distant. The last syllable, bog, is -obviously, therefore, a mere corruption of the Saxon Burgh, which we -find in the various transmutations of Burgh, Burrow, Brough, -Bruff, Buff, and Boff, which last approaches very near the sound in -question--since, supposing the word to have been originally borgh, which -is the genuine Saxon spelling, a slight change, such as modern organs -too often make upon ancient sounds, will produce first Bogh, and then, -elisa H, or compromising and sinking the guttural, agreeable to the -common vernacular practice, you have either Boff or Bog as it happens. -The word Quickens requires in like manner to be altered,--decomposed, -as it were,--and reduced to its original and genuine sound, ere we can -discern its real meaning. By the ordinary exchange of the Qu into -Wh, familiar to the rudest tyro who has opened a book of old Scottish -poetry, we gain either Whilkens, or Whichensborgh--put we may suppose, -by way of question, as if those who imposed the name, struck with the -extreme antiquity of the place, had expressed in it an interrogation, To -whom did this fortress belong?'--Or, it might be Whackens-burgh, from the -Saxon Whacken, to strike with the hand, as doubtless the skirmishes -near a place of such apparent consequence must have legitimated such a -derivation," etc. etc. etc. - -I will be more merciful to my readers than Oldbuck was to his guest; -for, considering his opportunities of gaining patient attention from a -person of such consequence as Lord Glenallan were not many, he used, or -rather abused, the present to the uttermost. - - - - -CHAPTER FIFTEENTH. - - Crabbed age and youth - Cannot live together:-- - Youth is full of pleasance, - Age is full of care; - Youth like summer morn, - Age like winter weather; - Youth like summer brave, - Age like winter bare. - Shakspeare. - -In the morning of the following day, the Antiquary, who was something -of a sluggard, was summoned from his bed a full hour earlier than his -custom by Caxon. "What's the matter now?" he exclaimed, yawning and -stretching forth his hand to the huge gold repeater, which, bedded upon -his India silk handkerchief, was laid safe by his pillow--"what's the -matter now, Caxon?--it can't be eight o'clock yet." - -"Na, sir,--but my lord's man sought me out, for he fancies me your -honour's valley-de-sham,--and sae I am, there's nae doubt o't, baith your -honour's and the minister's--at least ye hae nae other that I ken -o'--and I gie a help to Sir Arthur too, but that's mair in the way o' my -profession." - -"Well, well--never mind that," said the Antiquary--"happy is he that is -his own valley-de-sham, as you call it--But why disturb my morning's -rest?" - -"Ou, sir, the great man's been up since peep o' day, and he's steered -the town to get awa an express to fetch his carriage, and it will be -here briefly, and he wad like to see your honour afore he gaes awa." - -"Gadso!" ejaculated Oldbuck, "these great men use one's house and time -as if they were their own property. Well, it's once and away. Has Jenny -come to her senses yet, Caxon?" - -"Troth, sir, but just middling," replied the barber; "she's been in a -swither about the jocolate this morning, and was like to hae toomed it -a' out into the slap-bason, and drank it hersell in her ecstacies--but -she's won ower wi't, wi' the help o' Miss M'Intyre." - -"Then all my womankind are on foot and scrambling, and I must enjoy my -quiet bed no longer, if I would have a well-regulated house--Lend me my -gown. And what are the news at Fairport?" - -"Ou, sir, what can they be about but this grand news o' my lord," -answered the old man, "that hasna been ower the door-stane, they threep -to me, for this twenty years--this grand news of his coming to visit your -honour?" - -"Aha!" said Monkbarns; "and what do they say of that, Caxon?" - -"'Deed, sir, they hae various opinions. Thae fallows, that are the -democraws, as they ca' them, that are again' the king and the law, and -hairpowder and dressing o' gentlemen's wigs--a wheen blackguards--they -say he's come doun to speak wi' your honour about bringing doun his hill -lads and Highland tenantry to break up the meetings of the Friends o' -the People;--and when I said your honour never meddled wi' the like o' -sic things where there was like to be straiks and bloodshed, they said, -if ye didna, your nevoy did, and that he was weel ken'd to be a kingsman -that wad fight knee-deep, and that ye were the head and he was the hand, -and that the Yerl was to bring out the men and the siller." - -"Come," said the Antiquary, laughing--"I am glad the war is to cost me -nothing but counsel." - -"Na, na," said Caxon--"naebody thinks your honour wad either fight -yoursell, or gie ony feck o' siller to ony side o' the question." - -"Umph! well, that's the opinion of the democraws, as you call them--What -say the rest o' Fairport?" - -"In troth," said the candid reporter, "I canna say it's muckle better. -Captain Coquet, of the volunteers--that's him that's to be the new -collector,--and some of the other gentlemen of the Blue and a' Blue Club, -are just saying it's no right to let popists, that hae sae mony French -friends as the Yerl of Glenallan, gang through the country, and--but your -honour will maybe be angry?" - -"Not I, Caxon," said Oldbuck; "fire away as if you were Captain Coquet's -whole platoon--I can stand it." - -"Weel then, they say, sir, that as ye didna encourage the petition about -the peace, and wadna petition in favour of the new tax, and as you were -again' bringing in the yeomanry at the meal mob, but just for settling -the folk wi' the constables--they say ye're no a gude friend to -government; and that thae sort o' meetings between sic a powerfu' man as -the Yerl, and sic a wise man as you,--Od they think they suld be lookit -after; and some say ye should baith be shankit aff till Edinburgh -Castle." - -"On my word," said the Antiquary, "I am infinitely obliged to my -neighbours for their good opinion of me! And so I, that have never -interfered with their bickerings, but to recommend quiet and moderate -measures, am given up on both sides as a man very likely to commit high -treason, either against King or People?--Give me my coat, Caxon--give me -my coat;--it's lucky I live not in their report. Have you heard anything -of Taffril and his vessel?" - -Caxon's countenance fell.--"Na, sir, and the winds hae been high, -and this is a fearfu' coast to cruise on in thae eastern gales,--the -headlands rin sae far out, that a veshel's embayed afore I could sharp -a razor; and then there's nae harbour or city of refuge on our coast--a' -craigs and breakers;--a veshel that rins ashore wi' us flees asunder like -the powther when I shake the pluff--and it's as ill to gather ony o't -again. I aye tell my daughter thae things when she grows wearied for -a letter frae Lieutenant Taffril--It's aye an apology for him. Ye sudna -blame him, says I, hinny, for ye little ken what may hae happened." - -"Ay, ay, Caxon, thou art as good a comforter as a valet-de-chambre.--Give -me a white stock, man,--dye think I can go down with a handkerchief about -my neck when I have company?" - -"Dear sir, the Captain says a three-nookit hankercher is the maist -fashionable overlay, and that stocks belang to your honour and me that -are auld warld folk. I beg pardon for mentioning us twa thegither, but -it was what he said." - -"The Captain's a puppy, and you are a goose, Caxon." - -"It's very like it may be sae," replied the acquiescent barber: "I am -sure your honour kens best." - -Before breakfast, Lord Glenallan, who appeared in better spirits than he -had evinced in the former evening, went particularly through the various -circumstances of evidence which the exertions of Oldbuck had formerly -collected; and pointing out the means which he possessed of completing -the proof of his marriage, expressed his resolution instantly to go -through the painful task of collecting and restoring the evidence -concerning the birth of Eveline Neville, which Elspeth had stated to be -in his mother's possession. - -"And yet, Mr. Oldbuck," he said, "I feel like a man who receives -important tidings ere he is yet fully awake, and doubt whether they -refer to actual life, or are not rather a continuation of his dream. -This woman--this Elspeth,--she is in the extremity of age, and approaching -in many respects to dotage. Have I not--it is a hideous question--have I -not been hasty in the admission of her present evidence, against that -which she formerly gave me to a very--very different purpose?" - -Mr. Oldbuck paused a moment, and then answered with firmness--"No, my -lord; I cannot think you have any reason to suspect the truth of what -she has told you last, from no apparent impulse but the urgency of -conscience. Her confession was voluntary, disinterested, distinct, -consistent with itself, and with all the other known circumstances of -the case. I would lose no time, however, in examining and arranging -the other documents to which she has referred; and I also think her -own statement should be taken down, if possible in a formal manner. We -thought of setting about this together. But it will be a relief to -your lordship, and moreover have a more impartial appearance, were I to -attempt the investigation alone in the capacity of a magistrate. I will -do this--at least I will attempt it, so soon as I shall see her in a -favourable state of mind to undergo an examination." - -Lord Glenallan wrung the Antiquary's hand in token of grateful -acquiescence. "I cannot express to you," he said, "Mr. Oldbuck, how -much your countenance and cooperation in this dark and most melancholy -business gives me relief and confidence. I cannot enough applaud myself -for yielding to the sudden impulse which impelled me, as it were, to -drag you into my confidence, and which arose from the experience I had -formerly of your firmness in discharge of your duty as a magistrate, -and as a friend to the memory of the unfortunate. Whatever the issue of -these matters may prove,--and I would fain hope there is a dawn breaking -on the fortunes of my house, though I shall not live to enjoy its -light,--but whatsoever be the issue, you have laid my family and me under -the most lasting obligation." - -"My lord," answered the Antiquary, "I must necessarily have the greatest -respect for your lordship's family, which I am well aware is one of -the most ancient in Scotland, being certainly derived from Aymer de -Geraldin, who sat in parliament at Perth, in the reign of Alexander II., -and who by the less vouched, yet plausible tradition of the country, is -said to have been descended from the Marmor of Clochnaben. Yet, with all -my veneration for your ancient descent, I must acknowledge that I find -myself still more bound to give your lordship what assistance is in my -limited power, from sincere sympathy with your sorrows, and detestation -at the frauds which have so long been practised upon you.--But, my lord, -the matin meal is, I see, now prepared--Permit me to show your lordship -the way through the intricacies of my cenobitium, which is rather a -combination of cells, jostled oddly together, and piled one upon the top -of the other, than a regular house. I trust you will make yourself some -amends for the spare diet of yesterday." - -But this was no part of Lord Glenallan's system. Having saluted the -company with the grave and melancholy politeness which distinguished his -manners, his servant placed before him a slice of toasted bread, with a -glass of fair water, being the fare on which he usually broke his fast. -While the morning's meal of the young soldier and the old Antiquary -was despatched in much more substantial manner, the noise of wheels was -heard. - -"Your lordship's carriage, I believe," said Oldbuck, stepping to the -window. "On my word, a handsome quadriga,--for such, according to the -best scholium, was the vox signata of the Romans for a chariot which, -like that of your lordship, was drawn by four horses." - -"And I will venture to say," cried Hector, eagerly gazing from the -window, "that four handsomer or better-matched bays never were put in -harness--What fine forehands!--what capital chargers they would make!-- -Might I ask if they are of your lordship's own breeding?" - -"I--I--rather believe so," said Lord Glenallan; "but I have been so -negligent of my domestic matters, that I am ashamed to say I must apply -to Calvert" (looking at the domestic). - -"They are of your lordship's own breeding," said Calvert, "got by Mad -Tom out of Jemina and Yarico, your lordship's brood mares." - -"Are there more of the set?" said Lord Glenallan. - -"Two, my lord,--one rising four, the other five off this grass, both very -handsome." - -"Then let Dawkins bring them down to Monkbarns to-morrow," said the -Earl--"I hope Captain M'Intyre will accept them, if they are at all fit -for service." - -Captain M'Intyre's eyes sparkled, and he was profuse in grateful -acknowledgments; while Oldbuck, on the other hand, seizing the Earl's -sleeve, endeavoured to intercept a present which boded no good to his -corn-chest and hay-loft. - -"My lord--my lord--much obliged--much obliged--But Hector is a pedestrian, -and never mounts on horseback in battle--he is a Highland soldier, -moreover, and his dress ill adapted for cavalry service. Even Macpherson -never mounted his ancestors on horseback, though he has the impudence to -talk of their being car-borne--and that, my lord, is what is running in -Hector's head--it is the vehicular, not the equestrian exercise, which he -envies-- - - Sunt quos curriculo pulverem Olympicum - Collegisse juvat. - -His noddle is running on a curricle, which he has neither money to buy, -nor skill to drive if he had it; and I assure your lordship, that the -possession of two such quadrupeds would prove a greater scrape than any -of his duels, whether with human foe or with my friend the phoca." - -"You must command us all at present, Mr. Oldbuck," said the Earl -politely; "but I trust you will not ultimately prevent my gratifying my -young friend in some way that may afford him pleasure." - -"Anything useful, my lord," said Oldbuck, "but no curriculum--I protest -he might as rationally propose to keep a quadriga at once--And now I -think of it, what is that old post-chaise from Fairport come jingling -here for?--I did not send for it." - -"I did, sir," said Hector, rather sulkily, for he was not much gratified -by his uncle's interference to prevent the Earl's intended generosity, -nor particularly inclined to relish either the disparagement which he -cast upon his skill as a charioteer, or the mortifying allusion to his -bad success in the adventures of the duel and the seal. - -"You did, sir?" echoed the Antiquary, in answer to his concise -information. "And pray, what may be your business with a post-chaise? -Is this splendid equipage--this biga, as I may call it--to serve for an -introduction to a quadriga or a curriculum?" - -"Really, sir," replied the young soldier, "if it be necessary to give -you such a specific explanation, I am going to Fairport on a little -business." - -"Will you permit me to inquire into the nature of that business, -Hector?" answered his uncle, who loved the exercise of a little brief -authority over his relative. "I should suppose any regimental affairs -might be transacted by your worthy deputy the sergeant--an honest -gentleman, who is so good as to make Monkbarns his home since his -arrival among us--I should, I say, suppose that he may transact any -business of yours, without your spending a day's pay on two dog-horses, -and such a combination of rotten wood, cracked glass, and leather--such a -skeleton of a post-chaise, as that before the door." - -"It is not regimental business, sir, that calls me; and, since you -insist upon knowing, I must inform you Caxon has brought word this -morning that old Ochiltree, the beggar, is to be brought up for -examination to-day, previous to his being committed for trial; and I'm -going to see that the poor old fellow gets fair play--that's all." - -"Ay?--I heard something of this, but could not think it serious. And -pray, Captain Hector, who are so ready to be every man's second on all -occasions of strife, civil or military, by land, by water, or on the -sea-beach, what is your especial concern with old Edie Ochiltree?" - -"He was a soldier in my father's company, sir," replied Hector; "and -besides, when I was about to do a very foolish thing one day, he -interfered to prevent me, and gave me almost as much good advice, sir, -as you could have done yourself." - -"And with the same good effect, I dare be sworn for it--eh, Hector?-- -Come, confess it was thrown away." - -"Indeed it was, sir; but I see no reason that my folly should make me -less grateful for his intended kindness." - -"Bravo, Hector! that's the most sensible thing I ever heard you say. -But always tell me your plans without reserve,--why, I will go with you -myself, man. I am sure the old fellow is not guilty, and I will assist -him in such a scrape much more effectually than you can do. Besides, it -will save thee half-a-guinea, my lad--a consideration which I heartily -pray you to have more frequently before your eyes." - -Lord Glenallan's politeness had induced him to turn away and talk with -the ladies, when the dispute between the uncle and nephew appeared to -grow rather too animated to be fit for the ear of a stranger, but the -Earl mingled again in the conversation when the placable tone of the -Antiquary expressed amity. Having received a brief account of the -mendicant, and of the accusation brought against him, which Oldbuck did -not hesitate to ascribe to the malice of Dousterswivel, Lord Glenallan -asked, whether the individual in question had not been a soldier -formerly?--He was answered in the affirmative. - -"Had he not," continued his Lordship, "a coarse blue coat, or gown, with -a badge?--was he not a tall, striking-looking old man, with grey beard -and hair, who kept his body remarkably erect, and talked with an air -of ease and independence, which formed a strong contrast to his -profession?" - -"All this is an exact picture of the man," refumed Oldbuck. - -"Why, then," continued Lord Glenallan, "although I fear I can be of no -use to him in his present condition, yet I owe him a debt of gratitude -for being the first person who brought me some tidings of the utmost -importance. I would willingly offer him a place of comfortable -retirement, when he is extricated from his present situation." - -"I fear, my lord," said Oldbuck, "he would have difficulty in -reconciling his vagrant habits to the acceptance of your bounty, at -least I know the experiment has been tried without effect. To beg from -the public at large he considers as independence, in comparison to -drawing his whole support from the bounty of an individual. He is so far -a true philosopher, as to be a contemner of all ordinary rules of hours -and times. When he is hungry he eats; when thirsty he drinks; when weary -he sleeps; and with such indifference with respect to the means and -appliances about which we make a fuss, that I suppose he was never ill -dined or ill lodged in his life. Then he is, to a certain extent, the -oracle of the district through which he travels--their genealogist, their -newsman, their master of the revels, their doctor at a pinch, or their -divine;--I promise you he has too many duties, and is too zealous in -performing them, to be easily bribed to abandon his calling. But I -should be truly sorry if they sent the poor light-hearted old man to -lie for weeks in a jail. I am convinced the confinement would break his -heart." - -Thus finished the conference. Lord Glenallan, having taken leave of -the ladies, renewed his offer to Captain M'Intyre of the freedom of his -manors for sporting, which was joyously accepted. - -"I can only add," he said, "that if your spirits are not liable to be -damped by dull company, Glenallan House is at all times open to you. On -two days of the week, Friday and Saturday, I keep my apartment, which -will be rather a relief to you, as you will be left to enjoy the society -of my almoner, Mr. Gladsmoor, who is a scholar and a man of the world." - -Hector, his heart exulting at the thoughts of ranging through the -preserves of Glenallan House, and over the well-protected moors of -Clochnaben--nay, joy of joys! the deer-forest of Strath-Bonnel--made many -acknowledgements of the honour and gratitude he felt. Mr. Oldbuck -was sensible of the Earl's attention to his nephew; Miss M'Intyre was -pleased because her brother was gratified; and Miss Griselda Oldbuck -looked forward with glee to the potting of whole bags of moorfowl and -black-game, of which Mr. Blattergowl was a professed admirer. Thus,-- -which is always the case when a man of rank leaves a private family -where he has studied to appear obliging,--all were ready to open in -praise of the Earl as soon as he had taken his leave, and was wheeled -off in his chariot by the four admired bays. But the panegyric was cut -short, for Oldbuck and his nephew deposited themselves in the Fairport -hack, which, with one horse trotting, and the other urged to a canter, -creaked, jingled, and hobbled towards that celebrated seaport, in a -manner that formed a strong contrast to the rapidity and smoothness with -which Lord Glenallan's equipage had seemed to vanish from their eyes. - - - - -CHAPTER SIXTEENTH. - - Yes! I love justice well--as well as you do-- - But since the good dame's blind, she shall excuse me - If, time and reason fitting, I prove dumb;-- - The breath I utter now shall be no means - To take away from me my breath in future. - Old Play. - -By dint of charity from the town's-people in aid of the load of -provisions he had brought with him into durance, Edie Ochiltree had -passed a day or two's confinement without much impatience, regretting -his want of freedom the less, as the weather proved broken and rainy. - -"The prison," he said, "wasna sae dooms bad a place as it was ca'd. Ye -had aye a good roof ower your head to fend aff the weather, and, if the -windows werena glazed, it was the mair airy and pleasant for the summer -season. And there were folk enow to crack wi', and he had bread eneugh -to eat, and what need he fash himsell about the rest o't?" - -The courage of our philosophical mendicant began, however, to abate, -when the sunbeams shone fair on the rusty bars of his grated dungeon, -and a miserable linnet, whose cage some poor debtor had obtained -permission to attach to the window, began to greet them with his -whistle. - -"Ye're in better spirits than I am," said Edie, addressing the bird, -"for I can neither whistle nor sing for thinking o' the bonny burnsides -and green shaws that I should hae been dandering beside in weather like -this. But hae--there's some crumbs t'ye, an ye are sae merry; and troth -ye hae some reason to sing an ye kent it, for your cage comes by nae -faut o' your ain, and I may thank mysell that I am closed up in this -weary place." - -Ochiltree's soliloquy was disturbed by a peace-officer, who came to -summon him to attend the magistrate. So he set forth in awful procession -between two poor creatures, neither of them so stout as he was himself, -to be conducted into the presence of inquisitorial justice. The people, -as the aged prisoner was led along by his decrepit guards, exclaimed to -each other, "Eh! see sic a grey-haired man as that is, to have -committed a highway robbery, wi' ae fit in the grave!"--And the children -congratulated the officers, objects of their alternate dread and -sport, Puggie Orrock and Jock Ormston, on having a prisoner as old as -themselves. - -Thus marshalled forward, Edie was presented (by no means for the first -time) before the worshipful Bailie Littlejohn, who, contrary to what his -name expressed, was a tall portly magistrate, on whom corporation -crusts had not been conferred in vain. He was a zealous loyalist of that -zealous time, somewhat rigorous and peremptory in the execution of -his duty, and a good deal inflated with the sense of his own power and -importance;--otherwise an honest, well-meaning, and useful citizen. - -"Bring him in! bring him in!" he exclaimed. "Upon my word these are -awful and unnatural times! the very bedesmen and retainers of his -Majesty are the first to break his laws. Here has been an old Blue-Gown -committing robbery--I suppose the next will reward the royal charity -which supplies him with his garb, pension, and begging license, by -engaging in high-treason, or sedition at least--But bring him in." - -Edie made his obeisance, and then stood, as usual, firm and erect, with -the side of his face turned a little upward, as if to catch every -word which the magistrate might address to him. To the first general -questions, which respected only his name and calling, the mendicant -answered with readiness and accuracy; but when the magistrate, having -caused his clerk to take down these particulars, began to inquire -whereabout the mendicant was on the night when Dousterswivel met with -his misfortune, Edie demurred to the motion. "Can ye tell me now, -Bailie, you that understands the law, what gude will it do me to answer -ony o' your questions?" - -"Good?--no good certainly, my friend, except that giving a true account -of yourself, if you are innocent, may entitle me to set you at liberty." - -"But it seems mair reasonable to me now, that you, Bailie, or anybody -that has anything to say against me, should prove my guilt, and no to be -bidding me prove my innocence." - -"I don't sit here," answered the magistrate, "to dispute points of law -with you. I ask you, if you choose to answer my question, whether you -were at Ringan Aikwood, the forester's, upon the day I have specified?" - -"Really, sir, I dinna feel myself called on to remember," replied the -cautious bedesman. - -"Or whether, in the course of that day or night," continued the -magistrate, "you saw Steven, or Steenie, Mucklebackit?