"This is to let the cat out of the bag, indeed," thought I. And that was the general impression. It was extraordinary how the young advocate lads took hold and made a mock of this speech, and how scarce a meal passed but what some one would get in the words: "And then you might have been satiated." Many [pg 225]songs were made in that time for the hour's diversion, and are near all forgot. I remember one began:
What do ye want the bluid of, bluid of?
Is it a name, or is it a clan,
Or is it an aefauld Hielandman,
That ye want the bluid of, bluid of?
Another went to my old favourite air, The House of Airlie, and began thus:
It fell on a day when Argyle was on the bench,
That they served him a Stewart for his denner.
And one of the verses ran:
Then up and spak the Duke, and flyted on his cook,
That I would sup ava', an' satiate my maw,
With the bluid of ony clan of my aversion.
James was as fairly murdered as though the Duke had got a fowling-piece and stalked him. So much of course I knew: but others knew not so much, and were more affected5 by the items of scandal that came to light in the progress of the cause. One of the chief was certainly this sally of the justice's. It was run hard by another of a juryman, who had struck into the midst of Colstoun's speech for the defence with a "Pray, sir, cut it short, we are quite weary," which seemed the very excess of impudence6 and simplicity7. But some of my new lawyer friends were still more staggered with an innovation that had disgraced and even vitiated the [pg 226]proceedings. One witness was never called. His name, indeed, was printed, where it may still be seen on the fourth page of the list: "James Drummond, alias8 Macgregor, alias James More, late tenant9 in Inveronachile"; and his precognition had been taken, as the manner is, in writing. He had remembered or invented (God help him) matter which was lead in James Stewart's shoes, and I saw was like to prove wings to his own. This testimony10 it was highly desirable to bring to the notice of the jury, without exposing the man himself to the perils11 of cross-examination; and the way it was brought about was a matter of surprise to all. For the paper was handed round (like a curiosity) in court; passed through the jury-box, where it did its work; and disappeared again (as though by accident) before it reached the counsel for the prisoner. This was counted a most insidious12 device; and that the name of James More should be mingled13 up with it filled me with shame for Catriona and concern for myself.
The following day, Prestongrange and I, with a considerable company, set out for Glasgow, where (to my impatience) we continued to linger some time in a mixture of pleasure and affairs. I lodged14 with my lord, with whom I was encouraged to familiarity; had my place at entertainments; was presented to the chief guests; and altogether made more of than I thought accorded either with my parts or station; so that, on strangers being present, I would often blush for Prestongrange. [pg 227]It must be owned the view I had taken of the world in these last months was fit to cast a gloom upon my character. I had met many men, some of them leaders in Israel whether by their birth or talents; and who among them all had shown clean hands? As for the Browns and Millers15, I had seen their self-seeking, I could never again respect them. Prestongrange was the best yet; he had saved me, had spared me rather, when others had it in their minds to murder me outright16; but the blood of James lay at his door; and I thought his present dissimulation17 with myself a thing below pardon. That he should affect to find pleasure in my discourse18 almost surprised me out of my patience. I would sit and watch him with a kind of a slow fire of anger in my bowels19. "Ah, friend, friend," I would think to myself, "if you were but through with this affair of the memorial, would you not kick me in the streets?" Here I did him, as events have proved, the most foul20 injustice21; and I think he was at once far more sincere, and a far more artful performer than I supposed.
But I had some warrant for my incredulity in the behaviour of that court of young advocates that hung about him in the hope of patronage22. The sudden favour of a lad not previously23 heard of troubled them at first out of measure; but two days were not gone by before I found myself surrounded with flattery and attention. I was the same young man, and neither [pg 228]better nor bonnier, that they had rejected a month before; and now there was no civility too fine for me! The same, do I say? It was not so; and the byname by which I went behind my back confirmed it. Seeing me so firm with the Advocate, and persuaded that I was to fly high and far, they had taken a word from the golfing green, and called me the Tee'd Ball.[14] I was told I was now "one of themselves"; I was to taste of their soft lining24, who had already made my own experience of the roughness of the outer husk; and the one, to whom I had been presented in Hope Park, was so assured as even to remind me of that meeting. I told him I had not the pleasure of remembering it.
"Why," says he, "it was Miss Grant herself presented me! My name is so-and-so."
"It may very well be, sir," said I, "but I have kept no mind of it."
At which he desisted; and in the midst of the disgust that commonly overflowed25 my spirits I had a glisk of pleasure.
