Sir Walter Scott
The Bride of Lammermoore
Tales of My Landlord collected and arranged by Jedediah Cleishbotham
schoolmaster and parishclerk of Gandercleugh
Third Series
Hear Land o Cakes and brither Scots
Frae Maidenkirk to Johnny Groats
I rede ye tent it
A chiels amang you takin notes
An faith hell prent it
Burns
Ahora bien dijo el Cura traedme senor huésped aquesos libros
que los quierover Que me place respondiô el y entrando en su
aposento sacô dêl una maletilla vieja cerrada con una cadenilla y
abriéndola hallô en ella tres libros grandes y unos papeles de muy
buena letra escritos de mano
Don Quixote Parte I Capitulo 32
Introduction 1830
The Author on a former occasion declined giving the real source from which he
drew the tragic subject of this history because though occurring at a distant
period it might possibly be unpleasing to the feelings of the descendants of
the parties But as he finds an account of the circumstances given in the Notes
to Laws Memorials1 by his ingenious friend Charles Kirkpatrick Sharpe Esq
and also indicated in his reprint of the Rev Mr Symsons Poems appended to
the Description of Galloway2 as the original of the Bride of Lammermoor the
Author feels himself now at liberty to tell the tale as he had it from
connections of his own who lived very near the period and were closely related
to the family of the Bride
It is well known that the family of Dalrymple which has produced within
the space of two centuries as many men of talent civil and military and of
literary political and professional eminence as any house in Scotland first
rose into distinction in the person of James Dalrymple one of the most eminent
lawyers that ever lived though the labours of his powerful mind were unhappily
exercised on a subject so limited as Scottish Jurisprudence on which he has
composed an admirable work He married Margaret daughter to Ross of Balniel
with whom he obtained a considerable estate She was an able politic and
highminded woman so successful in what she undertook that the vulgar no way
partial to her husband or her family imputed her success to necromancy
According to the popular belief this Dame Margaret purchased the temporal
prosperity of her family from the Master whom she served under a singular
condition which is thus narrated by the historian of her grandson the great
Earl of Stair »She lived to a great age and at her death desired that she
might not be put under ground but that her coffin should be placed upright on
one end of it promising that while she remained in that situation the
Dalrymples should continue in prosperity What was the old ladys motive for
such a request or whether she really made such a promise I cannot take upon me
to determine but it is certain her coffin stands upright in the aisle of the
church of Kirkliston the burialplace of the family«3 The talents of this
accomplished race were sufficient to have accounted for the dignities which many
members of the family attained without any supernatural assistance But their
extraordinary prosperity was attended by some equally singular family
misfortunes of which that which befell their eldest daughter was at once
unaccountable and melancholy
Miss Janet Dalrymple daughter of the first Lord Stair and Dame Margaret
Ross had engaged herself without the knowledge of her parents to the Lord
Rutherford who was not acceptable to them either on account of his political
principles or his want of fortune The young couple broke a piece of gold
together and pledged their troth in the most solemn manner and it is said the
young lady imprecated dreadful evils on herself should she break her plighted
faith Shortly after a suitor who was favoured by Lord Stair and still more so
by his lady paid his addresses to Miss Dalrymple The young lady refused the
proposal and being pressed on the subject confessed her secret engagement
Lady Stair a woman accustomed to universal submission for even her husband did
not dare to contradict her treated this objection as a trifle and insisted
upon her daughter yielding her consent to marry the new suitor David Dunbar
son and heir to David Dunbar of Baldoon in Wigtonshire The first lover a man
of very high spirit then interfered by letter and insisted on the right he had
acquired by his troth plighted with the young lady Lady Stair sent him for
answer that her daughter sensible of her undutiful behaviour in entering into
a contract unsanctioned by her parents had retracted her unlawful vow and now
refused to fulfil her engagement with him
The lover in return declined positively to receive such an answer from any
one but his mistress in person and as she had to deal with a man who was both
of a most determined character and of too high condition to be trifled with
Lady Stair was obliged to consent to an interview between Lord Rutherford and
her daughter But she took care to be present in person and argued the point
with the disappointed and incensed lover with pertinacity equal to his own She
particularly insisted on the Levitical law which declares that a woman shall
be free of a vow which her parents dissent from This is the passage of
Scripture she founded on
»If a man vow a vow unto the Lord or swear an oath to bind his soul with a
bond he shall not break his word he shall do according to all that proceedeth
out of his mouth
If a woman also vow a vow unto the Lord and bind herself by a bond being
in her fathers house in her youth
And her father hear her vow and her bond wherewith she hath bound her soul
and her father shall hold his peace at her then all her vows shall stand and
every bond wherewith she hath bound her soul shall stand
But if her father disallow her in the day that he heareth not any of her
vows or of her bonds wherewith she hath bound her soul shall stand and the
Lord shall forgive her because her father disallowed her« Numbers xxx 2 3
4 5
While the mother insisted on these topics the lover in vain conjured the
daughter to declare her own opinion and feelings She remained totally
overwhelmed as it seemed mute pale and motionless as a statue Only at her
mothers command sternly uttered she summoned strength enough to restore to
her plighted suitor the piece of broken gold which was the emblem of her troth
On this he burst forth into a tremendous passion took leave of the mother
with maledictions and as he left the apartment turned back to say to his weak
if not fickle mistress »For you madam you will be a worlds wonder« a phrase
by which some remarkable degree of calamity is usually implied He went abroad
and returned not again If the last Lord Rutherford was the unfortunate party
he must have been the third who bore that title and who died in 1685
The marriage betwixt Janet Dalrymple and David Dunbar of Baldoon now went
forward the bride showing no repugnance but being absolutely passive in
everything her mother commanded or advised On the day of the marriage which
as was then usual was celebrated by a great assemblage of friends and
relations she was the same sad silent and resigned as it seemed to her
destiny A lady very nearly connected with the family told the author that she
had conversed on the subject with one of the brothers of the bride a mere lad
at the time who had ridden before his sister to church He said her hand which
lay on his as she held her arm round his waist was as cold and damp as marble
But full of his new dress and the part he acted in the procession the
circumstance which he long afterwards remembered with bitter sorrow and
compunction made no impression on him at the time
The bridal feast was followed by dancing the bride and bridegroom retired
as usual when of a sudden the most wild and piercing cries were heard from the
nuptial chamber It was then the custom to prevent any coarse pleasantry which
old times perhaps admitted that the key of the nuptial chamber should be
intrusted to the brideman He was called upon but refused at first to give it
up till the shrieks became so hideous that he was compelled to hasten with
others to learn the cause On opening the door they found the bridegroom lying
across the threshold dreadfully wounded and streaming with blood The bride
was then sought for She was found in the corner of the large chimney having no
covering save her shift and that dabbled in gore There she sat grinning at
them mopping and mowing as I heard the expression used in a word absolutely
insane The only words she spoke were »Tak up your bonny bridegroom« She
survived this horrible scene little more than a fortnight having been married
on the 24th of August and dying on the 12th of September 1669
The unfortunate Baldoon recovered from his wounds but sternly prohibited
all inquiries respecting the manner in which he had received them If a lady he
said asked him any questions upon the subject he would neither answer her nor
speak to her again while he lived if a gentleman he would consider it as a
mortal affront and demand satisfaction as having received such He did not very
long survive the dreadful catastrophe having met with a fatal injury by a fall
from his horse as he rode between Leith and Holyrood House of which he died
the next day 28th March 1682 Thus a few years removed all the principal actors
in this frightful tragedy
Various reports went abroad on this mysterious affair many of them very
inaccurate though they could hardly be said to be exaggerated It was difficult
at that time to become acquainted with the history of a Scottish family above
the lower rank and strange things sometimes took place there into which even
the law did not scrupulously inquire
The credulous Mr Law says generally that the Lord President Stair had a
daughter who »being married the night she was bride in that is bedded
bride was taken from her bridegroom and harled dragged through the house by
spirits we are given to understand and soon afterwards died Another
daughter« he says »was possessed by an evil spirit«
My friend Mr Sharpe gives another edition of the tale According to his
information it was the bridegroom who wounded the bride The marriage
according to this account had been against her mothers inclination who had
given her consent in these ominous words »You may marry him but soon shall you
repent it«
I find still another account darkly insinuated in some highly scurrilous and
abusive verses of which I have an original copy They are docketed as being
written »Upon the late Viscount Stair and his family by Sir William Hamilton of
Whitelaw The marginals by William Dunlop writer in Edinburgh a son of the
Laird of Househill and nephew to the said Sir William Hamilton« There was a
bitter and personal quarrel and rivalry betwixt the author of this libel a name
which it richly deserves and Lord President Stair and the lampoon which is
written with much more malice than art bears the following motto
Stairs neck mind wife sons grandson and the rest
Are wry false witch pests parricide possessed
This malignant satirist who calls up all the misfortunes of the family does
not forget the fatal bridal of Baldoon He seems though his verses are as
obscure as unpoetical to intimate that the violence done to the bridegroom was
by the intervention of the foul fiend to whom the young lady had resigned
herself in case she should break her contract with her first lover His
hypothesis is inconsistent with the account given in the note upon Laws
Memorials but easily reconcilable to the family tradition
In al Stairs offspring we no difference know
They doe the females as the males bestow
So he ofs daughters marriage gave the ward
Like a true vassal to Glenluces Laird
He knew what she did to her suitor plight
If she her faith to Rutherfurd should slight
Which like his own for greed he broke outright
Nick did Baldoons posterior right deride
And as first substitute did seize the bride
Whateer he to his mistress did or said
He threw the bridegroom from the nuptial bed
Into the chimney did so his rival maul
His bruised bones neer were cured but by the fall4
One of the marginal notes ascribed to William Dunlop applies to the above lines
»She had betrothed herself to Lord Rutherfoord under horrid imprecations and
afterwards married Baldoon his nevoy and her mother was the cause of her
breach of faith«
The same tragedy is alluded to in the following couplet and note
What train of curses that base brood pursues
When the young nephew weds old uncles spouse
The note on the word uncle explains it as meaning »Rutherfoord who should have
married the Lady Baldoon was Baldoons uncle« The poetry of this satire on
Lord Stair and his family was as already noticed written by Sir William
Hamilton of Whitelaw5 a rival of Lord Stair for the situation of President of
the Court of Session a person much inferior to that great lawyer in talents
and equally illtreated by the calumny or just satire of his contemporaries as
an unjust and partial judge Some of the notes are by that curious and laborious
antiquary Robert Milne who as a virulent Jacobite willingly lent a hand to
blacken the family of Stair
Another poet of the period with a very different purpose has left an
elegy in which he darkly hints at and bemoans the fate of the illstarred young
person whose very uncommon calamity Whitelaw Dunlop and Milne thought a
fitting subject for buffoonery and ribaldry This bard of milder mood was Andrew
Symson before the Revolution minister of Kirkinner in Galloway and after his
expulsion as an Episcopalian following the humble occupation of a printer in
Edinburgh He furnished the family of Baldoon with which he appears to have
been intimate with an elegy on the tragic event in their family In this piece
he treats the mournful occasion of the brides death with mysterious solemnity
The verses bear this title »On the unexpected death of the virtuous Lady
Mrs Janet Dalrymple Lady Baldoon younger« and afford us the precise dates of
the catastrophe which could not otherwise have been easily ascertained »Nupta
August 12 Domum Ducta August 24 Obiit September 12 Sepult September 30
1669« The form of the elegy is a dialogue betwixt a passenger and a domestic
servant The first recollecting that he had passed that way lately and seen
all around enlivened by the appearances of mirth and festivity is desirous to
know what had changed so gay a scene into mourning We preserve the reply of the
servant as a specimen of Mr Symsons verses which are not of the first
quality
Sir tis truth youve told
We did enjoy great mirth but now ah me
Our joyful songs turnd to an elegie
A virtuous lady not long since a bride
Was to a hopeful plant by marriage tied
And brought home hither We did all rejoice
Even for her sake But presently our voice
Was turnd to mourning for that little time
That shed enjoy She waned in her prime
For Atropos with her impartial knife
Soon cut her thread and therewithal her life
And for the time we may it well remember
It being in unfortunate September
Where we must leave her till the resurrection
Tis then the Saints enjoy their full perfection6
Mr Symson also poured forth his elegiac strains upon the fate of the widowed
bridegroom on which subject after a long and querulous effusion the poet
arrives at the sound conclusion that if Baldoon had walked on foot which it
seems was his general custom he would have escaped perishing by a fall from
horseback As the work in which it occurs is so scarce as almost to be unique
and as it gives us the most full account of one of the actors in this tragic
tale which we have rehearsed we will at the risk of being tedious insert some
short specimens of Mr Symsons composition It is entitled
»A funeral Elegie occasioned by the sad and much lamented death of that
worthily respected and very much accomplished gentleman David Dunbar younger
of Baldoon only son and apparent heir to the right worshipful Sir David Dunbar
of Baldoon Knight Baronet He departed this life on March 28 1682 having
received a bruise by a fall as he was riding the day preceding betwixt Leith
and HolyRoodHouse and was honourably interred in the Abbey church of
HolyRoodHouse on April 4 1682«
Men might and very justly too conclude
Me guilty of the worst ingratitude
Should I be silent or should I forbear
At this sad accident to shed a tear
A tear said I ah thats a petit thing
A very lean slight slender offering
Too mean Im sure for me wherewith tattend
The unexpected funeral of my friend
A glass of briny tears charged up to th brim
Would be too few for me to shed for him
The poet proceeds to state his intimacy with the deceased and the constancy of
the young mans attendance on public worship which was regular and had such
effect upon two or three others that were influenced by his example
So that my Muse gainst Priscian avers
He only he were my parishioners
Yea and my only hearers
He then describes the deceased in person and manners from which it appears that
more accomplishments were expected in the composition of a fine gentleman in
ancient than modern times
His body though not very large or tall
Was sprightly active yea and strong withal
His constitution was if right Ive guessed
Blood mixt with choler said to be the best
Ins gesture converse speech discourse attire
He practisd that which wise men still admire
Commend and recommend Whats that youll say
Tis this He ever choosd the middle way
Twixt both th extremes Almost in evry thing
He did the like tis worth our noticing
Sparing yet not a niggard liberal
And yet not lavish or a prodigal
As knowing when to spend and when to spare
And thats a lesson which not many are
Acquainted with He bashful was yet daring
When he saw cause and yet therein but sparing
Familiar yet not common for he knew
To condescend and keep his distance too
He usd and that most commonly to go
On foot I wish that he had still done so
Th affairs of court were unto him well known
And yet meanwhile he slighted not his own
He knew full well how to behave at court
And yet but seldome did thereto resort
But lovd the country life choosd to inure
Himself to pastrage and agriculture
Proving improving ditching trenching draining
Viewing reviewing and by those means gaining
Planting transplanting levelling erecting
Walls chambers houses terraces projecting
Now this now that device this draught that measure
That might advance his profit with his pleasure
Quick in his bargains honest in commerce
Just in his dealings being much averse
From quirks of law still ready to refer
His cause tan honest country arbiter
He was acquainted with cosmography
Arithmetic and modern history
With architecture and such arts as these
Which I may call specifick sciences
Fit for a gentleman and surely he
That knows them not at least in some degree
May brook the title but he wants the thing
Is but a shadow scarce worth noticing
He learned the French bet spoken to his praise
In very little more than fourty days
Then comes the full burst of woe in which instead of saying much himself the
poet informs us what the ancients would have said on such an occasion
A heathen poet at the news no doubt
Would have exclaimed and furiously cryd out
Against the fates the destinies and starrs
What this the effect of planetarie warrs
We might have seen him rage and rave yea worse
Tis very like we might have heard him curse
The year the month the day the hour the place
The company the wager and the race
Decry all recreations with the names
Of Isthmian Pythian and Olympic games
Exclaim against them all both old and new
Both the Nemoean and the Lethoean too
Adjudge all persons under highest pain
Always to walk on foot and then again
Order all horses to be houghd that we
Might never more the like adventure see
Supposing our readers have had enough of Mr Symsons verses and finding
nothing more in his poem worthy of transcription we return to the tragic story
It is needless to point out to the intelligent reader that the witchcraft
of the mother consisted only in the ascendency of a powerful mind over a weak
and melancholy one and that the harshness with which she exercised her
superiority in a case of delicacy had driven her daughter first to despair
then to frenzy Accordingly the author has endeavoured to explain the tragic
tale on this principle Whatever resemblance Lady Ashton may be supposed to
possess to the celebrated Dame Margaret Ross the reader must not suppose that
there was any idea of tracing the portrait of the first Lord Viscount Stair in
the tricky and meanspirited Sir William Ashton Lord Stair whatever might be
his moral qualities was certainly one of the first statesmen and lawyers of his
age
The imaginary castle of Wolfs Crag has been identified by some lover of
locality with that of Fast Castle The author is not competent to judge of the
resemblance betwixt the real and imaginary scene having never seen Fast Castle
except from the sea But fortalices of this description are found occupying
like ospreys nests projecting rocks or promontories in many parts of the
eastern coast of Scotland and the position of Fast Castle seems certainly to
resemble that of Wolfs Crag as much as any other while its vicinity to the
mountain ridge of Lammermoor renders the assimilation a probable one
We have only to add that the death of the unfortunate bridegroom by a fall
from horseback has been in the novel transferred to the no less unfortunate
lover
Preliminary
By cauk and keel to win your bread
Wi whigmaleeries for them wha need
Whilk is a gentle trade indeed
To carry the gaberlunzie on
Old Song
Few have been in my secret while I was compiling these narratives nor is it
probable that they will ever become public during the life of their author Even
were that event to happen I am not ambitious of the honoured distinction
digito monstrari I confess that were it safe to cherish such dreams at all I
should more enjoy the thought of remaining behind the curtain unseen like the
ingenious manager of Punch and his wife Joan and enjoying the astonishment and
conjectures of my audience Then might I perchance hear the productions of the
obscure Peter Pattieson praised by the judicious and admired by the feeling
engrossing the young and attracting even the old while the critic traced their
fame up to some name of literary celebrity and the question when and by whom
these tales were written filled up the pause of conversation in a hundred
circles and coteries This I may never enjoy during my lifetime but farther
than this I am certain my vanity should never induce me to aspire
I am too stubborn in habits and too little polished in manners to envy or
aspire to the honours assigned to my literary contemporaries I could not think
a whit more highly of myself were I even found worthy to »come in place as a
lion« for a winter in the great metropolis I could not rise turn round and
show all my honours from the shaggy mane to the tufted tail roar you an twere
any nightingale and so lie down again like a wellbehaved beast of show and
all at the cheap and easy rate of a cup of coffee and a slice of bread and
butter as thin as a wafer And I could ill stomach the fulsome flattery with
which the lady of the evening indulges her showmonsters on such occasions as
she crams her parrots with sugarplums in order to make them talk before
company I cannot be tempted to »come aloft« for these marks of distinction
and like imprisoned Samson I would rather remain if such must be the
alternative all my life in the millhouse grinding for my very bread than he
brought forth to make sport for the Philistine lords and ladies This proceeds
from no dislike real or affected to the aristocracy of these realms But they
have their place and I have mine and like the iron and earthen vessels in the
old fable we can scarce come into collision without my being the sufferer in
every sense It may be otherwise with the sheets which I am now writing These
may be opened and laid aside at pleasure by amusing themselves with the
perusal the great will excite no false hopes by neglecting or condemning them
they will inflict no pain and how seldom can they converse with those whose
minds have toiled for their delight without doing either the one or the other
In the better and wiser tone of feeling which Ovid only expresses in one
line to retract in that which follows I can address these quires
Parve nec invideo sine me liber ibis in urbem
Nor do I join the regret of the illustrious exile that he himself could not in
person accompany the volume which he sent forth to the mart of literature
pleasure and luxury Were there not a hundred similar instances on record the
fate of my poor friend and schoolfellow Dick Tinto would be sufficient to
warn me against seeking happiness in the celebrity which attaches itself to a
successful cultivator of the fine arts
Dick Tinto when he wrote himself artist was wont to derive his origin from
the ancient family of Tinto of that ilk in Lanarkshire and occasionally hinted
that he had somewhat derogated from his gentle blood in using the pencil for
his principal means of support But if Dicks pedigree was correct some of his
ancestors must have suffered a more heavy declension since the good man his
father executed the necessary and I trust the honest but certainly not very
distinguished employment of tailor in ordinary to the village of Langdirdum in
the west Under his humble roof was Richard born and to his fathers humble
trade was Richard greatly contrary to his inclination early indentured Old
Mr Tinto had however no reason to congratulate himself upon having compelled
the youthful genius of his son to forsake its natural bent He fared like the
schoolboy who attempts to stop with his finger the spout of a water cistern
while the stream exasperated at this compression escapes by a thousand
uncalculated spirts and wets him all over for his pains Even so fared the
senior Tinto when his hopeful apprentice not only exhausted all the chalk in
making sketches upon the shopboard but even executed several caricatures of
his fathers best customers who began loudly to murmur that it was too hard to
have their persons deformed by the vestments of the father and to be at the
same time turned into ridicule by the pencil of the son This led to discredit
and loss of practice until the old tailor yielding to destiny and to the
entreaties of his son permitted him to attempt his fortune in a line for which
he was better qualified
There was about this time in the village of Langdirdum a peripatetic
brother of the brush who exercised his vocation sub Jove frigido the object of
admiration to all the boys of the village but especially to Dick Tinto The age
had not yet adopted amongst other unworthy retrenchments that illiberal
measure of economy which supplying by written characters the lack of
symbolical representation closes one open and easily accessible avenue of
instruction and emolument against the students of the fine arts It was not yet
permitted to write upon the plastered doorway of an alehouse or the suspended
sign of an inn »The Old Magpie« or »The Saracens Head« substituting that
cold description for the lively effigies of the plumed chatterer or the
turband frown of the terrific soldan That early and more simple age considered
alike the necessities of all ranks and depicted the symbols of good cheer so as
to be obvious to all capacities well judging that a man who could not read a
syllable might nevertheless love a pot of good ale as well as his
bettereducated neighbours or even as the parson himself Acting upon this
liberal principle publicans as yet hung forth the painted emblems of their
calling and signpainters if they seldom feasted did not at least absolutely
starve
To a worthy of this decayed profession as we have already intimated Dick
Tinto became an assistant and thus as is not unusual among heavenborn
geniuses in this department of the fine arts began to paint before he had any
notion of drawing
His talent for observing nature soon induced him to rectify the errors and
soar above the instructions of his teacher He particularly shone in painting
horses that being a favourite sign in the Scottish villages and in tracing
his progress it is beautiful to observe how by degrees he learned to shorten
the backs and prolong the legs of these noble animals until they came to look
less like crocodiles and more like nags Detraction which always pursues merit
with strides proportioned to its advancement has indeed alleged that Dick once
upon a time painted a horse with five legs instead of four I might have rested
his defence upon the license allowed to that branch of his profession which as
it permits all sorts of singular and irregular combinations may be allowed to
extend itself so far as to bestow a limb supernumerary on a favourite subject
But the cause of a deceased friend is sacred and I disdain to bottom it so
superficially I have visited the sign in question which yet swings exalted in
the village of Langdirdum and I am ready to depone upon oath that what has
been idly mistaken or misrepresented as being the fifth leg of the horse is in
fact the tail of that quadruped and considered with reference to the posture
in which he is delineated forms a circumstance introduced and managed with
great and successful though daring art The nag being represented in a rampant
or rearing posture the tail which is prolonged till it touches the ground
appears to form a point dappui and gives the firmness of a tripod to the
figure without which it would be difficult to conceive placed as the feet are
how the courser could maintain his ground without tumbling backwards This bold
conception has fortunately fallen into the custody of one by whom it is duly
valued for when Dick in his more advanced state of proficiency became
dubious of the propriety of so daring a deviation from the established rules of
art and was desirous to execute a picture of the publican himself in exchange
for this juvenile production the courteous offer was declined by his judicious
employer who had observed it seems that when his ale failed to do its duty in
conciliating his guests one glance at his sign was sure to put them in good
humour
It would be foreign to my present purpose to trace the steps by which Dick
Tinto improved his touch and corrected by the rules of art the luxuriance of
a fervid imagination The scales fell from his eyes on viewing the sketches of a
contemporary the Scottish Teniers as Wilkie has been deservedly styled He
threw down the brush took up the crayons and amid hunger and toil and
suspense and uncertainty pursued the path of his profession under better
auspices than those of his original master Still the first rude emanations of
his genius like the nursery rhymes of Pope could these be recovered will be
dear to the companions of Dick Tintos youth There is a tankard and gridiron
painted over the door of an obscure changehouse in the Backwynd of
Gandercleugh But I feel I must tear myself from the subject or dwell on it
too long
Amid his wants and struggles Dick Tinto had recourse like his brethren to
levying that tax upon the vanity of mankind which he could not extract from
their taste and liberality in a word he painted portraits It was in this
more advanced state of proficiency when Dick had soared above his original line
of business and highly disdained any allusion to it that after having been
estranged for several years we again met in the village of Gandercleugh I
holding my present situation and Dick painting copies of the human face divine
at a guinea per head This was a small premium yet in the first burst of
business it more than sufficed for all Dicks moderate wants so that he
occupied an apartment at the Wallace Inn cracked his jest with impunity even
upon mine host himself and lived in respect and observance with the
chambermaid hostler and waiter
Those halcyon days were too serene to last long When his honour the Laird
of Gandercleugh with his wife and three daughters the minister the gauger
mine esteemed patron Mr Jedediah Cleishbotham and some round dozen of the
feuars and farmers had been consigned to immortality by Tintos brush custom
began to slacken and it was impossible to wring more than crowns and
halfcrowns from the hard hands of the peasants whose ambition led them to
Dicks painting room
Still though the horizon was overclouded no storm for some time ensued
Mine host had Christian faith with a lodger who had been a good paymaster as
long as he had the means And from a portrait of our landlord himself grouped
with his wife and daughters in the style of Rubens which suddenly appeared in
the best parlour it was evident that Dick had found some mode of bartering art
for the necessaries of life
Nothing however is more precarious than resources of this nature It was
observed that Dick became in his turn the whetstone of mine hosts wit without
venturing either at defence or retaliation that his easel was transferred to a
garretroom in which there was scarce space for it to stand upright and that
he no longer ventured to join the weekly club of which he had been once the
life and soul In short Dick Tintos friends feared that he had acted like the
animal called the sloth which having eaten up the last green leaf upon the
tree where it has established itself ends by tumbling down from the top and
dying of inanition I ventured to hint this to Dick recommended his
transferring the exercise of his inestimable talent to some other sphere and
forsaking the common which he might be said to have eaten bare
»There is an obstacle to my change of residence« said my friend grasping
my hand with a look of solemnity
»A bill due to my landlord I am afraid« replied I with heartfelt
sympathy »if any part of my slender means can assist in this emergence«
»No by the soul of Sir Joshua« answered the generous youth »I will never
involve a friend in the consequences of my own misfortune There is a mode by
which I can regain my liberty and to creep even through a common sewer is
better than to remain in prison«
I did not perfectly understand what my friend meant The muse of painting
appeared to have failed him and what other goddess he could invoke in his
distress was a mystery to me We parted however without farther explanation
and I did not again see him until three days after when he summoned me to
partake of the foy with which his landlord proposed to regale him ere his
departure for Edinburgh
I found Dick in high spirits whistling while he buckled the small knapsack
which contained his colours brushes pallets and clean shirt That he parted
on the best terms with mine host was obvious from the cold beef set forth in
the low parlour flanked by two mugs of admirable brown stout and I own my
curiosity was excited concerning the means through which the face of my friends
affairs had been so suddenly improved I did not suspect Dick of dealing with
the devil and by what earthly means he had extricated himself thus happily I
was at a total loss to conjecture
He perceived my curiosity and took me by the hand »My friend« he said
»fain would I conceal even from you the degradation to which it has been
necessary to submit in order to accomplish an honourable retreat from
Gandercleugh But what avails attempting to conceal that which must needs
betray itself even by its superior excellence All the village all the parish
all the world will soon discover to what poverty has reduced Richard Tinto«
A sudden thought here struck me I had observed that our landlord wore on
that memorable morning a pair of bran new velveteens instead of his ancient
thicksets
»What« said I drawing my right hand with the forefinger and thumb
pressed together nimbly from my right haunch to my left shoulder »you have
condescended to resume the paternal arts to which you were first bred long
stitches ha Dick«
He repelled this unlucky conjecture with a frown and a pshaw indicative of
indignant contempt and leading me into another room showed me resting against
the wall the majestic head of Sir William Wallace grim as when severed from
the trunk by the orders of the felon Edward
The painting was executed on boards of a substantial thickness and the top
decorated with irons for suspending the honoured effigy upon a signpost
»There« he said »my friend stands the honour of Scotland and my shame
yet not so rather the shame of those who instead of encouraging art in its
proper sphere reduce it to these unbecoming and unworthy extremities«
I endeavoured to smooth the ruffled feelings of my misused and indignant
friend I reminded him that he ought not like the stag in the fable to
despise the quality which had extricated him from difficulties in which his
talents as a portrait or landscape painter had been found unavailing Above
all I praised the execution as well as conception of his painting and
reminded him that far from feeling dishonoured by so superb a specimen of his
talents being exposed to the general view of the public he ought rather to
congratulate himself upon the augmentation of his celebrity to which its public
exhibition must necessarily give rise
»You are right my friend you are right« replied poor Dick his eye
kindling with enthusiasm »why should I shun the name of an an« he
hesitated for a phrase »an outofdoors artist Hogarth has introduced himself
in that character in one of his best engravings Domenichino or somebody else
in ancient times Morland in our own have exercised their talents in this
manner And wherefore limit to the rich and higher classes alone the delight
which the exhibition of works of art is calculated to inspire into all classes
Statues are placed in the open air why should Painting be more niggardly in
displaying her masterpieces than her sister Sculpture And yet my friend we
must part suddenly the carpenter is coming in an hour to put up the the
emblem and truly with all my philosophy and your consolatory encouragement to
boot I would rather wish to leave Gandercleugh before that operation
commences«
We partook of our genial hosts parting banquet and I escorted Dick on his
walk to Edinburgh We parted about a mile from the village just as we heard the
distant cheer of the boys which accompanied the mounting of the new symbol of
the Wallace Head Dick Tinto mended his pace to get out of hearing so little
had either early practice or recent philosophy reconciled him to the character
of a signpainter
In Edinburgh Dicks talents were discovered and appreciated and he
received dinners and hints from several distinguished judges of the fine arts
But these gentlemen dispensed their criticism more willingly than their cash
and Dick thought he needed cash more than criticism He therefore sought London
the universal mart of talent and where as is usual in general marts of most
descriptions much more of each commodity is exposed to sale than can ever find
purchasers
Dick who in serious earnest was supposed to have considerable natural
talents for his profession and whose vain and sanguine disposition never
permitted him to doubt for a moment of ultimate success threw himself headlong
into the crowd which jostled and struggled for notice and preferment He elbowed
others and was elbowed himself and finally by dint of intrepidity fought his
way into some notice painted for the prize at the Institution had pictures at
the exhibition at Somerset House and damned the hanging committee But poor
Dick was doomed to lose the field he fought so gallantly In the fine arts
there is scarce an alternative betwixt distinguished success and absolute
failure and as Dicks zeal and industry were unable to ensure the first he
fell into the distresses which in his condition were the natural consequences
of the latter alternative He was for a time patronised by one or two of those
judicious persons who make a virtue of being singular and of pitching their own
opinions against those of the world in matters of taste and criticism But they
soon tired of poor Tinto and laid him down as a load upon the principle on
which a spoilt child throws away its plaything Misery I fear took him up and
accompanied him to a premature grave to which he was carried from an obscure
lodging in Swallow Street where he had been dunned by his landlady within
doors and watched by bailiffs without until death came to his relief A corner
of the Morning Post noticed his death generously adding that his manner
displayed considerable genius though his style was rather sketchy and referred
to an advertisement which announced that Mr Varnish a wellknown printseller
had still on hand a very few drawings and paintings by Richard Tinto Esquire
which those of the nobility and gentry who wish to complete their collections
of modern art were invited to visit without delay So ended Dick Tinto a
lamentable proof of the great truth that in the fine arts mediocrity is not
permitted and that he who cannot ascend to the very top of the ladder will do
well not to put his foot upon it at all
The memory of Tinto is dear to me from the recollection of the many
conversations which we have had together most of them turning upon my present
task He was delighted with my progress and talked of an ornamented and
illustrated edition with heads vignettes and culs de lampe all to be
designed by his own patriotic and friendly pencil He prevailed upon an old
sergeant of invalids to sit to him in the character of Bothwell the
lifeguardsman of Charles the Second and the bellman of Gandercleugh in that
of David Deans But while he thus proposed to unite his own powers with mine for
the illustration of these narratives he mixed many a dose of salutary criticism
with the panegyrics which my composition was at times so fortunate as to call
forth
»Your characters« he said »my dear Pattieson make too much use of the gob
box they patter too much an elegant phraseology which Dick had learned
while painting the scenes of an itinerant company of players there is nothing
in whole pages but mere chat and dialogue«
»The ancient philosopher« said I in reply »was wont to say Speak that I
may know thee and how is it possible for an author to introduce his personæ
dramatis to his readers in a more interesting and effectual manner than by the
dialogue in which each is represented as supporting his own appropriate
character«
»It is a false conclusion« said Tinto »I hate it Peter as I hate an
unfilled cann I will grant you indeed that speech is a faculty of some value
in the intercourse of human affairs and I will not even insist on the doctrine
of that Pythagorean toper who was of opinion that over a bottle speaking
spoiled conversation But I will not allow that a professor of the fine arts has
occasion to embody the idea of his scene in language in order to impress upon
the reader its reality and its effect On the contrary I will be judged by most
of your readers Peter should these tales ever become public whether you have
not given us a page of talk for every single idea which two words might have
communicated while the posture and manner and incident accurately drawn and
brought out by appropriate colouring would have preserved all that was worthy
of preservation and saved these everlasting said hes and said shes with
which it has been your pleasure to encumber your pages«
I replied »That he confounded the operations of the pencil and the pen
that the serene and silent art as painting has been called by one of our first
living poets necessarily appealed to the eye because it had not the organs for
addressing the ear whereas poetry or that species of composition which
approached to it lay under the necessity of doing absolutely the reverse and
addressed itself to the ear for the purpose of exciting that interest which it
could not attain through the medium of the eye«
Dick was not a whit staggered by my argument which he contended was founded
on misrepresentation »Description« he said »was to the author of a romance
exactly what drawing and tinting were to a painter words were his colours and
if properly employed they could not fail to place the scene which he wished to
conjure up as effectually before the minds eye as the tablet or canvas
presents it to the bodily organ The same rules« he contended »applied to
both and an exuberance of dialogue in the former case was a verbose and
laborious mode of composition which went to confound the proper art of
fictitious narrative with that of the drama a widely different species of
composition of which dialogue was the very essence because all excepting the
language to be made use of was presented to the eye by the dresses and
persons and actions of the performers upon the stage But as nothing« said
Dick »can be more dull than a long narrative written upon the plan of a drama
so where you have approached most near to that species of composition by
indulging in prolonged scenes of mere conversation the course of your story has
become chill and constrained and you have lost the power of arresting the
attention and exciting the imagination in which upon other occasions you may be
considered as having succeeded tolerably well«
I made my bow in requital of the compliment which was probably thrown in by
way of placebo and expressed myself willing at least to make one trial of a
more straightforward style of composition in which my actors should do more
and say less than in my former attempts of this kind Dick gave me a
patronising and approving nod and observed that finding me so docile he would
communicate for the benefit of my muse a subject which he had studied with a
view to his own art
»The story« he said »was by tradition affirmed to be truth although as
upwards of a hundred years had passed away since the events took place some
doubt upon the accuracy of all the particulars might be reasonably entertained«
When Dick Tinto had thus spoken he rummaged his portfolio for the sketch
from which he proposed one day to execute a picture of fourteen feet by eight
The sketch which was cleverly executed to use the appropriate phrase
represented an ancient hall fitted up and furnished in what we now call the
taste of Queen Elizabeths age The light admitted from the upper part of a
high casement fell upon a female figure of exquisite beauty who in an
attitude of speechless terror appeared to watch the issue of a debate betwixt
two other persons The one was a young man in the Vandyke dress common to the
time of Charles I who with an air of indignant pride testified by the manner
in which he raised his head and extended his arm seemed to be urging a claim of
right rather than of favour to a lady whose age and some resemblance in
their features pointed her out as the mother of the younger female and who
appeared to listen with a mixture of displeasure and impatience
Tinto produced his sketch with an air of mysterious triumph and gazed on it
as a fond parent looks upon a hopeful child while he anticipates the future
figure he is to make in the world and the height to which he will raise the
honour of his family He held it at arms length from me he held it closer
he placed it upon the top of a chest of drawers closed the lower shutters of
the casement to adjust a downward and favourable light fell back to the due
distance dragged me after him shaded his face with his hand as if to
exclude all but the favourite object and ended by spoiling a childs copy
book which he rolled up so as to serve for the darkened tube of an amateur I
fancy my expressions of enthusiasm had not been in proportion to his own for he
presently exclaimed with vehemence »Mr Pattieson I used to think you had an
eye in your head«
I vindicated my claim to the usual allowance of visual organs
»Yet on my honour« said Dick »I would swear you had been born blind
since you have failed at the first glance to discover the subject and meaning of
that sketch I do not mean to praise my own performance I leave these arts to
others I am sensible of my deficiencies conscious that my drawing and
colouring may be improved by the time I intend to dedicate to the art But the
conception the expression the positions these tell the story to every one
who looks at the sketch and if I can finish the picture without diminution of
the original conception the name of Tinto shall no more be smothered by the
mists of envy and intrigue«
I replied »That I admired the sketch exceedingly but that to understand
its full merit I felt it absolutely necessary to be informed of the subject«
»That is the very thing I complain of« answered Tinto »you have accustomed
yourself so much to these creeping twilight details of yours that you are
become incapable of receiving that instant and vivid flash of conviction which
darts on the mind from seeing the happy and expressive combinations of a single
scene and which gather from the position attitude and countenance of the
moment not only the history of the past lives of the personages represented
and the nature of the business on which they are immediately engaged but lifts
even the veil of futurity and affords a shrewd guess at their future fortunes«
»In that case« replied I »Painting excels the Ape of the renowned Gines de
Passamont which only meddled with the past and the present nay she excels
that very Nature who affords her subjects for I protest to you Dick that were
I permitted to peep into that Elizabeth chamber and see the persons you have
sketched conversing in flesh and blood I should not be a jot nearer guessing
the nature of their business than I am at this moment while looking at your
sketch Only generally from the languishing look of the young lady and the
care you have taken to present a very handsome leg on the part of the gentleman
I presume there is some reference to a love affair between them«
»Do you really presume to form such a bold conjecture« said Tinto »And the
indignant earnestness with which you see the man urge his suit the unresisting
and passive despair of the younger female the stern air of inflexible
determination in the elder woman whose looks express at once consciousness that
she is acting wrong and a firm determination to persist in the course she has
adopted«
»If her looks express all this my dear Tinto« replied I interrupting him
»your pencil rivals the dramatic art of Mr Puff in the Critic who crammed a
whole complicated sentence into the expressive shake of Lord Burleighs head«
»My good friend Peter« replied Tinto »I observe you are perfectly
incorrigible however I have compassion on your dulness and am unwilling you
should be deprived of the pleasure of understanding my picture and of gaining
at the same time a subject for your own pen You must know then last summer
while I was taking sketches on the coast of EastLothian and Berwickshire I was
seduced into the mountains of Lammermoor by the account I received of some
remains of antiquity in that district Those with which I was most struck were
the ruins of an ancient castle in which that Elizabeth chamber as you call it
once existed I resided for two or three days at a farmhouse in the
neighbourhood where the aged goodwife was well acquainted with the history of
the castle and the events which had taken place in it One of these was of a
nature so interesting and singular that my attention was divided between my
wish to draw the old ruins in landscape and to represent in a historypiece
the singular events which have taken place in it Here are my notes of the
tale« said poor Dick handing a parcel of loose scraps partly scratched over
with his pencil partly with his pen where outlines of caricatures sketches of
turrets mills old gables and dovecots disputed the ground with his written
memoranda
I proceeded however to decipher the substance of the manuscript as well as
I could and wove it into the following Tale in which following in part
though not entirely my friend Tintos advice I endeavoured to render my
narrative rather descriptive than dramatic My favourite propensity however
has at times overcome me and my persons like many others in this talking
world speak now and then a great deal more than they act
Chapter First
Well lords we have not got that which we have
Tis not enough our foes are this time fled
Being opposites of such repairing nature
Second Part of Henry VI
In the gorge of a pass or mountain glen ascending from the fertile plains of
EastLothian there stood in former times an extensive castle of which only the
ruins are now visible Its ancient proprietors were a race of powerful and
warlike barons who bore the same name with the castle itself which was
Ravenswood Their line extended to a remote period of antiquity and they had
intermarried with the Douglases Humes Swintons Hays and other families of
power and distinction in the same country Their history was frequently involved
in that of Scotland itself in whose annals their feats are recorded The castle
of Ravenswood occupying and in some measure commanding a pass betwixt
Berwickshire or the Merse as the southeastern province of Scotland is termed
and the Lothians was of importance both in times of foreign war and domestic
discord It was frequently besieged with ardour and defended with obstinacy
and of course its owners played a conspicuous part in story But their house
had its revolutions like all sublunary things it became greatly declined from
its splendour about the middle of the seventeenth century and towards the
period of the Revolution the last proprietor of Ravenswood Castle saw himself
compelled to part with the ancient family seat and to remove himself to a
lonely and seabeaten tower which situated on the bleak shores between Saint
Abbs Head and the village of Eyemouth looked out on the lonely and boisterous
German Ocean A black domain of wild pastureland surrounded their new
residence and formed the remains of their property
Lord Ravenswood the heir of this ruined family was far from bending his
mind to his new condition of life In the civil war of 1689 he had espoused the
sinking side and although he had escaped without the forfeiture of life or
land his blood had been attainted and his title abolished He was now called
Lord Ravenswood only in courtesy
This forfeited nobleman inherited the pride and turbulence though not the
fortune of his house and as he imputed the final declension of his family to a
particular individual he honoured that person with his full portion of hatred
This was the very man who had now become by purchase proprietor of Ravenswood
and the domains of which the heir of the house now stood dispossessed He was
descended of a family much less ancient than that of Lord Ravenswood and which
had only risen to wealth and political importance during the great civil wars
He himself had been bred to the bar and had held high offices in the state
maintaining through life the character of a skilful fisher in the troubled
waters of a state divided by factions and governed by delegated authority and
of one who contrived to amass considerable sums of money in a country where
there was but little to be gathered and who equally knew the value of wealth
and the various means of augmenting it and using it as an engine of increasing
his power and influence
Thus qualified and gifted he was a dangerous antagonist to the fierce and
imprudent Ravenswood Whether he had given him good cause for the enmity with
which the Baron regarded him was a point on which men spoke differently Some
said the quarrel arose merely from the vindictive spirit and envy of Lord
Ravenswood who could not patiently behold another though by just and fair
purchase become the proprietor of the estate and castle of his forefathers But
the greater part of the public prone to slander the wealthy in their absence
as to flatter them in their presence held a less charitable opinion They said
that the Lord Keeper for to this height Sir William Ashton had ascended had
previous to the final purchase of the estate of Ravenswood been concerned in
extensive pecuniary transactions with the former proprietor and rather
intimating what was probable than affirming anything positively they asked
which party was likely to have the advantage in stating and enforcing the claims
arising out of these complicated affairs and more than hinted the advantages
which the cool lawyer and able politician must necessarily possess over the hot
fiery and imprudent character whom he had involved in legal toils and
pecuniary snares
The character of the times aggravated these suspicions »In those days there
was no king in Israel« Since the departure of James VI to assume the richer
and more powerful crown of England there had existed in Scotland contending
parties formed among the aristocracy by whom as their intrigues at the court
of Saint Jamess chanced to prevail the delegated powers of sovereignty were
alternately swayed The evils attending upon this system of government resemble
those which afflict the tenants of an Irish estate the property of an absentee
There was no supreme power claiming and possessing a general interest with the
community at large to whom the oppressed might appeal from subordinate tyranny
either for justice or for mercy Let a monarch be as indolent as selfish as
much disposed to arbitrary power as he will still in a free country his own
interests are so clearly connected with those of the public at large and the
evil consequences to his own authority are so obvious and imminent when a
different course is pursued that common policy as well as common feeling
point to the equal distribution of justice and to the establishment of the
throne in righteousness Thus even sovereigns remarkable for usurpation and
tyranny have been found rigorous in the administration of justice among their
subjects in cases where their own power and passions were not compromised
It is very different when the powers of sovereignty are delegated to the
head of an aristocratic faction rivalled and pressed closely in the race of
ambition by an adverse leader His brief and precarious enjoyment of power must
be employed in rewarding his partisans in extending his influence in op
pressing and crushing his adversaries Even Abon Hassan the most disinterested
of all viceroys forgot not during his caliphate of one day to send a douceur
of one thousand pieces of gold to his own household and the Scottish
vicegerents raised to power by the strength of their faction failed not to
embrace the same means of rewarding them
The administration of justice in particular was infected by the most gross
partiality A case of importance scarcely occurred in which there was not some
ground for bias or partiality on the part of the judges who were so little able
to withstand the temptation that the adage »Show me the man and I will show
you the law« became as prevalent as it was scandalous One corruption led the
way to others still more gross and profligate The judge who lent his sacred
authority in one case to support a friend and in another to crush an enemy and
whose decisions were founded on family connections or political relations could
not be supposed inaccessible to direct personal motives and the purse of the
wealthy was too often believed to be thrown into the scale to weigh down the
cause of the poor litigant The subordinate officers of the law affected little
scruple concerning bribery Pieces of plate and bags of money were sent in
presents to the kings counsel to influence their conduct and poured forth
says a contemporary writer like billets of wood upon their floors without even
the decency of concealment
In such times it was not over uncharitable to suppose that the statesman
practised in courts of law and a powerful member of a triumphant cabal might
find and use means of advantage over his less skilful and less favoured
adversary and if it had been supposed that Sir William Ashtons conscience had
been too delicate to profit by these advantages it was believed that his
ambition and desire of extending his wealth and consequence found as strong a
stimulus in the exhortations of his lady as the daring aim of Macbeth in the
days of yore
Lady Ashton was of a family more distinguished than that of her lord an
advantage which she did not fail to use to the uttermost in maintaining and
extending her husbands influence over others and unless she was greatly
belied her own over him She had been beautiful and was stately and majestic
in her appearance Endowed by nature with strong powers and violent passions
experience had taught her to employ the one and to conceal if not to moderate
the other She was a severe and strict observer of the external forms at least
of devotion her hospitality was splendid even to ostentation her address and
manners agreeable to the pattern most valued in Scotland at the period were
grave dignified and severely regulated by the rules of etiquette Her
character had always been beyond the breath of slander And yet with all these
qualities to excite respect Lady Ashton was seldom mentioned in the terms of
love or affection Interest the interest of her family if not her own
seemed too obviously the motive of her actions and where this is the case the
sharpjudging and malignant public are not easily imposed upon by outward show
It was seen and ascertained that in her most graceful courtesies and
compliments Lady Ashton no more lost sight of her object than the falcon in
his airy wheel turns his quick eyes from his destined quarry and hence
something of doubt and suspicion qualified the feelings with which her equals
received her attentions With her inferiors these feelings were mingled with
fear an impression useful to her purposes so far as it enforced ready
compliance with her requests and implicit obedience to her commands but
detrimental because it cannot exist with affection or regard
Even her husband it is said upon whose fortunes her talents and address
had produced such emphatic influence regarded her with respectful awe rather
than confiding attachment and report said there were times when he considered
his grandeur as dearly purchased at the expense of domestic thraldom Of this
however much might be suspected but little could be accurately known Lady
Ashton regarded the honour of her husband as her own and was well aware how
much that would suffer in the public eye should he appear a vassal to his wife
In all her arguments his opinion was quoted as infallible his taste was
appealed to and his sentiments received with the air of deference which a
dutiful wife might seem to owe to a husband of Sir William Ashtons rank and
character But there was something under all this which rung false and hollow
and to those who watched this couple with close and perhaps malicious scrutiny
it seemed evident that in the haughtiness of a firmer character higher birth
and more decided views of aggrandisement the lady looked with some contempt on
the husband and that he regarded her with jealous fear rather than with love
or admiration
Still however the leading and favourite interests of Sir William Ashton
and his lady were the same and they failed not to work in concert although
without cordiality and to testify in all exterior circumstances that respect
for each other which they were aware was necessary to secure that of the
public
Their union was crowned with several children of whom three survived One
the eldest son was absent on his travels the second a girl of seventeen and
the third a boy about three years younger resided with their parents in
Edinburgh during the sessions of the Scottish Parliament and Privy Council at
other times in the old Gothic castle of Ravenswood to which the Lord Keeper had
made large additions in the style of the seventeenth century
Allan Lord Ravenswood the late proprietor of that ancient mansion and the
large estate annexed to it continued for some time to wage ineffectual war with
his successor concerning various points to which their former transactions had
given rise and which were successively determined in favour of the wealthy and
powerful competitor until death closed the litigation by summoning Ravenswood
to a higher bar The thread of life which had been long wasting gave way
during a fit of violent and impotent fury with which he was assailed on
receiving the news of the loss of a cause founded perhaps rather in equity
than in law the last which he had maintained against his powerful antagonist
His son witnessed his dying agonies and heard the curses which he breathed
against his adversary as if they had conveyed to him a legacy of vengeance
Other circumstances happened to exasperate a passion which was and had long
been a prevalent vice in the Scottish disposition
It was a November morning and the cliffs which overlooked the ocean were
hung with thick and heavy mist when the portals of the ancient and halfruinous
tower in which Lord Ravenswood had spent the last and troubled years of his
life opened that his mortal remains might pass forward to an abode yet more
dreary and lonely The pomp of attendance to which the deceased had in his
latter years been a stranger was revived as he was about to be consigned to
the realms of forgetfulness
Banner after banner with the various devices and coats of this ancient
family and its connections followed each other in mournful procession from
under the lowbrowed archway of the courtyard The principal gentry of the
country attended in the deepest mourning and tempered the pace of their long
train of horses to the solemn march befitting the occasion Trumpets with
banners of crape attached to them sent forth their long and melancholy notes to
regulate the movements of the procession An immense train of inferior mourners
and menials closed the rear which had not yet issued from the castlegate when
the van had reached the chapel where the body was to be deposited
Contrary to the custom and even to the law of the time the body was met by
a priest of the Scottish Episcopal communion arrayed in his surplice and
prepared to read over the coffin of the deceased the funeral service of the
church Such had been the desire of Lord Ravenswood in his last illness and it
was readily complied with by the Tory gentlemen or cavaliers as they affected
to style themselves in which faction most of his kinsmen were enrolled The
Presbyterian churchjudicatory of the bounds considering the ceremony as a
bravading insult upon their authority had applied to the Lord Keeper as the
nearest privy councillor for a warrant to prevent its being carried into
effect so that when the clergyman had opened his prayerbook an officer of
the law supported by some armed men commanded him to be silent An insult
which fired the whole assembly with indignation was particularly and instantly
resented by the only son of the deceased Edgar popularly called the Master of
Ravenswood a youth of about twenty years of age He clapped his hand on his
sword and bidding the official person to desist at his peril from farther
interruption commanded the clergyman to proceed The man attempted to enforce
his commission but as an hundred swords at once glittered in the air he
contented himself with protesting against the violence which had been offered to
him in the execution of his duty and stood aloof a sullen and moody spectator
of the ceremonial muttering as one who should say »Youll rue the day that
clogs me with this answer«
The scene was worthy of an artists pencil Under the very arch of the house
of death the clergyman affrighted at the scene and trembling for his own
safety hastily and unwillingly rehearsed the solemn service of the church and
spoke dust to dust and ashes to ashes over ruined pride and decayed
prosperity Around stood the relations of the deceased their countenances more
in anger than in sorrow and the drawn swords which they brandished forming a
violent contrast with their deep mourning habits In the countenance of the
young man alone resentment seemed for the moment overpowered by the deep agony
with which he beheld his nearest and almost his only friend consigned to the
tomb of his ancestry A relative observed him turn deadly pale when all rites
being now duly observed it became the duty of the chief mourner to lower down
into the charnel vault where mouldering coffins showed their tattered velvet
and decayed plating the head of the corpse which was to be their partner in
corruption He stepped to the youth and offered his assistance which by a mute
motion Edgar Ravenswood rejected Firmly and without a tear he performed that
last duty The stone was laid on the sepulchre the door of the aisle was
locked and the youth took possession of its massive key
As the crowd left the chapel he paused on the steps which led to its Gothic
chancel »Gentlemen and friends« he said »you have this day done no common
duty to the body of your deceased kinsman The rites of due observance which
in other countries are allowed as the due of the meanest Christian would this
day have been denied to the body of your relative not certainly sprung of the
meanest house in Scotland had it not been assured to him by your courage
Others bury their dead in sorrow and tears in silence and in reverence our
funeral rites are marred by the intrusion of bailiffs and ruffians and our
grief the grief due to our departed friend is chased from our cheeks by the
glow of just indignation But it is well that I know from what quiver this arrow
has come forth It was only he that dug the grave who could have the mean
cruelty to disturb the obsequies and Heaven do as much to me and more if I
requite not to this man and his house the ruin and disgrace he has brought on me
and mine«
A numerous part of the assembly applauded this speech as the spirited
expression of just resentment but the more cool and judicious regretted that it
had been uttered The fortunes of the heir of Ravenswood were too low to brave
the farther hostility which they imagined these open expressions of resentment
must necessarily provoke Their apprehensions however proved groundless at
least in the immediate consequences of this affair
The mourners returned to the tower there according to a custom but
recently abolished in Scotland to carouse deep healths to the memory of the
deceased to make the house of sorrow ring with sounds of joviality and debauch
and to diminish by the expense of a large and profuse entertainment the
limited revenues of the heir of him whose funeral they thus strangely honoured
It was the custom however and on the present occasion it was fully observed
The tables swam in wine the populace feasted in the courtyard the yeomen in
the kitchen and buttery and two years rent of Ravenswoods remaining property
hardly defrayed the charge of the funeral revel The wine did its office on all
but the Master of Ravenswood a title which he still retained though
forfeiture had attached to that of his father He while passing around the cup
which he himself did not taste soon listened to a thousand exclamations against
the Lord Keeper and passionate protestations of attachment to himself and to
the honour of his house He listened with dark and sullen brow to ebullitions
which he considered justly as equally evanescent with the crimson bubbles on the
brink of the goblet or at least with the vapours which its contents excited in
the brains of the revellers around him
When the last flask was emptied they took their leave with deep
protestations to be forgotten on the morrow if indeed those who made them
should not think it necessary for their safety to make a more solemn
retractation
Accepting their adieus with an air of contempt which he could scarce
conceal Ravenswood at length beheld his ruinous habitation cleared of this
confluence of riotous guests and returned to the deserted hall which now
appeared doubly lonely from the cessation of that clamour to which it had so
lately echoed But its space was peopled by phantoms which the imagination of
the young heir conjured up before him the tarnished honour and degraded
fortunes of his house the destruction of his own hopes and the triumph of that
family by whom they had been ruined To a mind naturally of a gloomy cast here
was ample room for meditation and the musings of young Ravenswood were deep and
unwitnessed
The peasant who shows the ruins of the tower which still crown the
beetling cliff and behold the war of the waves though no more tenanted save by
the seamew and cormorant even yet affirms that on this fatal night the Master
of Ravenswood by the bitter exclamations of his despair evoked some evil
fiend under whose malignant influence the future tissue of incidents was woven
Alas what fiend can suggest more desperate counsels than those adopted under
the guidance of our own violent and unresisted passions
Chapter Second
Over Gods forbode then said the King
That thou shouldst shoot at me
William Bell Clim o the Cleugh etc
On the morning after the funeral the legal officer whose authority had been
found insufficient to effect an interruption of the funeral solemnities of the
late Lord Ravenswood hastened to state before the Keeper the resistance which
he had met with in the execution of his office
The statesman was seated in a spacious library once a banquetingroom in
the old Castle of Ravenswood as was evident from the armorial insignia still
displayed on the carved roof which was vaulted with Spanish chestnut and on
the stained glass of the casement through which gleamed a dim yet rich light
on the long rows of shelves bending under the weight of legal commentators and
monkish historians whose ponderous volumes formed the chief and most valued
contents of a Scottish historian of the period On the massive oaken table and
readingdesk lay a confused mass of letters petitions and parchments to toil
amongst which was the pleasure at once and the plague of Sir William Ashtons
life His appearance was grave and even noble well becoming one who held a high
office in the state and it was not save after long and intimate conversation
with him upon topics of pressing and personal interest that a stranger could
have discovered something vacillating and uncertain in his resolutions an
infirmity of purpose arising from a cautious and timid disposition which as
he was conscious of its internal influence on his mind he was from pride as
well as policy most anxious to conceal from others
He listened with great apparent composure to an exaggerated account of the
tumult which had taken place at the funeral of the contempt thrown on his own
authority and that of the church and state nor did he seem moved even by the
faithful report of the insulting and threatening language which had been uttered
by young Ravenswood and others and obviously directed against himself He
heard also what the man had been able to collect in a very distorted and
aggravated shape of the toasts which had been drunk and the menaces uttered
at the subsequent entertainment In fine he made careful notes of all these
particulars and of the names of the persons by whom in case of need an
accusation founded upon these violent proceedings could be witnessed and made
good and dismissed his informer secure that he was now master of the remaining
fortune and even of the personal liberty of young Ravenswood
When the door had closed upon the officer of the law the Lord Keeper
remained for a moment in deep meditation then starting from his seat paced
the apartment as one about to take a sudden and energetic resolution »Young
Ravenswood« he muttered »is now mine he is my own he has placed himself in
my hand and he shall bend or break I have not forgot the determined and dogged
obstinacy with which his father fought every point to the last resisted every
effort at compromise embroiled me in lawsuits and attempted to assail my
character when he could not otherwise impugn my rights This boy he has left
behind him this Edgar this hotheaded harebrained fool has wrecked his
vessel before she has cleared the harbour I must see that he gains no advantage
of some turning tide which may again float him off These memoranda properly
stated to the Privy Council cannot but be construed into an aggravated riot in
which the dignity both of the civil and ecclesiastical authorities stands
committed A heavy fine might be imposed an order for committing him to
Edinburgh or Blackness Castle seems not improper even a charge of treason might
be laid on many of these words and expressions though God forbid I should
prosecute the matter to that extent No I will not I will not touch his
life even if it should be in my power and yet if he lives till a change of
times what follows Restitution perhaps revenge I know Athole promised his
interest to old Ravenswood and here is his son already bandying and making a
faction by his own contemptible influence What a ready tool he would be for the
use of those who are watching the downfal of our administration«
While these thoughts were agitating the mind of the wily statesman and
while he was persuading himself that his own interest and safety as well as
those of his friends and party depended on using the present advantage to the
uttermost against young Ravenswood the Lord Keeper sat down to his desk and
proceeded to draw up for the information of the Privy Council an account of
the disorderly proceedings which in contempt of his warrant had taken place at
the funeral of Lord Ravenswood The names of most of the parties concerned as
well as the fact itself would he was well aware sound odiously in the ears of
his colleagues in administration and most likely instigate them to make an
example of young Ravenswood at least in terrorem
It was a point of delicacy however to select such expressions as might
infer the young mans culpability without seeming directly to urge it which
on the part of Sir William Ashton his fathers ancient antagonist could not
but appear odious and invidious While he was in the act of composition
labouring to find words which might indicate Edgar Ravenswood to be the cause of
the uproar without specifically making such a charge Sir William in a pause
of his task chanced in looking upward to see the crest of the family for
whose heir he was whetting the arrows and disposing the toils of the law
carved upon one of the corbeilles from which the vaulted roof of the apartment
sprung It was a black bulls head with the legend »I bide my time« and the
occasion upon which it was adopted mingled itself singularly and impressively
with the subject of his present reflections
It was said by a constant tradition that a Malisius de Ravenswood had in
the thirteenth century been deprived of his castles and lands by a powerful
usurper who had for a while enjoyed his spoils in quiet At length on the eve
of a costly banquet Ravenswood who had watched his opportunity introduced
himself into the castle with a small band of faithful retainers The serving of
the expected feast was impatiently looked for by the guests and clamorously
demanded by the temporary master of the castle Ravenswood who had assumed the
disguise of a sewer upon the occasion answered in a stern voice »I bide my
time« and at the same moment a bulls head the ancient symbol of death was
placed upon the table The explosion of the conspiracy took place upon the
signal and the usurper and his followers were put to death Perhaps there was
something in this still known and often repeated story which came immediately
home to the breast and conscience of the Lord Keeper for putting from him the
paper on which he had begun his report and carefully locking the memoranda
which he had prepared into a cabinet which stood beside him he proceeded to
walk abroad as if for the purpose of collecting his ideas and reflecting
farther on the consequences of the step which he was about to take ere yet they
became inevitable
In passing through a large Gothic anteroom Sir William Ashton heard the
sound of his daughters lute Music when the performers are concealed affects
us with a pleasure mingled with surprise and reminds us of the natural concert
of birds among the leafy bowers The statesman though little accustomed to give
way to emotions of this natural and simple class was still a man and a father
He stopped therefore and listened while the silver tones of Lucy Ashtons
voice mingled with the accompaniment in an ancient air to which some one had
adapted the following words
»Look not thou on beautys charming
Sit thou still when kings are arming
Taste not when the winecup glistens
Speak not when the people listens
Stop thine ear against the singer
From the red gold keep thy finger
Vacant heart and hand and eye
Easy live and quiet die«
The sounds ceased and the Keeper entered his daughters apartment
The words she had chosen seemed particularly adapted to her character for