--you knew him, I -suppose?" - -"O, brawlie did I ken Steenie, puir fallow," replied the prisoner;--"but -I canna condeshend on ony particular time I have seen him lately." - -"Were you at the ruins of St. Ruth any time in the course of that -evening?" - -"Bailie Littlejohn," said the mendicant, "if it be your honour's -pleasure, we'll cut a lang tale short, and I'll just tell ye, I am no -minded to answer ony o' thae questions--I'm ower auld a traveller to let -my tongue bring me into trouble." - -"Write down," said the magistrate, "that he declines to answer all -interrogatories, in respect that by telling the truth he might be -brought to trouble." - -"Na, na," said Ochiltree, "I'll no hae that set down as ony part o' my -answer--but I just meant to say, that in a' my memory and practice, I -never saw ony gude come o' answering idle questions." - -"Write down," said the Bailie, "that, being acquainted with judicial -interrogatories by long practice, and having sustained injury by -answering questions put to him on such occasions, the declarant refuses." - -"Na, na, Bailie," reiterated Edie, "ye are no to come in on me that gait -neither." - -"Dictate the answer yourself then, friend," said the magistrate, "and -the clerk will take it down from your own mouth." - -"Ay, ay," said Edie--"that's what I ca' fair play; I'se do that without -loss o' time. Sae, neighbour, ye may just write down, that Edie -Ochiltree, the declarant, stands up for the liberty--na, I maunna say -that neither--I am nae liberty-boy--I hae fought again' them in the riots -in Dublin--besides, I have ate the King's bread mony a day. Stay, let -me see. Ay--write that Edie Ochiltree, the Blue-Gown, stands up for the -prerogative--(see that ye spell that word right--it's a lang ane)--for the -prerogative of the subjects of the land, and winna answer a single word -that sall be asked at him this day, unless he sees a reason fort. Put -down that, young man." - -"Then, Edie," said the magistrate, "since you will give no information -on the subject, I must send you back to prison till you shall be -delivered in due course of law." - -"Aweel, sir, if it's Heaven's will and man's will, nae doubt I maun -submit," replied the mendicant. "I hae nae great objection to the -prison, only that a body canna win out o't; and if it wad please you -as weel, Bailie, I wad gie you my word to appear afore the Lords at the -Circuit, or in ony other coart ye like, on ony day ye are pleased to -appoint." - -"I rather think, my good friend," answered Bailie Littlejohn, "your word -might be a slender security where your neck may be in some danger. I am -apt to think you would suffer the pledge to be forfeited. If you could -give me sufficient security, indeed"-- - -At this moment the Antiquary and Captain M'Intyre entered the -apartment.--"Good morning to you, gentlemen," said the magistrate; "you -find me toiling in my usual vocation--looking after the iniquities of the -people--labouring for the respublica, Mr. Oldbuck--serving the King our -master, Captain M'Intyre,--for I suppose you know I have taken up the -sword?" - -"It is one of the emblems of justice, doubtless," answered the -Antiquary;--"but I should have thought the scales would have suited you -better, Bailie, especially as you have them ready in the warehouse." - -"Very good, Monkbarns--excellent! But I do not take the sword up as -justice, but as a soldier--indeed I should rather say the musket and -bayonet--there they stand at the elbow of my gouty chair, for I am scarce -fit for drill yet--a slight touch of our old acquaintance podagra; I can -keep my feet, however, while our sergeant puts me through the manual. -I should like to know, Captain M'Intyre, if he follows the regulations -correctly--he brings us but awkwardly to the present." And he hobbled -towards his weapon to illustrate his doubts and display his proficiency. - -"I rejoice we have such zealous defenders, Bailie," replied Mr. Oldbuck; -"and I dare say Hector will gratify you by communicating his opinion -on your progress in this new calling. Why, you rival the Hecate' of -the ancients, my good sir--a merchant on the Mart, a magistrate in the -Townhouse, a soldier on the Links--quid non pro patria? But my business -is with the justice; so let commerce and war go slumber." - -"Well, my good sir," said the Bailie, "and what commands have you for -me?" - -"Why, here's an old acquaintance of mine, called Edie Ochiltree, whom -some of your myrmidons have mewed up in jail on account of an alleged -assault on that fellow Dousterswivel, of whose accusation I do not -believe one word." - -The magistrate here assumed a very grave countenance. "You ought to have -been informed that he is accused of robbery, as well as assault--a very -serious matter indeed; it is not often such criminals come under my -cognizance." - -"And," replied Oldbuck, "you are tenacious of the opportunity of making -the very most of such as occur. But is this poor old man's case really -so very bad?" - -"It is rather out of rule," said the Bailie--"but as you are in the -commission, Monkbarns, I have no hesitation to show you Dousterswivel's -declaration, and the rest of the precognition." And he put the papers -into the Antiquary's hands, who assumed his spectacles, and sat down in -a corner to peruse them. - -The officers, in the meantime, had directions to remove their prisoner -into another apartment; but before they could do so, M'Intyre took an -opportunity to greet old Edie, and to slip a guinea into his hand. - -"Lord bless your honour!" said the old man; "it's a young soldier's -gift, and it should surely thrive wi' an auld ane. I'se no refuse it, -though it's beyond my rules; for if they steek me up here, my friends -are like eneugh to forget me--out o'sight out o'mind, is a true proverb; -and it wadna be creditable for me, that am the king's bedesman, and -entitled to beg by word of mouth, to be fishing for bawbees out at the -jail window wi' the fit o' a stocking, and a string." As he made this -observation he was conducted out of the apartment. - -Mr. Dousterswivel's declaration contained an exaggerated account of the -violence he had sustained, and also of his loss. - -"But what I should have liked to have asked him," said Monkbarns, "would -have been his purpose in frequenting the ruins of St. Ruth, so lonely -a place, at such an hour, and with such a companion as Edie Ochiltree. -There is no road lies that way, and I do not conceive a mere passion for -the picturesque would carry the German thither in such a night of storm -and wind. Depend upon it, he has been about some roguery, and in all -probability hath been caught in a trap of his own setting--Nec lex -justitior ulla." - -The magistrate allowed there was something mysterious in that -circumstance, and apologized for not pressing Dousterswivel, as his -declaration was voluntarily emitted. But for the support of the main -charge, he showed the declaration of the Aikwoods concerning the state -in which Dousterswivel was found, and establishing the important fact -that the mendicant had left the barn in which he was quartered, and did -not return to it again. Two people belonging to the Fairport undertaker, -who had that night been employed in attending the funeral of Lady -Glenallan, had also given declarations, that, being sent to pursue -two suspicious persons who left the ruins of St. Ruth as the funeral -approached, and who, it was supposed, might have been pillaging some -of the ornaments prepared for the ceremony, they had lost and regained -sight of them more than once, owing to the nature of the ground, which -was unfavourable for riding, but had at length fairly lodged them both -in Mucklebackit's cottage. And one of the men added, that "he, the -declarant, having dismounted from his horse, and gone close up to -the window of the hut, he saw the old Blue-Gown and young Steenie -Mucklebackit, with others, eating and drinking in the inside, and -also observed the said Steenie Mucklebackit show a pocket-book to -the others;--and declarant has no doubt that Ochiltree and Steenie -Mucklebackit were the persons whom he and his comrade had pursued, as -above mentioned." And being interrogated why he did not enter the said -cottage, declares, "he had no warrant so to do; and that as Mucklebackit -and his family were understood to be rough-handed folk, he, the -declarant, had no desire to meddle or make with their affairs, Causa -scientiae patet. All which he declares to be truth," etc. - -"What do you say to that body of evidence against your friend?" said the -magistrate, when he had observed the Antiquary had turned the last leaf. - -"Why, were it in the case of any other person, I own I should say it -looked, prima facie, a little ugly; but I cannot allow anybody to be in -the wrong for beating Dousterswivel--Had I been an hour younger, or had -but one single flash of your warlike genius, Bailie, I should have done -it myself long ago. He is nebulo nebulonum, an impudent, fraudulent, -mendacious quack, that has cost me a hundred pounds by his roguery, and -my neighbour Sir Arthur, God knows how much. And besides, Bailie, I do -not hold him to be a sound friend to Government." - -"Indeed?" said Bailie Littlejohn; "if I thought that, it would alter the -question considerably." - -"Right--for, in beating him," observed Oldbuck, "the bedesman must have -shown his gratitude to the king by thumping his enemy; and in robbing -him, he would only have plundered an Egyptian, whose wealth it is lawful -to spoil. Now, suppose this interview in the ruins of St. Ruth had -relation to politics,--and this story of hidden treasure, and so forth, -was a bribe from the other side of the water for some great man, or the -funds destined to maintain a seditious club?" - -"My dear sir," said the magistrate, catching at the idea, "you hit my -very thoughts! How fortunate should I be if I could become the humble -means of sifting such a matter to the bottom!--Don't you think we had -better call out the volunteers, and put them on duty?" - -"Not just yet, while podagra deprives them of an essential member of -their body. But will you let me examine Ochiltree?" - -"Certainly; but you'll make nothing of him. He gave me distinctly to -understand he knew the danger of a judicial declaration on the part of -an accused person, which, to say the truth, has hanged many an honester -man than he is." - -"Well, but, Bailie," continued Oldbuck, "you have no objection to let me -try him?" - -"None in the world, Monkbarns. I hear the sergeant below--I'll rehearse -the manual in the meanwhile. Baby, carry my gun and bayonet down to the -room below--it makes less noise there when we ground arms." And so exit -the martial magistrate, with his maid behind him bearing his weapons. - -"A good squire that wench for a gouty champion," observed Oldbuck.-- -"Hector, my lad, hook on, hook on--Go with him, boy--keep him employed, -man, for half-an-hour or so--butter him with some warlike terms--praise -his dress and address." - -Captain M'Intyre, who, like many of his profession, looked down with -infinite scorn on those citizen soldiers who had assumed arms without -any professional title to bear them, rose with great reluctance, -observing that he should not know what to say to Mr. Littlejohn; and -that to see an old gouty shop-keeper attempting the exercise and duties -of a private soldier, was really too ridiculous. - -"It may be so, Hector," said the Antiquary, who seldom agreed with any -person in the immediate proposition which was laid down--"it may possibly -be so in this and some other instances; but at present the country -resembles the suitors in a small-debt court, where parties plead in -person, for lack of cash to retain the professed heroes of the bar. I -am sure in the one case we never regret the want of the acuteness and -eloquence of the lawyers; and so, I hope, in the other, we may manage to -make shift with our hearts and muskets, though we shall lack some of the -discipline of you martinets." - -"I have no objection, I am sure, sir, that the whole world should fight -if they please, if they will but allow me to be quiet," said Hector, -rising with dogged reluctance. - -"Yes, you are a very quiet personage indeed," said his uncle, "whose -ardour for quarrelling cannot pass so much as a poor phoca sleeping upon -the beach!" - -But Hector, who saw which way the conversation was tending, and hated -all allusions to the foil he had sustained from the fish, made his -escape before the Antiquary concluded the sentence. - - - - -CHAPTER SEVENTEENTH. - - Well, well, at worst, 'tis neither theft nor coinage, - Granting I knew all that you charge me with. - What though the tomb hath borne a second birth, - And given the wealth to one that knew not on't, - Yet fair exchange was never robbery, - Far less pure bounty-- - Old Play. - -The Antiquary, in order to avail himself of the permission given him to -question the accused party, chose rather to go to the apartment in which -Ochiltree was detained, than to make the examination appear formal by -bringing him again into the magistrate's office. He found the old man -seated by a window which looked out on the sea; and as he gazed on that -prospect, large tears found their way, as if unconsciously, to his eye, -and from thence trickled down his cheeks and white beard. His features -were, nevertheless, calm and composed, and his whole posture and mien -indicated patience and resignation. Oldbuck had approached him without -being observed, and roused him out of his musing by saying kindly, "I -am sorry, Edie, to see you so much cast down about this matter." - -[Illustration: The Antiquary Visits Edie in Prison] - -The mendicant started, dried his eyes very hastily with the sleeve of -his gown, and endeavouring to recover his usual tone of indifference -and jocularity, answered, but with a voice more tremulous than usual, -"I might weel hae judged, Monkbarns, it was you, or the like o' you, -was coming in to disturb me--for it's ae great advantage o' prisons and -courts o' justice, that ye may greet your een out an ye like, and nane -o' the folk that's concerned about them will ever ask you what it's -for." - -"Well, Edie," replied Oldbuck, "I hope your present cause of distress is -not so bad but it may be removed." - -"And I had hoped, Monkbarns," answered the mendicant, in a tone of -reproach, "that ye had ken'd me better than to think that this bit -trifling trouble o' my ain wad bring tears into my auld een, that hae -seen far different kind o' distress.--Na, na!--But here's been the puir -lass, Caxon's daughter, seeking comfort, and has gotten unco little-- -there's been nae speerings o' Taffril's gunbrig since the last gale; -and folk report on the key that a king's ship had struck on the Reef -of Rattray, and a' hands lost--God forbid! for as sure as you live, -Monkbarns, the puir lad Lovel, that ye liked sae weel, must have -perished." - -"God forbid indeed!" echoed the Antiquary, turning pale--"I would rather -Monkbarns House were on fire. My poor dear friend and coadjutor! I will -down to the quay instantly." - -"I'm sure yell learn naething mair than I hae tauld ye, sir," said -Ochiltree, "for the officer-folk here were very civil (that is, for the -like o' them), and lookit up ae their letters and authorities, and could -throw nae light on't either ae way or another." - -"It can't be true! it shall not be true!" said the Antiquary, "And I -won't believe it if it were!--Taffril's an excellent sea man, and Lovel -(my poor Lovel!) has all the qualities of a safe and pleasant companion -by land or by sea--one, Edie, whom, from the ingenuousness of his -disposition, I would choose, did I ever go a sea-voyage (which I never -do, unless across the ferry), fragilem mecum solvere phaselum, to be the -companion of my risk, as one against whom the elements could nourish no -vengeance. No, Edie, it is not, and cannot be true--it is a fiction of -the idle jade Rumour, whom I wish hanged with her trumpet about her -neck, that serves only with its screech-owl tones to fright honest folks -out of their senses.--Let me know how you got into this scrape of your -own." - -"Are ye axing me as a magistrate, Monkbarns, or is it just for your ain -satisfaction!" - -"For my own satisfaction solely," replied the Antiquary. - -"Put up your pocket-book and your keelyvine pen then, for I downa -speak out an ye hae writing materials in your hands--they're a scaur -to unlearned folk like me--Od, ane o' the clerks in the neist room will -clink down, in black and white, as muckle as wad hang a man, before ane -kens what he's saying." - -Monkbarns complied with the old man's humour, and put up his -memorandum-book. - -Edie then went with great frankness through the part of the story -already known to the reader, informing the Antiquary of the scene which -he had witnessed between Dousterswivel and his patron in the ruins -of St. Ruth, and frankly confessing that he could not resist the -opportunity of decoying the adept once more to visit the tomb of -Misticot, with the purpose of taking a comic revenge upon him for his -quackery. He had easily persuaded Steenie, who was a bold thoughtless -young fellow, to engage in the frolic along with him, and the jest -had been inadvertently carried a great deal farther than was designed. -Concerning the pocket-book, he explained that he had expressed his -surprise and sorrow as soon as he found it had been inadvertently -brought off: and that publicly, before all the inmates of the cottage, -Steenie had undertaken to return it the next day, and had only been -prevented by his untimely fate. - -The Antiquary pondered a moment, and then said, "Your account seems very -probable, Edie, and I believe it from what I know of the parties. But I -think it likely that you know a great deal more than you have thought it -proper to tell me, about this matter of the treasure trove--I suspect you -have acted the part of the Lar Familiaris in Plautus--a sort of -Brownie, Edie, to speak to your comprehension, who watched over hidden -treasures.--I do bethink me you were the first person we met when Sir -Arthur made his successful attack upon Misticot's grave, and also that -when the labourers began to flag, you, Edie, were again the first to -leap into the trench, and to make the discovery of the treasure. Now you -must explain all this to me, unless you would have me use you as ill as -Euclio does Staphyla in the Aulularia." - -"Lordsake, sir," replied the mendicant, "what do I ken about your -Howlowlaria?--it's mair like a dog's language than a man's." - -"You knew, however, of the box of treasure being there?" continued -Oldbuck. - -"Dear sir," answered Edie, assuming a countenance of great simplicity, -"what likelihood is there o'that? d'ye think sae puir an auld creature -as me wad hae kend o' sic a like thing without getting some gude out -o't?--and ye wot weel I sought nane and gat nane, like Michael Scott's -man. What concern could I hae wi't?" - -"That's just what I want you to explain to me," said Oldbuck; "for I am -positive you knew it was there." - -"Your honour's a positive man, Monkbarns--and, for a positive man, I must -needs allow ye're often in the right." - -"You allow, then, Edie, that my belief is well founded?" - -Edie nodded acquiescence. - -"Then please to explain to me the whole affair from beginning to end," -said the Antiquary. - -"If it were a secret o' mine, Monkbarns," replied the beggar, "ye suldna -ask twice; for I hae aye said ahint your back, that for a' the nonsense -maggots that ye whiles take into your head, ye are the maist wise and -discreet o' a' our country gentles. But I'se een be open-hearted wi' -you, and tell you that this is a friend's secret, and that they suld -draw me wi' wild horses, or saw me asunder, as they did the children of -Ammon, sooner than I would speak a word mair about the matter, excepting -this, that there was nae ill intended, but muckle gude, and that the -purpose was to serve them that are worth twenty hundred o' me. But -there's nae law, I trow, that makes it a sin to ken where ither folles -siller is, if we didna pit hand til't oursell?" - -Oldbuck walked once or twice up and down the room in profound thought, -endeavouring to find some plausible reason for transactions of a nature -so mysterious--but his ingenuity was totally at fault. He then placed -himself before the prisoner. - -"This story of yours, friend Edie, is an absolute enigma, and would -require a second OEdipus to solve it--who OEdipus was, I will tell you -some other time if you remind me--However, whether it be owing to the -wisdom or to the maggots with which you compliment me, I am strongly -disposed to believe that you have spoken the truth, the rather that you -have not made any of those obtestations of the superior powers, which -I observe you and your comrades always make use of when you mean to -deceive folks." (Here Edie could not suppress a smile.) "If, therefore, -you will answer me one question, I will endeavour to procure your -liberation." - -"If ye'll let me hear the question," said Edie, with the caution of a -canny Scotchman, "I'll tell you whether I'll answer it or no." - -"It is simply," said the Antiquary, "Did Dousterswivel know anything -about the concealment of the chest of bullion?" - -"He, the ill-fa'ard loon!" answered Edie, with much frankness of manner-- -"there wad hae been little speerings o't had Dustansnivel ken'd it was -there--it wad hae been butter in the black dog's hause." - -"I thought as much," said Oldbuck. "Well, Edie, if I procure your -freedom, you must keep your day, and appear to clear me of the -bail-bond, for these are not times for prudent men to incur forfeitures, -unless you can point out another Aulam auri plenam quadrilibrem--another -Search, No. I." - -"Ah!" said the beggar, shaking his head, "I doubt the bird's flown that -laid thae golden eggs--for I winna ca' her goose, though that's the gait -it stands in the story-buick--But I'll keep my day, Monkbarns; ye'se no -loss a penny by me--And troth I wad fain be out again, now the weather's -fine--and then I hae the best chance o' hearing the first news o' my -friends." - -"Well, Edie, as the bouncing and thumping beneath has somewhat ceased, I -presume Bailie Littlejohn has dismissed his military preceptor, and has -retired from the labours of Mars to those of Themis--I will have some -conversation with him--But I cannot and will not believe any of those -wretched news you were telling me." - -"God send your honour may be right!" said the mendicant, as Oldbuck left -the room. - -The Antiquary found the magistrate, exhausted with the fatigues of the -drill, reposing in his gouty chair, humming the air, "How merrily we -live that soldiers be!" and between each bar comforting himself with -a spoonful of mock-turtle soup. He ordered a similar refreshment for -Oldbuck, who declined it, observing, that, not being a military man, he -did not feel inclined to break his habit of keeping regular hours for -meals--"Soldiers like you, Bailie, must snatch their food as they find -means and time. But I am sorry to hear ill news of young Taffril's -brig." - -"Ah, poor fellow!" said the bailie, "he was a credit to the town--much -distinguished on the first of June." - -"But," said Oldbuck, "I am shocked to hear you talk of him in the -preterite tense." - -"Troth, I fear there may be too much reason for it, Monkbarns;--and -yet let us hope the best. The accident is said to have happened in -the Rattray reef of rocks, about twenty miles to the northward, near -Dirtenalan Bay--I have sent to inquire about it--and your nephew run out -himself as if he had been flying to get the Gazette of a victory." - -Here Hector entered, exclaiming as he came in, "I believe it's all a -damned lie--I can't find the least authority for it, but general rumour." - -"And pray, Mr. Hector," said his uncle, "if it had been true, whose -fault would it have been that Lovel was on board?" - -"Not mine, I am sure," answered Hector; "it would have been only my -misfortune." - -"Indeed!" said his uncle, "I should not have thought of that." - -"Why, sir, with all your inclination to find me in the wrong," replied -the young soldier, "I suppose you will own my intention was not to blame -in this case. I did my best to hit Lovel, and if I had been successful, -'tis clear my scrape would have been his, and his scrape would have been -mine." - -"And whom or what do you intend to hit now, that you are lugging with -you that leathern magazine there, marked Gunpowder?" - -"I must be prepared for Lord Glenallan's moors on the twelfth, sir," -said M'Intyre. - -"Ah, Hector! thy great chasse, as the French call it, would take place -best-- - - Omne cum Proteus pecus agitaret altos - Visere montes-- - -Could you meet but with a martial phoca, instead of an unwarlike -heath-bird." - -"The devil take the seal, sir, or phoca, if you choose to call it so! -It's rather hard one can never hear the end of a little piece of folly -like that." - -"Well, well," said Oldbuck, "I am glad you have the grace to be ashamed -of it--as I detest the whole race of Nimrods, I wish them all as well -matched. Nay, never start off at a jest, man--I have done with the -phoca--though, I dare say, the Bailie could tell us the value of -seal-skins just now." - -"They are up," said the magistrate, "they are well up--the fishing has -been unsuccessful lately." - -"We can bear witness to that," said the tormenting Antiquary, who was -delighted with the hank this incident had given him over the young -sportsman: One word more, Hector, and - - We'll hang a seal-skin on thy recreant limbs. - -Aha, my boy! Come, never mind it; I must go to business.--Bailie, a -word with you: you must take bail--moderate bail, you understand--for old -Ochiltree's appearance." - -"You don't consider what you ask," said the Bailie; "the offence is -assault and robbery." - -"Hush! not a word about it," said the Antiquary. "I gave you a hint -before--I will possess you more fully hereafter--I promise you, there is a -secret." - -"But, Mr. Oldbuck, if the state is concerned, I, who do the whole -drudgery business here, really have a title to be consulted, and until I -am"-- - -"Hush! hush!" said the Antiquary, winking and putting his finger to his -nose,--"you shall have the full credit, the entire management, whenever -matters are ripe. But this is an obstinate old fellow, who will not hear -of two people being as yet let into his mystery, and he has not fully -acquainted me with the clew to Dousterswivel's devices." - -"Aha! so we must tip that fellow the alien act, I suppose?" - -"To say truth, I wish you would." - -"Say no more," said the magistrate; "it shall forthwith be done--he -shall be removed tanquam suspect--I think that's one of your own phrases, -Monkbarns?" - -"It is classical, Bailie--you improve." - -"Why, public business has of late pressed upon me so much, that I have -been obliged to take my foreman into partnership. I have had two several -correspondences with the Under Secretary of State--one on the proposed -tax on Riga hemp-seed, and the other on putting down political -societies. So you might as well communicate to me as much as you know of -this old fellow's discovery of a plot against the state." - -"I will, instantly, when I am master of it," replied Oldbuck---"I hate -the trouble of managing such matters myself. Remember, however, I -did not say decidedly a plot against the state I only say I hope to -discover, by this man's means, a foul plot." - -"If it be a plot at all, there must be treason in it, or sedition at -least," said the Bailie--"Will you bail him for four hundred merks?" - -"Four hundred merks for an old Blue-Gown! Think on the act 1701 -regulating bail-bonds!