But I have not patience to dwell upon that time at length. When I was in company with these young politics I was borne down with shame for myself and my own plain ways, and scorn for them and their duplicity. Of the two evils, I thought Prestongrange to be the least; and while I was always as stiff as buckram to the young bloods, I made rather a dissimulation [pg 229]of my hard feelings towards the Advocate, and was (in old Mr. Campbell's word) "soople to the laird." Himself commented on the difference, and bid me be more of my age, and make friends with my young comrades.
I told him I was slow of making friends.
"I will take the word back," said he. "But there is such a thing as Fair gude e'en and fair gude day, Mr. David. These are the same young men with whom you are to pass your days and get through life: your backwardness has a look of arrogance27; and unless you can assume a little more lightness of manner, I fear you will meet difficulties in the path."
"It will be an ill job to make a silk purse of a sow's ear," said I.
On the morning of October 1st I was awakened28 by the clattering29 in of an express; and getting to my window almost before he had dismounted, I saw the messenger had ridden hard. Somewhile after I was called to Prestongrange, where he was sitting in his bedgown and nightcap, with his letters around him.
"Mr. David," said he, "I have a piece of news for you. It concerns some friends of yours, of whom I sometimes think you are a little ashamed, for you have never referred to their existence."
I suppose I blushed.
"I see you understand, since you make the answering signal," said he. "And I must compliment you on your excellent taste in beauty. But do you know, Mr. [pg 230]David, this seems to me a very enterprising lass? She crops up from every side. The Government of Scotland appears unable to proceed for Mistress Katrine Drummond, which was somewhat the case (no great while back) with a certain Mr. David Balfour. Should not these make a good match? Her first intromission in politics--but I must not tell you that story, the authorities have decided30 you are to hear it otherwise and from a livelier narrator. This new example is more serious, however; and I am afraid I must alarm you with the intelligence that she is now in prison."
I cried out.
"Yes," said he, "the little lady is in prison. But I would not have you to despair. Unless you (with your friends and memorials) shall procure31 my downfall, she is to suffer nothing."
"But what has she done? What is her offence?" I cried.
"It might be almost construed32 a high treason," he returned, "for she has broke the King's Castle of Edinburgh."
"The lady is much my friend," I said. "I know you would not work me if the thing were serious."
"And yet it is serious in a sense," said he; "for this rogue33 of a Katrine--or Cateran, as we may call her--has set adrift again upon the world that very doubtful character, her papa."
Here was one of my previsions justified34: James [pg 231]More was once again at liberty. He had lent his men to keep me a prisoner; he had volunteered his testimony in the Appin case, and the same (no matter by what subterfuge) had been employed to influence the jury. Now came his reward, and he was free. It might please the authorities to give to it the colour of an escape; but I knew better--I knew it was the fulfilment of a bargain. The same course of thought relieved me of the least alarm for Catriona. She might be thought to have broke prison for her father; she might have believed so herself. But the chief hand in the whole business was that of Prestongrange; and I was sure, so far from letting her come to punishment, he would not suffer her to be even tried. Whereupon thus came out of me the not very politic26 ejaculation:
"Ah! I was expecting that!"
"You have at times a great deal of discretion35 too!" says Prestongrange.
"And what is my lord pleased to mean by that?" I asked.
"I was just marvelling," he replied, "that being so clever as to draw these inferences, you should not be clever enough to keep them to yourself. But I think you would like to hear the details of the affair. I have received two versions: and the least official is the more full and far the more entertaining, being from the lively pen of my eldest36 daughter. 'Here is all the town bizzing with a fine piece of work,' she writes, 'and [pg 232]what would make the thing more noted37 (if it were only known) the malefactor38 is a protégée of his lordship my papa. I am sure your heart is too much in your duty (if it were nothing else) to have forgotten Grey Eyes. What does she do, but get a broad hat with the flaps open, a long hairy-like man's great-coat, and a big gravatt; kilt her coats up to Gude kens39 whaur, clap two pair of boot-hose upon her legs, take a pair of clouted40 brogues[15] in her hand, and off to the Castle? Here she gives herself out to be a soutar[16] in the employ of James More, and gets admitted to his cell, the lieutenant41 (who seems to have been full of pleasantry) making sport among his soldiers of the soutar's great-coat. Presently they hear disputation and the sound of blows inside. Out flies the cobbler, his coat flying, the flaps of his hat beat about his face, and the lieutenant and his soldiers mock at him as he runs off. They laughed not so hearty42 the next time they had occasion to visit the cell, and found nobody but a tall, pretty, grey-eyed lass in the female habit! As for the cobbler, he was "over the hills ayont Dumblane," and it's thought that poor Scotland will have to console herself without him. I drank Catriona's health this night in public. Indeed, the whole town admires her; and I think the beaux would wear bits of her garters in their button-holes if they could only get them. I would have gone to visit her in prison too, only I remembered [pg 233]in time I was papa's daughter; so I wrote her a billet instead, which I entrusted43 to the faithful Doig, and I hope you will admit I can be political when I please. The same faithful gomeral is to despatch44 this letter by the express along with those of the wiseacres, so that you may hear Tom Fool in company with Solomon. Talking of gomerals, do tell Dauvit Balfour. I would I could see the face of him at the thought of a long-legged lass in such a predicament! to say nothing of the levities45 of your affectionate daughter, and his respectful friend.' So my rascal46 signs herself!" continued Prestongrange. "And you see, Mr. David, it is quite true what I tell you, that my daughters regard you with the most affectionate playfulness."