Lucy Ashtons exquisitely beautiful yet somewhat girlish features were formed
to express peace of mind serenity and indifference to the tinsel of worldly
pleasure Her locks which were of shadowy gold divided on a brow of exquisite
whiteness like a gleam of broken and pallid sunshine upon a hill of snow The
expression of the countenance was in the last degree gentle soft timid and
feminine and seemed rather to shrink from the most casual look of a stranger
than to court his admiration Something there was of a Madonna cast perhaps the
result of delicate health and of residence in a family where the dispositions
of the inmates were fiercer more active and energetic than her own
Yet her passiveness of disposition was by no means owing to an indifferent
or unfeeling mind Left to the impulse of her own taste and feeling Lucy Ashton
was peculiarly accessible to those of a romantic cast Her secret delight was in
the old legendary tales of ardent devotion and unalterable affection chequered
as they so often are with strange adventures and supernatural horrors This was
her favoured fairy realm and here she erected her aërial palaces But it was
only in secret that she laboured at this delusive though delightful
architecture In her retired chamber or in the woodland bower which she had
chosen for her own and called after her name she was in fancy distributing the
prizes at the tournament or raining down influence from her eyes on the valiant
combatants or she was wandering in the wilderness with Una under escort of the
generous lion or she was identifying herself with the simple yet nobleminded
Miranda in the isle of wonder and enchantment
But in her exterior relations to things of this world Lucy willingly
received the ruling impulse from those around her The alternative was in
general too indifferent to her to render resistance desirable and she
willingly found a motive for decision in the opinion of her friends which
perhaps she might have sought for in vain in her own choice Every reader must
have observed in some family of his acquaintance some individual of a temper
soft and yielding who mixed with stronger and more ardent minds is borne
along by the will of others with as little power of opposition as the flower
which is flung into a running stream It usually happens that such a compliant
and easy disposition which resigns itself without murmur to the guidance of
others becomes the darling of those to whose inclinations its own seemed to be
offered in ungrudging and ready sacrifice
This was eminently the case with Lucy Ashton Her politic wary and worldly
father felt for her an affection the strength of which sometimes surprised him
into an unusual emotion Her elder brother who trode the path of ambition with
a haughtier step than his father had also more of human affection A soldier
and in a dissolute age he preferred his sister Lucy even to pleasure and to
military preferment and distinction Her younger brother at an age when trifles
chiefly occupied his mind made her the confidant of all his pleasures and
anxieties his success in fieldsports and his quarrels with his tutor and
instructors To these details however trivial Lucy lent patient and not
indifferent attention They moved and interested Henry and that was enough to
secure her ear
Her mother alone did not feel that distinguished and predominating
affection with which the rest of the family cherished Lucy She regarded what
she termed her daughters want of spirit as a decided mark that the more
plebeian blood of her father predominated in Lucys veins and used to call her
in derision her Lammermoor Shepherdess To dislike so gentle and inoffensive a
being was impossible but Lady Ashton preferred her eldest son on whom had
descended a large portion of her own ambitious and undaunted disposition to a
daughter whose softness of temper seemed allied to feebleness of mind Her
eldest son was the more partially beloved by his mother because contrary to
the usual custom of Scottish families of distinction he had been named after
the head of the house
»My Sholto« she said »will support the untarnished honour of his maternal
house and elevate and support that of his father Poor Lucy is unfit for courts
or crowded halls Some country laird must be her husband rich enough to supply
her with every comfort without an effort on her own part so that she may have
nothing to shed a tear for but the tender apprehension lest he may break his
neck in a foxchase It was not so however that our house was raised nor is
it so that it can be fortified and augmented The Lord Keepers dignity is yet
new it must be borne as if we were used to its weight worthy of it and prompt
to assert and maintain it Before ancient authorities men bend from customary
and hereditary deference in our presence they will stand erect unless they
are compelled to prostrate themselves A daughter fit for the sheepfold or the
cloister is illqualified to exact respect where it is yielded with reluctance
and since Heaven refused us a third boy Lucy should have held a character fit
to supply his place The hour will be a happy one which disposes her hand in
marriage to some one whose energy is greater than her own or whose ambition is
of as low an order«
So meditated a mother to whom the qualities of her childrens hearts as
well as the prospect of their domestic happiness seemed light in comparison to
their rank and temporal greatness But like many a parent of hot and impatient
character she was mistaken in estimating the feelings of her daughter who
under a semblance of extreme indifference nourished the germ of those passions
which sometimes spring up in one night like the gourd of the prophet and
astonish the observer by their unexpected ardour and intensity In fact Lucys
sentiments seemed chill because nothing had occurred to interest or awaken
them Her life had hitherto flowed on in a uniform and gentle tenor and happy
for her had not its present smoothness of current resembled that of the stream
as it glides downwards to the waterfall
»So Lucy« said her father entering as her song was ended »does your
musical philosopher teach you to contemn the world before you know it that is
surely something premature Or did you but speak according to the fashion of
fair maidens who are always to hold the pleasures of life in contempt till they
are pressed upon them by the address of some gentle knight«
Lucy blushed disclaimed any inference respecting her own choice being drawn
from her selection of a song and readily laid aside her instrument at her
fathers request that she would attend him in his walk
A large and wellwooded park or rather chase stretched along the hill
behind the castle which occupying as we have noticed a pass ascending from
the plain seemed built in its very gorge to defend the forest ground which
arose behind it in shaggy majesty Into this romantic region the father and
daughter proceeded arm in arm by a noble avenue overarched by embowering elms
beneath which groups of the fallowdeer were seen to stray in distant
perspective As they paced slowly on admiring the different points of view for
which Sir William Ashton notwithstanding the nature of his usual avocations
had considerable taste and feeling they were overtaken by the forester or
parkkeeper who intent on silvan sport was proceeding with his crossbow over
his arm and a hound led in leash by his boy into the interior of the wood
»Going to shoot us a piece of venison Norman« said his master as he
returned the woodmans salutation
»Saul your honour and that I am Will it please you to see the sport«
»O no« said his lordship after looking at his daughter whose colour fled
at the idea of seeing the deer shot although had her father expressed his wish
that they should accompany Norman it was probable she would not even have
hinted her reluctance
The forester shrugged his shoulders »It was a disheartening thing« he
said »when none of the gentles came down to see the sport He hoped Captain
Sholto would be soon hame or he might shut up his shop entirely for Mr Harry
was kept sae close wi his Latin nonsense that though his will was very gude
to be in the wood from morning till night there would be a hopeful lad lost
and no making a man of him It was not so he had heard in Lord Ravenswoods
time when a buck was to be killed man and mothers son ran to see and when
the deer fell the knife was always presented to the knight and he never gave
less than a dollar for the compliment And there was Edgar Ravenswood Master
of Ravenswood that is now when he goes up to the wood there hasna been a
better hunter since Tristrems time when Sir Edgar hauds out7 down goes the
deer faith But we hae lost a sense of woodcraft on this side of the hill«
There was much in this harangue highly displeasing to the Lord Keepers
feelings he could not help observing that his menial despised him almost
avowedly for not possessing that taste for sport which in those times was
deemed the natural and indispensable attribute of a real gentleman But the
master of the game is in all country houses a man of great importance and
entitled to use considerable freedom of speech Sir William therefore only
smiled and replied he had something else to think upon today than killing
deer meantime taking out his purse he gave the ranger a dollar for his
encouragement The fellow received it as the waiter of a fashionable hotel
receives double his proper fee from the hands of a country gentleman that is
with a smile in which pleasure at the gift is mingled with contempt for the
ignorance of the donor »Your honour is the bad paymaster« he said »who pays
before it is done What would you do were I to miss the buck after you have paid
me my woodfee«
»I suppose« said the Keeper smiling »you would hardly guess what I mean
were I to tell you of a condictio indebiti«
»Not I on my saul I guess it is some law phrase but sue a beggar and
your honour knows what follows Well but I will be just with you and if bow
and brach fail not you shall have a piece of game two fingers fat on the
brisket«
As he was about to go off his master again called him and asked as if by
accident whether the Master of Ravenswood was actually so brave a man and so
good a shooter as the world spoke him
»Brave brave enough I warrant you« answered Norman »I was in the wood
at Tyninghame when there was a sort of gallants hunting with my lord on my
saul there was a buck turned to bay made us all stand back a stout old Trojan
of the first head tentyned branches and a brow as broad as eer a bullocks
Egad he dashed at the old lord and there would have been inlake among the
peerage if the Master had not whipt roundly in and hamstrung him with his
cutlass He was but sixteen then bless his heart«
»And is he as ready with the gun as with the couteau« said Sir William
»Hell strike this silver dollar out from beneath my finger and thumb at
four score yards and Ill hold it out for a gold merk what more would you have
of eye hand lead and gunpowder«
»O no more to be wished certainly« said the Lord Keeper »but we keep you
from your sport Norman Goodmorrow good Norman«
And humming his rustic roundelay the yeoman went on his road the sound of
his rough voice gradually dying away as the distance betwixt them increased
»The monk must arise when the matins ring
The abbot may sleep to their chime
But the yeoman must start when the bugles sing
Tis time my hearts tis time
Theres bucks and raes on Bilhope braes
Theres a herd on Shortwood Shaw
But a lilywhite doe in the garden goes
Shes fairly worth them a«
»Has this fellow« said the Lord Keeper when the yeomans song had died on the
wind »ever served the Ravenswood people that he seems so much interested in
them I suppose you know Lucy for you make it a point of conscience to record
the special history of every boor about the castle«
»I am not quite so faithful a chronicler my dear father but I believe that
Norman once served here while a boy and before he went to Ledington whence you
hired him But if you want to know anything of the former family Old Alice is
the best authority«
»And what should I have to do with them pray Lucy« said her father »or
with their history or accomplishments«
»Nay I do not know sir only that you were asking questions of Norman
about young Ravenswood«
»Pshaw child« replied her father yet immediately added »and who is old
Alice I think you know all the old women in the country«
»To be sure I do or how could I help the old creatures when they are in
hard times And as to old Alice she is the very empress of old women and queen
of gossips so far as legendary lore is concerned She is blind poor old soul
but when she speaks to you you would think she has some way of looking into
your very heart I am sure I often cover my face or turn it away for it seems
as if she saw one change colour though she has been blind these twenty years
She is worth visiting were it but to say you have seen a blind and paralytic
old woman have so much acuteness of perception and dignity of manners I assure
you she might be a countess from her language and behaviour Come you must go
to see Alice we are not a quarter of a mile from her cottage«
»All this my dear« said the Lord Keeper »is no answer to my question who
this woman is and what is her connection with the former proprietors family«
»O it was something of a nouriceship I believe and she remained here
because her two grandsons were engaged in your service But it was against her
will I fancy for the poor old creature is always regretting the change of times
and of property«
»I am much obliged to her« answered the Lord Keeper »She and her folk eat
my bread and drink my cup and are lamenting all the while that they are not
still under a family which never could do good either to themselves or any one
else«
»Indeed« replied Lucy »I am certain you do old Alice injustice She has
nothing mercenary about her and would not accept a penny in charity if it were
to save her from being starved She is only talkative like all old folk when
you put them on stories of their youth and she speaks about the Ravenswood
people because she lived under them so many years But I am sure she is
grateful to you sir for your protection and that she would rather speak to
you than to any other person in the whole world beside Do sir come and see
old Alice«
And with the freedom of an indulged daughter she dragged the Lord Keeper
in the direction she desired
Chapter Third
Through tops of the high trees she did descry
A little smoke whose vapour thin and light
Reeking aloft uprolled to the sky
Which cheerful sign did send unto her sight
That in the same did wonne some living wight
Spenser
Lucy acted as her fathers guide for he was too much engrossed with his
political labours or with society to be perfectly acquainted with his own
extensive domains and moreover was generally an inhabitant of the city of
Edinburgh and she on the other hand had with her mother resided the whole
summer in Ravenswood and partly from taste partly from want of any other
amusement had by her frequent rambles learnt to know each lane alley
dingle or bushy dell
And every bosky bourne from side to side
We have said that the Lord Keeper was not indifferent to the beauties of nature
and we add in justice to him that he felt them doubly when pointed out by the
beautiful simple and interesting girl who hanging on his arm with filial
kindness now called him to admire the size of some ancient oak and now the
unexpected turn where the path developing its maze from glen or dingle
suddenly reached an eminence commanding an extensive view of the plains beneath
them and then gradually glided away from the prospect to lose itself among
rocks and thickets and guide to scenes of deeper seclusion
It was when pausing on one of those points of extensive and commanding view
that Lucy told her father they were close by the cottage of her blind protégée
and on turning from the little hill a path which led around it worn by the
daily steps of the infirm inmate brought them in sight of the hut which
embosomed in a deep and obscure dell seemed to have been so situated purposely
to bear a correspondence with the darkened state of its inhabitant
The cottage was situated immediately under a tall rock which in some
measure beetled over it as if threatening to drop some detached fragment from
its brow on the frail tenement beneath The hut itself was constructed of turf
and stones and rudely roofed over with thatch much of which was in a
dilapidated condition The thin blue smoke rose from it in a light column and
curled upward along the white face of the incumbent rock giving the scene a
tint of exquisite softness In a small and rude garden surrounded by straggling
elderbushes which formed a sort of imperfect hedge sat near to the beehives
by the produce of which she lived that »woman old« whom Lucy had brought her
father hither to visit
Whatever there had been which was disastrous in her fortune whatever there
was miserable in her dwelling it was easy to judge by the first glance that
neither years poverty misfortune nor infirmity had broken the spirit of this
remarkable woman
She occupied a turfseat placed under a weeping birch of unusual magnitude
and age as Judah is represented sitting under her palmtree with an air at
once of majesty and of dejection Her figure was tall commanding and but
little bent by the infirmities of old age Her dress though that of a peasant
was uncommonly clean forming in that particular a strong contrast to most of
her rank and was disposed with an attention to neatness and even to taste
equally unusual But it was her expression of countenance which chiefly struck
the spectator and induced most persons to address her with a degree of
deference and civility very inconsistent with the miserable state of her
dwelling and which nevertheless she received with that easy composure which
showed she felt it to be her due She had once been beautiful but her beauty
had been of a bold and masculine cast such as does not survive the bloom of
youth yet her features continued to express strong sense deep reflection and
a character of sober pride which as we have already said of her dress
appeared to argue a conscious superiority to those of her own rank It scarce
seemed possible that a face deprived of the advantage of sight could have
expressed character so strongly but her eyes which were almost totally closed
did not by the display of their sightless orbs mar the countenance to which
they could add nothing She seemed in a ruminating posture soothed perhaps by
the murmurs of the busy tribe around her to abstraction though not to slumber
Lucy undid the latch of the little garden gate and solicited the old
womans attention »My father Alice is come to see you«
»He is welcome Miss Ashton and so are you« said the old woman turning
and inclining her head towards her visitors
»This is a fine morning for your beehives mother« said the Lord Keeper
who struck with the outward appearance of Alice was somewhat curious to know
if her conversation would correspond with it
»I believe so my lord« she replied »I feel the air breathe milder than of
late«
»You do not« resumed the statesman »take charge of these bees yourself
mother How do you manage them«
»By delegates as kings do their subjects« resumed Alice »and I am
fortunate in a prime minister Here Babie«
She whistled on a small silver call which hung around her neck and which at
that time was sometimes used to summon domestics and Babie a girl of fifteen
made her appearance from the hut not altogether so cleanly arrayed as she would
probably have been had Alice had the use of her eyes but with a greater air of
neatness than was upon the whole to have been expected
»Babie« said her mistress »offer some bread and honey to the Lord Keeper
and Miss Ashton they will excuse your awkwardness if you use cleanliness and
despatch«
Babie performed her mistresss command with the grace which was naturally to
have been expected moving to and fro with a lobsterlike gesture her feet and
legs tending one way while her head turned in a different direction was fixed
in wonder upon the laird who was more frequently heard of than seen by his
tenants and dependants The bread and honey however deposited on a plantain
leaf was offered and accepted in all due courtesy The Lord Keeper still
retaining the place which he had occupied on the decayed trunk of a fallen tree
looked as if he wished to prolong the interview but was at a loss how to
introduce a suitable subject
»You have been long a resident on this property« he said after a pause
»It is now nearly sixty years since I first knew Ravenswood« answered the
old dame whose conversation though perfectly civil and respectful seemed
cautiously limited to the unavoidable and necessary task of replying to Sir
William
»You are not I should judge by your accent of this country originally«
said the Lord Keeper in continuation
»No I am by birth an Englishwoman«
»Yet you seem attached to this country as if it were your own«
»It is here« replied the blind woman »that I have drunk the cup of joy and
of sorrow which Heaven destined for me I was here the wife of an upright and
affectionate husband for more than twenty years I was here the mother of six
promising children it was here that God deprived me of all these blessings
it was here they died and yonder by yon ruined chapel they lie all buried I
had no country but theirs while they lived I have none but theirs now they are
no more«
»But your house« said the Lord Keeper looking at it »is miserably
ruinous«
»Do my dear father« said Lucy eagerly yet bashfully catching at the
hint »give orders to make it better that is if you think it proper«
»It will last my time my dear Miss Lucy« said the blind woman »I would
not have my lord give himself the least trouble about it«
»But« said Lucy »you once had a much better house and were rich and now
in your old age to live in this hovel«
»It is as good as I deserve Miss Lucy if my heart has not broke with what
I have suffered and seen others suffer it must have been strong enough and
the rest of this old frame has no right to call itself weaker«
»You have probably witnessed many changes« said the Lord Keeper »but your
experience must have taught you to expect them«
»It has taught me to endure them my lord« was the reply
»Yet you knew that they must needs arrive in the course of years« said the
statesman
»Ay as I know that the stump on or beside which you sit once a tall and
lofty tree must needs one day fall by decay or by the axe yet I hoped my eyes
might not witness the downfal of the tree which overshadowed my dwelling«
»Do not suppose« said the Lord Keeper »that you will lose any interest
with me for looking back with regret to the days when another family possessed
my estates You had reason doubtless to love them and I respect your
gratitude I will order some repairs in your cottage and I hope we shall live
to be friends when we know each other better«
»Those of my age« returned the dame »make no new friends I thank you for
your bounty it is well intended undoubtedly but I have all I want and I
cannot accept more at your lordships hands«
»Well then« continued the Lord Keeper »at least allow me to say that I
look upon you as a woman of sense and education beyond your appearance and that
I hope you will continue to reside on this property of mine rentfree for your
life«
»I hope I shall« said the old dame composedly »I believe that was made an
article in the sale of Ravenswood to your lordship though such a trifling
circumstance may have escaped your recollection«
»I remember I recollect« said his lordship somewhat confused »I
perceive you are too much attached to your old friends to accept any benefit
from their successor«
»Far from it my lord I am grateful for the benefits which I decline and I
wish I could pay you for offering them better than what I am now about to say«
The Lord Keeper looked at her in some surprise but said not a word »My lord«
she continued in an impressive and solemn tone »take care what you do you are
on the brink of a precipice«
»Indeed« said the Lord Keeper his mind reverting to the political
circumstances of the country »Has anything come to your knowledge any plot or
conspiracy«
»No my lord those who traffic in such commodities do not call into their
councils the old blind and infirm My warning is of another kind You have
driven matters hard with the house of Ravenswood Believe a true tale they are
a fierce house and there is danger in dealing with men when they become
desperate«
»Tush« answered the Keeper »what has been between us has been the work of
the law not my doing and to the law they must look if they would impugn my
proceedings«
»Ay but they may think otherwise and take the law into their own hand
when they fail of other means of redress«
»What mean you« said the Lord Keeper »Young Ravenswood would not have
recourse to personal violence«
»God forbid I should say so I know nothing of the youth but what is
honourable and open honourable and open said I I should have added free
generous noble But he is still a Ravenswood and may bide his time Remember
the fate of Sir George Lockhart«8
The Lord Keeper started as she called to his recollection a tragedy so deep
and so recent The old woman proceeded »Chiesley who did the deed was a
relative of Lord Ravenswood In the hall of Ravenswood in my presence and in
that of others he avowed publicly his determination to do the cruelty which he
afterwards committed I could not keep silence though to speak it ill became my
station You are devising a dreadful crime I said for which you must reckon
before the judgmentseat Never shall I forget his look as he replied I must
reckon then for many things and will reckon for this also Therefore I may well
say beware of pressing a desperate man with the hand of authority There is
blood of Chiesley in the veins of Ravenswood and one drop of it were enough to
fire him in the circumstances in which he is placed I say beware of him«
The old dame had either intentionally or by accident harped aright the
fear of the Lord Keeper The desperate and dark resource of private
assassination so familiar to a Scottish baron in former times had even in the
present age been too frequently resorted to under the pressure of unusual
temptation or where the mind of the actor was prepared for such a crime Sir
William Ashton was aware of this as also that young Ravenswood had received
injuries sufficient to prompt him to that sort of revenge which becomes a
frequent though fearful consequence of the partial administration of justice He
endeavoured to disguise from Alice the nature of the apprehensions which he
entertained but so ineffectually that a person even of less penetration than
nature had endowed her with must necessarily have been aware that the subject
lay near his bosom His voice was changed in its accent as he replied to her
that the Master of Ravenswood was a man of honour and were it otherwise that
the fate of Chiesley of Dalry was a sufficient warning to any one who should
dare to assume the office of avenger of his own imaginary wrongs And having
hastily uttered these expressions he rose and left the place without waiting
for a reply
Chapter Fourth
Is she a Capulet
O dear account my life is my foes debt
Shakespeare
The Lord Keeper walked for nearly a quarter of a mile in profound silence His
daughter naturally timid and bred up in those ideas of filial awe and implicit
obedience which were inculcated upon the youth of that period did not venture
to interrupt his meditations
»Why do you look so pale Lucy« said her father turning suddenly round and
breaking silence
According to the ideas of the time which did not permit a young woman to
offer her sentiments on any subject of importance unless especially required to
do so Lucy was bound to appear ignorant of the meaning of all that had passed
betwixt Alice and her father and imputed the emotion he had observed to the
fear of the wild cattle which grazed in that part of the extensive chase through
which they were now walking
Of these animals the descendants of the savage herds which anciently roamed
free in the Caledonian forests it was formerly a point of state to preserve a
few in the parks of the Scottish nobility Specimens continued within the memory
of man to be kept at least at three houses of distinction namely Hamilton
Drumlanrig and Cumbernauld They had degenerated from the ancient race in size
and strength if we are to judge from the accounts of old chronicles and from
the formidable remains frequently discovered in bogs and morasses when drained
and laid open The bull had lost the shaggy honours of his mane and the race
was small and light made in colour a dingy white or rather a pale yellow with
black horn and hoofs They retained however in some measure the ferocity of
their ancestry could not be domesticated on account of their antipathy to the
human race and were often dangerous if approached unguardedly or wantonly
disturbed
It was this last reason which has occasioned their being extirpated at the
places we have mentioned where probably they would otherwise have been retained
as appropriate inhabitants of a Scottish woodland and fit tenants for a
baronial forest A few if I mistake not are still preserved at Chillingham
Castle in Northumberland the seat of the Earl of Tankerville
It was to her finding herself in the vicinity of a group of three or four of
these animals that Lucy thought proper to impute those signs of fear which had
arisen in her countenance for a different reason For she had been familiarised
with the appearance of the wild cattle during her walks in the chase and it
was not then as it may be now a necessary part of a young ladys demeanour to
indulge in causeless tremors of the nerves On the present occasion however
she speedily found cause for real terror
Lucy had scarcely replied to her father in the words we have mentioned and
he was just about to rebuke her supposed timidity when a bull stimulated
either by the scarlet colour of Miss Ashtons mantle or by one of those fits of
capricious ferocity to which their dispositions are liable detached himself
suddenly from the group which was feeding at the upper extremity of a grassy
glade that seemed to lose itself among the crossing and entangled boughs The
animal approached the intruders on his pasture ground at first slowly pawing
the ground with his hoof bellowing from time to time and tearing up the sand
with his horns as if to lash himself up to rage and violence
The Lord Keeper who observed the animals demeanour was aware that he was
about to become mischievous and drawing his daughters arm under his own
began to walk fast along the avenue in hopes to get out of his sight and his
reach This was the most injudicious course he could have adopted for
encouraged by the appearance of flight the bull began to pursue them at full
speed Assailed by a danger so imminent firmer courage than that of the Lord
Keeper might have given way But paternal tenderness »love strong as death«
sustained him He continued to support and drag onward his daughter until her
fears altogether depriving her of the power of flight she sunk down by his
side and when he could no longer assist her to escape he turned round and
placed himself betwixt her and the raging animal which advancing in full
career its brutal fury enhanced by the rapidity of the pursuit was now within
a few yards of them The Lord Keeper had no weapons his age and gravity
dispensed even with the usual appendage of a walking sword could such
appendage have availed him anything
It seemed inevitable that the father or daughter or both should have
fallen victims to the impending danger when a shot from the neighbouring
thicket arrested the progress of the animal He was so truly struck between the
junction of the spine with the skull that the wound which in any other part of
his body might scarce have impeded his career proved instantly fatal Stumbling
forward with a hideous bellow the progressive force of his previous motion
rather than any operation of his limbs carried him up to within three yards of
the astonished Lord Keeper where he rolled on the ground his limbs darkened
with the black deathsweat and quivering with the last convulsions of muscular
motion
Lucy lay senseless on the ground insensible of the wonderful deliverance
which she had experienced Her father was almost equally stupified so rapid and
unexpected had been the transition from the horrid death which seemed
inevitable to perfect security He gazed on the animal terrible even in death
with a species of mute and confused astonishment which did not permit him
distinctly to understand what had taken place and so inaccurate was his
consciousness of what had passed that he might have supposed the bull had been
arrested in its career by a thunderbolt had he not observed among the branches
of the thicket the figure of a man with a short gun or musquetoon in his hand
This instantly recalled him to a sense of their situation a glance at his
daughter reminded him of the necessity of procuring her assistance He called to
the man whom he concluded to be one of his foresters to give immediate
attention to Miss Ashton while he himself hastened to call assistance The
huntsman approached them accordingly and the Lord Keeper saw he was a stranger
but was too much agitated to make any farther remarks In a few hurried words
he directed the shooter as stronger and more active than himself to carry the
young lady to a neighbouring fountain while he went back to Alices hut to
procure more aid
The man to whose timely interference they had been so much indebted did not
seem inclined to leave his good work half finished He raised Lucy from the
ground in his arms and conveying her through the glades of the forest by paths
with which he seemed well acquainted stopped not until he laid her in safety by
the side of a plentiful and pellucid fountain which had been once covered in
screened and decorated with architectural ornaments of a Gothic character But
now the vault which had covered it being broken down and riven and the Gothic
font ruined and demolished the stream burst forth from the recess of the earth
in open day and winded its way among the broken sculpture and mossgrown stones
which lay in confusion around its source
Tradition always busy at least in Scotland to grace with a legendary tale
a spot in itself interesting had ascribed a cause of peculiar veneration to
this fountain A beautiful young lady met one of the Lords of Ravenswood while
hunting near this spot and like a second Egeria had captivated the affections
of the feudal Numa They met frequently afterwards and always at sunset the
charms of the nymphs mind completing the conquest which her beauty had begun
and the mystery of the intrigue adding zest to both She always appeared and
disappeared close by the fountain with which therefore her lover judged she
had some inexplicable connection She placed certain restrictions on their
intercourse which also savoured of mystery They met only once aweek Friday
was the appointed day and she explained to the Lord of Ravenswood that they
were under the necessity of separating so soon as the bell of a chapel
belonging to a hermitage in the adjoining wood now long ruinous should toll
the hour of vespers In the course of his confession the Baron of Ravenswood
intrusted the hermit with the secret of this singular amour and Father Zachary
drew the necessary and obvious consequence that his patron was enveloped in the
toils of Satan and in danger of destruction both to body and soul He urged
these perils to the Baron with all the force of monkish rhetoric and described
in the most frightful colours the real character and person of the apparently
lovely Naiad whom he hesitated not to denounce as a limb of the kingdom of
darkness The lover listened with obstinate incredulity and it was not until
worn out by the obstinacy of the anchoret that he consented to put the state
and condition of his mistress to a certain trial and for that purpose
acquiesced in Zacharys proposal that on their next interview the vespers bell
should be rung halfanhour later than usual The hermit maintained and
bucklered his opinion by quotations from Malleus Maleficarum Sprengerus
Remigius and other learned demonologists that the Evil One thus seduced to
remain behind the appointed hour would assume her true shape and having
appeared to her terrified lover as a fiend of hell would vanish from him in a
flash of sulphurous lightning Raymond of Ravenswood acquiesced in the
experiment not incurious concerning the issue though confident it would
disappoint the expectations of the hermit
At the appointed hour the lovers met and their interview was protracted
beyond that at which they usually parted by the delay of the priest to ring his
usual curfew No change took place upon the nymphs outward form but as soon as
the lengthening shadows made her aware that the usual hour of the vespers chime
was past she tore herself from her lovers arms with a shriek of despair bid
him adieu for ever and plunging into the fountain disappeared from his eyes
The bubbles occasioned by her descent were crimsoned with blood as they arose
leaving the distracted Baron to infer that his illjudged curiosity had
occasioned the death of this interesting and mysterious being The remorse which
he felt as well as the recollection of her charms proved the penance of his
future life which he lost in the battle of Flodden not many months after But
in memory of his Naiad he had previously ornamented the fountain in which she
appeared to reside and secured its waters from profanation or pollution by the
small vaulted building of which the fragments still remained scattered around
it From this period the house of Ravenswood was supposed to have dated its
decay
Such was the generally received legend which some who would seem wiser
than the vulgar explained as obscurely intimating the fate of a beautiful maid
of plebeian rank the mistress of this Raymond whom he slew in a fit of
jealousy and whose blood was mingled with the waters of the locked fountain as
it was commonly called Others imagined that the tale had a more remote origin
in the ancient heathen mythology All however agreed that the spot was fatal to
the Ravenswood family and that to drink of the waters of the well or even
approach its brink was as ominous to a descendant of that house as for a
Grahame to wear green a Bruce to kill a spider or a St Clair to cross the Ord
on a Monday
It was on this ominous spot that Lucy Ashton first drew breath after her
long and almost deadly swoon Beautiful and pale as the fabulous Naiad in the
last agony of separation from her lover she was seated so as to rest with her
back against a part of the ruined wall while her mantle dripping with the
water which her protector had used profusely to recall her senses clung to her
slender and beautifully proportioned form
The first moment of recollection brought to her mind the danger which had
overpowered her senses the next called to remembrance that of her father She
looked around he was nowhere to be seen »My father my father« was all
that she could ejaculate
»Sir William is safe« answered the voice of a stranger »perfectly safe
and will be with you instantly«
»Are you sure of that« exclaimed Lucy »the bull was close by us do not
stop me I must go to seek my father«
And she arose with that purpose but her strength was so much exhausted
that far from possessing the power to execute her purpose she must have fallen
against the stone on which she had leant probably not without sustaining
serious injury
The stranger was so near to her that without actually suffering her to
fall he could not avoid catching her in his arms which however he did with a
momentary reluctance very unusual when youth interposes to prevent beauty from
danger It seemed as if her weight slight as it was proved too heavy for her
young and athletic assistant for without feeling the temptation of detaining
her in his arms even for a single instant he again placed her on the stone from
which she had risen and retreating a few steps repeated hastily »Sir William
Ashton is perfectly safe and will be here instantly Do not make yourself
anxious on his account Fate has singularly preserved him You madam are
exhausted and must not think of rising until you have some assistance more
suitable than mine«
Lucy whose senses were by this time more effectually collected was
naturally led to look at the stranger with attention There was nothing in his
appearance which should have rendered him unwilling to offer his arm to a young
lady who required support or which could have induced her to refuse his
assistance and she could not help thinking even in that moment that he seemed
cold and reluctant to offer it A shootingdress of dark cloth intimated the
rank of the wearer though concealed in part by a large and loose cloak of a
dark brown colour A Montero cap and a black feather drooped over the wearers
brow and partly concealed his features which so far as seen were dark
regular and full of majestic though somewhat sullen expression Some secret
sorrow or the brooding spirit of some moody passion had quenched the light and
ingenuous vivacity of youth in a countenance singularly fitted to display both
and it was not easy to gaze on the stranger without a secret impression either
of pity or awe or at least of doubt and curiosity allied to both
The impression which we have necessarily been long in describing Lucy felt
in the glance of a moment and had no sooner encountered the keen black eyes of
the stranger than her own were bent on the ground with a mixture of bashful
embarrassment and fear Yet there was a necessity to speak at least she thought
so and in a fluttered accent she began to mention her wonderful escape in
which she was sure that the stranger must under Heaven have been her fathers
protector and her own
He seemed to shrink from her expressions of gratitude while he replied
abruptly »I leave you madam« the deep melody of his voice rendered
powerful but not harsh by something like a severity of tone »I leave you to
the protection of those to whom it is possible you may have this day been a
guardian angel«
Lucy was surprised at the ambiguity of his language and with a feeling of
artless and unaffected gratitude began to deprecate the idea of having intended
to give her deliverer any offence as if such a thing had been possible »I have
been unfortunate« she said »in endeavouring to express my thanks I am sure
it must be so though I cannot recollect what I said but would you but stay
till my father till the Lord Keeper comes would you only permit him to pay
you his thanks and to inquire your name«
»My name is unnecessary« answered the stranger »your father I would
rather say Sir William Ashton will learn it soon enough for all the pleasure
it is likely to afford him«
»You mistake him« said Lucy earnestly »he will be grateful for my sake
and for his own You do not know my father or you are deceiving me with a story
of his safety when he has already fallen a victim to the fury of that animal«
When she had caught this idea she started from the ground and endeavoured
to press towards the avenue in which the accident had taken place while the
stranger though he seemed to hesitate between the desire to assist and the wish
to leave her was obliged in common humanity to oppose her both by entreaty
and action
»On the word of a gentleman madam I tell you the truth your father is in
perfect safety you will expose yourself to injury if you venture back where the
herd of wild cattle grazed If you will go« for having once adopted the
idea that her father was still in danger she pressed forward in spite of him
»If you will go accept my arm though I am not perhaps the person who can with
most propriety offer you support«
But without heeding this intimation Lucy took him at his word »O if you
be a man« she said »if you be a gentleman assist me to find my father You
shall not leave me you must go with me he is dying perhaps while we are
talking here«
Then without listening to excuse or apology and holding fast by the
strangers arm though unconscious of anything save the support which it gave
and without which she could not have moved mixed with a vague feeling of
preventing his escape from her she was urging and almost dragging him forward
when Sir William Ashton came up followed by the female attendant of blind
Alice and by two woodcutters whom he had summoned from their occupation to
his assistance His joy at seeing his daughter safe overcame the surprise with
which he would at another time have beheld her hanging as familiarly on the arm
of a stranger as she might have done upon his own
»Lucy my dear Lucy are you safe are you well« were the only words that
broke from him as he embraced her in ecstasy
»I am well sir thank God and still more that I see you so but this
gentleman« she said quitting his arm and shrinking from him »what must he
think of me« and her eloquent blood flushing over neck and brow spoke how
much she was ashamed of the freedom with which she had craved and even
compelled his assistance
»This gentleman« said Sir William Ashton »will I trust not regret the
trouble we have given him when I assure him of the gratitude of the Lord Keeper
for the greatest service which one man ever rendered to another for the life
of my child for my own life which he has saved by his bravery and presence of
mind He will I am sure permit us to request«
»Request nothing of ME my lord« said the stranger in a stern and
peremptory tone »I am the Master of Ravenswood«
There was a dead pause of surprise not unmixed with less pleasant feelings
The Master wrapt himself in his cloak made a haughty inclination towards Lucy
muttering a few words of courtesy as indistinctly heard as they seemed to be
reluctantly uttered and turning from them was immediately lost in the
thicket
»The Master of Ravenswood« said the Lord Keeper when he had recovered his
momentary astonishment »Hasten after him stop him beg him to speak to me
for a single moment«
The two foresters accordingly set off in pursuit of the stranger They
speedily reappeared and in an embarrassed and awkward manner said the
gentleman would not return The Lord Keeper took one of the fellows aside and
questioned him more closely what the Master of Ravenswood had said
»He just said he wadna come back« said the man with the caution of a
prudent Scotsman who cared not to be the bearer of an unpleasant errand
»He said something more sir« said the Lord Keeper »and I insist on
knowing what it was«
»Why then my lord« said the man looking down »he said But it wad be
nae pleasure to your lordship to hear it for I dare say the Master meant nae
ill«
»Thats none of your concern sir I desire to hear the very words«
»Weel then« replied the man »he said Tell Sir William Ashton that the
next time he and I forgather he will not be half sae blithe of our meeting as
of our parting«
»Very well sir« said the Lord Keeper »I believe he alludes to a wager we
have on our hawks it is a matter of no consequence«
He turned to his daughter who was by this time so much recovered as to be
able to walk home But the effect which the various recollections connected
with a scene so terrific made upon a mind which was susceptible in an extreme
degree was more permanent than the injury which her nerves had sustained
Visions of terror both in sleep and in waking reveries recalled to her the
form of the furious animal and the dreadful bellow with which he accompanied
his career and it was always the image of the Master of Ravenswood with his
native nobleness of countenance and form that seemed to interpose betwixt her
and assured death It is perhaps at all times dangerous for a young person to
suffer recollection to dwell repeatedly and with too much complacency on the
same individual but in Lucys situation it was almost unavoidable She had
never happened to see a young man of mien and features so romantic and so
striking as young Ravenswood but had she seen an hundred his equals or his
superiors in those particulars no one else could have been linked to her heart
by the strong associations of remembered danger and escape of gratitude
wonder and curiosity I say curiosity for it is likely that the singularly
restrained and unaccommodating manners of the Master of Ravenswood so much at
variance with the natural expression of his features and grace of his
deportment as they excited wonder by the contrast had their effect in
rivetting her attention to the recollection She knew little of Ravenswood or
the disputes which had existed betwixt her father and his and perhaps could in
her gentleness of mind hardly have comprehended the angry and bitter passions
which they had engendered But she knew that he was come of noble stem was
poor though descended from the noble and the wealthy and she felt that she
could sympathise with the feelings of a proud mind which urged him to recoil
from the proffered gratitude of the new proprietors of his fathers house and
domains Would he have equally shunned their acknowledgments and avoided their
intimacy had her fathers request been urged more mildly less abruptly and
softened with the grace which women so well know how to throw into their manner
when they mean to mediate betwixt the headlong passions of the ruder sex This
was a perilous question to ask her own mind perilous both in the idea and in
its consequences
Lucy Ashton in short was involved in those mazes of the imagination which
are most dangerous to the young and the sensitive Time it is true absence
change of scene and new faces might probably have destroyed the illusion in her
instance as it has done in many others but her residence remained solitary and
her mind without those means of dissipating her pleasing visions This solitude
was chiefly owing to the absence of Lady Ashton who was at this time in
Edinburgh watching the progress of some state intrigue the Lord Keeper only
received society out of policy or ostentation and was by nature rather reserved
and unsociable and thus no cavalier appeared to rival or to obscure the ideal
picture of chivalrous excellence which Lucy had pictured to herself in the
Master of Ravenswood
While Lucy indulged in these dreams she made frequent visits to old blind
Alice hoping it would be easy to lead her to talk on the subject which at
present she had so imprudently admitted to occupy so large a portion of her
thoughts But Alice did not in this particular gratify her wishes and
expectations She spoke readily and with pathetic feeling concerning the
family in general but seemed to observe an especial and cautious silence on the
subject of the present representative The little she said of him was not
altogether so favourable as Lucy had anticipated She hinted that he was of a
stern and unforgiving character more ready to resent than to pardon injuries
and Lucy combined with great alarm the hints which she now dropped of these
dangerous qualities with Alices advice to her father so emphatically given
»to beware of Ravenswood«
But that very Ravenswood of whom such unjust suspicions had been
entertained had almost immediately after they had been uttered confuted them
by saving at once her fathers life and her own Had he nourished such black
revenge as Alices dark hints seemed to indicate no deed of active guilt was
necessary to the full gratification of that evil passion He needed but to have
withheld for an instant his indispensable and effective assistance and the
object of his resentment must have perished without any direct aggression on
his part by a death equally fearful and certain She conceived therefore that
some secret prejudice or the suspicions incident to age and misfortune had led
Alice to form conclusions injurious to the character and irreconcilable both
with the generous conduct and noble features of the Master of Ravenswood And in
this belief Lucy reposed her hope and went on weaving her enchanted web of
fairy tissue as beautiful and transient as the film of the gossamer when it is
pearled with the morning dew and glimmering to the sun
Her father in the meanwhile as well as the Master of Ravenswood were
making reflections as frequent though more solid than those of Lucy upon the
singular event which had taken place The Lord Keepers first task when he
returned home was to ascertain by medical advice that his daughter had
sustained no injury from the dangerous and alarming situation in which she had
been placed Satisfied on this topic he proceeded to revise the memoranda which
he had taken down from the mouth of the person employed to interrupt the funeral
service of the late Lord Ravenswood Bred to casuistry and well accustomed to
practise the ambidexter ingenuity of the bar it cost him little trouble to
soften the features of the tumult which he had been at first so anxious to
exaggerate He preached to his colleagues of the Privy Council the necessity of
using conciliatory measures with young men whose blood and temper were hot and
their experience of life limited He did not hesitate to attribute some censure
to the conduct of the officer as having been unnecessarily irritating
These were the contents of his public despatches The letters which he wrote
to those private friends into whose management the matter was likely to fall
were of a yet more favourable tenor He represented that lenity in this case
would be equally politic and popular whereas considering the high respect with
which the rites of interment are regarded in Scotland any severity exercised
against the Master of Ravenswood for protecting those of his father from
interruption would be on all sides most unfavourably construed And finally
assuming the language of a generous and highspirited man he made it his
particular request that this affair should be passed over without severe
notice He alluded with delicacy to the predicament in which he himself stood
with young Ravenswood as having succeeded in the long train of litigation by
which the fortunes of that noble house had been so much reduced and confessed
it would be most peculiarly acceptable to his feelings could he find means in
some sort to counterbalance the disadvantages which he had occasioned the
family though only in the prosecution of his just and lawful rights He
therefore made it his particular and personal request that the matter should
have no farther consequences and insinuated a desire that he himself should
have the merit of having put a stop to it by his favourable report and
intercession It was particularly remarkable that contrary to his uniform
practice he made no special communication to Lady Ashton upon the subject of
the tumult and although he mentioned the alarm which Lucy had received from one
of the wild cattle yet he gave no detailed account of an incident so
interesting and terrible
There was much surprise among Sir William Ashtons political friends and
colleagues on receiving letters of a tenor so unexpected On comparing notes
together one smiled one put up his eyebrows a third nodded acquiescence in
the general wonder and a fourth asked if they were sure these were all the
letters the Lord Keeper had written on the subject »It runs strangely in my
mind my lords that none of these advices contain the root of the matter«
But no secret letters of a contrary nature had been received although the
questions seemed to imply the possibility of their existence
»Well« said an old greyheaded statesman who had contrived by shifting
and trimming to maintain his post at the steerage through all the changes of
course which the vessel had held for thirty years »I thought Sir William would
hae verified the auld Scottish saying As soon comes the lambs skin to market
as the auld tups«
»We must please him after his own fashion« said another »though it be an
unlookedfor one«
»A wilful man maun hae his way« answered the old counsellor
»The Keeper will rue this before year and day are out« said a third »the
Master of Ravenswood is the lad to wind him a pirn«9 »Why what would you do
my lords with the poor young fellow« said a noble Marquis present »the Lord
Keeper has got all his estates he has not a cross to bless himself with«
On which the ancient Lord Turntippet replied
»If he hasna gear to fine
He has shins to pine
And that was our way before the Revolution Luitur cum persona qui luere non
potest cum crumena10 Hegh my lords thats gude law Latin«
»I can see no motive« replied the Marquis »that any noble lord can have
for urging this matter farther let the Lord Keeper have the power to deal in it
as he pleases«
»Agree agree remit to the Lord Keeper with any other person for
fashions sake Lord Hirplehooly who is bedridden one to be a quorum Make
your entry in the minutes Mr Clerk and now my lords there is that young
scattergood the Laird of Bucklaws fine to be disponed upon I suppose it goes
to my Lord Treasurer«
»Shame be in my mealpoke then« exclaimed Lord Turntippet »and your hand
aye in the nook of it I had set that down for a by bit between meals for
mysell«
»To use one of your favourite saws my lord« replied the Marquis »you are
like the millers dog that licks his lips before the bag is untied the man is
not fined yet«
»But that costs but twa skarts of a pen« said Lord Turntippet »and surely
there is nae noble lord that will presume to say that I who hae complied wi
a compliances taen all manner of tests abjured all that was to be abjured
and sworn a that was to be sworn for these thirty years bypast sticking fast
by my duty to the state through good report and bad report shouldna hae
something now and then to synd my mouth wi after sic drouthy wark Eh«
»It would be very unreasonable indeed my lord« replied the Marquis »had
we either thought that your lordships drought was quenchable or observed
anything stick in your throat that required washing down«
And so we close the scene on the Privy Council of that period
Chapter Fifth
For this are all these warriors come
To hear an idle tale
And oer our deathaccustomd arms
Shall silly tears prevail
Henry Mackenzie
On the evening of the day when the Lord Keeper and his daughter were saved from
such imminent peril two strangers were seated in the most private apartment of
a small obscure inn or rather alehouse called the Tods Den about three or
four miles from the Castle of Ravenswood and as far from the ruinous tower of
Wolfs Crag betwixt which two places it was situated
One of these strangers was about forty years of age tall and thin in the
flanks with an aquiline nose dark penetrating eyes and a shrewd but sinister
cast of countenance The other was about fifteen years younger short stout
ruddyfaced and redhaired with an open resolute and cheerful eye to which
careless and fearless freedom and inward daring gave fire and expression
notwithstanding its light grey colour A stoup of wine for in those days it was
served out from the cask in pewter flagons was placed on the table and each
had his quaigh or bicker 11 before him But there was little appearance of
conviviality With folded arms and looks of anxious expectation they eyed each
other in silence each wrapt in his own thoughts and holding no communication
with his neighbour
At length the younger broke silence by exclaiming »What the foul fiend can
detain the Master so long he must have miscarried in his enterprise Why did
you dissuade me from going with him«
»One man is enough to right his own wrong« said the taller and older
personage »we venture our lives for him in coming thus far on such an errand«
»You are but a craven after all Craigengelt« answered the younger »and
thats what many folk have thought you before now«
»But what none has dared to tell me« said Craigengelt laying his hand on
the hilt of his sword »and but that I hold a hasty man no better than a fool
I would« he paused for his companions answer
»Would you« said the other coolly »and why do you not then«
Craigengelt drew his cutlass an inch or two and then returned it with
violence into the scabbard »Because there is a deeper stake to be played for
than the lives of twenty harebrained gowks like you«
»You are right there« said his companion »for if it were not that these
forfeitures and that last fine that the old driveller Turntippet is gaping for
and which I daresay is laid on by this time have fairly driven me out of
house and home I were a coxcomb and a cuckoo to boot to trust your fair
promises of getting me a commission in the Irish brigade what have I to do
with the Irish brigade I am a plain Scotsman as my father was before me and my
grandaunt Lady Girnington cannot live for ever«
»Ay Bucklaw« observed Craigengelt »but she may live for many a long day
and for your father he had land and living kept himself close from wadsetters
and moneylenders paid each man his due and lived on his own«
»And whose fault is it that I have not done so too« said Bucklaw »whose
but the devils and yours and such like as you that have led me to the far end
of a fair estate and now I shall be obliged I suppose to shelter and shift
about like yourself live one week upon a line of secret intelligence from
Saint Germains another upon report of a rising in the Highlands get my
breakfast and morningdraught of sack from old Jacobite ladies and give them
locks of my old wig for the Chevaliers hair second my friend in his quarrel
till he comes to the field and then flinch from him lest so important a
political agent should perish from the way All this I must do for bread
besides calling myself a Captain«
»You think you are making a fine speech now« said Craigengelt »and showing
much wit at my expense Is starving or hanging better than the life I am obliged
to lead because the present fortunes of the king cannot sufficiently support
his envoys«
»Starving is honester Craigengelt and hanging is like to be the end ont
But what you mean to make of this poor fellow Ravenswood I know not he has no
money left any more than I his lands are all pawned and pledged and the
interest eats up the rents and is not satisfied and what do you hope to make by
meddling in his affairs«
»Content yourself Bucklaw I know my business« replied Craigengelt
»Besides that his name and his fathers services in 1689 will make such an
acquisition sound well both at Versailles and Saint Germains you will also
please be informed that the Master of Ravenswood is a very different kind of
young fellow from you He has parts and address as well as courage and talents
and will present himself abroad like a young man of head as well as heart who
knows something more than the speed of a horse or the flight of a hawk I have
lost credit of late by bringing over no one that had sense to know more than
how to unharbour a stag or take and reclaim an eyess The Master has education
sense and penetration«
»And yet is not wise enough to escape the tricks of a kidnapper
Craigengelt« replied the younger man »But dont be angry you know you will
not fight and so it is as well to leave your hilt in peace and quiet and tell
me in sober guise how you drew the Master into your confidence«
»By flattering his love of vengeance Bucklaw« answered Craigengelt »He
has always distrusted me but I watched my time and struck while his temper was
redhot with the sense of insult and of wrong He goes now to expostulate as he
says and perhaps thinks with Sir William Ashton I say that if they meet and
the lawyer puts him to his defence the Master will kill him for he had that
sparkle in his eye which never deceives you when you would read a mans purpose
At any rate he will give him such a bullying as will be construed into an
assault on a privycouncillor so there will be a total breach betwixt him and
government Scotland will be too hot for him France will gain him and we will
all set sail together in the French brig LEspoir which is hovering for us off
Eyemouth«
»Content am I« said Bucklaw »Scotland has little left that I care about
and if carrying the Master with us will get us a better reception in France
why so be it a Gods name I doubt our own merits will procure us slender
preferment and I trust he will send a ball through the Keepers head before he
joins us One or two of these scoundrel statesmen should be shot once ayear
just to keep the others on their good behaviour«
»That is very true« replied Craigengelt »and it reminds me that I must go
and see that our horses have been fed and are in readiness for should such
deed be done it will be no time for grass to grow beneath their heels« He
proceeded as far as the door then turned back with a look of earnestness and
said to Bucklaw »Whatever should come of this business I am sure you will do
me the justice to remember that I said nothing to the Master which could imply
my accession to any act of violence which he may take into his head to commit«
»No no not a single word like accession« replied Bucklaw »you know too
well the risk belonging to these two terrible words art and part« Then as if
to himself he recited the following lines
»The dial spoke not but it made shrewd signs
And pointed full upon the stroke of murder«
»What is that you are talking to yourself« said Craigengelt turning back with
some anxiety
»Nothing only two lines I have heard upon the stage« replied his
companion
»Bucklaw« said Craigengelt »I sometimes think you should have been a
stageplayer yourself all is fancy and frolic with you«
»I have often thought so myself« said Bucklaw »I believe it would be safer
than acting with you in the Fatal Conspiracy But away play your own part and
look after the horses like a groom as you are A playactor a stageplayer«
he repeated to himself »that would have deserved a stab but that Craigengelts
a coward And yet I should like the profession well enough Stay let me see
ay I would come out in Alexander
Thus from the grave I rise to save my love
Draw all your swords and quick as lightning move
When I rush on sure none will dare to stay
Tis love commands and glory leads the way
As with a voice of thunder and his hand upon his sword Bucklaw repeated the
ranting couplets of poor Lee Craigengelt reentered with a face of alarm
We are undone Bucklaw the Masters led horse has cast himself over his
halter in the stable and is dead lame his hackney will be set up with the
days work and now he has no fresh horse he will never get off«
»Egad there will be no moving with the speed of lightning this bout« said
Bucklaw drily »But stay you can give him yours«
»What and be taken myself I thank you for the proposal« said Craigengelt
»Why« replied Bucklaw »if the Lord Keeper should have met with a
mischance which for my part I cannot suppose for the Master is not the lad to
shoot an old and unarmed man but if there should have been a fray at the
Castle you are neither art nor part in it you know so have nothing to fear«
»True true« answered the other with embarrassment »but consider my
commission from Saint Germains«
»Which many men think is a commission of your own making noble captain
Well if you will not give him your horse why dn it he must have mine«
»Yours« said Craigengelt
»Ay mine« repeated Bucklaw »it shall never be said that I agreed to back
a gentleman in a little affair of honour and neither helped him on with it nor
off from it«
»You will give him your horse and have you considered the loss«
»Loss why Grey Gilbert cost me twenty Jacobuses thats true but then his
hackney is worth something and his Black Moor is worth twice as much were he
sound and I know how to handle him Take a fat sucking mastiff whelp flay and
bowel him stuff the body full of black and grey snails roast a reasonable
time and baste with oil of spikenard saffron cinnamon and honey anoint with
the dripping working it in«
»Yes Bucklaw but in the meanwhile before the sprain is cured nay before
the whelp is roasted you will be caught and hung Depend on it the chase will
be hard after Ravenswood I wish we had made our place of rendezvous nearer to
the coast«
»On my faith then« said Bucklaw »I had best go off just now and leave my
horse for him Stay stay he comes I hear a horses feet«
»Are you sure there is only one« said Craigengelt »I fear there is a
chase I think I hear three or four galloping together I am sure I hear more
horses than one«
»Pooh pooh it is the wench of the house clattering to the well in her
pattens By my faith Captain you should give up both your captainship and your
secret service for you are as easily scared as a wild goose But here comes the
Master alone and looking as gloomy as a night in November«
The Master of Ravenswood entered the room accordingly his cloak muffled
around him his arms folded his looks stern and at the same time dejected He
flung his cloak from him as he entered threw himself upon a chair and appeared
sunk in a profound reverie
»What has happened What have you done« was hastily demanded by Craigengelt
and Bucklaw in the same moment
»Nothing« was the short and sullen answer
»Nothing and left us determined to call the old villain to account for all
the injuries that you we and the country have received at his hand Have you
seen him«
»I have« replied the Master of Ravenswood
»Seen him and come away without settling scores which have been so long
due« said Bucklaw »I would not have expected that at the hand of the Master of
Ravenswood«
»No matter what you expected« replied Ravenswood »it is not to you sir
that I shall be disposed to render any reason for my conduct«
»Patience Bucklaw« said Craigengelt interrupting his companion who
seemed about to make an angry reply »The Master has been interrupted in his
purpose by some accident but he must excuse the anxious curiosity of friends
who are devoted to his cause like you and me«
»Friends Captain Craigengelt« retorted Ravenswood haughtily »I am
ignorant what familiarity has passed betwixt us to entitle you to use that
expression I think our friendship amounts to this that we agreed to leave
Scotland together so soon as I should have visited the alienated mansion of my
fathers and had an interview with its present possessor I will not call him
proprietor«
»Very true Master« answered Bucklaw »and as we thought you had a mind to
do something to put your neck in jeopardy Craigie and I very courteously agreed
to tarry for you although ours might run some risk in consequence As to
Craigie indeed it does not very much signify he had gallows written on his
brow in the hour of his birth but I should not like to discredit my parentage
by coming to such an end in another mans cause«
»Gentlemen« said the Master of Ravenswood »I am sorry if I have occasioned
you any inconvenience but I must claim the right of judging what is best for my
own affairs without rendering explanations to any one I have altered my mind
and do not design to leave the country this season«
»Not to leave the country Master« exclaimed Craigengelt »Not to go over
after all the trouble and expense I have incurred after all the risk of
discovery and the expense of demurrage«
»Sir« replied the Master of Ravenswood »when I designed to leave this
country in this haste I made use of your obliging offer to procure me means of
conveyance but I do not recollect that I pledged myself to go off if I found
occasion to alter my mind For your trouble on my account I am sorry and I
thank you your expense« he added putting his hand into his pocket »admits a
more solid compensation freight and demurrage are matters with which I am
unacquainted Captain Craigengelt but take my purse and pay yourself according
to your own conscience« And accordingly he tendered a purse with some gold in
it to the soidisant captain
But here Bucklaw interposed in his turn »Your fingers Craigie seem to
itch for that same piece of green network« said he »but I make my vow to God
that if they offer to close upon it I will chop them off with my whinger Since
the Master has changed his mind I suppose we need stay here no longer but in
the first place I beg leave to tell him«
»Tell him anything you will« said Craigengelt »if you will first allow me
to state the inconveniences to which he will expose himself by quitting our
society to remind him of the obstacles to his remaining here and of the
difficulties attending his proper introduction at Versailles and Saint Germains
without the countenance of those who have established useful connections«
»Besides forfeiting the friendship« said Bucklaw »of at least one man of
spirit and honour«
»Gentlemen« said Ravenswood »permit me once more to assure you that you
have been pleased to attach to our temporary connection more importance than I
ever meant that it should have When I repair to foreign courts I shall not
need the introduction of an intriguing adventurer nor is it necessary for me to
set value on the friendship of a hotheaded bully« With these words and
without waiting for an answer he left the apartment remounted his horse and
was heard to ride off
»Mortbleu« said Captain Craigengelt »my recruit is lost«
»Ay Captain« said Bucklaw »the salmon is off with hook and all But I
will after him for I have had more of his insolence than I can well digest«
Craigengelt offered to accompany him but Bucklaw replied »No no Captain
keep you the cheek of the chimneynook till I come back its good sleeping in a
haill skin
Little kens the auld wife that sits by the fire
How cauld the wind blaws in hurleburle swire«
And singing as he went he left the apartment
Chapter Sixth
Now Billy Bewick keep good heart
And of thy talking let me be
But if thou art a man as I am sure thou art
Come over the dike and fight with me
Old Ballad
The Master of Ravenswood had mounted the ambling hackney which he before rode on
finding the accident which had happened to his led horse and for the animals
ease was proceeding at a slow pace from the Tods Den towards his old tower of
Wolfs Crag when he heard the galloping of a horse behind him and looking
back perceived that he was pursued by young Bucklaw who had been delayed a few
minutes in the pursuit by the irresistible temptation of giving the hostler at
the Tods Den some recipe for treating the lame horse This brief delay he had
made up by hard galloping and now overtook the Master where the road traversed
a waste moor »Halt sir« cried Bucklaw »I am no political agent no Captain
Craigengelt whose life is too important to be hazarded in defence of his
honour I am Frank Hayston of Bucklaw and no man injures me by word deed
sign or look but he must render me an account of it«
»This is all very well Mr Hayston of Bucklaw« replied the Master of
Ravenswood in a tone the most calm and indifferent »but I have no quarrel with
you and desire to have none Our roads homeward as well as our roads through
life lie in different directions there is no occasion for us crossing each
other«
»Is there not« said Bucklaw impetuously »By Heaven but I say that there
is though you call us intriguing adventurers«
»Be correct in your recollection Mr Hayston it was to your companion only
I applied that epithet and you know him to be no better«
»And what then He was my companion for the time and no man shall insult my
companion right or wrong while he is in my company«
»Then Mr Hayston« replied Ravenswood with the same composure »you
should choose your society better or you are like to have much work in your
capacity of their champion Go home sir sleep and have more reason in your
wrath tomorrow«
»Not so Master you have mistaken your man high airs and wise saws shall
not carry it off thus Besides you termed me bully and you shall retract the
word before we part«
»Faith scarcely« said Ravenswood »unless you show me better reason for
thinking myself mistaken than you are now producing«
»Then Master« said Bucklaw »though I should be sorry to offer it to a man
of your quality if you will not justify your incivility or retract it or name
a place of meeting you must here undergo the hard word and the hard blow«
»Neither will be necessary« said Ravenswood »I am satisfied with what I
have done to avoid an affair with you If you are serious this place will serve
as well as another«
»Dismount then and draw« said Bucklaw setting him an example »I always
thought and said you were a pretty man I should be sorry to report you
otherwise«
»You shall have no reason sir« said Ravenswood alighting and putting
himself into a posture of defence
Their swords crossed and the combat commenced with great spirit on the part
of Bucklaw who was well accustomed to affairs of the kind and distinguished by
address and dexterity at his weapon In the present case however he did not
use his skill to advantage for having lost temper at the cool and contemptuous
manner in which the Master of Ravenswood had long refused and at length granted
him satisfaction and urged by his impatience he adopted the part of an
assailant with inconsiderate eagerness The Master with equal skill and much
greater composure remained chiefly on the defensive and even declined to avail
himself of one or two advantages afforded him by the eagerness of his adversary
At length in a desperate lunge which he followed with an attempt to close
Bucklaws foot slipped and he fell on the short grassy turf on which they were
fighting »Take your life sir« said the Master of Ravenswood »and mend it if
you can«
»It would be but a cobbled piece of work I fear« said Bucklaw rising
slowly and gathering up his sword much less disconcerted with the issue of the
combat than could have been expected from the impetuosity of his temper »I
thank you for my life Master« he pursued »There is my hand I bear no ill
will to you either for my bad luck or your better swordmanship«
The Master looked steadily at him for an instant then extended his hand to
him »Bucklaw« he said »you are a generous fellow and I have done you
wrong I heartily ask your pardon for the expression which offended you it was
hastily and incautiously uttered and I am convinced it is totally misapplied«
»Are you indeed Master« said Bucklaw his face resuming at once its
natural expression of lighthearted carelessness and audacity »that is more
than I expected of you for Master men say you are not ready to retract your
opinions and your language«
»Not when I have well considered them« said the Master
»Then you are a little wiser than I am for I always give my friend
satisfaction first and explanation afterwards If one of us falls all accounts
are settled if not men are never so ready for peace as after war But what
does that bawling brat of a boy want« said Bucklaw »I wish to Heaven he had
come a few minutes sooner and yet it must have been ended some time and
perhaps this way is as well as any other«
As he spoke the boy he mentioned came up cudgelling an ass on which he
was mounted to the top of its speed and sending like one of Ossians heroes
his voice before him »Gentlemen gentlemen save yourselves for the
gudewife bade us tell ye there were folk in her house had taen Captain
Craigengelt and were seeking for Bucklaw and that ye behoved to ride for it«
»By my faith and thats very true my man« said Bucklaw »and theres a
silver sixpence for your news and I would give any man twice as much would tell
me which way I should ride«
»That will I Bucklaw« said Ravenswood »ride home to Wolfs Crag with me
There are places in the old tower where you might lie hid were a thousand men to
seek you«
»But that will bring you into trouble yourself Master and unless you be in
the Jacobite scrape already it is quite needless for me to drag you in«
»Not a whit I have nothing to fear«
»Then I will ride with you blithely for to say the truth I do not know
the rendezvous that Craigie was to guide us to this night and I am sure that
if he is taken he will tell all the truth of me and twenty lies of you in
order to save himself from the withie«
They mounted and rode off in company accordingly striking off the ordinary
road and holding their way by wild moorish unfrequented paths with which the
gentlemen were well acquainted from the exercise of the chase but through which
others would have had much difficulty in tracing their course They rode for
some time in silence making such haste as the condition of Ravenswoods horse
permitted until night having gradually closed around them they discontinued
their speed both from the difficulty of discovering their path and from the
hope that they were beyond the reach of pursuit or observation