--Strike off a cipher from the sum--I am content to -bail him for forty merks." - -"Well, Mr. Oldbuck, everybody in Fairport is always willing to oblige -you--and besides, I know that you are a prudent man, and one that would -be as unwilling to lose forty, as four hundred merks. So I will accept -your bail, meo periculo--what say you to that law phrase again? I had -it from a learned counsel. I will vouch it, my lord, he said, meo -periculo." - -"And I will vouch for Edie Ochiltree, meo periculo, in like manner," -said Oldbuck. "So let your clerk draw out the bail-bond, and I will sign -it." - -When this ceremony had been performed, the Antiquary communicated to -Edie the joyful tidings that he was once more at liberty, and directed -him to make the best of his way to Monkbarns House, to which he himself -returned with his nephew, after having perfected their good work. - - - - -CHAPTER EIGHTEENTH. - - Full of wise saws and modern instances. - As You Like It. - -"I wish to Heaven, Hector," said the Antiquary, next morning after -breakfast, "you would spare our nerves, and not be keeping snapping that -arquebuss of yours." - -"Well, sir, I'm sure I'm sorry to disturb you," said his nephew, still -handling his fowling-piece;--"but it's a capital gun--it's a Joe Manton, -that cost forty guineas." - -"A fool and his money are soon parted, nephew--there is a Joe Miller for -your Joe Manton," answered the Antiquary; "I am glad you have so many -guineas to throw away." - -"Every one has their fancy, uncle,--you are fond of books." - -"Ay, Hector," said the uncle, "and if my collection were yours, you -would make it fly to the gunsmith, the horse-market, the dog-breaker,-- -Coemptos undique nobiles libros--mutare loricis Iberis." - -"I could not use your books, my dear uncle," said the young soldier, -"that's true; and you will do well to provide for their being in better -hands. But don't let the faults of my head fall on my heart--I would -not part with a Cordery that belonged to an old friend, to get a set of -horses like Lord Glenallan's." - -"I don't think you would, lad--I don't think you would," said his -softening relative. "I love to tease you a little sometimes; it keeps up -the spirit of discipline and habit of subordination--You will pass your -time happily here having me to command you, instead of Captain, or -Colonel, or Knight in Arms,' as Milton has it; and instead of the -French," he continued, relapsing into his ironical humour, "you have the -Gens humida ponti--for, as Virgil says, - - Sternunt se somno diversae in littore phocae; - -which might be rendered, - - Here phocae slumber on the beach, - Within our Highland Hector's reach. - -Nay, if you grow angry, I have done. Besides, I see old Edie in the -court-yard, with whom I have business. Good-bye, Hector--Do you remember -how she splashed into the sea like her master Proteus, et se jactu dedit -aequor in altum?" - -M'Intyre,--waiting, however, till the door was shut,--then gave way to the -natural impatience of his temper. - -"My uncle is the best man in the world, and in his way the kindest; but -rather than hear any more about that cursed phoca, as he is pleased to -call it, I would exchange for the West Indies, and never see his face -again." - -Miss M'Intyre, gratefully attached to her uncle, and passionately -fond of her brother, was, on such occasions, the usual envoy of -reconciliation. She hastened to meet her uncle on his return, before he -entered the parlour. - -"Well, now, Miss Womankind, what is the meaning of that imploring -countenance?--has Juno done any more mischief?" - -"No, uncle; but Juno's master is in such fear of your joking him about -the seal--I assure you, he feels it much more than you would wish;--it's -very silly of him, to be sure; but then you can turn everybody so -sharply into ridicule"-- - -"Well, my dear," answered Oldbuck, propitiated by the compliment, "I -will rein in my satire, and, if possible, speak no more of the phoca--I -will not even speak of sealing a letter, but say umph, and give a nod -to you when I want the wax-light--I am not monitoribus asper, but, Heaven -knows, the most mild, quiet, and easy of human beings, whom sister, -niece, and nephew, guide just as best pleases them." - -With this little panegyric on his own docility, Mr. Oldbuck entered the -parlour, and proposed to his nephew a walk to the Mussel-crag. "I -have some questions to ask of a woman at Mucklebackit's cottage," he -observed, "and I would willingly have a sensible witness with me--so, for -fault of a better, Hector, I must be contented with you." - -"There is old Edie, sir, or Caxon--could not they do better than me?" -answered M'Intyre, feeling somewhat alarmed at the prospect of a long -tete-a-tete with his uncle. - -"Upon my word, young man, you turn me over to pretty companions, and I -am quite sensible of your politeness," replied Mr. Oldbuck. "No, sir, -I intend the old Blue-Gown shall go with me--not as a competent witness, -for he is, at present, as our friend Bailie Littlejohn says (blessings -on his learning!) tanquam suspectus, and you are suspicione major, as -our law has it." - -"I wish I were a major, sir," said Hector, catching only the last, and, -to a soldier's ear, the most impressive word in the sentence,--"but, -without money or interest, there is little chance of getting the step." - -"Well, well, most doughty son of Priam," said the Antiquary, "be ruled -by your friends, and there's no saying what may happen--Come away with -me, and you shall see what may be useful to you should you ever sit upon -a court-martial, sir." - -"I have been on many a regimental court-martial, sir," answered Captain -M'Intyre. "But here's a new cane for you." - -"Much obliged, much obliged." - -"I bought it from our drum-major," added M'Intyre, "who came into our -regiment from the Bengal army when it came down the Red Sea. It was cut -on the banks of the Indus, I assure you." - -"Upon my word, 'tis a fine ratan, and well replaces that which the ph-- -Bah! what was I going to say?" - -The party, consisting of the Antiquary, his nephew, and the old beggar, -now took the sands towards Mussel-crag--the former in the very highest -mood of communicating information, and the others, under a sense of -former obligation, and some hope for future favours, decently attentive -to receive it. The uncle and nephew walked together, the mendicant about -a step and a half behind, just near enough for his patron to speak to -him by a slight inclination of his neck, and without the trouble of -turning round. (Petrie, in his Essay on Good-breeding, dedicated to the -magistrates of Edinburgh, recommends, upon his own experience, as tutor -in a family of distinction, this attitude to all led captains, tutors, -dependants, and bottle-holders of every description. ) Thus escorted, -the Antiquary moved along full of his learning, like a lordly man -of war, and every now and then yawing to starboard and larboard to -discharge a broadside upon his followers. - -"And so it is your opinion," said he to the mendicant, "that this -windfall--this _arca auri_, as Plautus has it, will not greatly avail Sir -Arthur in his necessities?" - -"Unless he could find ten times as much," said the beggar, "and that I -am sair doubtful of;--I heard Puggie Orrock, and the tother thief of a -sheriff-officer, or messenger, speaking about it--and things are ill aff -when the like o' them can speak crousely about ony gentleman's affairs. -I doubt Sir Arthur will be in stane wa's for debt, unless there's swift -help and certain." - -"You speak like a fool," said the Antiquary.--"Nephew, it is a remarkable -thing, that in this happy country no man can be legally imprisoned for -debt." - -"Indeed, sir?" said M'Intyre; "I never knew that before--that part of our -law would suit some of our mess well." - -"And if they arena confined for debt," said Ochiltree, "what is't that -tempts sae mony puir creatures to bide in the tolbooth o' Fairport -yonder?--they a' say they were put there by their creditors--Od! they maun -like it better than I do, if they're there o' free will." - -"A very natural observation, Edie, and many of your betters would -make the same; but it is founded entirely upon ignorance of the feudal -system. Hector, be so good as to attend, unless you are looking out -for another-- Ahem!" (Hector compelled himself to give attention at this -hint. ) "And you, Edie, it may be useful to you reram cognoscere causas. -The nature and origin of warrant for caption is a thing haud alienum -a Scaevolae studiis.--You must know then, once more, that nobody can be -arrested in Scotland for debt." - -"I haena muckle concern wi' that, Monkbarns," said the old man, "for -naebody wad trust a bodle to a gaberlunzie." - -"I pr'ythee, peace, man--As a compulsitor, therefore, of payment, that -being a thing to which no debtor is naturally inclined, as I have too -much reason to warrant from the experience I have had with my own,--we -had first the letters of four forms, a sort of gentle invitation, by -which our sovereign lord the king, interesting himself, as a monarch -should, in the regulation of his subjects' private affairs, at first by -mild exhortation, and afterwards by letters of more strict enjoinment -and more hard compulsion--What do you see extraordinary about that bird, -Hector?--it's but a seamaw." - -"It's a pictarnie, sir," said Edie. - -"Well, what an if it were--what does that signify at present?--But I see -you're impatient; so I will waive the letters of four forms, and come to -the modern process of diligence.--You suppose, now, a man's committed to -prison because he cannot pay his debt? Quite otherwise: the truth is, -the king is so good as to interfere at the request of the creditor, and -to send the debtor his royal command to do him justice within a certain -time--fifteen days, or six, as the case may be. Well, the man resists and -disobeys: what follows? Why, that he be lawfully and rightfully declared -a rebel to our gracious sovereign, whose command he has disobeyed, and -that by three blasts of a horn at the market-place of Edinburgh, the -metropolis of Scotland. And he is then legally imprisoned, not on -account of any civil debt, but because of his ungrateful contempt of the -royal mandate. What say you to that, Hector?--there's something you never -knew before."* - -* The doctrine of Monkbarns on the origin of imprisonment for civil debt -in Scotland, may appear somewhat whimsical, but was referred to, and -admitted to be correct, by the Bench of the Supreme Scottish Court, on -5th December 1828, in the case of Thom v. Black. In fact, the Scottish -law is in this particular more jealous of the personal liberty of the -subject than any other code in Europe. - -"No, uncle; but, I own, if I wanted money to pay my debts, I would -rather thank the king to send me some, than to declare me a rebel for -not doing what I could not do." - -"Your education has not led you to consider these things," replied -his uncle; "you are incapable of estimating the elegance of the legal -fiction, and the manner in which it reconciles that duress, which, -for the protection of commerce, it has been found necessary to extend -towards refractory debtors, with the most scrupulous attention to the -liberty of the subject." - -"I don't know, sir," answered the unenlightened Hector; "but if a man -must pay his debt or go to jail, it signifies but little whether he goes -as a debtor or a rebel, I should think. But you say this command of the -king's gives a license of so many days--Now, egad, were I in the scrape, -I would beat a march and leave the king and the creditor to settle it -among themselves before they came to extremities." - -"So wad I," said Edie; "I wad gie them leg-bail to a certainty." - -"True," replied Monkbarns; "but those whom the law suspects of being -unwilling to abide her formal visit, she proceeds with by means of a -shorter and more unceremonious call, as dealing with persons on whom -patience and favour would be utterly thrown away." - -"Ay," said Ochiltree, "that will be what they ca' the fugie-warrants--I -hae some skeel in them. There's Border-warrants too in the south -country, unco rash uncanny things;--I was taen up on ane at Saint James's -Fair, and keepit in the auld kirk at Kelso the haill day and night; and -a cauld goustie place it was, I'se assure ye.--But whatna wife's this, -wi' her creel on her back? It's puir Maggie hersell, I'm thinking." - -It was so. The poor woman's sense of her loss, if not diminished, was -become at least mitigated by the inevitable necessity of attending to -the means of supporting her family; and her salutation to Oldbuck was -made in an odd mixture between the usual language of solicitation with -which she plied her customers, and the tone of lamentation for her -recent calamity. - -"How's a' wi' ye the day, Monkbarns? I havena had the grace yet to come -down to thank your honour for the credit ye did puir Steenie, wi' laying -his head in a rath grave, puir fallow. "--Here she whimpered and wiped -her eyes with the corner of her blue apron--"But the fishing comes on no -that ill, though the gudeman hasna had the heart to gang to sea himsell-- -Atweel I would fain tell him it wad do him gude to put hand to wark--but -I'm maist fear'd to speak to him--and it's an unco thing to hear ane o' -us speak that gate o' a man--However, I hae some dainty caller haddies, -and they sall be but three shillings the dozen, for I hae nae pith to -drive a bargain ennow, and maun just tak what ony Christian body will -gie, wi' few words and nae flyting." - -"What shall we do, Hector?" said Oldbuck, pausing: "I got into disgrace -with my womankind for making a bad bargain with her before. These -maritime animals, Hector, are unlucky to our family." - -"Pooh, sir, what would you do?--give poor Maggie what she asks, or allow -me to send a dish of fish up to Monkbarns." - -And he held out the money to her; but Maggie drew back her hand. "Na, -na, Captain; ye're ower young and ower free o' your siller--ye should -never tak a fish-wife's first bode; and troth I think maybe a flyte -wi' the auld housekeeper at Monkbarns, or Miss Grizel, would do me -some gude--And I want to see what that hellicate quean Jenny Ritherout's -doing--folk said she wasna weel--She'll be vexing hersell about Steenie, -the silly tawpie, as if he wad ever hae lookit ower his shouther at the -like o'her!--Weel, Monkbarns, they're braw caller haddies, and they'll -bid me unco little indeed at the house if ye want crappit-heads the -day." - -And so on she paced with her burden,--grief, gratitude for the sympathy -of her betters, and the habitual love of traffic and of gain, chasing -each other through her thoughts. - -"And now that we are before the door of their hut," said Ochiltree, "I -wad fain ken, Monkbarns, what has gar'd ye plague yoursell wi' me a' -this length? I tell ye sincerely I hae nae pleasure in ganging in there. -I downa bide to think how the young hae fa'en on a' sides o' me, and -left me an useless auld stump wi' hardly a green leaf on't." - -"This old woman," said Oldbuck, "sent you on a message to the Earl of -Glenallan, did she not?" - -"Ay!" said the surprised mendicant; "how ken ye that sae weel?" - -"Lord Glenallan told me himself," answered the Antiquary; "so there is -no delation--no breach of trust on your part; and as he wishes me to take -her evidence down on some important family matters, I chose to bring -you with me, because in her situation, hovering between dotage and -consciousness, it is possible that your voice and appearance may -awaken trains of recollection which I should otherwise have no means of -exciting. The human mind--what are you about, Hector?" - -"I was only whistling for the dog, sir," replied the Captain "she always -roves too wide--I knew I should be troublesome to you." - -"Not at all, not at all," said Oldbuck, resuming the subject of his -disquisition--"the human mind is to be treated like a skein of ravelled -silk, where you must cautiously secure one free end before you can make -any progress in disentangling it." - -"I ken naething about that," said the gaberlunzie; "but an my auld -acquaintance be hersell, or anything like hersell, she may come to wind -us a pirn. It's fearsome baith to see and hear her when she wampishes -about her arms, and gets to her English, and speaks as if she were a -prent book, let a-be an auld fisher's wife. But, indeed, she had a grand -education, and was muckle taen out afore she married an unco bit beneath -hersell. She's aulder than me by half a score years--but I mind weel -eneugh they made as muckle wark about her making a half-merk marriage -wi' Simon Mucklebackit, this Saunders's father, as if she had been -ane o' the gentry. But she got into favour again, and then she lost it -again, as I hae heard her son say, when he was a muckle chield; and then -they got muckle siller, and left the Countess's land, and settled here. -But things never throve wi' them. Howsomever, she's a weel-educate -woman, and an she win to her English, as I hae heard her do at an orra -time, she may come to fickle us a'." - - - - -CHAPTER NINETEENTH - - Life ebbs from such old age, unmarked and silent, - As the slow neap-tide leaves yon stranded galley.-- - Late she rocked merrily at the least impulse - That wind or wave could give; but now her keel - Is settling on the sand, her mast has ta'en - An angle with the sky, from which it shifts not. - Each wave receding shakes her less and less, - Till, bedded on the strand, she shall remain - Useless as motionless. - Old Play. - -As the Antiquary lifted the latch of the hut, he was surprised to hear -the shrill tremulous voice of Elspeth chanting forth an old ballad in a -wild and doleful recitative. - - "The herring loves the merry moonlight, - The mackerel loves the wind, - But the oyster loves the dredging sang, - For they come of a gentle kind." - -A diligent collector of these legendary scraps of ancient poetry, his -foot refused to cross the threshold when his ear was thus arrested, and -his hand instinctively took pencil and memorandum-book. From time to -time the old woman spoke as if to the children--"Oh ay, hinnies, whisht! -whisht! and I'll begin a bonnier ane than that-- - - "Now haud your tongue, baith wife and carle, - And listen, great and sma', - And I will sing of Glenallan's Earl - That fought on the red Harlaw. - - "The cronach's cried on Bennachie, - And doun the Don and a', - And hieland and lawland may mournfu' be - For the sair field of Harlaw.-- - -I dinna mind the neist verse weel--my memory's failed, and theres unco -thoughts come ower me--God keep us frae temptation!" - -Here her voice sunk in indistinct muttering. - -"It's a historical ballad," said Oldbuck, eagerly, "a genuine and -undoubted fragment of minstrelsy! Percy would admire its simplicity-- -Ritson could not impugn its authenticity." - -"Ay, but it's a sad thing," said Ochiltree, "to see human nature sae -far owertaen as to be skirling at auld sangs on the back of a loss like -hers." - -"Hush! hush!" said the Antiquary--"she has gotten the thread of the story -again. "--And as he spoke, she sung-- - - "They saddled a hundred milk-white steeds, - They hae bridled a hundred black, - With a chafron of steel on each horse's head, - And a good knight upon his back. "-- - -"Chafron!" exclaimed the Antiquary,--"equivalent, perhaps, to -cheveron;--the word's worth a dollar,"--and down it went in his red book. - - "They hadna ridden a mile, a mile, - A mile, but barely ten, - When Donald came branking down the brae - Wi' twenty thousand men. - - "Their tartans they were waving wide, - Their glaives were glancing clear, - Their pibrochs rung frae side to side, - Would deafen ye to hear. - - "The great Earl in his stirrups stood - That Highland host to see: - Now here a knight that's stout and good - May prove a jeopardie: - - "What wouldst thou do, my squire so gay, - That rides beside my reyne, - Were ye Glenallan's Earl the day, - And I were Roland Cheyne? - - "To turn the rein were sin and shame, - To fight were wondrous peril, - What would ye do now, Roland Cheyne, - Were ye Glenallan's Earl?' - -Ye maun ken, hinnies, that this Roland Cheyne, for as poor and auld as -I sit in the chimney-neuk, was my forbear, and an awfu' man he was that -dayin the fight, but specially after the Earl had fa'en, for he blamed -himsell for the counsel he gave, to fight before Mar came up wi' Mearns, -and Aberdeen, and Angus." - -Her voice rose and became more animated as she recited the warlike -counsel of her ancestor-- - - "Were I Glenallan's Earl this tide, - And ye were Roland Cheyne, - The spur should be in my horse's side, - And the bridle upon his mane. - - "If they hae twenty thousand blades, - And we twice ten times ten, - Yet they hae but their tartan plaids, - And we are mail-clad men. - - "My horse shall ride through ranks sae rude, - As through the moorland fern, - Then neer let the gentle Norman blude - Grow cauld for Highland kerne.'" - -"Do you hear that, nephew?" said Oldbuck;--"you observe your Gaelic -ancestors were not held in high repute formerly by the Lowland -warriors." - -"I hear," said Hector, "a silly old woman sing a silly old song. I -am surprised, sir, that you, who will not listen to Ossian's songs of -Selma, can be pleased with such trash. I vow, I have not seen or heard -a worse halfpenny ballad; I don't believe you could match it in any -pedlar's pack in the country. I should be ashamed to think that the -honour of the Highlands could be affected by such doggrel. "--And, -tossing up his head, he snuffed the air indignantly. - -Apparently the old woman heard the sound of their voices; for, ceasing -her song, she called out, "Come in, sirs, come in--good-will never halted -at the door-stane." - -They entered, and found to their surprise Elspeth alone, sitting -"ghastly on the hearth," like the personification of Old Age in -the Hunter's song of the Owl,* "wrinkled, tattered, vile, dim-eyed, -discoloured, torpid." - -* See Mrs. Grant on the Highland Superstitions, vol. ii. p. 260, for -this fine translation from the Gaelic. - -"They're a' out," she said, as they entered; "but an ye will sit a -blink, somebody will be in. If ye hae business wi' my gude-daughter, or -my son, they'll be in belyve,--I never speak on business mysell. Bairns, -gie them seats--the bairns are a' gane out, I trow,"--looking around -her;--"I was crooning to keep them quiet a wee while since; but they hae -cruppen out some gate. Sit down, sirs, they'll be in belyve;" and she -dismissed her spindle from her hand to twirl upon the floor, and soon -seemed exclusively occupied in regulating its motion, as unconscious of -the presence of the strangers as she appeared indifferent to their rank -or business there. - -"I wish," said Oldbuck, "she would resume that canticle, or legendary -fragment. I always suspected there was a skirmish of cavalry before the -main battle of the Harlaw."* - -* Note H. Battle of Harlaw. - -"If your honour pleases," said Edie, "had ye not better proceed to the -business that brought us a' here? I'se engage to get ye the sang ony -time." - -"I believe you are right, Edie--Do manus--I submit. But how shall we -manage? She sits there the very image of dotage. Speak to her, Edie--try -if you can make her recollect having sent you to Glenallan House." - -Edie rose accordingly, and, crossing the floor, placed himself in the -same position which he had occupied during his former conversation with -her. "I'm fain to see ye looking sae weel, cummer; the mair, that the -black ox has tramped on ye since I was aneath your roof-tree." - -"Ay," said Elspeth; but rather from a general idea of misfortune, than -any exact recollection of what had happened,--"there has been distress -amang us of late--I wonder how younger folk bide it--I bide it ill. I -canna hear the wind whistle, and the sea roar, but I think I see the -coble whombled keel up, and some o' them struggling in the waves!--Eh, -sirs; sic weary dreams as folk hae between sleeping and waking, before -they win to the lang sleep and the sound! I could amaist think whiles my -son, or else Steenie, my oe, was dead, and that I had seen the burial. -Isna that a queer dream for a daft auld carline? What for should ony o' -them dee before me?--it's out o' the course o' nature, ye ken." - -"I think you'll make very little of this stupid old woman," said -Hector,--who still nourished, perhaps, some feelings of the dislike -excited by the disparaging mention of his countrymen in her lay--"I think -you'll make but little of her, sir; and it's wasting our time to sit -here and listen to her dotage." - -"Hector," said the Antiquary, indignantly, "if you do not respect her -misfortunes, respect at least her old age and grey hairs: this is the -last stage of existence, so finely treated by the Latin poet-- - - --Omni - Membrorum damno major dementia, quae nec - Nomina, servorum, nec vultus agnoscit amici, - Cum queis preterita coenavit nocte, nec illos - Quos genuit, quos eduxit." - -"That's Latin!" said Elspeth, rousing herself as if she attended to the -lines, which the Antiquary recited with great pomp of diction--"that's -Latin!" and she cast a wild glance around her--"Has there a priest fund -me out at last?" - -"You see, nephew, her comprehension is almost equal to your own of that -fine passage." - -"I hope you think, sir, that I knew it to be Latin as well as she did?" - -"Why, as to that--But stay, she is about to speak." - -"I will have no priest--none," said the beldam, with impotent vehemence; -"as I have lived I will die--none shall say that I betrayed my mistress, -though it were to save my soul!" - -"That bespoke a foul conscience," said the mendicant;--"I wuss she wad -mak a clean breast, an it were but for her sake;" and he again assailed -her. - -"Weel, gudewife, I did your errand to the Yerl." - -"To what Earl? I ken nae Earl;--I ken'd a Countess ance--I wish to Heaven -I had never ken'd her! for by that acquaintance, neighbour, their cam,"-- -and she counted her withered fingers as she spoke "first Pride, then -Malice, then Revenge, then False Witness; and Murder tirl'd at the -door-pin, if he camna ben. And werena thae pleasant guests, think ye, -to take up their quarters in ae woman's heart? I trow there was routh o' -company." - -"But, cummer," continued the beggar, "it wasna the Countess of Glenallan -I meant, but her son, him that was Lord Geraldin." - -"I mind it now," she said; "I saw him no that langsyne, and we had a -heavy speech thegither. Eh, sirs! the comely young lord is turned as -auld and frail as I am: it's muckle that sorrow and heartbreak, and -crossing of true love, will do wi' young blood. But suldna his mither -hae lookit to that hersell?