"The gomeral is much obliged," said I.
"I was always sure she had a great heart," said I. "And I wager49 she guessed nothing.... But I beg your pardon, this is to tread upon forbidden subjects."
"I will go bail50 she did not," he returned, quite openly. "I will go bail she thought she was flying straight into King George's face."
Remembrance of Catriona, and the thought of her lying in captivity51, moved me strangely. I could see that even Prestongrange admired, and could not withhold52 his lips from smiling when he considered her behaviour. As for Miss Grant, for all her ill habit of [pg 234]mockery, her admiration53 shone out plain. A kind of a heat came on me.
"I am not your lordship's daughter..." I began.
"That I know of!" he put in smiling.
"I speak like a fool," said I, "or rather I began wrong. It would doubtless be unwise in Mistress Grant to go to her in prison; but for me, I think I would look like a half-hearted friend if I did not fly there instantly."
"So-ho, Mr. David," says he, "I thought that you and I were in a bargain?"
"My lord," I said, "when I made that bargain I was a good deal affected by your goodness, but I'll never can deny that I was moved besides by my own interest. There was self-seeking in my heart, and I think shame of it now. It may be for your lordship's safety to say this fashious Davie Balfour is your friend and housemate. Say it then; I'll never contradict you. But as for your patronage, I give it all back. I ask but the one thing--let me go, and give me a pass to see her in her prison."
He looked at me with a hard eye. "You put the cart before the horse, I think," says he. "That which I had given was a portion of my liking54, which your thankless nature does not seem to have remarked. But for my patronage, it is not given, nor (to be exact) is it yet offered." He paused a bit. "And I warn you, you do not know yourself," he added. "Youth is a [pg 235]hasty season; you will think better of all this before a year."
"Well, and I would like to be that kind of youth!" I cried. "I have seen too much of the other party, in these young advocates that fawn55 upon your lordship and are even at the pains to fawn on me. And I have seen it in the old ones also. They are all for by-ends, the whole clan of them! It's this that makes me seem to misdoubt your lordship's liking. Why would I think that you would like me? But ye told me yourself ye had an interest!"
I stopped at this, confounded that I had run so far; he was observing me with a unfathomable face.
"My lord, I ask your pardon," I resumed. "I have nothing in my chafts but a rough country tongue. I think it would be only decent-like if I would go to see my friend in her captivity; but I'm owing you my life, I'll never forget that; and-if it's for your lordship's good, here I'll stay. That's barely gratitude56."
"This might have been reached in fewer words," says Prestongrange, grimly. "It is easy, and it is at times gracious, to say a plain Scots 'ay'."
"Ah, but, my lord, I think ye take me not yet entirely57!" cried I. "For your sake, for my life-safe, and the kindness that ye say ye bear to me--for these, I'll consent; but not for any good that might be coming to myself. If I stand aside when this young maid [pg 236]is in her trial, it's a thing I will be noways advantaged by; I will lose by it, I will never gain. I would rather make a shipwreck58 wholly than to build on that foundation."
He was a minute serious, then smiled. "You mind me of the man with the long nose," said he: "was you to look at the moon by a telescope, you would see David Balfour there! But you shall have your way of it. I will ask at you one service, and then set you free. My clerks are overdriven; be so good as copy me these few pages," says he, visibly swithering among some huge rolls of manuscripts, "and when that is done, I shall bid you God speed! I would never charge myself with Mr. David's conscience; and if you could cast some part of it (as you went by) in a moss59 hag, you would find yourself to ride much easier without it."
"Perhaps not just entirely in the same direction though, my lord!" says I.