»And now that we have drawn bridle a bit« said Bucklaw »I would fain ask
you a question Master«
»Ask and welcome« said Ravenswood »but forgive my not answering it
unless I think proper«
»Well it is simply this« answered his late antagonist »What in the
name of old Sathan could make you who stand so highly on your reputation
think for a moment of drawing up with such a rogue as Craigengelt and such a
scapegrace as folk call Bucklaw«
»Simply because I was desperate and sought desperate associates«
»And what made you break off from us at the nearest« again demanded
Bucklaw
»Because I had changed my mind« said the Master »and renounced my
enterprise at least for the present And now that I have answered your
questions fairly and frankly tell me what makes you associate with Craigengelt
so much beneath you both in birth and in spirit«
»In plain terms« answered Bucklaw »because I am a fool who have gambled
away my land in these times My grandaunt Lady Girnington has taen a new tack
of life I think and I could only hope to get something by a change of
government Craigie was a sort of gambling acquaintance he saw my condition
and as the devil is always at ones elbow told me fifty lies about his
credentials from Versailles and his interest at Saint Germains promised me a
captains commission at Paris and I have been ass enough to put my thumb under
his belt I daresay by this time he has told a dozen pretty stories of me to the
Government And this is what I have got by wine women and dice cocks dogs
and horses«
»Yes Bucklaw« said the Master »you have indeed nourished in your bosom
the snakes that are now stinging you«
»Thats home as well as true Master« replied his companion »but by your
leave you have nursed in your bosom one great goodly snake that has swallowed
all the rest and is as sure to devour you as my halfdozen are to make a meal
on all thats left of Bucklaw which is but what lies between bonnet and
bootheel«
»I must not« answered the Master of Ravenswood »challenge the freedom of
speech in which I have set example What to speak without a metaphor do you
call this monstrous passion which you charge me with fostering«
»Revenge my good sir revenge which if it be as gentlemanlike a sin as
wine and wassail with their et cæteras is equally unchristian and not so
bloodless It is better breaking a parkpale to watch a doe or damsel than to
shoot an old man«
»I deny the purpose« said the Master of Ravenswood »On my soul I had no
such intention I meant but to confront the oppressor ere I left my native land
and upbraid him with his tyranny and its consequences I would have stated my
wrongs so that they would have shaken his soul within him«
»Yes« answered Bucklaw »and he would have collared you and cried help
and then you would have shaken the soul out of him I suppose Your very look
and manner would have frightened the old man to death«
»Consider the provocation« answered Ravenswood »consider the ruin and
death procured and caused by his hardhearted cruelty an ancient house
destroyed an affectionate father murdered Why in our old Scottish days he
that sat quiet under such wrongs would have been held neither fit to back a
friend nor face a foe«
»Well Master I am glad to see that the devil deals as cunningly with other
folk as he deals with me for whenever I am about to commit any folly he
persuades me it is the most necessary gallant gentlemanlike thing on earth
and I am up to saddlegirths in the bog before I see that the ground is soft And
you Master might have turned out a murd a homicide just out of pure respect
for your fathers memory«
»There is more sense in your language Bucklaw« replied the Master »than
might have been expected from your conduct It is too true our vices steal upon
us in forms outwardly as fair as those of the demons whom the superstitious
represent as intriguing with the human race and are not discovered in their
native hideousness until we have clasped them in our arms«
»But we may throw them from us though« said Bucklaw »and that is what I
shall think of doing one of those days that is when old Lady Girnington
dies«
»Did you ever hear the expression of the English divine« said Ravenswood
»Hell is paved with good intentions as much as to say they are more often
formed than executed«
»Well« replied Bucklaw »but I will begin this blessed night and have
determined not to drink above one quart of wine unless your claret be of
extraordinary quality«
»You will find little to tempt you at Wolfs Crag« said the Master »I know
not that I can promise you more than the shelter of my roof all and more than
all our stock of wine and provisions was exhausted at the late occasion«
»Long may it be ere provision is needed for the like purpose« answered
Bucklaw »but you should not drink up the last flask at a dirge there is ill
luck in that«
»There is ill luck I think in whatever belongs to me« said Ravenswood
»But yonder is Wolfs Crag and whatever it still contains is at your service«
The roar of the sea had long announced their approach to the cliffs on the
summit of which like the nest of some seaeagle the founder of the fortalice
had perched his eyry The pale moon which had hitherto been contending with
flitting clouds now shone out and gave them a view of the solitary and naked
tower situated on a projecting cliff that beetled on the German Ocean On three
sides the rock was precipitous on the fourth which was that towards the land
it had been originally fenced by an artificial ditch and drawbridge but the
latter was broken down and ruinous and the former had been in part filled up
so as to allow passage for a horseman into the narrow courtyard encircled on
two sides with low offices and stables partly ruinous and closed on the
landward front by a low embattled wall while the remaining side of the
quadrangle was occupied by the tower itself which tall and narrow and built
of a greyish stone stood glimmering in the moonlight like the sheeted spectre
of some huge giant A wilder or more disconsolate dwelling it was perhaps
difficult to conceive The sombrous and heavy sound of the billows successively
dashing against the rocky beach at a profound distance beneath was to the ear
what the landscape was to the eye a symbol of unvaried and monotonous
melancholy not unmingled with horror
Although the night was not far advanced there was no sign of living
inhabitant about this forlorn abode excepting that one and only one of the
narrow and stanchelled windows which appeared at irregular heights and distances
in the walls of the building showed a small glimmer of light
»There« said Ravenswood »sits the only male domestic that remains to the
house of Ravenswood and it is well that he does remain there since otherwise
we had little hope to find either light or fire But follow me cautiously the
road is narrow and admits only one horse in front«
In effect the path led along a kind of isthmus at the peninsular extremity
of which the tower was situated with that exclusive attention to strength and
security in preference to every circumstance of convenience which dictated to
the Scottish barons the choice of their situations as well as their style of
building
By adopting the cautious mode of approach recommended by the proprietor of
this wild hold they entered the courtyard in safety But it was long ere the
efforts of Ravenswood though loudly exerted by knocking at the lowbrowed
entrance and repeated shouts to Caleb to open the gate and admit them received
any answer
»The old man must be departed« he began to say »or fallen into some fit
for the noise I have made would have waked the seven sleepers«
At length a timid and hesitating voice replied »Master Master of
Ravenswood is it you«
»Yes it is I Caleb open the door quickly«
»But is it you in very blood and body For I would sooner face fifty deevils
as my masters ghaist or even his wraith wherefore aroint ye if ye were ten
times my master unless ye come in bodily shape lith and limb«
»It is I you old fool« answered Ravenswood »in bodily shape and alive
save that I am halfdead with cold«
The light at the upper window disappeared and glancing from loophole to
loophole in slow succession gave intimation that the bearer was in the act of
descending with great deliberation a winding staircase occupying one of the
turrets which graced the angles of the old tower The tardiness of his descent
extracted some exclamations of impatience from Ravenswood and several oaths
from his less patient and more mercurial companion Caleb again paused ere he
unbolted the door and once more asked if they were men of mould that demanded
entrance at this time of night
»Were I near you you old fool« said Bucklaw »I would give you sufficient
proofs of my bodily condition«
»Open the gate Caleb« said his master in a more soothing tone partly
from his regard to the ancient and faithful seneschal partly perhaps because he
thought that angry words would be thrown away so long as Caleb had a stout
ironclenched oaken door betwixt his person and the speakers
At length Caleb with a trembling hand undid the bars opened the heavy
door and stood before them exhibiting his thin grey hairs bald forehead and
sharp high features illuminated by a quivering lamp which he held in one hand
while he shaded and protected its flame with the other The timorous courteous
glance which he threw around him the effect of the partial light upon his
white hair and illumined features might have made a good painting but our
travellers were too impatient for security against the rising storm to permit
them to indulge themselves in studying the picturesque »Is it you my dear
master is it you yourself indeed« exclaimed the old domestic »I am wae ye
suld hae stude waiting at your ain gate but wha wad hae thought o seeing ye
sae sune and a strange gentleman with a Here he exclaimed apart as it were
and to some inmate of the tower in a voice not meant to be heard by those in
the court Mysie Mysie woman stir for dear life and get the fire mended
take the auld threelegged stool or ony thing thats readiest that will make a
lowe I doubt we are but puirly provided no expecting ye this some months
when doubtless ye wad hae been received conform till your rank as gude right
is but natheless«
»Natheless Caleb« said the Master »we must have our horses put up and
ourselves too the best way we can I hope you are not sorry to see me sooner
than you expected«
»Sorry my lord I am sure ye sall aye be my lord wi honest folk as your
noble ancestors hae been these three hundred years and never asked a whigs
leave Sorry to see the Lord of Ravenswood at ane o his ain castles Then
again apart to his unseen associate behind the screen Mysie kill the
broodhen without thinking twice on it let them care that come ahint No to
say its our best dwelling« he added turning to Bucklaw »but just a strength
for the Lord of Ravenswood to flee until that is not to flee but to retreat
until in troublous times like the present when it was ill convenient for him
to live farther in the country in ony of his better and mair principal manors
but for its antiquity maist folk think that the outside of Wolfs Crag is
worthy of a large perusal«
»And you are determined we shall have time to make it« said Ravenswood
somewhat amused with the shifts the old man used to detain them without doors
until his confederate Mysie had made her preparations within
»O never mind the outside of the house my good friend« said Bucklaw
»lets see the inside and let our horses see the stable thats all«
»O yes sir ay sir unquestionably sir my lord and ony of his
honourable companions«
»But our horses my old friend our horses they will be deadfoundered by
standing here in the cold after riding hard and mine is too good to be spoiled
therefore once more our horses« exclaimed Bucklaw
»True ay your horses yes I will call the grooms« and sturdily did
Caleb roar till the old tower rang again »John William Saunders The
lads are gane out or sleeping« he observed after pausing for an answer which
he knew that he had no human chance of receiving »A gaes wrang when the
Masters out by but Ill take care o your cattle mysell«
»I think you had better« said Ravenswood »otherwise I see little chance of
their being attended to at all«
»Whisht my lord whisht for Gods sake« said Caleb in an imploring
tone and apart to his master »if ye dinna regard your ain credit think on
mine well hae hard eneugh wark to mak a decent night ot wi a the lees I
can tell«
»Well well never mind« said his master »go to the stable There is hay
and corn I trust«
»Ou ay plenty of hay and corn« this was uttered boldly and aloud and in
a lower tone »there was some halffous o aits and some taits o meadowhay
left after the burial«
»Very well« said Ravenswood taking the lamp from his domestics unwilling
hand »I will show the stranger up stairs myself«
»I canna think o that my lord if ye wad but have five minutes or ten
minutes or at maist a quarter of an hours patience and look at the fine
moonlight prospect of the Bass and North Berwick Law till I sort the horses I
would marshal ye up as reason is ye suld be marshalled your lordship and your
honourable visitor And I hae lockit up the siller candlesticks and the lamp is
not fit«
»It will do very well in the meantime« said Ravenswood »and you will have
no difficulty for want of light in the stable for if I recollect half the
roof is off«
»Very true my lord« replied the trusty adherent and with ready wit
instantly added »and the lazy sclater loons have never come to put it on a
this while your lordship«
»If I were disposed to jest at the calamities of my house« said Ravenswood
as he led the way up stairs »poor old Caleb would furnish me with ample means
His passion consists in representing things about our miserable menage not as
they are but as in his opinion they ought to be and to say the truth I
have been often diverted with the poor wretchs expedients to supply what he
thought was essential for the credit of the family and his still more generous
apologies for the want of those articles for which his ingenuity could discover
no substitute But though the tower is none of the largest I shall have some
trouble without him to find the apartment in which there is a fire«
As he spoke thus he opened the door of the hall »Here at least« he said
»there is neither hearth nor harbour«
It was indeed a scene of desolation A large vaulted room the beams of
which combined like those of Westminster Hall were rudely carved at the
extremities remained nearly in the situation in which it had been left after
the entertainment at Allan Lord Ravenswoods funeral Overturned pitchers and
black jacks and pewter stoups and flagons still encumbered the large oaken
table glasses those more perishable implements of conviviality many of which
had been voluntarily sacrificed by the guests in their enthusiastic pledges to
favourite toasts strewed the stone floor with their fragments As for the
articles of plate lent for the purpose by friends and kinsfolk those had been
carefully withdrawn so soon as the ostentatious display of festivity equally
unnecessary and strangely timed had been made and ended Nothing in short
remained that indicated wealth all the signs were those of recent wastefulness
and present desolation The black cloth hangings which on the late mournful
occasion replaced the tattered motheaten tapestries had been partly pulled
down and dangling from the wall in irregular festoons disclosed the rough
stonework of the building unsmoothed either by plaster or the chisel The
seats thrown down or left in disorder intimated the careless confusion which
had concluded the mournful revel »This room« said Ravenswood holding up the
lamp »this room Mr Hayston was riotous when it should have been sad it is
a just retribution that it should now be sad when it ought to be cheerful«
They left this disconsolate apartment and went up stairs where after
opening one or two doors in vain Ravenswood led the way into a little matted
anteroom in which to their great joy they found a tolerable good fire which
Mysie by some such expedient as Caleb had suggested had supplied with a
reasonable quantity of fuel Glad at the heart to see more of comfort than the
castle had yet seemed to offer Bucklaw rubbed his hands heartily over the fire
and now listened with more complacency to the apologies which the Master of
Ravenswood offered »Comfort« he said »I cannot provide for you for I have it
not for myself it is long since these walls have known it if indeed they
were ever acquainted with it Shelter and safety I think I can promise you«
»Excellent matters Master« replied Bucklaw »and with a mouthful of food
and wine positively all I can require tonight«
»I fear« said the Master »your supper will be a poor one I hear the
matter in discussion betwixt Caleb and Mysie Poor Balderston is something deaf
amongst his other accomplishments so that much of what he means should be
spoken aside is overheard by the whole audience and especially by those from
whom he is most anxious to conceal his private manoeuvres Hark«
They listened and heard the old domestics voice in conversation with Mysie
to the following effect »Just mak the best ot mak the best ot woman its
easy to put a fair face on ony thing«
»But the auld broodhen shell be as teugh as bowstrings and
bendleather«
»Say ye made a mistake say ye made a mistake Mysie« replied the faithful
seneschal in a soothing and undertoned voice »tak it a on yoursell never let
the credit o the house suffer«
»But the broodhen« remonstrated Mysie »ou shes sitting some gate
aneath the dais in the hall and I am feared to gae in in the dark for the
bogle and if I didna see the bogle I could as ill see the hen for its pit
mirk and theres no another light in the house save that very blessed lamp
whilk the Master has in his ain hand And if I had the hen shes to pu and to
draw and to dress how can I do that and them sitting by the only fire we
have«
»Weel weel Mysie« said the butler »bide ye there a wee and Ill try to
get the lamp wiled away frae them«
Accordingly Caleb Balderston entered the apartment little aware that so
much of his byplay had been audible there »Well Caleb my old friend is
there any chance of supper« said the Master of Ravenswood
»Chance of supper your lordship« said Caleb with an emphasis of strong
scorn at the implied doubt »How should there be ony question of that and us
in your lordships house Chance of supper indeed But yell no be for
butcher meat Theres walth o fat poultry ready either for spit or brander
The fat capon Mysie« he added calling out as boldly as if such a thing had
been in existence
»Quite unnecessary« said Bucklaw who deemed himself bound in courtesy to
relieve some part of the anxious butlers perplexity »if you have anything
cold or a morsel of bread«
»The best of bannocks« exclaimed Caleb much relieved »and for cauld meat
a that we hae is cauld eneugh howbeit maist of the cauld meat and pastry was
gien to the puir folk after the ceremony of interment as gude reason was
nevertheless«
»Come Caleb« said the Master of Ravenswood »I must cut this matter short
This is the young Laird of Bucklaw he is under hiding and therefore you know«
»Hell be nae nicer than your lordships honour Ise warrant« answered
Caleb cheerfully with a nod of intelligence »I am sorry that the gentleman is
under distress but I am blithe that he canna say muckle again our housekeeping
for I believe his ain pinches may match ours no that we are pinched thank
God« he added retracting the admission which he had made in his first burst of
joy »but nae doubt we are waur aff than we hae been or suld be And for eating
what signifies telling a lee theres just the hinder end of the muttonham
that has been but three times on the table and the nearer the bane the sweeter
as your honours weel ken and theres the heel of the ewe milk kebbuck wi a
bit of nice butter and and thats a thats to trust to« And with great
alacrity he produced his slender stock of provisions and placed them with much
formality upon a small round table betwixt the two gentlemen who were not
deterred either by the homely quality or limited quantity of the repast from
doing it full justice Caleb in the meanwhile waited on them with grave
officiousness as if anxious to make up by his own respectful assiduity for
the want of all other attendance
But alas how little on such occasions can form however anxiously and
scrupulously observed supply the lack of substantial fare Bucklaw who had
eagerly eaten a considerable portion of the thricesacked muttonham now began
to demand ale
»I wadna just presume to recommend our ale« said Caleb »the maut was ill
made and there was awfu thunner last week but siccan water as the Tower well
has yell seldom see Bucklaw and that Ise engage for«
»But if your ale is bad you can let us have some wine« said Bucklaw
making a grimace at the mention of the pure element which Caleb so earnestly
recommended
»Wine« answered Caleb undauntedly »eneugh of wine it was but twa days
syne waes me for the cause there was as much wine drunk in this house as
would have floated a pinnace There never was lack of wine at Wolfs Crag«
»Do fetch us some then« said his master »instead of talking about it« And
Caleb boldly departed
Every expended butt in the old cellar did he set atilt and shake with the
desperate expectation of collecting enough of the grounds of claret to fill the
large pewter measure which he carried in his hand Alas each had been too
devoutly drained and with all the squeezing and manoeuvring which his craft as
a butler suggested he could only collect about halfaquart that seemed
presentable Still however Caleb was too good a general to renounce the field
without a stratagem to cover his retreat He undauntedly threw down an empty
flagon as if he had stumbled at the entrance of the apartment called upon
Mysie to wipe up the wine that had never been spilt and placing the other
vessel on the table hoped there was still enough left for their honours There
was indeed for even Bucklaw a sworn friend to the grape found no
encouragement to renew his first attack on the vintage of Wolfs Crag but
contented himself however reluctantly with a draught of fair water
Arrangements were now made for his repose and as the secret chamber was
assigned for this purpose it furnished Caleb with a firstrate and most
plausible apology for all deficiencies of furniture bedding etc
»For wha« said he »would have thought of the secret chaumer being needed
it has not been used since the time of the Gowrie Conspiracy and I durst never
let a woman ken of the entrance to it or your honour will allow that it wad not
hae been a secret chaumer lang«
Chapter Seventh
The hearth in hall was black and dead
No board was dight in bower within
Nor merry bowl nor welcome bed
»Heres sorry cheer« quoth the Heir of Linne
Old Ballad
The feelings of the prodigal Heir of Linne as expressed in that excellent old
song when after dissipating his whole fortune he found himself the deserted
inhabitant of »the lonely lodge« might perhaps have some resemblance to those
of the Master of Ravenswood in his deserted mansion of Wolfs Crag The Master
however had this advantage over the spendthrift in the legend that if he was
in similar distress he could not impute it to his own imprudence His misery
had been bequeathed to him by his father and joined to his high blood and to a
title which the courteous might give or the churlish withhold at their
pleasure it was the whole inheritance he had derived from his ancestry
Perhaps this melancholy yet consolatory reflection crossed the mind of the
unfortunate young nobleman with a breathing of comfort Favourable to calm
reflection as well as to the Muses the morning while it dispelled the shades
of night had a composing and sedative effect upon the stormy passions by which
the Master of Ravenswood had been agitated on the preceding day He now felt
himself able to analyse the different feelings by which he was agitated and
much resolved to combat and to subdue them The morning which had arisen calm
and bright gave a pleasant effect even to the waste moorland view which was
seen from the castle on looking to the landward and the glorious ocean crisped
with a thousand rippling waves of silver extended on the other side in awful
yet complacent majesty to the verge of the horizon With such scenes of calm
sublimity the human heart sympathises even in its most disturbed moods and
deeds of honour and virtue are inspired by their majestic influence
To seek out Bucklaw in the retreat which he had afforded him was the first
occupation of the Master after he had performed with a scrutiny unusually
severe the important task of selfexamination »How now Bucklaw« was his
mornings salutation »how like you the couch in which the exiled Earl of Angus
once slept in security when he was pursued by the full energy of a kings
resentment«
»Umph« returned the sleeper awakened »I have little to complain of where
so great a man was quartered before me only the mattress was of the hardest
the vault somewhat damp the rats rather more mutinous than I would have
expected from the state of Calebs larder and if there had been shutters to
that grated window or a curtain to the bed I should think it upon the whole
an improvement in your accommodations«
»It is to be sure forlorn enough« said the Master looking around the
small vault »but if you will rise and leave it Caleb will endeavour to find
you a better breakfast than your supper of last night«
»Pray let it be no better« said Bucklaw getting up and endeavouring to
dress himself as well as the obscurity of the place would permit »let it I
say be no better if you mean me to persevere in my proposed reformation The
very recollection of Calebs beverage has done more to suppress my longing to
open the day with a morning draught than twenty sermons would have done And
you Master have you been able to give battle valiantly to your bosomsnake
You see I am in the way of smothering my vipers one by one«
»I have commenced the battle at least Bucklaw and I have had a fair
vision of an angel who descended to my assistance« replied the Master
»Woes me« said his guest »no vision can I expect unless my aunt Lady
Girnington should betake herself to the tomb and then it would be the
substance of her heritage rather than the appearance of her phantom that I
should consider as the support of my good resolutions But this same breakfast
Master does the deer that is to make the pasty run yet on foot as the ballad
has it«
»I will inquire into that matter« said his entertainer and leaving the
apartment he went in search of Caleb whom after some difficulty he found in
an obscure sort of dungeon which had been in former times the buttery of the
castle Here the old man was employed busily in the doubtful task of burnishing
a pewter flagon until it should take the hue and semblance of silverplate »I
think it may do I think it might pass if they winna bring it ower muckle in
the light o the window« were the ejaculations which he muttered from time to
time as if to encourage himself in his undertaking when he was interrupted by
the voice of his master »Take this« said the Master of Ravenswood »and get
what is necessary for the family« And with these words he gave to the old
butler the purse which had on the preceding evening so narrowly escaped the
fangs of Craigengelt The old man shook his silvery and thin locks and looked
with an expression of the most heartfelt anguish at his master as he weighed in
his hand the slender treasure and said in a sorrowful voice »And is this a
thats left«
»All that is left at present« said the Master affecting more cheerfulness
than perhaps he really felt »is just the green purse and the wee pickle gowd
as the old song says but we shall do better one day Caleb«
»Before that day comes« said Caleb »I doubt there will be an end of an
auld sang and an auld servingman to boot But it disna become me to speak that
gate to your honour and you looking sae pale Tak back the purse and keep it
to be making a show before company for if your honour would just tak a bidding
and be whiles taking it out afore folk and putting it up again theres naebody
would refuse us trust for a thats come and gane yet«
»But Caleb« said the Master »I still intend to leave this country very
soon and I desire to do so with the reputation of an honest man leaving no
debt behind me at least of my own contracting«
»And gude right ye suld gang away as a true man and so ye shall for auld
Caleb can tak the wyte of whatever is taen on for the house and then it will be
a just ae mans burden and I will live just as weel in the tolbooth as out of
it and the credit of the family will be a safe and sound«
The Master endeavoured in vain to make Caleb comprehend that the butlers
incurring the responsibility of debts in his own person would rather add to
than remove the objections which he had to their being contracted He spoke to a
premier too busy in devising ways and means to puzzle himself with refuting the
arguments offered against their justice or expediency
»Theres Eppie Smatrash will trust us for ale« said Caleb to himself »she
has lived a her life under the family and maybe wi a soup brandy I canna
say for wine she is but a lone woman and gets her claret by a runlet at a
time but Ill work a wee drap out o her by fair means or foul For doos
theres the doocot there will be poultry amang the tenants though Luckie
Chirnside says she has paid the kain twice ower Well mak shift an it like your
honour well mak shift keep your heart abune for the house sall haud its
credit as lang as auld Caleb is to the fore«
The entertainment which the old mans exertions of various kinds enabled him
to present to the young gentlemen for three or four days was certainly of no
splendid description but it may readily be believed it was set before no
critical guests and even the distresses excuses evasions and shifts of Caleb
afforded amusement to the young men and added a sort of interest to the
scrambling and irregular style of their table They had indeed occasion to seize
on every circumstance that might serve to diversify or enliven time which
otherwise passed away so heavily
Bucklaw shut out from his usual fieldsports and joyous carouses by the
necessity of remaining concealed within the walls of the castle became a
joyless and uninteresting companion When the Master of Ravenswood would no
longer fence or play at shovelboard when he himself had polished to the
extremity the coat of his palfrey with brush currycomb and haircloth when
he had seen him eat his provender and gently lie down in his stall he could
hardly help envying the animals apparent acquiescence in a life so monotonous
»The stupid brute« he said »thinks neither of the raceground nor the
huntingfield or his green paddock at Bucklaw but enjoys himself as
comfortably when haltered to the rack in this ruinous vault as if he had been
foaled in it and I who have the freedom of a prisoner at large to range
through the dungeons of this wretched old tower can hardly betwixt whistling
and sleeping contrive to pass away the hour till dinnertime«
And with this disconsolate reflection he wended his way to the bartisan or
battlements of the tower to watch what objects might appear on the distant
moor or to pelt with pebbles and pieces of lime the seamews and cormorants
which established themselves incautiously within the reach of an idle young man
Ravenswood with a mind incalculably deeper and more powerful than that of
his companion had his own anxious subjects of reflection which wrought for him
the same unhappiness that sheer ennui and want of occupation inflicted on his
companion The first sight of Lucy Ashton had been less impressive than her
image proved to be upon reflection As the depth and violence of that revengeful
passion by which he had been actuated in seeking an interview with the father
began to abate by degrees he looked back on his conduct towards the daughter as
harsh and unworthy towards a female of rank and beauty Her looks of grateful
acknowledgment her words of affectionate courtesy had been repelled with
something which approached to disdain and if the Master of Ravenswood had
sustained wrongs at the hand of Sir William Ashton his conscience told him they
had been unhandsomely resented towards his daughter When his thoughts took this
turn of selfreproach the recollection of Lucy Ashtons beautiful features
rendered yet more interesting by the circumstances in which their meeting had
taken place made an impression upon his mind at once soothing and painful The
sweetness of her voice the delicacy of her expressions the vivid glow of her
filial affection embittered his regret at having repulsed her gratitude with
rudeness while at the same time they placed before his imagination a picture
of the most seducing sweetness
Even young Ravenswoods strength of moral feeling and rectitude of purpose
at once increased the danger of cherishing these recollections and the
propensity to entertain them Firmly resolved as he was to subdue if possible
the predominating vice in his character he admitted with willingness nay he
summoned up in his imagination the ideas by which it could be most powerfully
counteracted and while he did so a sense of his own harsh conduct towards the
daughter of his enemy naturally induced him as if by way of recompense to
invest her with more of grace and beauty than perhaps she could actually claim
Had any one at this period told the Master of Ravenswood that he had so
lately vowed vengeance against the whole lineage of him whom he considered not
unjustly as author of his fathers ruin and death he might at first have
repelled the charge as a foul calumny yet upon serious selfexamination he
would have been compelled to admit that it had at one period some foundation
in truth though according to the present tone of his sentiments it was
difficult to believe that this had really been the case
There already existed in his bosom two contradictory passions a desire to
revenge the death of his father strangely qualified by admiration of his
enemys daughter Against the former feeling he had struggled until it seemed
to him upon the wane against the latter he used no means of resistance for he
did not suspect its existence That this was actually the case was chiefly
evinced by his resuming his resolution to leave Scotland Yet though such was
his purpose he remained day after day at Wolfs Crag without taking measures
for carrying it into execution It is true that he had written to one or two
kinsmen who resided in a distant quarter of Scotland and particularly to the
Marquis of A intimating his purpose and when pressed upon the subject by
Bucklaw he was wont to allege the necessity of waiting for their reply
especially that of the Marquis before taking so decisive a measure
The Marquis was rich and powerful and although he was suspected to
entertain sentiments unfavourable to the government established at the
Revolution he had nevertheless address enough to head a party in the Scottish
Privy Council connected with the high church faction in England and powerful
enough to menace those to whom the Lord Keeper adhered with a probable
subversion of their power The consulting with a personage of such importance
was a plausible excuse which Ravenswood used to Bucklaw and probably to
himself for continuing his residence at Wolfs Crag and it was rendered yet
more so by a general report which began to be current of a probable change of
ministers and measures in the Scottish administration These rumours strongly
asserted by some and as resolutely denied by others as their wishes or
interest dictated found their way even to the ruinous Tower of Wolfs Crag
chiefly through the medium of Caleb the butler who among his other
excellences was an ardent politician and seldom made an excursion from the old
fortress to the neighbouring village of Wolfs Hope without bringing back what
tidings were current in the vicinity
But if Bucklaw could not offer any satisfactory objections to the delay of
the Master in leaving Scotland he did not the less suffer with impatience the
state of inaction to which it confined him and it was only the ascendency which
his new companion had acquired over him that induced him to submit to a course
of life so alien to his habits and inclinations
»You were wont to be thought a stirring active young fellow Master« was
his frequent remonstrance »yet here you seem determined to live on and on like
a rat in a hole with this trifling difference that the wiser vermin chooses a
hermitage where he can find food at least but as for us Calebs excuses become
longer as his diet turns more spare and I fear we shall realise the stories
they tell of the sloth we have almost eat up the last green leaf on the
plant and have nothing left for it but to drop from the tree and break our
necks«
»Do not fear« said Ravenswood »there is a fate watches for us and we too
have a stake in the revolution that is now impending and which already has
alarmed many a bosom«
»What fate what revolution« inquired his companion »We have had one
revolution too much already I think«
Ravenswood interrupted him by putting into his hands a letter
»Oh« answered Bucklaw »my dreams out I thought I heard Caleb this
morning pressing some unfortunate fellow to a drink of cold water and assuring
him it was better for his stomach in the morning than ale or brandy«
»It was my Lord of As courier« said Ravenswood »who was doomed to
experience his ostentatious hospitality which I believe ended in sour beer and
herrings Read and you will see the news he has brought us«
»I will as fast as I can« said Bucklaw »but I am no great clerk nor does
his lordship seem to be the first of scribes«
The reader will peruse in a few seconds by the aid of our friend
Ballantynes types what took Bucklaw a good halfhour in perusal though
assisted by the Master of Ravenswood The tenor was as follows
»Right Honourable our Cousin Our hearty commendations premised these
come to assure you of the interest which we take in your welfare and in
your purposes towards its augmentation If we have been less active in
showing forth our effective goodwill towards you than as a loving
kinsman and bloodrelative we would willingly have desired we request
that you will impute it to lack of opportunity to show our goodliking
not to any coldness of our will Touching your resolution to travel in
foreign parts as at this time we hold the same little advisable in
respect than your illwillers may according to the custom of such
persons impute motives for your journey whereof although we know and
believe you to be as clear as ourselves yet natheless their words may
find credence in places where the belief in them may much prejudice you
and which we should see with more unwillingness and displeasure than
with means of remedy
Having thus as becometh our kindred given you our poor mind on the
subject of your journeying forth of Scotland we would willingly add
reasons of weight which might materially advantage you and your
fathers house thereby to determine you to abide at Wolfs Crag until
this harvest season shall be passed over But what sayeth the proverb
verbum sapienti a word is more to him that hath wisdom than a sermon
to a fool And albeit we have written this poor scroll with our own
hand and are well assured of the fidelity of our messenger as him that
is many ways bounden to us yet so it is that sliddery ways crave wary
walking and that we may not peril upon paper matters which we would
gladly impart to you by word of mouth Wherefore it was our purpose to
have prayed you heartily to come to this barren Highland country to kill
a stag and to treat of the matters which we are now more painfully
inditing to you anent But commodity does not serve at present for such
our meeting which therefore shall be deferred until sic time as we
may in all mirth rehearse those things whereof we now keep silence
Meantime we pray you to think that we are and will still be your good
kinsman and wellwisher waiting but for times of whilk we do as it
were entertain a twilight prospect and appear and hope to be also your
effectual well doer And in which hope we heartly write ourself
Right Honourable
Your loving cousin
A
Given from our poor house of B etc«
Superscribed »For the right honourable and our honoured kinsman the
Master of Ravenswood These with haste haste post haste ride and
run until these be delivered«
»What think you of this epistle Bucklaw« said the Master when his companion
had hammered out all the sense and almost all the words of which it consisted
»Truly that the Marquiss meaning is as great a riddle as his manuscript
He is really in much need of Wits Interpreter or the Complete Letter Writer
and were I you I would send him a copy by the bearer He writes you very kindly
to remain wasting your time and your money in this vile stupid oppressed
country without so much as offering you the countenance and shelter of his
house In my opinion he has some scheme in view in which he supposes you can be
useful and he wishes to keep you at hand to make use of you when it ripens
reserving the power of turning you adrift should his plot fail in the
concoction«
»His plot then you suppose it is a treasonable business« answered
Ravenswood
»What else can it be« replied Bucklaw »the Marquis has been long suspected
to have an eye to Saint Germains«
»He should not engage me rashly in such an adventure« said Ravenswood
»when I recollect the times of the first and second Charles and of the last
James truly I see little reason that as a man or a patriot I should draw my
sword for their descendants«
»Humph« replied Bucklaw »so you have set yourself down to mourn over the
cropeared dogs whom honest Claverse treated as they deserved«
»They first gave the dogs an ill name and then hanged them« replied
Ravenswood »I hope to see the day when justice shall be opened to Whig and
Tory and when these nicknames shall only be used among coffeehouse
politicians as slut and jade are among applewomen as cant terms of idle spite
and rancour«
»That will not be in our days Master the iron has entered too deeply into
our sides and our souls«
»It will be however one day« replied the Master »men will not always
start at these nicknames as at a trumpet sound As social life is better
protected its comforts will become too dear to be hazarded without some better
reason than speculative politics«
»It is fine talking« answered Bucklaw »but my heart is with the old song
To see good corn upon the rigs
And a gallows built to hang the Whigs
And the right restored where the right should be
O that is the thing that would wanton me«
»You may sing as loudly as you will cantabit vacuus« answered the Master
»but I believe the Marquis is too wise at least too wary to join you in such a
burden I suspect he alludes to a revolution in the Scottish Privy Council
rather than in the British kingdoms«
»Oh confusion to your state tricks« exclaimed Bucklaw »your cold
calculating manoeuvres which old gentlemen in wrought nightcaps and furred
gowns execute like so many games at chess and displace a treasurer or lord
commissioner as they would take a rook or a pawn Tennis for my sport and
battle for my earnest My racket and my sword for my plaything and breadwinner
And you Master so deep and considerate as you would seem you have that within
you makes the blood boil faster than suits your present humour of moralising on
political truths You are one of those wise men who see everything with great
composure till their blood is up and then woe to any one who should put them
in mind of their own prudential maxims«
»Perhaps« said Ravenswood »you read me more rightly than I can myself But
to think justly will certainly go some length in helping me to act so But
hark I hear Caleb tolling the dinnerbell«
»Which he always does with the more sonorous grace in proportion to the
meagreness of the cheer which he has provided« said Bucklaw »as if that
infernal clang and jangle which will one day bring the belfry down the cliff
could convert a starved hen into a fat capon and a bladebone of mutton into a
haunch of venison«
»I wish we may be so well off as your worst conjectures surmise Bucklaw
from the extreme solemnity and ceremony with which Caleb seems to place on the
table that solitary covered dish«
»Uncover Caleb uncover for Heavens sake« said Bucklaw »let us have
what you can give us without preface Why it stands well enough man« he
continued addressing impatiently the ancient butler who without reply kept
shifting the dish until he had at length placed it with mathematical precision
in the very midst of the table
»What have we got here Caleb« inquired the Master in his turn
»Ahem sir ye suld have known before but his honour the Laird of Bucklaw
is so impatient« answered Caleb still holding the dish with one hand and the
cover with the other with evident reluctance to disclose the contents
»But what is it a Gods name not a pair of clean spurs I hope in the
border fashion of old times«
»Ahem ahem« reiterated Caleb »your honour is pleased to be facetious
natheless I might presume to say it was a convenient fashion and used as I
have heard in an honourable and thriving family But touching your present
dinner I judged that this being Saint Magdalenes Eve who was a worthy queen
of Scotland in her day your honours might judge it decorous if not altogether
to fast yet only to sustain nature with some slight refection as ane saulted
herring or the like« And uncovering the dish he displayed four of the savoury
fishes which he mentioned adding in a subdued tone »that they were no just
common herring neither being every ane melters and sauted with uncommon care
by the housekeeper poor Mysie for his honours especial use«
»Out upon all apologies« said the Master »let us eat the herrings since
there is nothing better to be had but I begin to think with you Bucklaw that
we are consuming the last green leaf and that in spite of the Marquiss
political machinations we must positively shift camp for want of forage
without waiting the issue of them«
Chapter Eighth
Ay and when huntsmen wind the merry horn
And from its covert starts the fearful prey
Who warmd with youths blood in his swelling veins
Would like a lifeless clod outstretched lie
Shut out from all the fair creation offers
Ethwald Scene I Act I
Light meals procure light slumbers and therefore it is not surprising that
considering the fare which Calebs conscience or his necessity assuming as
will sometimes happen that disguise had assigned to the guests of Wolfs Crag
their slumbers should have been short
In the morning Bucklaw rushed into his hosts apartment with a loud halloo
which might have awaked the dead
»Up up in the name of Heaven the hunters are out the only piece of
sport I have seen this month and you lie here Master on a bed that has little
to recommend it except that it may be something softer than the stone floor of
your ancestors vault«
»I wish« said Ravenswood raising his head peevishly »you had forborne so
early a jest Mr Hayston it is really no pleasure to lose the very short
repose which I had just begun to enjoy after a night spent in thoughts upon
fortune far harder than my couch Bucklaw«
»Pshaw pshaw« replied his guest »get up get up the hounds are abroad
I have saddled the horses myself for old Caleb was calling for grooms and
lackeys and would never have proceeded without two hours apology for the
absence of men who were a hundred miles off Get up Master I say the hounds
are out get up I say the hunt is up« And off ran Bucklaw
»And I say« said the Master rising slowly »that nothing can concern me
less Whose hounds come so near to us«
»The Honourable Lord Bittlebrains« answered Caleb who had followed the
impatient Laird of Bucklaw into his masters bedroom »and truly I ken nae title
they have to be yowling and howling within the freedoms and immunities of your
lordships right of free forestry«
»Nor I Caleb« replied Ravenswood »excepting that they have bought both
the lands and the right of forestry and may think themselves entitled to
exercise the rights they have paid their money for«
»It may be sae my lord« replied Caleb »but its no gentlemans deed of
them to come here and exercise such like right and your lordship living at your
ain castle of Wolfs Crag Lord Bittlebrains would do weel to remember what his
folk have been«
»And we what we now are« said the Master with suppressed bitterness of
feeling »But reach me my cloak Caleb and I will indulge Bucklaw with a sight
of this chase It is selfish to sacrifice my guests pleasure to my own«
»Sacrifice« echoed Caleb in a tone which seemed to imply the total
absurdity of his master making the least concession in deference to any one
»Sacrifice indeed but I crave your honours pardon and whilk doublet is it
your pleasure to wear«
»Any one you will Caleb my wardrobe I suppose is not very extensive«
»Not extensive« echoed his assistant »when there is the grey and silver
that your lordship bestowed on Hew Hildebrand your outrider and the French
velvet that went with my lord your father be gracious to him my lord your
fathers auld wardrobe to the puir friends of the family and the
drapdeberry«
»Which I gave to you Caleb and which I suppose is the only dress we have
any chance to come at except that I wore yesterday pray hand me that and
say no more about it«
»If your honour has a fancy« replied Caleb »and doubtless its a
sadcoloured suit and you are in mourning nevertheless I have never tried on
the drapdeberry ill wad it become me and your honour having no change of
claiths at this present and its weel brushed and as there are leddies down
yonder«
»Ladies« said Ravenswood »and what ladies pray«
»What do I ken your lordship looking down at them from the Wardens Tower
I could but see them glent by wi their bridles ringing and their feathers
fluttering like the court of Elfland«
»Well well Caleb« replied the Master »help me on with my cloak and hand
me my swordbelt What clatter is that in the courtyard«
»Just Bucklaw bringing out the horses« said Caleb after a glance through
the window »as if there werena men enough in the castle or as if I couldna
serve the turn of ony o them that are out o the gate«
»Alas Caleb we should want little if your ability were equal to your
will« replied his master
»And I hope your lordship disna want that muckle« said Caleb »for
considering a things I trust we support the credit of the family as weel as
things will permit of only Bucklaw is aye sae frank and sae forward And
there he has brought out your lordships palfrey without the saddle being
decored wi the broidered sumptercloth and I could have brushed it in a
minute«
»It is all very well« said his master escaping from him and descending
the narrow and steep winding staircase which led to the courtyard
»It may be a very weel« said Caleb somewhat peevishly »but if your
lordship wad tarry a bit I will tell you what will not be very weel«
»And what is that« said Ravenswood impatiently but stopping at the same
time
»Why just that ye suld speer ony gentleman hame to dinner for I canna mak
anither fast on a feast day as when I cam ower Bucklaw wi Queen Margaret
and to speak truth if your lordship wad but please to cast yoursell in the way
of dining wi Lord Bittlebrains Ise warrand I wad cast about brawly for the
morn or if stead o that ye wad but dine wi them at the changehouse ye
might mak your shift for the lawing ye might say ye had forgot your purse or
that the carline awed ye rent and that ye wad allow it in the settlement«
»Or any other lie that came uppermost I suppose« said his master
»Goodbye Caleb I commend your care for the honour of the family« And
throwing himself on his horse he followed Bucklaw who at the manifest risk of
his neck had begun to gallop down the steep path which led from the tower as
soon as he saw Ravenswood have his foot in the stirrup
Caleb Balderston looked anxiously after them and shook his thin grey locks
»And I trust that they will come to no evil but they have reached the plain
and folk cannot say but that the horse are hearty and in spirits«
Animated by the natural impetuosity and fire of his temper young Bucklaw
rushed on with the careless speed of a whirlwind Ravenswood was scarce more
moderate in his pace for his was a mind unwillingly roused from contemplative
inactivity but which when once put into motion acquired a spirit of forcible
and violent progression Neither was his eagerness proportioned in all cases to
the motive of impulse but might be compared to the speed of a stone which
rushes with like fury down the hill whether it was first put in motion by the
arm of a giant or the hand of a boy He felt therefore in no ordinary degree
the headlong impulse of the chase a pastime so natural to youth of all ranks
that it seems rather to be an inherent passion in our animal nature which
levels all differences of rank and education than an acquired habit of rapid
exercise
The repeated bursts of the French horn which was then always used for the
encouragement and direction of the hounds the deep though distant baying of
the pack the halfheard cries of the huntsmen the halfseen forms which were
discovered now emerging from glens which crossed the moor now sweeping over
its surface now picking their way where it was impeded by morasses and above
all the feeling of his own rapid motion animated the Master of Ravenswood at
least for the moment above the recollections of a more painful nature by which
he was surrounded The first thing which recalled him to those unpleasing
circumstances was feeling that his horse notwithstanding all the advantages
which he received from his riders knowledge of the country was unable to keep
up with the chase As he drew his bridle up with the bitter feeling that his
poverty excluded him from the favourite recreation of his forefathers and
indeed their sole employment when not engaged in military pursuits he was
accosted by a wellmounted stranger who unobserved had kept near him during
the earlier part of his career
»Your horse is blown« said the man with a complaisance seldom used in a
huntingfield »Might I crave your honour to make use of mine«
»Sir« said Ravenswood more surprised than pleased at such a proposal »I
really do not know how I have merited such a favour at a strangers hands«
»Never ask a question about it Master« said Bucklaw who with great
unwillingness had hitherto reined in his own gallant steed not to outride his
host and entertainer »Take the goods the gods provide you as the great John
Dryden says or stay here my friend lend me that horse I see you have
been puzzled to rein him up this halfhour Ill take the devil out of him for
you Now Master do you ride mine which will carry you like an eagle«
And throwing the rein of his own horse to the Master of Ravenswood he
sprang upon that which the stranger resigned to him and continued his career at
full speed
»Was ever so thoughtless a being« said the Master »and you my friend how
could you trust him with your horse«
»The horse« said the man »belongs to a person who will make your honour
or any of your honourable friends most welcome to him flesh and fell«
»And the owners name is « asked Ravenswood
»Your honour must excuse me you will learn that from himself If you
please to take your friends horse and leave me your galloway I will meet you
after the fall of the stag for I hear they are blowing him at bay«
»I believe my friend it will be the best way to recover your good horse
for you« answered Ravenswood and mounting the nag of his friend Bucklaw he
made all the haste in his power to the spot where the blast of the horn
announced that the stags career was nearly terminated
These jovial sounds were intermixed with the huntsmens shouts of »Hyke a
Talbot Hyke a Teviot now boys now« and similar cheering halloos of the olden
huntingfield to which the impatient yelling of the hounds now close on the
object of their pursuit gave a lively and unremitting chorus The straggling
riders began now to rally towards the scene of action collecting from different
points as to a common centre
Bucklaw kept the start which he had gotten and arrived first at the spot
where the stag incapable of sustaining a more prolonged flight had turned upon
the hounds and in the hunters phrase was at bay With his stately head bent
down his sides white with foam his eyes strained betwixt rage and terror the
hunted animal had now in his turn become an object of intimidation to his
pursuers The hunters came up one by one and watched an opportunity to assail
him with some advantage which in such circumstances can only be done with
caution The dogs stood aloof and bayed loudly intimating at once eagerness and
fear and each of the sportsmen seemed to expect that his comrade would take
upon him the perilous task of assaulting and disabling the animal The ground
which was a hollow in the common or moor afforded little advantage for
approaching the stag unobserved and general was the shout of triumph when
Bucklaw with the dexterity proper to an accomplished cavalier of the day
sprang from his horse and dashing suddenly and swiftly at the stag brought him
to the ground by a cut on the hind leg with his short huntingsword The pack
rushing in upon their disabled enemy soon ended his painful struggles and
solemnised his fall with their clamour the hunters with their horns and
voices whooping and blowing a mort or deathnote which resounded far over the
billows of the adjacent ocean
The huntsman then withdrew the hounds from the throttled stag and on his
knee presented his knife to a fair female form on a white palfrey whose
terror or perhaps her compassion had till then kept her at some distance She
wore a black silk ridingmask which was then a common fashion as well for
preserving the complexion from sun and rain as from an idea of decorum which
did not permit a lady to appear barefaced while engaged in a boisterous sport
and attended by a promiscuous company The richness of her dress however as
well as the mettle and form of her palfrey together with the silvan compliment
paid to her by the huntsman pointed her out to Bucklaw as the principal person
in the field It was not without a feeling of pity approaching even to
contempt that this enthusiastic hunter observed her refuse the huntsmans
knife presented to her for the purpose of making the first incision in the
stags breast and thereby discovering the quality of the venison He felt more
than half inclined to pay his compliments to her but it had been Bucklaws
misfortune that his habits of life had not rendered him familiarly acquainted
with the higher and better classes of female society so that with all his
natural audacity he felt sheepish and bashful when it became necessary to
address a lady of distinction
Taking unto himself heart of grace to use his own phrase he did at length
summon up resolution enough to give the fair huntress good time of the day and
trust that her sport had answered her expectation Her answer was very
courteously and modestly expressed and testified some gratitude to the gallant
cavalier whose exploit had terminated the chase so adroitly when the hounds
and huntsmen seemed somewhat at a stand
»Uds daggers and scabbard madam« said Bucklaw whom this observation
brought at once upon his own ground »there is no difficulty or merit in that
matter at all so that a fellow is not too much afraid of having a pair of
antlers in his guts I have hunted at force five hundred times madam and I
never yet saw the stag at bay by land or water but I durst have gone roundly
in on him It is all use and wont madam and Ill tell you madam for all
that it must be done with good heed and caution and you will do well madam
to have your huntingsword both right sharp and doubleedged that you may
strike either forehanded or backhanded as you see reason for a hurt with a
bucks horn is a perilous and somewhat venomous matter«
»I am afraid sir« said the young lady and her smile was scarce concealed
by her vizard »I shall have little use for such careful preparation«
»But the gentleman says very right for all that my lady« said an old
huntsman who had listened to Bucklaws harangue with no small edification »and
I have heard my father say who was a forester at the Cabrach that a wild
boars gaunch is more easily healed than a hurt from the deers horn for so
says the old woodmans rhyme
If thou be hurt with horn of hart it brings thee to thy bier
But tusk of boar shall leeches heal thereof have lesser fear«
»An I might advise« continued Bucklaw who was now in his element and desirous
of assuming the whole management »as the hounds are surbated and weary the
head of the stag should be cabbaged in order to reward them and if I may
presume to speak the huntsman who is to break up the stag ought to drink to
your good ladyships health a good lusty bicker of ale or a tass of brandy for
if he breaks him up without drinking the venison will not keep well«
This very agreeable prescription received as will be readily believed all
acceptation from the huntsman who in requital offered to Bucklaw the
compliment of his knife which the young lady had declined This polite proffer
was seconded by his mistress
»I believe sir« she said withdrawing herself from the circle »that my
father for whose amusement Lord Bittlebrains hounds have been out today will
readily surrender all care of these matters to a gentleman of your experience«
Then bending gracefully from her horse she wished him good morning and
attended by one or two domestics who seemed immediately attached to her
service retired from the scene of action to which Bucklaw too much delighted
with an opportunity of displaying his woodcraft to care about man or woman
either paid little attention but was soon stripped to his doublet with
tuckedup sleeves and naked arms up to the elbows in blood and grease
slashing cutting hacking and hewing with the precision of Sir Tristrem
himself and wrangling and disputing with all around him concerning nombles
briskets flankards and ravenbones then usual terms of the art of hunting or
of butchery whichever the reader chooses to call it which are now probably
antiquated
When Ravenswood who followed a short space behind his friend saw that the
stag had fallen his temporary ardour for the chase gave way to that feeling of
reluctance which he endured at encountering in his fallen fortunes the gaze
whether of equals or inferiors He reined up his horse on the top of a gentle
eminence from which he observed the busy and gay scene beneath him and heard
the whoops of the huntsmen gaily mingled with the cry of the dogs and the
neighing and trampling of the horses But these jovial sounds fell sadly on the
ear of the ruined nobleman The chase with all its train of excitations has
ever since feudal times been accounted the almost exclusive privilege of the
aristocracy and was anciently their chief employment in times of peace The
sense that he was excluded by his situation from enjoying the silvan sport
which his rank assigned to him as a special prerogative and the feeling that
new men were now exercising it over the downs which had been jealously reserved
by his ancestors for their own amusement while he the heir of the domain was
fain to hold himself at a distance from their party awakened reflections
calculated to depress deeply a mind like Ravenswoods which was naturally
contemplative and melancholy His pride however soon shook off this feeling of
dejection and it gave way to impatience upon finding that his volatile friend
Bucklaw seemed in no hurry to return with his borrowed steed which Ravenswood
before leaving the field wished to see restored to the obliging owner As he
was about to move towards the group of assembled huntsmen he was joined by a
horseman who like himself had kept aloof during the fall of the deer
This personage seemed stricken in years He wore a scarlet cloak buttoning
high up on his face and his hat was unlooped and slouched probably by way of
defence against the weather His horse a strong and steady palfrey was
calculated for a rider who proposed to witness the sport of the day rather than
to share it An attendant waited at some distance and the whole equipment was
that of an elderly gentleman of rank and fashion He accosted Ravenswood very
politely but not without some embarrassment
»You seem a gallant young gentleman sir« he said »and yet appear as
indifferent to this brave sport as if you had my load of years on your
shoulders«
»I have followed the sport with more spirit on other occasions« replied the
Master »at present late events in my family must be my apology and besides«
he added »I was but indifferently mounted at the beginning of the sport«
»I think« said the stranger »one of my attendants had the sense to
accommodate your friend with a horse«
»I was much indebted to his politeness and yours« replied Ravenswood »My
friend is Mr Hayston of Bucklaw whom I daresay you will be sure to find in the
thick of the keenest sportsmen He will return your servants horse and take my
pony in exchange and will add« he concluded turning his horses head from
the stranger »his best acknowledgments to mine for the accommodation«
The Master of Ravenswood having thus expressed himself began to move
homeward with the manner of one who has taken leave of his company But the
stranger was not so to be shaken off He turned his horse at the same time and
rode in the same direction so near to the Master that without outriding him
which the formal civility of the time and the respect due to the strangers age
and recent civility would have rendered improper he could not easily escape
from his company
The stranger did not long remain silent »This then« he said »is the
ancient Castle of Wolfs Crag often mentioned in the Scottish records« looking
to the old tower then darkening under the influence of a stormy cloud that
formed its background for at the distance of a short mile the chase having
been circuitous had brought the hunters nearly back to the point which they had
attained when Ravenswood and Bucklaw had set forward to join them
Ravenswood answered this observation with a cold and distant assent
»It was as I have heard« continued the stranger unabashed by his
coldness »one of the most early possessions of the honourable family of
Ravenswood«
»Their earliest possession« answered the Master »and probably their
latest«
»I I I should hope not sir« answered the stranger clearing his voice
with more than one cough and making an effort to overcome a certain degree of
hesitation »Scotland knows what she owes to this ancient family and
remembers their frequent and honourable achievements I have little doubt that
were it properly represented to her majesty that so ancient and noble a family
were subjected to dilapidation I mean to decay means might be found ad
reoedificandum antiquam domum«
»I will save you the trouble sir of discussing this point farther«
interrupted the Master haughtily »I am the heir of that unfortunate house I
am the Master of Ravenswood And you sir who seem to be a gentleman of fashion
and education must be sensible that the next mortification after being
unhappy is the being loaded with undesired commiseration«
»I beg your pardon sir« said the elder horseman »I did not know I am
sensible I ought not to have mentioned nothing could be farther from my
thoughts than to suppose«
»There are no apologies necessary sir« answered Ravenswood »for here I
suppose our roads separate and I assure you that we part in perfect equanimity
on my side«
As speaking these words he directed his horses head towards a narrow
causeway the ancient approach to Wolfs Crag of which it might be truly said
in the words of the Bard of Hope that
Travelled by few was the grasscoverd road
Where the hunter of deer and the warrior trode
To his hills that encircle the sea
But ere he could disengage himself from his companion the young lady we have
already mentioned came up to join the stranger followed by her servants
»Daughter« said the stranger to the masked damsel »this is the Master of
Ravenswood«
It would have been natural that the gentleman should have replied to this
introduction but there was something in the graceful form and retiring modesty
of the female to whom he was thus presented which not only prevented him from
inquiring to whom and by whom the annunciation had been made but which even
for the time struck him absolutely mute At this moment the cloud which had long
lowered above the height on which Wolfs Crag is situated and which now as it
advanced spread itself in darker and denser folds both over land and sea
hiding the distant objects and obscuring those which were nearer turning the
sea to a leaden complexion and the heath to a darker brown began now by one
or two distant peals to announce the thunders with which it was fraught while
two flashes of lightning following each other very closely showed in the
distance the grey turrets of Wolfs Crag and more nearly the rolling billows
of the ocean crested suddenly with red and dazzling light
The horse of the fair huntress showed symptoms of impatience and
restiveness and it became impossible for Ravenswood as a man or a gentleman
to leave her abruptly to the care of an aged father or her menial attendants He
was or believed himself obliged in courtesy to take hold of her bridle and
assist her in managing the unruly animal While he was thus engaged the old
gentleman observed that the storm seemed to increase that they were far from
Lord Bittlebrains whose guests they were for the present and that he would
be obliged to the Master of Ravenswood to point him the way to the nearest place
of refuge from the storm At the same time he cast a wistful and embarrassed
look towards the Tower of Wolfs Crag which seemed to render it almost
impossible for the owner to avoid offering an old man and a lady in such an
emergency the temporary use of his house Indeed the condition of the young
huntress made this courtesy indispensable for in the course of the services
which he rendered he could not but perceive that she trembled much and was
extremely agitated from her apprehensions doubtless of the coming storm
I know not if the Master of Ravenswood shared her terrors but he was not
entirely free from something like a similar disorder of nerves as he observed
»The Tower of Wolfs Crag has nothing to offer beyond the shelter of its roof
but if that can be acceptable at such a moment« he paused as if the rest of
the invitation stuck in his throat But the old gentleman his selfconstituted
companion did not allow him to recede from the invitation which he had rather
suffered to be implied than directly expressed
»The storm« said the stranger »must be an apology for waiving ceremony
his daughters health was weak she had suffered much from a recent alarm he
trusted their intrusion on the Master of Ravenswoods hospitality would not be
altogether unpardonable in the circumstances of the case his childs safety
must be dearer to him than ceremony«
There was no room to retreat The Master of Ravenswood led the way
continuing to keep hold of the ladys bridle to prevent her horse from starting
at some unexpected explosion of thunder He was not so bewildered in his own
hurried reflections but that he remarked that the deadly paleness which had
occupied her neck and temples and such of her features as the ridingmask left
exposed gave place to a deep and rosy suffusion and he felt with embarrassment
that a flush was by tacit sympathy excited in his own cheeks The stranger with
watchfulness which he disguised under apprehensions for the safety of his
daughter continued to observe the expression of the Masters countenance as
they ascended the hill to Wolfs Crag When they stood in front of that ancient
fortress Ravenswoods emotions were of a very complicated description and as
he led the way into the rude courtyard and hallood to Caleb to give
attendance there was a tone of sternness almost of fierceness which seemed
somewhat alien from the courtesies of one who is receiving honoured guests
Caleb came and not the paleness of the fair stranger at the first approach
of the thunder nor the paleness of any other person in any other circumstances
whatever equalled that which overcame the thin cheeks of the disconsolate
seneschal when he beheld this accession of guests to the castle and reflected
that the dinner hour was fast approaching »Is he daft« he muttered to himself
»is he clean daft athegither to bring lords and leddies and a host o folk
behint them and twaloclock chappit« Then approaching the Master he craved
pardon for having permitted the rest of his people to go out to see the hunt
observing that »they wad never think of his lordship coming back till mirk
night and that he dreaded they might play the truant«
»Silence Balderston« said Ravenswood sternly »your folly is
unseasonable Sir and madam« he said turning to his guests »this old man
and a yet older and more imbecile female domestic form my whole retinue Our
means of refreshing you are more scanty than even so miserable a retinue and a
dwelling so dilapidated might seem to promise you but such as they may chance
to be you may command them«
The elder stranger struck with the ruined and even savage appearance of the
Tower rendered still more disconsolate by the lowering and gloomy sky and
perhaps not altogether unmoved by the grave and determined voice in which their
host addressed them looked round him anxiously as if he half repented the
readiness with which he had accepted the offered hospitality But there was now
no opportunity of receding from the situation in which he had placed himself
As for Caleb he was so utterly stunned by his masters public and
unqualified acknowledgment of the nakedness of the land that for two minutes he
could only mutter within his hebdomadal beard which had not felt the razor for
six days »Hes daft clean daft red wud and awa wit But deil hae Caleb
Balderston« said he collecting his powers of invention and resource »if the
family shall lose credit if he were as mad as the seven wise masters« he then
boldly advanced and in spite of his masters frowns and impatience gravely
asked »if he should not serve up some slight refection for the young leddy and
a glass of tokay or old sack or«
»Truce to this illtimed foolery« said the Master sternly »put the
horses into the stable and interrupt us no more with your absurdities«
»Your honours pleasure is to be obeyed aboon a things« said Caleb
»nevertheless as for the sack and tokay which it is not your noble guests
pleasure to accept«
But here the voice of Bucklaw heard even above the clattering of hoofs and
braying of horns with which it mingled announced that he was scaling the
pathway to the Tower at the head of the greater part of the gallant hunting
train
»The deil be in me« said Caleb taking heart in spite of this new invasion
of Philistines »if they shall beat me yet The hellicat neerdoweel to
bring such a crew here that will expect to find brandy as plenty as
ditchwater and he kenning sae absolutely the case in whilk we stand for the
present But I trow could I get rid of thae gaping gowks of flunkies that hae
won into the courtyard at the back of their betters as mony a man gets
preferment I could make a right yet«
The measures which he took to execute this dauntless resolution the reader
shall learn in the next chapter
Chapter Ninth
With throat unslaked with black lips baked
Agape they heard him call
Gramercy they for joy did grin
And all at once their breath drew in
As they had been drinking all
Coleridges »Rime of the Ancient Mariner«
Hayston of Bucklaw was one of the thoughtless class who never hesitate between
their friend and their jest When it was announced that the principal persons of
the chase had taken their route towards Wolfs Crag the huntsmen as a point of
civility offered to transfer the venison to that mansion a proffer which was
readily accepted by Bucklaw who thought much of the astonishment which their
arrival in full body would occasion poor old Caleb Balderston and very little
of the dilemma to which he was about to expose his friend the Master so ill
circumstanced to receive such a party But in old Caleb he had to do with a
crafty and alert antagonist prompt at supplying upon all emergencies evasions
and excuses suitable as he thought to the dignity of the family
»Praise be blest« said Caleb to himself »ae leaf of the muckle gate has
been swung to wi yestreens wind and I think I can manage to shut the ither«
But he was desirous like a prudent governor at the same time to get rid
if possible of the internal enemy in which light he considered almost every
one who ate and drank ere he took measures to exclude those whom their jocund
noise now pronounced to be near at hand He waited therefore with impatience
until his master had shown his two principal guests into the Tower and then
commenced his operations
»I think« he said to the stranger menials »that as they are bringing the
stags head to the castle in all honour we who are indwellers should receive
them at the gate«
The unwary grooms had no sooner hurried out in compliance with this
insidious hint than one foldingdoor of the ancient gate being already closed
by the wind as has been already intimated honest Caleb lost no time in
shutting the other with a clang which resounded from donjon vault to
battlement Having thus secured the pass he forthwith indulged the excluded
huntsmen in brief parley from a small projecting window or shothole through
which in former days the warders were wont to reconnoitre those who presented
themselves before the gates He gave them to understand in a short and pithy
speech that the gate of the castle was never on any account opened during
mealtimes that his honour the Master of Ravenswood and some guests of
quality had just sat down to dinner that there was excellent brandy at the
hostlers wifes at Wolfs Hope down below and he held out some obscure hint
that the reckoning would be discharged by the Master but this was uttered in a
very dubious and oracular strain for like Louis XIV Caleb Balderston
hesitated to carry finesse so far as direct falsehood and was content to
deceive if possible without directly lying
This annunciation was received with surprise by some with laughter by
others and with dismay by the expelled lackeys who endeavoured to demonstrate
that their right of readmission for the purpose of waiting upon their master
and mistress was at least indisputable But Caleb was not in a humour to
understand or admit any distinctions He stuck to his original proposition with
that dogged but convenient pertinacity which is armed against all conviction
and deaf to all reasoning
Bucklaw now came from the rear of the party and demanded admittance in a
very angry tone But the resolution of Caleb was immovable
»If the king on the throne were at the gate« he declared »his ten fingers
should never open it contrair to the established use and wont of the family of
Ravenswood and his duty as their headservant«
Bucklaw was now extremely incensed and with more oaths and curses than we
care to repeat declared himself most unworthily treated and demanded
peremptorily to speak with the Master of Ravenswood himself But to this also
Caleb turned a deaf ear
»Hes as soon ableeze as a tap of tow the lad Bucklaw« he said »but the
deil of ony masters face he shall see till he has sleepit and wakend ont
Hell ken himsell better the morns morning It sets the like o him to be
bringing a crew of drunken hunters here when he kens there is but little
preparation to sloken his ain drought« And he disappeared from the window
leaving them all to digest their exclusion as they best might
But another person of whose presence Caleb in the animation of the debate
was not aware had listened in silence to its progress This was the principal
domestic of the stranger a man of trust and consequence the same who in the
huntingfield had accommodated Bucklaw with the use of his horse He was in the
stable when Caleb had contrived the expulsion of his fellowservants and thus
avoided sharing the same fate from which his personal importance would
certainly not have otherwise saved him
This personage perceived the manoeuvre of Caleb easily appreciated the
motive of his conduct and knowing his masters intentions towards the family of
Ravenswood had no difficulty as to the line of conduct he ought to adopt He