--we were but to do her bidding, ye ken. I -am sure there's naebody can blame me--he wasna my son, and she was my -mistress. Ye ken how the rhyme says--I hae maist forgotten how to sing, -or else the tune's left my auld head-- - - "He turn'd him right and round again, - Said, Scorn na at my mither; - Light loves I may get mony a ane, - But minnie neer anither. - -Then he was but of the half blude, ye ken, and her's was the right -Glenallan after a'. Na, na, I maun never maen doing and suffering for -the Countess Joscelin--never will I maen for that." - -Then drawing her flax from the distaff, with the dogged air of one who -is resolved to confess nothing, she resumed her interrupted occupation. - -"I hae heard," said the mendicant, taking his cue from what Oldbuck -had told him of the family history--"I hae heard, cummer, that some ill -tongue suld hae come between the Earl, that's Lord Geraldin, and his -young bride." - -"Ill tongue?" she said in hasty alarm; "and what had she to fear frae an -ill tongue?--she was gude and fair eneugh--at least a' body said sae. But -had she keepit her ain tongue aff ither folk, she might hae been living -like a leddy for a' that's come and gane yet." - -"But I hae heard say, gudewife," continued Ochiltree, "there was a -clatter in the country, that her husband and her were ower sibb when -they married." - -"Wha durst speak o' that?" said the old woman hastily; "wha durst say -they were married?--wha ken'd o' that?--Not the Countess--not I. If -they wedded in secret, they were severed in secret--They drank of the -fountains of their ain deceit." - -"No, wretched beldam!" exclaimed Oldbuck, who could keep silence -no longer, "they drank the poison that you and your wicked mistress -prepared for them." - -"Ha, ha!" she replied, "I aye thought it would come to this. It's but -sitting silent when they examine me--there's nae torture in our days; -and if there is, let them rend me!--It's ill o' the vassal's mouth that -betrays the bread it eats." - -"Speak to her, Edie," said the Antiquary; "she knows your voice, and -answers to it most readily." - -"We shall mak naething mair out o' her," said Ochiltree. "When she has -clinkit hersell down that way, and faulded her arms, she winna speak a -word, they say, for weeks thegither. And besides, to my thinking, her -face is sair changed since we cam in. However, I'se try her ance mair -to satisfy your honour.--So ye canna keep in mind, cummer, that your auld -mistress, the Countess Joscelin, has been removed?" - -"Removed!" she exclaimed; for that name never failed to produce its -usual effect upon her; "then we maun a' follow--a' maun ride when she is -in the saddle. Tell them to let Lord Geraldin ken we're on before them. -Bring my hood and scarf--ye wadna hae me gang in the carriage wi' my -leddy, and my hair in this fashion?" - -She raised her shrivelled arms, and seemed busied like a woman who puts -on her cloak to go abroad, then dropped them slowly and stiffly; and the -same idea of a journey still floating apparently through her head, she -proceeded, in a hurried and interrupted manner,--"Call Miss Neville--What -do you mean by Lady Geraldin? I said Eveline Neville, not Lady Geraldin-- -there's no Lady Geraldin; tell her that, and bid her change her -wet gown, and no' look sae pale. Bairn! what should she do wi' a -bairn?--maidens hae nane, I trow.--Teresa--Teresa--my lady calls us!--Bring -a candle;--the grand staircase is as mirk as a Yule midnight--We are -coming, my lady!"--With these words she sunk back on the settle, and from -thence sidelong to the floor. * - -* Note I. Elspeth's death. - - Edie ran to support her, but hardly got her in his arms, before he said, -"It's a' ower--she has passed away even with that last word." - -"Impossible," said Oldbuck, hastily advancing, as did his nephew. But -nothing was more certain. She had expired with the last hurried word -that left her lips; and all that remained before them were the mortal -relics of the creature who had so long struggled with an internal sense -of concealed guilt, joined to all the distresses of age and poverty. - -"God grant that she be gane to a better place!" said Edie, as he looked -on the lifeless body; "but oh! there was something lying hard and heavy -at her heart. I have seen mony a ane dee, baith in the field o' battle, -and a fair-strae death at hame; but I wad rather see them a' ower again, -as sic a fearfu' flitting as hers!" - -"We must call in the neighbours," said Oldbuck, when he had somewhat -recovered his horror and astonishment, "and give warning of this -additional calamity. I wish she could have been brought to a confession. -And, though of far less consequence, I could have wished to transcribe -that metrical fragment. But Heaven's will must be done!" - -They left the hut accordingly, and gave the alarm in the hamlet, whose -matrons instantly assembled to compose the limbs and arrange the body of -her who might be considered as the mother of their settlement. Oldbuck -promised his assistance for the funeral. - -"Your honour," said Alison Breck, who was next in age to the deceased, -"suld send doun something to us for keeping up our hearts at the -lykewake, for a' Saunders's gin, puir man, was drucken out at the burial -o' Steenie, and we'll no get mony to sit dry-lipped aside the corpse. -Elspeth was unco clever in her young days, as I can mind right weel, but -there was aye a word o' her no being that chancy. Ane suldna speak ill -o' the dead--mair by token, o' ane's cummer and neighbour--but there -was queer things said about a leddy and a bairn or she left the -Craigburnfoot. And sae, in gude troth, it will be a puir lykewake, -unless your honour sends us something to keep us cracking." - -"You shall have some whisky," answered Oldbuck, "the rather that you -have preserved the proper word for that ancient custom of watching the -dead. You observe, Hector, this is genuine Teutonic, from the Gothic -Leichnam, a corpse. It is quite erroneously called Late-wake, though -Brand favours that modern corruption and derivation." - -"I believe," said Hector to himself, "my uncle would give away Monkbarns -to any one who would come to ask it in genuine Teutonic! Not a drop of -whisky would the old creatures have got, had their president asked it -for the use of the Late-wake." - -While Oldbuck was giving some farther directions, and promising -assistance, a servant of Sir Arthur's came riding very hard along the -sands, and stopped his horse when he saw the Antiquary. "There had -something," he said, "very particular happened at the Castle"--(he could -not, or would not, explain what)--"and Miss Wardour had sent him off -express to Monkbarns, to beg that Mr. Oldbuck would come to them without -a moment's delay." - -"I am afraid," said the Antiquary, "his course also is drawing to a -close. What can I do?" - -"Do, sir?" exclaimed Hector, with his characteristic impatience,--"get on -the horse, and turn his head homeward--you will be at Knockwinnock Castle -in ten minutes." - -"He is quite a free goer," said the servant, dismounting to adjust the -girths and stirrups,--"he only pulls a little if he feels a dead weight -on him." - -"I should soon be a dead weight off him, my friend," said the -Antiquary.--"What the devil, nephew, are you weary of me? or do you -suppose me weary of my life, that I should get on the back of such a -Bucephalus as that? No, no, my friend, if I am to be at Knockwinnock -to-day, it must be by walking quietly forward on my own feet, which I -will do with as little delay as possible. Captain M'Intyre may ride that -animal himself, if he pleases." - -"I have little hope I could be of any use, uncle, but I cannot think of -their distress without wishing to show sympathy at least--so I will ride -on before, and announce to them that you are coming.--I'll trouble you -for your spurs, my friend." - -"You will scarce need them, sir," said the man, taking them off at the -same time, and buckling them upon Captain Mlntyre's heels, "he's very -frank to the road." - -Oldbuck stood astonished at this last act of temerity, "are you mad, -Hector?" he cried, "or have you forgotten what is said by Quintus -Curtius, with whom, as a soldier, you must needs be familiar,--Nobilis -equus umbra quidem virgae regitur; ignavus ne calcari quidem excitari -potest; which plainly shows that spurs are useless in every case, and, I -may add, dangerous in most." - -But Hector, who cared little for the opinion of either Quintus Curtius -or of the Antiquary, upon such a topic, only answered with a heedless -"Never fear--never fear, sir." - - With that he gave his able horse the head, - And, bending forward, struck his armed heels - Against the panting sides of his poor jade, - Up to the rowel-head; and starting so, - He seemed in running to devour the way, - Staying no longer question. - -"There they go, well matched," said Oldbuck, looking after them as they -started--"a mad horse and a wild boy, the two most unruly creatures in -Christendom! and all to get half an hour sooner to a place where nobody -wants him; for I doubt Sir Arthur's griefs are beyond the cure of our -light horseman. It must be the villany of Dousterswivel, for whom Sir -Arthur has done so much; for I cannot help observing, that, with some -natures, Tacitus's maxim holdeth good: Beneficia eo usque laeta sunt -dum videntur exsolvi posse; ubi multum antevenere, pro gratia odium -redditur,--from which a wise man might take a caution, not to oblige any -man beyond the degree in which he may expect to be requited, lest he -should make his debtor a bankrupt in gratitude." - -Murmuring to himself such scraps of cynical philosophy, our Antiquary -paced the sands towards Knockwinnock; but it is necessary we should -outstrip him, for the purpose of explaining the reasons of his being so -anxiously summoned thither. - - - - -CHAPTER TWENTIETH. - - So, while the Goose, of whom the fable told, - Incumbent, brooded o'er her eggs of gold, - With hand outstretched, impatient to destroy, - Stole on her secret nest the cruel Boy, - Whose gripe rapacious changed her splendid dream, - --For wings vain fluttering, and for dying scream. - The Loves of the Sea-weeds. - -From the time that Sir Arthur Wardour had become possessor of the -treasure found in Misticot's grave, he had been in a state of mind more -resembling ecstasy than sober sense. Indeed, at one time his daughter -had become seriously apprehensive for his intellect; for, as he had -no doubt that he had the secret of possessing himself of wealth to an -unbounded extent, his language and carriage were those of a man who -had acquired the philosopher's stone. He talked of buying contiguous -estates, that would have led him from one side of the island to the -other, as if he were determined to brook no neighbour save the sea. He -corresponded with an architect of eminence, upon a plan of renovating -the castle of his forefathers on a style of extended magnificence that -might have rivalled that of Windsor, and laying out the grounds on -a suitable scale. Troops of liveried menials were already, in fancy, -marshalled in his halls, and--for what may not unbounded wealth authorize -its possessor to aspire to?--the coronet of a marquis, perhaps of a duke, -was glittering before his imagination. His daughter--to what matches -might she not look forward? Even an alliance with the blood-royal was -not beyond the sphere of his hopes. His son was already a general--and he -himself whatever ambition could dream of in its wildest visions. - -In this mood, if any one endeavoured to bring Sir Arthur down to the -regions of common life, his replies were in the vein of Ancient Pistol-- - - A fico for the world, and worldlings base - I speak of Africa and golden joys! - -The reader may conceive the amazement of Miss Wardour, when, instead of -undergoing an investigation concerning the addresses of Lovel, as she -had expected from the long conference of her father with Mr. Oldbuck, -upon the morning of the fated day when the treasure was discovered, -the conversation of Sir Arthur announced an imagination heated with the -hopes of possessing the most unbounded wealth. But she was seriously -alarmed when Dousterswivel was sent for to the Castle, and was closeted -with her father--his mishap condoled with--his part taken, and his -loss compensated. All the suspicions which she had long entertained -respecting this man became strengthened, by observing his pains to keep -up the golden dreams of her father, and to secure for himself, under -various pretexts, as much as possible out of the windfall which had so -strangely fallen to Sir Arthur's share. - -Other evil symptoms began to appear, following close on each other. -Letters arrived every post, which Sir Arthur, as soon as he had looked -at the directions, flung into the fire without taking the trouble to -open them. Miss Wardour could not help suspecting that these epistles, -the contents of which seemed to be known to her father by a sort of -intuition, came from pressing creditors. In the meanwhile, the temporary -aid which he had received from the treasure dwindled fast away. By far -the greater part had been swallowed up by the necessity of paying the -bill of six hundred pounds, which had threatened Sir Arthur with instant -distress. Of the rest, some part was given to the adept, some wasted -upon extravagances which seemed to the poor knight fully authorized by -his full-blown hopes,--and some went to stop for a time the mouths of -such claimants as, being weary of fair promises, had become of opinion -with Harpagon, that it was necessary to touch something substantial. At -length circumstances announced but too plainly, that it was all expended -within two or three days after its discovery; and there appeared -no prospect of a supply. Sir Arthur, naturally impatient, now taxed -Dousterswivel anew with breach of those promises through which he had -hoped to convert all his lead into gold. But that worthy gentleman's -turn was now served; and as he had grace enough to wish to avoid -witnessing the fall of the house which he had undermined, he was at the -trouble of bestowing a few learned terms of art upon Sir Arthur, that at -least he might not be tormented before his time. He took leave of him, -with assurances that he would return to Knockwinnock the next morning, -with such information as would not fail to relieve Sir Arthur from all -his distresses. - -"For, since I have consulted in such matters, I ave never," said Mr. -Herman Dousterswivel, "approached so near de arcanum, what you call de -great mystery,--de Panchresta--de Polychresta--I do know as much of it as -Pelaso de Taranta, or Basilius--and either I will bring you in two and -tree days de No. III. of Mr. Mishdigoat, or you shall call me one knave -myself, and never look me in de face again no more at all." - -The adept departed with this assurance, in the firm resolution of making -good the latter part of the proposition, and never again appearing -before his injured patron. Sir Arthur remained in a doubtful and anxious -state of mind. The positive assurances of the philosopher, with the hard -words Panchresta, Basilius, and so forth, produced some effect on his -mind. But he had been too often deluded by such jargon, to be absolutely -relieved of his doubt, and he retired for the evening into his library, -in the fearful state of one who, hanging over a precipice, and without -the means of retreat, perceives the stone on which he rests gradually -parting from the rest of the crag, and about to give way with him. - -The visions of hope decayed, and there increased in proportion that -feverish agony of anticipation with which a man, educated in a sense -of consequence, and possessed of opulence,--the supporter of an ancient -name, and the father of two promising children,--foresaw the hour -approaching which should deprive him of all the splendour which time had -made familiarly necessary to him, and send him forth into the world to -struggle with poverty, with rapacity, and with scorn. Under these dire -forebodings, his temper, exhausted by the sickness of delayed hope, -became peevish and fretful, and his words and actions sometimes -expressed a reckless desperation, which alarmed Miss Wardour extremely. -We have seen, on a former occasion, that Sir Arthur was a man of -passions lively and quick, in proportion to the weakness of his -character in other respects; he was unused to contradiction, and if -he had been hitherto, in general, good-humoured and cheerful, it was -probably because the course of his life had afforded no such frequent -provocation as to render his irritability habitual. - -On the third morning after Dousterswivel's departure, the servant, as -usual, laid on the breakfast table the newspaper and letters of the day. -Miss Wardour took up the former to avoid the continued ill-humour of -her father, who had wrought himself into a violent passion, because the -toast was over-browned. - -"I perceive how it is," was his concluding speech on this interesting -subject,--"my servants, who have had their share of my fortune, begin -to think there is little to be made of me in future. But while I am the -scoundrel's master I will be so, and permit no neglect--no, nor endure -a hair's-breadth diminution of the respect I am entitled to exact from -them." - -"I am ready to leave your honour's service this instant," said the -domestic upon whom the fault had been charged, "as soon as you order -payment of my wages." - -Sir Arthur, as if stung by a serpent, thrust his hand into his pocket, -and instantly drew out the money which it contained, but which was short -of the man's claim. "What money have you got, Miss Wardour?" he said, in -a tone of affected calmness, but which concealed violent agitation. - -Miss Wardour gave him her purse; he attempted to count the bank notes -which it contained, but could not reckon them. After twice miscounting -the sum, he threw the whole to his daughter, and saying, in a stern -voice, "Pay the rascal, and let him leave the house instantly!" he -strode out of the room. - -The mistress and servant stood alike astonished at the agitation and -vehemence of his manner. - -"I am sure, ma'am, if I had thought I was particularly wrang, I wadna -hae made ony answer when Sir Arthur challenged me. I hae been lang in -his service, and he has been a kind master, and you a kind mistress, and -I wad like ill ye should think I wad start for a hasty word. I am sure -it was very wrang o' me to speak about wages to his honour, when maybe -he has something to vex him. I had nae thoughts o' leaving the family in -this way." - -"Go down stair, Robert," said his mistress--"something has happened to -fret my father--go down stairs, and let Alick answer the bell." - -When the man left the room, Sir Arthur re-entered, as if he had been -watching his departure. "What's the meaning of this?" he said hastily, -as he observed the notes lying still on the table--"Is he not gone? Am I -neither to be obeyed as a master or a father?" - -"He is gone to give up his charge to the housekeeper, sir,--I thought -there was not such instant haste." - -"There is haste, Miss Wardour," answered her father, interrupting -her;--"What I do henceforth in the house of my forefathers, must be done -speedily, or never." - -He then sate down, and took up with a trembling hand the basin of tea -prepared for him, protracting the swallowing of it, as if to delay the -necessity of opening the post-letters which lay on the table, and which -he eyed from time to time, as if they had been a nest of adders ready to -start into life and spring upon him. - -"You will be happy to hear," said Miss Wardour, willing to withdraw her -father's mind from the gloomy reflections in which he appeared to be -plunged, "you will be happy to hear, sir, that Lieutenant Taffril's -gun-brig has got safe into Leith Roads--I observe there had been -apprehensions for his safety--I am glad we did not hear them till they -were contradicted." - -"And what is Taffril and his gun-brig to me?" - -"Sir!" said Miss Wardour in astonishment; for Sir Arthur, in his -ordinary state of mind, took a fidgety sort of interest in all the -gossip of the day and country. - -"I say," he repeated in a higher and still more impatient key, "what do -I care who is saved or lost? It's nothing to me, I suppose?" - -"I did not know you were busy, Sir Arthur; and thought, as Mr. Taffril -is a brave man, and from our own country, you would be happy to hear"-- - -"Oh, I am happy--as happy as possible--and, to make you happy too, you -shall have some of my good news in return." And he caught up a letter. -"It does not signify which I open first--they are all to the same tune." - -He broke the seal hastily, ran the letter over, and then threw it to -his daughter. "Ay--I could not have lighted more happily!--this places the -copestone." - -Miss Wardour, in silent terror, took up the letter. "Read it--read it -aloud!" said her father; "it cannot be read too often; it will serve to -break you in for other good news of the same kind." - -She began to read with a faltering voice, "Dear Sir." - -"He dears me too, you see, this impudent drudge of a writer's office, -who, a twelvemonth since, was not fit company for my second table--I -suppose I shall be dear Knight' with him by and by." - -"Dear Sir," resumed Miss Wardour; but, interrupting herself, "I see -the contents are unpleasant, sir--it will only vex you my reading them -aloud." - -"If you will allow me to know my own pleasure, Miss Wardour, I entreat -you to go on--I presume, if it were unnecessary, I should not ask you to -take the trouble." - -"Having been of late taken into copartnery," continued Miss Wardour, -reading the letter, "by Mr. Gilbert Greenhorn, son of your late -correspondent and man of business, Girnigo Greenhorn, Esq., writer to -the signet, whose business I conducted as parliament-house clerk for -many years, which business will in future be carried on under the firm -of Greenhorn and Grinderson (which I memorandum for the sake of accuracy -in addressing your future letters), and having had of late favours -of yours, directed to my aforesaid partner, Gilbert Greenhorn, in -consequence of his absence at the Lamberton races, have the honour to -reply to your said favours." - -"You see my friend is methodical, and commences by explaining the causes -which have procured me so modest and elegant a correspondent. Go on--I -can bear it." - -And he laughed that bitter laugh which is perhaps the most fearful -expression of mental misery. Trembling to proceed, and yet afraid to -disobey, Miss Wardour continued to read--"I am for myself and partner, -sorry we cannot oblige you by looking out for the sums you mention, or -applying for a suspension in the case of Goldiebirds' bond, which -would be more inconsistent, as we have been employed to act as the said -Goldiebirds' procurators and attorneys, in which capacity we have -taken out a charge of horning against you, as you must be aware by -the schedule left by the messenger, for the sum of four thousand seven -hundred and fifty-six pounds five shillings and sixpence one-fourth of -a penny sterling, which, with annual-rent and expenses effeiring, we -presume will be settled during the currency of the charge, to prevent -further trouble. Same time, I am under the necessity to observe our own -account, amounting to seven hundred and sixty-nine pounds ten shillings -and sixpence, is also due, and settlement would be agreeable; but as we -hold your rights, title-deeds, and documents in hypothec, shall have no -objection to give reasonable time--say till the next money term. I am, -for myself and partner, concerned to add, that Messrs. Goldiebirds' -instructions to us are to proceed peremptorie and sine mora, of which I -have the pleasure to advise you, to prevent future mistakes, reserving -to ourselves otherwise to age' as accords. I am, for self and partner, -dear sir, your obliged humble servant, Gabriel Grinderson, for Greenhorn -and Grinderson." - -"Ungrateful villain!" said Miss Wardour. - -"Why, no--it's in the usual rule, I suppose; the blow could not have -been perfect if dealt by another hand--it's all just as it should be," -answered the poor Baronet, his affected composure sorely belied by -his quivering lip and rolling eye--"But here's a postscript I did not -notice--come, finish the epistle." - -"I have to add (not for self but partner) that Mr. Greenhorn will -accommodate you by taking your service of plate, or the bay horses, if -sound in wind and limb, at a fair appreciation, in part payment of your -accompt." - -"G--d confound him!" said Sir Arthur, losing all command of himself at -this condescending proposal: "his grandfather shod my father's horses, -and this descendant of a scoundrelly blacksmith proposes to swindle me -out of mine! But I will write him a proper answer." - -And he sate down and began to write with great vehemence, then stopped -and read aloud:--"Mr. Gilbert Greenhorn,--in answer to two letters of a -late date, I received a letter from a person calling himself Grinderson, -and designing himself as your partner. When I address any one, I do not -usually expect to be answered by deputy--I think I have been useful to -your father, and friendly and civil to yourself, and therefore am now -surprised--And yet," said he, stopping short, "why should I be surprised -at that or anything else? or why should I take up my time in writing to -such a scoundrel?--I shan't be always kept in prison, I suppose; and to -break that puppy's bones when I get out, shall be my first employment." - -"In prison, sir?" said Miss Wardour, faintly. - -"Ay, in prison to be sure. Do you make any question about that? Why, Mr. -what's his name's fine letter for self and partner seems to be thrown -away on you, or else you have got four thousand so many hundred pounds, -with the due proportion of shillings, pence, and half-pence, to pay that -aforesaid demand, as he calls it." - -"I, sir? O if I had the means!--But where's my brother?--why does he not -come, and so long in Scotland? He might do something to assist us." - -"Who, Reginald?