Indeed he had some cause for gaiety, having now found the means to gain his purpose. To lessen61 the weight of the memorial, or to have a readier answer at his hand, he desired I should appear publicly in the character of his intimate. But if I were to appear with the same publicity62 as a visitor to Catriona in her prison the world would scarce stint63 to draw conclusions, and [pg 237]the true nature of James More's escape must become evident to all. This was the little problem I had set him of a sudden, and to which he had so briskly found an answer. I was to be tethered in Glasgow by that job of copying, which in mere64 outward decency65 I could not well refuse; and during these hours of my employment Catriona was privately66 got rid of. I think shame to write of this man that loaded me with so many goodnesses. He was kind to me as any father, yet I ever thought him as false as a cracked bell.
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1
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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2
commemorate
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| vt.纪念，庆祝 | |
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3
clan
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| n.氏族，部落，宗族，家族，宗派 | |
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4
aspersion
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| n.诽谤，中伤 | |
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5
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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6
impudence
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| n.厚颜无耻；冒失；无礼 | |
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7
simplicity
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| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
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8
alias
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| n.化名；别名；adv.又名 | |
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9
tenant
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| n.承租人；房客；佃户；v.租借，租用 | |
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10
testimony
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| n.证词；见证，证明 | |
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11
perils
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| 极大危险( peril的名词复数 )； 危险的事（或环境） | |
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12
insidious
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| adj.阴险的，隐匿的，暗中为害的，（疾病）不知不觉之间加剧 | |
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13
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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14
lodged
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| v.存放( lodge的过去式和过去分词 )；暂住；埋入；（权利、权威等）归属 | |
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15
millers
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| n.（尤指面粉厂的）厂主( miller的名词复数 )；磨房主；碾磨工；铣工 | |
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16
outright
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| adv.坦率地；彻底地；立即；adj.无疑的；彻底的 | |
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17
dissimulation
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| n.掩饰，虚伪，装糊涂 | |
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18
discourse
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| n.论文，演说；谈话；话语；vi.讲述，著述 | |
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19
bowels
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| n.肠，内脏，内部；肠( bowel的名词复数 )；内部，最深处 | |
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20
foul
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| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
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21
injustice
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| n.非正义，不公正，不公平，侵犯（别人的）权利 | |
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patronage
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| n.赞助，支援，援助；光顾，捧场 | |
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previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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lining
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| n.衬里，衬料 | |
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overflowed
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| 溢出的 | |
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politic
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| adj.有智虑的；精明的；v.从政 | |
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27
arrogance
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| n.傲慢，自大 | |
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28
awakened
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| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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29
clattering
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| 发出咔哒声（clatter的现在分词形式） | |
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30
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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31
procure
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| vt.获得，取得，促成；vi.拉皮条 | |
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32
construed
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| v.解释（陈述、行为等）( construe的过去式和过去分词 )；翻译，作句法分析 | |
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33
rogue
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| n.流氓；v.游手好闲 | |
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34
justified
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| a.正当的，有理的 | |
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discretion
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| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
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36
eldest
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| adj.最年长的，最年老的 | |
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noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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malefactor
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| n.罪犯 | |
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kens
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| vt.知道（ken的第三人称单数形式） | |
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40
clouted
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| adj.缀补的，凝固的v.（尤指用手）猛击，重打( clout的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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41
lieutenant
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| n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员 | |
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42
hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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43
entrusted
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| v.委托，托付( entrust的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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44
despatch
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| n./v.(dispatch)派遣；发送；n.急件；新闻报道 | |
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45
levities
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| n.欠考虑( levity的名词复数 )；不慎重；轻率；轻浮 | |
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46
rascal
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| n.流氓；不诚实的人 | |
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47
prettily
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| adv.优美地；可爱地 | |
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48
highland
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| n.(pl.)高地，山地 | |
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49
wager
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| n.赌注；vt.押注，打赌 | |
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50
bail
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| v.舀（水），保释；n.保证金，保释，保释人 | |
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51
captivity
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| n.囚禁；被俘；束缚 | |
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52
withhold
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| v.拒绝，不给；使停止，阻挡 | |
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53
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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54
liking
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| n.爱好；嗜好；喜欢 | |
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55
fawn
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| n.未满周岁的小鹿；v.巴结，奉承 | |
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56
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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57
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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58
shipwreck
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| n.船舶失事，海难 | |
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59
moss
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| n.苔，藓，地衣 | |
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60
gaily
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| adv.欢乐地，高兴地 | |
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61
lessen
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| vt.减少，减轻；缩小 | |
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62
publicity
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| n.众所周知，闻名；宣传，广告 | |
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63
stint
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| v.节省，限制，停止；n.舍不得化，节约，限制；连续不断的一段时间从事某件事 | |
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64
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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65
decency
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| n.体面，得体，合宜，正派，庄重 | |
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66
privately
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| adv.以私人的身份，悄悄地，私下地 | |
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