took the place of Caleb unperceived by the latter at the post of audience
which he had just left and announced to the assembled domestics »that it was
his masters pleasure that Lord Bittlebrains retinue and his own should go down
to the adjacent changehouse and call for what refreshments they might have
occasion for and he should take care to discharge the lawing«
The jolly troop of huntsmen retired from the inhospitable gate of Wolfs
Crag execrating as they descended the steep pathway the niggard and unworthy
disposition of the proprietor and damning with more than silvan license both
the castle and its inhabitants Bucklaw with many qualities which would have
made him a man of worth and judgment in more favourable circumstances had been
so utterly neglected in point of education that he was apt to think and feel
according to the ideas of the companions of his pleasures The praises which had
recently been heaped upon himself he contrasted with the general abuse now
levelled against Ravenswood he recalled to his mind the dull and monotonous
days he had spent in the Tower of Wolfs Crag compared with the joviality of
his usual life he felt with great indignation his exclusion from the castle
which he considered as a gross affront and every mingled feeling led him to
break off the union which he had formed with the Master of Ravenswood
On arriving at the changehouse of the village of Wolfs Hope he
unexpectedly met with an old acquaintance just alighting from his horse This
was no other than the very respectable Captain Craigengelt who immediately came
up to him and without appearing to retain any recollection of the indifferent
terms on which they had parted shook him by the hand in the warmest manner
possible A warm grasp of the hand was what Bucklaw could never help returning
with cordiality and no sooner had Craigengelt felt the pressure of his fingers
than he knew the terms on which he stood with him
»Long life to you Bucklaw« he exclaimed »theres life for honest folk in
this bad world yet«
The Jacobites at this period with what propriety I know not used it must
be noticed the term of honest men as peculiarly descriptive of their own party
»Ay and for others besides it seems« answered Bucklaw »otherways how
came you to venture hither noble Captain«
»Who I I am as free as the wind at Martinmas that pays neither
landrent nor annual all is explained all settled with the honest old
drivellers yonder of Auld Reekie Pooh pooh they dared not keep me a week of
days in durance A certain person has better friends among them than you wot of
and can serve a friend when it is least likely«
»Pshaw« answered Hayston who perfectly knew and thoroughly despised the
character of this man »none of your cogging gibberish tell me truly are you
at liberty and in safety«
»Free and safe as a whig bailie on the causeway of his own borough or a
canting Presbyterian minister in his own pulpit and I came to tell you that
you need not remain in hiding any longer«
»Then I suppose you call yourself my friend Captain Craigengelt« said
Bucklaw
»Friend« replied Craigengelt »my cock of the pit why I am the very
Achates man as I have heard scholars say hand and glove bark and tree
thine to life and death«
»Ill try that in a moment« answered Bucklaw »Thou art never without
money however thou comest by it Lend me two pieces to wash the dust out of
these honest fellows throats in the first place and then«
»Two pieces twenty are at thy service my lad and twenty to back them«
»Ay say you so« said Bucklaw pausing for his natural penetration led
him to suspect some extraordinary motive lay couched under such an excess of
generosity »Craigengelt you are either an honest fellow in right good earnest
and I scarce know how to believe that or you are cleverer than I took you for
and I scarce know how to believe that either«
»Lun nempeche pas lautre« said Craigengelt »touch and try the gold is
good as ever was weighed«
He put a quantity of gold pieces into Bucklaws hand which he thrust into
his pocket without either counting or looking at them only observing »that he
was so circumstanced that he must enlist though the devil offered the
pressmoney« and then turning to the huntsmen he called out »Come along my
lads all is at my cost«
»Long life to Bucklaw« shouted the men of the chase
»And confusion to him that takes his share of the sport and leaves the
hunters as dry as a drumhead« added another by way of corollary
»The house of Ravenswood was ance a gude and an honourable house in this
land« said an old man »but its lost its credit this day and the Master has
shown himself no better than a greedy cullion«
And with this conclusion which was unanimously agreed to by all who heard
it they rushed tumultuously into the house of entertainment where they
revelled till a late hour The jovial temper of Bucklaw seldom permitted him to
be nice in the choice of his associates and on the present occasion when his
joyous debauch received additional zest from the intervention of an unusual
space of sobriety and almost abstinence he was as happy in leading the revels
as if his comrades had been sons of princes Craigengelt had his own purposes
in fooling him up to the top of his bent and having some low humour much
impudence and the power of singing a good song understanding besides
thoroughly the disposition of his regained associate he readily succeeded in
involving him bumperdeep in the festivity of the meeting
A very different scene was in the meantime passing in the Tower of Wolfs
Crag When the Master of Ravenswood left the courtyard too much busied with his
own perplexed reflections to pay attention to the manoeuvre of Caleb he ushered
his guests into the great hall of the castle
The indefatigable Balderston who from choice or habit worked on from
morning to night had by degrees cleared this desolate apartment of the
confused relics of the funeral banquet and restored it to some order But not
all his skill and labour in disposing to advantage the little furniture which
remained could remove the dark and disconsolate appearance of those ancient and
disfurnished walls The narrow windows flanked by deep indentures into the
wall seemed formed rather to exclude than to admit the cheerful light and the
heavy and gloomy appearance of the thundersky added still farther to the
obscurity
As Ravenswood with the grace of a gallant of that period but not without a
certain stiffness and embarrassment of manner handed the young lady to the
upper end of the apartment her father remained standing more near to the door
as if about to disengage himself from his hat and cloak At this moment the
clang of the portal was heard a sound at which the stranger started stepped
hastily to the window and looked with an air of alarm at Ravenswood when he
saw that the gate of the court was shut and his domestics excluded
»You have nothing to fear sir« said Ravenswood gravely »this roof
retains the means of giving protection though not welcome Methinks« he added
»it is time that I should know who they are that have thus highly honoured my
ruined dwelling«
The young lady remained silent and motionless and the father to whom the
question was more directly addressed seemed in the situation of a performer who
has ventured to take upon himself a part which he finds himself unable to
present and who comes to a pause when it is most to be expected that he should
speak While he endeavoured to cover his embarrassment with the exterior
ceremonials of a wellbred demeanour it was obvious that in making his bow
one foot shuffled forward as if to advance the other backward as if with the
purpose of escape and as he undid the cape of his coat and raised his beaver
from his face his fingers fumbled as if the one had been linked with rusted
iron or the other had weighed equal with a stone of lead The darkness of the
sky seemed to increase as if to supply the want of those mufflings which he
laid aside with such evident reluctance The impatience of Ravenswood increased
also in proportion to the delay of the stranger and he appeared to struggle
under agitation though probably from a very different cause He laboured to
restrain his desire to speak while the stranger to all appearance was at a
loss for words to express what he felt it necessary to say At length
Ravenswoods impatience broke the bounds he had imposed upon it
»I perceive« he said »that Sir William Ashton is unwilling to announce
himself in the Castle of Wolfs Crag«
»I had hoped it was unnecessary« said the Lord Keeper relieved from his
silence as a spectre by the voice of the exorcist »and I am obliged to you
Master of Ravenswood for breaking the ice at once where circumstances
unhappy circumstances let me call them rendered selfintroduction peculiarly
awkward«
»And am I not then« said the Master of Ravenswood gravely »to consider
the honour of this visit as purely accidental«
»Let us distinguish a little« said the Keeper assuming an appearance of
ease which perhaps his heart was a stranger to »this is an honour which I have
eagerly desired for some time but which I might never have obtained save for
the accident of the storm My daughter and I are alike grateful for this
opportunity of thanking the brave man to whom she owes her life and I mine«
The hatred which divided the great families in the feudal times had lost
little of its bitterness though it no longer expressed itself in deeds of open
violence Not the feelings which Ravenswood had begun to entertain towards Lucy
Ashton not the hospitality due to his guests were able entirely to subdue
though they warmly combated the deep passions which arose within him at
beholding his fathers foe standing in the hall of the family of which he had in
a great measure accelerated the ruin His looks glanced from the father to the
daughter with an irresolution of which Sir William Ashton did not think it
proper to await the conclusion He had now disembarrassed himself of his riding
dress and walking up to his daughter he undid the fastening of her mask
»Lucy my love« he said raising her and leading her towards Ravenswood
»lay aside your mask and let us express our gratitude to the Master openly and
barefaced«
»If he will condescend to accept it« was all that Lucy uttered but in a
tone so sweetly modulated and which seemed to imply at once a feeling and a
forgiving of the cold reception to which they were exposed that coming from a
creature so innocent and so beautiful her words cut Ravenswood to the very
heart for his harshness He muttered something of surprise something of
confusion and ending with a warm and eager expression of his happiness at being
able to afford her shelter under his roof he saluted her as the ceremonial of
the time enjoined upon such occasions Their cheeks had touched and were
withdrawn from each other Ravenswood had not quitted the hand which he had
taken in kindly courtesy a blush which attached more consequence by far than
was usual to such ceremony still mantled on Lucy Ashtons beautiful cheek when
the apartment was suddenly illuminated by a flash of lightning which seemed
absolutely to swallow the darkness of the hall Every object might have been for
an instant seen distinctly The slight and halfsinking form of Lucy Ashton the
wellproportioned and stately figure of Ravenswood his dark features and the
fiery yet irresolute expression of his eyes the old arms and scutcheons
which hung on the walls of the apartment were for an instant distinctly visible
to the Keeper by a strong red brilliant glare of light Its disappearance was
almost instantly followed by a burst of thunder for the stormcloud was very
near the castle and the peal was so sudden and dreadful that the old tower
rocked to its foundation and every inmate concluded it was falling upon them
The soot which had not been disturbed for centuries showered down the huge
tunnelled chimneys lime and dust flew in clouds from the wall and whether
the lightning had actually struck the castle or whether through the violent
concussion of the air several heavy stones were hurled from the mouldering
battlements into the roaring sea beneath it might seem as if the ancient
founder of the castle were bestriding the thunderstorm and proclaiming his
displeasure at the reconciliation of his descendant with the enemy of his house
The consternation was general and it required the efforts of both the Lord
Keeper and Ravenswood to keep Lucy from fainting Thus was the Master a second
time engaged in the most delicate and dangerous of all tasks that of affording
support to a beautiful and helpless being who as seen before in a similar
situation had already become a favourite of his imagination both when awake
and when slumbering If the Genius of the House really condemned a union betwixt
the Master and his fair guest the means by which he expressed his sentiments
were as unhappily chosen as if he had been a mere mortal The train of little
attentions absolutely necessary to soothe the young ladys mind and aid her in
composing her spirits necessarily threw the Master of Ravenswood into such an
intercourse with her father as was calculated for the moment at least to
break down the barrier of feudal enmity which divided them To express himself
churlishly or even coldly towards an old man whose daughter and such a
daughter lay before them overpowered with natural terror and all this under
his own roof the thing was impossible and by the time that Lucy extending a
hand to each was able to thank them for their kindness the Master felt that
his sentiments of hostility towards the Lord Keeper were by no means those most
predominant in his bosom
The weather her state of health the absence of her attendants all
prevented the possibility of Lucy Ashton renewing her journey to Bittlebrains
House which was full five miles distant and the Master of Ravenswood could not
but in common courtesy offer the shelter of his roof for the rest of the day
and for the night But a flush of less soft expression a look much more
habitual to his features resumed predominance when he mentioned how meanly he
was provided for the entertainment of his guests
»Do not mention deficiencies« said the Lord Keeper eager to interrupt him
and prevent his resuming an alarming topic »you are preparing to set out for
the Continent and your house is probably for the present unfurnished All this
we understand but if you mention inconvenience you will oblige us to seek
accommodations in the hamlet«
As the Master of Ravenswood was about to reply the door of the hall opened
and Caleb Balderston rushed in
Chapter Tenth
Let them have meat enough woman half a hen
There be old rotten pilchards put them off too
Tis but a little new anointing of them
And a strong onion that confounds the savour
Loves Pilgrimage
The thunderbolt which had stunned all who were within hearing of it had only
served to awaken the bold and inventive genius of the flower of MajorsDomo
Almost before the clatter had ceased and while there was yet scarce an
assurance whether the castle was standing or falling Caleb exclaimed »Heavens
be praised this comes to hand like the bowl of a pintstoup« He then barred
the kitchen door in the face of the Lord Keepers servant whom he perceived
returning from the party at the gate and muttering »How the deil cam he in
but deil may care Mysie what are ye sitting shaking and greeting in the
chimney neuk for Come here or stay where ye are and skirl as loud as ye can
its a yere gude for I say ye auld deevil skirl skirl louder
louder woman gar the gentles hear ye in the ha I have heard ye as far off
as the Bass for a less matter And stay down wi that crockery«
And with a sweeping blow he threw down from a shelf some articles of pewter
and earthenware He exalted his voice amid the clatter shouting and roaring in
a manner which changed Mysies hysterical terrors of the thunder into fears that
her old fellowservant was gone distracted »He has dung down a the bits o
pigs too the only thing we had left to haud a soup milk and he has spilt the
hatted kitt that was for the Masters dinner Mercy save us the auld mans gaen
clean and clear wud wi the thunner«
»Haud your tongue ye b« said Caleb in the impetuous and overbearing
triumph of successful invention »as provided now dinner and a thing the
thunners done a in a clap of a hand«
»Puir man hes muckle astray« said Mysie looking at him with a mixture of
pity and alarm »I wish he may ever come hame to himsell again«
»Here ye auld doited deevil« said Caleb still exalting in his extrication
from a dilemma which had seemed insurmountable »keep the strange man out of the
kitchen swear the thunner came down the chimney and spoiled the best dinner
ye ever dressed beef bacon kid lark leveret wild fowl venison
and what not Lay it on thick and never mind expenses Ill awa up to the ha
make a the confusion ye can but be sure ye keep out the strange servant«
With these charges to his ally Caleb posted up to the hall but stopping to
reconnoitre through an aperture which time for the convenience of many a
domestic in succession had made in the door and perceiving the situation of
Miss Ashton he had prudence enough to make a pause both to avoid adding to her
alarm and in order to secure attention to his account of the disastrous effects
of the thunder
But when he perceived that the lady was recovered and heard the
conversation turn upon the accommodation and refreshment which the castle
afforded he thought it time to burst into the room in the manner announced in
the last chapter
»Wull a wins such a misfortune to befa the House of Ravenswood and I to
live to see it«
»What is the matter Caleb« said his master somewhat alarmed in his turn
»has any part of the castle fallen«
»Castle faen na but the sutes faen and the thunners come right down
the kitchenlum and the things are a lying here awa there awa like the Laird
o Hotchpotchs lands and wi brave guests of honour and quality to entertain«
a low bow here to Sir William Ashton and his daughter »and naething left in
the house fit to present for dinner or for supper either for aught that I can
see«
»I verily believe you Caleb« said Ravenswood drily
Balderston here turned to his master a halfupbraiding halfimploring
countenance and edged towards him as he repeated »It was nae great matter of
preparation but just something added to your honours ordinary course of fare
petty cover as they say at the Louvre three courses and the fruit«
»Keep your intolerable nonsense to yourself you old fool« said Ravenswood
mortified at his officiousness yet not knowing how to contradict him without
the risk of giving rise to scenes yet more ridiculous
Caleb saw his advantage and resolved to improve it But first observing
that the Lord Keepers servant entered the apartment and spoke apart with his
master he took the same opportunity to whisper a few words into Ravenswoods
ear »Haud your tongue for Heavens sake sir if its my pleasure to hazard
my soul in telling lees for the honour of the family its nae business o yours
and if ye let me gang on quietly Ise be moderate in my banquet but if ye
contradict me deil but I dress ye a dinner fit for a duke«
Ravenswood in fact thought it would be best to let his officious butler
run on who proceeded to enumerate upon his fingers »No muckle provision
might hae served four persons of honour first course capons in white broth
roast kid bacon with reverence second course roasted leveret butter
crabs a veal florentine third course blackcock its black eneugh now
wi the sute plumdamas a tart a flam and some nonsense sweet things and
comfits and thats a« he said seeing the impatience of his master »thats
just a was ot forby the apples and pears«
Miss Ashton had by degrees gathered her spirits so far as to pay some
attention to what was going on and observing the restrained impatience of
Ravenswood contrasted with the peculiar determination of manner with which
Caleb detailed his imaginary banquet the whole struck her as so ridiculous
that despite every effort to the contrary she burst into a fit of
uncontrollable laughter in which she was joined by her father though with more
moderation and finally by the Master of Ravenswood himself though conscious
that the jest was at his own expense Their mirth for a scene which we read
with little emotion often appears extremely ludicrous to the spectators made
the old vault ring again They ceased they renewed they ceased they
renewed again their shouts of laughter Caleb in the meantime stood his ground
with a grave angry and scornful dignity which greatly enhanced the ridicule
of the scene and the mirth of the spectators
At length when the voices and nearly the strength of the laughers were
exhausted he exclaimed with very little ceremony »The deils in the gentles
they breakfast sae lordly that the loss of the best dinner ever cook pat
fingers to makes them as merry as if it were the best jeest in a George
Buchanan If there was as little in your honours wames as there is in Caleb
Balderstons less caickling wad serve ye on sic a gravaminous subject«
Calebs blunt expression of resentment again awakened the mirth of the
company which by the way he regarded not only as an aggression upon the
dignity of the family but a special contempt of the eloquence with which he
himself had summed up the extent of their supposed losses »a description of a
dinner« as he said afterwards to Mysie »that wad hae made a fu man hungry
and them to sit there laughing at it«
»But« said Miss Ashton composing her countenance as well as she could
»are all these delicacies so totally destroyed that no scrap can be collected«
»Collected my leddy what wad ye collect out of the sute and the ass Ye
may gang down yoursell and look into our kitchen the cookmaid in the
trembling exies the gude vivers lying a about beef capons and white
broth florentine and flams bacon wi reverence and a the sweet
confections and whimwhams yell see them a my leddy that is« said he
correcting himself »yell no see ony of them now for the cook has soopit them
up as was weel her part but yell see the white broth where it was spilt I
pat my fingers in it and it tastes as like sourmilk as ony thing else if that
isna the effect of thunner I kenna what is This gentleman here couldna but
hear the clash of our haill dishes china and silver thegither«
The Lord Keepers domestic though a statesmans attendant and of course
trained to command his countenance upon all occasions was somewhat discomposed
by this appeal to which he only answered by a bow
»I think Mr Butler« said the Lord Keeper who began to be afraid lest the
prolongation of this scene should at length displease Ravenswood »I think
that were you to retire with my servant Lockhard he has travelled and is
quite accustomed to accidents and contingencies of every kind and I hope
betwixt you you may find out some mode of supply at this emergency«
»His honour kens« said Caleb who however hopeless of himself of
accomplishing what was desirable would like the highspirited elephant rather
have died in the effort than brooked the aid of a brother in commission »his
honour kens weel I need nae counsellor when the honour of the house is
concerned«
»I should be unjust if I denied it Caleb« said his master »but your art
lies chiefly in making apologies upon which we can no more dine than upon the
bill of fare of our thunderblasted dinner Now possibly Mr Lockhards talent
may consist in finding some substitute for that which certainly is not and has
in all probability never been«
»Your honour is pleased to be facetious« said Caleb »but I am sure that
for the warst for a walk as far as Wolfs Hope I could dine forty men no
that the folk there deserve your honours custom They hae been ill advised in
the matter of the dutyeggs and butter I winna deny that«
»Do go consult together« said the Master »go down to the village and do
the best you can We must not let our guests remain without refreshment to save
the honour of a ruined family And here Caleb take my purse I believe that
will prove your best ally«
»Purse purse indeed« quoth Caleb indignantly flinging out of the room
»what suld I do wi your honours purse on your ain grund I trust we are no to
pay for our ain«
The servants left the hall and the door was no sooner shut than the Lord
Keeper began to apologise for the rudeness of his mirth and Lucy to hope she
had given no pain or offence to the kindhearted faithful old man
»Caleb and I must both learn madam to undergo with good humour or at
least with patience the ridicule which everywhere attaches itself to poverty«
»You do yourself injustice Master of Ravenswood on my word of honour«
answered his elder guest »I believe I know more of your affairs than you do
yourself and I hope to show you that I am interested in them and that in
short that your prospects are better than you apprehend In the meantime I can
conceive nothing so respectable as the spirit which rises above misfortune and
prefers honourable privations to debt or dependence«
Whether from fear of offending the delicacy or awakening the pride of the
Master the Lord Keeper made these allusions with an appearance of fearful and
hesitating reserve and seemed to be afraid that he was intruding too far in
venturing to touch however lightly upon such a topic even when the Master had
led to it In short he appeared at once pushed on by his desire of appearing
friendly and held back by the fear of intrusion It was no wonder that the
Master of Ravenswood little acquainted as he then was with life should have
given this consummate courtier credit for more sincerity than was probably to be
found in a score of his cast He answered however with reserve that he was
indebted to all who might think well of him and apologising to his guests he
left the hall in order to make such arrangements for their entertainment as
circumstances admitted
Upon consulting with old Mysie the accommodations for the night were easily
completed as indeed they admitted of little choice The Master surrendered his
apartment for the use of Miss Ashton and Mysie once a person of consequence
dressed in a black satin gown which had belonged of yore to the Masters
grandmother and had figured in the courtballs of Henrietta Maria went to
attend her as ladys maid He next inquired after Bucklaw and understanding he
was at the changehouse with the huntsmen and some companions he desired Caleb
to call there and acquaint him how he was circumstanced at Wolfs Crag to
intimate to him that it would be most convenient if he could find a bed in the
hamlet as the elder guest must necessarily be quartered in the secret chamber
the only spare bedroom which could be made fit to receive him The Master saw no
hardship in passing the night by the hallfire wrapt in his campaign cloak and
to Scottish domestics of the day even of the highest rank nay to young men of
family or fashion on any pinch clean straw or a dry hayloft was always held
good nightquarters
For the rest Lockhard had his masters orders to bring some venison from
the inn and Caleb was to trust to his wits for the honour of his family The
Master indeed a second time held out his purse but as it was in sight of the
strange servant the butler thought himself obliged to decline what his fingers
itched to clutch »Couldna he hae slippit it gently into my hand« said Caleb
»but his honour will never learn how to bear himsell in siccan cases«
Mysie in the meantime according to a uniform custom in remote places in
Scotland offered the strangers the produce of her little dairy »while better
meat was getting ready« And according to another custom not yet wholly in
desuetude as the storm was now drifting off to leeward the Master carried the
Keeper to the top of his highest tower to admire a wide and waste extent of
view and to »weary for his dinner«
Chapter Eleventh
»Now dame« quoth he »Je vous dis sans doute
Had I nought of a capon but the liver
And of your white bread nought but a shiver
And after that a roasted pigges head
But I ne wold for me no beast were dead
Then had I with you homely sufferaunce«
Chaucer Sumners Tale
It was not without some secret misgivings that Caleb set out upon his
exploratory expedition In fact it was attended with a treble difficulty He
dared not tell his master the offence which he had that morning given to Bucklaw
just for the honour of the family he dared not acknowledge he had been too
hasty in refusing the purse and thirdly he was somewhat apprehensive of
unpleasant consequences upon his meeting Hayston under the impression of an
affront and probably by this time under the influence also of no small quantity
of brandy
Caleb to do him justice was as bold as any lion where the honour of the
family of Ravenswood was concerned but his was that considerate valour which
does not delight in unnecessary risks This however was a secondary
consideration the main point was to veil the indigence of the housekeeping at
the castle and to make good his vaunt of the cheer which his resources could
procure without Lockhards assistance and without supplies from his master
This was as prime a point of honour with him as with the generous elephant with
whom we have already compared him who being overtasked broke his skull
through the desperate exertions which he made to discharge his duty when he
perceived they were bringing up another to his assistance
The village which they now approached had frequently afforded the distressed
butler resources upon similar emergencies but his relations with it had been of
late much altered
It was a little hamlet which straggled along the side of a creek formed by
the discharge of a small brook into the sea and was hidden from the castle to
which it had been in former times an appendage by the intervention of the
shoulder of a hill forming a projecting headland It was called Wolfs Hope
ie Wolfs Haven and the few inhabitants gained a precarious subsistence by
manning two or three fishingboats in the herring season and smuggling gin and
brandy during the winter months They paid a kind of hereditary respect to the
Lords of Ravenswood but in the difficulties of the family most of the
inhabitants of Wolfs Hope had contrived to get feurights12 to their little
possessions their huts kailyards and rights of commonty so that they were
emancipated from the chains of feudal dependence and free from the various
exactions with which under every possible pretext or without any pretext at
all the Scottish landlords of the period themselves in great poverty were
wont to harass their still poorer tenants at will They might be on the whole
termed independent a circumstance peculiarly galling to Caleb who had been
wont to exercise over them the same sweeping authority in levying contributions
which was exercised in former times in England when »the royal purveyors
sallying forth from under the Gothic portcullis to purchase provisions with
power and prerogative instead of money brought home the plunder of an hundred
markets and all that could be seized from a flying and hiding country and
deposited their spoil in a hundred caverns«13
Caleb loved the memory and resented the downfal of that authority which
mimicked on a petty scale the grand contributions exacted by the feudal
sovereigns And as he fondly flattered himself that the awful rule and right
supremacy which assigned to the Barons of Ravenswood the first and most
effective interest in all productions of nature within five miles of their
castle only slumbered and was not departed for ever he used every now and
then to give the recollection of the inhabitants a little jog by some petty
exaction These were at first submitted to with more or less readiness by the
inhabitants of the hamlet for they had been so long used to consider the wants
of the Baron and his family as having a title to be preferred to their own that
their actual independence did not convey to them an immediate sense of freedom
They resembled a man that has been long fettered who even at liberty feels in
imagination the grasp of the handcuffs still binding his wrists But the
exercise of freedom is quickly followed with the natural consciousness of its
immunities as an enlarged prisoner by the free use of his limbs soon dispels
the cramped feeling they had acquired when bound
The inhabitants of Wolfs Hope began to grumble to resist and at length
positively to refuse compliance with the exactions of Caleb Balderston It was
in vain he reminded them that when the eleventh Lord Ravenswood called the
Skipper from his delight in naval matters had encouraged the trade of their
port by building the pier a bulwark of stones rudely piled together which
protected the fishingboats from the weather it had been matter of
understanding that he was to have the first stone of butter after the calving
of every cow within the barony and the first egg thence called the Mondays
egg laid by every hen on every Monday in the year
The feuars heard and scratched their heads coughed sneezed and being
pressed for answer rejoined with one voice »They could not say« the
universal refuge of a Scottish peasant when pressed to admit a claim which his
conscience owns or perhaps his feelings and his interest inclines him to deny
Caleb however furnished the notables of Wolfs Hope with a note of the
requisition of butter and eggs which he claimed as arrears of the aforesaid
subsidy or kindly aid payable as above mentioned and having intimated that he
would not be averse to compound the same for goods or money if it was
inconvenient to them to pay in kind left them as he hoped to debate the mode
of assessing themselves for that purpose On the contrary they met with a
determined purpose of resisting the exaction and were only undecided as to the
mode of grounding their opposition when the cooper a very important person on
a fishing station and one of the Conscript Fathers of the village observed
»That their hens had caickled mony a day for the Lords of Ravenswood and it was
time they suld caickle for those that gave them roosts and barley« A unanimous
grin intimated the assent of the assembly »And« continued the orator »if its
your wull Ill just tak a step as far as Dunse for Davie Dingwall the writer
thats come frae the North to settle amang us and hell pit this job to rights
Ise warrant him«
A day was accordingly fixed for holding a grand palaver at Wolfs Hope on
the subject of Calebs requisitions and he was invited to attend at the hamlet
for that purpose
He went with open hands and empty stomach trusting to fill the one on his
masters account and the other on his own score at the expense of the feuars
of Wolfs Hope But death to his hopes as he entered the eastern end of the
straggling village the awful form of Davie Dingwall a sly dry hardfisted
shrewd country attorney who had already acted against the family of Ravenswood
and was a principal agent of Sir William Ashton trotted in at the western
extremity bestriding a leathern portmanteau stuffed with the feucharters of
the hamlet and hoping he had not kept Mr Balderston waiting »as he was
instructed and fully empowered to pay or receive compound or compensate and
in fine to agé14 as accords respecting all mutual and unsettled claims
whatsoever belonging or competent to the Honourable Edgar Ravenswood commonly
called the Master of Ravenswood«
»The Right Honourable Edgar Lord Ravenswood« said Caleb with great
emphasis for though conscious he had little chance of advantage in the
conflict to ensue he was resolved not to sacrifice one jot of honour »Lord
Ravenswood then« said the man of business »we shall not quarrel with you
about titles of courtesy commonly called Lord Ravenswood or Master of
Ravenswood heritable proprietor of the lands and barony of Wolfs Crag on the
one part and to John Whitefish and others feuars in the town of Wolfs Hope
within the barony aforesaid on the other part«
Caleb was conscious from sad experience that he would wage a very
different strife with this mercenary champion than with the individual feuars
themselves upon whose old recollections predilections and habits of thinking
he might have wrought by a hundred indirect arguments to which their
deputyrepresentative was totally insensible The issue of the debate proved the
reality of his apprehensions It was in vain he strained his eloquence and
ingenuity and collected into one mass all arguments arising from antique custom
and hereditary respect from the good deeds done by the Lord of Ravenswood to
the community of Wolfs Hope in former days and from what might be expected
from them in future The writer stuck to the contents of his feucharters he
could not see it twas not in the bond And when Caleb determined to try what
a little spirit would do deprecated the consequences of Lord Ravenswoods
withdrawing his protection from the burgh and even hinted at his using active
measures of resentment the man of law sneered in his face
»His clients« he said »had determined to do the best they could for their
own town and he thought Lord Ravenswood since he was a lord might have enough
to do to look after his own castle As to any threats of stouthrief oppression
by rule of thumb or via facti as the law termed it he would have Mr
Balderston recollect that new times were not as old times that they lived on
the south of the Forth and far from the Highlands that his clients thought
they were able to protect themselves but should they find themselves mistaken
they would apply to the government for the protection of a corporal and four
redcoats who« said Mr Dingwall with a grin »would be perfectly able to
secure them against Lord Ravenswood and all that he or his followers could do
by the strong hand«
If Caleb could have concentrated all the lightnings of aristocracy in his
eye to have struck dead this contemner of allegiance and privilege he would
have launched them at his head without respect to the consequences As it was
he was compelled to turn his course backward to the castle and there he
remained for full halfaday invisible and inaccessible even to Mysie
sequestered in his own peculiar dungeon where he sat burnishing a single
pewterplate and whistling »Maggie Lauder« six hours without intermission
The issue of this unfortunate requisition had shut against Caleb all
resources which could be derived from Wolfs Hope and its purlieus the El
Dorado or Peru from which in all former cases of exigence he had been able
to extract some assistance He had indeed in a manner vowed that the deil
should have him if ever he put the print of his foot within its causeway again
He had hitherto kept his word and strange to tell this secession had as he
intended in some degree the effect of a punishment upon the refractory feuars
Mr Balderston had been a person in their eyes connected with a superior order
of beings whose presence used to grace their little festivities whose advice
they found useful on many occasions and whose communications gave a sort of
credit to their village The place they acknowledged »didna look as it used to
do and should do since Mr Caleb keepit the castle sae closely but
doubtless touching the eggs and butter it was a most unreasonable demand as
Mr Dingwall had justly made manifest«
Thus stood matters betwixt the parties when the old butler though it was
gall and wormwood to him found himself obliged either to acknowledge before a
strange man of quality and what was much worse before that strangers
servant the total inability of Wolfs Crag to produce a dinner or he must
trust to the compassion of the feuars of Wolfs Hope It was a dreadful
degradation but necessity was equally imperious and lawless With these
feelings he entered the street of the village
Willing to shake himself from his companion as soon as possible he directed
Mr Lockhard to Luckie Smatrashs changehouse where a din proceeding from
the revels of Bucklaw Craigengelt and their party sounded halfway down the
street while the red glare from the window overpowered the grey twilight which
was now settling down and glimmered against a parcel of old tubs kegs and
barrels piled up in the coopers yard on the other side of the way
»If you Mr Lockhard« said the old butler to his companion »will be
pleased to step to the changehouse where that light comes from and where as I
judge they are now singing Cauld Kail in Aberdeen ye may do your masters
errand about the venison and I will do mine about Bucklaws bed as I return
frae getting the rest of the vivers Its no that the venison is actually
needfu« he added detaining his colleague by the button »to make up the
dinner but as a compliment to the hunters ye ken and Mr Lockhard if
they offer ye a drink o yill or a cup o wine or a glass o brandy yell be
a wise man to take it in case the thunner should hae soured ours at the castle
whilk is ower muckle to be dreaded«
He then permitted Lockhard to depart and with foot heavy as lead and yet
far lighter than his heart stepped on through the unequal street of the
straggling village meditating on whom he ought to make his first attack It was
necessary he should find some one with whom old acknowledged greatness should
weigh more than recent independence and to whom his application might appear an
act of high dignity relenting at once and soothing But he could not recollect
an inhabitant of a mind so constructed »Our kail is like to be cauld eneugh
too« he reflected as the chorus of »Cauld Kail in Aberdeen« again reached his
ears The minister he had got his presentation from the late lord but they
had quarrelled about teinds the brewsters wife she had trusted long and
the bill was aye scored up and unless the dignity of the family should
actually require it it would be a sin to distress a widow woman None was so
able but on the other hand none was likely to be less willing to stand his
friend upon the present occasion than Gibbie Girder the man of tubs and
barrels already mentioned who had headed the insurrection in the matter of the
egg and butter subsidy »But a comes o taking folk on the right side I
trow« quoth Caleb to himself »and I had ance the ill hap to say he was but a
Johnny Newcome in our town and the carle bore the family an ill will ever
since But he married a bonny young quean Jean Lightbody auld Lightbodys
daughter him that was in the steading of LouptheDyke and auld Lightbody
was married himself to Marion that was about my lady in the family forty years
syne I hae had mony a days daffing wi Jeans mither and they say she bides
on wi them the carle has Jacobuses and Georgiuses baith an ane could get at
them and sure I am its doing him an honour him or his never deserved at our
hand the ungracious sumph and if he loses by us athegither he is een cheap
ot he can spare it brawly«
Shaking off irresolution therefore and turning at once upon his heel
Caleb walked hastily back to the coopers house lifted the latch without
ceremony and in a moment found himself behind the hallan or partition from
which position he could himself unseen reconnoitre the interior of the but or
kitchen apartment of the mansion
Reverse of the sad menage at the Castle of Wolfs Crag a bickering fire
roared up the coopers chimney His wife on the one side in her pearlings and
pudding sleeves put the last finishing touch to her holidays apparel while
she contemplated a very handsome and goodhumoured face in a broken mirror
raised upon the bink the shelves on which the plates are disposed for her
special accommodation Her mother old Luckie LouptheDyke »a canty carline«
as was within twenty miles of her according to the unanimous report of the
cummers or gossips sat by the fire in the full glory of a grogram gown lammer
beads and a clean cockernony whiffing a snug pipe of tobacco and
superintending the affairs of the kitchen For sight more interesting to the
anxious heart and craving entrails of the desponding seneschal than either
buxom dame or canty cummer there bubbled on the aforesaid bickering fire a
huge pot or rather cauldron steaming with beef and brewis while before it
revolved two spits turned each by one of the coopers apprentices seated in
the opposite corners of the chimney the one loaded with a quarter of mutton
while the other was graced with a fat goose and a brace of wild ducks The sight
and scent of such a land of plenty almost wholly overcame the drooping spirits
of Caleb He turned for a moments space to reconnoitre the ben or parlour
end of the house and there saw a sight scarce less affecting to his feelings
a large round table covered for ten or twelve persons decored according to
his own favourite term with napery as white as snow grand flagons of pewter
intermixed with one or two silver cups containing as was probable something
worthy the brilliancy of their outward appearance clean trenchers cutty
spoons knives and forks sharp burnished and prompt for action which lay all
displayed as for an especial festival
»The devils in the pedling tubcoopering carle« muttered Caleb in all the
envy of astonishment »its a shame to see the like o them gusting their gabs
at sic a rate But if some o that gude cheer does not find its way to Wolfs
Crag this night my name is not Caleb Balderston«
So resolving he entered the apartment and in all courteous greeting
saluted both the mother and the daughter Wolfs Crag was the court of the
barony Caleb prime minister at Wolfs Crag and it has ever been remarked that
though the masculine subject who pays the taxes sometimes growls at the
courtiers by whom they are imposed the said courtiers continue nevertheless
welcome to the fair sex to whom they furnish the newest small talk and the
earliest fashions Both the dames were therefore at once about Old Calebs
neck setting up their throats together by way of welcome
»Ay sirs Mr Balderston and is this you A sight of you is gude for
sair een sit down sit down the gudeman will be blithe to see you ye nar
saw him sae cadgy in your life but we are to christen our bit wean the night
as ye will hae heard and doubtless ye will stay and see the ordinance We hae
killed a wether and ane o our lads has been out wi his gun at the moss ye
used to like wildfowl«
»Na na gudewife« said Caleb »I just keekit in to wish ye joy and I
wad be glad to hae spoken wi the gudeman but« moving as if to go away
»The neer a fit yes gang« said the elder dame laughing and holding him
fast with a freedom which belonged to their old acquaintance »wha kens what
ill it may bring to the bairn if ye owerlook it in that gate«
»But Im in a preceese hurry gudewife« said the butler suffering himself
to be dragged to a seat without much resistance »and as to eating« for he
observed the mistress of the dwelling bustling about to place a trencher for him
»as for eating lackaday we are just killed up yonder wi eating frae
morning to night its shamefu epicurism but thats what we hae gotten frae
the English pockpuddings«
»Hout never mind the English pockpuddings« said Luckie Lightbody »try
our puddings Mr Balderston there is black pudding and whitehass try whilk
ye like best«
»Baith gude baith excellent canna be better but the very smell is
eneugh for me that hae dined sae lately the faithful wretch had fasted since
daybreak But I wadna affront your housewifeskep gudewife and with your
permission Ise een pit them in my napkin and eat them to my supper at een
for Im wearied of Mysies pastry and nonsense ye ken landward dainties aye
pleased me best Marion and landward lasses too looking at the coopers
wife Neer a bit but she looks far better than when she married Gilbert and
then she was the bonniest lass in our parochine and the neest tillt But
gawsie cow goodly calf«
The women smiled at the compliment each to herself and they smiled again to
each other as Caleb wrapt up the puddings in a towel which he had brought with
him as a dragoon carries his foraging bag to receive what may fall in his way
»And what news at the castle« quo the gudewife
»News the bravest news ye ever heard the Lord Keepers up yonder wi
his fair daughter just ready to fling her at my lords head if he winna tak
her out o his arms and Ise warrant hell stitch our auld lands of Ravenswood
to her petticoat tail«
»Eh sirs ay and will he hae her and is she weel favoured and
whats the colour o her hair and does she wear a habit or a railly« were
the questions which the females showered upon the butler
»Hout tout it wad tak a man a day to answer a your questions and I hae
hardly a minute Wheres the gudeman«
»Awa to fetch the minister« said Mrs Girder »precious Mr Peter
BidetheBent frae the Mosshead the honest man has the rheumatism wi lying
in the hills in the persecution«
»Ay a whig and a mountain mannae less« said Caleb with a peevishness
he could not suppress »I hae seen the day Luckie when worthy Mr Cuffcushion
and the servicebook would hae served your turn to the elder dame or ony
honest woman in like circumstances«
»And thats true too« said Mrs Lightbody »but what can a body do Jean
maun baith sing her psalms and busk her cockernony the gate the gudeman likes
and nae ither gate for hes maister and mair at hame I can tell ye Mr
Balderston«
»Ay ay and does he guide the gear too« said Caleb to whose projects
masculine rule boded little good
»Ilka penny ont but hell dress her as dink as a daisy as ye see sae
she has little reason to complain where theres ane better aff theres ten
waur«
»Aweel gudewife« said Caleb crestfallen but not beaten off »that wasna
the way ye guided your gudeman but ilka land has its ain lauch I maun be
ganging I just wanted to round in the gudemans lug that I heard them say up
by yonder that Peter Puncheon that was cooper to the Queens stores at the
Timmer Burse at Leith is dead sae I thought that maybe a word frae my lord to
the Lord Keeper might hae served Gilbert but since hes frae hame«
»O but ye maun stay his hamecoming« said the dame »I aye telld the
gudeman ye meant weel to him but he taks the tout at every bit lippening word«
»Aweel Ill stay the last minute I can«
»And so« said the handsome young spouse of Mr Girder »ye think this Miss
Ashton is weelfavoured troth and sae should she to set up for our young
lord with a face and a hand and a seat on his horse that might become a
kings son dye ken that he aye glowers up at my window Mr Balderston when
he chances to ride thro the town sae I hae a right to ken what like he is as
weel as ony body«
»I ken that brawly« said Caleb »for I hae heard his lordship say the
coopers wife had the blackest ee in the barony and I said Weel may that be
my lord for it was her mithers afore her as I ken to my cost Eh Marion
Ha ha ha Ah these were merry days«
»Hout awa auld carle« said the old dame »to speak sic daffin to young
folk But Jean fie woman dinna ye hear the bairn greet Ise warrant its
that dreary weid15 has come overt again«
Up got mother and grandmother and scoured away jostling each other as they
ran into some remote corner of the tenement where the young hero of the
evening was deposited When Caleb saw the coast fairly clear he took an
invigorating pinch of snuff to sharpen and confirm his resolution
Cauld be my cast thought he if either BidetheBent or Girder taste that
broche of wildfowl this evening and then addressing the eldest turnspit a boy
of about eleven years old and putting a penny into his hand he said »Here is
twal pennies16 my man carry that ower to Mrs Smatrash and bid her fill my
mull wi sneeshin and Ill turn the broche for ye in the meantime and she
will gie ye a gingerbread snap for your pains«
No sooner was the elder boy departed on this mission than Caleb looking
the remaining turnspit gravely and steadily in the face removed from the fire
the spit bearing the wildfowl of which he had undertaken the charge clapped
his hat on his head and fairly marched off with it He stopped at the door of
the changehouse only to say in a few brief words that Mr Hayston of Bucklaw
was not to expect a bed that evening in the castle
If this message was too briefly delivered by Caleb it became absolute
rudeness when conveyed through the medium of a suburb landlady and Bucklaw was
as a more calm and temperate man might have been highly incensed Captain
Craigengelt proposed with the unanimous applause of all present that they
should course the old fox meaning Caleb ere he got to cover and toss him in a
blanket But Lockhard intimated to his masters servants and those of Lord
Bittlebrains in a tone of authority that the slightest impertinence to the
Master of Ravenswoods domestic would give Sir William Ashton the highest
offence And having so said in a manner sufficient to prevent any aggression on
their part he left the publichouse taking along with him two servants loaded
with such provisions as he had been able to procure and overtook Caleb just
when he had cleared the village
Chapter Twelfth
Should I take aught of you tis true I begged now
And what is worse than that I stole a kindness
And what is worst of all I lost my way int
Wit without Money
The face of the little boy sole witness of Calebs infringement upon the laws
at once of property and hospitality would have made a good picture He sat
motionless as if he had witnessed some of the spectral appearances which he had
heard told of in a winters evening and as he forgot his own duty and allowed
his spit to stand still he added to the misfortunes of the evening by
suffering the mutton to burn as black as coal He was first recalled from his
trance of astonishment by a hearty cuff administered by Dame Lightbody who in
whatever other respects she might conform to her name was a woman strong of
person and expert in the use of her hands as some say her deceased husband had
known to his cost
»What garrd ye let the roast burn ye illcleckit gudefornought«
»I dinna ken« said the boy
»And wheres that illdeedy gett Giles«
»I dinna ken« blubbered the astonished declarant
»And wheres Mr Balderston and abune a and in the name of council and
kirksession that I suld say sae wheres the broche wi the wildfowl«
As Mrs Girder here entered and joined her mothers exclamations screaming
into one ear while the old lady deafened the other they succeeded in so utterly
confounding the unhappy urchin that he could not for some time tell his story
at all and it was only when the elder boy returned that the truth began to
dawn on their minds
»Weel sirs« said Mrs Lightbody »wha wad hae thought o Caleb Balderston
playing an auld acquaintance sic a pliskie«
»O weary on him« said the spouse of Mr Girder »and what am I to say to
the gudeman hell brain me if there wasna anither woman in a Wolfs Hope«
»Hout tout silly quean« said the mother »na na its come to muckle
but its no come to that neither for an he brain you he maun brain me and I
have garrd his betters stand back hands aff is fair play we maunna heed a
bit flyting«
The tramp of horses now announced the arrival of the cooper with the
minister They had no sooner dismounted than they made for the kitchen fire for
the evening was cool after the thunderstorm and the woods wet and dirty The
young gudewife strong in the charms of her Sunday gown and biggonets threw
herself in the way of receiving the first attack while her mother like the
veteran division of the Roman legion remained in the rear ready to support her
in case of necessity Both hoped to protract the discovery of what had happened
the mother by interposing her bustling person betwixt Mr Girder and the
fire and the daughter by the extreme cordiality with which she received the
minister and her husband and the anxious fears which she expressed lest they
should have »gotten cauld«
»Cauld« quoth the husband surlily for he was not of that class of lords
and masters whose wives are viceroys over them »well be cauld eneugh I
think if ye dinna let us in to the fire«
And so saying he burst his way through both lines of defence and as he
had a careful eye over his property of every kind he perceived at one glance
the absence of the spit with its savoury burden »What the deil woman«
»Fie for shame« exclaimed both the women »and before Mr BidetheBent«
»I stand reproved« said the cooper »but«
»The taking in our mouths the name of the great enemy of our souls« said
Mr BidetheBent
»I stand reproved« said the cooper
»Is an exposing oursells to his temptations« continued the reverend
monitor »and an inviting or in some sort a compelling of him to lay aside
his other trafficking with unhappy persons and wait upon those in whose speech
his name is frequent«
»Weel weel Mr BidetheBent can a man do mair than stand reproved« said
the cooper »but just let me ask the women what for they hae dished the
wildfowl before we came«
»They arena dished Gilbert« said his wife »but but an accident«
»What accident« said Girder with flashing eyes »Nae ill come ower them
I trust Uh«
His wife who stood much in awe of him durst not reply but her mother
bustled up to her support with arms disposed as if they were about to be
akimbo at the next reply »I gied them to an acquaintance of mine Gibbie
Girder and what about it now«
Her excess of assurance struck Girder mute for an instant »And ye gied the
wildfowl the best end of our christening dinner to a friend of yours ye auld
rudas And what might his name be I pray ye«
»Just worthy Mr Caleb Balderston frae Wolfs Crag« answered Marion prompt
and prepared for battle
Girders wrath foamed over all restraint If there was a circumstance which
could have added to the resentment he felt it was that this extravagant
donation had been made in favour of our friend Caleb towards whom for reasons
to which the reader is no stranger he nourished a decided resentment He raised
his ridingwand against the elder matron but she stood firm collected in
herself and undauntedly brandished the iron ladle with which she had just been
flambing Anglicè basting the roast of mutton Her weapon was certainly the
better and her arm not the weakest of the two so that Gilbert thought it
safest to turn short off upon his wife who had by this time hatched a sort of
hysterical whine which greatly moved the minister who was in fact as simple
and kindhearted a creature as ever breathed »And you ye thowless jaud to
sit still and see my substance disponed upon to an idle drunken reprobate
wormeaten serving man just because he kittles the lugs o a silly auld wife
wi useless clavers and every twa words a lee Ill gar you as gude«
Here the minister interposed both by voice and action while Dame Lightbody
threw herself in front of her daughter and flourished her ladle
»Am I no to chastise my ain wife« exclaimed the cooper very indignantly
»Ye may chastise your ain wife if ye like« answered Dame Lightbody »but ye
shall never lay finger on my daughter and that ye may found upon«
»For shame Mr Girder« said the clergyman »this is what I little expected
to have seen of you that you suld give rein to your sinful passions against
your nearest and your dearest and this night too when ye are called to the
most solemn duty of a Christian parent and a for what for a redundancy of
creaturecomforts as worthless as they are unneedful«
»Worthless« exclaimed the cooper »a better guse never walkit on stubble
twa finer dentier wildducks never wat a feather«
»Be it sae neighbour« rejoined the minister »but see what superfluities
are yet revolving before your fire I have seen the day when ten of the bannocks
which stand upon that board would have been an acceptable dainty to as many men
that were starving on hills and bogs and in caves of the earth for the
Gospels sake«
»And thats what vexes me maist of a« said the cooper anxious to get some
one to sympathise with his not altogether causeless anger »an the quean had
gien it to ony suffering sant or to ony body ava but that reiving lying
oppressing Tory villain that rade in the wicked troop of militia when it was
commanded out against the sants at Bothwell Brigg by the auld tyrant Allan
Ravenswood that is gane to his place I wad the less hae minded it But to gie
the principal part o the feast to the like o him«
»Aweel Gilbert« said the minister »and dinna ye see a high judgment in
this The seed of the righteous are not seen begging their bread think of
the son of a powerful oppressor being brought to the pass of supporting his
household from your fulness«
»And besides« said the wife »it wasna for Lord Ravenswood neither an he
wad hear but a body speak it was to help to entertain the Lord Keeper as they
ca him thats up yonder at Wolfs Crag«
»Sir William Ashton at Wolfs Crag« ejaculated the astonished man of hoops
and staves
»And hand and glove wi Lord Ravenswood« added Dame Lightbody
»Doited idiot that auld clavering sneckdrawer wad gar ye trow the moon is
made of green cheese The Lord Keeper and Ravenswood they are cat and dog hare
and hound«
»I tell ye they are man and wife and gree better than some others that are
sae« retorted the motherinlaw »forby Peter Puncheon thats cooper to the
Queens stores is dead and the place is to fill and«
»Od gude us wull ye haud your skirling tongues« said Girder for we are
to remark that this explanation was given like a catch for two voices the
younger dame much encouraged by the turn of the debate taking up and
repeating in a higher tone the words as fast as they were uttered by her
mother
»The gudewife says naething but whats true maister« said Girders
foreman who had come in during the fray »I saw the Lord Keepers servants
drinking and driving ower at Luckie Smatrashs ower by yonder«
»And is their maister up at Wolfs Crag« said Girder
»Ay troth is he« replied his man of confidence
»And friends wi Ravenswood«
»Its like sae« answered the foreman »since he is putting up17 wi him«
»And Peter Puncheons dead«
»Ay ay Puncheon has leaked out at last the auld carle« said the
foreman »mony a dribble o brandy has gaen through him in his day But as for
the broche and the wildfowl the saddles no aff your mare yet maister and I
could follow and bring it back for Mr Balderstons no far aff the town yet«
»Do sae Will and come here Ill tell ye what to do when ye owertake
him«
He relieved the females of his presence and gave Will his private
instructions
»A bonnylike thing« said the motherinlaw as the cooper reentered the
apartment »to send the innocent lad after an armed man when ye ken Mr
Balderston aye wears a rapier and whiles a dirk into the bargain«
»I trust« said the minister »ye have reflected weel on what ye have done
lest you should minister cause of strife of which it is my duty to say he who
affordeth matter albeit he himself striketh not is in no manner guiltless«
»Never fash your beard Mr BidetheBent« replied Girder »ane canna get
their breath out between wives and ministers I ken best how to turn my ain
cake Jean serve up the dinner and nae mair about it«
Nor did he again allude to the deficiency in the course of the evening
Meantime the foreman mounted on his masters steed and charged with his
special orders pricked swiftly forth in pursuit of the marauder Caleb That
personage it may be imagined did not linger by the way He intermitted even
his dearlybeloved chatter for the purpose of making more haste only assuring
Mr Lockhard that he had made the purveyors wife give the wildfowl a few turns
before the fire in case that Mysie who had been so much alarmed by the
thunder should not have her kitchengrate in full splendour Meanwhile
alleging the necessity of being at Wolfs Crag as soon as possible he pushed on
so fast that his companions could scarce keep up with him He began already to
think he was safe from pursuit having gained the summit of the swelling
eminence which divides Wolfs Crag from the village when he heard the distant
tread of a horse and a voice which shouted at intervals »Mr Caleb Mr
Balderston Mr Caleb Balderston hollo bide a wee«
Caleb it may be well believed was in no hurry to acknowledge the summons
First he would not hear it and faced his companions down that it was the echo
of the wind then he said it was not worth stopping for and at length halting
reluctantly as the figure of the horseman appeared through the shades of the
evening he bent up his whole soul to the task of defending his prey threw
himself into an attitude of dignity advanced the spit which in his grasp might
with its burden seem both spear and shield and firmly resolved to die rather
than surrender it
What was his astonishment when the coopers foreman riding up and
addressing him with respect told him »his master was very sorry he was absent
when he came to his dwelling and grieved that he could not tarry the
christening dinner and that he had taen the freedom to send a sma rundlet of
sack and ane anker of brandy as he understood there were guests at the castle
and that they were short of preparation«
I have heard somewhere a story of an elderly gentleman who was pursued by a
bear that had gotten loose from its muzzle until completely exhausted In a fit
of desperation he faced round upon Bruin and lifted his cane at the sight of
which the instinct of discipline prevailed and the animal instead of tearing
him to pieces rose up upon his hind legs and instantly began to shuffle a
saraband Not less than the joyful surprise of the senior who had supposed
himself in the extremity of peril from which he was thus unexpectedly relieved
was that of our excellent friend Caleb when he found the pursuer intended to
add to his prize instead of bereaving him of it He recovered his attitude
however instantly so soon as the foreman stooping from his nag where he sate
perched betwixt the two barrels whispered in his ear »If ony thing about
Peter Puncheons place could be airted their way John Girder wad mak it better
to the Master of Ravenswood than a pair of new gloves and that he wad be blithe
to speak wi Maister Balderston on that head and he wad find him as pliant as a
hoopwillow in a that he could wish of him«
Caleb heard all this without rendering any answer except that of all great
men from Louis XIV downwards namely »We will see about it« and then added
aloud for the edification of Mr Lockhard »Your master has acted with
becoming civility and attention in forwarding the liquors and I will not fail
to represent it properly to my Lord Ravenswood And my lad« he said »you may
ride on to the castle and if none of the servants are returned whilk is to be
dreaded as they make day and night of it when they are out of sight ye may put
them into the porters lodge whilk is on the right hand of the great entry
the porter has got leave to go to see his friends sae ye will meet no ane to
steer ye«
The foreman having received his orders rode on and having deposited the
casks in the deserted and ruinous porters lodge he returned unquestioned by
any one Having thus executed his masters commission and doffed his bonnet to
Caleb and his company as he repassed them in his way to the village he returned
to have his share of the christening festivity18
Chapter Thirteenth
As to the autumn breezes bugle sound
Various and vague the dry leaves dance their round
Or from the garnerdoor on ether borne
The chaff flies devious from the winnowd corn
So vague so devious at the breath of heaven
From their fixd aim are mortal counsels drivn
Anonymous
We left Caleb Balderston in the extremity of triumph at the success of his
various achievements for the honour of the house of Ravenswood When he had
mustered and marshalled his dishes of divers kinds a more royal provision had
not been seen in Wolfs Crag since the funeral feast of its deceased lord Great
was the glory of the servingman as he decored the old oaken table with a clean
cloth and arranged upon it carbonaded venison and roasted wildfowl with a
glance every now and then as if to upbraid the incredulity of his master and
his guests and with many a story more or less true was Lockhard that evening
regaled concerning the ancient grandeur of Wolfs Crag and the sway of its
Barons over the country in their neighbourhood
»A vassal scarce held a calf or a lamb his ain till he had first asked if
the Lord of Ravenswood was pleased to accept it and they were obliged to ask
the lords consent before they married in these days and mony a merry tale they
tell about that right as weel as others And although« said Caleb »these times
are not like the gude auld times when authority had its right yet true it is
Mr Lockhard and you yoursell may partly have remarked that we of the house of
Ravenswood do our endeavour in keeping up by all just and lawful exertion of
our baronial authority that due and fitting connection betwixt superior and
vassal whilk is in some danger of falling into desuetude owing to the general
license and misrule of these present unhappy times«
»Umph« said Mr Lockhard »and if I may inquire Mr Balderston pray do
you find your people at the village yonder amenable for I must needs say that
at Ravenswood Castle now pertaining to my master the Lord Keeper ye have not
left behind ye the most compliant set of tenantry«
»Ah but Mr Lockhard« replied Caleb »ye must consider there has been a
change of hands and the auld lord might expect twa turns frae them when the
new comer canna get ane A dour and fractious set they were thae tenants of
Ravenswood and ill to live wi when they dinna ken their master and if your
master put them mad ance the whole country will not put them down«
»Troth« said Mr Lockhard »an such be the case I think the wisest thing
for us a wad be to hammer up a match between your young lord and our winsome
young leddy up by there and Sir William might just stitch your auld barony to
her gownsleeve and he wad sune cuitle19 another out o somebody else sic a
lang head as he has«
Caleb shook his head »I wish« he said »I wish that may answer Mr
Lockhard There are auld prophecies about this house I wad like ill to see
fulfilled wi my auld een that has seen evil eneugh already«
»Pshaw never mind freits« said his brother butler »if the young folk
liked ane anither they wad make a winsome couple But to say truth there is a
leddy sits in our hallneuk maun have her hand in that as well as in every
other job But theres no harm in drinking to their healths and I will fill
Mrs Mysie a cup of Mr Girders Canary«
While they thus enjoyed themselves in the kitchen the company in the hall
were not less pleasantly engaged So soon as Ravenswood had determined upon
giving the Lord Keeper such hospitality as he had to offer he deemed it
incumbent on him to assume the open and courteous brow of a wellpleased host
It has been often remarked that when a man commences by acting a character he
frequently ends by adopting it in good earnest In the course of an hour or two
Ravenswood to his own surprise found himself in the situation of one who
frankly does his best to entertain welcome and honoured guests How much of this
change in his disposition was to be ascribed to the beauty and simplicity of
Miss Ashton to the readiness with which she accommodated herself to the
inconveniences of her situation how much to the smooth and plausible
conversation of the Lord Keeper remarkably gifted with those words which win
the ear must be left to the readers ingenuity to conjecture But Ravenswood
was insensible to neither
The Lord Keeper was a veteran statesman well acquainted with courts and
cabinets and intimate with all the various turns of public affairs during the
last eventful years of the seventeenth century He could talk from his own
knowledge of men and events in a way which failed not to win attention and
had the peculiar art while he never said a word which committed himself at the
same time to persuade the hearer that he was speaking without the least shadow
of scrupulous caution or reserve Ravenswood in spite of his prejudices and
real grounds of resentment felt himself at once amused and instructed in
listening to him while the statesman whose inward feelings had at first so
much impeded his efforts to make himself known had now regained all the ease
and fluency of a silvertongued lawyer of the very highest order
His daughter did not speak much but she smiled and what she did say argued
a submissive gentleness and a desire to give pleasure which to a proud man
like Ravenswood was more fascinating than the most brilliant wit Above all he
could not but observe that whether from gratitude or from some other motive
he himself in his deserted and unprovided hall was as much the object of
respectful attention to his guests as he would have been when surrounded by all
the appliances and means of hospitality proper to his high birth All
deficiencies passed unobserved or if they did not escape notice it was to
praise the substitutes which Caleb had contrived to supply the want of the usual
accommodations Where a smile was unavoidable it was a very goodhumoured one
and often coupled with some wellturned compliment to show how much the guests
esteemed the merits of their noble host how little they thought of the
inconveniences with which they were surrounded I am not sure whether the pride
of being found to outbalance in virtue of his own personal merit all the
disadvantages of fortune did not make as favourable an impression upon the
haughty heart of the Master of Ravenswood as the conversation of the father and
the beauty of Lucy Ashton
The hour of repose arrived The Keeper and his daughter retired to their
apartments which were »decored« more properly than could have been anticipated
In making the necessary arrangements Mysie had indeed enjoyed the assistance of
a gossip who had arrived from the village upon an exploratory expedition but
had been arrested by Caleb and impressed into the domestic drudgery of the
evening So that instead of returning home to describe the dress and person of
the grand young lady she found herself compelled to be active in the domestic
economy of Wolfs Crag
According to the custom of the time the Master of Ravenswood attended the
Lord Keeper to his apartment followed by Caleb who placed on the table with
all the ceremonials due to torches of wax two rudelyframed tallowcandles
such as in those days were only used by the peasantry hooped in paltry clasps
of wire which served for candlesticks He then disappeared and presently
entered with two earthen flagons the china he said had been little used since
my ladys time one filled with Canary wine the other with brandy20 The
Canary sack unheeding all probabilities of detection he declared had been
twenty years in the cellars of Wolfs Crag »though it was not for him to speak
before their honours the brandy it was weelkend liquor as mild as mead and
as strong as Samson it had been in the house ever since the memorable revel
in which auld Micklestob had been slain at the head of the stair by Jamie of
Jenklebrae on account of the honour of the worshipful Lady Muriend wha was in
some sort an ally of the family natheless«
»But to cut that matter short Mr Caleb« said the Keeper »perhaps you
will favour me with a ewer of water«
»God forbid your lordship should drink water in this family« replied Caleb
»to the disgrace of so honourable an house«
»Nevertheless if his lordship have a fancy« said the Master smiling »I
think you might indulge him for if I mistake not there has been water drank
here at no distant date and with good relish too«
»To be sure if his lordship has a fancy« said Caleb and reentering with
a jug of pure element »He will scarce find such water onywhere as is drawn
frae the well at Wolfs Crag nevertheless« »Nevertheless we must leave the
Lord Keeper to his repose in this poor chamber of ours« said the Master of
Ravenswood interrupting his talkative domestic who immediately turning to the
doorway with a profound reverence prepared to usher his master from the secret
chamber
But the Lord Keeper prevented his hosts departure »I have but one word
to say to the Master of Ravenswood Mr Caleb and I fancy he will excuse your
waiting«
With a second reverence lower than the former Caleb withdrew and his
master stood motionless expecting with considerable embarrassment what was to
close the events of a day fraught with unexpected incidents
»Master of Ravenswood« said Sir William Ashton with some embarrassment »I
hope you understand the Christian law too well to suffer the sun to set upon
your anger«
The Master blushed and replied »He had no occasion that evening to exercise
the duty enjoined upon him by his Christian faith«
»I should have thought otherwise« said his guest »considering the various
subjects of dispute and litigation which have unhappily occurred more frequently
than was desirable or necessary betwixt the late honourable lord your father
and myself«
»I could wish my lord« said Ravenswood agitated by suppressed emotion
»that reference to these circumstances should be made anywhere rather than under
my fathers roof«
»I should have felt the delicacy of this appeal at another time« said Sir
William Ashton »but now I must proceed with what I mean to say I have
suffered too much in my own mind from the false delicacy which prevented my
soliciting with earnestness what indeed I frequently requested a personal
communing with your father much distress of mind to him and to me might have
been prevented«
»It is true« said Ravenswood after a moments reflection »I have heard my
father say your lordship had proposed a personal interview«
»Proposed my dear Master I did indeed propose it but I ought to have
begged entreated beseeched it I ought to have torn away the veil which
interested persons had stretched betwixt us and shown myself as I was willing
to sacrifice a considerable part even of my legal rights in order to conciliate
feelings so natural as his must be allowed to have been Let me say for myself
my young friend for so I will call you that had your father and I spent the
same time together which my good fortune has allowed me today to pass in your
company it is possible the land might yet have enjoyed one of the most
respectable of its ancient nobility and I should have been spared the pain of
parting in enmity from a person whose general character I so much admired and
honoured«
He put his handkerchief to his eyes Ravenswood also was moved but awaited
in silence the progress of this extraordinary communication
»It is necessary« continued the Lord Keeper »and proper that you should
understand that there have been many points betwixt us in which although I
judged it proper that there should be an exact ascertainment of my legal rights
by the decree of a court of justice yet it was never my intention to press them
beyond the verge of equity«
»My lord« said the Master of Ravenswood »it is unnecessary to pursue this
topic farther What the law will give you or has given you you enjoy or you
shall enjoy neither my father nor I myself would have received anything on
the footing of favour«
»Favour no you misunderstand me« resumed the Keeper »or rather you
are no lawyer A right may be good in law and ascertained to be so which yet a
man of honour may not in every case care to avail himself of«
»I am sorry for it my lord« said the Master
»Nay nay« retorted his guest »you speak like a young counsellor your
spirit goes before your wit There are many things still open for decision
betwixt us Can you blame me an old man desirous of peace and in the castle of
a young nobleman who has saved my daughters life and my own that I am
desirous anxiously desirous that these should be settled on the most liberal
principles«
The old man kept fast hold of the Masters passive hand as he spoke and
made it impossible for him be his predetermination what it would to return any
other than an acquiescent reply and wishing his guest goodnight he postponed
farther conference until the next morning
Ravenswood hurried into the hall where he was to spend the night and for a
time traversed its pavement with a disordered and rapid pace His mortal foe was
under his roof yet his sentiments towards him were neither those of a feudal
enemy nor of a true Christian He felt as if he could neither forgive him in the
one character nor follow forth his vengeance in the other but that he was
making a base and dishonourable composition betwixt his resentment against the
father and his affection for his daughter He cursed himself as he hurried to
and fro in the pale moonlight and more ruddy gleams of the expiring wood fire
He threw open and shut the latticed windows with violence as if alike impatient
of the admission and exclusion of free air At length however the torrent of
passion foamed off its madness and he flung himself into the chair which he
proposed as his place of repose for the night
If in reality such were the calmer thoughts that followed the first