--I suppose he's gone with Mr. Gilbert Greenhorn, or some -such respectable person, to the Lamberton races--I have expected him this -week past; but I cannot wonder that my children should neglect me as -well as every other person. But I should beg your pardon, my love, who -never either neglected or offended me in your life." - -And kissing her cheek as she threw her arms round his neck, he -experienced that consolation which a parent feels, even in the most -distressed state, in the assurance that he possesses the affection of a -child. - -Miss Wardour took the advantage of this revulsion of feeling, to -endeavour to soothe her father's mind to composure. She reminded him -that he had many friends. - -"I had many once," said Sir Arthur; "but of some I have exhausted their -kindness with my frantic projects; others are unable to assist me--others -are unwilling. It is all over with me. I only hope Reginald will take -example by my folly." - -"Should I not send to Monkbarns, sir?" said his daughter. - -"To what purpose? He cannot lend me such a sum, and would not if he -could, for he knows I am otherwise drowned in debt; and he would only -give me scraps of misanthropy and quaint ends of Latin." - -"But he is shrewd and sensible, and was bred to business, and, I am -sure, always loved this family." - -"Yes, I believe he did. It is a fine pass we are come to, when the -affection of an Oldbuck is of consequence to a Wardour! But when matters -come to extremity, as I suppose they presently will--it may be as well -to send for him. And now go take your walk, my dear--my mind is more -composed than when I had this cursed disclosure to make. You know the -worst, and may daily or hourly expect it. Go take your walk--I would -willingly be alone for a little while." - -When Miss Wardour left the apartment, her first occupation was to avail -herself of the half permission granted by her father, by despatching to -Monkbarns the messenger, who, as we have already seen, met the Antiquary -and his nephew on the sea-beach. - -Little recking, and indeed scarce knowing, where she was wandering, -chance directed her into the walk beneath the Briery Bank, as it was -called. A brook, which in former days had supplied the castle-moat with -water, here descended through a narrow dell, up which Miss Wardour's -taste had directed a natural path, which was rendered neat and easy of -ascent, without the air of being formally made and preserved. It suited -well the character of the little glen, which was overhung with thickets -and underwood, chiefly of larch and hazel, intermixed with the usual -varieties of the thorn and brier. In this walk had passed that scene of -explanation between Miss Wardour and Lovel which was overheard by old -Edie Ochiltree. With a heart softened by the distress which approached -her family, Miss Wardour now recalled every word and argument which -Lovel had urged in support of his suit, and could not help confessing to -herself, it was no small subject of pride to have inspired a young -man of his talents with a passion so strong and disinterested. That he -should have left the pursuit of a profession in which he was said to be -rapidly rising, to bury himself in a disagreeable place like Fairport, -and brood over an unrequited passion, might be ridiculed by others as -romantic, but was naturally forgiven as an excess of affection by -the person who was the object of his attachment. Had he possessed an -independence, however moderate, or ascertained a clear and undisputed -claim to the rank in society he was well qualified to adorn, she -might now have had it in her power to offer her father, during his -misfortunes, an asylum in an establishment of her own. These thoughts, -so favourable to the absent lover, crowded in, one after the other, -with such a minute recapitulation of his words, looks, and actions, as -plainly intimated that his former repulse had been dictated rather -by duty than inclination. Isabella was musing alternately upon this -subject, and upon that of her father's misfortunes, when, as the path -winded round a little hillock covered with brushwood, the old Blue-Gown -suddenly met her. - -With an air as if he had something important and mysterious to -communicate, he doffed his bonnet, and assumed the cautious step and -voice of one who would not willingly be overheard. "I hae been wishing -muckle to meet wi' your leddyship--for ye ken I darena come to the house -for Dousterswivel." - -"I heard indeed," said Miss Wardour, dropping an alms into the bonnet--"I -heard that you had done a very foolish, if not a very bad thing, Edie-- -and I was sorry to hear it." - -"Hout, my bonny leddy--fulish? A' the world's fules--and how should auld -Edie Ochiltree be aye wise?--And for the evil--let them wha deal wi' -Dousterswivel tell whether he gat a grain mair than his deserts." - -"That may be true, Edie, and yet," said Miss Wardour, "you may have been -very wrong." - -"Weel, weel, we'se no dispute that e'ennow--it's about yoursell I'm gaun -to speak. Div ye ken what's hanging ower the house of Knockwinnock?" - -"Great distress, I fear, Edie," answered Miss Wardour; "but I am -surprised it is already so public." - -"Public!--Sweepclean, the messenger, will be there the day wi' a' his -tackle. I ken it frae ane o' his concurrents, as they ca' them, that's -warned to meet him; and they'll be about their wark belyve; whare they -clip, there needs nae kame--they shear close eneugh." - -"Are you sure this bad hour, Edie, is so very near?--come, I know, it -will." - -"It's e'en as I tell you, leddy. But dinna be cast down--there's a -heaven ower your head here, as weel as in that fearful night atween -the Ballyburghness and the Halket-head. D'ye think He, wha rebuked the -waters, canna protect you against the wrath of men, though they be armed -with human authority?" - -"It is indeed all we have to trust to." - -"Ye dinna ken--ye dinna ken: when the night's darkest, the dawn's -nearest. If I had a gude horse, or could ride him when I had him, I -reckon there wad be help yet. I trusted to hae gotten a cast wi' the -Royal Charlotte, but she's coupit yonder, it's like, at Kittlebrig. -There was a young gentleman on the box, and he behuved to drive; and -Tam Sang, that suld hae mair sense, he behuved to let him, and the daft -callant couldna tak the turn at the corner o' the brig; and od! he took -the curbstane, and he's whomled her as I wad whomle a toom bicker--it was -a luck I hadna gotten on the tap o' her. Sae I came down atween hope and -despair, to see if ye wad send me on." - -"And, Edie--where would ye go?" said the young lady. - -"To Tannonburgh, my leddy" (which was the first stage from Fairport, but -a good deal nearer to Knockwinnock), "and that without delay--it's a' on -your ain business." - -"Our business, Edie? Alas! I give you all credit for your good meaning; -but"-- - -"There's nae buts about it, my leddy, for gang I maun," said the -persevering Blue-Gown. - -"But what is it that you would do at Tannonburgh?--or how can your going -there benefit my father's affairs?" - -"Indeed, my sweet leddy," said the gaberlunzie, "ye maun just trust -that bit secret to auld Edie's grey pow, and ask nae questions about it. -Certainly if I wad hae wared my life for you yon night, I can hae nae -reason to play an ill pliskie t'ye in the day o' your distress." - -"Well, Edie, follow me then," said Miss Wardour, "and I will try to get -you sent to Tannonburgh." - -"Mak haste then, my bonny leddy--mak haste, for the love o' goodness!"-- -and he continued to exhort her to expedition until they reached the -Castle. - - - - -CHAPTER TWENTY-FIRST. - - Let those go see who will--I like it not-- - For, say he was a slave to rank and pomp, - And all the nothings he is now divorced from - By the hard doom of stern necessity: - Yet it is sad to mark his altered brow, - Where Vanity adjusts her flimsy veil - O'er the deep wrinkles of repentant anguish. - Old Play. - -When Miss Wardour arrived in the court of the Castle, she was apprized -by the first glance that the visit of the officers of the law had -already taken place. There was confusion, and gloom and sorrow, and -curiosity among the domestics, while the retainers of the law went from -place to place, making an inventory of the goods and chattels falling -under their warrant of distress, or poinding, as it is called in the -law of Scotland. Captain M'Intyre flew to her, as, struck dumb with -the melancholy conviction of her father's ruin, she paused upon the -threshold of the gateway. - -"Dear Miss Wardour," he said, "do not make yourself uneasy; my uncle -is coming immediately, and I am sure he will find some way to clear the -house of these rascals." - -"Alas! Captain M'Intyre, I fear it will be too late." - -"No," answered Edie, impatiently--"could I but get to Tannonburgh. In the -name of Heaven, Captain, contrive some way to get me on, and ye'll do -this poor ruined family the best day's doing that has been done -them since Redhand's days--for as sure as e'er an auld saw came true, -Knockwinnock house and land will be lost and won this day." - -"Why, what good can you do, old man?" said Hector. - -But Robert, the domestic with whom Sir Arthur had been so much -displeased in the morning, as if he had been watching for an opportunity -to display his zeal, stepped hastily forward and said to his mistress, -"If you please, ma'am, this auld man, Ochiltree, is very skeely and -auld-farrant about mony things, as the diseases of cows and horse, and -sic like, and I am sure be disna want to be at Tannonburgh the day -for naething, since he insists on't this gate; and, if your leddyship -pleases, I'll drive him there in the taxed-cart in an hour's time. I wad -fain be of some use--I could bite my very tongue out when I think on this -morning." - -"I am obliged to you, Robert," said Miss Wardour; "and if you really -think it has the least chance of being useful"-- - -"In the name of God," said the old man, "yoke the cart, Robie, and if -I am no o' some use, less or mair, I'll gie ye leave to fling me ower -Kittlebrig as ye come back again. But, O man, haste ye, for time's -precious this day." - -Robert looked at his mistress as she retired into the house, and seeing -he was not prohibited, flew to the stable-yard, which was adjacent to -the court, in order to yoke the carriage; for, though an old beggar was -the personage least likely to render effectual assistance in a case -of pecuniary distress, yet there was among the common people of Edie's -circle, a general idea of his prudence and sagacity, which authorized -Robert's conclusion that he would not so earnestly have urged the -necessity of this expedition had he not been convinced of its utility. -But so soon as the servant took hold of a horse to harness him for the -taxed-cart, an officer touched him on the shoulder--"My friend, you must -let that beast alone--he's down in the schedule." - -"What!" said Robert, "am I not to take my master's horse to go my young -leddy's errand?" - -"You must remove nothing here," said the man of office, "or you will be -liable for all consequences." - -"What the devil, sir," said Hector, who having followed to examine -Ochiltree more closely on the nature of his hopes and expectations, -already began to bristle like one of the terriers of his own native -mountains, and sought but a decent pretext for venting his displeasure, -"have you the impudence to prevent the young lady's servant from obeying -her orders?" - -There was something in the air and tone of the young soldier, which -seemed to argue that his interference was not likely to be confined to -mere expostulation; and which, if it promised finally the advantages of -a process of battery and deforcement, would certainly commence with the -unpleasant circumstances necessary for founding such a complaint. The -legal officer, confronted with him of the military, grasped with one -doubtful hand the greasy bludgeon which was to enforce his authority, -and with the other produced his short official baton, tipped with -silver, and having a movable ring upon it--"Captain M'Intyre,--Sir, I have -no quarrel with you,--but if you interrupt me in my duty, I will break -the wand of peace, and declare myself deforced." - -"And who the devil cares," said Hector, totally ignorant of the words of -judicial action, "whether you declare yourself divorced or married? And -as to breaking your wand, or breaking the peace, or whatever you call -it, all I know is, that I will break your bones if you prevent the lad -from harnessing the horses to obey his mistress's orders." - -"I take all who stand here to witness," said the messenger, "that I -showed him my blazon, and explained my character. He that will to Cupar -maun to Cupar,"--and he slid his enigmatical ring from one end of the -baton to the other, being the appropriate symbol of his having been -forcibly interrupted in the discharge of his duty. - -Honest Hector, better accustomed to the artillery of the field than to -that of the law, saw this mystical ceremony with great indifference; -and with like unconcern beheld the messenger sit down to write out -an execution of deforcement. But at this moment, to prevent the -well-meaning hot-headed Highlander from running the risk of a -severe penalty, the Antiquary arrived puffing and blowing, with his -handkerchief crammed under his hat, and his wig upon the end of his -stick. - -"What the deuce is the matter here?" he exclaimed, hastily adjusting -his head-gear; "I have been following you in fear of finding your idle -loggerhead knocked against one rock or other, and here I find you parted -with your Bucephalus, and quarrelling with Sweepclean. A messenger, -Hector, is a worse foe than a phoca, whether it be the phoca barbata, or -the phoca vitulina of your late conflict." - -"D--n the phoca, sir," said Hector, "whether it be the one or the other--I -say d--n them both particularly! I think you would not have me stand -quietly by and see a scoundrel like this, because he calls himself a -king's messenger, forsooth--(I hope the king has many better for his -meanest errands)--insult a young lady of family and fashion like Miss -Wardour?" - -"Rightly argued, Hector," said the Antiquary; "but the king, like other -people, has now and then shabby errands, and, in your ear, must have -shabby fellows to do them. But even supposing you unacquainted with the -statutes of William the Lion, in which capite quarto versu quinto, this -crime of deforcement is termed despectus Domini Regis--a contempt, to -wit, of the king himself, in whose name all legal diligence issues,-- -could you not have inferred, from the information I took so much pains -to give you to-day, that those who interrupt officers who come to -execute letters of caption, are tanquam participes criminis rebellionis? -seeing that he who aids a rebel, is himself, quodammodo, an accessory to -rebellion--But I'll bring you out of this scrape." - -He then spoke to the messenger, who, upon his arrival, had laid aside -all thoughts of making a good by-job out of the deforcement, and -accepted Mr. Oldbuck's assurances that the horse and taxed-cart should -be safely returned in the course of two or three hours. - -"Very well, sir," said the Antiquary, "since you are disposed to be so -civil, you shall have another job in your own best way--a little cast of -state politics--a crime punishable per Legem Juliam, Mr. Sweepclean-- Hark -thee hither." - -And after a whisper of five minutes, he gave him a slip of paper, on -receiving which, the messenger mounted his horse, and, with one of his -assistants, rode away pretty sharply. The fellow who remained seemed to -delay his operations purposely, proceeded in the rest of his duty very -slowly, and with the caution and precision of one who feels himself -overlooked by a skilful and severe inspector. - -In the meantime, Oldbuck, taking his nephew by the arm, led him into the -house, and they were ushered into the presence of Sir Arthur Wardour, -who, in a flutter between wounded pride, agonized apprehension, and -vain attempts to disguise both under a show of indifference, exhibited a -spectacle of painful interest. - -"Happy to see you, Mr. Oldbuck--always happy to see my friends in fair -weather or foul," said the poor Baronet, struggling not for composure, -but for gaiety--an affectation which was strongly contrasted by the -nervous and protracted grasp of his hand, and the agitation of his whole -demeanour--"I am happy to see you. You are riding, I see--I hope in this -confusion your horses are taken good care of--I always like to have my -friend's horses looked after--Egad! they will have all my care now, for -you see they are like to leave me none of my own--he! he! he! eh, Mr. -Oldbuck?" - -This attempt at a jest was attended by a hysterical giggle, which poor -Sir Arthur intended should sound as an indifferent laugh. - -"You know I never ride, Sir Arthur," said the Antiquary. - -"I beg your pardon; but sure I saw your nephew arrive on horseback a -short time since. We must look after officers' horses, and his was as -handsome a grey charger as I have seen." - -Sir Arthur was about to ring the bell, when Mr. Oldbuck said, "My nephew -came on your own grey horse, Sir Arthur." - -"Mine!" said the poor Baronet; "mine was it? then the sun had been in my -eyes. Well, I'm not worthy having a horse any longer, since I don't know -my own when I see him." - -"Good Heaven!" thought Oldbuck, "how is this man altered from the formal -stolidity of his usual manner!--he grows wanton under adversity--Sed -pereunti mille figurae."--He then proceeded aloud--"Sir Arthur, we must -necessarily speak a little on business." - -"To be sure," said Sir Arthur; "but it was so good that I should not -know the horse I have ridden these five years--ha! ha! ha!" - -"Sir Arthur," said the Antiquary, "don't let us waste time which is -precious; we shall have, I hope, many better seasons for jesting-- -desipere in loco is the maxim of Horace. I more than suspect this has -been brought on by the villany of Dousterswivel." - -"Don't mention his name, sir!" said Sir Arthur; and his manner entirely -changed from a fluttered affectation of gaiety to all the agitation -of fury; his eyes sparkled, his mouth foamed, his hands were clenched-- -"don't mention his name, sir," he vociferated, "unless you would see me -go mad in your presence! That I should have been such a miserable dolt-- -such an infatuated idiot--such a beast endowed with thrice a beast's -stupidity, to be led and driven and spur-galled by such a rascal, and -under such ridiculous pretences!--Mr. Oldbuck, I could tear myself when I -think of it." - -"I only meant to say," answered the Antiquary, "that this fellow is like -to meet his reward; and I cannot but think we shall frighten something -out of him that may be of service to you. He has certainly had some -unlawful correspondence on the other side of the water." - -"Has he?--has he?--has he indeed?--then d--n the house-hold goods, horses, -and so forth--I will go to prison a happy man, Mr. Oldbuck. I hope in -heaven there's a reasonable chance of his being hanged?" - -"Why, pretty fair," said Oldbuck, willing to encourage this diversion, -in hopes it might mitigate the feelings which seemed like to overset the -poor man's understanding; "honester men have stretched a rope, or -the law has been sadly cheated--But this unhappy business of yours--can -nothing be done? Let me see the charge." - -He took the papers; and, as he read them, his countenance grew -hopelessly dark and disconsolate. Miss Wardour had by this time entered -the apartment, and fixing her eyes on Mr. Oldbuck, as if she meant to -read her fate in his looks, easily perceived, from the change in his -eye, and the dropping of his nether-jaw, how little was to be hoped. - -"We are then irremediably ruined, Mr. Oldbuck?" said the young lady. - -"Irremediably?--I hope not--but the instant demand is very large, and -others will, doubtless, pour in." - -"Ay, never doubt that, Monkbarns," said Sir Arthur; "where the slaughter -is, the eagles will be gathered together. I am like a sheep which I have -seen fall down a precipice, or drop down from sickness--if you had not -seen a single raven or hooded crow for a fortnight before, he will not -lie on the heather ten minutes before half-a-dozen will be picking -out his eyes (and he drew his hand over his own), and tearing at -his heartstrings before the poor devil has time to die. But that d--d -long-scented vulture that dogged me so long--you have got him fast, I -hope?" - -"Fast enough," said the Antiquary; "the gentleman wished to take the -wings of the morning, and bolt in the what d'ye call it,--the coach and -four there. But he would have found twigs limed for him at Edinburgh. As -it is, he never got so far, for the coach being overturned--as how could -it go safe with such a Jonah?--he has had an infernal tumble, is carried -into a cottage near Kittlebrig, and to prevent all possibility of -escape, I have sent your friend Sweepclean to bring him back to Fairport -in nomine regis, or to act as his sick-nurse at Kittlebrig, as is most -fitting. And now, Sir Arthur, permit me to have some conversation with -you on the present unpleasant state of your affairs, that we may see -what can be done for their extrication;" and the Antiquary led the way -into the library, followed by the unfortunate gentleman. - -They had been shut up together for about two hours, when Miss Wardour -interrupted them with her cloak on as if prepared for a journey. -Her countenance was very pale, yet expressive of the composure which -characterized her disposition. - -"The messenger is returned, Mr. Oldbuck." - -"Returned?--What the devil! he has not let the fellow go?" - -"No--I understand he has carried him to confinement; and now he is -returned to attend my father, and says he can wait no longer." - -A loud wrangling was now heard on the staircase, in which the voice -of Hector predominated. "You an officer, sir, and these ragamuffins a -party! a parcel of beggarly tailor fellows--tell yourselves off by nine, -and we shall know your effective strength." - -The grumbling voice of the man of law was then heard indistinctly -muttering a reply, to which Hector retorted--"Come, come, sir, this won't -do;--march your party, as you call them, out of this house directly, or -I'll send you and them to the right about presently." - -"The devil take Hector," said the Antiquary, hastening to the scene of -action; "his Highland blood is up again, and we shall have him fighting -a duel with the bailiff. Come, Mr. Sweepclean, you must give us a little -time--I know you would not wish to hurry Sir Arthur." - -"By no means, sir," said the messenger, putting his hat off, which he -had thrown on to testify defiance of Captain M'Intyre's threats; "but -your nephew, sir, holds very uncivil language, and I have borne too much -of it already; and I am not justified in leaving my prisoner any longer -after the instructions I received, unless I am to get payment of the -sums contained in my diligence." And he held out the caption, pointing -with the awful truncheon, which he held in his right hand, to the -formidable line of figures jotted upon the back thereof. - -Hector, on the other hand, though silent from respect to his uncle, -answered this gesture by shaking his clenched fist at the messenger with -a frown of Highland wrath. - -"Foolish boy, be quiet," said Oldbuck, "and come with me into the room-- -the man is doing his miserable duty, and you will only make matters -worse by opposing him.--I fear, Sir Arthur, you must accompany this -man to Fairport; there is no help for it in the first instance--I will -accompany you, to consult what further can be done--My nephew will escort -Miss Wardour to Monkbarns, which I hope she will make her residence -until these unpleasant matters are settled." - -"I go with my father, Mr. Oldbuck," said Miss Wardour firmly--"I have -prepared his clothes and my own--I suppose we shall have the use of the -carriage?" - -"Anything in reason, madam," said the messenger; "I have ordered it out, -and it's at the door--I will go on the box with the coachman--I have no -desire to intrude--but two of the concurrents must attend on horseback." - -"I will attend too," said Hector, and he ran down to secure a horse for -himself. - -"We must go then," said the Antiquary. - -"To jail," said the Baronet, sighing involuntarily. "And what of that?" -he resumed, in a tone affectedly cheerful--"it is only a house we can't -get out of, after all--Suppose a fit of the gout, and Knockwinnock would -be the same--Ay, ay, Monkbarns--we'll call it a fit of the gout without -the d--d pain." - -But his eyes swelled with tears as he spoke, and his faltering accent -marked how much this assumed gaiety cost him. The Antiquary wrung his -hand, and, like the Indian Banians, who drive the real terms of an -important bargain by signs, while they are apparently talking of -indifferent matters, the hand of Sir Arthur, by its convulsive return of -the grasp, expressed his sense of gratitude to his friend, and the real -state of his internal agony.--They stepped slowly down the magnificent -staircase--every well-known object seeming to the unfortunate father and -daughter to assume a more prominent and distinct appearance than usual, -as if to press themselves on their notice for the last time. - -At the first landing-place, Sir Arthur made an agonized pause; and as -he observed the Antiquary look at him anxiously, he said with assumed -dignity--"Yes, Mr. Oldbuck, the descendant of an ancient line--the -representative of Richard Redhand and Gamelyn de Guardover, may be -pardoned a sigh when he leaves the castle of his fathers thus poorly -escorted. When I was sent to the Tower with my late father, in the year -1745, it was upon a charge becoming our birth--upon an accusation of -high treason, Mr. Oldbuck;--we were escorted from Highgate by a troop of -life-guards, and committed upon a secretary of state's warrant; and -now, here I am, in my old age, dragged from my household by a miserable -creature like that" (pointing to the messenger), "and for a paltry -concern of pounds, shillings, and pence." - -"At least," said Oldbuck, "you have now the company of a dutiful -daughter, and a sincere friend, if you will permit me to say so, and -that may be some consolation, even without the certainty that there can -be no hanging, drawing, or quartering, on the present occasion. But I -hear that choleric boy as loud as ever. I hope to God he has got into no -new broil!