tempest of his passion if in reality this man desires no more than the law
allows him if he is willing to adjust even his acknowledged rights upon an
equitable footing what could be my fathers cause of complaint what is mine
Those from whom we won our ancient possessions fell under the sword of my
ancestors and left lands and livings to the conquerors we sink under the force
of the law now too powerful for the Scottish chivalry Let us parley with the
victors of the day as if we had been besieged in our fortress and without hope
of relief This man may be other than I have thought him and his daughter but
I have resolved not to think of her
He wrapt his cloak around him fell asleep and dreamed of Lucy Ashton till
daylight gleamed through the lattices
Chapter Fourteenth
»We worldly men when we see friends and kinsmen
Past hope sunk in their fortunes lend no hand
To lift them up but rather set our feet
Upon their heads to press them to the bottom
As I must yield with you I practised it
But now I see you in a way to rise
I can and will assist yo
New Way to Pay Old Debts
The Lord Keeper carried with him to a couch harder than he was accustomed to
stretch himself upon the same ambitious thoughts and political perplexities
which drive sleep from the softest down that ever spread a bed of state He had
sailed long enough amid the contending tides and currents of the time to be
sensible of their peril and of the necessity of trimming his vessel to the
prevailing wind if he would have her escape shipwreck in the storm The nature
of his talents and the timorousness of disposition connected with them had
made him assume the pliability of the versatile old Earl of Northampton who
explained the art by which he kept his ground during all the changes of state
from the reign of Henry VIII to that of Elizabeth by the frank avowal that he
was born of the willow not of the oak It had accordingly been Sir William
Ashtons policy on all occasions to watch the changes in the political
horizon and ere yet the conflict was decided to negotiate some interest for
himself with the party most likely to prove victorious His timeserving
disposition was well known and excited contempt of the more daring leaders of
both factions in the state But his talents were of a useful and practical kind
and his legal knowledge held in high estimation and they so far counterbalanced
other deficiencies that those in power were glad to use and to reward though
without absolutely trusting or greatly respecting him
The Marquis of A had used his utmost influence to effect a change in the
Scottish cabinet and his schemes had been of late so well laid and so ably
supported that there appeared a very great chance of his proving ultimately
successful He did not however feel so strong or so confident as to neglect
any means of drawing recruits to his standard The acquisition of the Lord
Keeper was deemed of some importance and a friend perfectly acquainted with
his circumstances and character became responsible for his political
conversion
When this gentleman arrived at Ravenswood Castle upon a visit the real
purpose of which was disguised under general courtesy he found the prevailing
fear which at present beset the Lord Keeper was that of danger to his own person
from the Master of Ravenswood The language which the blind sibyl old Alice had
used the sudden appearance of the Master armed and within his precincts
immediately after he had been warned against danger from him the cold and
haughty return received in exchange for the acknowledgments with which he loaded
him for his timely protection had all made a strong impression on his
imagination
So soon as the Marquiss political agent found how the wind sat he began to
insinuate fears and doubts of another kind scarce less calculated to affect the
Lord Keeper He inquired with seeming interest whether the proceedings in Sir
Williams complicated litigation with the Ravenswood family were out of court
and settled without the possibility of appeal The Lord Keeper answered in the
affirmative but his interrogator was too well informed to be imposed upon He
pointed out to him by unanswerable arguments that some of the most important
points which had been decided in his favour against the house of Ravenswood were
liable under the Treaty of Union to be reviewed by the British House of Peers
a court of equity of which the Lord Keeper felt an instinctive dread This
course came instead of an appeal to the old Scottish Parliament or as it was
technically termed »a protestation for remeid in law«
The Lord Keeper after he had for some time disputed the legality of such a
proceeding was compelled at length to comfort himself with the improbability of
the young Master of Ravenswoods finding friends in parliament capable of
stirring in so weighty an affair
»Do not comfort yourself with that false hope« said his wily friend »it is
possible that in the next session of parliament young Ravenswood may find more
friends and favour even than your lordship«
»That would be a sight worth seeing« said the Keeper scornfully
»And yet« said his friend »such things have been seen ere now and in our
own time There are many at the head of affairs even now that a few years ago
were under hiding for their lives and many a man now dines on plate of silver
that was fain to eat his crowdy without a bicker and many a high head has been
brought full low among us in as short a space Scott of Scotstarvets Staggering
State of Scots Statesmen of which curious memoir you showed me a manuscript
has been outstaggered in our time«
The Lord Keeper answered with a deep sigh »that these mutations were no new
sights in Scotland and had been witnessed long before the time of the satirical
author he had quoted It was many a long year« he said »since Fordun had
quoted as an ancient proverb Neque dives neque fortis sed nec sapiens Scotus
prædominante invidia diu durabit in terra«
»And be assured my esteemed friend« was the answer »that even your long
services to the state or deep legal knowledge will not save you or render
your estate stable if the Marquis of A comes in with a party in the British
Parliament You know that the deceased Lord Ravenswood was his near ally his
lady being fifth in descent from the Knight of Tillibardine and I am well
assured that he will take young Ravenswood by the hand and be his very good
lord and kinsman Why should he not The Master is an active and stirring
young fellow able to help himself with tongue and hands and it is such as he
that finds friends among their kindred and not those unarmed and unable
Mephibosheths that are sure to be a burden to every one that takes them up And
so if these Ravenswood cases be called over the coals in the House of Peers
you will find that the Marquis will have a crow to pluck with you«
»That would be an evil requital« said the Lord Keeper »for my long
services to the state and the ancient respect in which I have held his
lordships honourable family and person«
»Ay but« rejoined the agent of the Marquis »it is in vain to look back on
past service and auld respect my lord it will be present service and
immediate proofs of regard which in these sliddery times will be expected by
a man like the Marquis«
The Lord Keeper now saw the full drift of his friends argument but he was
too cautious to return any positive answer
»He knew not« he said »the service which the Lord Marquis could expect
from one of his limited abilities that had not always stood at his command
still saving and reserving his duty to his king and country«
Having thus said nothing while he seemed to say everything for the
exception was calculated to cover whatever he might afterwards think proper to
bring under it Sir William Ashton changed the conversation nor did he again
permit the same topic to be introduced His guest departed without having
brought the wily old statesman the length of committing himself or of pledging
himself to any future line of conduct but with the certainty that he had
alarmed his fears in a most sensible point and laid a foundation for future and
farther treaty
When he rendered an account of his negotiation to the Marquis they both
agreed that the Keeper ought not to be permitted to relapse into security and
that he should be plied with new subjects of alarm especially during the
absence of his lady They were well aware that her proud vindictive and
predominating spirit would be likely to supply him with the courage in which he
was deficient that she was immovably attached to the party now in power with
whom she maintained a close correspondence and alliance and that she hated
without fearing the Ravenswood family whose more ancient dignity threw
discredit on the newlyacquired grandeur of her husband to such a degree that
she would have perilled the interest of her own house to have the prospect of
altogether crushing that of her enemy
But Lady Ashton was now absent The business which had long detained her in
Edinburgh had afterwards induced her to travel to London not without the hope
that she might contribute her share to disconcert the intrigues of the Marquis
at court for she stood high in favour with the celebrated Sarah Duchess of
Marlborough to whom in point of character she bore considerable resemblance
It was necessary to press her husband hard before her return and as a
preparatory step the Marquis wrote to the Master of Ravenswood the letter which
we rehearsed in a former chapter It was cautiously worded so as to leave it in
the power of the writer hereafter to take as deep or as slight an interest in
the fortunes of his kinsman as the progress of his own schemes might require
But however unwilling as a statesman the Marquis might be to commit himself
or assume the character of a patron while he had nothing to give away it must
be said to his honour that he felt a strong inclination effectually to befriend
the Master of Ravenswood as well as to use his name as a means of alarming the
terrors of the Lord Keeper
As the messenger who carried this letter was to pass near the house of the
Lord Keeper he had it in direction that in the village adjoining to the
parkgate of the castle his horse should lose a shoe and that while it was
replaced by the smith of the place he should express the utmost regret for the
necessary loss of time and in the vehemence of his impatience give it to be
understood that he was bearing a message from the Marquis of A to the Master
of Ravenswood upon a matter of life and death
This news with exaggerations was speedily carried from various quarters to
the ears of the Lord Keeper and each reporter dwelt upon the extreme impatience
of the courier and the surprising short time in which he had executed his
journey The anxious statesman heard in silence but in private Lockhard
received orders to watch the courier on his return to waylay him in the
village to ply him with liquor if possible and to use all means fair or foul
to learn the contents of the letter of which he was the bearer But as this plot
had been foreseen the messenger returned by a different and distant road and
thus escaped the snare that was laid for him
After he had been in vain expected for some time Mr Dingwall had orders to
make especial inquiry among his clients of Wolfs Hope whether such a domestic
belonging to the Marquis of A had actually arrived at the neighbouring castle
This was easily ascertained for Caleb had been in the village one morning by
five oclock to »borrow twa chappins of ale and a kipper« for the messengers
refreshment and the poor fellow had been ill for twentyfour hours at Luckie
Smatrashs in consequence of dining upon »saut saumon and sour drink« So that
the existence of a correspondence betwixt the Marquis and his distressed
kinsman which Sir William Ashton had sometimes treated as a bugbear was proved
beyond the possibility of farther doubt
The alarm of the Lord Keeper became very serious Since the Claim of Right
the power of appealing from the decisions of the civil court to the Estates of
Parliament which had formerly been held incompetent had in many instances been
claimed and in some allowed and he had no small reason to apprehend the issue
if the English House of Lords should be disposed to act upon an appeal from the
Master of Ravenswood »for remeid in law« It would resolve into an equitable
claim and be decided perhaps upon the broad principles of justice which were
not quite so favourable to the Lord Keeper as those of strict law Besides
judging though most inaccurately from courts which he had himself known in the
unhappy times preceding the Scottish Union the Keeper might have too much right
to think that in the House to which his lawsuits were to be transferred the
old maxim might prevail in Scotland which was too well recognised in former
times »Show me the man and Ill show you the law« The high and unbiassed
character of English judicial proceedings was then little known in Scotland and
the extension of them to that country was one of the most valuable advantages
which it gained by the Union But this was a blessing which the Lord Keeper who
had lived under another system could not have the means of foreseeing In the
loss of his political consequence he anticipated the loss of his lawsuit
Meanwhile every report which reached him served to render the success of the
Marquiss intrigues the more probable and the Lord Keeper began to think it
indispensable that he should look round for some kind of protection against the
coming storm The timidity of his temper induced him to adopt measures of
compromise and conciliation The affair of the wild bull properly managed
might he thought be made to facilitate a personal communication and
reconciliation betwixt the Master and himself He would then learn if possible
what his own ideas were of the extent of his rights and the means of enforcing
them and perhaps matters might be brought to a compromise where one party was
wealthy and the other so very poor A reconciliation with Ravenswood was likely
to give him an opportunity to play his own game with the Marquis of A »And
besides« said he to himself »it will be an act of generosity to raise up the
heir of this distressed family and if he is to be warmly and effectually
befriended by the new government who knows but my virtue may prove its own
reward«
Thus thought Sir William Ashton covering with no unusual selfdelusion his
interested views with a hue of virtue and having attained this point his fancy
strayed still further He began to bethink himself »that if Ravenswood was to
have a distinguished place of power and trust and if such a union should
sopite the heavier part of his unadjusted claims there might be worse matches
for his daughter Lucy the Master might be reponed against the attainder Lord
Ravenswood was an ancient title and the alliance would in some measure
legitimate his own possession of the greater part of the Masters spoils and
make the surrender of the rest a subject of less bitter regret«
With these mingled and multifarious plans occupying his head the Lord
Keeper availed himself of my Lord Bittlebrains repeated invitation to his
residence and thus came within a very few miles of Wolfs Crag Here he found
the lord of the mansion absent but was courteously received by the lady who
expected her husbands immediate return She expressed her particular delight at
seeing Miss Ashton and appointed the hounds to be taken out for the Lord
Keepers special amusement He readily entered into the proposal as giving him
an opportunity to reconnoitre Wolfs Crag and perhaps to make some acquaintance
with the owner if he should be tempted from his desolate mansion by the chase
Lockhard had his orders to endeavour on his part to make some acquaintance with
the inmates of the castle and we have seen how he played his part
The accidental storm did more to farther the Lord Keepers plan of forming a
personal acquaintance with young Ravenswood than his most sanguine expectations
could have anticipated His fear of the young noblemans personal resentment had
greatly decreased since he considered him as formidable from his legal claims
and the means he might have of enforcing them But although he thought not
unreasonably that only desperate circumstances drove men on desperate measures
it was not without a secret terror which shook his heart within him that he
first felt himself enclosed within the desolate Tower of Wolfs Crag a place so
well fitted from solitude and strength to be a scene of violence and
vengeance The stern reception at first given to them by the Master of
Ravenswood and the difficulty he felt in explaining to that injured nobleman
what guests were under the shelter of his roof did not soothe these alarms so
that when Sir William Ashton heard the door of the courtyard shut behind him
with violence the words of Alice rung in his ears »that he had drawn on
matters too hardly with so fierce a race as those of Ravenswood and that they
would bide their time to be avenged«
The subsequent frankness of the Masters hospitality as their acquaintance
increased abated the apprehensions these recollections were calculated to
excite and it did not escape Sir William Ashton that it was to Lucys grace
and beauty he owed the change in their hosts behaviour
All these thoughts thronged upon him when he took possession of the secret
chamber The iron lamp the unfurnished apartment more resembling a prison than
a place of ordinary repose the hoarse and ceaseless sound of the waves rushing
against the base of the rock on which the castle was founded saddened and
perplexed his mind To his own successful machinations the ruin of the family
had been in a great measure owing but his disposition was crafty and not cruel
so that actually to witness the desolation and distress he had himself
occasioned was as painful to him as it would be to the humane mistress of a
family to superintend in person the execution of the lambs and poultry which are
killed by her own directions At the same time when he thought of the
alternative of restoring to Ravenswood a large proportion of his spoils or of
adopting as an ally and member of his own family the heir of this impoverished
house he felt as the spider may be supposed to do when his whole web the
intricacies of which had been planned with so much art is destroyed by the
chance sweep of a broom And then if he should commit himself too far in this
matter it gave rise to a perilous question which many a good husband when
under temptation to act as a free agent has asked himself without being able to
return a satisfactory answer »What will my wife what will Lady Ashton say«
On the whole he came at length to the resolution in which minds of a weaker
cast so often take refuge He resolved to watch events to take advantage of
circumstances as they occurred and regulate his conduct accordingly In this
spirit of temporising policy he at length composed his mind to rest
Chapter Fifteenth
A slight note I have about me for you for the delivery of which you
must excuse me It is an offer that friendship calls upon me to do
and no way offensive to you since I desire nothing but right upon
both sides
King and no King
When Ravenswood and his guest met in the morning the gloom of the Masters
spirit had in part returned He also had passed a night rather of reflection
than of slumber and the feelings which he could not but entertain towards Lucy
Ashton had to support a severe conflict against those which he had so long
nourished against her father To clasp in friendship the hand of the enemy of
his house to entertain him under his roof to exchange with him the courtesies
and the kindness of domestic familiarity was a degradation which his proud
spirit could not be bent to without a struggle
But the ice being once broken the Lord Keeper was resolved it should not
have time again to freeze It had been part of his plan to stun and confuse
Ravenswoods ideas by a complicated and technical statement of the matters
which had been in debate betwixt their families justly thinking that it would
be difficult for a youth of his age to follow the expositions of a practical
lawyer concerning actions of compt and reckoning and of multiplepoindings and
adjudications and wadsets proper and improper and poindings of the ground and
declarations of the expiry of the legal Thus thought Sir William I shall have
all the grace of appearing perfectly communicative while my party will derive
very little advantage from anything I may tell him He therefore took Ravenswood
aside into the deep recess of a window in the hall and resuming the discourse
of the preceding evening expressed a hope that his young friend would assume
some patience in order to hear him enter into a minute and explanatory detail
of those unfortunate circumstances in which his late honourable father had
stood at variance with the Lord Keeper The Master of Ravenswood coloured
highly but was silent and the Lord Keeper though not greatly approving the
sudden heightening of his auditors complexion commenced the history of a bond
for twenty thousand marks advanced by his father to the father of Allan Lord
Ravenswood and was proceeding to detail the executorial proceedings by which
this large sum had been rendered a debitum fundi when he was interrupted by the
Master
»It is not in this place« he said »that I can hear Sir William Ashtons
explanation of the matters in question between us It is not here where my
father died of a broken heart that I can with decency or temper investigate the
cause of his distress I might remember that I was a son and forget the duties
of a host A time however there must come when these things shall be
discussed in a place and in a presence where both of us will have equal
freedom to speak and to hear«
»Any time« the Lord Keeper said »any place was alike to those who sought
nothing but justice Yet it would seem he was in fairness entitled to some
premonition respecting the grounds upon which the Master proposed to impugn the
whole train of legal proceedings which had been so well and ripely advised in
the only courts competent«
»Sir William Ashton« answered the Master with warmth »the lands which you
now occupy were granted to my remote ancestor for services done with his sword
against the English invaders How they have glided from us by a train of
proceedings that seem to be neither sale nor mortgage nor adjudication for
debt but a nondescript and entangled mixture of all these rights how annual
rent has been accumulated upon principal and no nook or coign of legal
advantage left unoccupied until our interest in our hereditary property seems
to have melted away like an icicle in thaw all this you understand better than
I do I am willing however to suppose from the frankness of your conduct
towards me that I may in a great measure have mistaken your personal character
and that things may have appeared right and fitting to you a skilful and
practised lawyer which to my ignorant understanding seem very little short of
injustice and gross oppression«
»And you my dear Master« answered Sir William »you permit me to say
have been equally misrepresented to me I was taught to believe you a fierce
imperious hotheaded youth ready at the slightest provocation to throw your
sword into the scales of justice and to appeal to those rude and forcible
measures from which civil polity has long protected the people of Scotland
Then since we were mutually mistaken in each other why should not the young
nobleman be willing to listen to the old lawyer while at least he explains
the points of difference betwixt them«
»No my lord« answered Ravenswood »it is in the House of British Peers21
whose honour must be equal to their rank it is in the court of last resort
that we must parley together The belted lords of Britain her ancient peers
must decide if it is their will that a house not the least noble of their
members shall be stripped of their possessions the reward of the patriotism of
generations as the pawn of a wretched mechanic becomes forfeit to the usurer
the instant the hour of redemption has passed away If they yield to the
grasping severity of the creditor and to the gnawing usury that eats into our
lands as moths into a raiment it will be of more evil consequence to them and
their posterity than to Edgar Ravenswood I shall still have my sword and my
cloak and can follow the profession of arms wherever a trumpet shall sound«
As he pronounced these words in a firm yet melancholy tone he raised his
eyes and suddenly encountered those of Lucy Ashton who had stolen unawares on
their interview and observed her looks fastened on them with an expression of
enthusiastic interest and admiration which had wrapt her for a moment beyond
the fear of discovery The noble form and fine features of Ravenswood fired
with the pride of birth and sense of internal dignity the mellow and
expressive tones of his voice the desolate state of his fortunes and the
indifference with which he seemed to endure and to dare the worst that might
befall rendered him a dangerous object of contemplation for a maiden already
too much disposed to dwell upon recollections connected with him When their
eyes encountered each other both blushed deeply conscious of some strong
internal emotion and shunned again to meet each others looks
Sir William Ashton had of course closely watched the expression of their
countenances »I need fear« said he internally »neither Parliament nor
protestation I have an effectual mode of reconciling myself with this
hottempered young fellow in case he shall become formidable The present
object is at all events to avoid committing ourselves The hook is fixed we
will not strain the line too soon it is as well to reserve the privilege of
slipping it loose if we do not find the fish worth landing«
In this selfish and cruel calculation upon the supposed attachment of
Ravenswood to Lucy he was so far from considering the pain he might give to the
former by thus dallying with his affections that he even did not think upon
the risk of involving his own daughter in the perils of an unfortunate passion
as if her predilection which could not escape his attention were like the
flame of a taper which might be lighted or extinguished at pleasure But
Providence had prepared a dreadful requital for this keen observer of human
passions who had spent his life in securing advantages to himself by artfully
working upon the passions of others
Caleb Balderston now came to announce that breakfast was prepared for in
those days of substantial feeding the relics of the supper amply furnished
forth the morning meal Neither did he forget to present to the Lord Keeper
with great reverence a morningdraught in a large pewter cup garnished with
leaves of parsley and scurvygrass He craved pardon of course for having
omitted to serve it in the great silver standing cup as behoved being that it
was at present in a silversmiths in Edinburgh for the purpose of being
overlaid with gilt
»In Edinburgh like enough« said Ravenswood »but in what place or for what
purpose I am afraid neither you nor I know«
»Aweel« said Caleb peevishly »theres a man standing at the gate already
this morning thats ae thing that I ken Does your honour ken whether ye will
speak wi him or no«
»Does he wish to speak with me Caleb«
»Less will not serve him« said Caleb »but ye had best take a visie of him
through the wicket before opening the gate its no every ane we suld let into
this castle«
»What do you suppose him to be a messenger come to arrest me for debt«
said Ravenswood
»A messenger arrest your honour for debt and in your castle of Wolfs Crag
Your honour is jesting wi auld Caleb this morning« However he whispered in
his ear as he followed him out »I would be loath to do ony decent man a
prejudice in your honours gude opinion but I wad tak twa looks o that chield
before I let him within these walls«
He was not an officer of the law however being no less a person than
Captain Craigengelt with his nose as red as a comfortable cup of brandy could
make it his laced cockedhat set a little aside upon the top of his black
riding periwig a sword by his side and pistols at his holsters and his person
arrayed in a riding suit laid over with tarnished lace the very moral of one
who would say Stand to a true man
When the Master had recognised him he ordered the gates to be opened »I
suppose« he said »Captain Craigengelt there are no such weighty matters
betwixt you and me but may be discussed in this place I have company in the
castle at present and the terms upon which we last parted must excuse my asking
you to make part of them«
Craigengelt although possessing the very perfection of impudence was
somewhat abashed by this unfavourable reception »He had no intention« he said
»to force himself upon the Master of Ravenswoods hospitality he was in the
honourable service of bearing a message to him from a friend otherwise the
Master of Ravenswood should not have had reason to complain of this intrusion«
»Let it be short sir« said the Master »for that will be the best apology
Who is the gentleman who is so fortunate as to have your services as a
messenger«
»My friend Mr Hayston of Bucklaw« answered Craigengelt with conscious
importance and that confidence which the acknowledged courage of his principal
inspired »who conceives himself to have been treated by you with something much
short of the respect which he had reason to demand and therefore is resolved to
exact satisfaction I bring with me« said he taking a piece of paper out of
his pocket »the precise length of his sword and he requests you will meet him
accompanied by a friend and equally armed at any place within a mile of the
castle when I shall give attendance as umpire or second on his behoof«
»Satisfaction and equal arms« repeated Ravenswood who the reader will
recollect had no reason to suppose he had given the slightest offence to his
late inmate »upon my word Captain Craigengelt either you have invented the
most improbable falsehood that ever came into the mind of such a person or your
morningdraught has been somewhat of the strongest What could persuade Bucklaw
to send me such a message«
»For that sir« replied Craigengelt »I am desired to refer you to what in
duty to my friend I am to term your inhospitality in excluding him from your
house without reasons assigned«
»It is impossible« replied the Master »he cannot be such a fool as to
interpret actual necessity as an insult Nor do I believe that knowing my
opinion of you Captain he would have employed the services of so slight and
inconsiderable a person as yourself upon such an errand as I certainly could
expect no man of honour to act with you in the office of umpire«
»I slight and inconsiderable« said Craigengelt raising his voice and
laying his hand on his cutlass »if it were not that the quarrel of my friend
craves the precedence and is in dependence before my own I would give you to
understand«
»I can understand nothing upon your explanation Captain Craigengelt Be
satisfied of that and oblige me with your departure«
»Dn« muttered the bully »and is this the answer which I am to carry back
to an honourable message«
»Tell the Laird of Bucklaw« answered Ravenswood »if you are really sent by
him that when he sends me his cause of grievance by a person fitting to carry
such an errand betwixt him and me I will either explain it or maintain it«
»Then Master you will at least cause to be returned to Hayston by my
hands his property which is remaining in your possession«
»Whatever property Bucklaw may have left behind him sir« replied the
Master »shall be returned to him by my servant as you do not show me any
credentials from him which entitle you to receive it«
»Well Master« said Captain Craigengelt with malice which even his fear of
the consequences could not suppress »you have this morning done me an
egregious wrong and dishonour but far more to yourself A castle indeed« he
continued looking around him »why this is worse than a coupegorge house
where they receive travellers to plunder them of their property«
»You insolent rascal« said the Master raising his cane and making a grasp
at the Captains bridle »if you do not depart without uttering another
syllable I will batoon you to death«
At the motion of the Master towards him the bully turned so rapidly round
that with some difficulty he escaped throwing down his horse whose hoofs struck
fire from the rocky pavement in every direction Recovering him however with
the bridle he pushed for the gate and rode sharply back again in the direction
of the village
As Ravenswood turned round to leave the courtyard after this dialogue he
found that the Lord Keeper had descended from the hall and witnessed though at
the distance prescribed by politeness his interview with Craigengelt
»I have seen« said the Lord Keeper »that gentlemans face and at no great
distance of time his name is Craig Craig something is it not«
»Craigengelt is the fellows name« said the Master »at least that by which
he passes at present«
»Craiginguilt« said Caleb punning upon the word craig which in Scotch
signifies throat »if he is Craiginguilt just now he is as likely to by
Craiginperil as ony chield I ever saw the loon has woodie written on his
very visonomy and I wad wager twa and a plack that hemp plaits his cravat yet«
»You understand physiognomy good Mr Caleb« said the Keeper smiling »I
assure you the gentleman has been near such a consummation before now for I
most distinctly recollect that upon occasion of a journey which I made about a
fortnight ago to Edinburgh I saw Mr Craigengelt or whatever is his name
undergo a severe examination before the Privy Council«
»Upon what account« said the Master of Ravenswood with some interest
The question led immediately to a tale which the Lord Keeper had been very
anxious to introduce when he could find a graceful and fitting opportunity He
took hold of the Masters arm and led him back towards the hall »The answer to
your question« he said »though it is a ridiculous business is only fit for
your own ear«
As they entered the hall he again took the Master apart into one of the
recesses of the window where it will be easily believed that Miss Ashton did
not venture again to intrude upon their conference
Chapter Sixteenth
Here is a father now
Will truck his daughter for a foreign venture
Make her the stopgap to some cankerd feud
Or fling her oer like Jonah to the fishes
To appease the sea at highest
Anonymous
The Lord Keeper opened his discourse with an appearance of unconcern marking
however very carefully the effect of his communication upon young Ravenswood
»You are aware« he said »my young friend that suspicion is the natural
vice of our unsettled times and exposes the best and wisest of us to the
imposition of artful rascals If I had been disposed to listen to such the other
day or even if I had been the wily politician which you have been taught to
believe me you Master of Ravenswood instead of being at freedom and with
full liberty to solicit and act against me as you please in defence of what you
suppose to be your rights would have been in the Castle of Edinburgh or some
other state prison or if you had escaped that destiny it must have been by
flight to a foreign country and at the risk of a sentence of fugitation«
»My Lord Keeper« said the Master »I think you would not jest on such a
subject yet it seems impossible you can be in earnest«
»Innocence« said the Lord Keeper »is also confident and sometimes though
very excusably presumptuously so«
»I do not understand« said Ravenswood »how a consciousness of innocence
can be in any case accounted presumptuous«
»Imprudent at least it may be called« said Sir William Ashton »since it
is apt to lead us into the mistake of supposing that sufficiently evident to
others of which in fact we are only conscious ourselves I have known a
rogue for this very reason make a better defence than an innocent man could
have done in the same circumstances of suspicion Having no consciousness of
innocence to support him such a fellow applies himself to all the advantages
which the law will afford him and sometimes if his counsel be men of talent
succeeds in compelling his judges to receive him as innocent I remember the
celebrated case of Sir Coolie Condiddle of Condiddle who was tried for theft
under trust of which all the world knew him guilty and yet was not only
acquitted but lived to sit in judgment on honester folk«
»Allow me to beg you will return to the point« said the Master »you seemed
to say that I had suffered under some suspicion«
»Suspicion Master ay truly and I can show you the proofs of it if I
happen only to have them with me Here Lockhard« His attendant came
»Fetch me the little private mail with the padlocks that I recommended to your
particular charge dye hear«
»Yes my lord« Lockhard vanished and the Keeper continued as if half
speaking to himself
»I think the papers are with me I think so for as I was to be in this
country it was natural for me to bring them with me I have them however at
Ravenswood Castle that I am sure of so perhaps you might condescend«
Here Lockhard entered and put the leathern scrutoire or mailbox into his
hands The Keeper produced one or two papers respecting the information laid
before the Privy Council concerning the riot as it was termed at the funeral
of Allan Lord Ravenswood and the active share he had himself taken in quashing
the proceedings against the Master These documents had been selected with care
so as to irritate the natural curiosity of Ravenswood upon such a subject
without gratifying it yet to show that Sir William Ashton had acted upon that
trying occasion the part of an advocate and peacemaker betwixt him and the
jealous authorities of the day Having furnished his host with such subjects for
examination the Lord Keeper went to the breakfast table and entered into light
conversation addressed partly to old Caleb whose resentment against the
usurper of the Castle of Ravenswood began to be softened by his familiarity and
partly to his daughter
After perusing these papers the Master of Ravenswood remained for a minute
or two with his hand pressed against his brow in deep and profound meditation
He then again ran his eye hastily over the papers as if desirous of discovering
in them some deep purpose or some mark of fabrication which had escaped him at
first perusal Apparently the second reading confirmed the opinion which had
pressed upon him at the first for he started from the stone bench on which he
was sitting and going to the Lord Keeper took his hand and strongly
pressing it asked his pardon repeatedly for the injustice he had done him when
it appeared he was experiencing at his hands the benefit of protection to his
person and vindication to his character
The statesman received these acknowledgments at first with wellfeigned
surprise and then with an affectation of frank cordiality The tears began
already to start from Lucys blue eyes at viewing this unexpected and moving
scene To see the Master late so haughty and reserved and whom she had always
supposed the injured person supplicating her father for forgiveness was a
change at once surprising flattering and affecting
»Dry your eyes Lucy« said her father »why should you weep because your
father though a lawyer is discovered to be a fair and honourable man What
have you to thank me for my dear Master« he continued addressing Ravenswood
»that you would not have done in my case Suum cuique tribuito was the Roman
justice and I learned it when I studied Justinian Besides have ye not
overpaid me a thousand times in saving the life of this dear child«
»Yes« answered the Master in all the remorse of selfaccusation »but the
little service I did was an act of mere brutal instinct your defence of my
cause when you knew how ill I thought of you and how much I was disposed to be
your enemy was an act of generous manly and considerate wisdom«
»Pshaw« said the Lord Keeper »each of us acted in his own way you as a
gallant soldier I as an upright judge and privycouncillor We could not
perhaps have changed parts at least I should have made a very sorry Tauridor
and you my good Master though your cause is so excellent might have pleaded
it perhaps worse yourself than I who acted for you before the council«
»My generous friend« said Ravenswood and with that brief word which the
Keeper had often lavished upon him but which he himself now pronounced for the
first time he gave to his feudal enemy the full confidence of a haughty but
honourable heart The Master had been remarked among his contemporaries for
sense and acuteness as well as for his reserved pertinacious and irascible
character His prepossessions accordingly however obstinate were of a nature
to give way before love and gratitude and the real charms of the daughter
joined to the supposed services of the father cancelled in his memory the vows
of vengeance which he had taken so deeply on the eve of his fathers funeral
But they had been heard and registered in the book of fate
Caleb was present at this extraordinary scene and he could conceive no
other reason for a proceeding so extraordinary than an alliance betwixt the
houses and Ravenswood Castle assigned for the young ladys dowry As for Lucy
when Ravenswood uttered the most passionate excuses for his ungrateful
negligence she could but smile through her tears and as she abandoned her
hand to him assure him in broken accents of the delight with which she beheld
the complete reconciliation between her father and her deliverer Even the
statesman was moved and affected by the fiery unreserved and generous
selfabandonment with which the Master of Ravenswood renounced his feudal
enmity and threw himself without hesitation upon his forgiveness His eyes
glistened as he looked upon a couple who were obviously becoming attached and
who seemed made for each other He thought how high the proud and chivalrous
character of Ravenswood might rise under many circumstances in which he found
himself »overcrowed« to use a phrase of Spenser and kept under by his brief
pedigree and timidity of disposition Then his daughter his favourite child
his constant playmate seemed formed to live happy in a union with such a
commanding spirit as Ravenswood and even the fine delicate fragile form of
Lucy Ashton seemed to require the support of the Masters muscular strength and
masculine character And it was not merely during a few minutes that Sir William
Ashton looked upon their marriage as a probable and even desirable event for a
full hour intervened ere his imagination was crossed by recollection of the
Masters poverty and the sure displeasure of Lady Ashton It is certain that
the very unusual flow of kindly feeling with which the Lord Keeper had been thus
surprised was one of the circumstances which gave much tacit encouragement to
the attachment between the Master and his daughter and led both the lovers
distinctly to believe that it was a connection which would be most agreeable to
him He himself was supposed to have admitted this in effect when long after
the catastrophe of their love he used to warn his hearers against permitting
their feelings to obtain an ascendency over their judgment and affirm that the
greatest misfortune of his life was owing to a very temporary predominance of
sensibility over selfinterest It must be owned if such was the case he was
long and severely punished for an offence of very brief duration
After some pause the Lord Keeper resumed the conversation »In your
surprise at finding me an honester man than you expected you have lost your
curiosity about this Craigengelt my good Master and yet your name was brought
in in the course of that matter too«
»The scoundrel« said Ravenswood »my connection with him was of the most
temporary nature possible and yet I was very foolish to hold any communication
with him at all What did he say of me«
»Enough« said the Keeper »to excite the very loyal terrors of some of our
sages who are for proceeding against men on the mere grounds of suspicion or
mercenary information Some nonsense about your proposing to enter into the
service of France or of the Pretender I dont recollect which but which the
Marquis of A one of your best friends and another person whom some call one
of your worst and most interested enemies could not somehow be brought to
listen to«
»I am obliged to my honourable friend and yet« shaking the Lord Keepers
hand »and yet I am still more obliged to my honourable enemy«
»Inimicus amicissimus« said the Lord Keeper returning the pressure »but
this gentleman this Mr Hayston of Bucklaw I am afraid the poor young man
I heard the fellow mention his name is under very bad guidance«
»He is old enough to govern himself« answered the Master
»Old enough perhaps but scarce wise enough if he has chosen this fellow
for his fidus Achates Why he lodged an information against him that is such
a consequence might have ensued from his examination had we not looked rather
at the character of the witness than the tenor of his evidence«
»Mr Hayston of Bucklaw« said the Master »is I believe a most honourable
man and capable of nothing that is mean or disgraceful«
»Capable of much that is unreasonable though that you must needs allow
Master Death will soon put him in possession of a fair estate if he hath it
not already old Lady Girnington an excellent person excepting that her
inveterate illnature rendered her intolerable to the whole world is probably
dead by this time Six heirsportioners have successively died to make her
wealthy I know the estates well they march22 with my own a noble property«
»I am glad of it« said Ravenswood »and should be more so were I confident
that Bucklaw would change his company and habits with his fortunes This
appearance of Craigengelt acting in the capacity of his friend is a most vile
augury for his future respectability«
»He is a bird of evil omen to be sure« said the Keeper »and croaks of
jails and gallowstree But I see Mr Caleb grows impatient for our return to
breakfast«
Chapter Seventeenth
Sir stay at home and take an old mans counsel
Seek not to bask you by a strangers hearth
Our own blue smoke is warmer than their fire
Domestic food is wholesome though tis homely
And foreign dainties poisonous though tasteful
The French Courtezan
The Master of Ravenswood took an opportunity to leave his guests to prepare for
their departure while he himself made the brief arrangements necessary previous
to his absence from Wolfs Crag for a day or two It was necessary to
communicate with Caleb on this occasion and he found that faithful servitor in
his sooty and ruinous den greatly delighted with the departure of their
visitors and computing how long with good management the provisions which had
been unexpended might furnish forth the Masters table »Hes nae belly god
thats ae blessing and Bucklaws gane that could have eaten a horse behind the
saddle Cresses or waterpurpie and a bit aitcake can serve the Master for
breakfast as weel as Caleb Then for dinner theres no muckle left on the
spulebane it will brander though it will brander23 very well«
His triumphant calculations were interrupted by the Master who communicated
to him not without some hesitation his purpose to ride with the Lord Keeper as
far as Ravenswood Castle and to remain there for a day or two
»The mercy of Heaven forbid« said the old servingman turning as pale as
the tablecloth which he was folding up
»And why Caleb« said his master »why should the mercy of Heaven forbid my
returning the Lord Keepers visit«
»Oh sir« replied Caleb »O Mr Edgar I am your servant and it ill
becomes me to speak but I am an auld servant have served baith your father
and gudesire and mind to have seen Lord Randal your greatgrandfather but
that was when I was a bairn«
»And what of all this Balderston« said the Master »what can it possibly
have to do with my paying some ordinary civility to a neighbour« »O Mr Edgar
that is my lord« answered the butler »your ain conscience tells you it isna
for your fathers son to be neighbouring wi the like o him it isna for the
credit of the family An he were ance come to terms and to gie ye back your
ain een though ye suld honour his house wi your alliance I suldna say na
for the young leddy is a winsome sweet creature But keep your ain state wi
them I ken the race o them weel they will think the mair o ye«
»Why now you go farther than I do Caleb« said the Master drowning a
certain degree of consciousness in a forced laugh »you are for marrying me into
a family that you will not allow me to visit hows this and you look as pale
as death besides«
»O sir« repeated Caleb again »you would but laugh if I tauld it but
Thomas the Rhymer whose tongue couldna be fause spoke the word of your house
that will een prove ower true if you go to Ravenswood this day O that it
should eer have been fulfilled in my time«
»And what is it Caleb« said Ravenswood wishing to soothe the fears of his
old servant
Caleb replied »he had never repeated the lines to living mortal they were
told to him by an auld priest that had been confessor to Lord Allans father
when the family were Catholic But mony a time« he said »I hae soughed thae
dark words ower to mysell and welladay little did I think of their coming
round this day«
»Truce with your nonsense and let me hear the doggerel which has put it
into your head« said the Master impatiently
With a quivering voice and a cheek pale with apprehension Caleb faltered
out the following lines
»When the last Laird of Ravenswood to Ravenswood shall ride
And woo a dead maiden to be his bride
He shall stable his steed in the Kelpies flow
And his name shall be lost for evermoe«
»I know the Kelpies flow well enough« said the Master »I suppose at least
you mean the quicksand betwixt this tower and Wolfs Hope but why any man in
his senses should stable a steed there«
»O never speer ony thing about that sir God forbid we should ken what
the prophecy means but just bide you at hame and let the strangers ride to
Ravenswood by themselves We have done eneugh for them and to do mair would be
mair against the credit of the family than in its favour«
»Well Caleb« said the Master »I give you the best possible credit for
your good advice on this occasion but as I do not go to Ravenswood to seek a
bride dead or alive I hope I shall choose a better stable for my horse than
the Kelpies quicksand and especially as I have always had a particular dread
of it since the patrol of dragoons were lost there ten years since My father
and I saw them from the tower struggling against the advancing tide and they
were lost long before any help could reach them«
»And they deserved it weel the southern loons« said Caleb »what had they
ado capering on our sands and hindering a wheen honest folk frae bringing on
shore a drap brandy I hae seen them that busy that I wad hae fired the auld
culverin or the demisaker thats on the south bartisan at them only I was
feared they might burst in the ganging aff«
Calebs brain was now fully engaged with abuse of the English soldiery and
excisemen so that his master found no great difficulty in escaping from him and
rejoining his guests All was now ready for their departure and one of the Lord
Keepers grooms having saddled the Masters steed they mounted in the
courtyard
Caleb had with much toil opened the double doors of the outward gate and
thereat stationed himself endeavouring by the reverential and at the same
time consequential air which he assumed to supply by his own gaunt wasted
and thin person the absence of a whole baronial establishment of porters
warders and liveried menials
The Keeper returned his deep reverence with a cordial farewell stooping at
the same time from his horse and sliding into the butlers hand the
remuneration which in those days was always given by a departing guest to the
domestics of the family where he had been entertained Lucy smiled on the old
man with her usual sweetness bade him adieu and deposited her guerdon with a
grace of action and a gentleness of accent which could not have failed to have
won the faithful retainers heart but for Thomas the Rhymer and the successful
lawsuit against his master As it was he might have adopted the language of the
Duke in As you Like it
»Thou wouldst have better pleased me with this deed
If thou hadst told me of another father«
Ravenswood was at the ladys bridlerein encouraging her timidity and guiding
her horse carefully down the rocky path which led to the moor when one of the
servants announced from the rear that Caleb was calling loudly after them
desiring to speak with his master Ravenswood felt it would look singular to
neglect this summons although inwardly cursing Caleb for his impertinent
officiousness therefore he was compelled to relinquish to Mr Lockhard the
agreeable duty in which he was engaged and to ride back to the gate of the
courtyard Here he was beginning somewhat peevishly to ask Caleb the cause of
his clamour when the good old man exclaimed »Whisht sir whisht and let me
speak just ae word that I couldna say afore folk there« putting into his
lords hand the money he had just received »theres three gowd pieces and
yell want siller upby yonder But stay whisht now« for the Master was
beginning to exclaim against this transference »never say a word but just see
to get them changed in the first town ye ride through for they are bran new
frae the mint and kenspeckle a wee bit«
»You forget Caleb« said his master striving to force back the money on
his servant and extricate the bridle from his hold »You forget that I have
some gold pieces left of my own Keep these to yourself my old friend and once
more good day to you I assure you I have plenty You know you have managed
that our living should cost us little or nothing«
»Aweel« said Caleb »these will serve for you another time but see ye hae
eneugh for doubtless for the credit of the family there maun be some
civility to the servants and ye maun hae something to mak a show with when they
say Master will you bet a broad piece Then ye maun tak out your purse and
say I carena if I do and tak care no to agree on the articles of the wager
and just put up your purse again and«
»This is intolerable Caleb I really must be gone«
»And you will go then« said Caleb loosening his hold upon the Masters
cloak and changing his didactics into a pathetic and mournful tone »And you
will go for a I have told you about the prophecy and the dead bride and the
Kelpies quicksand Aweel a wilful man maun hae his way he that will to
Cupar maun to Cupar But pity of your life sir if ye be fowling or shooting in
the park beware of drinking at the Mermaidens Well Hes gane hes down the
path arrowflight after her The head is as clean taen aff the Ravenswood
family this day as I wad chap the head aff a sybo«
The old butler looked long after his master often clearing away the dew as
it rose to his eyes that he might as long as possible distinguish his stately
form from those of the other horsemen »Close to her bridlerein ay close to
her bridlerein Wisely saith the holy man By this also you may know that
woman hath dominion over all men and without this lass would not our ruin
have been athegither fulfilled«
With a heart fraught with such sad auguries did Caleb return to his
necessary duties at Wolfs Crag as soon as he could no longer distinguish the
object of his anxiety among the group of riders which diminished in the
distance
In the meantime the party pursued their route joyfully Having once taken
his resolution the Master of Ravenswood was not of a character to hesitate or
pause upon it He abandoned himself to the pleasure he felt in Miss Ashtons
company and displayed an assiduous gallantry which approached as nearly to
gaiety as the temper of his mind and state of his family permitted The Lord
Keeper was much struck with his depth of observation and the unusual
improvement which he had derived from his studies Of these accomplishments Sir
William Ashtons profession and habits of society rendered him an excellent
judge and he well knew how to appreciate a quality to which he himself was a
total stranger the brief and decided dauntlessness of the Master of
Ravenswoods disposition who seemed equally a stranger to doubt and to fear In
his heart the Lord Keeper rejoiced at having conciliated an adversary so
formidable while with a mixture of pleasure and anxiety he anticipated the
great things his young companion might achieve were the breath of court favour
to fill his sails
»What could she desire« he thought his mind always conjuring up opposition
in the person of Lady Ashton to his now prevailing wish »What could a woman
desire in a match more than the sopiting of a very dangerous claim and the
alliance of a soninlaw noble brave wellgifted and highly connected sure
to float whenever the tide sets his way strong exactly where we are weak in
pedigree and in the temper of a swordman Sure no reasonable woman would
hesitate But alas« Here his argument was stopped by the consciousness
that Lady Ashton was not always reasonable in his sense of the word »To prefer
some clownish Merse laird to the gallant young nobleman and to the secure
possession of Ravenswood upon terms of easy compromise it would be the act of
a madwoman«
Thus pondered the veteran politician until they reached Bittlebrains
House where it had been previously settled they were to dine and repose
themselves and prosecute their journey in the afternoon
They were received with an excess of hospitality and the most marked
attention was offered to the Master of Ravenswood in particular by their noble
entertainers The truth was that Lord Bittlebrains had obtained his peerage by
a good deal of plausibility an art of building up a character for wisdom upon a
very trite style of commonplace eloquence a steady observation of the changes
of the times and the power of rendering certain political services to those who
could best reward them His lady and he not feeling quite easy under their new
honours to which use had not adapted their feelings were very desirous to
procure the fraternal countenance of those who were born denizens of the regions
into which they had been exalted from a lower sphere The extreme attention
which they paid to the Master of Ravenswood had its usual effect in exalting
his importance in the eyes of the Lord Keeper who although he had a reasonable
degree of contempt for Lord Bittlebrains general parts entertained a high
opinion of the acuteness of his judgment in all matters of selfinterest
»I wish Lady Ashton had seen this« was his internal reflection »no man
knows so well as Bittlebrains on which side his bread is buttered and he fawns
on the Master like a beggars messan on a cook And my lady too bringing
forward her beetlebrowed misses to skirl and play upon the virginals as if she
said pick and choose They are no more comparable to Lucy than an owl is to a
cygnet and so they may carry their black brows to a farther market«
The entertainment being ended our travellers who had still to measure the
longest part of their journey resumed their horses and after the Lord Keeper
the Master and the domestics had drunk dochandorroch or the stirrupcup in
the liquors adapted to their various ranks the cavalcade resumed its progress
It was dark by the time they entered the avenue of Ravenswood Castle a long
straight line leading directly to the front of the house flanked with huge
elmtrees which sighed to the night wind as if they compassionated the heir of
their ancient proprietors who now returned to their shades in the society and
almost in the retinue of their new master Some feelings of the same kind
oppressed the mind of the Master himself He gradually became silent and
dropped a little behind the lady at whose bridlerein he had hitherto waited
with such devotion He well recollected the period when at the same hour in
the evening he had accompanied his father as that nobleman left never again
to return to it the mansion from which he derived his name and title The
extensive front of the old castle on which he remembered having often looked
back was then »as black as morning weed« The same front now glanced with many
lights some throwing far forward into the night a fixed and stationary blaze
and others hurrying from one window to another intimating the bustle and busy
preparations preceding their arrival which had been intimated by an
avantcourier The contrast pressed so strongly upon the Masters heart as to
awaken some of the sterner feelings with which he had been accustomed to regard
the new lord of his paternal domain and to impress his countenance with an air
of severe gravity when alighted from his horse he stood in the hall no
longer his own surrounded by the numerous menials of its present owner
The Lord Keeper when about to welcome him with the cordiality which their
late intercourse seemed to render proper became aware of the change refrained
from his purpose and only intimated the ceremony of reception by a deep
reverence to his guest seeming thus delicately to share the feelings which
predominated on his brow
Two upper domestics bearing each a huge pair of silver candlesticks now
marshalled the company into a large saloon or withdrawing room where new
alterations impressed upon Ravenswood the superior wealth of the present
inhabitants of the castle The mouldering tapestry which in his fathers time
had halfcovered the walls of this stately apartment and half streamed from
them in tatters had given place to a complete finishing of wainscot the
cornice of which as well as the frames of the various compartments were
ornamented with festoons of flowers and with birds which though carved in oak
seemed such was the art of the chisel actually to swell their throats and
flutter their wings Several old family portraits of armed heroes of the House
of Ravenswood together with a suit or two of old armour and some military
weapons had given place to those of King William and Queen Mary of Sir Thomas
Hope and Lord Stair two distinguished Scottish lawyers The pictures of the
Lord Keepers father and mother were also to be seen the latter sour
shrewish and solemn in her black hood and close pinners with a book of
devotion in her hand the former exhibiting beneath a black silk Geneva cowl
or skullcap which sat as close to the head as if it had been shaven a
pinched peevish puritanical set of features terminating in a hungry reddish
peaked beard forming on the whole a countenance in the expression of which the
hypocrite seemed to contend with the miser and the knave And it is to make room
for such scarecrows as these thought Ravenswood that my ancestors have been
torn down from the walls which they erected He looked at them again and as he
looked the recollection of Lucy Ashton for she had not entered the apartment
with them seemed less lively in his imagination There were also two or three
Dutch drolleries as the pictures of Ostade and Teniers were then termed with
one good painting of the Italian school There was besides a noble fulllength
of the Lord Keeper in his robes of office placed beside his lady in silk and
ermine a haughty beauty bearing in her looks all the pride of the House of
Douglas from which she was descended The painter notwithstanding his skill
overcome by the reality or perhaps from a suppressed sense of humour had not
been able to give the husband on the canvas that air of awful rule and right
supremacy which indicates the full possession of domestic authority It was
obvious at the first glance that despite mace and gold frogs the Lord Keeper
was somewhat henpecked The floor of this fine saloon was laid with rich
carpets huge fires blazed in the double chimneys and ten silver sconces
reflecting with their bright plates the lights which they supported made the
whole seem as brilliant as day
»Would you choose any refreshment Master« said Sir William Ashton not
unwilling to break the awkward silence
He received no answer the Master being so busily engaged in marking the
various changes which had taken place in the apartment that he hardly heard the
Lord Keeper address him A repetition of the offer of refreshment with the
addition that the family meal would be presently ready compelled his
attention and reminded him that he acted a weak perhaps even a ridiculous
part in suffering himself to be overcome by the circumstances in which he found
himself He compelled himself therefore to enter into conversation with Sir
William Ashton with as much appearance of indifference as he could well
command
»You will not be surprised Sir William that I am interested in the changes
you have made for the better in this apartment In my fathers time after our
misfortunes compelled him to live in retirement it was little used except by
me as a playroom when the weather would not permit me to go abroad In that
recess was my little workshop where I treasured the few carpenters tools which
old Caleb procured for me and taught me how to use there in yonder corner
under that handsome silver sconce I kept my fishingrods and hunting poles
bows and arrows«
»I have a young birkie« said the Lord Keeper willing to change the tone of
the conversation »of much the same turn He is never happy save when he is in
the field I wonder he is not here Here Lockhard send William Shaw for
Mr Henry I suppose he is as usual tied to Lucys apronstring that
foolish girl Master draws the whole family after her at her pleasure«
Even this allusion to his daughter though artfully thrown out did not
recall Ravenswood from his own topic
»We were obliged to leave« he said »some armour and portraits in this
apartment may I ask where they have been removed to«
»Why« answered the Keeper with some hesitation »the room was fitted up in
our absence and cedant arma togæ is the maxim of lawyers you know I am
afraid it has been here somewhat too literally complied with I hope I believe
they are safe I am sure I gave orders may I hope that when they are
recovered and put in proper order you will do me the honour to accept them at
my hand as an atonement for their accidental derangement«
The Master of Ravenswood bowed stiffly and with folded arms again resumed
his survey of the room
Henry a spoilt boy of fifteen burst into the room and ran up to his
father »Think of Lucy papa she has come home so cross and so fractious that
she will not go down to the stable to see my new pony that Bob Wilson brought
from the Mull of Galloway«
»I think you were very unreasonable to ask her« said the Keeper
»Then you are as cross as she is« answered the boy »but when mamma comes
home shell claw up both your mittens«
»Hush your impertinence you little forward imp« said his father »where is
your tutor«
»Gone to a wedding in Dunbar I hope hell get a haggis to his dinner« and
he began to sing the old Scottish song
»There was a haggis in Dunbar
Fal de ral etc
Mony better and few waur
Fal de ral etc«
»I am much obliged to Mr Cordery for his attentions« said the Lord Keeper
»and pray who has had the charge of you while I was away Mr Henry«
»Norman and Bob Wilson forby my own self«
»A groom and a gamekeeper and your own silly self proper guardians for a
young advocate Why you will never know any statutes but those against
shooting reddeer killing salmon and«
»And speaking of redgame« said the young scapegrace interrupting his
father without scruple or hesitation »Norman has shot a buck and I showed the
branches to Lucy and she says they have but eight tynes and she says that you
killed a deer with Lord Bittlebrains hounds when you were west away and do
you know she says it had ten tynes is it true«
»It may have had twenty Henry for what I know but if you go to that
gentleman he can tell you all about it Go speak to him Henry it is the
Master of Ravenswood«
While they conversed thus the father and son were standing by the fire and
the Master having walked towards the upper end of the apartment stood with his
back towards them apparently engaged in examining one of the paintings The boy
ran up to him and pulled him by the skirt of the coat with the freedom of a
spoilt child saying »I say sir if you please to tell me« but when the
Master turned round and Henry saw his face he became suddenly and totally
disconcerted walked two or three steps backward and still gazed on Ravenswood
with an air of fear and wonder which had totally banished from his features
their usual expression of pert vivacity
»Come to me young gentleman« said the Master »and I will tell you all I
know about the hunt«
»Go to the gentleman Henry« said his father »you are not used to be so
shy«
But neither invitation nor exhortation had any effect on the boy On the
contrary he turned round as soon as he had completed his survey of the Master
and walking as cautiously as if he had been treading upon eggs he glided back
to his father and pressed as close to him as possible Ravenswood to avoid
hearing the dispute betwixt the father and the overindulged boy thought it
most polite to turn his face once more towards the pictures and pay no
attention to what they said
»Why do you not speak to the Master you little fool« said the Lord Keeper
»I am afraid« said Henry in a very low tone of voice
»Afraid you goose« said his father giving him a slight shake by the
collar »What makes you afraid«
»What makes him so like the picture of Sir Malise Ravenswood then« said
the boy whispering
»What picture you natural« said his father »I used to think you only a
scapegrace but I believe you will turn out a born idiot«
»I tell you it is the picture of old Malise of Ravenswood and he is as like
it as if he had loupen out of the canvas and it is up in the old Barons hall
that the maids launder the clothes in and it has armour and not a coat like
the gentleman and he has not a beard and whiskers like the picture and it
has another kind of thing about the throat and no bandstrings as he has and«
»And why should not the gentleman be like his ancestor you silly boy« said
the Lord Keeper
»Ay but if he is come to chase us all out of the castle« said the boy
»and has twenty men at his back in disguise and is come to say with a hollow
voice I bide my time and is to kill you on the hearth as Malise did the other
man and whose blood is still to be seen«
»Hush nonsense« said the Lord Keeper not himself much pleased to hear
these disagreeable coincidences forced on his notice »Master here comes
Lockhard to say supper is served«
And at the same instant Lucy entered at another door having changed her
dress since her return The exquisite feminine beauty of her countenance now
shaded only by a profusion of sunny tresses the sylphlike form disencumbered
of her heavy ridingskirt and mantled in azure silk the grace of her manner
and of her smile cleared with a celerity which surprised the Master himself
all the gloomy and unfavourable thoughts which had for some time overclouded his
fancy In those features so simply sweet he could trace no alliance with the
pinched visage of the peakbearded blackcapped Puritan or his starch withered
spouse with the craft expressed in the Lord Keepers countenance or the
haughtiness which predominated in that of his lady and while he gazed on Lucy
Ashton she seemed to be an angel descended on earth unallied to the coarser
mortals among whom she deigned to dwell for a season Such is the power of
beauty over a youthful and enthusiastic fancy
Chapter Eighteenth
I do too ill in this
And must not think but that a parents plaint
Will move the heavens to pour forth misery
Upon the head of disobediency
Yet reason tells us parents are oerseen
When with too strict a rein they do hold in
Their childs affection and control that love
Which the high powers divine inspire them with
The Hog hath lost his Pearl
The feast of Ravenswood Castle was as remarkable for its profusion as that of
Wolfs Crag had been for its illveiled penury The Lord Keeper might feel
internal pride at the contrast but he had too much tact to suffer it to appear
On the contrary he seemed to remember with pleasure what he called Mr
Balderstons bachelors meal and to be rather disgusted than pleased with the
display upon his own groaning board
»We do these things« he said »because others do them but I was bred a
plain man at my fathers frugal table and I should like well would my wife and
family permit me to return to my sowens and my poormanofmutton«24
This was a little overstretched The Master only answered »That different
ranks I mean« said he correcting himself »different degrees of wealth
require a different style of housekeeping«
This dry remark put a stop to farther conversation on the subject nor is it
necessary to record that which was substituted in its place The evening was
spent with freedom and even cordiality and Henry had so far overcome his first
apprehensions that he had settled a party for coursing a stag with the
representative and living resemblance of grim Sir Malise of Ravenswood called
the Revenger The next morning was the appointed time It rose upon active
sportsmen and successful sport The banquet came in course and a pressing
invitation to tarry yet another day was given and accepted This Ravenswood had
resolved should be the last of his stay but he recollected he had not yet
visited the ancient and devoted servant of his house Old Alice and it was but
kind to dedicate one morning to the gratification of so ancient an adherent
To visit Alice therefore a day was devoted and Lucy was the Masters
guide upon the way Henry it is true accompanied them and took from their
walk the air of a têteàtête while in reality it was little else
considering the variety of circumstances which occurred to prevent the boy from
giving the least attention to what passed between his companions Now a rook
settled on a branch within shot anon a hare crossed their path and Henry and
his greyhound went astray in pursuit of it then he had to hold a long
conversation with the forester which detained him awhile behind his companions
and again he went to examine the earth of a badger which carried him on a
good way before them
The conversation betwixt the Master and his sister meanwhile took an
interesting and almost a confidential turn She could not help mentioning her
sense of the pain he must feel in visiting scenes so well known to him bearing
now an aspect so different and so gently was her sympathy expressed that
Ravenswood felt it for a moment as a full requital of all his misfortunes Some
such sentiment escaped him which Lucy heard with more of confusion than
displeasure and she may be forgiven the imprudence of listening to such
language considering that the situation in which she was placed by her father
seemed to authorise Ravenswood to use it Yet she made an effort to turn the
conversation and she succeeded for the Master also had advanced farther than
he intended and his conscience had instantly checked him when he found himself
on the verge of speaking love to the daughter of Sir William Ashton
They now approached the hut of old Alice which had of late been rendered
more comfortable and presented an appearance less picturesque perhaps but far
neater than before The old woman was on her accustomed seat beneath the weeping
birch basking with the listless enjoyment of age and infirmity in the beams
of the autumn sun At the arrival of her visitors she turned her head towards
them »I hear your step Miss Ashton« she said »but the gentleman who attends
you is not my lord your father«
»And why should you think so Alice« said Lucy »or how is it possible for
you to judge so accurately by the sound of a step on this firm earth and in
the open air«
»My hearing my child has been sharpened by my blindness and I can now
draw conclusions from the slightest sounds which formerly reached my ears as
unheeded as they now approach yours Necessity is a stern but an excellent
schoolmistress and she that has lost her sight must collect her information
from other sources«
»Well you hear a mans step I grant it« said Lucy »but why Alice may
it not be my fathers«
»The pace of age my love is timid and cautious the foot takes leave of
the earth slowly and is planted down upon it with hesitation it is the hasty
and determined step of youth that I now hear and could I give credit to so
strange a thought I should say it was the step of a Ravenswood«
»This is indeed« said Ravenswood »an acuteness of organ which I could not
have credited had I not witnessed it I am indeed the Master of Ravenswood
Alice the son of your old master«
»You« said the old woman with almost a scream of surprise »You the
Master of Ravenswood here in this place and thus accompanied I cannot
believe it Let me pass my old hand over your face that my touch may bear
witness to my ears«
The Master sate down beside her on the earthen bank and permitted her to
touch his features with her trembling hand
»It is indeed« she said »it is the features as well as the voice of
Ravenswood the high lines of pride as well as the bold and haughty tone
But what do you here Master of Ravenswood what do you in your enemys
domain and in company with his child«
As old Alice spoke her face kindled as probably that of an ancient feudal
vassal might have done in whose presence his youthful liegelord had showed some
symptom of degenerating from the spirit of his ancestors
»The Master of Ravenswood« said Lucy who liked not the tone of this
expostulation and was desirous to abridge it »is upon a visit to my father«
»Indeed« said the old blind woman in an accent of surprise
»I knew« continued Lucy »I should do him a pleasure by conducting him to
your cottage«
»Where to say the truth Alice« said Ravenswood »I expected a more
cordial reception«
»It is most wonderful« said the old woman muttering to herself »but the
ways of Heaven are not like our ways and its judgments are brought about by
means far beyond our fathoming Hearken young man« she said »your fathers
were implacable but they were honourable foes they sought not to ruin their
enemies under the mask of hospitality What have you to do with Lucy Ashton
why should your steps move in the same footpath with hers why should your
voice sound in the same chord and time with those of Sir William Ashtons
daughter Young man he who aims at revenge by dishonourable means«
»Be silent woman« said Ravenswood sternly »is it the devil that prompts
your voice Know that this young lady has not on earth a friend who would
venture farther to save her from injury or from insult«
»And is it even so« said the old woman in an altered but melancholy tone
»Then God help you both«
»Amen Alice« said Lucy who had not comprehended the import of what the
blind woman had hinted »and send you your senses Alice and your goodhumour
If you hold this mysterious language instead of welcoming your friends they
will think of you as other people do«
»And how do other people think« said Ravenswood for he also began to
believe the old woman spoke with incoherence
»They think« said Henry Ashton who came up at that moment and whispered
into Ravenswoods ear »that she is a witch that should have been burned with
them that suffered at Haddington«
»What is that you say« said Alice turning towards the boy her sightless
visage inflamed with passion »that I am a witch and ought to have suffered
with the helpless old wretches who were murdered at Haddington«
»Hear to that now« again whispered Henry »and me whispering lower than a
wren cheeps«
»If the usurer and the oppressor and the grinder of the poor mans face
and the remover of ancient landmarks and the subverter of ancient houses were
at the same stake with me I could say light the fire in Gods name«
»This is dreadful« said Lucy »I have never seen the poor deserted woman in
this state of mind but age and poverty can ill bear reproach Come Henry we
will leave her for the present she wishes to speak with the Master alone We
will walk homeward and rest us« she added looking at Ravenswood »by the
Mermaidens Well«
»And Alice« said the boy »if you know of any hare that comes through
among the deer and makes them drop their calves out of season you may tell her
with my compliments to command that if Norman has not got a silver bullet ready
for her Ill lend him one of my doubletbuttons on purpose«
Alice made no answer till she was aware that the sister and brother were out
of hearing She then said to Ravenswood »And you too are angry with me for my
love it is just that strangers should be offended but you too are angry«
»I am not angry Alice« said the Master »only surprised that you whose
good sense I have heard so often praised should give way to offensive and
unfounded suspicions«
»Offensive« said Alice »ay truth is ever offensive but surely not
unfounded«
»I tell you dame most groundless« replied Ravenswood
»Then the world has changed its wont and the Ravenswoods their hereditary
temper and the eyes of old Alices understanding are yet more blind than those
of her countenance When did a Ravenswood seek the house of his enemy but with
the purpose of revenge and hither are you come Edgar Ravenswood either in
fatal anger or in still more fatal love«
»In neither« said Ravenswood »I give you mine honour I mean I assure
you«
Alice could not see his blushing cheek but she noticed his hesitation and
that he retracted the pledge which he seemed at first disposed to attach to his
denial
»It is so then« she said »and therefore she is to tarry by the
Mermaidens Well Often has it been called a place fatal to the race of
Ravenswood often has it proved so but never was it likely to verify old
sayings as much as on this day«
»You drive me to madness Alice« said Ravenswood »you are more silly and
more superstitious than old Balderston Are you such a wretched Christian as to
suppose I would in the present day levy war against the Ashton family as was
the sanguinary custom in elder times or do you suppose me so foolish that I
cannot walk by a young ladys side without plunging headlong in love with her«
»My thoughts« replied Alice »are my own and if my mortal sight is closed
to objects present with me it may be I can look with more steadiness into
future events Are you prepared to sit lowest at the board which was once your
fathers own unwillingly as a connection and ally of his proud successor
Are you ready to live on his bounty to follow him in the bypaths of intrigue
and chicane which none can better point out to you to gnaw the bones of his
prey when he has devoured the substance Can you say as Sir William Ashton
says think as he thinks vote as he votes and call your fathers murderer
your worshipful fatherinlaw and revered patron Master of Ravenswood I am
the eldest servant of your house and I would rather see you shrouded and
coffined«
The tumult in Ravenswoods mind was uncommonly great she struck upon and
awakened a chord which he had for some time successfully silenced He strode
backwards and forwards through the little garden with a hasty pace and at
length checking himself and stopping right opposite to Alice he exclaimed
»Woman on the verge of the grave dare you urge the son of your master to blood
and to revenge«
»God forbid« said Alice solemnly »and therefore I would have you depart
these fatal bounds where your love as well as your hatred threatens sure
mischief or at least disgrace both to yourself and to others I would shield
were it in the power of this withered hand the Ashtons from you and you from
them and both from their own passions You can have nothing ought to have
nothing in common with them Begone from among them and if God has destined
vengeance on the oppressors house do not you be the instrument«
»I will think on what you have said Alice« said Ravenswood more
composedly »I believe you mean truly and faithfully by me but you urge the
freedom of an ancient domestic somewhat too far But farewell and if Heaven
afford me better means I will not fail to contribute to your comfort«
He attempted to put a piece of gold into her hand which she refused to
receive and in the slight struggle attending his wish to force it upon her it
dropped to the earth
»Let it remain an instant on the ground« said Alice as the Master stooped
to raise it »and believe me that piece of gold is an emblem of her whom you
love she is as precious I grant but you must stoop even to abasement before
you can win her For me I have as little to do with gold as with earthly
passions and the best news that the world has in store for me is that Edgar
Ravenswood is a hundred miles distant from the seat of his ancestors with the
determination never again to behold it«
»Alice« said the Master who began to think this earnestness had some more
secret cause than arose from anything that the blind woman could have gathered
from this casual visit »I have heard you praised by my mother for your sense
acuteness and fidelity you are no fool to start at shadows or to dread old
superstitious saws like Caleb Balderston tell me distinctly where my danger
lies if you are aware of any which is tending towards me If I know myself I
am free from all such views respecting Miss Ashton as you impute to me I have
necessary business to settle with Sir William that arranged I shall depart
and with as little wish as you may easily believe to return to a place full of
melancholy subjects of reflection as you have to see me here«
Alice bent her sightless eyes on the ground and was for some time plunged
in deep meditation »I will speak the truth« she said at length raising up her
head »I will tell you the source of my apprehensions whether my candour be
for good or for evil Lucy Ashton loves you Lord of Ravenswood«
»It is impossible« said the Master
»A thousand circumstances have proved it to me« replied the blind woman
»Her thoughts have turned on no one else since you saved her from death and
that my experienced judgment has won from her own conversation Having told you
this if you are indeed a gentleman and your fathers son you will make it a
motive for flying from her presence Her passion will die like a lamp for want
of that the flame should feed upon but if you remain here her destruction or
yours or that of both will be the inevitable consequence of her misplaced
attachment I tell you this secret unwillingly but it could not have been hid
long from your own observation and it is better you learn it from mine Depart
Master of Ravenswood you have my secret If you remain an hour under Sir
William Ashtons roof without the resolution to marry his daughter you are a
villain if with the purpose of allying yourself with him you are an
infatuated and predestined fool«
So saying the old blind woman arose assumed her staff and tottering to
her hut entered it and closed the door leaving Ravenswood to his own
reflections
Chapter Nineteenth
Lovelier in her own retired abode
than Naiad by the side
Of Grecian brook or Lady of the Mere
Lone sitting by the shores of old romance
Wordsworth
The meditations of Ravenswood were of a very mixed complexion He saw himself at
once in the very dilemma which he had for some time felt apprehensive he might
be placed in The pleasure he felt in Lucys company had indeed approached to
fascination yet it had never altogether surmounted his internal reluctance to
wed with the daughter of his fathers foe and even in forgiving Sir William
Ashton the injuries which his family had received and giving him credit for the
kind intentions he professed to entertain he could not bring himself to
contemplate as possible an alliance betwixt their houses Still he felt that
Alice spoke truth and that his honour now required he should take an instant
leave of Ravenswood Castle or become a suitor of Lucy Ashton The possibility
of being rejected too should he make advances to her wealthy and powerful
father to sue for the hand of an Ashton and be refused this were a
consummation too disgraceful »I wish her well« he said to himself »and for
her sake I forgive the injuries her father has done to my house but I will
never no never see her more«
With one bitter pang he adopted this resolution just as he came to where
two paths parted the one to the Mermaidens Fountain where he knew Lucy waited
him the other leading to the castle by another and more circuitous road He
paused an instant when about to take the latter path thinking what apology he
should make for conduct which must needs seem extraordinary and had just
muttered to himself »Sudden news from Edinburgh any pretext will serve only
let me dally no longer here« when young Henry came flying up to him half out
of breath »Master Master you must give Lucy your arm back to the castle for
I cannot give her mine for Norman is waiting for me and I am to go with him to
make his ringwalk and I would not stay away for a gold Jacobus and Lucy is
afraid to walk home alone though all the wild nowt have been shot and so you
must come away directly«
Betwixt two scales equally loaded a feathers weight will turn the scale
»It is impossible for me to leave the young lady in the wood alone« said
Ravenswood »to see her once more can be of little consequence after the
frequent meetings we have had I ought too in courtesy to apprise her of my
intention to quit the castle«
And having thus satisfied himself that he was taking not only a wise but an
absolutely necessary step he took the path to the fatal fountain Henry no
sooner saw him on the way to join his sister than he was off like lightning in
another direction to enjoy the society of the forester in their congenial
pursuits Ravenswood not allowing himself to give a second thought to the
propriety of his own conduct walked with a quick step towards the stream where
he found Lucy seated alone by the ruin
She sate upon one of the disjointed stones of the ancient fountain and
seemed to watch the progress of its current as it bubbled forth to daylight in
gay and sparkling profusion from under the shadow of the ribbed and darksome
vault with which veneration or perhaps remorse had canopied its source To a
superstitious eye Lucy Ashton folded in a plaided mantle with her long hair
escaping partly from the snood and falling upon her silver neck might have
suggested the idea of the murdered Nymph of the Fountain But Ravenswood only
saw a female exquisitely beautiful and rendered yet more so in his eyes how
could it be otherwise by the consciousness that she had placed her affections
on him As he gazed on her he felt his fixed resolution melting like wax in the
sun and hastened therefore from his concealment in the neighbouring thicket
She saluted him but did not arise from the stone on which she was seated
»My madcap brother« she said »has left me but I expect him back in a few
minutes for fortunately as anything pleases him for a minute nothing has
charms for him much longer«
Ravenswood did not feel the power of informing Lucy that her brother
meditated a distant excursion and would not return in haste He sate himself
down on the grass at some little distance from Miss Ashton and both were silent
for a short space
»I like this spot« said Lucy at length as if she had found the silence
embarrassing »the bubbling murmur of the clear fountain the waving of the
trees the profusion of grass and wildflowers that rise among the ruins make
it like a scene in romance I think too I have heard it is a spot connected
with the legendary lore which I love so well«
»It has been thought« answered Ravenswood »a fatal spot to my family and
I have some reason to term it so for it was here I first saw Miss Ashton and
it is here I must take my leave of her for ever«
The blood which the first part of this speech called into Lucys cheeks
was speedily expelled by its conclusion
»To take leave of us Master« she exclaimed »what can have happened to
hurry you away I know Alice hates I mean dislikes my father and I hardly
understood her humour today it was so mysterious But I am certain my father
is sincerely grateful for the high service you rendered us Let me hope that
having won your friendship hardly we shall not lose it lightly«
»Lose it Miss Ashton« said the Master of Ravenswood »No wherever my
fortune calls me whatever she inflicts upon me it is your friend your
sincere friend who acts or suffers But there is a fate on me and I must go
or I shall add the ruin of others to my own«
»Yet do not go from us Master« said Lucy and she laid her hand in all
simplicity and kindness upon the skirt of his cloak as if to detain him »You
shall not part from us My father is powerful he has friends that are more so
than himself do not go till you see what his gratitude will do for you
Believe me he is already labouring in your behalf with the Council«
»It may be so« said the Master proudly »yet it is not to your father
Miss Ashton but to my own exertions that I ought to owe success in the career
on which I am about to enter My preparations are already made a sword and a
cloak and a bold heart and a determined hand«
Lucy covered her face with her hands and the tears in spite of her forced
their way between her fingers »Forgive me« said Ravenswood taking her right
hand which after slight resistance she yielded to him still continuing to
shade her face with the left »I am too rude too rough too intractable to
deal with any being so soft and gentle as you are Forget that so stern a vision
has crossed your path of life and let me pursue mine sure that I can meet
with no worse misfortune after the moment it divides me from your side«
Lucy wept on but her tears were less bitter Each attempt which the Master
made to explain his purpose of departure only proved a new evidence of his
desire to stay until at length instead of bidding her farewell he gave his
faith to her for ever and received her troth in return The whole passed so
suddenly and arose so much out of the immediate impulse of the moment that ere
the Master of Ravenswood could reflect upon the consequences of the step which
he had taken their lips as well as their hands had pledged the sincerity of
their affection
»And now« he said after a moments consideration »it is fit I should
speak to Sir William Ashton he must know of our engagement Ravenswood must
not seem to dwell under his roof to solicit clandestinely the affections of his
daughter«
»You would not speak to my father on the subject« said Lucy doubtingly
and then added more warmly »O do not do not Let your lot in life be
determined your station and purpose ascertained before you address my father
I am sure he loves you I think he will consent but then my mother«
She paused ashamed to express the doubt she felt how far her father dared
to form any positive resolution on this most important subject without the
consent of his lady
»Your mother my Lucy« replied Ravenswood »she is of the house of Douglas
a house that has intermarried with mine even when its glory and power were at
the highest what could your mother object to my alliance«
»I did not say object« said Lucy »but she is jealous of her rights and
may claim a mothers title to be consulted in the first instance«
»Be it so« replied Ravenswood »London is distant but a letter will reach
it and receive an answer within a fortnight I will not press on the Lord
Keeper for an instant reply to my proposal«
»But« hesitated Lucy »were it not better to wait to wait a few weeks
Were my mother to see you to know you I am sure she would approve but you
are unacquainted personally and the ancient feud between the families«
Ravenswood fixed upon her his keen dark eyes as if he was desirous of
penetrating into her very soul
»Lucy« he said »I have sacrificed to you projects of vengeance long
nursed and sworn to with ceremonies little better than heathen I sacrificed
them to your image ere I knew the worth which it represented In the evening
which succeeded my poor fathers funeral I cut a lock from my hair and as it
consumed in the fire I swore that my rage and revenge should pursue his
enemies until they shrivelled before me like that scorchedup symbol of
annihilation«
»It was a deadly sin« said Lucy turning pale »to make a vow so fatal«
»I acknowledge it« said Ravenswood »and it had been a worse crime to keep
it It was for your sake that I abjured these purposes of vengeance though I
scarce knew that such was the argument by which I was conquered until I saw you
once more and became conscious of the influence you possessed over me«
»And why do you now« said Lucy »recall sentiments so terrible sentiments
so inconsistent with those you profess for me with those your importunity has
prevailed on me to acknowledge«
»Because« said her lover »I would impress on you the price at which I have
bought your love the right I have to expect your constancy I say not that I
have bartered for it the honour of my house its last remaining possession but
though I say it not and think it not I cannot conceal from myself that the
world may do both«
»If such are your sentiments« said Lucy »you have played a cruel game with
me But it is not too late to give it over take back the faith and troth which
you could not plight to me without suffering abatement of honour let what is
passed be as if it had not been forget me I will endeavour to forget
myself«
»You do me injustice« said the Master of Ravenswood »by all I hold true
and honourable you do me the extremity of injustice if I mentioned the price
at which I have bought your love it is only to show how much I prize it to
bind our engagement by a still firmer tie and to show by what I have done to
attain this station in your regard how much I must suffer should you ever break
your faith«
»And why Ravenswood« answered Lucy »should you think that possible Why
should you urge me with even the mention of infidelity Is it because I ask
you to delay applying to my father for a little space of time Bind me by what
vows you please if vows are unnecessary to secure constancy they may yet
prevent suspicion«
Ravenswood pleaded apologised and even kneeled to appease her
displeasure and Lucy as placable as she was singlehearted readily forgave
the offence which his doubts had implied The dispute thus agitated however
ended by the lovers going through an emblematic ceremony of their trothplight
of which the vulgar still preserve some traces They broke betwixt them the thin
broadpiece of gold which Alice had refused to receive from Ravenswood
»And never shall this leave my bosom« said Lucy as she hung the piece of
gold round her neck and concealed it with her handkerchief »until you Edgar
Ravenswood ask me to resign it to you and while I wear it never shall that
heart acknowledge another love than yours«
With like protestations Ravenswood placed his portion of the coin opposite
to his heart And now at length it struck them that time had hurried fast on
during this interview and their absence at the castle would be subject of
remark if not of alarm As they rose to leave the fountain which had been
witness of their mutual engagement an arrow whistled through the air and
struck a raven perched on the sere branch of an old oak near to where they had
been seated The bird fluttered a few yards and dropped at the feet of Lucy
whose dress was stained with some spots of its blood
Miss Ashton was much alarmed and Ravenswood surprised and angry looked
everywhere for the marksman who had given them a proof of his skill as little
expected as desired He was not long of discovering himself being no other than
Henry Ashton who came running up with a crossbow in his hand
»I knew I should startle you« he said »and do you know you looked so busy
that I hoped it would have fallen souse on your heads before you were aware of
it What was the Master saying to you Lucy«
»I was telling your sister what an idle lad you were keeping us waiting
here for you so long« said Ravenswood to save Lucys confusion
»Waiting for me Why I told you to see Lucy home and that I was to go to
make the ringwalk with old Norman in the Hayberry thicket and you may be sure
that would take a good hour and we have all the deers marks and furnishes got
while you were sitting here with Lucy like a lazy loon«
»Well well Mr Henry« said Ravenswood »but let us see how you will
answer to me for killing the raven Do you know the ravens are all under the
protection of the Lords of Ravenswood and to kill one in their presence is such
bad luck that it deserves the stab«
»And thats what Norman said« replied the boy »he came as far with me as
within a flightshot of you and he said he never saw a raven sit still so near
living folk and he wished it might be for good luck for the raven is one of
the wildest birds that flies unless it be a tame one and so I crept on and
on till I was within three score yards of him and then whiz went the bolt and
there he lies faith Was it not well shot and I daresay I have not shot in
a crossbow not ten times maybe«
»Admirably shot indeed« said Ravenswood »and you will be a fine marksman
if you practise hard«
»And thats what Norman says« answered the boy »but I am sure it is not my
fault if I do not practise enough for of free will I would do little else
only my father and tutor are angry sometimes and only Miss Lucy there gives
herself airs about my being busy for all she can sit idle by a wellside the
whole day when she has a handsome young gentleman to prate with I have known
her do so twenty times if you will believe me«
The boy looked at his sister as he spoke and in the midst of his
mischievous chatter had the sense to see that he was really inflicting pain
upon her though without being able to comprehend the cause or the amount
»Come now Lucy« he said »dont greet and if I have said any thing beside
the mark Ill deny it again and what does the Master of Ravenswood care if
you had a hundred sweethearts so neer put finger in your eye about it«
The Master of Ravenswood was for the moment scarce satisfied with what he
heard yet his good sense naturally regarded it as the chatter of a spoilt boy
who strove to mortify his sister in the point which seemed most accessible for
the time But although of a temper equally slow in receiving impressions and
obstinate in retaining them the prattle of Henry served to nourish in his mind
some vague suspicion that his present engagement might only end in his being
exposed like a conquered enemy in a Roman triumph a captive attendant on the
car of a victor who meditated only the satiating his pride at the expense of
the vanquished There was we repeat it no real ground whatever for such an
apprehension nor could he be said seriously to entertain such for a moment
Indeed it was impossible to look at the clear blue eye of Lucy Ashton and
entertain the slightest permanent doubt concerning the sincerity of her
disposition Still however conscious pride and conscious poverty combined to
render a mind suspicious which in more fortunate circumstances would have
been a stranger to that as well as to every other meanness
They reached the castle where Sir William Ashton who had been alarmed by
the length of their stay met them in the hall
»Had Lucy« he said »been in any other company than that of one who had
shown he had so complete power of protecting her he confessed he should have
been very uneasy and would have despatched persons in quest of them But in
the company of the Master of Ravenswood he knew his daughter had nothing to
dread«
Lucy commenced some apology for their long delay but conscience struck
became confused as she proceeded and when Ravenswood coming to her assistance
endeavoured to render the explanation complete and satisfactory he only
involved himself in the same disorder like one who endeavouring to extricate
his companion from a slough entangles himself in the same tenacious swamp It
cannot be supposed that the confusion of the two youthful lovers escaped the
observation of the subtle lawyer accustomed by habit and profession to trace
human nature through all her windings But it was not his present policy to take
any notice of what he observed He desired to hold the Master of Ravenswood
bound but wished that he himself should remain free and it did not occur to
him that his plan might be defeated by Lucys returning the passion which he
hoped she might inspire If she should adopt some romantic feelings towards
Ravenswood in which circumstances or the positive and absolute opposition of
Lady Ashton might render it unadvisable to indulge her the Lord Keeper
conceived they might be easily superseded and annulled by a journey to
Edinburgh or even to London a new set of Brussels lace and the soft whispers
of halfadozen lovers anxious to replace him whom it was convenient she should
renounce This was his provision for the worst view of the case But according
to its more probable issue any passing favour she might entertain for the
Master of Ravenswood might require encouragement rather than repression
This seemed the more likely as he had that very morning since their
departure from the castle received a letter the contents of which he hastened
to communicate to Ravenswood A footpost had arrived with a packet to the Lord
Keeper from that friend whom we have already mentioned who was labouring hard
underhand to consolidate a band of patriots at the head of whom stood Sir
Williams greatest terror the active and ambitious Marquis of A The success
of this convenient friend had been such that he had obtained from Sir William
not indeed a directly favourable answer but certainly a most patient hearing
This he had reported to his principal who had replied by the ancient French
adage »Château qui parle et femme qui écoute lun et lautre va se rendre« A
statesman who hears you propose a change of measures without reply was
according to the Marquiss opinion in the situation of the fortress which
parleys and the lady who listens and he resolved to press the siege of the
Lord Keeper
The packet therefore contained a letter from his friend and ally and
another from himself to the Lord Keeper frankly offering an unceremonious
visit They were crossing the country to go to the southward the roads were
indifferent the accommodation of the inns as execrable as possible the Lord
Keeper had been long acquainted intimately with one of his correspondents and
though more slightly known to the Marquis had yet enough of his Lordships
acquaintance to render the visit sufficiently natural and to shut the mouths of
those who might be disposed to impute it to a political intrigue He instantly
accepted the offered visit determined however that he would not pledge
himself an inch farther for the furtherance of their views than reason by which
he meant his own selfinterest should plainly point out to him as proper
Two circumstances particularly delighted him the presence of Ravenswood
and the absence of his own lady By having the former under his own roof he
conceived he might be able to quash all such hazardous and hostile proceedings
as he might otherwise have been engaged in under the patronage of the Marquis
and Lucy he foresaw would make for his immediate purpose of delay and
procrastination a much better mistress of his family than her mother who
would he was sure in some shape or other contrive to disconcert his political
schemes by her proud and implacable temper
His anxious solicitations that the Master would stay to receive his kinsman
were of course readily complied with since the éclaircissement which had taken
place at the Mermaidens Fountain had removed all wish for sudden departure
Lucy and Lockhard had therefore orders to provide all things necessary in
their different departments for receiving the expected guests with a pomp and
display of luxury very uncommon in Scotland at that remote period
Chapter Twentieth
Marall Sir the man of honours come
Newly alighted
Overreach In without reply
And do as I command
Is the loud music I gave order for
Ready to receive him
New Way to Pay Old Debts
Sir William Ashton although a man of sense legal information and great
practical knowledge of the world had yet some points of character which
corresponded better with the timidity of his disposition and the supple arts by
which he had risen in the world than to the degree of eminence which he had
attained as they tended to show an original mediocrity of understanding
however highly it had been cultivated and a native meanness of disposition
however carefully veiled He loved the ostentatious display of his wealth less
as a man to whom habit has made it necessary than as one to whom it is still
delightful from its novelty The most trivial details did not escape him and
Lucy soon learned to watch the flush of scorn which crossed Ravenswoods cheek
when he heard her father gravely arguing with Lockhard nay even with the old
housekeeper upon circumstances which in families of rank are left uncared
for because it is supposed impossible they can be neglected
»I could pardon Sir William« said Ravenswood one evening after he had left
the room »some general anxiety upon this occasion for the Marquiss visit is
an honour and should be received as such but I am worn out by these miserable
minutiæ of the buttery and the larder and the very hencoop they drive me
beyond my patience I would rather endure the poverty of Wolfs Crag than be
pestered with the wealth of Ravenswood Castle«
»And yet« said Lucy »it was by attention to these minutiæ that my father
acquired the property«
»Which my ancestors sold for lack of it« replied Ravenswood »Be it so a
porter still bears but a burden though the burden be of gold«
Lucy sighed she perceived too plainly that her lover held in scorn the
manners and habits of a father to whom she had long looked up as her best and
most partial friend whose fondness had often consoled her for her mothers
contemptuous harshness
The lovers soon discovered that they differed upon other and no less
important topics Religion the mother of peace was in those days of discord so
misconstrued and mistaken that her rules and forms were the subject of the most
opposite opinions and the most hostile animosities The Lord Keeper being a
whig was of course a Presbyterian and had found it convenient at different
periods to express greater zeal for the kirk than perhaps he really felt His
family equally of course were trained under the same institution Ravenswood
as we know was a HighChurchman or Episcopalian and frequently objected to
Lucy the fanaticism of some of her own communion while she intimated rather
than expressed horror at the latitudinarian principles which she had been
taught to think connected with the prelatical form of church government
Thus although their mutual affection seemed to increase rather than to be
diminished as their characters opened more fully on each other the feelings of
each were mingled with some less agreeable ingredients Lucy felt a secret awe
amid all her affection for Ravenswood His soul was of a higher prouder
character than those with whom she had hitherto mixed in intercourse his ideas
were more fierce and free and he contemned many of the opinions which had been
inculcated upon her as chiefly demanding her veneration On the other hand
Ravenswood saw in Lucy a soft and flexible character which in his eyes at
least seemed too susceptible of being moulded to any form by those with whom
she lived He felt that his own temper required a partner of a more independent
spirit who could set sail with him on his course of life resolved as himself
to dare indifferently the storm and the favouring breeze But Lucy was so
beautiful so devoutly attached to him of a temper so exquisitely soft and
kind that while he could have wished it were possible to inspire her with a
greater degree of firmness and resolution and while he sometimes became
impatient of the extreme fear which she expressed of their attachment being
prematurely discovered he felt that the softness of a mind amounting almost to
feebleness rendered her even dearer to him as a being who had voluntarily
clung to him for protection and made him the arbiter of her fate for weal or
woe His feelings towards her at such moments were those which have been since
so beautifully expressed by our immortal Joanna Baillie
Thou sweetest thing
That eer did fix its lightlyfibred sprays
To the rude rock ah wouldst thou cling to me
Rough and stormworn I am yet love me as
Thou truly dost I will love thee again
With true and honest heart though all unmeet
To be the mate of such sweet gentleness
Thus the very points in which they differed seemed in some measure to ensure
the continuance of their mutual affection If indeed they had so fully
appreciated each others character before the burst of passion in which they
hastily pledged their faith to each other Lucy might have feared Ravenswood too
much ever to have loved him and he might have construed her softness and docile
temper as imbecility rendering her unworthy of his regard But they stood
pledged to each other and Lucy only feared that her lovers pride might one day
teach him to regret his attachment Ravenswood that a mind so ductile as Lucys
might in absence or difficulties be induced by the entreaties or influence of
those around her to renounce the engagement she had formed
»Do not fear it« said Lucy when upon one occasion a hint of such suspicion
escaped her lover »the mirrors which receive the reflection of all successive
objects are framed of hard materials like glass or steel the softer
substances when they receive an impression retain it undefaced«
»This is poetry Lucy« said Ravenswood »and in poetry there is always
fallacy and sometimes fiction«
»Believe me then once more in honest prose« said Lucy »that though I
will never wed man without the consent of my parents yet neither force nor
persuasion shall dispose of my hand till you renounce the right I have given you
to it«
The lovers had ample time for such explanations Henry was now more seldom
their companion being either a most unwilling attendant upon the lessons of his
tutor or a forward volunteer under the instructions of the foresters or grooms
As for the Keeper his mornings were spent in his study maintaining
correspondences of all kinds and balancing in his anxious mind the various
intelligence which he collected from every quarter concerning the expected
change in Scottish politics and the probable strength of the parties who were
about to struggle for power At other times he busied himself about arranging
and countermanding and then again arranging the preparations which he judged
necessary for the reception of the Marquis of A whose arrival had been twice
delayed by some necessary cause of detention
In the midst of all these various avocations political and domestic he
seemed not to observe how much his daughter and his guest were thrown into each
others society and was censured by many of his neighbours according to the
fashion of neighbours in all countries for suffering such an intimate
connection to take place betwixt two young persons The only natural explanation
was that he designed them for each other while in truth his only motive was
to temporise and procrastinate until he should discover the real extent of the
interest which the Marquis took in Ravenswoods affairs and the power which he
was likely to possess of advancing them Until these points should be made both
clear and manifest the Lord Keeper resolved that he would do nothing to commit
himself either in one shape or other and like many cunning persons he
overreached himself deplorably
Amongst those who had been disposed to censure with the greatest severity
the conduct of Sir William Ashton in permitting the prolonged residence of
Ravenswood under his roof and his constant attendance on Miss Ashton was the
new Laird of Girnington and his faithful squire and bottleholder personages
formerly well known to us by the names of Hayston and Bucklaw and his companion
Captain Craigengelt The former had at length succeeded to the extensive
property of his longlived grandaunt and to considerable wealth besides which
he had employed in redeeming his paternal acres by the title appertaining to
which he still chose to be designated notwithstanding Captain Craigengelt had
proposed to him a most advantageous mode of vesting the money in Laws scheme
which was just then broached and offered his services to travel express to
Paris for the purpose But Bucklaw had so far derived wisdom from adversity
that he would listen to no proposal which Craigengelt could invent which had
the slightest tendency to risk his newlyacquired independence He that once had
eaten pease bannocks drank sour wine and slept in the secret chamber at Wolfs
Crag would he said prize good cheer and a soft bed as long as he lived and
take special care not to need such hospitality again
Craigengelt therefore found himself disappointed in the first hopes he had
entertained of making a good hand of the Laird of Bucklaw Still however he
reaped many advantages from his friends good fortune Bucklaw who had never
been at all scrupulous in choosing his companions was accustomed to and
entertained by a fellow whom he could either laugh with or laugh at as he had
a mind who would take according to Scottish phrase »the bit and the buffet«
understood all sports whether within or without doors and when the laird had
a mind for a bottle of wine no infrequent circumstance was always ready to
save him from the scandal of getting drunk by himself Upon these terms
Craigengelt was the frequent almost the constant inmate of the house of
Girnington
In no time and under no possibility of circumstances could good have been
derived from such an intimacy however its bad consequences might be qualified
by the thorough knowledge which Bucklaw possessed of his dependants character
and the high contempt in which he held it But as circumstances stood this evil
communication was particularly liable to corrupt what good principles nature had
implanted in the patron
Craigengelt had never forgiven the scorn with which Ravenswood had torn the
mask of courage and honesty from his countenance and to exasperate Bucklaws
resentment against him was the safest mode of revenge that occurred to his
cowardly yet cunning and malignant disposition
He brought up on all occasions the story of the challenge which Ravenswood
had declined to accept and endeavoured by every possible insinuation to make
his patron believe that his honour was concerned in bringing that matter to an
issue by a present discussion with Ravenswood But respecting his subject
Bucklaw imposed on him at length a peremptory command of silence
»I think« he said »the Master has treated me unlike a gentleman and I see
no right he had to send me back a cavalier answer when I demanded the
satisfaction of one But he gave me my life once and in looking the matter
over at present I put myself but on equal terms with him Should he cross me
again I shall consider the old accompt as balanced and his Mastership will do
well to look to himself«
»That he should« reechoed Craigengelt »for when you are in practice
Bucklaw I would bet a magnum you are through him before the third pass«
»Then you know nothing of the matter« said Bucklaw »and you never saw him
fence«
»And I know nothing of the matter« said the dependant »a good jest I
promise you and though I never saw Ravenswood fence have I not been at
Monsieur Sagoons school who was the first maître darmes at Paris and have I
not been at Signor Pocos at Florence and Meinheer Durchstossens at Vienna
and have I not seen all their play«
»I dont know whether you have or not« said Bucklaw »but what about it
though you had«
»Only that I will be dd if ever I saw French Italian or HighDutchman
ever make foot hand and eye keep time half so well as you Bucklaw«
»I believe you lie Craigie« said Bucklaw »however I can hold my own
both with single rapier backsword sword and dagger broadsword or case of
falchions and thats as much as any gentleman need know of the matter«
»And the double of what ninetynine out of a hundred know« said
Craigengelt »they learn to change a few thrusts with the small sword and then
forsooth they understand the noble art of defence Now when I was at Rouen in
the year 1695 there was a Chevalier de Chapon and I went to the Opera where we
found three bits of English birkies«
»Is it a long story you are going to tell« said Bucklaw interrupting him
without ceremony
»Just as you like« answered the parasite »for we made short work of it«
»Then I like it short« said Bucklaw »is it serious or merry«
»Devilish serious I assure you and so they found it for the Chevalier and
I«
»Then I dont like it at all« said Bucklaw »so fill a brimmer of my auld
aunties claret rest her heart And as the Hielandman says Skioch doch na
skiaill«25 »That was what tough old Sir Evan Dhu used to say to me when I was
out with the metalld lads in 1689 Craigengelt he used to say you are as
pretty a fellow as ever held steel in his grip but you have one fault«
»If he had known you as long as I have done« said Bucklaw »he would have
found out some twenty more but hang long stories give us your toast man«
Craigengelt rose went on tiptoe to the door peeped out shut it carefully
came back again clapped his tarnished goldlaced hat on one side of his head
took his glass in one hand and touching the hilt of his hanger with the other
named »The King over the water«
»I tell you what it is Captain Craigengelt« said Bucklaw »I shall keep my
mind to myself on these subjects having too much respect for the memory of my
venerable aunt Girnington to put her lands and tenements in the way of
committing treason against established authority Bring me King James to
Edinburgh Captain with thirty thousand men at his back and Ill tell you what
I think about his title but as for running my neck into a noose and my good
broad lands into the statutory penalties in that case made and provided rely
upon it you will find me no such fool So when you mean to vapour with your
hanger and your dramcup in support of treasonable toasts you must find your
liquor and company elsewhere«
»Well then« said Craigengelt »name the toast yourself and be it what it
like Ill pledge you were it a mile to the bottom«
»And Ill give you a toast that deserves it my boy« said Bucklaw »what
say you to Miss Lucy Ashton«
»Up with it« said the Captain as he tossed off his brimmer »the bonniest
lass in Lothian What a pity the old sneckdrawing whigamore her father is
about to throw her away upon that rag of pride and beggary the Master of
Ravenswood«
»Thats not quite so clear« said Bucklaw in a tone which though it seemed
indifferent excited his companions eager curiosity and not that only but
also his hope of working himself into some sort of confidence which might make
him necessary to his patron being by no means satisfied to rest on mere
sufferance if he could form by art or industry a more permanent title to his
favour
»I thought« said he after a moments pause »that was a settled matter
they are continually together and nothing else is spoken of betwixt Lammerlaw
and Taprain«
»They may say what they please« replied his patron »but I know better and
Ill give you Miss Lucy Ashtons health again my boy«
»And I would drink it on my knee« said Craigengelt »if I thought the girl
had the spirit to jilt that dd son of a Spaniard«
»I am to request you will not use the word jilt and Miss Ashtons name
together« said Bucklaw gravely
»Jilt did I say discard my lad of acres by Jove I meant to say
discard« replied Craigengelt »and I hope shell discard him like a small card
at piquet and take in the King of Hearts my boy But yet«
»But what« said his patron
»But yet I know for certain they are hours together alone and in the woods
and the fields«
»Thats her foolish fathers dotage that will be soon put out of the
lasss head if it ever gets into it« answered Bucklaw »And now fill your
glass again Captain I am going to make you happy I am going to let you into
a secret a plot a noosing plot only the noose is but typical«
»A marrying matter« said Craigengelt and his jaw fell as he asked the
question for he suspected that matrimony would render his situation at
Girnington much more precarious than during the jolly days of his patrons
bachelorhood
»Ay a marriage man« said Bucklaw »but wherefore droops thy mighty
spirit and why grow the rubies on thy cheek so pale The board will have a
corner and the corner will have a trencher and the trencher will have a glass
beside it and the boardend shall be filled and the trencher and the glass
shall be replenished for thee if all the petticoats in Lothian had sworn the
contrary What man I am not the boy to put myself into leadingstrings«
»So says many an honest fellow« said Craigengelt »and some of my special
friends but curse me if I know the reason the women could never bear me and
always contrived to trundle me out of favour before the honeymoon was over«
»If you could have kept your ground till that was over you might have made
a good years pension« said Bucklaw
»But I never could« answered the dejected parasite »there was my Lord
CastleCuddy we were hand and glove I rode his horses borrowed money both
for him and from him trained his hawks and taught him how to lay his bets
and when he took a fancy of marrying I married him to Katie Glegg whom I
thought myself as sure of as man could be of woman Egad she had me out of the
house as if I had run on wheels within the first fortnight«
»Well« replied Bucklaw »I think I have nothing of CastleCuddy about me
or Lucy of Katie Glegg But you see the thing will go on whether you like it or
no the only question is will you be useful«
»Useful« exclaimed the Captain »and to thee my lad of lands my darling
boy whom I would tramp barefooted through the world for name time place
mode and circumstances and see if I will not be useful in all uses that can be
devised«
»Why then you must ride two hundred miles for me« said the patron
»A thousand and call them a fleas leap« answered the dependant »Ill
cause saddle my horse directly«
»Better stay till you know where you are to go and what you are to do«
quoth Bucklaw »You know I have a kinswoman in Northumberland Lady Blenkensop
by name whose old acquaintance I had the misfortune to lose in the period of my
poverty but the light of whose countenance shone forth upon me when the sun of
my prosperity began to arise«
»Dn all such doublefaced jades« exclaimed Craigengelt heroically »this
I will say for John Craigengelt that he is his friends friend through good
report and bad report poverty and riches and you know something of that
yourself Bucklaw«
»I have not forgot your merits« said his patron »I do remember that in
my extremities you had a mind to crimp me for the service of the French king
or of the Pretender and moreover that you afterwards lent me a score of
pieces when as I firmly believe you had heard the news that old Lady
Girnington had a touch of the dead palsy But dont be downcast John I
believe after all you like me very well in your way and it is my misfortune
to have no better counsellor at present To return to this Lady Blenkensop you
must know she is a close confederate of Duchess Sarah«
»What of Sail Jennings« exclaimed Craigengelt »then she must be a good
one«
»Hold your tongue and keep your Tory rants to yourself if it be possible«
said Bucklaw »I tell you that through the Duchess of Marlborough has this
Northumbrian cousin of mine become a crony of Lady Ashton the Keepers wife
or I may say the Lord Keepers Lady Keeper and she has favoured Lady
Blenkensop with a visit on her return from London and is just now at her old
mansionhouse on the banks of the Wansbeck Now sir as it has been the use and
wont of these ladies to consider their husbands as of no importance in the
management of their own families it has been their present pleasure without
consulting Sir William Ashton to put on the tapis a matrimonial alliance to be
concluded between Lucy Ashton and my own right honourable self Lady Ashton
acting a selfconstituted plenipotentiary on the part of her daughter and
husband and Mother Blenkensop equally unaccredited doing me the honour to be
my representative You may suppose I was a little astonished when I found that a
treaty in which I was so considerably interested had advanced a good way
before I was even consulted«
»Capot me if I think that was according to the rules of the game« said his
confidant »and pray what answer did you return«
»Why my first thought was to send the treaty to the devil and the
negotiators along with it for a couple of meddling old women my next was to
laugh very heartily and my third and last was a settled opinion that the thing
was reasonable and would suit me well enough«
»Why I thought you had never seen the wench but once and then she had her
ridingmask on I am sure you told me so«
»Ay but I liked her very well then And Ravenswoods dirty usage of me
shutting me out of doors to dine with the lackeys because he had the Lord
Keeper forsooth and his daughter to be guests in his beggarly castle of
starvation Dn me Craigengelt if I ever forgive him till I play him as good
a trick«
»No more you should if you are a lad of metal« said Craigengelt the
matter now taking a turn in which he could sympathise »and if you carry this
wench from him it will break his heart«
»That it will not« said Bucklaw »his heart is all steeled over with reason
and philosophy things that you Craigie know nothing about more than myself
God help me But it will break his pride though and thats what Im driving
at«
»Distance me« said Craigengelt »but I know the reason now of his
unmannerly behaviour at his old tumbledown tower yonder Ashamed of your
company no no Gad he was afraid you would cut in and carry off the
girl«
»Eh Craigengelt« said Bucklaw »do you really think so but no no
he is a devilish deal prettier man than I am«
»Who he« exclaimed the parasite »hes as black as the crook and for
his size hes a tall fellow to be sure but give me a light stout
middlesized«
»Plague on thee« said Bucklaw interrupting him »and on me for listening
to you you would say as much if I were hunchbacked But as to Ravenswood
he has kept no terms with me Ill keep none with him if I can win this girl
from him I will win her«
»Win her sblood you shall win her point quint and quatorze my king
of trumps you shall pique repique and capot him«
»Prithee stop thy gambling cant for one instant« said Bucklaw »Things
have come thus far that I have entertained the proposal of my kinswoman agreed
to the terms of jointure amount of fortune and so forth and that the affair
is to go forward when Lady Ashton comes down for she takes her daughter and her
son in her own hand Now they want me to send up a confidential person with some
writings«
»By this good wine Ill ride to the end of the world the very gates of
Jericho and the judgmentseat of Prester John for thee« ejaculated the
Captain
»Why I believe you would do something for me and a great deal for
yourself Now any one could carry the writings but you will have a little more
to do You must contrive to drop out before my Lady Ashton just as if it were a
matter of little consequence the residence of Ravenswood at her husbands
house and his close intercourse with Miss Ashton and you may tell her that
all the country talks of a visit from the Marquis of A as it is supposed to
make up the match betwixt Ravenswood and her daughter I should like to hear
what she says to all this for rat me if I have any idea of starting for the
plate at all if Ravenswood is to win the race and he has odds against me
already«
»Never a bit the wench has too much sense and in that belief I drink her
health a third time and were time and place fitting I would drink it on
bended knees and he that would not pledge me I would make his guts garter his
stockings«
»Hark ye Craigengelt as you are going into the society of women of rank«
said Bucklaw »Ill thank you to forget your strange blackguard oaths and
dammes Ill write to them though that you are a blunt untaught fellow«
»Ay ay« replied Craigengelt »a plain blunt honest downright soldier«
»Not too honest nor too much of the soldier neither but such as thou art
it is my luck to need thee for I must have spurs put to Lady Ashtons motions«
»Ill dash them up to the rowelheads« said Craigengelt »she shall come
here at the gallop like a cow chased by a whole nest of hornets and her tail
twisted over her rump like a corkscrew«
»And hear ye Craigie« said Bucklaw »your boots and doublet are good
enough to drink in as the man says in the play but they are somewhat too
greasy for teatable service prithee get thyself a little better rigged out
and here is to pay all charges«
»Nay Bucklaw on my soul man you use me ill However« added
Craigengelt pocketing the money »if you will have me so far indebted to you I
must be conforming«
»Well horse and away« said the patron »so soon as you have got your
riding livery in trim You may ride the black cropear and hark ye Ill make
you a present of him to boot«
»I drink to the good luck of my mission« answered the ambassador »in a
halfpint bumper«
»I thank ye Craigie and pledge you I see nothing against it but the
father or the girl taking a tantrum and I am told the mother can wind them both
round her little finger Take care not to affront her with any of your Jacobite
jargon«
»O ay true she is a whig and a friend of old Sall of Marlborough thank
my stars I can hoist any colours at a pinch I have fought as hard under John
Churchill as ever I did under Dundee or the Duke of Berwick«
»I verily believe you Craigie« said the lord of the mansion »but
Craigie do you pray step down to the cellar and fetch us up a bottle of the
Burgundy 1678 it is in the fourth bin from the righthand turn And I say
Craigie you may fetch up halfadozen whilst you are about it Egad well
make a night ont«
Chapter TwentyFirst
And soon they spied the merrymen green
And eke the coach and four
Duke upon Duke
Craigengelt set forth on his mission so soon as his equipage was complete
prosecuted his journey with all diligence and accomplished his commission with
all the dexterity for which Bucklaw had given him credit As he arrived with
credentials from Mr Hayston of Bucklaw he was extremely welcome to both
ladies and those who are prejudiced in favour of a new acquaintance can for a
time at least discover excellences in his very faults and perfections in his
deficiencies Although both ladies were accustomed to good society yet being
predetermined to find out an agreeable and wellbehaved gentleman in Mr
Haystons friend they succeeded wonderfully in imposing on themselves It is
true that Craigengelt was now handsomely dressed and that was a point of no
small consequence But independent of outward show his blackguard impudence of
address was construed into honourable bluntness becoming his supposed military
profession his hectoring passed for courage and his sauciness for wit Lest
however any one should think this a violation of probability we must add in
fairness to the two ladies that their discernment was greatly blinded and
their favour propitiated by the opportune arrival of Captain Craigengelt in the
moment when they were longing for a third hand to make a party at tredrille in
which as in all games whether of chance or skill that worthy person was a
great proficient
When he found himself established in favour his next point was how best to
use it for the furtherance of his patrons views He found Lady Ashton
prepossessed strongly in favour of the motion which Lady Blenkensop partly
from regard to her kinsman partly from the spirit of matchmaking had not
hesitated to propose to her so that his task was an easy one Bucklaw reformed
from his prodigality was just the sort of husband which she desired to have for
her Shepherdess of Lammermoor and while the marriage gave her an easy fortune
and a respectable country gentleman for her husband Lady Ashton was of opinion
that her destinies would be fully and most favourably accomplished It so
chanced also that Bucklaw among his new acquisitions had gained the
management of a little political interest in a neighbouring county where the
Douglas family originally held large possessions It was one of the bosomhopes
of Lady Ashton that her eldest son Sholto should represent this county in the
British Parliament and she saw this alliance with Bucklaw as a circumstance
which might be highly favourable to her wishes
Craigengelt who in his way by no means wanted sagacity no sooner
discovered in what quarter the wind of Lady Ashtons wishes sate than he
trimmed his course accordingly »There was little to prevent Bucklaw himself
from sitting for the county he must carry the heat must walk the course Two
cousinsgerman six more distant kinsmen his factor and his chamberlain were
all hollow votes and the Girnington interest had always carried betwixt love
and fear about as many more But Bucklaw cared no more about riding the first
horse and that sort of thing than he Craigengelt did about a game at birkie
it was a pity his interest was not in good guidance«
All this Lady Ashton drank in with willing and attentive ears resolving
internally to be herself the person who should take the management of the
political influence of her destined soninlaw for the benefit of her eldest
born Sholto and all other parties concerned
When he found her ladyship thus favourably disposed the Captain proceeded
to use his employers phrase to set spurs to her resolution by hinting at the
situation of matters at Ravenswood Castle the long residence which the heir of
that family had made with the Lord Keeper and the reports which though he
would be dd ere he gave credit to any of them had been idly circulated in the
neighbourhood It was not the Captains cue to appear himself to be uneasy on
the subject of these rumours but he easily saw from Lady Ashtons flushed
cheek hesitating voice and flashing eye that she had caught the alarm which
he intended to communicate She had not heard from her husband so often or so
regularly as she thought him bound in duty to have written and of this very
interesting intelligence concerning his visit to the Tower of Wolfs Crag and
the guest whom with such cordiality he had received at Ravenswood Castle he
had suffered his lady to remain altogether ignorant until she now learned it by
the chance information of a stranger Such concealment approached in her
apprehension to a misprision at least of treason if not to actual rebellion
against her matrimonial authority and in her inward soul did she vow to take
vengeance on the Lord Keeper as on a subject detected in meditating revolt Her
indignation burned the more fiercely as she found herself obliged to suppress
it in presence of Lady Blenkensop the kinswoman and of Craigengelt the
confidential friend of Bucklaw of whose alliance she now became trebly
desirous since it occurred to her alarmed imagination that her husband might
in his policy or timidity prefer that of Ravenswood
The Captain was engineer enough to discover that the train was fired and
therefore heard in the course of the same day without the least surprise that
Lady Ashton had resolved to abridge her visit to Lady Blenkensop and set forth
with the peep of morning on her return to Scotland using all the despatch which
the state of the roads and the mode of travelling would possibly permit
Unhappy Lord Keeper little was he aware what a storm was travelling
towards him in all the speed with which an oldfashioned coach and six could
possibly achieve its journey He like Don Gayferos »forgot his lady fair and
true« and was only anxious about the expected visit of the Marquis of A
Soothfast tidings had assured him that this nobleman was at length and without
fail to honour his castle at one in the afternoon being a late dinnerhour
and much was the bustle in consequence of the annunciation The Lord Keeper
traversed the chambers held consultation with the butler in the cellars and
even ventured at the risk of a démêlé with a cook of a spirit lofty enough to
scorn the admonitions of Lady Ashton herself to peep into the kitchen
Satisfied at length that everything was in as active a train of preparation as
was possible he summoned Ravenswood and his daughter to walk upon the terrace
for the purpose of watching from that commanding position the earliest
symptoms of his lordships approach For this purpose with slow and idle step
he paraded the terrace which flanked with a heavy stone battlement stretched
in front of the castle upon a level with the first storey while visitors found
access to the court by a projecting gateway the bartisan or flatleaded roof of
which was accessible from the terrace by an easy flight of low and broad steps
The whole bore a resemblance partly to a castle partly to a noblemans seat
and though calculated in some respects for defence evinced that it had been
constructed under a sense of the power and security of the ancient Lords of
Ravenswood
This pleasant walk commanded a beautiful and extensive view But what was
most to our present purpose there were seen from the terrace two roads one
leading from the east and one from the westward which crossing a ridge
opposed to the eminence on which the castle stood at different angles
gradually approached each other until they joined not far from the gate of the
avenue It was to the westward approach that the Lord Keeper from a sort of
fidgeting anxiety his daughter from complaisance to him and Ravenswood
though feeling some symptoms of internal impatience out of complaisance to his
daughter directed their eyes to see the precursors of the Marquiss approach
These were not long of presenting themselves Two running footmen dressed
in white with black jockeycaps and long staffs in their hands headed the
train and such was their agility that they found no difficulty in keeping the
necessary advance which the etiquette of their station required before the
carriage and horsemen Onward they came at a long swinging trot arguing
unwearied speed in their longbreathed calling Such running footmen are often
alluded to in old plays I would particularly instance »Middletons Mad World
my Masters« and perhaps may be still remembered by some old persons in
Scotland as part of the retinue of the ancient nobility when travelling in full
ceremony26 Behind these glancing meteors who footed it as if the Avenger of
Blood had been behind them came a cloud of dust raised by riders who preceded
attended or followed the statecarriage of the Marquis
The privilege of nobility in those days had something in it impressive on
the imagination The dresses and liveries and number of their attendants their
style of travelling the imposing and almost warlike air of the armed men who
surrounded them placed them far above the laird who travelled with his brace
of footmen and as to rivalry from the mercantile part of the community these
would as soon have thought of imitating the state equipage of the Sovereign At
present it is different and I myself Peter Pattieson in a late journey to
Edinburgh had the honour in the mailcoach phrase to »change a leg« with a
peer of the realm It was not so in the days of which I write and the Marquiss
approach so long expected in vain now took place in the full pomp of ancient
aristocracy Sir William Ashton was so much interested in what he beheld and in
considering the ceremonial of reception in case any circumstance had been
omitted that he scarce heard his son Henry exclaim »There is another coach and
six coming down the east road papa can they both belong to the Marquis of
A«
At length when the youngster had fairly compelled his attention by pulling
his sleeve
He turnd his eyes and as he turnd surveyd
An awful vision
Sure enough another coach and six with four servants or outriders in
attendance was descending the hill from the eastward at such a pace as made it
doubtful which of the carriages thus approaching from different quarters would
first reach the gate at the extremity of the avenue The one coach was green
the other blue and not the green and blue chariots in the Circus of Rome or
Constantinople excited more turmoil among the citizens than the double
apparition occasioned in the mind of the Lord Keeper We all remember the
terrible exclamation of the dying profligate when a friend to destroy what he
supposed the hypochondriac idea of a spectre appearing in a certain shape at a
given hour placed before him a person dressed up in the manner he described
»Mon Dieu« said the expiring sinner who it seems saw both the real and
polygraphic apparition »il y en a deux«
The surprise of the Lord Keeper was scarcely less unpleasing at the
duplication of the expected arrival his mind misgave him strangely There was
no neighbour who would have approached so unceremoniously at a time when
ceremony was held in such respect It must be Lady Ashton said his conscience
and followed up the hint with an anxious anticipation of the purpose of her
sudden and unannounced return He felt that he was caught »in the manner« That
the company in which she had so unluckily surprised him was likely to be highly
distasteful to her there was no question and the only hope which remained for
him was her high sense of dignified propriety which he trusted might prevent
a public explosion But so active were his doubts and fears as altogether to
derange his purposed ceremonial for the reception of the Marquis
These feelings of apprehension were not confined to Sir William Ashton »It
is my mother it is my mother« said Lucy turning as pale as ashes and
clasping her hands together as she looked at Ravenswood
»And if it be Lady Ashton« said her lover to her in a low tone »what can
be the occasion of such alarm Surely the return of a lady to the family from
which she has been so long absent should excite other sensations than those of
fear and dismay«
»You do not know my mother« said Miss Ashton in a tone almost breathless
with terror »what will she say when she sees you in this place«
»My stay has been too long« said Ravenswood somewhat haughtily »if her
displeasure at my presence is likely to be so formidable My dear Lucy« he
resumed in a tone of soothing encouragement »you are too childishly afraid of
Lady Ashton she is a woman of family a lady of fashion a person who must
know the world and what is due to her husband and her husbands guests«
Lucy shook her head and as if her mother still at the distance of
halfamile could have seen and scrutinised her deportment she withdrew
herself from beside Ravenswood and taking her brother Henrys arm led him to
a different part of the terrace The Keeper also shuffled down towards the
portal of the great gate without inviting Ravenswood to accompany him and thus
he remained standing alone on the terrace deserted and shunned as it were by
the inhabitants of the mansion
This suited not the mood of one who was proud in proportion to his poverty
and who thought that in sacrificing his deeprooted resentments so far as to
become Sir William Ashtons guest he conferred a favour and received none »I
can forgive Lucy« he said to himself »she is young timid and conscious of an
important engagement assumed without her mothers sanction yet she should
remember with whom it has been assumed and leave me no reason to suspect that
she is ashamed of her choice For the Keeper sense spirit and expression seem
to have left his face and manner since he had the first glimpse of Lady Ashtons
carriage I must watch how this is to end and if they give me reason to think
myself an unwelcome guest my visit is soon abridged«
With these suspicions floating on his mind he left the terrace and walking
towards the stables of the castle gave directions that his horse should be kept
in readiness in case he should have occasion to ride abroad
In the meanwhile the drivers of the two carriages the approach of which had
occasioned so much dismay at the castle had become aware of each others
presence as they approached upon different lines to the head of the avenue as
a common centre Lady Ashtons driver and postilions instantly received orders
to get foremost if possible her ladyship being desirous of despatching her
first interview with her husband before the arrival of these guests whoever
they might happen to be On the other hand the coachman of the Marquis
conscious of his own dignity and that of his master and observing the rival
charioteer was mending his pace resolved like a true brother of the whip
whether ancient or modern to vindicate his right of precedence So that to
increase the confusion of the Lord Keepers understanding he saw the short time
which remained for consideration abridged by the haste of the contending
coachmen who fixing their eyes sternly on each other and applying the lash
smartly to their horses began to thunder down the descent with emulous
rapidity while the horsemen who attended them were forced to put on to a
handgallop
Sir Williams only chance now remaining was the possibility of an overturn
and that his lady or visitor might break their necks I am not aware that he
formed any distinct wish on the subject but I have no reason to think that his
grief in either case would have been altogether inconsolable This chance
however also disappeared for Lady Ashton though insensible to fear began to
see the ridicule of running a race with a visitor of distinction the goal being
the portal of her own castle and commanded her coachman as they approached the
avenue to slacken his pace and allow precedence to the strangers equipage a
command which he gladly obeyed as coming in time to save his honour the horses
of the Marquiss carriage being better or at least fresher than his own He
restrained his pace therefore and suffered the green coach to enter the
avenue with all its retinue which pass it occupied with the speed of a
whirlwind The Marquiss laced charioteer no sooner found the pas davance was
granted to him than he resumed a more deliberate pace at which he advanced
under the embowering shade of the lofty elms surrounded by all the attendants
while the carriage of Lady Ashton followed still more slowly at some distance
In the front of the castle and beneath the portal which admitted guests
into the inner court stood Sir William Ashton much perplexed in mind his
younger son and daughter beside him and in their rear a train of attendants of
various ranks in and out of livery The nobility and gentry of Scotland at
this period were remarkable even to extravagance for the number of their
servants whose services were easily purchased in a country where men were
numerous beyond proportion to the means of employing them
The manners of a man trained like Sir William Ashton are too much at his
command to remain long disconcerted with the most adverse concurrence of
circumstances He received the Marquis as he alighted from his equipage with
the usual compliments of welcome and as he ushered him into the great hall
expressed his hope that his journey had been pleasant The Marquis was a tall
wellmade man with a thoughtful and intelligent countenance and an eye in
which the fire of ambition had for some years replaced the vivacity of youth a
bold proud expression of countenance yet chastened by habitual caution and
the desire which as the head of a party he necessarily entertained of
acquiring popularity He answered with courtesy the courteous inquiries of the
Lord Keeper and was formally presented to Miss Ashton in the course of which
ceremony the Lord Keeper gave the first symptom of what was chiefly occupying
his mind by introducing his daughter as »his wife Lady Ashton«
Lucy blushed the Marquis looked surprised at the extremely juvenile
appearance of his hostess and the Lord Keeper with difficulty rallied himself
so far as to explain »I should have said my daughter my lord but the truth
is that I saw Lady Ashtons carriage enter the avenue shortly after your
lordships and«
»Make no apology my lord« replied his noble guest »let me entreat you
will wait on your lady and leave me to cultivate Miss Ashtons acquaintance I
am shocked my people should have taken precedence of our hostess at her own
gate but your lordship is aware that I supposed Lady Ashton was still in the
south Permit me to beseech you will waive ceremony and hasten to welcome her«
This was precisely what the Lord Keeper longed to do and he instantly
profited by his lordships obliging permission To see Lady Ashton and
encounter the first burst of her displeasure in private might prepare her in
some degree to receive her unwelcome guests with due decorum As her carriage
therefore stopped the arm of the attentive husband was ready to assist Lady
Ashton in dismounting Looking as if she saw him not she put his arm aside and
requested that of Captain Craigengelt who stood by the coach with his laced hat
under his arm having acted as cavaliere servente or squire in attendance
during the journey Taking hold of this respectable persons arm as if to
support her Lady Ashton traversed the court uttering a word or two by way of
direction to the servants but not one to Sir William who in vain endeavoured
to attract her attention as he rather followed than accompanied her into the
hall in which they found the Marquis in close conversation with the Master of
Ravenswood Lucy had taken the first opportunity of escaping There was
embarrassment on every countenance except that of the Marquis of A for even
Craigengelts impudence was hardly able to veil his fear of Ravenswood and the
rest felt the awkwardness of the position in which they were thus unexpectedly
placed
After waiting a moment to be presented by Sir William Ashton the Marquis
resolved to introduce himself »The Lord Keeper« he said bowing to Lady
Ashton »has just introduced to me his daughter as his wife he might very
easily present Lady Ashton as his daughter so little does she differ from what
I remember her some years since Will she permit an old acquaintance the
privilege of a guest«
He saluted the lady with too good a grace to apprehend a repulse and then
proceeded »This Lady Ashton is a peacemaking visit and therefore I presume
to introduce my cousin the young Master of Ravenswood to your favourable
notice«
Lady Ashton could not choose but courtesy but there was in her obeisance an
air of haughtiness approaching to contemptuous repulse Ravenswood could not
choose but bow but his manner returned the scorn with which he had been
greeted
»Allow me« she said »to present to your lordship my friend« Craigengelt
with the forward impudence which men of his cast mistake for ease made a
sliding bow to the Marquis which he graced by a flourish of his goldlaced hat
The lady turned to her husband »You and I Sir William« she said and these
were the first words she had addressed to him »have acquired new acquaintances
since we parted let me introduce the acquisition I have made to mine Captain
Craigengelt«
Another bow and another flourish of the goldlaced hat which was returned
by the Lord Keeper without intimation of former recognition and with that sort
of anxious readiness which intimated his wish that peace and amnesty should
take place betwixt the contending parties including the auxiliaries on both
sides »Let me introduce you to the Master of Ravenswood« said he to Captain
Craigengelt following up the same amicable system But the Master drew up his
tall form to the full extent of his height and without so much as looking
towards the person thus introduced to him he said in a marked tone »Captain
Craigengelt and I are already perfectly well acquainted with each other«
»Perfectly perfectly« replied the Captain in a mumbling tone like that
of a double echo and with a flourish of his hat the circumference of which was
greatly abridged compared with those which had so cordially graced his
introduction to the Marquis and the Lord Keeper
Lockhard followed by three menials now entered with wine and refreshments
which it was the fashion to offer as a whet before dinner and when they were
placed before the guests Lady Ashton made an apology for withdrawing her
husband from them for some minutes upon business of special import The Marquis
of course requested her ladyship would lay herself under no restraint and
Craigengelt bolting with speed a second glass of racy Canary hastened to leave
the room feeling no great pleasure in the prospect of being left alone with the
Marquis of A and the Master of Ravenswood the presence of the former holding
him in awe and that of the latter in bodily terror
Some arrangements about his horse and baggage formed the pretext for his
sudden retreat in which he persevered although Lady Ashton gave Lockhard
orders to be careful most particularly to accommodate Captain Craigengelt with
all the attendance which he could possibly require The Marquis and the Master
of Ravenswood were thus left to communicate to each other their remarks upon the
reception which they had met with while Lady Ashton led the way and her lord
followed somewhat like a condemned criminal to her ladyships dressingroom
So soon as the spouses had both entered her ladyship gave way to that
fierce audacity of temper which she had with difficulty suppressed out of
respect to appearances She shut the door behind the alarmed Lord Keeper took
the key out of the springlock and with a countenance which years had not
bereft of its haughty charms and eyes which spoke at once resolution and
resentment she addressed her astounded husband in these words »My lord I am
not greatly surprised at the connections you have been pleased to form during my
absence they are entirely in conformity with your birth and breeding and if I
did expect anything else I heartily own my error and that I merit by having
done so the disappointment you had prepared for me«
»My dear Lady Ashton my dear Eleanor« said the Lord Keeper »listen to
reason for a moment and I will convince you I have acted with all the regard
due to the dignity as well as the interest of my family«
»To the interest of your family I conceive you perfectly capable of
attending« returned the indignant lady »and even to the dignity of your own
family also as far as it requires any looking after But as mine happens to be
inextricably involved with it you will excuse me if I choose to give my own
attention so far as that is concerned«
»What would you have Lady Ashton« said the husband »What is it that
displeases you Why is it that on your return after so long an absence I am
arraigned in this manner«
»Ask your own conscience Sir William what has prompted you to become a
renegade to your political party and opinions and led you for what I know to
be on the point of marrying your only daughter to a beggarly Jacobite bankrupt
the inveterate enemy of your family to the boot«
»Why what in the name of common sense and civility would you have me do
madam« answered her husband »Is it possible for me with ordinary decency to
turn a young gentleman out of my house who saved my daughters life and my own
but the other morning as it were«
»Saved your life I have heard of that story« said the lady »the Lord
Keeper was scared by a dun cow and he takes the young fellow who killed her for
Guy of Warwick any butcher from Haddington may soon have an equal claim on
your hospitality«
»Lady Ashton« stammered the Keeper »this is intolerable and when I am
desirous too to make you easy by any sacrifice if you would but tell me what
you would be at«
»Go down to your guests« said the imperious dame »and make your apology to
Ravenswood that the arrival of Captain Craigengelt and some other friends
renders it impossible for you to offer him lodgings at the castle I expect
young Mr Hayston of Bucklaw«
»Good heavens madam« ejaculated her husband »Ravenswood to give place to
Craigengelt a common gambler and an informer It was all I could do to
forbear desiring the fellow to get out of my house and I was much surprised to
see him in your ladyships train«
»Since you saw him there you might be well assured« answered this meek
helpmate »that he was proper society As to this Ravenswood he only meets with
the treatment which to my certain knowledge he gave to a muchvalued friend of
mine who had the misfortune to be his guest some time since But take your
resolution for if Ravenswood does not quit the house I will«
Sir William Ashton paced up and down the apartment in the most distressing
agitation fear and shame and anger contending against the habitual deference
he was in the use of rendering to his lady At length it ended as is usual with
timid minds placed in such circumstances in his adopting a mezzo termine a
middle measure
»I tell you frankly madam I neither can nor will be guilty of the
incivility you propose to the Master of Ravenswood he has not deserved it at
my hand If you will be so unreasonable as to insult a man of quality under your
own roof I cannot prevent you but I will not at least be the agent in such a
preposterous proceeding«
»You will not« asked the lady
»No by heavens madam« her husband replied »ask me anything congruent
with common decency as to drop his acquaintance by degrees or the like but
to bid him leave my house is what I will not and cannot consent to«