--it was an accursed chance that brought him here at all." - -In fact, a sudden clamour, in which the loud voice and somewhat northern -accent of Hector was again preeminently distinguished, broke off this -conversation. The cause we must refer to the next CHAPTER. - - - - -CHAPTER TWENTY-SECOND. - - Fortune, you say, flies from us--She but circles, - Like the fleet sea-bird round the fowler's skiff,-- - Lost in the mist one moment, and the next - Brushing the white sail with her whiter wing, - As if to court the aim.--Experience watches, - And has her on the wheel-- - Old Play. - -The shout of triumph in Hector's warlike tones was not easily -distinguished from that of battle. But as he rushed up stairs with a -packet in his hand, exclaiming, "Long life to an old soldier! here -comes Edie with a whole budget of good news!" it became obvious that his -present cause of clamour was of an agreeable nature. He delivered the -letter to Oldbuck, shook Sir Arthur heartily by the hand, and wished -Miss Wardour joy, with all the frankness of Highland congratulation. The -messenger, who had a kind of instinctive terror for Captain M'Intyre, -drew towards his prisoner, keeping an eye of caution on the soldier's -motions. - -"Don't suppose I shall trouble myself about you, you dirty fellow," said -the soldier; "there's a guinea for the fright I have given you; and here -comes an old forty-two man, who is a fitter match for you than I am." - -The messenger (one of those dogs who are not too scornful to eat dirty -puddings) caught in his hand the guinea which Hector chucked at his -face; and abode warily and carefully the turn which matters were now to -take. All voices meanwhile were loud in inquiries, which no one was in a -hurry to answer. - -"What is the matter, Captain M'Intyre?" said Sir Arthur. - -"Ask old Edie," said Hector;--"I only know all's safe and well." - -"What is all this, Edie?" said Miss Wardour to the mendicant. - -"Your leddyship maun ask Monkbarns, for he has gotten the yepistolary -correspondensh." - -"God save the king!" exclaimed the Antiquary at the first glance at -the contents of his packet, and, surprised at once out of decorum, -philosophy, and phlegm, he skimmed his cocked hat in the air, from which -it descended not again, being caught in its fall by a branch of the -chandelier. He next, looking joyously round, laid a grasp on his wig, -which he perhaps would have sent after the beaver, had not Edie stopped -his hand, exclaiming "Lordsake! he's gaun gyte!--mind Caxon's no here to -repair the damage." - -Every person now assailed the Antiquary, clamouring to know the cause of -so sudden a transport, when, somewhat ashamed of his rapture, he fairly -turned tail, like a fox at the cry of a pack of hounds, and ascending -the stair by two steps at a time, gained the upper landing-place, where, -turning round, he addressed the astonished audience as follows:-- - -[Illustration: My Good Friends, 'favete Linguis'] - -"My good friends, _favete linguis_--To give you information, I must first, -according to logicians, be possessed of it myself; and, therefore, with -your leaves, I will retire into the library to examine these papers--Sir -Arthur and Miss Wardour will have the goodness to step into the -parlour--Mr. Sweepclean, secede paulisper, or, in your own language, -grant us a supersedere of diligence for five minutes--Hector, draw off -your forces, and make your bear-garden flourish elsewhere--and, finally, -be all of good cheer till my return, which will be instanter." - -The contents of the packet were indeed so little expected, that the -Antiquary might be pardoned, first his ecstasy, and next his desire of -delaying to communicate the intelligence they conveyed, until it was -arranged and digested in his own mind. - -Within the envelope was a letter addressed to Jonathan Oldbuck, Esq. of -Monkbarns, of the following purport:-- - -"Dear Sir,--To you, as my father's proved and valued friend, I venture to -address myself, being detained here by military duty of a very pressing -nature. You must by this time be acquainted with the entangled state of -our affairs; and I know it will give you great pleasure to learn, that -I am as fortunately as unexpectedly placed in a situation to give -effectual assistance for extricating them. I understand Sir Arthur is -threatened with severe measures by persons who acted formerly as his -agents; and, by advice of a creditable man of business here, I have -procured the enclosed writing, which I understand will stop their -proceedings until their claim shall be legally discussed, and brought -down to its proper amount. I also enclose bills to the amount of one -thousand pounds to pay any other pressing demands, and request of your -friendship to apply them according to your discretion. You will be -surprised I give you this trouble, when it would seem more natural to -address my father directly in his own affairs. But I have yet had no -assurance that his eyes are opened to the character of a person against -whom you have often, I know, warned him, and whose baneful influence -has been the occasion of these distresses. And as I owe the means of -relieving Sir Arthur to the generosity of a matchless friend, it is my -duty to take the most certain measures for the supplies being devoted -to the purpose for which they were destined,--and I know your wisdom and -kindness will see that it is done. My friend, as he claims an interest -in your regard, will explain some views of his own in the enclosed -letter. The state of the post-office at Fairport being rather notorious, -I must send this letter to Tannonburgh; but the old man Ochiltree, -whom particular circumstances have recommended as trustworthy, has -information when the packet is likely to reach that place, and will take -care to forward it. I expect to have soon an opportunity to apologize in -person for the trouble I now give, and have the honour to be your very -faithful servant, - -"Reginald Gamelyn Wardour." "Edinburgh, 6th August, 179-." - -The Antiquary hastily broke the seal of the enclosure, the contents of -which gave him equal surprise and pleasure. When he had in some measure -composed himself after such unexpected tidings, he inspected the other -papers carefully, which all related to business--put the bills into his -pocket-book, and wrote a short acknowledgment to be despatched by that -day's post, for he was extremely methodical in money matters--and lastly, -fraught with all the importance of disclosure, he descended to the -parlour. - -"Sweepclean," said he, as he entered, to the officer who stood -respectfully at the door, "you must sweep yourself clean out of -Knockwinnock Castle, with all your followers, tag-rag and bob-tail. -Seest thou this paper, man?" - -"A sist on a bill o' suspension," said the messenger, with a -disappointed look;--"I thought it would be a queer thing if ultimate -diligence was to be done against sic a gentleman as Sir Arthur--Weel, -sir, I'se go my ways with my party--And who's to pay my charges?" - -"They who employed thee," replied Oldbuck, "as thou full well dost -know.--But here comes another express: this is a day of news, I think." - -This was Mr. Mailsetter on his mare from Fairport, with a letter for -Sir Arthur, another to the messenger, both of which, he said, he was -directed to forward instantly. The messenger opened his, observing that -Greenhorn and Grinderson were good enough men for his expenses, and here -was a letter from them desiring him to stop the diligence. Accordingly, -he immediately left the apartment, and staying no longer than to gather -his posse together, he did then, in the phrase of Hector, who watched -his departure as a jealous mastiff eyes the retreat of a repulsed -beggar, evacuate Flanders. - -Sir Arthur's letter was from Mr. Greenhorn, and a curiosity in its way. -We give it, with the worthy Baronet's comments. - -"Sir--[Oh! I am dear sir no longer; folks are only dear to Messrs. -Greenhorn and Grinderson when they are in adversity]--Sir, I am much -concerned to learn, on my return from the country, where I was called -on particular business [a bet on the sweepstakes, I suppose], that my -partner had the impropriety, in my absence, to undertake the concerns of -Messrs. Goldiebirds in preference to yours, and had written to you in an -unbecoming manner. I beg to make my most humble apology, as well as Mr. -Grindersons--[come, I see he can write for himself and partner too]--and -trust it is impossible you can think me forgetful of, or ungrateful -for, the constant patronage which my family [his family! curse him for a -puppy!] have uniformly experienced from that of Knockwinnock. I am sorry -to find, from an interview I had this day with Mr. Wardour, that he is -much irritated, and, I must own, with apparent reason. But in order to -remedy as much as in me lies the mistake of which he complains [pretty -mistake, indeed! to clap his patron into jail], I have sent this express -to discharge all proceedings against your person or property; and at the -same time to transmit my respectful apology. I have only to add, that -Mr. Grinderson is of opinion, that if restored to your confidence, -he could point out circumstances connected with Messrs. Goldiebirds' -present claim which would greatly reduce its amount [so, so, willing -to play the rogue on either side]; and that there is not the slightest -hurry in settling the balance of your accompt with us; and that I am, -for Mr. G. as well as myself, Dear Sir [O ay, he has written himself -into an approach to familiarity], your much obliged and most humble -servant, - -"Gilbert Greenhorn." - -"Well said, Mr. Gilbert Greenhorn," said Monkbarns; "I see now there is -some use in having two attorneys in one firm. Their movements resemble -those of the man and woman in a Dutch baby-house. When it is fair -weather with the client, out comes the gentleman partner to fawn like a -spaniel; when it is foul, forth bolts the operative brother to pin like -a bull-dog. Well, I thank God that my man of business still wears an -equilateral cocked hat, has a house in the Old Town, is as much afraid -of a horse as I am myself, plays at golf of a Saturday, goes to the kirk -of a Sunday, and, in respect he has no partner, hath only his own folly -to apologize for." - -"There are some writers very honest fellows," said Hector; "I should -like to hear any one say that my cousin, Donald M'Intyre, Strathtudlem's -seventh son (the other six are in the army), is not as honest a fellow"-- - -"No doubt, no doubt, Hector, all the M'Intyres are so; they have it by -patent, man--But I was going to say, that in a profession where unbounded -trust is necessarily reposed, there is nothing surprising that fools -should neglect it in their idleness, and tricksters abuse it in their -knavery. But it is the more to the honour of those (and I will vouch for -many) who unite integrity with skill and attention, and walk honourably -upright where there are so many pitfalls and stumbling-blocks for those -of a different character. To such men their fellow citizens may safely -entrust the care of protecting their patrimonial rights, and their -country the more sacred charge of her laws and privileges." - -"They are best aff, however, that hae least to do with them," said -Ochiltree, who had stretched his neck into the parlour door; for the -general confusion of the family not having yet subsided, the domestics, -like waves after the fall of a hurricane, had not yet exactly regained -their due limits, but were roaming wildly through the house. - -"Aha, old Truepenny, art thou there?" said the Antiquary. "Sir Arthur, -let me bring in the messenger of good luck, though he is but a lame one. -You talked of the raven that scented out the slaughter from afar; but -here's a blue pigeon (somewhat of the oldest and toughest, I grant) -who smelled the good news six or seven miles off, flew thither in the -taxed-cart, and returned with the olive branch." - -"Ye owe it o' to puir Robie that drave me;--puir fallow," said the -beggar, "he doubts he's in disgrace wi' my leddy and Sir Arthur." - -Robert's repentant and bashful face was seen over the mendicant's -shoulder. - -"In disgrace with me?" said Sir Arthur--"how so?"--for the irritation -into which he had worked himself on occasion of the toast had been long -forgotten. "O, I recollect--Robert, I was angry, and you were wrong;--go -about your work, and never answer a master that speaks to you in a -passion." - -"Nor any one else," said the Antiquary; "for a soft answer turneth away -wrath." - -"And tell your mother, who is so ill with the rheumatism, to come down -to the housekeeper to-morrow," said Miss Wardour, "and we will see what -can be of service to her." - -"God bless your leddyship," said poor Robert, "and his honour Sir -Arthur, and the young laird, and the house of Knockwinnock in a' its -branches, far and near!--it's been a kind and gude house to the puir this -mony hundred years." - -"There"--said the Antiquary to Sir Arthur--"we won't dispute--but there -you see the gratitude of the poor people naturally turns to the -civil virtues of your family. You don't hear them talk of Redhand, or -Hell-in-Harness. For me, I must say, Odi accipitrem qui semper vivit in -armis--so let us eat and drink in peace, and be joyful, Sir Knight." - -A table was quickly covered in the parlour, where the party sat joyously -down to some refreshment. At the request of Oldbuck, Edie Ochiltree was -permitted to sit by the sideboard in a great leathern chair, which was -placed in some measure behind a screen. - -"I accede to this the more readily," said Sir Arthur, "because I -remember in my fathers days that chair was occupied by Ailshie Gourlay, -who, for aught I know, was the last privileged fool, or jester, -maintained by any family of distinction in Scotland." - -"Aweel, Sir Arthur," replied the beggar, who never hesitated an instant -between his friend and his jest, "mony a wise man sits in a fule's seat, -and mony a fule in a wise man's, especially in families o' distinction." - -Miss Wardour, fearing the effect of this speech (however worthy of -Ailsbie Gourlay, or any other privileged jester) upon the nerves of -her father, hastened to inquire whether ale and beef should not be -distributed to the servants and people whom the news had assembled round -the Castle. - -"Surely, my love," said her father; "when was it ever otherwise in our -families when a siege had been raised?" - -"Ay, a siege laid by Saunders Sweepclean the bailiff, and raised by Edie -Ochiltree the gaberlunzie, par nobile fratrum," said Oldbuck, "and well -pitted against each other in respectability. But never mind, Sir Arthur-- -these are such sieges and such reliefs as our time of day admits of--and -our escape is not less worth commemorating in a glass of this excellent -wine--Upon my credit, it is Burgundy, I think." - -"Were there anything better in the cellar," said Miss Wardour, "it would -be all too little to regale you after your friendly exertions." - -"Say you so?" said the Antiquary: "why, then, a cup of thanks to you, my -fair enemy, and soon may you be besieged as ladies love best to be, and -sign terms of capitulation in the chapel of Saint Winnox!" - -Miss Wardour blushed--Hector coloured, and then grew pale. - -Sir Arthur answered, "My daughter is much obliged to you, Monkbarns; but -unless you'll accept of her yourself, I really do not know where a poor -knight's daughter is to seek for an alliance in these mercenary times." - -"Me, mean ye, Sir Arthur? No, not I! I will claim privilege of the -duello, and, as being unable to encounter my fair enemy myself, I will -appear by my champion--But of this matter hereafter. What do you find in -the papers there, Hector, that you hold your head down over them as if -your nose were bleeding?" - -"Nothing particular, sir; but only that, as my arm is now almost quite -well, I think I shall relieve you of my company in a day or two, and go -to Edinburgh. I see Major Neville is arrived there. I should like to see -him." - -"Major whom?" said his uncle. - -"Major Neville, sir," answered the young soldier. - -"And who the devil is Major Neville?" demanded the Antiquary. - -"O, Mr. Oldbuck," said Sir Arthur, "you must remember his name -frequently in the newspapers--a very distinguished young officer indeed. -But I am happy to say that Mr. M'Intyre need not leave Monkbarns to -see him, for my son writes that the Major is to come with him to -Knockwinnock, and I need not say how happy I shall be to make the young -gentlemen acquainted,--unless, indeed, they are known to each other -already." - -"No, not personally," answered Hector, "but I have had occasion to hear -a good deal of him, and we have several mutual friends--your son being -one of them. But I must go to Edinburgh; for I see my uncle is beginning -to grow tired of me, and I am afraid"-- - -"That you will grow tired of him?" interrupted Oldbuck,--"I fear that's -past praying for. But you have forgotten that the ecstatic twelfth -of August approaches, and that you are engaged to meet one of Lord -Glenallan's gamekeepers, God knows where, to persecute the peaceful -feathered creation." - -"True, true, uncle--I had forgot that," exclaimed the volatile Hector; -"but you said something just now that put everything out of my head." - -"An it like your honours," said old Edie, thrusting his white head from -behind the screen, where he had been plentifully regaling himself with -ale and cold meat--"an it like your honours, I can tell ye something that -will keep the Captain wi' us amaist as weel as the pouting--Hear ye na -the French are coming?" - -"The French, you blockhead?" answered Oldbuck--"Bah!" - -"I have not had time," said Sir Arthur Wardour, "to look over my -lieutenancy correspondence for the week--indeed, I generally make a -rule to read it only on Wednesdays, except in pressing cases,--for I -do everything by method; but from the glance I took of my letters, I -observed some alarm was entertained." - -"Alarm?" said Edie, "troth there's alarm, for the provost's gar'd the -beacon light on the Halket-head be sorted up (that suld hae been sorted -half a year syne) in an unco hurry, and the council hae named nae less -a man than auld Caxon himsell to watch the light. Some say it was out o' -compliment to Lieutenant Taffril,--for it's neist to certain that he'll -marry Jenny Caxon,--some say it's to please your honour and Monkbarns -that wear wigs--and some say there's some auld story about a periwig that -ane o' the bailies got and neer paid for--Onyway, there he is, sitting -cockit up like a skart upon the tap o' the craig, to skirl when foul -weather comes." - -"On mine honour, a pretty warder," said Monkbarns; "and what's my wig to -do all the while?" - -"I asked Caxon that very question," answered Ochiltree, "and he said he -could look in ilka morning, and gie't a touch afore he gaed to his bed, -for there's another man to watch in the day-time, and Caxon says he'll -friz your honour's wig as weel sleeping as wauking." - -This news gave a different turn to the conversation, which ran upon -national defence, and the duty of fighting for the land we live in, -until it was time to part. The Antiquary and his nephew resumed -their walk homeward, after parting from Knockwinnock with the warmest -expressions of mutual regard, and an agreement to meet again as soon as -possible. - - - - -CHAPTER TWENTY-THIRD. - - Nay, if she love me not, I care not for her: - Shall I look pale because the maiden blooms - Or sigh because she smiles, and smiles on others - Not I, by Heaven!--I hold my peace too dear, - To let it, like the plume upon her cap, - Shake at each nod that her caprice shall dictate. - Old Play. - -"Hector," said his uncle to Captain M'Intyre, in the course of their -walk homeward, "I am sometimes inclined to suspect that, in one respect, -you are a fool." - -"If you only think me so in one respect, sir, I am sure you do me more -grace than I expected or deserve." - -"I mean in one particular par excellence," answered the Antiquary. "I -have sometimes thought that you have cast your eyes upon Miss Wardour." - -"Well, sir," said M'Intyre, with much composure. - -"Well, sir," echoed his uncle--"Deuce take the fellow! he answers me as -if it were the most reasonable thing in the world, that he, a captain -in the army, and nothing at all besides, should marry the daughter of a -baronet." - -"I presume to think, sir," said the young Highlander, "there would be no -degradation on Miss Wardour's part in point of family." - -"O, Heaven forbid we should come on that topic!--No, no, equal both--both -on the table-land of gentility, and qualified to look down on every -roturier in Scotland." - -"And in point of fortune we are pretty even, since neither of us have -got any," continued Hector. "There may be an error, but I cannot plead -guilty to presumption." - -"But here lies the error, then, if you call it so," replied his uncle: -"she won't have you, Hector." - -"Indeed, sir?" - -"It is very sure, Hector; and to make it double sure, I must inform you -that she likes another man. She misunderstood some words I once said to -her, and I have since been able to guess at the interpretation she put -on them. At the time I was unable to account for her hesitation and -blushing; but, my poor Hector, I now understand them as a death-signal -to your hopes and pretensions. So I advise you to beat your retreat -and draw off your forces as well as you can, for the fort is too well -garrisoned for you to storm it." - -"I have no occasion to beat any retreat, uncle," said Hector, holding -himself very upright, and marching with a sort of dogged and offended -solemnity; "no man needs to retreat that has never advanced. There are -women in Scotland besides Miss Wardour, of as good family"-- - -"And better taste," said his uncle; "doubtless there are, Hector; and -though I cannot say but that she is one of the most accomplished as well -as sensible girls I have seen, yet I doubt, much of her merit would be -cast away on you. A showy figure, now, with two cross feathers above -her noddle--one green, one blue; who would wear a riding-habit of the -regimental complexion, drive a gig one day, and the next review the -regiment on the grey trotting pony which dragged that vehicle, hoc erat -in votis;--these are the qualities that would subdue you, especially if -she had a taste for natural history, and loved a specimen of a phoca." - -"It's a little hard, sir," said Hector, "I must have that cursed seal -thrown into my face on all occasions--but I care little about it--and I -shall not break my heart for Miss Wardour. She is free to choose for -herself, and I wish her all happiness." - -"Magnanimously resolved, thou prop of Troy! Why, Hector, I was afraid -of a scene. Your sister told me you were desperately in love with Miss -Wardour." - -"Sir," answered the young man, "you would not have me desperately in -love with a woman that does not care about me?" - -"Well, nephew," said the Antiquary, more seriously, "there is doubtless -much sense in what you say; yet I would have given a great deal, some -twenty or twenty-five years since, to have been able to think as you -do." - -"Anybody, I suppose, may think as they please on such subjects," said -Hector. - -"Not according to the old school," said Oldbuck; "but, as I said before, -the practice of the modern seems in this case the most prudential, -though, I think, scarcely the most interesting. But tell me your ideas -now on this prevailing subject of an invasion. The cry is still, They -come." - -Hector, swallowing his mortification, which he was peculiarly anxious to -conceal from his uncle's satirical observation, readily entered into -a conversation which was to turn the Antiquary's thoughts from Miss -Wardour and the seal. When they reached Monkbarns, the communicating -to the ladies the events which had taken place at the castle, with the -counter-information of how long dinner had waited before the womankind -had ventured to eat it in the Antiquary's absence, averted these -delicate topics of discussion. - -The next morning the Antiquary arose early, and, as Caxon had not yet -made his appearance, he began mentally to feel the absence of the petty -news and small talk of which the ex-peruquier was a faithful reporter, -and which habit had made as necessary to the Antiquary as his occasional -pinch of snuff, although he held, or affected to hold, both to be of -the same intrinsic value. The feeling of vacuity peculiar to such -a deprivation, was alleviated by the appearance of old Ochiltree, -sauntering beside the clipped yew and holly hedges, with the air of a -person quite at home. Indeed, so familiar had he been of late, that even -Juno did not bark at him, but contented herself with watching him with a -close and vigilant eye. Our Antiquary stepped out in his night-gown, and -instantly received and returned his greeting. - -"They are coming now, in good earnest, Monkbarns. I just cam frae -Fairport to bring ye the news, and then I'll step away back again. The -Search has just come into the bay, and they say she's been chased by a -French fleet. - -"The Search?" said Oldbuck, reflecting a moment. "Oho!" - -"Ay, ay, Captain Taffril's gun-brig, the Search." - -"What? any relation to Search, No. II.?" said Oldbuck, catching at the -light which the name of the vessel seemed to throw on the mysterious -chest of treasure. - -The mendicant, like a man detected in a frolic, put his bonnet before -his face, yet could not help laughing heartily.--"The deil's in you, -Monkbarns, for garring odds and evens meet. Wha thought ye wad hae laid -that and that thegither? Od, I am clean catch'd now." - -"I see it all," said Oldbuck, "as plain as the legend on a medal of high -preservation--the box in which the' bullion was found belonged to the -gun-brig, and the treasure to my phoenix?"--(Edie nodded assent),--"and -was buried there that Sir Arthur might receive relief in his -difficulties?" - -"By me," said Edie, "and twa o' the brig's men--but they didna ken its -contents, and thought it some bit smuggling concern o' the Captain's. -I watched day and night till I saw it in the right hand; and then, when -that German deevil was glowering at the lid o' the kist (they liked -mutton weel that licked where the yowe lay), I think some Scottish -deevil put it into my head to play him yon ither cantrip. Now, ye see, -if I had said mair or less to Bailie Littlejohn, I behoved till hae come -out wi' a' this story; and vexed would Mr. Lovel hae been to have it -brought to light--sae I thought I would stand to onything rather than -that." - -"I must say he has chosen his confidant well," said Oldbuck, "though -somewhat strangely." - -"I'll say this for mysell, Monkbarns," answered the mendicant, "that -I am the fittest man in the haill country to trust wi' siller, for I -neither want it, nor wish for it, nor could use it if I had it. But the -lad hadna muckle choice in the matter, for he thought he was leaving the -country for ever (I trust he's mistaen in that though); and the night -was set in when we learned, by a strange chance, Sir Arthur's sair -distress, and Lovel was obliged to be on board as the day dawned. But -five nights afterwards the brig stood into the bay, and I met the boat -by appointment, and we buried the treasure where ye fand it." - -"This was a very romantic, foolish exploit," said Oldbuck: "why not -trust me, or any other friend?" - -"The blood o' your sister's son," replied Edie, "was on his hands, and -him maybe dead outright--what time had he to take counsel?