»Then the task of supporting the honour of the family will fall on me as it
has often done before« said the lady
She sat down and hastily wrote a few lines The Lord Keeper made another
effort to prevent her taking a step so decisive just as she opened the door to
call her female attendant from the anteroom »Think what you are doing Lady
Ashton you are making a mortal enemy of a young man who is like to have the
means of harming us«
»Did you ever know a Douglas who feared an enemy« answered the lady
contemptuously
»Ay but he is as proud and vindictive as a hundred Douglases and a hundred
devils to boot Think of it for a night only«
»Not for another moment« answered the lady »here Mrs Patullo give
this billet to young Ravenswood«
»To the Master madam« said Mrs Patullo
»Ay to the Master if you call him so«
»I wash my hands of it entirely« said the Keeper »and I shall go down into
the garden and see that Jardine gathers the winter fruit for the dessert«
»Do so« said the lady looking after him with glances of infinite contempt
»and thank God that you leave one behind you as fit to protect the honour of the
family as you are to look after pippins and pears«
The Lord Keeper remained long enough in the garden to give her Ladyships
mind time to explode and to let as he thought at least the first violence of
Ravenswoods displeasure blow over When he entered the hall he found the
Marquis of A giving orders to some of his attendants He seemed in high
displeasure and interrupted an apology which Sir William had commenced for
having left his lordship alone
»I presume Sir William you are no stranger to this singular billet with
which my kinsman of Ravenswood« an emphasis on the word my »has been favoured
by your lady and of course that you are prepared to receive my adieus My
kinsman is already gone having thought it unnecessary to offer any on his part
since all former civilities had been cancelled by this singular insult«
»I protest my lord« said Sir William holding the billet in his hand »I
am not privy to the contents of this letter I know Lady Ashton is a
warmtempered and prejudiced woman and I am sincerely sorry for any offence
that has been given or taken but I hope your Lordship will consider that a
lady«
»Should bear herself towards persons of a certain rank with the breeding of
one« said the Marquis completing the halfuttered sentence
»True my lord« said the unfortunate Keeper »but Lady Ashton is still a
woman«
»And as such methinks« said the Marquis again interrupting him »should
be taught the duties which correspond to her station But here she comes and I
will learn from her own mouth the reason of this extraordinary and unexpected
affront offered to my near relation while both he and I were her ladyships
guests«
Lady Ashton accordingly entered the apartment at this moment Her dispute
with Sir William and a subsequent interview with her daughter had not
prevented her from attending to the duties of her toilette She appeared in full
dress and from the character of her countenance and manner well became the
splendour with which ladies of quality then appeared on such occasions
The Marquis of A bowed haughtily and she returned the salute with equal
pride and distance of demeanour He then took from the passive hand of Sir
William Ashton the billet he had given him the moment before he approached the
lady and was about to speak when she interrupted him »I perceive my lord
you are about to enter upon an unpleasant subject I am sorry any such should
have occurred at this time to interrupt in the slightest degree the
respectful reception due to your lordship but so it is Mr Edgar
Ravenswood for whom I have addressed the billet in your lordships hand has
abused the hospitality of this family and Sir William Ashtons softness of
temper in order to seduce a young person into engagements without her parents
consent and of which they never can approve«
Both gentlemen answered at once »My kinsman is incapable« said the
Lord Marquis
»I am confident that my daughter Lucy is still more incapable« said the
Lord Keeper
Lady Ashton at once interrupted and replied to them both »My Lord
Marquis your kinsman if Mr Ravenswood has the honour to be so has made the
attempt privately to secure the affections of this young and inexperienced girl
Sir William Ashton your daughter has been simple enough to give more
encouragement than she ought to have done to so very improper a suitor«
»And I think madam« said the Lord Keeper losing his accustomed temper and
patience »that if you had nothing better to tell us you had better have kept
this family secret to yourself also«
»You will pardon me Sir William« said the lady calmly »the noble Marquis
has a right to know the cause of the treatment I have found it necessary to use
to a gentleman whom he calls his bloodrelation«
»It is a cause« muttered the Lord Keeper »which has emerged since the
effect has taken place for if it exists at all I am sure she knew nothing of
it when her letter to Ravenswood was written«
»It is the first time that I have heard of this« said the Marquis »but
since your ladyship has tabled a subject so delicate permit me to say that my
kinsmans birth and connections entitled him to a patient hearing and at least
a civil refusal even in case of his being so ambitious as to raise his eyes to
the daughter of Sir William Ashton«
»You will recollect my lord of what blood Miss Lucy Ashton is come by the
mothers side« said the lady
»I do remember your descent from a younger branch of the house of Angus«
said the Marquis »and your ladyship forgive me lady ought not to forget
that the Ravenswoods have thrice intermarried with the main stem Come madam
I know how matters stand old and long fostered prejudices are difficult to get
over I make every allowance for them I ought not and I would not otherwise
have suffered my kinsman to depart alone expelled in a manner from this house
but I had hopes of being a mediator I am still unwilling to leave you in
anger and shall not set forward till after noon as I rejoin the Master of
Ravenswood upon the road a few miles from hence Let us talk over this matter
more coolly«
»It is what I anxiously desire my lord« said Sir William Ashton eagerly
»Lady Ashton we will not permit my Lord of A to leave us in displeasure We
must compel him to tarry dinner at the castle«
»The castle« said the lady »and all that it contains are at the command
of the Marquis so long as he chooses to honour it with his residence but
touching the farther discussion of this disagreeable topic«
»Pardon me good madam« said the Marquis »but I cannot allow you to
express any hasty resolution on a subject so important I see that more company
is arriving and since I have the good fortune to renew my former acquaintance
with Lady Ashton I hope she will give me leave to avoid perilling what I prize
so highly upon any disagreeable subject of discussion at least till we have
talked over more pleasant topics«
The lady smiled courtesied and gave her hand to the Marquis by whom with
all the formal gallantry of the time which did not permit the guest to tuck the
lady of the house under the arm as a rustic does his sweetheart at a wake she
was ushered to the eatingroom
Here they were joined by Bucklaw Craigengelt and other neighbours whom the
Lord Keeper had previously invited to meet the Marquis of A An apology
founded upon a slight indisposition was alleged as an excuse for the absence of
Miss Ashton whose seat appeared unoccupied The entertainment was splendid to
profusion and was protracted till a late hour
Chapter TwentySecond
Such was our fallen fathers fate
Yet better than mine own
He shared his exile with his mate
Im banishd forth alone
Waller
I will not attempt to describe the mixture of indignation and regret with which
Ravenswood left the seat which had belonged to his ancestors The terms in which
Lady Ashtons billet was couched rendered it impossible for him without being
deficient in that spirit of which he perhaps had too much to remain an instant
longer within its walls The Marquis who had his share in the affront was
nevertheless still willing to make some efforts at conciliation He therefore
suffered his kinsman to depart alone making him promise however that he would
wait for him at the small inn called the Tods Hole situated as our readers
may be pleased to recollect halfway betwixt Ravenswood Castle and Wolfs Crag
and about five Scottish miles distant from each Here the Marquis proposed to
join the Master of Ravenswood either that night or the next morning His own
feelings would have induced him to have left the castle directly but he was
loath to forfeit without at least one effort the advantages which he had
proposed from his visit to the Lord Keeper and the Master of Ravenswood was
even in the very heat of his resentment unwilling to foreclose any chance of
reconciliation which might arise out of the partiality which Sir William Ashton
had shown towards him as well as the intercessory arguments of his noble
kinsman He himself departed without a moments delay farther than was
necessary to make this arrangement
At first he spurred his horse at a quick pace through an avenue of the park
as if by rapidity of motion he could stupify the confusion of feelings with
which he was assailed But as the road grew wilder and more sequestered and
when the trees had hidden the turrets of the castle he gradually slackened his
pace as if to indulge the painful reflections which he had in vain endeavoured
to repress The path in which he found himself led him to the Mermaidens
Fountain and to the cottage of Alice and the fatal influence which
superstitious belief attached to the former spot as well as the admonitions
which had been in vain offered to him by the inhabitant of the latter forced
themselves upon his memory »Old saws speak truth« he said to himself »and the
Mermaidens Well has indeed witnessed the last act of rashness of the heir of
Ravenswood Alice spoke well« he continued »and I am in the situation which
she foretold or rather I am more deeply dishonoured not the dependant and
ally of the destroyer of my fathers house as the old sibyl presaged but the
degraded wretch who has aspired to hold that subordinate character and has
been rejected with disdain«
We are bound to tell the tale as we have received it and considering the
distance of the time and propensity of those through whose mouths it has passed
to the marvellous this could not be called a Scottish story unless it
manifested a tinge of Scottish superstition As Ravenswood approached the
solitary fountain he is said to have met with the following singular adventure
His horse which was moving slowly forward suddenly interrupted its steady
and composed pace snorted reared and though urged by the spur refused to
proceed as if some object of terror had suddenly presented itself On looking
to the fountain Ravenswood discerned a female figure dressed in a white or
rather greyish mantle placed on the very spot on which Lucy Ashton had reclined
while listening to the fatal tale of love His immediate impression was that
she had conjectured by which path he would traverse the park on his departure
and placed herself at this wellknown and sequestered place of rendezvous to
indulge her own sorrow and his in a parting interview In this belief he jumped
from his horse and making its bridle fast to a tree walked hastily towards the
fountain pronouncing eagerly yet under his breath the words »Miss Ashton
Lucy«
The figure turned as he addressed it and discovered to his wondering eyes
the features not of Lucy Ashton but of old blind Alice The singularity of her
dress which rather resembled a shroud than the garment of a living woman the
appearance of her person larger as it struck him than it usually seemed to be
above all the strange circumstance of a blind infirm and decrepit person
being found alone and at a distance from her habitation considerable if her
infirmities be taken into account combined to impress him with a feeling of
wonder approaching to fear As he approached she arose slowly from her seat
held her shrivelled hand up as if to prevent his coming more near and her
withered lips moved fast although no sound issued from them Ravenswood
stopped and as after a moments pause he again advanced towards her Alice
or her apparition moved or glided backwards towards the thicket still
keeping her face turned towards him The trees soon hid the form from his sight
and yielding to the strong and terrific impression that the being which he had
seen was not of this world the Master of Ravenswood remained rooted to the
ground whereon he had stood when he caught his last view of her At length
summoning up his courage he advanced to the spot on which the figure had seemed
to be seated but neither was there pressure of the grass nor any other
circumstance to induce him to believe that what he had seen was real and
substantial
Full of those strange thoughts and confused apprehensions which awake in the
bosom of one who conceives he has witnessed some preternatural appearance the
Master of Ravenswood walked back towards his horse frequently however looking
behind him not without apprehension as if expecting that the vision would
reappear But the apparition whether it was real or whether it was the
creation of a heated and agitated imagination returned not again and he found
his horse sweating and terrified as if experiencing that agony of fear with
which the presence of a supernatural being is supposed to agitate the brute
creation The Master mounted and rode slowly forward soothing his steed from
time to time while the animal seemed internally to shrink and shudder as if
expecting some new object of fear at the opening of every glade The rider
after a moments consideration resolved to investigate the matter farther »Can
my eyes have deceived me« he said »and deceived me for such a space of time
Or are this womans infirmities but feigned in order to excite compassion
And even then her motion resembled not that of a living and existing person
Must I adopt the popular creed and think that the unhappy being has formed a
league with the powers of darkness I am determined to be resolvedI will not
brook imposition even from my own eyes«
In this uncertainty he rode up to the little wicket of Alices garden Her
seat beneath the birchtree was vacant though the day was pleasant and the sun
was high He approached the hut and heard from within the sobs and wailing of a
female No answer was returned when he knocked so that after a moments pause
he lifted the latch and entered It was indeed a house of solitude and sorrow
Stretched upon her miserable pallet lay the corpse of the last retainer of the
house of Ravenswood who still abode on their paternal domains Life had but
shortly departed and the little girl by whom she had been attended in her last
moments was wringing her hands and sobbing betwixt childish fear and sorrow
over the body of her mistress
The Master of Ravenswood had some difficulty to compose the terrors of the
poor child whom his unexpected appearance had at first rather appalled than
comforted and when he succeeded the first expression which the girl used
intimated that »he had come too late« Upon inquiring the meaning of this
expression he learned that the deceased upon the first attack of the mortal
agony had sent a peasant to the castle to beseech an interview of the Master of
Ravenswood and had expressed the utmost impatience for his return But the
messengers of the poor are tardy and negligent the fellow had not reached the
castle as was afterwards learned until Ravenswood had left it and had then
found too much amusement among the retinue of the strangers to return in any
haste to the cottage of Alice Meantime her anxiety of mind seemed to increase
with the agony of her body and to use the phrase of Babie her only attendant
»she prayed powerfully that she might see her masters son once more and renew
her warning« She died just as the clock in the distant village tolled one and
Ravenswood remembered with internal shudderings that he had heard the chime
sound through the wood just before he had seen what he was now much disposed to
consider as the spectre of the deceased
It was necessary as well from his respect to the departed as in common
humanity to her terrified attendant that he should take some measures to
relieve the girl from her distressing situation The deceased he understood
had expressed a desire to be buried in a solitary churchyard near the little
inn of the Tods Hole called the Hermitage or more commonly Armitage in which
lay interred some of the Ravenswood family and many of their followers
Ravenswood conceived it his duty to gratify this predilection so commonly found
to exist among the Scottish peasantry and despatched Babie to the neighbouring
village to procure the assistance of some females assuring her that in the
meanwhile he would himself remain with the dead body which as in Thessaly of
old it is accounted highly unfit to leave without a watch
Thus in the course of a quarter of an hour or little more he found himself
sitting a solitary guard over the inanimate corpse of her whose dismissed
spirit unless his eyes had strangely deceived him had so recently manifested
itself before him Notwithstanding his natural courage the Master was
considerably affected by a concurrence of circumstances so extraordinary »She
died expressing her eager desire to see me Can it be then« was his natural
course of reflection »can strong and earnest wishes formed during the last
agony of nature survive its catastrophe surmount the awful bounds of the
spiritual world and place before us its inhabitants in the hues and colouring
of life And why was that manifested to the eye which could not unfold its
tale to the ear and wherefore should a breach be made in the laws of nature
yet its purpose remain unknown Vain questions which only death when it shall
make me like the pale and withered form before me can ever resolve«
He laid a cloth as he spoke over the lifeless face upon whose features he
felt unwilling any longer to dwell He then took his place in an old carved
oaken chair ornamented with his own armorial bearings which Alice had
contrived to appropriate to her own use in the pillage which took place among
creditors officers domestics and messengers of the law when his father left
Ravenswood Castle for the last time Thus seated he banished as much as he
could the superstitious feelings which the late incident naturally inspired
His own were sad enough without the exaggeration of supernatural terror since
he found himself transferred from the situation of a successful lover of Lucy
Ashton and an honoured and respected friend of her father into the melancholy
and solitary guardian of the abandoned and forsaken corpse of a common pauper
He was relieved however from his sad office sooner than he could
reasonably have expected considering the distance betwixt the hut of the
deceased and the village and the age and infirmities of three old women who
came from thence in military phrase to relieve guard upon the body of the
defunct On any other occasion the speed of these reverend sibyls would have
been much more moderate for the first was eighty years of age and upwards the
second was paralytic and the third lame of a leg from some accident But the
burial duties rendered to the deceased are to the Scottish peasant of either
sex a labour of love I know not whether it is from the temper of the people
grave and enthusiastic as it certainly is or from the recollection of the
ancient Catholic opinions when the funeral rites were always considered as a
period of festival to the living but feasting good cheer and even inebriety
were and are the frequent accompaniments of a Scottish oldfashioned burial
What the funeral feast or dirgie as it is called was to the men the gloomy
preparations of the dead body for the coffin were to the women To straight the
contorted limbs upon a board used for that melancholy purpose to array the
corpse in clean linen and over that in its woollen shroud were operations
committed always to the old matrons of the village and in which they found a
singular and gloomy delight
The old women paid the Master their salutations with a ghastly smile which
reminded him of the meeting betwixt Macbeth and the witches on the blasted heath
of Forres He gave them some money and recommended to them the charge of the
dead body of their contemporary an office which they willingly undertook
intimating to him at the same time that he must leave the hut in order that
they might begin their mournful duties Ravenswood readily agreed to depart
only tarrying to recommend to them due attention to the body and to receive
information where he was to find the sexton or beadle who had in charge the
deserted churchyard of the Armitage in order to prepare matters for the
reception of old Alice in the place of repose which she had selected for
herself
»Yell no be pinched to find out Johnie Mortsheugh« said the elder sibyl
and still her withered cheek bore a grisly smile »he dwells near the Tods
Hole a house of entertainment where there has been mony a blithe birling for
death and drinkdraining are near neighbours to ane anither«
»Ay and thats een true cummer« said the lame hag propping herself with
a crutch which supported the shortness of her left leg »for I mind when the
father of this Master of Ravenswood that is now standing before us sticked
young Blackhall with his whinger for a wrang word said ower their wine or
brandy or what not he gaed in as light as a lark and he came out wi his
feet foremost I was at the winding of the corpse and when the bluid was washed
off he was a bonny bouk of mans body«
It may easily be believed that this illtimed anecdote hastened the
Masters purpose of quitting a company so evilomened and so odious Yet while
walking to the tree to which his horse was tied and busying himself with
adjusting the girths of the saddle he could not avoid hearing through the
hedge of the little garden a conversation respecting himself betwixt the lame
woman and the octogenarian sibyl The pair had hobbled into the garden to gather
rosemary southernwood rue and other plants proper to be strewed upon the
body and burned by way of fumigation in the chimney of the cottage The
paralytic wretch almost exhausted by the journey was left guard upon the
corpse lest witches or fiends might play their sport with it
The following low croaking dialogue was necessarily overheard by the Master
of Ravenswood
»Thats a fresh and fullgrown hemlock Annie Winnie mony a cummer lang
syne wad hae sought nae better horse to flee over hill and how through mist and
moonlight and light down in the King of Frances cellar«
»Ay cummer but the very deil has turned as hardhearted now as the Lord
Keeper and the grit folk that hae breasts like whinstane They prick us and
they pine us and they pit us on the pinnywinkles for witches and if I say my
prayers backwards ten times ower Satan will never gie me amends o them«
»Did ye ever see the foul thief« asked her neighbour
»Na« replied the other spokeswoman »but I trow I hae dreamed of him mony a
time and I think the day will come they will burn me fort But neer mind
cummer we hae this dollar of the Masters and well send doun for bread and
for yill tobacco and a drap brandy to burn and a wee pickle saft sugar and
be there deil or nae deil lass well hae a merry night ot«
Here her leathern chops uttered a sort of cackling ghastly laugh
resembling to a certain degree the cry of the screechowl
»Hes a frank man and a freehanded man the Master« said Annie Winnie
»and a comely personage broad in the shouthers and narrow around the lungies
he wad mak a bonny corpse I wad like to hae the streaking and winding o
him«
»It is written on his brow Annie Winnie« returned the octogenarian her
companion »that hand of woman or of man either will never straught him
deaddeal will never be laid on his back make you your market of that for I
hae it frae a sure hand«
»Will it be his lot to die on the battleground then Ailsie Gourlay Will
he die by the sword or the ball as his forbears hae dune before him mony ane
o them«
»Ask nae mair questions about it hell no be graced sae far« replied the
sage
»I ken ye are wiser than ither folk Ailsie Gourlay But wha telld ye
this«
»Fashna your thumb about that Annie Winnie« answered the sibyl »I hae it
frae a hand sure eneugh«
»But ye said ye never saw the foul thief« reiterated her inquisitive
companion
»I hae it frae as sure a hand« said Ailsie »and frae them that spaed his
fortune before the sark gaed ower his head«
»Hark I hear his horses feet riding aff« said the other »they dinna
sound as if good luck was wi them«
»Mak haste sirs« cried the paralytic hag from the cottage »and let us do
what is needfu and say what is fitting for if the dead corpse binna
straughted it will girn and thraw and that will fear the best o us«
Ravenswood was now out of hearing He despised most of the ordinary
prejudices about witchcraft omens and vaticination to which his age and
country still gave such implicit credit that to express a doubt of them was
accounted a crime equal to the unbelief of Jews or Saracens he knew also that
the prevailing belief concerning witches operating upon the hypochondriac
habits of those whom age infirmity and poverty rendered liable to suspicion
and enforced by the fear of death and the pangs of the most cruel tortures
often extorted those confessions which encumber and disgrace the criminal
records of Scotland during the seventeenth century But the vision of that
morning whether real or imaginary had impressed his mind with a superstitious
feeling which he in vain endeavoured to shake off The nature of the business
which awaited him at the little inn called Tods Hole where he soon after
arrived was not of a kind to restore his spirits
It was necessary he should see Mortsheugh the sexton of the old
burialground at Armitage to arrange matters for the funeral of Alice and as
the man dwelt near the place of her late residence the Master after a slight
refreshment walked towards the place where the body of Alice was to be
deposited It was situated in the nook formed by the eddying sweep of a stream
which issued from the adjoining hills A rude cavern in an adjacent rock which
in the interior was cut into the shape of a cross formed the hermitage where
some Saxon saint had in ancient times done penance and given name to the place
The rich abbey of Coldinghame had in latter days established a chapel in the
neighbourhood of which no vestige was now visible though the churchyard which
surrounded it was still as upon the present occasion used for the interment of
particular persons One or two shattered yewtrees still grew within the
precincts of that which had once been holy ground Warriors and barons had been
buried there of old but their names were forgotten and their monuments
demolished The only sepulchral memorials which remained were the upright
headstones which marked the graves of persons of inferior rank The abode of the
sexton was a solitary cottage adjacent to the ruined wall of the cemetery but
so low that with its thatch which nearly reached the ground covered with a
thick crop of grass fog and houseleeks it resembled an overgrown grave On
inquiry however Ravenswood found that the man of the last mattock was absent
at a bridal being fiddler as well as gravedigger to the vicinity He therefore
retired to the little inn leaving a message that early next morning he would
again call for the person whose double occupation connected him at once with the
house of mourning and the house of feasting
An outrider of the Marquis arrived at Tods Hole shortly after with a
message intimating that his master would join Ravenswood at that place on the
following morning and the Master who would otherwise have proceeded to his old
retreat at Wolfs Crag remained there accordingly to give meeting to his noble
kinsman
Chapter TwentyThird
Hamlet Has this fellow no feeling of his business he sings at
grave making
Horatio Custom hath made it in him a property of easiness
Hamlet Tis een so the hand of little employment hath the
daintier sense
Hamlet Act V Scene I
The sleep of Ravenswood was broken by ghastly and agitating visions and his
waking intervals disturbed by melancholy reflections on the past and painful
anticipations of the future He was perhaps the only traveller who ever slept m
that miserable kennel without complaining of his lodgings or feeling
inconvenience from their deficiencies It is when »the mind is free the bodys
delicate« Morning however found the Master an early riser in hopes that the
fresh air of the dawn might afford the refreshment which night had refused him
He took his way toward the solitary burialground which lay about halfamile
from the inn
The thin blue smoke which already began to curl upward and to distinguish
the cottage of the living from the habitation of the dead apprised him that its
inmate had returned and was stirring Accordingly on entering the little
churchyard he saw the old man labouring in a halfmade grave My destiny
thought Ravenswood seems to lead me to scenes of fate and of death but these
are childish thoughts and they shall not master me I will not again suffer my
imagination to beguile my senses The old man rested on his spade as the
Master approached him as if to receive his commands and as he did not
immediately speak the sexton opened the discourse in his own way
»Ye will be a wedding customer sir Ise warrant«
»What makes you think so friend« replied the Master
»I live by twa trades sir« replied the blithe old man »fiddle sir and
spade filling the world and emptying of it and I suld ken baith cast of
customers by headmark in thirty years practice«
»You are mistaken however this morning« replied Ravenswood
»Am I« said the old man looking keenly at him »troth and it may be
since for as brent as your brow is there is something sitting upon it this
day that is as near akin to death as to wedlock Weel weel the pick and
shovel are as ready to your order as bow and fiddle«
»I wish you« said Ravenswood »to look after the decent interment of an old
woman Alice Gray who lived at the Craigfoot in Ravenswood Park«
»Alice Gray blind Alice« said the sexton »and is she gane at last thats
another jow of the bell to bid me be ready I mind when Habbie Gray brought her
down to this land a likely lass she was then and looked over her southland
nose at us a I trow her pride got a downcome And is she een gane«
»She died yesterday« said Ravenswood »and desired to be buried here
beside her husband you know where he lies no doubt«
»Ken where he lies« answered the sexton with national indirection of
response »I ken where abody lies that lies here But ye were speaking o her
grave Lord help us its no an ordinar grave that will haud her in if as
true that folk said of Alice in her auld days and if I gae to six feet deep
and a warlocks grave shouldna be an inch mair ebb or her ain witch cummers
would soon whirl her out of her shroud for a their auld acquaintance and bet
six feet or bet three whas to pay the making ot I pray ye«
»I will pay that my friend and all reasonable charges«
»Reasonable charges« said the sexton »ou theres grundmail and
bellsiller though the bells broken nae doubt and the kist and my
days wark and my bit fee and some brandy and yill to the dirgie I am no
thinking that you can inter her to ca decently under saxteen pund Scots«
»There is the money my friend« said Ravenswood »and something over Be
sure you know the grave«
»Yell be ane o her English relations Ise warrant« said the hoary man of
skulls »I hae heard she married far below her station it was very right to let
her bite on the bridle when she was living and its very right to gie her a
decent burial now shes dead for thats a matter o credit to yoursell rather
than to her Folk may let their kindred shift for themsells when they are alive
and can bear the burden of their ain misdoings but its an unnatural thing to
let them be buried like dogs when a the discredit gangs to the kindred what
kens the dead corpse about it«
»You would not have people neglect their relations on a bridal occasion
neither« said Ravenswood who was amused with the professional limitation of
the gravediggers philanthropy
The old man cast up his sharp grey eyes with a shrewd smile as if he
understood the jest but instantly continued with his former gravity
»Bridals wha wad neglect bridals that had ony regard for plenishing the
earth To be sure they suld be celebrated with all manner of good cheer and
meeting of friends and musical instruments harp sackbut and psaltery or
gude fiddle and pipes when these auldwarld instruments of melody are hard to
be compassed«
»The presence of the fiddle I daresay« replied Ravenswood »would atone
for the absence of all others«
The sexton again looked sharply up at him as he answered »Nae doubt nae
doubt if it were weel played but yonder« he said as if to change the
discourse »is Halbert Grays lang hame that ye were speering after just the
third bourock beyond the muckle throughstane that stands on sax legs yonder
abune some ane of the Ravenswoods for there is mony of their kin and followers
here deil lift them though it isna just their main burialplace«
»They are no favourites then of yours these Ravenswoods« said the
Master not much pleased with the passing benediction which was thus bestowed on
his family and name
»I kenna wha should favour them« said the gravedigger »when they had lands
and power they were ill guides of them baith and now their heads down
theres few care how lang they may be of lifting it again«
»Indeed« said Ravenswood »I never heard that this unhappy family deserved
illwill at the hands of their country I grant their poverty if that renders
them contemptible«
»It will gang a far way tillt« said the sexton of Hermitage »ye may tak
my word for that at least I ken naething else that suld mak myself
contemptible and folk are far frae respecting me as they wad do if I lived in a
twalofted sclated house But as for the Ravenswoods I hae seen three
generations of them deil ane to mend other«
»I thought they had enjoyed a fair character in the country« said their
descendant
»Character Ou ye see sir« said the sexton »as for the auld gudesire
body of a lord I lived on his land when I was a swanking young chield and
could hae blawn the trumpet wi onybody for I had wind eneugh then and
touching this trumpeter Marine that I have heard play afore the Lords of the
Circuit I wad hae made nae mair o him than of a bairn and a bawbee whistle I
defy him to hae played Boot and saddle or Horse and away or Gallants come
trot with me he hadna the tones«
»But what is all this to old Lord Ravenswood my friend« said the Master
who with an anxiety not unnatural in his circumstances was desirous of
prosecuting the musicians first topic »What had his memory to do with the
degeneracy of the trumpet music«
»Just this sir« answered the sexton »that I lost my wind in his service
Ye see I was trumpeter at the castle and had allowance for blawing at break of
day and at dinnertime and other whiles when there was company about and it
pleased my lord and when he raised his militia to caper awa to Bothwell Brigg
against the wrangheaded wastland Whigs I behoved reason or nane to munt a
horse and caper awa wi them«
»And very reasonable« said Ravenswood »you were his servant and vassal«
»Servitor say ye« replied the sexton »and so I was but it was to blaw
folk to their warm dinner or at the warst to a decent kirkyard and no to skirl
them awa to a bluidy braeside where there was deil a bedral but the hooded
craw But bide ye ye shall hear what cam ot and how far I am bund to be
bedesman to the Ravenswoods Tillt ye see we gaed on a braw simmer morning
twentyfourth of June saxteen hundred and seentynine of a the days of the
month and year drums beat guns rattled horses kicked and trampled
Hackstoun of Rathillet keepit the brigg wi musket and carabine and pike sword
and scythe for what I ken and we horsemen were ordered down to cross at the
ford I hate fords at a times let abee when theres thousands of armed men
on the other side There was auld Ravenswood brandishing his Andrew Ferrara at
the head and crying to us to come and bucke of as if we had been gaun to a
fair there was Caleb Balderston that is living yet flourishing in the rear
and swearing Gog and Magog he would put steel through the guts of ony man that
turned bridle there was young Allan Ravenswood that was then Master wi a
bended pistol in his hand it was a mercy it gaed na aff crying to me that
had scarce as much wind left as serve the necessary purpose of my ain lungs
Sound you poltroon sound you damned cowardly villain or I will blow your
brains out and to be sure I blew sic points of war that the scraugh of a
clockinhen was music to them«
»Well sir cut all this short« said Ravenswood
»Short I had like to hae been cut short mysell in the flower of my
youth as Scripture says and thats the very thing that I compleen o Weel
in to the water we behoved a to splash heels ower head sit or fa ae horse
driving on anither as is the way of brute beasts and riders that hae as little
sense the very bushes on the ither side were ableeze wi the flashes of the
Whig guns and my horse had just taen the grand when a blackavised westland
carle I wad mind the face o him a hundred years yet an ee like a wild
falcons and a beard as broad as my shovel clapped the end o his lang black
gun within a quarters length o my lug by the grace o Mercy the horse
swarved round and I fell aff at the tae side as the ball whistled by at the
tither and the fell auld lord took the Whig such a swauk wi his broadsword
that he made two pieces o his head and down fell the lurdane wi a his bowk
abune me«
»You were rather obliged to the old lord I think« said Ravenswood
»Was I my sartie first for bringing me into jeopardy would I nould I
and then for whomling a chield on the tap o me that dang the very wind out o
my body I hae been shortbreathed ever since and canna gang twenty yards
without peghing like a millers aiver«
»You lost then your place as trumpeter« said Ravenswood
»Lost it to be sure I lost it« replied the sexton »for I couldna hae
played pew upon a dry humlock but I might hae dune weel eneugh for I keepit
the wage and the free house and little to do but play on the fiddle to them
but for Allan last Lord Ravenswood that was far waur than ever his father
was«
»What« said the Master »did my father I mean did his fathers son
this last Lord Ravenswood deprive you of what the bounty of his father allowed
you«
»Ay troth did he« answered the old man »for he loot his affairs gang to
the dogs and let in this Sir William Ashton on us that will gie naething for
naething and just removed me and a the puir creatures that had bite and soup
in the castle and a hole to put our heads in when things were in the auld
way«
»If Lord Ravenswood protected his people my friend while he had the means
of doing so I think they might spare his memory« replied the Master
»Ye are welcome to your ain opinion sir« said the sexton »but ye winna
persuade me that he did his duty either to himsell or to huz puir dependent
creatures in guiding us the gate he has done he might hae gien us liferent
tacks of our bits o houses and yards and me thats an auld man living in
yon miserable cabin thats fitter for the dead than the quick and killed wi
rheumatise and John Smith in my dainty bit mailing and his window glazen and
a because Ravenswood guided his gear like a fule«
»It is but too true« said Ravenswood consciencestruck »the penalties of
extravagance extend far beyond the prodigals own sufferings«
»However« said the sexton »this young man Edgar is like to avenge my
wrangs on the haill of his kindred«
»Indeed« said Ravenswood »why should you suppose so«
»They say he is about to marry the daughter of Leddy Ashton and let her
leddyship get his head ance under her oxter and see you if she winna gie his
neck a thraw Sorra a bit if I were him Let her alane for hauding a thing in
het water that draws near her sae the warst wish I shall wish the lad is that
he may take his ain creditable gate ot and ally himsell wi his fathers
enemies that have taken his broad lands and my bonny kailyard from the lawful
owners thereof«
Cervantes acutely remarks that flattery is pleasing even from the mouth of
a madman and censure as well as praise often affects us while we despise the
opinions and motives on which it is founded and expressed Ravenswood abruptly
reiterating his command that Alices funeral should be attended to flung away
from the sexton under the painful impression that the great as well as the
small vulgar would think of his engagement with Lucy like this ignorant and
selfish peasant
»And I have stooped to subject myself to these calumnies and am rejected
notwithstanding Lucy your faith must be true and perfect as the diamond to
compensate for the dishonour which mens opinions and the conduct of your
mother attach to the heir of Ravenswood«
As he raised his eyes he beheld the Marquis of A who having arrived at
the Tods Hole had walked forth to look for his kinsman
After mutual greetings he made some apology to the Master for not coming
forward on the preceding evening »It was his wish« he said »to have done so
but he had come to the knowledge of some matters which induced him to delay his
purpose I find« he proceeded »there has been a love affair here kinsman and
though I might blame you for not having communicated with me as being in some
degree the chief of your family«
»With your lordships permission« said Ravenswood »I am deeply grateful
for the interest you are pleased to take in me but I am the chief and head of
my family«
»I know it I know it« said the Marquis »in a strict heraldic and
genealogical sense you certainly are so what I mean is that being in some
measure under my guardianship«
»I must take the liberty to say my lord« answered Ravenswood and the
tone in which he interrupted the Marquis boded no long duration to the
friendship of the noble relatives when he himself was interrupted by the little
sexton who came puffing after them to ask if their honours would choose music
at the changehouse to make up for short cheer
»We want no music« said the Master abruptly
»Your honour disna ken what yere refusing then« said the fiddler with
the impertinent freedom of his profession »I can play Wilt thou dot again and
The Auld Mans Mears Dead sax times better than ever Pattie Birnie Ill get
my fiddle in the turning of a coffinscrew«
»Take yourself away sir« said the Marquis
»And if your honour be a northcountry gentleman« said the persevering
minstrel »whilk I wad judge from your tongue I can play Liggeram Cosh and
Mullin Dhu and The Cummers of Athole«
»Take yourself away friend yon interrupt our conversation«
»Or if under your honours favour ye should happen to be a thought honest
I can play« this in a low and confidential tone »Killiecrankie and The King
shall hae his ain and The Auld Stuarts back again and the wife at the
changehouse is a decent discreet body neither kens nor cares what toasts are
drucken and what tunes are played in her house shes deaf to a thing but the
clink o the siller«
The Marquis who was sometimes suspected of Jacobitism could not help
laughing as he threw the fellow a dollar and bid him go play to the servants if
he had a mind and leave them at peace
»Aweel gentlemen« said he »I am wishing your honours gudeday Ill be
a the better of the dollar and yell be the waur of wanting the music Ise
tell ye But Ise gang hame and finish the grave in the tuning o a
fiddlestring lay by my spade and then get my tother breadwinner and awa to
your folk and see if they hae better lugs than their masters«
Chapter TwentyFourth
True love an thou be true
Thou hast ane kittle part to play
For fortune fashion fancy and thou
Maun strive for many a day
Ive kend by mony a friends tale
Far better by this heart of mine
What time and change of fancy avail
A truelove knot to untwine
Hendersoun
»I wished to tell you my good kinsman« said the Marquis »now that we are quit
of that impertinent fiddler that I had tried to discuss this love affair of
yours with Sir William Ashtons daughter I never saw the young lady but for a
few minutes today so being a stranger to her personal merits I pay a
compliment to you and offer her no offence in saying you might do better«
»My lord I am much indebted for the interest you have taken in my affairs«
said Ravenswood »I did not intend to have troubled you in any matter concerning
Miss Ashton As my engagement with that young lady has reached your lordship I
can only say that you must necessarily suppose that I was aware of the
objections to my marrying into her fathers family and of course must have been
completely satisfied with the reasons by which these objections are
overbalanced since I have proceeded so far in the matter«
»Nay Master if you had heard me out« said his noble relation »you might
have spared that observation for without questioning that you had reasons which
seemed to you to counterbalance every other obstacle I set myself by every
means that it became me to use towards the Ashtons to persuade them to meet
your views«
»I am obliged to your lordship for your unsolicited intercession« said
Ravenswood »especially as I am sure your lordship would never carry it beyond
the bounds which it became me to use«
»Of that« said the Marquis »you may be confident I myself felt the
delicacy of the matter too much to place a gentleman nearly connected with my
house in a degrading or dubious situation with these Ashtons But I pointed out
all the advantages of their marrying their daughter into a house so honourable
and so nearly related with the first in Scotland I explained the exact degree
of relationship in which the Ravenswoods stand to ourselves and I even hinted
how political matters were like to turn and what cards would be trumps next
Parliament I said I regarded you as a son or a nephew or so rather than as
a more distant relation and that I made your affair entirely my own«
»And what was the issue of your lordships explanation« said Ravenswood in
some doubt whether he should resent or express gratitude for his interference
»Why the Lord Keeper would have listened to reason« said the Marquis »he
is rather unwilling to leave his place which in the present view of a change
must be vacated and to say truth he seemed to have a liking for you and to be
sensible of the general advantages to be attained by such a match But his lady
who is tongue of the trump Master«
»What of Lady Ashton my lord« said Ravenswood »let me know the issue of
this extraordinary conference I can bear it«
»I am glad of that kinsman« said the Marquis »for I am ashamed to tell
you half what she said It is enough her mind is made up and the mistress of
a firstrate boardingschool could not have rejected with more haughty
indifference the suit of a halfpay Irish officer beseeching permission to wait
upon the heiress of a West India planter than Lady Ashton spurned every
proposal of mediation which it could at all become me to offer in behalf of you
my good kinsman I cannot guess what she means A more honourable connection she
could not form thats certain As for money and land that used to be her
husbands business rather than hers I really think she hates you for having the
rank which her husband has not and perhaps for not having the lands that her
goodman has But I should only vex you to say more about it here we are at the
changehouse«
The Master of Ravenswood paused as he entered the cottage which reeked
through all its crevices and they were not few from the exertions of the
Marquiss travellingcooks to supply good cheer and spread as it were a table
in the wilderness
»My Lord Marquis« said Ravenswood »I already mentioned that accident has
put your lordship in possession of a secret which with my consent should have
remained one even to you my kinsman for some time Since the secret was to
part from my own custody and that of the only person besides who was interested
in it I am not sorry it should have reached your lordships ears as being
fully aware that you are my noble kinsman and friend«
»You may believe it is safely lodged with me Master of Ravenswood« said
the Marquis »but I should like well to hear you say that you renounced the
idea of an alliance which you can hardly pursue without a certain degree of
degradation«
»Of that my lord I shall judge« answered Ravenswood »and I hope with
delicacy as sensitive as any of my friends But I have no engagement with Sir
William and Lady Ashton It is with Miss Ashton alone that I have entered upon
the subject and my conduct in the matter shall be entirely ruled by hers If
she continues to prefer me in my poverty to the wealthier suitors whom her
friends recommend I may well make some sacrifice to her sincere affection I
may well surrender to her the less tangible and less palpable advantages of
birth and the deeprooted prejudices of family hatred If Miss Lucy Ashton
should change her mind on a subject of such delicacy I trust my friends will be
silent on my disappointment and I shall know how to make my enemies so«
»Spoke like a gallant young nobleman« said the Marquis »for my part I
have that regard for you that I should be sorry the thing went on This Sir
William Ashton was a pretty enough pettifogging kind of a lawyer twenty years
ago and betwixt battling at the bar and leading in committees of Parliament
he has got well on the Darien matter lent him a lift for he had good
intelligence and sound views and sold out in time but the best work is had
out of him No government will take him at his own or rather his wifes
extravagant valuation and betwixt his indecision and her insolence from all I
can guess he will outsit his market and be had cheap when no one will bid for
him I say nothing of Miss Ashton but I assure you a connection with her father
will be neither useful nor ornamental beyond that part of your fathers spoils
which he may be prevailed upon to disgorge by way of tochergood and take my
word for it you will get more if you have spirit to bell the cat with him in
the House of Peers And I will be the man cousin« continued his lordship
»will course the fox for you and make him rue the day that ever he refused a
composition too honourable for him and proposed by me on the behalf of a
kinsman«
There was something in all this that as it were overshot the mark
Ravenswood could not disguise from himself that his noble kinsman had more
reasons for taking offence at the reception of his suit than regarded his
interest and honour yet he could neither complain nor be surprised that it
should be so He contented himself therefore with repeating that his attachment
was to Miss Ashton personally that he desired neither wealth nor aggrandisement
from her fathers means and influence and that nothing should prevent his
keeping his engagement excepting her own express desire that it should be
relinquished and he requested as a favour that the matter might be no more
mentioned betwixt them at present assuring the Marquis of A that he should be
his confidant in its progress or its interruption
The Marquis soon had more agreeable as well as more interesting subjects on
which to converse A footpost who had followed him from Edinburgh to
Ravenswood Castle and had traced his steps to the Tods Hole brought him a
packet laden with good news The political calculations of the Marquis had
proved just both in London and at Edinburgh and he saw almost within his grasp
the preeminence for which he had panted The refreshments which the servants
had prepared were now put on the table and an epicure would perhaps have
enjoyed them with additional zest from the contrast which such fare afforded to
the miserable cabin in which it was served up
The turn of conversation corresponded with and added to the social feelings
of the company The Marquis expanded with pleasure on the power which probable
incidents were likely to assign to him and on the use which he hoped to make of
it in serving his kinsman Ravenswood Ravenswood could but repeat the gratitude
which he really felt even when he considered the topic as too long dwelt upon
The wine was excellent notwithstanding its having been brought in a runlet from
Edinburgh and the habits of the Marquis when engaged with such good cheer
were somewhat sedentary And so it fell out that they delayed their journey two
hours later than was their original purpose
»But what of that my good young friend« said the Marquis »your Castle of
Wolfs Crag is but five or six miles distance and will afford the same
hospitality to your kinsman of A that it gave to this same Sir William
Ashton«
»Sir William took the Castle by storm« said Ravenswood »and like many a
victor had little reason to congratulate himself on his conquest«
»Well well« said Lord A whose dignity was something relaxed by the wine
he had drunk »I see I must bribe you to harbour me Come pledge me in a
bumper health to the last young lady that slept at Wolfs Crag and liked her
quarters My bones are not so tender as hers and I am resolved to occupy her
apartment tonight that I may judge how hard the couch is that love can
soften«
»Your lordship may choose what penance you please« said Ravenswood »but I
assure you I should expect my old servant to hang himself or throw himself
from the battlements should your lordship visit him so unexpectedly I do
assure you we are totally and literally unprovided«
But his declaration only brought from his noble patron an assurance of his
own total indifference as to every species of accommodation and his
determination to see the Tower of Wolfs Crag His ancestor he said had been
feasted there when he went forward with the then Lord Ravenswood to the fatal
battle of Flodden in which they both fell Thus hard pressed the Master
offered to ride forward to get matters put in such preparation as time and
circumstances admitted but the Marquis protested his kinsman must afford him
his company and would only consent that an avantcourier should carry to the
destined seneschal Caleb Balderston the unexpected news of this invasion
The Master of Ravenswood soon after accompanied the Marquis in his carriage
as the latter had proposed and when they became better acquainted in the
progress of the journey his noble relation explained the very liberal views
which he entertained for his relations preferment in case of the success of
his own political schemes They related to a secret and highly important
commission beyond sea which could only be intrusted to a person of rank and
talent and perfect confidence and which as it required great trust and
reliance on the envoy employed could not but prove both honourable and
advantageous to him We need not enter into the nature and purpose of this
commission farther than to acquaint our readers that the charge was in prospect
highly acceptable to the Master of Ravenswood who hailed with pleasure the hope
of emerging from his present state of indigence and inaction into independence
and honourable exertion While he listened thus eagerly to the details with
which the Marquis now thought it necessary to intrust him the messenger who had
been despatched to the tower of Wolfs Crag returned with Caleb Balderstons
humble duty and an assurance that »a should be in seemly order sic as the
hurry of time permitted to receive their lordships as it behoved«
Ravenswood was too well accustomed to his seneschals mode of acting and
speaking to hope much from this confident assurance He knew that Caleb acted
upon the principle of the Spanish generals in the campaign of who much to
the perplexity of the Prince of Orange their commanderinchief used to report
their troops as full in number and possessed of all necessary points of
equipment not considering it consistent with their dignity or the honour of
Spain to confess any deficiency either in men or munition until the want of
both was unavoidably discovered in the day of battle Accordingly Ravenswood
thought it necessary to give the Marquis some hint that the fair assurance
which they had just received from Caleb did not by any means insure them
against a very indifferent reception
»You do yourself injustice Master« said the Marquis »or you wish to
surprise me agreeably From this window I see a great light in the direction
where if I remember aright Wolfs Crag lies and to judge from the splendour
which the old Tower sheds around it the preparations for our reception must be
of no ordinary description I remember your father putting the same deception on
me when we went to the Tower for a few days hawking about twenty years since
and yet we spent our time as jollily at Wolfs Crag as we could have done at my
own hunting seat at B«
»Your lordship I fear will experience that the faculty of the present
proprietor to entertain his friends is greatly abridged« said Ravenswood »the
will I need hardly say remains the same But I am as much at a loss as your
lordship to account for so strong and brilliant a light as is now above Wolfs
Crag the windows of the Tower are few and narrow and those of the lower
storey are hidden from us by the walls of the court I cannot conceive that any
illumination of an ordinary nature could afford such a blaze of light«
The mystery was soon explained for the cavalcade almost instantly halted
and the voice of Caleb Balderston was heard at the coach window exclaiming in
accents broken by grief and fear »Och gentlemen Och my gude lords Och
haud to the right Wolfs Crag is burning bower and ha a the rich
plenishing outside and inside a the fine graith pictures tapestries
needlewark hangings and other decorements a in a bleeze as if they were
nae mair than sae mony peats or as muckle peas strae Haud to the right
gentlemen I implore ye there is some sma provision making at Lucky
Smatrashs but O wae for this night and wae for me that lives to see it«
Ravenswood was at first stunned by this new and unexpected calamity but
after a moments recollection he sprang from the carriage and hastily bidding
his noble kinsman goodnight was about to ascend the hill towards the castle
the broad and full conflagration of which now flung forth a high column of red
light that flickered far to seaward upon the dashing waves of the ocean
»Take a horse Master« exclaimed the Marquis greatly affected by this
additional misfortune so unexpectedly heaped upon his young protégé »and give
me my ambling palfrey and haste forward you knaves to see what can be done
to save the furniture or to extinguish the fire ride you knaves for your
lives«
The attendants bustled together and began to strike their horses with the
spur and call upon Caleb to show them the road But the voice of that careful
seneschal was heard above the tumult »O stop sirs stop turn bridle for
the love of mercy add not loss of lives to the loss of warlds gear Thirty
barrels of pouther landed out of a Dunkirk dogger in the auld lords time a in
the vauts of the auld tower the fire canna be far aff it I trow Lords
sake to the right lads to the right lets pit the hill atween us and peril
a wap wi a cornerstane o Wolfs Crag wad defy the doctor«
It will readily be supposed that this annunciation hurried the Marquis and
his attendants into the route which Caleb prescribed dragging Ravenswood along
with them although there was much in the matter which he could not possibly
comprehend »Gunpowder« he exclaimed laying hold of Caleb who in vain
endeavoured to escape from him »what gunpowder How any quantity of powder
could be in Wolfs Crag without my knowledge I cannot possibly comprehend«
»But I can« interrupted the Marquis whispering him »I can comprehend it
thoroughly for Gods sake ask him no more questions at present«
»There it is now« said Caleb extricating himself from his master and
adjusting his dress »your honour will believe his lordships honourable
testimony His lordship minds weel how in the year that him they cad King
Willie died«
»Hush hush my good friend« said the Marquis »I shall satisfy your master
upon that subject«
»And the people at Wolfs Hope« said Ravenswood »did none of them come to
your assistance before the flame got so high«
»Ay did they mony ane of them the rapscallions« said Caleb »but truly I
was in nae hurry to let them into the Tower where there were so much plate and
valuables«
»Confound you for an impudent liar« said Ravenswood in uncontrollable ire
»there was not a single ounce of«
»Forby« said the butler most irreverently raising his voice to a pitch
which drowned his masters »the fire made fast on us owing to the store of
tapestry and carved timmer in the banqueting ha and the loons ran like scauded
rats sae sune as they heard of the gunpouther«
»I do entreat« said the Marquis to Ravenswood »you will ask him no more
questions«
»Only one my lord What has become of poor Mysie«
»Mysie« said Caleb »I had nae time to look about ony Mysie shes in the
Tower Ise warrant biding her awful doom«
»By Heaven« said Ravenswood »I do not understand all this The life of a
faithful old creature is at stake my lord I will be withheld no longer I
will at least ride up and see whether the danger is as imminent as this old
fool pretends«
»Weel then as I live by bread« said Caleb »Mysie is weel and safe I saw
her out of the castle before I left it mysell Was I ganging to forget an auld
fellowservant«
»What made you tell me the contrary this moment« said his master
»Did I tell you the contrary« said Caleb »then I maun hae been dreaming
surely or this awsome night has turned my judgment but safe she is and neer
a living soul in the castle a the better for them they wad have gotten an
unco heezy«
The Master of Ravenswood upon this assurance being solemnly reiterated and
notwithstanding his extreme wish to witness the last explosion which was to
ruin to the ground the mansion of his fathers suffered himself to be dragged
onward towards the village of Wolfs Hope where not only the changehouse but
that of our wellknown friend the cooper were all prepared for reception of
himself and his noble guest with a liberality of provision which requires some
explanation
We omitted to mention in its place that Lockhard having fished out the
truth concerning the mode by which Caleb had obtained the supplies for his
banquet the Lord Keeper amused with the incident and desirous at the time to
gratify Ravenswood had recommended the cooper of Wolfs Hope to the official
situation under Government the prospect of which had reconciled him to the loss
of his wildfowl Mr Girders preferment had occasioned a pleasing surprise to
old Caleb for when some days after his masters departure he found himself
absolutely compelled by some necessary business to visit the fishing hamlet
and was gliding like a ghost past the door of the cooper for fear of being
summoned to give some account of the progress of the solicitation in his favour
or more probably that the inmates might upbraid him with the false hope he had
held out upon the subject he heard himself not without some apprehension
summoned at once in treble tenor and bass a trio performed by the voices of
Mrs Girder old Dame Loup thedyke and the good man of the dwelling »Mr
Caleb Mr Caleb Mr Caleb Balderston I hope ye arena ganging drylipped by
our door and we sae muckle indebted to you«
This might be said ironically as well as in earnest Caleb augured the
worst turned a deaf ear to the trio aforesaid and was moving doggedly on his
ancient castor pulled over his brows and his eyes bent on the ground as if to
count the flinty pebbles with which the rude pathway was causewayed But on a
sudden he found himself surrounded in his progress like a stately merchantman
in the Gut of Gibraltar I hope the ladies will excuse the tarpaulin phrase by
three Algerine galleys
»Gude guide us Mr Balderston« said Mrs Girder
»Wha wad hae thought it of an auld and kend friend« said the mother
»And no sae muckle as stay to receive our thanks« said the cooper himself
»and frae the like o me that seldom offers them I am sure I hope theres nae
ill seed sawn between us Mr Balderston Ony man that has said to ye I am no
gratefu for the situation of Queens cooper let me hae a whample at him wi
mine eatche27 thats a« »My good friends my dear friends« said Caleb
still doubting how the certainty of the matter might stand »what needs a this
ceremony ane tries to serve their friends and sometimes they may happen to
prosper and sometimes to misgie naething I care to be fashed wi less than
thanks I never could bide them«
»Faith Mr Balderston ye suld hae been fashed wi few o mine« said the
downright man of staves and hoops »if I had only your gudewill to thank ye for
I suld een hae set the guse and the wild deukes and the runlet of sack to
balance that account Gudewill maun is a geizend tub that hauds in nae
liquor but gudedeeds like the cask tight round and sound that will haud
liquor for the king«
»Have ye no heard of our letter« said the mother »making our John the
Queens cooper for certain and scarce a chield that had ever hammered gird
upon tub but was applying for it«
»Have I heard« said Caleb who now found how the wind set with an
accent of exceeding contempt at the doubt expressed »Have I heard quo
she« and as he spoke he changed his shambling skulking dodging pace
into a manly and authoritative step readjusted his cocked hat and suffered
his brow to emerge from under it in all the pride of aristocracy like the sun
from behind a cloud
»To be sure he canna but hae heard« said the good woman
»Ay to be sure its impossible but I should« said Caleb »and sae Ill be
the first to kiss ye joe and wish you cooper much joy of your preferment
naething doubting but ye ken wha are your friends and have helped ye and can
help ye I thought it right to look a wee strange upon it at first« added
Caleb »just to see if ye were made of the right mettle but ye ring true lad
ye ring true«
So saying with a most lordly air he kissed the woman and abandoned his
hand with an air of serene patronage to the hearty shake of Mr Girders
hornhard palm Upon this complete and to Caleb most satisfactory information
he did not it may readily be believed hesitate to accept an invitation to a
solemn feast to which were invited not only all the notables of the village
but even his ancient antagonist Mr Dingwall himself At this festivity he was
of course the most welcome and most honoured guest and so well did he ply the
company with stories of what he could do with his master his master with the
Lord Keeper the Lord Keeper with the Council and the Council with the King
that before the company dismissed which was indeed rather at an early hour
than a late one every man of note in the village was ascending to the
topgallant of some ideal preferment by the ladder of ropes which Caleb had
presented to their imagination Nay the cunning butler regained in that moment
not only all the influence he possessed formerly over the villagers when the
baronial family which he served were at the proudest but acquired even an
accession of importance The writer the very attorney himself such is the
thirst of preferment felt the force of the attraction and taking an
opportunity to draw Caleb into a corner spoke with affectionate regret of the
declining health of the sheriffclerk of the county
»An excellent man a most valuable man Mr Caleb but fat sall I say
we are peer feckless bodies here the day and awa by cockscreech the morn
and if he failzies there maun be somebody in his place and gif that ye could
airt it my way I sall be thankful man a gluve stuffed wi gowd nobles an
hark ye man something canny till yoursell and the Wolfs Hope carles to
settle kindly wi the Master of Ravenswood that is Lord Ravenswood God
bless his lordship«
A smile and a hearty squeeze by the hand was the suitable answer to this
overture and Caleb made his escape from the jovial party in order to avoid
committing himself by any special promises
»The Lord be gude to me« said Caleb when he found himself in the open air
and at liberty to give vent to the selfexultation with which he was as it
were distended »did ever ony man see sic a set of greengaislings the very
pickmaws and solangeese outby yonder at the Bass hae ten times their sense
God an I had been the Lord High Commissioner to the Estates o Parliament they
couldna hae beflummed me mair and to speak Heavens truth I could hardly hae
beflummed them better neither But the writer ha ha ha ah ha ha ha
mercy on me that I suld live in my auld days to gie the gangby to the very
writer Sheriffclerk But I hae an auld account to settle wi the carle
and to make amends for byganes the office shall just cost him as much
timeserving as if he were to get it in gude earnest of whilk there is sma
appearance unless the Master learns mair the ways of this warld whilk it is
muckle to be doubted that he never will do«
Chapter TwentyFifth
Why flames the far summit why shoot to the blast
Those embers like stars from the firmament cast
Tis the fireshower of ruin all dreadfully driven
From his eyry that beacons the darkness of Heaven
Campbell
The circumstances announced in the conclusion of the last chapter will account
for the ready and cheerful reception of the Marquis of A and the Master of
Ravenswood in the village of Wolfs Hope In fact Caleb had no sooner announced
the conflagration of the Tower than the whole hamlet were upon foot to hasten to
extinguish the flames And although that zealous adherent diverted their zeal by
intimating the formidable contents of the subterranean apartments yet the check
only turned their assiduity into another direction Never had there been such
slaughtering of capons and fat geese and barndoor fowls never such boiling
of reested hams never such making of carcakes and sweet scones Selkirk
bannocks cookies and petticoattails delicacies little known to the present
generation Never had there been such a tapping of barrels and such uncorking
of greybeards in the village of Wolfs Hope All the inferior houses were
thrown open for the reception of the Marquiss dependants who came it was
thought as precursors of the shower of preferment which hereafter was to leave
the rest of Scotland dry in order to distil its rich dews on the village of
Wolfs Hope under Lammermoor The minister put in his claim to have the guests
of distinction lodged at the Manse having his eye it was thought upon a
neighbouring preferment where the incumbent was sickly but Mr Balderston
destined that honour to the cooper his wife and wifes mother who danced for
joy at the preference thus assigned them
Many a beck and many a bow welcomed these noble guests to as good
entertainment as persons of such rank could set before such visitors and the
old dame who had formerly lived in Ravenswood Castle and knew as she said
the ways of the nobility was in no whit wanting in arranging matters as well
as circumstances permitted according to the etiquette of the times The
coopers house was so roomy that each guest had his separate retiring room to
which they were ushered with all due ceremony while the plentiful supper was in
the act of being placed upon the table
Ravenswood no sooner found himself alone than impelled by a thousand
feelings he left the apartment the house and the village and hastily
retraced his steps to the brow of the hill which rose betwixt the village and
screened it from the tower in order to view the final fall of the house of his
fathers Some idle boys from the hamlet had taken the same direction out of
curiosity having first witnessed the arrival of the coachandsix and its
attendants As they ran one by one past the Master calling to each other to
»come and see the auld tower blaw up in the lift like the peelings of an ingan«
he could not but feel himself moved with indignation »And these are the sons of
my fathers vassals« he said »of men bound both by law and gratitude to
follow our steps through battle and fire and flood and now the destruction of
their liegelords house is but a holidays sight to them«
These exasperating reflections were partly expressed in the acrimony with
which he exclaimed on feeling himself pulled by the cloak »What do you want
you dog«
»I am a dog and an auld dog too« answered Caleb for it was he who had
taken the freedom »and I am like to get a dogs wages but it does not
signification a pinch of sneeshing for I am ower auld a dog to learn new
tricks or to follow a new master«
As he spoke Ravenswood attained the ridge of the hill from which Wolfs
Crag was visible the flames had entirely sunk down and to his great surprise
there was only a dusky reddening upon the clouds immediately over the castle
which seemed the reflection of the embers of the sunken fire
»The place cannot have blown up« said the Master »we must have heard the
report if a quarter of the gunpowder was there you tell me of it would have
been heard twenty miles off«
»Its very like it wad« said Balderston composedly
»Then the fire cannot have reached the vaults«
»Its like no« answered Caleb with the same impenetrable gravity
»Hark ye Caleb« said his master »this grows a little too much for my
patience I must go and examine how matters stand at Wolfs Crag myself«
»Your honour is ganging to gang nae sic gate« said Caleb firmly
»And why not« said Ravenswood sharply »who or what shall prevent me«
»Even I mysell« said Caleb with the same determination
»You Balderston« replied the Master »you are forgetting yourself I
think«
»But I think no« said Balderston »for I can just tell ye a about the
castle on this knowehead as weel as if ye were at it Only dinna pit yoursell
into a kippage and expose yoursell before the weans or before the Marquis
when ye gang downby«
»Speak out you old fool« replied his master »and let me know the best and
the worst at once«
»Ou the best and the warst is just that the tower is standing hale and
feir as safe and as empty as when ye left it«
»Indeed and the fire« said Ravenswood
»Not a gleed of fire then except the bit kindling peat and maybe a spunk
in Mysies cuttypipe« replied Caleb
»But the flame« demanded Ravenswood »the broad blaze which might have been
seen ten miles off what occasioned that«
»Hout awa its an auld saying and a true
Littles the light
Will be seen in a mirk night
A wheen fern and horse litter that I fired in the courtyard after sending back
the loon of a footman and to speak Heavens truth the next time that ye send
or bring ony body here let them be gentles allenarly without ony fremd
servants like that chield Lockhard to be gledging and gleeing about and
looking upon the wrang side of anes housekeeping to the discredit of the
family and forcing ane to damn their souls wi telling ae lee after another
faster than I can count them I wad rather set fire to the tower in gude
earnest and burn it ower my ain head into the bargain or I see the family
dishonoured in the sort«
»Upon my word I am infinitely obliged by the proposal Caleb« said his
master scarce able to restrain his laughter though rather angry at the same
time »But the gunpowder is there such a thing in the tower the Marquis
seemed to know of it«
»The pouther ha ha ha the Marquis ha ha ha« replied Caleb »if
your honour were to brain me I behoved to laugh the Marquis the pouther
was it there ay it was there Did he ken ot my certie the Marquis kend
ot and it was the best o the game for when I could not pacify your honour
wi a that I could say I aye threw out a word mair about the gunpouther and
garrd the Marquis tak the job in his ain hand«
»But you have not answered my question« said the Master impatiently »how
came the powder there and where is it now«
»Ou it came there an ye maun needs ken« said Caleb looking mysteriously
and whispering »when there was like to be a wee bit rising here and the
Marquis and a the great lords o the north were a in it and mony a gudely
gun and broadsword were ferried ower frae Dunkirk forby the pouther awfu wark
we had getting them into the tower under cloud o night for ye maun think it
wasna everybody could be trusted wi sic kittle jobs But if ye will gae hame
to your supper I will tell ye a about it as ye gang down«
»And these wretched boys« said Ravenswood »is it your pleasure they are to
sit there all night to wait for the blowing up of a tower that is not even on
fire«
»Surely not if it is your honours pleasure that they suld gang hame
although« added Caleb »it wadna do them a grains damage they wad screigh
less the next day and sleep the sounder at een But just as your honour
likes«
Stepping accordingly towards the urchins who manned the knolls near which
they stood Caleb informed them in an authoritative tone that their honours
Lord Ravenswood and the Marquis of A had given orders that the tower was not
to blow up till next day at noon The boys dispersed upon this comfortable
assurance One or two however followed Caleb for more information
particularly the urchin whom he had cheated while officiating as turnspit who
screamed »Mr Balderston Mr Balderston than the castles gane out like an
auld wifes spunk«
»To be sure it is callant« said the butler »do ye think the castle of as
great a lord as Lord Ravenswood wad continue in a bleeze and him standing
looking on wi his ain very een Its aye right« continued Caleb shaking off
his ragged page and closing in to his master »to train up weans as the wise
man says in the way they should go and aboon a to teach them respect to
their superiors«
»But all this while Caleb you have never told me what became of the arms
and powder« said Ravenswood
»Why as for the arms« said Caleb »it was just like the bairns rhyme
Some gaed east and some gaed west
And some gaed to the craws nest
And for the pouther I een changed it as occasion served with the skippers o
Dutch luggers and French vessels for gin and brandy and it served the house
mony a year a gude swap too between what cheereth the soul of man and that
which dingeth it clean out of his body forby I keepit a wheen pounds of it for
yoursell when ye wanted to take the pleasure o shooting whiles in these
latter days I wad hardly hae kend else whar to get pouther for your pleasure
And now that your anger is ower sir wasna that weel managed o me and arena
you far better sorted down yonder than ye could hae been in your ain auld ruins
upby yonder as the case stands wi us now the mairs the pity«
»I believe you may be right Caleb but before burning down my castle
either in jest or in earnest« said Ravenswood »I think I had a right to be in
the secret«
»Fie for shame your honour« replied Caleb »it fits an auld carle like me
weel enough to tell lees for the credit of the family but it wadna beseem the
like o your honours sell besides young folk are no judicious they cannot
make the maist of a bit figment Now this fire for a fire it shall be if I
suld burn the auld stable to make it mair feasible this fire besides that it
will be an excuse for asking onything we want through the country or doun at
the haven this fire will settle mony things on an honourable footing for the
familys credit that cost me telling twenty daily lees to a wheen idle chap and
queans and whats waur without gaining credence«
»That was hard indeed Caleb but I do not see how this fire should help
your veracity or your credit«
»There it is now« said Caleb »wasna I saying that young folk had a green
judgment How suld it help me quotha it will be a creditable apology for
the honour of the family for this score of years to come if it is weel guided
Wheres the family pictures says ae meddling body the great fire at Wolfs
Crag answers I Wheres the family plate says another the great fire says
I wha was to think of plate when life and limb were in danger Wheres the
wardrobe and the linens wheres the tapestries and the decorements beds of
state twilts pands and testors napery and broidered wark The fire the
fire the fire Guide the fire weel and it will serve ye for a that ye suld
have and have not and in some sort a gude excuse is better than the things
themselves for they maun crack and wear out and be consumed by time whereas a
gude offcome prudently and comfortably handled may serve a nobleman and his
family Lord kens how lang«
Ravenswood was too well acquainted with his butlers pertinacity and
selfopinion to dispute the point with him any farther Leaving Caleb
therefore to the enjoyment of his own successful ingenuity he returned to the