--or how could -he ask it of you, by onybody?" - -"You are right. But what if Dousterswivel had come before you?" - -"There was little fear o' his coming there without Sir Arthur: he had -gotten a sair gliff the night afore, and never intended to look near the -place again, unless he had been brought there sting and ling. He ken'd -weel the first pose was o' his ain hiding, and how could he expect a -second? He just havered on about it to make the mair o' Sir Arthur." - -"Then how," said Oldbuck, "should Sir Arthur have come there unless the -German had brought him?" - -"Umph!" answered Edie drily. "I had a story about Misticot wad hae -brought him forty miles, or you either. Besides, it was to be thought he -would be for visiting the place he fand the first siller in--he ken'd na -the secret o' that job. In short, the siller being in this shape, Sir -Arthur in utter difficulties, and Lovel determined he should never ken -the hand that helped him,--for that was what he insisted maist upon,--we -couldna think o' a better way to fling the gear in his gate, though we -simmered it and wintered it e'er sae lang. And if by ony queer mischance -Doustercivil had got his claws on't, I was instantly to hae informed you -or the Sheriff o' the haill story." - -"Well, notwithstanding all these wise precautions, I think your -contrivance succeeded better than such a clumsy one deserved, Edie. But -how the deuce came Lovel by such a mass of silver ingots?" - -"That's just what I canna tell ye--But they were put on board wi' his -things at Fairport, it's like, and we stowed them into ane o' the -ammunition-boxes o' the brig, baith for concealment and convenience of -carriage." - -"Lord!" said Oldbuck, his recollection recurring to the earlier part -of his acquaintance with Lovel; "and this young fellow, who was putting -hundreds on so strange a hazard, I must be recommending a subscription -to him, and paying his bill at the Ferry! I never will pay any person's -bill again, that's certain.--And you kept up a constant correspondence -with Lovel, I suppose?" - -"I just gat ae bit scrape o' a pen frae him, to say there wad, as -yesterday fell, be a packet at Tannonburgh, wi' letters o' great -consequence to the Knockwinnock folk; for they jaloused the opening of -our letters at Fairport--And that's a's true; I hear Mrs. Mailsetter -is to lose her office for looking after other folk's business and -neglecting her ain." - -"And what do you expect now, Edie, for being the adviser, and messenger, -and guard, and confidential person in all these matters?" - -"Deil haet do I expect--excepting that a' the gentles will come to the -gaberlunzie's burial; and maybe ye'll carry the head yoursell, as ye -did puir Steenie Mucklebackit's.--What trouble was't to me? I was ganging -about at ony rate--Oh, but I was blythe when I got out of Prison, though; -for I thought, what if that weary letter should come when I am closed up -here like an oyster, and a' should gang wrang for want o't? and whiles -I thought I maun mak a clean breast and tell you a' about it; but then -I couldna weel do that without contravening Mr. Lovel's positive orders; -and I reckon he had to see somebody at Edinburgh afore he could do what -he wussed to do for Sir Arthur and his family." - -"Well, and to your public news, Edie--So they are still coming are they?" - -"Troth they say sae, sir; and there's come down strict orders for the -forces and volunteers to be alert; and there's a clever young officer to -come here forthwith, to look at our means o' defence--I saw the Bailies -lass cleaning his belts and white breeks--I gae her a hand, for ye maun -think she wasna ower clever at it, and sae I gat a' the news for my -pains." - -"And what think you, as an old soldier?" - -"Troth I kenna--an they come so mony as they speak o', they'll be odds -against us. But there's mony yauld chields amang thae volunteers; and I -mauna say muckle about them that's no weel and no very able, because I -am something that gate mysell--But we'se do our best." - -"What! so your martial spirit is rising again, Edie? - - Even in our ashes glow their wonted fires! - -I would not have thought you, Edie, had so much to fight for?" - -"Me no muckle to fight for, sir?--isna there the country to fight for, -and the burnsides that I gang daundering beside, and the hearths o'the -gudewives that gie me my bit bread, and the bits o' weans that come -toddling to play wi' me when I come about a landward town?--Deil!" he -continued, grasping his pike-staff with great emphasis, "an I had as -gude pith as I hae gude-will, and a gude cause, I should gie some o' -them a day's kemping." - -"Bravo, bravo, Edie! The country's in little ultimate danger, when the -beggar's as ready to fight for his dish as the laird for his land." - -Their further conversation reverted to the particulars of the night -passed by the mendicant and Lovel in the ruins of St. Ruth; by the -details of which the Antiquary was highly amused. - -"I would have given a guinea," he said, "to have seen the scoundrelly -German under the agonies of those terrors, which it is part of his own -quackery to inspire into others; and trembling alternately for the fury -of his patron, and the apparition of some hobgoblin." - -"Troth," said the beggar, "there was time for him to be cowed; for ye -wad hae thought the very spirit of Hell-in-Harness had taken possession -o' the body o' Sir Arthur. But what will come o' the land-louper?" - -"I have had a letter this morning, from which I understand he has -acquitted you of the charge he brought against you, and offers to make -such discoveries as will render the settlement of Sir Arthur's affairs a -more easy task than we apprehended--So writes the Sheriff; and adds, that -he has given some private information of importance to Government, in -consideration of which, I understand he will be sent back to play the -knave in his own country." - -"And a' the bonny engines, and wheels, and the coves, and sheughs, doun -at Glenwithershins yonder, what's to come o' them?" said Edie. - -"I hope the men, before they are dispersed, will make a bonfire of their -gimcracks, as an army destroy their artillery when forced to raise a -siege. And as for the holes, Edie, I abandon them as rat-traps, for the -benefit of the next wise men who may choose to drop the substance to -snatch at a shadow." - -"Hech, sirs! guide us a'! to burn the engines? that's a great waste--Had -ye na better try to get back part o' your hundred pounds wi' the sale o' -the materials?" he continued, with a tone of affected condolence. - -"Not a farthing," said the Antiquary, peevishly, taking a turn from him, -and making a step or two away. Then returning, half-smiling at his own -pettishness, he said, "Get thee into the house, Edie, and remember my -counsel, never speak to me about a mine, nor to my nephew Hector about a -phoca, that is a sealgh, as you call it." - -"I maun be ganging my ways back to Fairport," said the wanderer; "I want -to see what they're saying there about the invasion;--but I'll mind what -your honour says, no to speak to you about a sealgh, or to the Captain -about the hundred pounds that you gied to Douster"-- - -"Confound thee!--I desired thee not to mention that to me." - -"Dear me!" said Edie, with affected surprise; "weel, I thought there was -naething but what your honour could hae studden in the way o' agreeable -conversation, unless it was about the Praetorian yonder, or the bodle -that the packman sauld to ye for an auld coin." - -"Pshaw! pshaw!" said the Antiquary, turning from him hastily, and -retreating into the house. - -The mendicant looked after him a moment, and with a chuckling laugh, -such as that with which a magpie or parrot applauds a successful exploit -of mischief, he resumed once more the road to Fairport. His habits had -given him a sort of restlessness, much increased by the pleasure he took -in gathering news; and in a short time he had regained the town which he -left in the morning, for no reason that he knew himself, unless just to -"hae a bit crack wi' Monkbarns." - - - - -CHAPTER TWENTY-FOURTH. - - Red glared the beacon on Pownell - On Skiddaw there were three; - The bugle horn on moor and fell - Was heard continually. - James Hogg. - -The watch who kept his watch on the hill, and looked towards Birnam, -probably conceived himself dreaming when he first beheld the fated grove -put itself into motion for its march to Dunsinane. Even so old Caxon, -as perched in his hut, he qualified his thoughts upon the approaching -marriage of his daughter, and the dignity of being father-in-law to -Lieutenant Taffril, with an occasional peep towards the signal-post with -which his own corresponded, was not a little surprised by observing a -light in that direction. He rubbed his eyes, looked again, adjusting his -observation by a cross-staff which had been placed so as to bear upon -the point. And behold, the light increased, like a comet to the eye of -the astronomer, "with fear of change perplexing nations." - -"The Lord preserve us!" said Caxon, "what's to be done now? But there -will be wiser heads than mine to look to that, sae I'se e'en fire the -beacon." - -And he lighted the beacon accordingly, which threw up to the sky a long -wavering train of light, startling the sea-fowl from their nests, and -reflected far beneath by the reddening billows of the sea. The brother -warders of Caxon being equally diligent, caught, and repeated his -signal. The lights glanced on headlands and capes and inland hills, and -the whole district was alarmed by the signal of invasion. * - -* Note J. Alarms of Invasion. - -Our Antiquary, his head wrapped warm in two double night-caps, was -quietly enjoying his repose, when it was suddenly broken by the screams -of his sister, his niece, and two maid-servants. - -"What the devil is the matter?" said he, starting up in his bed-- -"womankind in my room at this hour of night!--are ye all mad?" - -"The beacon, uncle!" said Miss M'Intyre. - -"The French coming to murder us!" screamed Miss Griselda. - -"The beacon! the beacon!--the French! the French!--murder! murder! and -waur than murder!"--cried the two handmaidens, like the chorus of an -opera. - -[Illustration: The Antiquary Arming] - -"The French?" said Oldbuck, starting up--"get out of the room, womankind -that you are, till I get my things on--And hark ye, bring me my sword." - -"Whilk o' them, Monkbarns?" cried his sister, offering a Roman falchion -of brass with the one hand, and with the other an Andrea Ferrara without -a handle. - -"The langest, the langest," cried Jenny Rintherout, dragging in a -two-handed sword of the twelfth century. - -"Womankind," said Oldbuck in great agitation, "be composed, and do not -give way to vain terror--Are you sure they are come?" - -"Sure, sure!" exclaimed Jenny--"ower sure!--a' the sea fencibles, and the -land fencibles, and the volunteers and yeomanry, are on fit, and driving -to Fairport as hard as horse and man can gang--and auld Mucklebackit's -gane wi' the lave--muckle gude he'll do!--Hech, sirs!--he'll be missed the -morn wha wad hae served king and country weel!" - -"Give me," said Oldbuck, "the sword which my father wore in the year -forty-five--it hath no belt or baldrick--but we'll make shift." - -So saying he thrust the weapon through the cover of his breeches pocket. -At this moment Hector entered, who had been to a neighbouring height to -ascertain whether the alarm was actual. - -"Where are your arms, nephew?" exclaimed Oldbuck--"where is your -double-barrelled gun, that was never out of your hand when there was no -occasion for such vanities?" - -"Pooh! pooh! sir," said Hector, "who ever took a fowling-piece on -action? I have got my uniform on, you see--I hope I shall be of more use -if they will give me a command than I could be with ten double-barrels. -And you, sir, must get to Fairport, to give directions for quartering -and maintaining the men and horses, and preventing confusion." - -"You are right, Hector,--l believe I shall do as much with my head as my -hand too. But here comes Sir Arthur Wardour, who, between ourselves, is -not fit to accomplish much either one way or the other." - -Sir Arthur was probably of a different opinion; for, dressed in his -lieutenancy uniform, he was also on the road to Fairport, and called in -his way to take Mr. Oldbuck with him, having had his original opinion -of his sagacity much confirmed by late events. And in spite of all the -entreaties of the womankind that the Antiquary would stay to garrison -Monkbarns, Mr. Oldbuck, with his nephew, instantly accepted Sir Arthur's -offer. - -Those who have witnessed such a scene can alone conceive the state of -bustle in Fairport. The windows were glancing with a hundred lights, -which, appearing and disappearing rapidly, indicated the confusion -within doors. The women of lower rank assembled and clamoured in the -market-place. The yeomanry, pouring from their different glens, galloped -through the streets, some individually, some in parties of five or -six, as they had met on the road. The drums and fifes of the volunteers -beating to arms, were blended with the voice of the officers, the sound -of the bugles, and the tolling of the bells from the steeple. The ships -in the harbour were lit up, and boats from the armed vessels added to -the bustle, by landing men and guns destined to assist in the defence -of the place. This part of the preparations was superintended by Taffril -with much activity. Two or three light vessels had already slipped their -cables and stood out to sea, in order to discover the supposed enemy. - -Such was the scene of general confusion, when Sir Arthur Wardour, -Oldbuck, and Hector, made their way with difficulty into the principal -square, where the town-house is situated. It was lighted up, and the -magistracy, with many of the neighbouring gentlemen, were assembled. -And here, as upon other occasions of the like kind in Scotland, it was -remarkable how the good sense and firmness of the people supplied almost -all the deficiencies of inexperience. - -The magistrates were beset by the quarter-masters of the different corps -for billets for men and horses. "Let us," said Bailie Littlejohn, "take -the horses into our warehouses, and the men into our parlours--share -our supper with the one, and our forage with the other. We have made -ourselves wealthy under a free and paternal government, and now is the -time to show we know its value." - -A loud and cheerful acquiescence was given by all present, and the -substance of the wealthy, with the persons of those of all ranks, were -unanimously devoted to the defence of the country. - -Captain M'Intyre acted on this occasion as military adviser and -aide-de-camp to the principal magistrate, and displayed a degree of -presence of mind, and knowledge of his profession, totally unexpected -by his uncle, who, recollecting his usual insouciance and impetuosity, -gazed at him with astonishment from time to time, as he remarked the -calm and steady manner in which he explained the various measures -of precaution that his experience suggested, and gave directions for -executing them. He found the different corps in good order, considering -the irregular materials of which they were composed, in great force -of numbers and high confidence and spirits. And so much did military -experience at that moment overbalance all other claims to consequence, -that even old Edie, instead of being left, like Diogenes at Sinope, to -roll his tub when all around were preparing for defence, had the duty -assigned him of superintending the serving out of the ammunition, which -he executed with much discretion. - -Two things were still anxiously expected--the presence of the Glenallan -volunteers, who, in consideration of the importance of that family, had -been formed into a separate corps, and the arrival of the officer -before announced, to whom the measures of defence on that coast had been -committed by the commander-in-chief, and whose commission would entitle -him to take upon himself the full disposal of the military force. - -At length the bugles of the Glenallan yeomanry were heard, and the Earl -himself, to the surprise of all who knew his habits and state of health, -appeared at their head in uniform. They formed a very handsome and -well-mounted squadron, formed entirely out of the Earl's Lowland -tenants, and were followed by a regiment of five hundred men, completely -equipped in the Highland dress, whom he had brought down from the upland -glens, with their pipes playing in the van. The clean and serviceable -appearance of this band of feudal dependants called forth the admiration -of Captain M'Intyre; but his uncle was still more struck by the manner -in which, upon this crisis, the ancient military spirit of his house -seemed to animate and invigorate the decayed frame of the Earl, their -leader. He claimed, and obtained for himself and his followers, the post -most likely to be that of danger, displayed great alacrity in making the -necessary dispositions, and showed equal acuteness in discussing their -propriety. Morning broke in upon the military councils of Fairport, -while all concerned were still eagerly engaged in taking precautions for -their defence. - -At length a cry among the people announced, "There's the brave Major -Neville come at last, with another officer;" and their post-chaise and -four drove into the square, amidst the huzzas of the volunteers and -inhabitants. The magistrates, with their assessors of the lieutenancy, -hastened to the door of their town-house to receive him; but what was -the surprise of all present, but most especially that of the Antiquary, -when they became aware, that the handsome uniform and military cap -disclosed the person and features of the pacific Lovel! A warm embrace, -and a hearty shake of the hand, were necessary to assure him that -his eyes were doing him justice. Sir Arthur was no less surprised -to recognise his son, Captain Wardour, in Lovel's, or rather Major -Neville's company. The first words of the young officers were a positive -assurance to all present, that the courage and zeal which they had -displayed were entirely thrown away, unless in so far as they afforded -an acceptable proof of their spirit and promptitude. - -"The watchman at Halket-head," said Major Neville, "as we discovered by -an investigation which we made in our route hither, was most naturally -misled by a bonfire which some idle people had made on the hill -above Glenwithershins, just in the line of the beacon with which his -corresponded." - -Oldbuck gave a conscious look to Sir Arthur, who returned it with one -equally sheepish, and a shrug of the shoulders. - -"It must have been the machinery which we condemned to the flames in -our wrath," said the Antiquary, plucking up heart, though not a little -ashamed of having been the cause of so much disturbance--"The devil take -Dousterswivel with all my heart!--I think he has bequeathed us a legacy -of blunders and mischief, as if he had lighted some train of fireworks -at his departure. I wonder what cracker will go off next among our -shins. But yonder comes the prudent Caxon.--Hold up your head, you -ass--your betters must bear the blame for you--And here, take this -what-d'ye-call it"--(giving him his sword)--"I wonder what I would have -said yesterday to any man that would have told me I was to stick such an -appendage to my tail." - -Here he found his arm gently pressed by Lord Glenallan, who dragged him -into a separate apartment. "For God's sake, who is that young gentleman -who is so strikingly like"-- - -"Like the unfortunate Eveline," interrupted Oldbuck. "I felt my heart -warm to him from the first, and your lordship has suggested the very -cause." - -"But who--who is he?" continued Lord Glenallan, holding the Antiquary -with a convulsive grasp. - -"Formerly I would have called him Lovel, but now he turns out to be -Major Neville." - -"Whom my brother brought up as his natural son--whom he made his heir-- -Gracious Heaven! the child of my Eveline!" - -"Hold, my lord--hold!" said Oldbuck, "do not give too hasty way to such a -presumption;--what probability is there?" - -"Probability? none! There is certainty! absolute certainty! The agent I -mentioned to you wrote me the whole story--I received it yesterday, not -sooner. Bring him, for God's sake, that a father's eyes may bless him -before he departs." - -"I will; but for your own sake and his, give him a few moments for -preparation." - -And, determined to make still farther investigation before yielding his -entire conviction to so strange a tale, he sought out Major Neville, -and found him expediting the necessary measures for dispersing the force -which had been assembled. - -"Pray, Major Neville, leave this business for a moment to Captain -Wardour and to Hector, with whom, I hope, you are thoroughly reconciled" -(Neville laughed, and shook hands with Hector across the table), "and -grant me a moment's audience." - -"You have a claim on me, Mr. Oldbuck, were my business more urgent," -said Neville, "for having passed myself upon you under a false name, and -rewarding your hospitality by injuring your nephew." - -"You served him as he deserved," said Oldbuck--"though, by the way, he -showed as much good sense as spirit to-day--Egad! if he would rub up his -learning, and read Caesar and Polybus, and the Stratagemata Polyaeni, I -think he would rise in the army--and I will certainly lend him a lift." - -"He is heartily deserving of it," said Neville; "and I am glad you -excuse me, which you may do the more frankly, when you know that I am so -unfortunate as to have no better right to the name of Neville, by which -I have been generally distinguished, than to that of Lovel, under which -you knew me." - -"Indeed! then, I trust, we shall find out one for you to which you shall -have a firm and legal title." - -"Sir!--I trust you do not think the misfortune of my birth a fit -subject"-- - -"By no means, young man," answered the Antiquary, interrupting him;--"I -believe I know more of your birth than you do yourself--and, to convince -you of it, you were educated and known as a natural son of Geraldin -Neville of Neville's-Burgh, in Yorkshire, and I presume, as his destined -heir?" - -"Pardon me--no such views were held out to me. I was liberally educated, -and pushed forward in the army by money and interest; but I believe my -supposed father long entertained some ideas of marriage, though he never -carried them into effect." - -"You say your supposed father?--What leads you to suppose Mr. Geraldin -Neville was not your real father?" - -"I know, Mr. Oldbuck, that you would not ask these questions on a -point of such delicacy for the gratification of idle curiosity. I will -therefore tell you candidly, that last year, while we occupied a -small town in French Flanders, I found in a convent, near which I -was quartered, a woman who spoke remarkably good English--She was a -Spaniard--her name Teresa D'Acunha. In the process of our acquaintance, -she discovered who I was, and made herself known to me as the person -who had charge of my infancy. She dropped more than one hint of rank to -which I was entitled, and of injustice done to me, promising a more -full disclosure in case of the death of a lady in Scotland, during whose -lifetime she was determined to keep the secret. She also intimated that -Mr. Geraldin Neville was not my father. We were attacked by the enemy, -and driven from the town, which was pillaged with savage ferocity by the -republicans. The religious orders were the particular objects of their -hate and cruelty. The convent was burned, and several nuns perished-- -among others Teresa; and with her all chance of knowing the story of my -birth: tragic by all accounts it must have been." - -"Raro antecedentem scelestum, or, as I may here say, scelestam," said -Oldbuck, "deseruit poena--even Epicureans admitted that. And what did you -do upon this?" - -"I remonstrated with Mr. Neville by letter, and to no purpose. I then -obtained leave of absence, and threw myself at his feet, conjuring him -to complete the disclosure which Teresa had begun. He refused, and, on -my importunity, indignantly upbraided me with the favours he had already -conferred. I thought he abused the power of a benefactor, as he was -compelled to admit he had no title to that of a father, and we parted -in mutual displeasure. I renounced the name of Neville, and assumed -that under which you knew me. It was at this time, when residing with a -friend in the north of England who favoured my disguise, that I became -acquainted with Miss Wardour, and was romantic enough to follow her to -Scotland. My mind wavered on various plans of life, when I resolved to -apply once more to Mr. Neville for an explanation of the mystery of my -birth. It was long ere I received an answer; you were present when it -was put into my hands. He informed me of his bad state of health, and -conjured me, for my own sake, to inquire no farther into the nature of -his connection with me, but to rest satisfied with his declaring it to -be such and so intimate, that he designed to constitute me his heir. -When I was preparing to leave Fairport to join him, a second express -brought me word that he was no more. The possession of great wealth was -unable to suppress the remorseful feelings with which I now regarded -my conduct to my benefactor, and some hints in his letter appearing -to intimate there was on my birth a deeper stain than that of ordinary -illegitimacy, I remembered certain prejudices of Sir Arthur." - -"And you brooded over these melancholy ideas until you were ill, instead -of coming to me for advice, and telling me the whole story?" said -Oldbuck. - -"Exactly; then came my quarrel with Captain M'Intyre, and my compelled -departure from Fairport and its vicinity." - -"From love and from poetry--Miss Wardour and the Caledoniad?" - -"Most true." - -"And since that time you have been occupied, I suppose, with plans for -Sir Arthur's relief?" - -"Yes, sir; with the assistance of Captain Wardour at Edinburgh." - -"And Edie Ochiltree here--you see I know the whole story. But how came -you by the treasure?" - -"It was a quantity of plate which had belonged to my uncle, and was left -in the custody of a person at Fairport. Some time before his death he -had sent orders that it should be melted down. He perhaps did not wish -me to see the Glenallan arms upon it." - -"Well, Major Neville--or let me say, Lovel, being the name in which I -rather delight--you must, I believe, exchange both of your alias's for -the style and title of the Honourable William Geraldin, commonly called -Lord Geraldin." - -The Antiquary then went through the strange and melancholy circumstances -concerning his mother's death. - -"I have no doubt," he said, "that your uncle wished the report to be -believed, that the child of this unhappy marriage was no more--perhaps he -might himself have an eye to the inheritance of his brother--he was then -a gay wild young man--But of all intentions against your person, however -much the evil conscience of Elspeth might lead her to inspect him from -the agitation in which he appeared, Teresa's story and your own -fully acquit him. And now, my dear sir, let me have the pleasure of -introducing a son to a father." - -We will not attempt to describe such a meeting. The proofs on all sides -were found to be complete, for Mr. Neville had left a distinct account -of the whole transaction with his confidential steward in a sealed -packet, which was not to be opened until the death of the old Countess; -his motive for preserving secrecy so long appearing to have been an -apprehension of the effect which the discovery, fraught with so much -disgrace, must necessarily produce upon her haughty and violent temper. - -In the evening of that day, the yeomanry and volunteers of Glenallan -drank prosperity to their young master. In a month afterwards Lord -Geraldin was married to Miss Wardour, the Antiquary making the lady a -present of the wedding ring--a massy circle of antique chasing, bearing -the motto of Aldobrand Oldenbuck, Kunst macht gunst. - -Old Edie, the most important man that ever wore a blue gown, bowls away -easily from one friend's house to another, and boasts that he never -travels unless on a sunny day. Latterly, indeed, he has given some -symptoms of becoming stationary, being frequently found in the corner -of a snug cottage between Monkbarns and Knockwinnock, to which -Caxon retreated upon his daughter's marriage, in order to be in the -neighbourhood of the three parochial wigs, which he continues to keep in -repair, though only for amusement. Edie has been heard to say, "This is -a gey bein place, and it's a comfort to hae sic a corner to sit in in -a bad day." It is thought, as he grows stiffer in the joints, he will -finally settle there. - -The bounty of such wealthy patrons as Lord and Lady Geraldin flowed -copiously upon Mrs. Hadoway and upon the Mucklebackits. By the former -it was well employed, by the latter wasted. They continue, however, to -receive it, but under the administration of Edie Ochiltree; and they -do not accept it without grumbling at the channel through which it is -conveyed. - -Hector is rising rapidly in the army, and has been more than once -mentioned in the Gazette, and rises proportionally high in his uncle's -favour; and what scarcely pleases the young soldier less, he has also -shot two seals, and thus put an end to the Antiquary's perpetual harping -upon the story of the _phoca_. People talk of a marriage between Miss -M'Intyre and Captain Wardour; but this wants confirmation. - -The Antiquary is a frequent visitor at Knockwinnock and Glenallan House, -ostensibly for the sake of completing two essays, one on the mail-shirt -of the Great Earl, and the other on the left-hand gauntlet of -Hell-in-Harness. He regularly inquires whether Lord Geraldin has -commenced the Caledoniad, and shakes his head at the answers he -receives. _En attendant_, however, he has completed his notes, which, we -believe, will be at the service of any one who chooses to make them -public without risk or expense to THE ANTIQUARY. - - - - -NOTES TO THE ANTIQUARY. - -Note A, p. #.--Mottoes. - -["It was in correcting the proof-sheets of this novel that Scott first -took to equipping his chapters with mottoes of his own fabrication. On -one occasion he happened to ask John Ballantyne, who was sitting by him, -to hunt for a particular passage in Beaumont and Fletcher. John did -as he was bid, but did not succeed in discovering the lines. 'Hang it, -Johnnie,' cried Scott, 'I believe I can make a motto sooner than you -will find one.' He did so accordingly; and from that hour, whenever -memory failed to suggest an appropriate epigraph, he had recourse to the -inexhaustible mines of "old play" or "old ballad," to which we owe -some of the most exquisite verses that ever flowed from his pen."--J. G. -Lockhart. - -See also the Introduction to "Chronicles of the Canongate," vol. xix.] - -Note B, p. #.--Sandy Gordon's Itinerarium. - -[This well-known work, the "Itinerarium Septentrionale, or a Journey -thro' most of the Counties of Scotland, and those in the North of -England," was published at London in 1727, folio. The author states, -that in prosecuting his work he "made a pretty laborious progress -through almost every part of Scotland for three years successively." -Gordon was a native of Aberdeenshire, and had previously spent some -years in travelling abroad, probably as a tutor. He became Secretary to -the London Society of Antiquaries in 1736. This office he resigned in -1741, and soon after went out to South Carolina with Governor Glen, -where he obtained a considerable grant of land. On his death, about -the year 1753, he is said to have left "a handsome estate to his -family."--See Literary Anecdotes of Bowyer, by John Nichols, vol. v., p. -329, etc.] - -Note C, p. #.--Praetorium. - -It may be worth while to mention that the incident of the supposed -Praetorium actually happened to an antiquary of great learning and -acuteness, Sir John Clerk of Penicuik, one of the Barons of the Scottish -Court of Exchequer, and a parliamentary commissioner for arrangement of -the Union between England and Scotland. As many of his writings show, -Sir John was much attached to the study of Scottish antiquities. He had -a small property in Dumfriesshire, near the Roman station on the -hill called Burrenswark. Here he received the distinguished English -antiquarian Roger Gale, and of course conducted him to see this -remarkable spot, where the lords of the world have left such decisive -marks of their martial labours. - -An aged shepherd whom they had used as a guide, or who had approached -them from curiosity, listened with mouth agape to the dissertations on -foss and vellum, ports dextra, sinistra, and decumana, which Sir John -Clerk delivered ex cathedra, and his learned visitor listened with the -deference to the dignity of a connoisseur on his own ground. But when -the cicerone proceeded to point out a small hillock near the centre -of the enclosure as the Praetorium, Corydon's patience could hold no -longer, and, like Edie Ochiltree, he forgot all reverence, and broke in -with nearly the same words--"Praetorium here, Praetorium there, I -made the bourock mysell with a flaughter-spade." The effect of this -undeniable evidence on the two lettered sages may be left to the -reader's imagination. - -The late excellent and venerable John Clerk of Eldin, the celebrated -author of Naval Tactics, used to tell this story with glee, and being a -younger son of Sir John's was perhaps present on the occasion. - -Note D, p. #.--Mr. Rutherfurd's Dream - -The legend of Mrs. Grizel Oldbuck was partly taken from an extraordinary -story which happened about seventy years since, in the South of -Scotland, so peculiar in its circumstances that it merits being -mentioned in this place. Mr. Rutherfurd of Bowland, a gentleman -of landed property in the vale of Gala, was prosecuted for a very -considerable sum, the accumulated arrears of teind (or tithe) for -which he was said to be indebted to a noble family, the titulars (lay -impropriators of the tithes). Mr. Rutherfurd was strongly impressed with -the belief that his father had, by a form of process peculiar to the law -of Scotland, purchased these lands from the titular, and therefore that -the present prosecution was groundless. But, after an industrious search -among his father's papers, an investigation of the public records, and -a careful inquiry among all persons who had transacted law business for -his father, no evidence could be recovered to support his defence. The -period was now near at hand when he conceived the loss of his lawsuit to -be inevitable, and he had formed his determination to ride to Edinburgh -next day, and make the best bargain he could in the way of compromise. -He went to bed with this resolution and, with all the circumstances -of the case floating upon his mind, had a dream to the following -purpose:--His father, who had been many years dead, appeared to him, he -thought, and asked him why he was disturbed in his mind. In dreams men -are not surprised at such apparitions. Mr. Rutherfurd thought that -he informed his father of the cause of his distress, adding that the -payment of a considerable sum of money was the more unpleasant to him, -because he had a strong consciousness that it was not due, though he was -unable to recover any evidence in support of his belief, "You are right, -my son," replied the paternal shade; "I did acquire right to these -teinds, for payment of which you are now prosecuted. The papers relating -to the transaction are in the hands of Mr.--, a writer (or attorney), who -is now retired from professional business, and resides at Inveresk, -near Edinburgh. He was a person whom I employed on that occasion for -a particular reason, but who never on any other occasion transacted -business on my account. It is very possible," pursued the vision, "that -Mr.--may have forgotten a matter which is now of a very old date; but you -may call it to his recollection by this token, that when I came to pay -his account, there was difficulty in getting change for a Portugal piece -of gold, and that we were forced to drink out the balance at a tavern." - -Mr. Rutherfurd awakened in the morning with all the words of the vision -imprinted on his mind, and thought it worth while to ride across the -country to Inveresk, instead of going straight to Edinburgh. When he -came there he waited on the gentleman mentioned in the dream, a very -old man; without saying anything of the vision, he inquired whether he -remembered having conducted such a matter for his deceased father. -The old gentleman could not at first bring the circumstance to his -recollection, but on mention of the Portugal piece of gold, the whole -returned upon his memory; he made an immediate search for the papers, -and recovered them,--so that Mr. Rutherfurd carried to Edinburgh the -documents necessary to gain the cause which he was on the verge of -losing. - -The author has often heard this story told by persons who had the best -access to know the facts, who were not likely themselves to be deceived, -and were certainly incapable of deception. He cannot therefore refuse to -give it credit, however extraordinary the circumstances may appear. The -circumstantial character of the information given in the dream, takes it -out of the general class of impressions of the kind which are occasioned -by the fortuitous coincidence of actual events with our sleeping -thoughts. On the other hand, few will suppose that the laws of nature -were suspended, and a special communication from the dead to the living -permitted, for the purpose of saving Mr. Rutherfurd a certain number -of hundred pounds. The author's theory is, that the dream was only the -recapitulation of information which Mr. Rutherfurd had really received -from his father while in life, but which at first he merely recalled as -a general impression that the claim was settled. It is not uncommon for -persons to recover, during sleep, the thread of ideas which they have -lost during their waking hours. - -It may be added, that this remarkable circumstance was attended with bad -consequences to Mr. Rutherfurd; whose health and spirits were afterwards -impaired by the attention which he thought himself obliged to pay to the -visions of the night. - -Note E, p. #.--Nick-sticks. - -A sort of tally generally used by bakers of the olden time in settling -with their customers. Each family had its own nick-stick, and for each -loaf as delivered a notch was made on the stick. Accounts in Exchequer, -kept by the same kind of check, may have occasioned the Antiquary's -partiality. In Prior's time the English bakers had the same sort of -reckoning. - - Have you not seen a baker's maid, - Between two equal panniers sway'd? - Her tallies useless lie and idle, - If placed exactly in the middle. - -Note F, p. #.--Witchcraft. - -A great deal of stuff to the same purpose with that placed in the mouth -of the German adept, may be found in Reginald Scott's Discovery -of Witchcraft, Third Edition, folio, London, 1665. The Appendix is -entitled, "An Excellent Discourse of the Nature and Substances of Devils -and Spirits, in two Books; the first by the aforesaid author (Reginald -Scott), the Second now added in this Third Edition as succedaneous to -the former, and conducing to the completing of the whole work." This -Second Book, though stated as succedaneous to the first, is, in fact, -entirely at variance with it; for the work of Reginald Scott is a -compilation of the absurd and superstitious ideas concerning witches -so generally entertained at the time, and the pretended conclusion is a -serious treatise on the various means of conjuring astral spirits. - -[Scott's Discovery of Witchcraft was first published in the reign of -Queen Elizabeth, London, 1584.] - -Note G, p. #.--Gynecocracy. - -In the fishing villages on the Firths of Forth and Tay, as well as -elsewhere in Scotland, the government is gynecocracy, as described -in the text. In the course of the late war, and during the alarm of -invasion, a fleet of transports entered the Firth of Forth under the -convoy of some ships of war, which would reply to no signals. A general -alarm was excited, in consequence of which, all the fishers, who were -enrolled as sea-fencibles, got on board the gun-boats which they were to -man as occasion should require, and sailed to oppose the supposed enemy. -The foreigners proved to be Russians, with whom we were then at peace. -The county gentlemen of Mid-Lothian, pleased with the zeal displayed by -the sea-fencibles at a critical moment, passed a vote for presenting the -community of fishers with a silver punch-bowl, to be used on occasions -of festivity. But the fisher-women, on hearing what was intended, put in -their claim to have some separate share in the intended honorary reward. -The men, they said, were their husbands; it was they who would have -been sufferers if their husbands had been killed, and it was by their -permission and injunctions that they embarked on board the gun-boats for -the public service. They therefore claimed to share the reward in some -manner which should distinguish the female patriotism which they had -shown on the occasion. The gentlemen of the county willingly admitted -the claim; and without diminishing the value of their compliment to the -men, they made the females a present of a valuable broach, to fasten the -plaid of the queen of the fisher-women for the time. - -It may be further remarked, that these Nereids are punctilious among -themselves, and observe different ranks according to the commodities -they deal in. One experienced dame was heard to characterise a younger -damsel as "a puir silly thing, who had no ambition, and would never," -she prophesied, "rise above the mussel-line of business." - -Note H, p. #.--Battle of Harlaw. - -The great battle of Harlaw, here and formerly referred to, might be said -to determine whether the Gaelic or the Saxon race should be predominant -in Scotland. Donald, Lord of the Isles, who had at that period the power -of an independent sovereign, laid claim to the Earldom of Ross during -the Regency of Robert, Duke of Albany. To enforce his supposed right, he -ravaged the north with a large army of Highlanders and Islesmen. He was -encountered at Harlaw, in the Garioch, by Alexander, Earl of Mar, at the -head of the northern nobility and gentry of Saxon and Norman descent. -The battle was bloody and indecisive; but the invader was obliged to -retire in consequence of the loss he sustained, and afterwards was -compelled to make submission to the Regent, and renounce his pretensions -to Ross; so that all the advantages of the field were gained by the -Saxons. The battle of Harlaw was fought 24th July 1411. - -Note I, p. #.--Elspeth's death. - -The concluding circumstance of Elspeth's death is taken from an incident -said to have happened at the funeral of John, Duke of Roxburghe. All who -were acquainted with that accomplished nobleman must remember that he -was not more remarkable for creating and possessing a most curious and -splendid library, than for his acquaintance with the literary treasures -it contained. In arranging his books, fetching and replacing the volumes -which he wanted, and carrying on all the necessary intercourse which -a man of letters holds with his library, it was the Duke's custom to -employ, not a secretary or librarian, but a livery servant, called -Archie, whom habit had made so perfectly acquainted with the library, -that he knew every book, as a shepherd does the individuals of his -flock, by what is called head-mark, and could bring his master whatever -volume he wanted, and afford all the mechanical aid the Duke required in -his literary researches. To secure the attendance of Archie, there was a -bell hung in his room, which was used on no occasion except to call him -individually to the Duke's study. - -His Grace died in Saint James's Square, London, in the year 1804; the -body was to be conveyed to Scotland, to lie in state at his mansion -of Fleurs, and to be removed from thence to the family burial-place at -Bowden. - -At this time, Archie, who had been long attacked by a liver-complaint, -was in the very last stage of that disease. Yet he prepared himself to -accompany the body of the master whom he had so long and so faithfully -waited upon. The medical persons assured him he could not survive the -journey. It signified nothing, he said, whether he died in England or -Scotland; he was resolved to assist in rendering the last honours to the -kind master from whom he had been inseparable for so many years, even -if he should expire in the attempt. The poor invalid was permitted to -attend the Duke's body to Scotland; but when they reached Fleurs he -was totally exhausted, and obliged to keep his bed, in a sort of stupor -which announced speedy dissolution. On the morning of the day fixed for -removing the dead body of the Duke to the place of burial, the private -bell by which he was wont to summon his attendant to his study was rung -violently. This might easily happen in the confusion of such a scene, -although the people of the neighbourhood prefer believing that the bell -sounded of its own accord. Ring, however, it did; and Archie, roused -by the well-known summons, rose up in his bed, and faltered, in broken -accents, "Yes, my Lord Duke--yes--I will wait on your Grace instantly;" -and with these words on his lips he is said to have fallen back and -expired. - -Note J, p. #.--Alarm of invasion. - -The story of the false alarm at Fairport, and the consequences, are -taken from a real incident. Those who witnessed the state of Britain, -and of Scotland in particular, from the period that succeeded the war -which commenced in 1803 to the battle of Trafalgar, must recollect -those times with feelings which we can hardly hope to make the rising -generation comprehend. Almost every individual was enrolled either in -a military or civil capacity, for the purpose of contributing to resist -the long-suspended threats of invasion, which were echoed from every -quarter. Beacons were erected along the coast, and all through the -country, to give the signal for every one to repair to the post where -his peculiar duty called him, and men of every description fit to -serve held themselves in readiness on the shortest summons. During this -agitating period, and on the evening of the 2d February 1804, the person -who kept watch on the commanding station of Home Castle, being deceived -by some accidental fire in the county of Northumberland, which he took -for the corresponding signal-light in that county with which his -orders were to communicate, lighted up his own beacon. The signal was -immediately repeated through all the valleys on the English Border. If -the beacon at Saint Abb's Head had been fired, the alarm would have -run northward, and roused all Scotland. But the watch at this important -point judiciously considered, that if there had been an actual or -threatened descent on our eastern sea-coast, the alarm would have come -along the coast and not from the interior of the country. - -Through the Border counties the alarm spread with rapidity, and on no -occasion when that country was the scene of perpetual and unceasing -war, was the summons to arms more readily obeyed. In Berwickshire, -Roxburghshire, and Selkirkshire, the volunteers and militia got under -arms with a degree of rapidity and alacrity which, considering the -distance individuals lived from each other, had something in it very -surprising--they poured to the alarm-posts on the sea-coast in a state so -well armed and so completely appointed, with baggage, provisions, etc., -as was accounted by the best military judges to render them fit for -instant and effectual service. - -There were some particulars in the general alarm which are curious -and interesting. The men of Liddesdale, the most remote point to the -westward which the alarm reached, were so much afraid of being late in -the field, that they put in requisition all the horses they could find, -and when they had thus made a forced march out of their own country, -they turned their borrowed steeds loose to find their way back through -the hills, and they all got back safe to their own stables. Another -remarkable circumstance was, the general cry of the inhabitants of the -smaller towns for arms, that they might go along with their companions. -The Selkirkshire Yeomanry made a remarkable march, for although some -of the individuals lived at twenty and thirty miles' distance from the -place where they mustered, they were nevertheless embodied and in -order in so short a period, that they were at Dalkeith, which was their -alarm-post, about one o'clock on the day succeeding the first signal, -with men and horses in good order, though the roads were in a bad state, -and many of the troopers must have ridden forty or fifty miles without -drawing bridle. Two members of the corps chanced to be absent from their -homes, and in Edinburgh on private business. The lately married wife of -one of these gentlemen, and the widowed mother of the other, sent the -arms, uniforms, and chargers of the two troopers, that they might join -their companions at Dalkeith. The author was very much struck by the -answer made to him by the last-mentioned lady, when he paid her some -compliment on the readiness which she showed in equipping her son with -the means of meeting danger, when she might have left him a fair excuse -for remaining absent. "Sir," she replied, with the spirit of a Roman -matron, "none can know better than you that my son is the only prop by -which, since his father's death, our family is supported. But I would -rather see him dead on that hearth, than hear that he had been a horse's -length behind his companions in the defence of his king and country." -The author mentions what was immediately under his own eye, and within -his own knowledge; but the spirit was universal, wherever the alarm -reached, both in Scotland and England. - -The account of the ready patriotism displayed by the country on this -occasion, warmed the hearts of Scottishmen in every corner of the world. -It reached the ears of the well-known Dr. Leyden, whose enthusiastic -love of Scotland, and of his own district of Teviotdale, formed a -distinguished part of his character. The account which was read to him -when on a sick-bed, stated (very truly) that the different corps, on -arriving at their alarm-posts, announced themselves by their music -playing the tunes peculiar to their own districts, many of which have -been gathering-signals for centuries. It was particularly remembered, -that the Liddesdale men, before mentioned, entered Kelso playing the -lively tune-- - - O wha dare meddle wi' me, - And wha dare meddle wi' me! - My name it is little Jock Elliot, - And wha dare meddle wi' me! - -The patient was so delighted with this display of ancient Border spirit, -that he sprung up in his bed, and began to sing the old song with such -vehemence of action and voice, that his attendants, ignorant of the -cause of excitation, concluded that the fever had taken possession -of his brain; and it was only the entry of another Borderer, Sir John -Malcolm, and the explanation which he was well qualified to give, that -prevented them from resorting to means of medical coercion. - -The circumstances of this false alarm and its consequences may be now -held of too little importance even for a note upon a work of fiction; -but, at the period when it happened, it was hailed by the country as a -propitious omen, that the national force, to which much must naturally -have been trusted, had the spirit to look in the face the danger which -they had taken arms to repel; and every one was convinced, that on -whichever side God might bestow the victory, the invaders would meet -with the most determined opposition from the children of the soil. - - - - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's The Antiquary, Complete, by Sir Walter Scott - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ANTIQUARY, COMPLETE *** - -***** This file should be named 7005.txt or 7005.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - https://www.gutenberg.org/7/0/0/7005/ - -Produced by David Widger - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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