hamlet where he found the Marquis and the good woman of the mansion under some
anxiety the former on account of his absence the others for the discredit
their cookery might sustain by the delay of the supper All were now at ease
and heard with pleasure that the fire at the castle had burned out of itself
without reaching the vaults which was the only information that Ravenswood
thought it proper to give in public concerning the events of his butlers
stratagem
They sat down to an excellent supper No invitation could prevail on Mr and
Mrs Girder even in their own house to sit down at table with guests of such
high quality They remained standing in the apartment and acted the part of
respectful and careful attendants on the company Such were the manners of the
time The elder dame confident through her age and connection with the
Ravenswood family was less scrupulously ceremonious She played a mixed part
betwixt that of the hostess of an inn and the mistress of a private house who
receives guests above her own degree
She recommended and even pressed what she thought best and was herself
easily entreated to take a moderate share of the good cheer in order to
encourage her guests by her own example Often she interrupted herself to
express her regret that »my Lord did not eat that the Master was pyking a bare
bane that to be sure there was naething there fit to set before their
honours that Lord Allan rest his saul used to like a pouthered guse and
said it was Latin for a tass o brandy that the brandy came frae France
direct for for a the English laws and gaugers the Wolfs Hope brigs hadna
forgotten the gate to Dunkirk«
Here the cooper admonished his motherinlaw with his elbow which procured
him the following special notice in the progress of her speech
»Ye needna be dunshin that gate John« continued the old lady »naebody
says that ye ken whar the brandy comes frae and it wadna be fitting ye should
and you the Queens cooper and what signifiest« continued she addressing
Lord Ravenswood »to king queen or keiser whar an auld wife like me buys her
pickle sneeshin or her drap brandywine to haud her heart up«
Having thus extricated herself from her supposed false step Dame
Loupthedyke proceeded during the rest of the evening to supply with great
animation and very little assistance from her guests the funds necessary for
the support of the conversation until declining any further circulation of
their glass her guests requested her permission to retire to their apartments
The Marquis occupied the chamber of dais which in every house above the
rank of a mere cottage was kept sacred for such high occasions as the present
The modern finishing with plaster was then unknown and tapestry was confined to
the houses of the nobility and superior gentry The cooper therefore who was a
man of some vanity as well as some wealth had imitated the fashion observed by
the inferior landholders and clergy who usually ornamented their state
apartments with hangings of a sort of stamped leather manufactured in the
Netherlands garnished with trees and animals executed in copper foil and with
many a pithy sentence of morality which although couched in Low Dutch were
perhaps as much attended to in practice as if written in broad Scotch The whole
had somewhat of a gloomy aspect but the fire composed of old pitchbarrel
staves blazed merrily up the chimney the bed was decorated with linen of most
fresh and dazzling whiteness which had never before been used and might
perhaps have never been used at all but for this high occasion On the
toilette beside stood an oldfashioned mirror in a filigree frame part of the
dispersed finery of the neighbouring castle It was flanked by a longnecked
bottle of Florence wine by which stood a glass nearly as tall resembling in
shape that which Teniers usually places in the hands of his own portrait when
he paints himself as mingling in the revels of a country village To
counterbalance those foreign sentinels there mounted guard on the other side of
the mirror two stout warders of Scottish lineage a jug namely of double ale
which held a Scotch pint and a quegh or bicker of ivory and ebony hooped
with silver the work of John Girders own hands and the pride of his heart
Besides these preparations against thirst there was a goodly dietloaf or
sweetcake so that with such auxiliaries the apartment seemed victualled
against a siege of two or three days
It only remains to say that the Marquiss valet was in attendance
displaying his masters brocaded nightgown and richly embroidered velvet cap
lined and faced with Brussels lace upon a hugh leathern easy chair wheeled
round so as to have the full advantage of the comfortable fire which we have
already mentioned We therefore commit that eminent person to his nights
repose trusting he profited by the ample preparations made for his
accommodation preparations which we have mentioned in detail as illustrative
of ancient Scottish manners
It is not necessary we should be equally minute in describing the sleeping
apartment of the Master of Ravenswood which was that usually occupied by the
goodman and goodwife themselves It was comfortably hung with a sort of
warmcoloured worsted manufactured in Scotland approaching in texture to what
is now called shaloon A staring picture of John Girder himself ornamented this
dormitory painted by a starving Frenchman who had God knows how or why
strolled over from Flushing or Dunkirk to Wolfs Hope in a smuggling dogger The
features were indeed those of the stubborn opinionative yet sensible
artisan but Monsieur had contrived to throw a French grace into the look and
manner so utterly inconsistent with the dogged gravity of the original that it
was impossible to look at it without laughing John and his family however
piqued themselves not a little upon this picture and were proportionably
censured by the neighbourhood who pronounced that the cooper in sitting for
the same and yet more in presuming to hang it up in his bedchamber had
exceeded his privilege as the richest man of the village at once stepped beyond
the bounds of his own rank and encroached upon those of the superior orders
and in fine had been guilty of a very overweening act of vanity and
presumption Respect for the memory of my deceased friend Mr Richard Tinto
has obliged me to treat this matter at some length but I spare the reader his
prolix though curious observations as well upon the character of the French
School as upon the state of painting in Scotland at the beginning of the
eighteenth century
The other preparations of the Masters sleeping apartment were similar to
those in the chamber of dais
At the usual early hour of that period the Marquis of A and his kinsman
prepared to resume their journey This could not be done without an ample
breakfast in which cold meat and hot meat and oatmeal flummery wine and
spirits and milk varied by every possible mode of preparation evinced the same
desire to do honour to their guests which had been shown by the hospitable
owners of the mansion upon the evening before All the bustle of preparation for
departure now resounded through Wolf s Hope There was paying of bills and
shaking of hands and saddling of horses and harnessing of carriages and
distributing of drinkmoney The Marquis left a broad piece for the
gratification of John Girders household which he the said John was for some
time disposed to convert to his own use Dingwall the writer assuring him he was
justified in so doing seeing he was the disburser of those expenses which were
the occasion of the gratification But notwithstanding this legal authority
John could not find in his heart to dim the splendour of his late hospitality
by pocketing anything in the nature of a gratuity He only assured his menials
he would consider them as a damned ungrateful pack if they bought a gill of
brandy elsewhere than out of his own stores and as the drinkmoney was likely
to go to its legitimate use he comforted himself that in this manner the
Marquiss donative would without any impeachment of credit and character come
ultimately into his own exclusive possession
While arrangements were making for departure Ravenswood made blithe the
heart of his ancient butler by informing him cautiously however for he knew
Calebs warmth of imagination of the probable change which was about to take
place in his fortunes He deposited with Balderston at the same time the
greater part of his slender funds with an assurance which he was obliged to
reiterate more than once that he himself had sufficient supplies in certain
prospect He therefore enjoined Caleb as he valued his favour to desist from
all farther manoeuvres against the inhabitants of Wolf s Hope their cellars
poultry yards and substance whatsoever In this prohibition the old domestic
acquiesced more readily than his master expected
»It was doubtless« he said »a shame a discredit and a sin to harry the
puir creatures when the family were in circumstances to live honourably on
their ain means and there might be wisdom« he added »in giving them a whiles
breathing time at any rate that they might be the more readily brought forward
upon his honours future occasions«
This matter being settled and having taken an affectionate farewell of his
old domestic the Master rejoined his noble relative who was now ready to enter
his carriage The two landladies old and young having received in all kindly
greeting a kiss from each of their noble guests stood simpering at the door of
their house as the coachandsix followed by its train of clattering horsemen
thundered out of the village John Girder also stood upon his threshold now
looking at his honoured right hand which had been so lately shaken by a marquis
and a lord and now giving a glance into the interior of his mansion which
manifested all the disarray of the late revel as if balancing the distinction
which he had attained with the expenses of the entertainment
At length he opened his oracular jaws »Let every man and woman here set
about their ain business as if there was nae sic thing as marquis or master
duke or drake laird or lord in this world Let the house be redd up the
broken meat set by and if there is onything totally uneatable let it be gien
to the puir folk and gudemother and wife I hae just ae thing to entreat ye
that ye will never speak to me a single word good or bad anent a this nonsense
wark but keep a your cracks about it to yoursells and your kimmers for my
head is weelnigh dung donnart wi it already«
As Johns authority was tolerably absolute all departed to their usual
occupations leaving him to build castles in the air if he had a mind upon the
court favour which he had acquired by the expenditure of his worldly substance
Chapter TwentySixth
Why now I have Dame Fortune by the forelock
And if she escapes my grasp the fault is mine
He that hath buffeted with stern adversity
Best knows to shape his course to favouring breezes
Old Play
Our travellers reached Edinburgh without any farther adventure and the Master
of Ravenswood as had been previously settled took up his abode with his noble
friend
In the meantime the political crisis which had been expected took place
and the Tory party obtained in the Scottish as in the English councils of
Queen Anne a shortlived ascendency of which it is not our business to trace
either the cause or consequences Suffice it to say that it affected the
different political parties according to the nature of their principles In
England many of the High Church party with Harley afterwards Earl of Oxford
at their head affected to separate their principles from those of the
Jacobites and on that account obtained the denomination of Whimsicals The
Scottish High Church party on the contrary or as they termed themselves the
Cavaliers were more consistent if not so prudent in their politics and
viewed all the changes now made as preparatory to calling to the throne upon
the Queens demise her brother the Chevalier de St George Those who had
suffered in his service now entertained the most unreasonable hopes not only
of indemnification but of vengeance upon their political adversaries while
families attached to the Whig interest saw nothing before them but a renewal of
the hardships they had undergone during the reigns of Charles the Second and his
brother and a retaliation of the confiscation which had been inflicted upon the
Jacobites during that of King William
But the most alarmed at the change of system was that prudential set of
persons some of whom are found in all governments but who abound in a
provincial administration like that of Scotland during the period and who are
what Cromwell called waiters upon Providence or in other words uniform
adherents to the party who are uppermost Many of these hastened to read their
recantation to the Marquis of A and as it was easily seen that he took a
deep interest in the affairs of his kinsman the Master of Ravenswood they were
the first to suggest measures for retrieving at least a part of his property
and for restoring him in blood against his fathers attainder
Old Lord Turntippet professed to be one of the most anxious for the success
of these measures for »it grieved him to the very saul« he said »to see so
brave a young gentleman of sic auld and undoubted nobility and what was mair
than a that a bluid relation of the Marquis of A the man whom« he swore
»he honoured most upon the face of the yearth brought to so severe a pass For
his ain puir peculiar« as he said »and to contribute something to the
rehabilitation of sae auld ane house« the said Turntippet sent in three family
pictures lacking the frames and six highbacked chairs with worked Turkey
cushions having the crest of Ravenswood broidered thereon without charging a
penny either of the principal or interest they had cost him when he bought
them sixteen years before at a roup of the furniture of Lord Ravenswoods
lodgings in the Canongate
Much more to Lord Turntippets dismay than to his surprise although he
affected to feel more of the latter than the former the Marquis received his
gift very drily and observed that his lordships restitution if he expected
it to be received by the Master of Ravenswood and his friends must comprehend a
pretty large farm which having been mortgaged to Turntippet for a very
inadequate sum he had contrived during the confusion of the family affairs
and by means well understood by the lawyers of that period to acquire to
himself in absolute property
The old timeserving lord winced excessively under this requisition
protesting to God that he saw no occasion the lad could have for the instant
possession of the land seeing he would doubtless now recover the bulk of his
estate from Sir William Ashton to which he was ready to contribute by every
means in his power as was just and reasonable and finally declaring that he
was willing to settle the land on the young gentleman after his own natural
demise
But all these excuses availed nothing and he was compelled to disgorge the
property on receiving back the sum for which it had been mortgaged Having no
other means of making peace with the higher powers he returned home sorrowful
and malcontent complaining to his confidants »that every mutation or change in
the state had hitherto been productive of some sma advantage to him in his ain
quiet affairs but that the present had pize upon it cost him one of the best
penfeathers o his wing«
Similar measures were threatened against others who had profited by the
wreck of the fortune of Ravenswood and Sir William Ashton in particular was
menaced with an appeal to the House of Peers against the judicial sentences
under which he held the Castle and Barony of Ravenswood With him however the
Master as well for Lucys sake as on account of the hospitality he had received
from him felt himself under the necessity of proceeding with great candour He
wrote to the late Lord Keeper for he no longer held that office stating
frankly the engagement which existed between him and Miss Ashton requesting his
permission for their union and assuring him of his willingness to put the
settlement of all matters between them upon such a footing as Sir William
himself should think favourable
The same messenger was charged with a letter to Lady Ashton deprecating any
cause of displeasure which the Master might unintentionally have given her
enlarging upon his attachment to Miss Ashton and the length to which it had
proceeded and conjuring the lady as a Douglas in nature as well as in name
generously to forget ancient prejudices and misunderstandings and to believe
that the family had acquired a friend and she herself a respectful and attached
humble servant in him who subscribed himself Edgar Master of Ravenswood
A third letter Ravenswood addressed to Lucy and the messenger was
instructed to find some secret and secure means of delivering it into her own
hands It contained the strongest protestations of continued affection and
dwelt upon the approaching change of the writers fortunes as chiefly valuable
by tending to remove the impediments to their union He related the steps he had
taken to overcome the prejudices of her parents and especially of her mother
and expressed his hopes they might prove effectual If not he still trusted
that his absence from Scotland upon an important and honourable mission might
give time for prejudices to die away while he hoped and trusted Miss Ashtons
constancy on which he had the most implicit reliance would baffle any effort
that might be used to divert her attachment Much more there was which however
interesting to the lovers themselves would afford the reader neither interest
nor information To each of these three letters the Master of Ravenswood
received an answer but by different means of conveyance and certainly couched
in very different styles
Lady Ashton answered his letter by his own messenger who was not allowed to
remain at Ravenswood a moment longer than she was engaged in penning these
lines »For the hand of Mr Ravenswood of Wolf s Crag These
Sir unknown I have received a letter signed Edgar Master of
Ravenswood concerning the writer whereof I am uncertain seeing that
the honours of such a family were forfeited for high treason in the
person of Allan late Lord Ravenswood Sir if you shall happen to be
the person so subscribing yourself you will please to know that I
claim the full interest of a parent in Miss Lucy Ashton which I have
disposed of irrevocably in behalf of a worthy person And sir were
this otherwise I would not listen to a proposal from you or any of
your house seeing their hand has been uniformly held up against the
freedom of the subject and the immunities of Gods kirk Sir it is not
a flightering blink of prosperity which can change my constant opinion
in this regard seeing it has been my lot before now like holy David
to see the wicked great in power and flourishing like a green bay
tree nevertheless I passed and they were not and the place thereof
knew them no more Wishing you to lay these things to your heart for
your own sake so far as they may concern you I pray you to take no
further notice of her who desires to remain your unknown servant
MARGARET DOUGLAS otherwise ASHTON«
About two days after he had received this very unsatisfactory epistle the
Master of Ravenswood while walking up the High Street of Edinburgh was jostled
by a person in whom as the man pulled off his hat to make an apology he
recognised Lockhard the confidential domestic of Sir William Ashton The man
bowed slipped a letter into his hand and disappeared The packet contained
four closelywritten folios from which however as is sometimes incident to
the compositions of great lawyers little could be extracted excepting that the
writer felt himself in a very puzzling predicament
Sir William spoke at length of his high value and regard for his dear young
friend the Master of Ravenswood and of his very extreme high value and regard
for the Marquis of A his very dear old friend he trusted that any measures
that they might adopt in which he was concerned would be carried on with due
regard to the sanctity of decreets and judgments obtained in foro contentioso
protesting before men and angels that if the law of Scotland as declared in
her supreme courts were to undergo a reversal in the English House of Lords
the evils which would thence arise to the public would inflict a greater wound
upon his heart than any loss he might himself sustain by such irregular
proceedings He flourished much on generosity and forgiveness of mutual
injuries and hinted at the mutability of human affairs always favourite topics
with the weaker party in politics He pathetically lamented and gently
censured the haste which had been used in depriving him of his situation of
Lord Keeper which his experience had enabled him to fill with some advantage to
the public without so much as giving him an opportunity of explaining how far
his own views of general politics might essentially differ from those now in
power He was convinced the Marquis of A had as sincere intentions towards the
public as himself or any man and if upon a conference they could have agreed
upon the measures by which it was to be pursued his experience and his interest
should have gone to support the present administration Upon the engagement
betwixt Ravenswood and his daughter he spoke in a dry and confused manner He
regretted so premature a step as the engagement of the young people should have
been taken and conjured the Master to remember he had never given any
encouragement thereunto and observed that as a transaction inter minores and
without concurrence of his daughters natural curators the engagement was inept
and void in law This precipitate measure he added had produced a very bad
effect upon Lady Ashtons mind which it was impossible at present to remove
Her son Colonel Douglas Ashton had embraced her prejudices in the fullest
extent and it was impossible for Sir William to adopt a course disagreeable to
them without a fatal and irreconcilable breach in his family which was not at
present to be thought of Time the great physician he hoped would mend all
In a postscript Sir William said something more explicitly which seemed to
intimate that rather than the law of Scotland should sustain a severe wound
through his sides by a reversal of the judgment of her supreme courts in the
case of the Barony of Ravenswood through the intervention of what with all
submission he must term a foreign court of appeal he himself would
extrajudicially consent to considerable sacrifices
From Lucy Ashton by some unknown conveyance the Master received the
following lines »I received yours but it was at the utmost risk do not
attempt to write again till better times I am sore beset but I will be true to
my word while the exercise of my reason is vouchsafed to me That you are happy
and prosperous is some consolation and my situation requires it all« The note
was signed LA
This letter filled Ravenswood with the most lively alarm He made many
attempts notwithstanding her prohibition to convey letters to Miss Ashton and
even to obtain an interview but his plans were frustrated and he had only the
mortification to learn that anxious and effectual precautions had been taken to
prevent the possibility of their correspondence The Master was the more
distressed by these circumstances as it became impossible to delay his
departure from Scotland upon the important mission which had been confided to
him Before his departure he put Sir William Ashtons letter into the hands of
the Marquis of A who observed with a smile that Sir Williams day of grace
was past and that he had now to learn which side of the hedge the sun had got
to It was with the greatest difficulty that Ravenswood extorted from the
Marquis a promise that he would compromise the proceedings in Parliament
providing Sir William should be disposed to acquiesce in a union between him and
Lucy Ashton
»I would hardly« said the Marquis »consent to your throwing away your
birthright in this manner were I not perfectly confident that Lady Ashton or
Lady Douglas or whatever she calls herself will as Scotchmen say keep her
threep and that her husband dares not contradict her«
»But yet« said the Master »I trust your lordship will consider my
engagement as sacred«
»Believe my word of honour« said the Marquis »I would be a friend even to
your follies and having thus told you my opinion I will endeavour as occasion
offers to serve you according to your own«
The Master of Ravenswood could but thank his generous kinsman and patron
and leave him full power to act in all his affairs He departed from Scotland
upon his mission which it was supposed might detain him upon the Continent
for some months
Chapter TwentySeventh
Was ever woman in this humour wooed
Was ever woman in this humour won
Ill have her
Richard the Third
Twelve months had passed away since the Master of Ravenswoods departure for the
Continent and although his return to Scotland had been expected in a much
shorter space yet the affairs of his mission or according to a prevailing
report others of a nature personal to himself still detained him abroad In
the meantime the altered state of affairs in Sir William Ashtons family may be
gathered from the following conversation which took place betwixt Bucklaw and
his confidential bottlecompanion and dependant the noted Captain Craigengelt
They were seated on either side of the huge sepulchrallooking freestone
chimney in the low hall at Girnington A wood fire blazed merrily in the grate
a round oaken table placed between them supported a stoup of excellent claret
two rummer glasses and other good cheer and yet with all these appliances and
means to boot the countenance of the patron was dubious doubtful and
unsatisfied while the invention of his dependant was taxed to the utmost to
parry what he most dreaded a fit as he called it of the sullens on the part
of his protector After a long pause only interrupted by the devils tattoo
which Bucklaw kept beating against the hearth with the toe of his boot
Craigengelt at last ventured to break silence »May I be doubledistanced« said
he »if ever I saw a man in my life have less the air of a bridegroom Cut me
out of feather if you have not more the look of a man condemned to be hanged«
»My kind thanks for the compliment« replied Bucklaw »but I suppose you
think upon the predicament in which you yourself are most likely to be placed
and pray Captain Craigengelt if it please your worship why should I look
merry when I am sad and devilish sad too«
»And thats what vexes me« said Craigengelt »Here is this match the best
in the whole country and which you were so anxious about is on the point of
being concluded and you are as sulky as a bear that has lost its whelps«
»I do not know« answered the Laird doggedly »whether I should conclude it
or not if it was not that I am too far forwards to leap back«
»Leap back« exclaimed Craigengelt with a wellassumed air of astonishment
»that would be playing the backgame with a witness Leap back why is not the
girls fortune«
»The young ladys if you please« said Hayston interrupting him
»Well well no disrespect meant Will Miss Ashtons tocher not weigh
against any in Lothian«
»Granted« answered Bucklaw »but I care not a penny for her tocher I have
enough of my own«
»And the mother that loves you like her own child«
»Better than some of her children I believe« said Bucklaw »or there would
be little love wared on the matter«
»And Colonel Sholto Douglas Ashton who desires the marriage above all
earthly things«
»Because« said Bucklaw »he expects to carry the county of through my
interest«
»And the father who is as keen to see the match concluded as ever I have
been to win a main«
»Ay« said Bucklaw in the same disparaging manner »it lies with Sir
Williams policy to secure the next best match since he cannot barter his child
to save the great Ravenswood estate which the English House of Lords are about
to wrench out of his clutches«
»What say you to the young lady herself« said Craigengelt »the finest
young woman in all Scotland one that you used to be so fond of when she was
cross and now she consents to have you and gives up her engagement with
Ravenswood you are for jibbing I must say the devils in ye when ye neither
know what you would have nor what you would want«
»Ill tell you my meaning in a word« answered Bucklaw getting up and
walking through the room »I want to know what the devil is the cause of Miss
Ashtons changing her mind so suddenly«
»And what need you care« said Craigengelt »since the change is in your
favour«
»Ill tell you what it is« returned his patron »I never knew much of that
sort of fine ladies and I believe they may be as capricious as the devil but
there is something in Miss Ashtons change a devilish deal too sudden and too
serious for a mere flisk of her own Ill be bound Lady Ashton understands every
machine for breaking in the human mind and there are as many as there are
cannonbits martingales and cavessons for young colts«
»And if that were not the case« said Craigengelt »how the devil should we
ever get them into training at all«
»And thats true too« said Bucklaw suspending his march through the
diningroom and leaning upon the back of a chair »And besides heres
Ravenswood in the way still do you think hell give up Lucys engagement«
»To be sure he will« answered Craigengelt »what good can it do him to
refuse since he wishes to marry another woman and she another man«
»And you believe seriously« said Bucklaw »that he is going to marry the
foreign lady we heard of«
»You heard yourself« answered Craigengelt »what Captain Westenho said
about it and the great preparation made for their blithesome bridal«
»Captain Westenho« replied Bucklaw »has rather too much of your own cast
about him Craigie to make what Sir William would call a famous witness He
drinks deep plays deep swears deep and I suspect can lie and cheat a little
into the bargain useful qualities Craigie if kept in their proper sphere
but which have a little too much of the freebooter to make a figure in a court
of evidence«
»Well then« said Craigengelt »will you believe Colonel Douglas Ashton
who heard the Marquis of A say in a public circle but not aware that he was
within earshot that his kinsman had made a better arrangement for himself than
to give his fathers land for the palecheeked daughter of a brokendown
fanatic and that Bucklaw was welcome to the wearing of Ravenswoods shaughled
shoes«
»Did he say so by heavens« cried Bucklaw breaking out into one of those
uncontrollable fits of passion to which he was constitutionally subject »if I
had heard him I would have torn the tongue out of his throat before all his
pets and minions and Highland bullies into the bargain Why did not Ashton run
him through the body«
»Capote me if I know« said the Captain »He deserved it sure enough but he
is an old man and a minister of state and there would be more risk than credit
in meddling with him You had more need to think of making up to Miss Lucy
Ashton the disgrace thats like to fall upon her than of interfering with a man
too old to fight and on too high a stool for your hand to reach him«
»It shall reach him though« one day said Bucklaw »and his kinsman
Ravenswood to boot In the meantime Ill take care Miss Ashton receives no
discredit for the slight they have put upon her Its an awkward job however
and I wish it were ended I scarce know how to talk to her but fill a bumper
Craigie and well drink her health It grows late and a nightcowl of good
claret is worth all the consideringcaps in Europe«
Chapter TwentyEighth
It was the copy of our conference
In bed she slept not for my urging it
At board she fed not for my urging it
Alone it was the subject of my theme
In company I often glanced at it
Comedy of Errors
The next morning saw Bucklaw and his faithful Achates Craigengelt at
Ravenswood Castle They were most courteously received by the knight and his
lady as well as by their son and heir Colonel Ashton After a good deal of
stammering and blushing for Bucklaw notwithstanding his audacity in other
matters had all the sheepish bashfulness common to those who have lived little
in respectable society he contrived at length to explain his wish to be
admitted to a conference with Miss Ashton upon the subject of their approaching
union Sir William and his son looked at Lady Ashton who replied with the
greatest composure »that Lucy would wait upon Mr Hayston directly I hope«
she added with a smile »that as Lucy is very young and has been lately
trepanned into an engagement of which she is now heartily ashamed our dear
Bucklaw will excuse her wish that I should be present at their interview«
»In truth my dear lady« said Bucklaw »it is the very thing that I would
have desired on my own account for I have been so little accustomed to what is
called gallantry that I shall certainly fall into some cursed mistake unless I
have the advantage of your ladyship as an interpreter«
It was thus that Bucklaw in the perturbation of his embarrassment upon this
critical occasion forgot the just apprehensions he had entertained of Lady
Ashtons overbearing ascendency over her daughters mind and lost an
opportunity of ascertaining by his own investigation the real state of Lucys
feelings
The other gentlemen left the room and in a short time Lady Ashton
followed by her daughter entered the apartment She appeared as he had seen
her on former occasions rather composed than agitated but a nicer judge than
he could scarce have determined whether her calmness was that of despair or of
indifference Bucklaw was too much agitated by his own feelings minutely to
scrutinise those of the lady He stammered out an unconnected address
confounding together the two or three topics to which it related and stopped
short before he brought it to any regular conclusion Miss Ashton listened or
looked as if she listened but returned not a single word in answer continuing
to fix her eyes on a small piece of embroidery on which as if by instinct or
habit her fingers were busily employed Lady Ashton sat at some distance
almost screened from notice by the deep embrasure of the window in which she had
placed her chair From this she whispered in a tone of voice which though
soft and sweet had something in it of admonition if not command »Lucy my
dear remember have you heard what Bucklaw has been saying«
The idea of her mothers presence seemed to have slipped from the unhappy
girls recollection She started dropped her needle and repeated hastily and
almost in the same breath the contradictory answers »Yes madam no my lady
I beg pardon I did not hear«
»You need not blush my love and still less need you look so pale and
frightened« said Lady Ashton coming forward »we know that maidens ears must
be slow in receiving a gentlemans language but you must remember Mr Hayston
speaks on a subject on which you have long since agreed to give him a favourable
hearing You know how much your father and I have our hearts set upon an event
so extremely desirable«
In Lady Ashtons voice a tone of impressive and even stern innuendo was
sedulously and skilfully concealed under an appearance of the most affectionate
maternal tenderness The manner was for Bucklaw who was easily enough imposed
upon the matter of the exhortation was for the terrified Lucy who well knew
how to interpret her mothers hints however skilfully their real purport might
be veiled from general observation
Miss Ashton sat upright in her chair cast round her a glance in which fear
was mingled with a still wilder expression but remained perfectly silent
Bucklaw who had in the meantime paced the room to and fro until he had
recovered his composure now stopped within two or three yards of her chair
and broke out as follows »I believe I have been a dd fool Miss Ashton I
have tried to speak to you as people tell me young ladies like to be talked to
and I dont think you comprehend what I have been saying and no wonder for dn
me if I understand it myself But however once for all and in broad Scotch
your father and mother like what is proposed and if you can take a plain young
fellow for your husband who will never cross you in anything you have a mind
to I will place you at the head of the best establishment in the three
Lothians you shall have Lady Girningtons lodging in the Canongate of
Edinburgh go where you please do what you please and see what you please and
thats fair Only I must have a corner at the boardend for a worthless old
playfellow of mine whose company I would rather want than have if it were not
that the dd fellow has persuaded me that I cant do without him and so I hope
you wont except against Craigie although it might be easy to find much better
company«
»Now out upon you Bucklaw« said Lady Ashton again interposing »how
can you think Lucy can have any objection to that blunt honest goodnatured
creature Captain Craigengelt«
»Why madam« replied Bucklaw »as to Craigies sincerity honesty and good
nature they are I believe pretty much upon a par but thats neither here
nor there the fellow knows my ways and has got useful to me and I cannot
well do without him as I said before But all this is nothing to the purpose
for since I have mustered up courage to make a plain proposal I would fain hear
Miss Ashton from her own lips give me a plain answer«
»My dear Bucklaw« said Lady Ashton »let me spare Lucys bashfulness I
tell you in her presence that she has already consented to be guided by her
father and me in this matter Lucy my love« she added with that singular
combination of suavity of tone and pointed energy which we have already noticed
»Lucy my dearest love speak for yourself is it not as I say«
Her victim answered in a tremulous and hollow voice »I have promised to
obey you but upon one condition«
»She means« said Lady Ashton turning to Bucklaw »she expects an answer to
the demand which she has made upon the man at Vienna or Ratisbon or Paris or
where is he for restitution of the engagement in which he had the art to
involve her You will not I am sure my dear friend think it is wrong that she
should feel much delicacy upon this head indeed it concerns us all«
»Perfectly right quite fair« said Bucklaw half humming half speaking
the end of the old song
»It is best to be off wi the old love
Before you be on wi the new
But I thought« said he pausing »you might have had an answer six times told
from Ravenswood Dn me if I have not a mind to go and fetch one myself if
Miss Ashton will honour me with the commission«
»By no means« said Lady Ashton »we have had the utmost difficulty of
preventing Douglas for whom it would be more proper from taking so rash a
step and do you think we could permit you my good friend almost equally dear
to us to go to a desperate man upon an errand so desperate In fact all the
friends of the family are of opinion and my dear Lucy herself ought so to
think that as this unworthy person has returned no answer to her letter
silence must on this as in other cases be held to give consent and a contract
must be supposed to be given up when the party waives insisting upon it Sir
William who should know best is clear upon this subject and therefore my
dear Lucy«
»Madam« said Lucy with unwonted energy »urge me no farther if this
unhappy engagement be restored I have already said you shall dispose of me as
you will till then I should commit a heavy sin in the sight of God and man in
doing what you require«
»But my love if this man remains obstinately silent«
»He will not be silent« answered Lucy »it is six weeks since I sent him a
double of my former letter by a sure hand«
»You have not you could not you durst not« said Lady Ashton with
violence inconsistent with the tone she had intended to asume but instantly
correcting herself »My dearest Lucy« said she in her sweetest tone of
expostulation »how could you think of such a thing«
»No matter« said Bucklaw »I respect Miss Ashton for her sentiments and I
only wish I had been her messenger myself«
»And pray how long Miss Ashton« said her mother ironically »are we to
wait the return of your Pacolet your fairy messenger since our humble
couriers of flesh and blood could not be trusted in this matter«
»I have numbered weeks days hours and minutes« said Miss Ashton »within
another week I shall have an answer unless he is dead Till that time sir«
she said addressing Bucklaw »let me be thus far beholden to you that you will
beg my mother to forbear me upon this subject«
»I will make it my particular entreaty to Lady Ashton« said Bucklaw »By my
honour madam I respect your feelings and although the prosecution of this
affair be rendered dearer to me than ever yet as I am a gentleman I would
renounce it were it so urged as to give you a moments pain«
»Mr Hayston I think cannot apprehend that« said Lady Ashton looking
pale with anger »when the daughters happiness lies in the bosom of the mother
Let me ask you Miss Ashton in what terms your last letter was couched«
»Exactly in the same madam« answered Lucy »which you dictated on a former
occasion«
»When eight days have elapsed then« said her mother resuming her tone of
tenderness »we shall hope my dearest love that you will end this suspense«
»Miss Ashton must not be hurried madam« said Bucklaw whose bluntness of
feeling did not by any means arise from want of good nature »messengers may be
stopped or delayed I have known a days journey broke by the casting of a
foreshoe Stay let me see my calendar the 20th day from this is St Judes
and the day before I must be at Caverton Edge to see the match between the
Laird of Kittlegirths black mare and Johnston the mealmongers fouryearold
colt but I can ride all night or Craigie can bring me word how the match goes
and I hope in the meantime as I shall not myself distress Miss Ashton with any
further importunity that your ladyship yourself and Sir William and Colonel
Douglas will have the goodness to allow her uninterrupted time for making up
her mind«
»Sir« said Miss Ashton »you are generous«
»As for that madam« answered Bucklaw »I only pretend to be a plain
goodhumoured young fellow as I said before who will willingly make you happy
if you will permit him and show him how to do so«
Having said this he saluted her with more emotion than was consistent with
his usual train of feeling and took his leave Lady Ashton as she accompanied
him out of the apartment assuring him that her daughter did full justice to the
sincerity of his attachment and requesting him to see Sir William before his
departure »since« as she said with a keen glance reverting towards Lucy
»against St Judes day we must all be ready to sign and seal«
»To sign and seal« echoed Lucy in a muttering tone as the door of the
apartment closed »To sign and seal to do and die« and clasping her
extenuated hands together she sunk back on the easychair she occupied in a
state resembling stupor
From this she was shortly after awakened by the boisterous entry of her
brother Henry who clamorously reminded her of a promise to give him two yards
of carnation ribbon to make knots to his new garters With the most patient
composure Lucy arose and opened a little ivory cabinet sought out the ribbon
the lad wanted measured it accurately cut it off into proper lengths and
knotted into the fashion his boyish whim required
»Dinna shut the cabinet yet« said Henry »for I must have some of your
silver wire to fasten the bells to my hawks jesses and yet the new falcons
not worth them neither for do you know after all the plague we had to get her
from an eyry all the way at Posso in Manor Water shes going to prove after
all nothing better than a rifler she just wets her singles in the blood of
the partridge and then breaks away and lets her fly and what good can the
poor bird do after that you know except pine and die in the first heathercow
or whinbush she can crawl into«
»Right Henry right very right« said Lucy mournfully holding the boy
fast by the hand after she had given him the wire he wanted »but there are
more riflers in the world than your falcon and more wounded birds that seek but
to die in quiet that can find neither brake nor whinbush to hide their heads
in«
»Ah thats some speech out of your romances« said the boy »and Sholto
says they have turned your head But I hear Norman whistling to the hawk I must
go fasten on the jesses«
And he scampered away with the thoughtless gaiety of boyhood leaving his
sister to the bitterness of her own reflections
»It is decreed« she said »that every living creature even those who owe
me most kindness are to shun me and leave me to those by whom I am beset It
is just it should be thus Alone and uncounselled I involved myself in these
perils alone and uncounselled I must extricate myself or die«
Chapter TwentyNinth
What doth ensue
But moody and dull melancholy
Kinsman to grim and comfortless despair
And at her heels a huge infectious troop
Of pale distemperatures and foes to life
Comedy of Errors
As some vindication of the ease with which Bucklaw who otherwise as he termed
himself was really a very goodhumoured fellow resigned his judgment to the
management of Lady Ashton while paying his addresses to her daughter the
reader must call to mind the strict domestic discipline which at this period
was exercised over the females of a Scottish family
The manners of the country in this as in many other respects coincided
with those of France before the Revolution Young women of the higher ranks
seldom mingled in society until after marriage and both in law and fact were
held to be under the strict tutelage of their parents who were too apt to
enforce the views for their settlement in life without paying any regard to the
inclination of the parties chiefly interested On such occasions the suitor
expected little more from his bride than a silent acquiescence in the will of
her parents and as few opportunities of acquaintance far less of intimacy
occurred he made his choice by the outside as the lovers in the Merchant of
Venice select the casket contented to trust to chance the issue of the lottery
in which he had hazarded a venture
It was not therefore surprising such being the general manners of the age
that Mr Hayston of Bucklaw whom dissipated habits had detached in some degree
from the best society should not attend particularly to those feelings in his
elected bride to which many men of more sentiment experience and reflection
would in all probability have been equally indifferent He knew what all
accounted the principal point that her parents and friends namely were
decidedly in his favour and there existed most powerful reasons for their
predilection
In truth the conduct of the Marquis of A since Ravenswoods departure
had been such as almost to bar the possibility of his kinsmans union with Lucy
Ashton The Marquis was Ravenswoods sincere but misjudging friend or rather
like many friends and patrons he consulted what he considered to be his
relations true interest although he knew that in doing so he ran counter to
his inclinations
The Marquis drove on therefore with the plenitude of ministerial
authority an appeal to the British House of Peers against those judgments of
the courts of law by which Sir William became possessed of Ravenswoods
hereditary property As this measure enforced with all the authority of power
was new in Scottish judicial proceedings though now so frequently resorted to
it was exclaimed against by the lawyers on the opposite side of politics as an
interference with the civil judicature of the country equally new arbitrary
and tyrannical And if it thus affected even strangers connected with them only
by political party it may be guessed what the Ashton family themselves said and
thought under so gross a dispensation Sir William still more worldlyminded
than he was timid was reduced to despair by the loss by which he was
threatened His sons haughtier spirit was exalted into rage at the idea of
being deprived of his expected patrimony But to Lady Ashtons yet more
vindictive temper the conduct of Ravenswood or rather of his patron appeared
to be an offence challenging the deepest and most mortal revenge Even the quiet
and confiding temper of Lucy herself swayed by the opinions expressed by all
around her could not but consider the conduct of Ravenswood as precipitate and
even unkind »It was my father« she repeated with a sigh »who welcomed him to
this place and encouraged or at least allowed the intimacy between us Should
he not have remembered this and requited it with at least some moderate degree
of procrastination in the assertion of his own alleged rights I would have
forfeited for him double the value of these lands which he pursues with an
ardour that shows he has forgotten how much I am implicated in the matter«
Lucy however could only murmur these things to herself unwilling to
increase the prejudices against her lover entertained by all around her who
exclaimed against the steps pursued on his account as illegal vexatious and
tyrannical resembling the worst measures in the worst times of the worst
Stuarts and a degradation of Scotland the decisions of whose learned judges
were thus subjected to the review of a court composed indeed of men of the
highest rank but who were not trained to the study of any municipal law and
might be supposed specially to hold in contempt that of Scotland As a natural
consequence of the alleged injustice meditated towards her father every means
was resorted to and every argument urged to induce Miss Ashton to break off
her engagement with Ravenswood as being scandalous shameful and sinful
formed with the mortal enemy of her family and calculated to add bitterness to
the distress of her parents
Lucys spirit however was high and although unaided and alone she could
have borne much she could have endured the repinings of her father his
murmurs against what he called the tyrannical usage of the ruling party his
ceaseless charges of ingratitude against Ravenswood his endless lectures on
the various means by which contracts may be voided and annulled his quotations
from the civil the municipal and the canon law and his prelections upon the
patria potestas
She might have borne also in patience or repelled with scorn the bitter
taunts and occasional violence of her brother Colonel Douglas Ashton and the
impertinent and intrusive interference of other friends and relations But it
was beyond her power effectually to withstand or elude the constant and
unceasing persecution of Lady Ashton who laying every other wish aside had
bent the whole efforts of her powerful mind to break her daughters contract
with Ravenswood and to place a perpetual bar between the lovers by effecting
Lucys union with Bucklaw Far more deeply skilled than her husband in the
recesses of the human heart she was aware that in this way she might strike a
blow of deep and decisive vengeance upon one whom she esteemed as her mortal
enemy nor did she hesitate at raising her arm although she knew that the wound
must be dealt through the bosom of her daughter With this stern and fixed
purpose she sounded every deep and shallow of her daughters soul assumed
alternately every disguise of manner which could serve her object and prepared
at leisure every species of dire machinery by which the human mind can be
wrenched from its settled determination Some of these were of an obvious
description and require only to be cursorily mentioned others were
characteristic of the time the country and the persons engaged in this
singular drama
It was of the last consequence that all intercourse betwixt the lovers
should be stopped and by dint of gold and authority Lady Ashton contrived to
possess herself of such a complete command of all who were placed around her
daughter that in fact no leaguered fortress was ever more completely
blockaded while at the same time to all outward appearance Miss Ashton lay
under no restriction The verge of her parents domains became in respect to
her like the viewless and enchanted line drawn around a fairy castle where
nothing unpermitted can either enter from without or escape from within Thus
every letter in which Ravenswood conveyed to Lucy Ashton the indispensable
reasons which detained him abroad and more than one note which poor Lucy had
addressed to him through what she thought a secure channel fell into the hands
of her mother It could not be but that the tenor of these intercepted letters
especially those of Ravenswood should contain something to irritate the
passions and fortify the obstinacy of her into whose hands they fell but Lady
Ashtons passions were too deeprooted to require this fresh food She burnt the
papers as regularly as she perused them and as they consumed into vapour and
tinder regarded them with a smile upon her compressed lips and an exultation
in her steady eye which showed her confidence that the hopes of the writers
should soon be rendered equally unsubstantial
It usually happens that fortune aids the machinations of those who are
prompt to avail themselves of every chance that offers A report was wafted from
the Continent founded like others of the same sort upon many plausible
circumstances but without any real basis stating the Master of Ravenswood to
be on the eve of marriage with a foreign lady of fortune and distinction This
was greedily caught up by both the political parties who were at once
struggling for power and for popular favour and who seized as usual upon the
most private circumstances in the lives of each others partisans to convert
them into subjects of political discussion
The Marquis of A gave his opinion aloud and publicly not indeed in the
coarse terms ascribed to him by Captain Craigengelt but in a manner
sufficiently offensive to the Ashtons »He thought the report« he said
»highly probable and heartily wished it might be true Such a match was fitter
and far more creditable for a spirited young fellow than a marriage with the
daughter of an old Whig lawyer whose chicanery had so nearly ruined his
father«
The other party of course laying out of view the opposition which the
Master of Ravenswood received from Miss Ashtons family cried shame upon his
fickleness and perfidy as if he had seduced the young lady into an engagement
and wilfully and causelessly abandoned her for another
Sufficient care was taken that this report should find its way to Ravenswood
Castle through every various channel Lady Ashton being well aware that the
very reiteration of the same rumour from so many quarters could not but give it
a semblance of truth By some it was told as a piece of ordinary news by some
communicated as serious intelligence now it was whispered to Lucy Ashtons ear
in the tone of malignant pleasantry and now transmitted to her as a matter of
grave and serious warning
Even the boy Henry was made the instrument of adding to his sisters
torments One morning he rushed into the room with a willow branch in his hand
which he told her had arrived that instant from Germany for her special wearing
Lucy as we have seen was remarkably fond of her younger brother and at that
moment his wanton and thoughtless unkindness seemed more keenly injurious than
even the studied insults of her elder brother Her grief however had no shade
of resentment she folded her arms about the boys neck and saying faintly
»Poor Henry you speak but what they tell you« she burst into a flood of
unrestrained tears The boy was moved notwithstanding the thoughtlessness of his
age and character »The devil take me« said he »Lucy if I fetch you any more
of these tormenting messages again for I like you bettor« said he kissing
away the tears »than the whole pack of them and you shall have my grey pony to
ride on and you shall canter him if you like ay and ride beyond the
village too if you have a mind«
»Who told you« said Lucy »that I am not permitted to ride where I please«
»Thats a secret« said the boy »but you will find you can never ride
beyond the village but your horse will cast a shoe or fall lame or the castle
bell will ring or something will happen to bring you back But if I tell you
more of these things Douglas will not get me the pair of colours they have
promised me and so goodmorrow to you«
This dialogue plunged Lucy in still deeper dejection as it tended to show
her plainly what she had for some time suspected that she was little better
than a prisoner at large in her fathers house We have described her in the
outset of our story as of a romantic disposition delighting in tales of love
and wonder and readily identifying herself with the situation of those
legendary heroines with whose adventures for want of better reading her
memory had become stocked The fairy wand with which in her solitude she had
delighted to raise visions of enchantment became now the rod of a magician the
bond slave of evil genii serving only to invoke spectres at which the exorcist
trembled She felt herself the object of suspicion of scorn of dislike at
least if not of hatred to her own family and it seemed to her that she was
abandoned by the very person on whose account she was exposed to the enmity of
all around her Indeed the evidence of Ravenswoods infidelity began to assume
every day a more determined character
A soldier of fortune of the name of Westenho an old familiar of
Craigengelts chanced to arrive from abroad about this time The worthy
Captain though without any precise communication with Lady Ashton always acted
most regularly and sedulously in support of her plans and easily prevailed upon
his friend by dint of exaggeration of real circumstances and coining of
others to give explicit testimony to the truth of Ravenswoods approaching
marriage
Thus beset on all hands and in a manner reduced to despair Lucys temper
gave way under the pressure of constant affliction and persecution She became
gloomy and abstracted and contrary to her natural and ordinary habit of mind
sometimes turned with spirit and even fierceness on those by whom she was long
and closely annoyed Her health also began to be shaken and her hectic cheek
and wandering eye gave symptoms of what is called a fever upon the spirits In
most mothers this would have moved compassion but Lady Ashton compact and firm
of purpose saw these waverings of health and intellect with no greater sympathy
than that with which the hostile engineer regards the towers of a beleaguered
city as they reel under the discharge of his artillery or rather she
considered these starts and inequalities of temper as symptoms of Lucys
expiring resolution as the angler by the throes and convulsive exertions of
the fish which he has hooked becomes aware that he soon will be able to land
him To accelerate the catastrophe in the present case Lady Ashton had recourse
to an expedient very consistent with the temper and credulity of those times
but which the reader will probably pronounce truly detestable and diabolical
Chapter Thirtieth
In which a witch did dwell in loathly weeds
And wilful want all careless of her needs
So choosing solitary to abide
Far from all neighbours that her devilish deeds
And hellish arts from people she might hide
And hurt far off unknown whomeer she envied
Fairy Queen
The health of Lucy Ashton soon required the assistance of a person more skilful
in the office of a sicknurse than the female domestics of the family Ailsie
Gourlay sometimes called the Wise Woman of Bowden was the person whom for her
own strong reasons Lady Ashton selected as an attendant upon her daughter
This woman had acquired a considerable reputation among the ignorant by the
pretended cures which she performed especially in oncomes as the Scotch call
them or mysterious diseases which baffle the regular physician Her
pharmacopoeia consisted partly of herbs selected in planetary hours partly of
words signs and charms which sometimes perhaps produced a favourable
influence upon the imagination of her patients Such was the avowed profession
of Lucky Gourlay which as may well be supposed was looked upon with a
suspicious eye not only by her neighbours but even by the clergy of the
district In private however she traded more deeply in the occult sciences
for notwithstanding the dreadful punishments inflicted upon the supposed crime
of witchcraft there wanted not those who steeled by want and bitterness of
spirit were willing to adopt the hateful and dangerous character for the sake
of the influence which its terrors enabled them to exercise in the vicinity and
the wretched emolument which they could extract by the practice of their
supposed art
Ailsie Gourlay was not indeed fool enough to acknowledge a compact with the
Evil One which would have been a swift and ready road to the stake and
tarbarrel Her fairy she said like Calibans was a harmless fairy
Nevertheless she »spaed fortunes« read dreams composed philters discovered
stolen goods and made and dissolved matches as successfully as if according to
the belief of the whole neighbourhood she had been aided in those arts by
Beelzebub himself The worst of the pretenders to these sciences was that they
were generally persons who feeling themselves odious to humanity were careless
of what they did to deserve the public hatred Real crimes were often committed
under pretence of magical imposture and it somewhat relieves the disgust with
which we read in the criminal records the conviction of these wretches to be
aware that many of them merited as poisoners suborners and diabolical agents
in secret domestic crimes the severe fate to which they were condemned for the
imaginary guilt of witchcraft
Such was Ailsie Gourlay whom in order to attain the absolute subjugation
of Lucy Ashtons mind her mother thought it fitting to place near her person A
woman of less consequence than Lady Ashton had not dared to take such a step
but her high rank and strength of character set her above the censure of the
world and she was allowed to have selected for her daughters attendant the
best and most experienced sicknurse »and mediciner« in the neighbourhood where
an inferior person would have fallen under the reproach of calling in the
assistance of a partner and ally of the great Enemy of Mankind
The beldam caught her cue readily and by innuendo without giving Lady
Ashton the pain of distinct explanation She was in many respects qualified for
the part she played which indeed could not be efficiently assumed without some
knowledge of the human heart and passions Dame Gourlay perceived that Lucy
shuddered at her external appearance which we have already described when we
found her in the deathchamber of blind Alice and while internally she hated
the poor girl for the involuntary horror with which she saw she was regarded
she commenced her operations by endeavouring to efface or overcome those
prejudices which in her heart she resented as mortal offences This was easily
done for the hags external ugliness was soon balanced by a show of kindness
and interest to which Lucy had of late been little accustomed her attentive
services and real skill gained her the ear if not the confidence of her
patient and under pretence of diverting the solitude of a sick room she soon
led her attention captive by the legends in which she was well skilled and to
which Lucys habits of reading and reflection induced her to »lend an attentive
ear« Dame Gourlays tales were at first of a mild and interesting character
Of fays that nightly dance upon the wold
And lovers doomd to wander and to weep
And castles high where wicked wizards keep
Their captive thralls
Gradually however they assumed a darker and more mysterious character and
became such as told by the midnight lamp and enforced by the tremulous tone
the quivering and livid lip the uplifted skinny forefinger and the shaking
head of the blueeyed hag might have appalled a less credulous imagination in
an age more hard of belief The old Sycorax saw her advantage and gradually
narrowed her magic circle around the devoted victim on whose spirit she
practised Her legends began to relate to the fortunes of the Ravenswood family
whose ancient grandeur and portentous authority credulity had graced with so
many superstitious attributes The story of the fatal fountain was narrated at
full length and with formidable additions by the ancient sibyl The prophecy
quoted by Caleb concerning the dead bride who was to be won by the last of the
Ravenswoods had its own mysterious commentary and the singular circumstance of
the apparition seen by the Master of Ravenswood in the forest having partly
transpired through his hasty inquiries in the cottage of old Alice formed a
theme for many exaggerations
Lucy might have despised these tales if they had been related concerning
another family or if her own situation had been less despondent But
circumstanced as she was the idea that an evil fate hung over her attachment
became predominant over her other feelings and the gloom of superstition
darkened a mind already sufficiently weakened by sorrow distress uncertainty
and an oppressive sense of desertion and desolation Stories were told by her
attendant so closely resembling her own in their circumstances that she was
gradually led to converse upon such tragic and mystical subjects with the
beldam and to repose a sort of confidence in the sibyl whom she still regarded
with involuntary shuddering Dame Gourlay knew how to avail herself of this
imperfect confidence She directed Lucys thoughts to the means of inquiring
into futurity the surest mode perhaps of shaking the understanding and
destroying the spirits Omens were expounded dreams were interpreted and other
tricks of jugglery perhaps resorted to by which the pretended adepts of the
period deceived and fascinated their deluded followers I find it mentioned in
the articles of dittay against Ailsie Gourlay for it is some comfort to know
that the old hag was tried condemned and burned on the top of North Berwick
Law by sentence of a commission from the Privy Council I find I say it
was charged against her among other offences that she had by the aid and
delusions of Satan shown to a young person of quality in a mirror glass a
gentleman then abroad to whom the said young person was betrothed and who
appeared in the vision to be in the act of bestowing his hand upon another lady
But this and some other parts of the record appear to have been studiously left
imperfect in names and dates probably out of regard to the honour of the
families concerned If Dame Gourlay was able actually to play off such a piece
of jugglery it is clear she must have had better assistance to practise the
deception than her own skill or funds could supply Meanwhile this mysterious
visionary traffic had its usual effect in unsettling Miss Ashtons mind Her
temper became unequal her health decayed daily her manners grew moping
melancholy and uncertain Her father guessing partly at the cause of these
appearances and exerting a degree of authority unusual with him made a point
of banishing Dame Gourlay from the castle but the arrow was shot and was
rankling barbdeep in the side of the wounded deer
It was shortly after the departure of this woman that Lucy Ashton urged by
her parents announced to them with a vivacity by which they were startled
»that she was conscious heaven and earth and hell had set themselves against her
union with Ravenswood still her contract« she said »was a binding contract
and she neither would nor could resign it without the consent of Ravenswood Let
me be assured« she concluded »that he will free me from my engagement and
dispose of me as you please I care not how When the diamonds are gone what
signifies the casket«
The tone of obstinacy with which this was said her eyes flashing with
unnatural light and her hands firmly clenched precluded the possibility of
dispute and the utmost length which Lady Ashtons art could attain only got
her the privilege of dictating the letter by which her daughter required to
know of Ravenswood whether he intended to abide by or to surrender what she
termed »their unfortunate engagement« Of this advantage Lady Ashton so far and
so ingeniously availed herself that according to the wording of the letter the
reader would have supposed Lucy was calling upon her lover to renounce a
contract which was contrary to the interests and inclinations of both Not
trusting even to this point of deception Lady Ashton finally determined to
suppress the letter altogether in hopes that Lucys impatience would induce her
to condemn Ravenswood unheard and in absence In this she was disappointed The
time indeed had long elapsed when an answer should have been received from the
Continent The faint ray of hope which still glimmered in Lucys mind was well
nigh extinguished But the idea never forsook her that her letter might not
have been duly forwarded One of her mothers new machinations unexpectedly
furnished her with the means of ascertaining what she most desired to know
The female agent of hell having been dismissed from the castle Lady Ashton
who wrought by all variety of means resolved to employ for working the same
end on Lucys mind an agent of a very different character This was no other
than the Reverend Mr BidetheBent a Presbyterian clergyman formerly
mentioned of the very strictest order and the most rigid orthodoxy whose aid
she called in upon the principle of the tyrant in the tragedy
»Ill have a priest shall preach her from her faith
And make it sin not to renounce that vow
Which Id have broken«
But Lady Ashton was mistaken in the agent she had selected His prejudices
indeed were easily enlisted on her side and it was no difficult matter to make
him regard with horror the prospect of a union betwixt the daughter of a
Godfearing professing and Presbyterian family of distinction and the heir of
a bloodthirsty prelatist and persecutor the hands of whose fathers had been
dyed to the wrists in the blood of Gods saints This resembled in the divines
opinion the union of a Moabitish stranger with the daughter of Zion But with
all the more severe prejudices and principles of his sect BidetheBent
possessed a sound judgment and had learned sympathy even in that very school of
persecution where the heart is so frequently hardened In a private interview
with Miss Ashton he was deeply moved by her distress and could not but admit
the justice of her request to be permitted a direct communication with
Ravenswood upon the subject of their solemn contract When she urged to him the
great uncertainty under which she laboured whether her letter had been ever
forwarded the old man paced the room with long steps shook his grey head
rested repeatedly for a space on his ivoryheaded staff and after much
hesitation confessed that he thought her doubts so reasonable that he would
himself aid in the removal of them
»I cannot but opine Miss Lucy« he said »that your worshipful lady mother
hath in this matter an eagerness whilk although it ariseth doubtless from love
to your best interests here and hereafter for the man is of persecuting
blood and himself a persecutor a cavalier or malignant and a scoffer who
hath no inheritance in Jesse nevertheless we are commanded to do justice unto
all and to fulfil our bond and covenant as well to the stranger as to him who
is in brotherhood with us Wherefore myself even I myself will be aiding unto
the delivery of your letter to the man Edgar Ravenswood trusting that the issue
thereof may be your deliverance from the nets in which he hath sinfully engaged
you And that I may do in this neither more nor less than hath been warranted by
your honourable parents I pray you to transcribe without increment or
subtraction the letter formerly expeded under the dictation of your right
honourable mother and I shall put it into such sure course of being delivered
that if honoured young madam you shall receive no answer it will be necessary
that you conclude that the man meaneth in silence to abandon that naughty
contract which peradventure he may be unwilling directly to restore«
Lucy eagerly embraced the expedient of the worthy divine A new letter was
written in the precise terms of the former and consigned by Mr BidetheBent
to the charge of Saunders Moonshine a zealous elder of the church when on
shore and when on board his brig as bold a smuggler as ever ran out a sliding
bowsprit to the winds that blow betwixt Campvere and the east coast of Scotland
At the recommendation of his pastor Saunders readily undertook that the letter
should be securely conveyed to the Master of Ravenswood at the court where he
now resided
This retrospect became necessary to explain the conference betwixt Miss
Ashton her mother and Bucklaw which we have detailed in a preceding chapter
Lucy was now like the sailor who while drifting through a tempestuous
ocean clings for safety to a single plank his powers of grasping it becoming
every moment more feeble and the deep darkness of the night only chequered by
the flashes of lightning hissing as they show the white tops of the billows in
which he is soon to be ingulfed
Week crept away after week and day after day St Judes day arrived the
last and protracted term to which Lucy had limited herself and there was
neither letter nor news of Ravenswood
Chapter ThirtyFirst
How fair these names how much unlike they look
To all the blurrd subscriptions in my book
The bridegrooms letters stand in row above
Tapering yet straight like pinetrees in his grove
While free and fine the brides appear below
As light and slender as her jessamines grow
Crabbe
St Judes day came the term assigned by Lucy herself as the farthest date of
expectation and as we have already said there were neither letters from nor
news of Ravenswood But there were news of Bucklaw and of his trusty associate
Craigengelt who arrived early in the morning for the completion of the proposed
espousals and for signing the necessary deeds
These had been carefully prepared under the revisal of Sir William Ashton
himself it having been resolved on account of the state of Miss Ashtons
health as it was said that none save the parties immediately interested should
be present when the parchments were subscribed It was farther determined that
the marriage should be solemnised upon the fourth day after signing the
articles a measure adopted by Lady Ashton in order that Lucy might have as
little time as possible to recede or relapse into intractability There was no
appearance however of her doing either She heard the proposed arrangement
with the calm indifference of despair or rather with an apathy arising from the
oppressed and stupified state of her feelings To an eye so unobserving as that
of Bucklaw her demeanour had little more of reluctance than might suit the
character of a bashful young lady who however he could not disguise from
himself was complying with the choice of her friends rather than exercising
any personal predilection in his favour
When the morning compliments of the bridegroom had been paid Miss Ashton
was left for some time to herself her mother remarking that the deeds must be
signed before the hour of noon in order that the marriage might be happy
Lucy suffered herself to be attired for the occasion as the taste of her
attendants suggested and was of course splendidly arrayed Her dress was
composed of white satin and Brussels lace and her hair arranged with a
profusion of jewels whose lustre made a strange contrast to the deadly paleness
of her complexion and to the trouble which dwelt in her unsettled eye
Her toilette was hardly finished ere Henry appeared to conduct the passive
bride to the state apartment where all was prepared for signing the contract
»Do you know sister« he said »I am glad you are to have Bucklaw after all
instead of Ravenswood who looked like a Spanish grandee come to cut our
throats and trample our bodies under foot And I am glad the broad seas are
between us this day for I shall never forget how frightened I was when I took
him for the picture of old Sir Malise walked out of the canvas Tell me true
are you not glad to be fairly shot of him«
»Ask me no questions dear Henry« said his unfortunate sister »there is
little more can happen to make me either glad or sorry in this world«
»And thats what all young brides say« said Henry »and so do not be cast
down Lucy for youll tell another tale a twelvemonth hence and I am to be
bridesman and ride before you to the kirk and all our kith kin and allies
and all Bucklaws are to be mounted and in order and I am to have a scarlet
laced coat and a feathered hat and a swordbelt double bordered with gold and
point dEspagne and a dagger instead of a sword and I should like a sword much
better but my father wont hear of it All my things and a hundred besides
are to come out from Edinburgh tonight with old Gilbert and the sumpter mules
and I will bring them and show them to you the instant they come«
The boys chatter was here interrupted by the arrival of Lady Ashton
somewhat alarmed at her daughters stay With one of her sweetest smiles she
took Lucys arm under her own and led her to the apartment where her presence
was expected
There were only present Sir William Ashton and Colonel Douglas Ashton the
last in full regimentals Bucklaw in bridegroom trim Craigengelt freshly
equipped from top to toe by the bounty of his patron and bedizened with as
much lace as might have become the dress of the Copper Captain together with
the Rev Mr Bidethebent the presence of a minister being in strict
Presbyterian families an indispensable requisite upon all occasions of unusual
solemnity
Wines and refreshments were placed on a table on which the writings were
displayed ready for signature
But before proceeding either to business or refreshment Mr Bidethebent
at a signal from Sir William Ashton invited the company to join him in a short
extemporary prayer in which he implored a blessing upon the contract now to be
solemnised between the honourable parties then present With the simplicity of
his times and profession which permitted strong personal allusions he
petitioned that the wounded mind of one of these noble parties might be healed
in reward of her compliance with the advice of her right honourable parents and
that as she had proved herself a child after Gods commandment by honouring
her father and mother she and hers might enjoy the promised blessing length
of days in the land here and a happy portion hereafter in a better country He
prayed farther that the bridegroom might be weaned from those follies which
seduce youth from the path of knowledge that he might cease to take delight in
vain and unprofitable company scoffers rioters and those who sit late at the
wine here Bucklaw winked to Craigengelt and cease from the society that
causeth to err A suitable supplication in behalf of Sir William and Lady
Ashton and their family concluded this religious address which thus embraced
every individual present excepting Craigengelt whom the worthy divine probably
considered as past all hopes of grace
The business of the day now went forward Sir William Ashton signed the
contract with legal solemnity and precision his son with military nonchalance
and Bucklaw having subscribed as rapidly as Craigengelt could manage to turn
the leaves concluded by wiping his pen on that worthys new laced cravat
It was now Miss Ashtons turn to sign the writings and she was guided by
her watchful mother to the table for that purpose At her first attempt she
began to write with a dry pen and when the circumstance was pointed out seemed
unable after several attempts to dip it in the massive silver inkstandish
which stood full before her Lady Ashtons vigilance hastened to supply the
deficiency
I have myself seen the fatal deed and in the distinct characters in which
the name of Lucy Ashton is traced on each page there is only a very slight
tremulous irregularity indicative of her state of mind at the time of the
subscription But the last signature is incomplete defaced and blotted for
while her hand was employed in tracing it the hasty tramp of a horse was heard
at the gate succeeded by a step in the outer gallery and a voice which in a
commanding tone bore down the opposition of the menials The pen dropped from
Lucys fingers as she exclaimed with a faint shriek »He is come He is
come«
Chapter ThirtySecond
This by his tongue should be a Montague
Fetch me my rapier boy
Now by the faith and honour of my kin
To strike him dead I hold it not a sin
Romeo and Juliet
Hardly had Miss Ashton dropped the pen when the door of the apartment flew
open and the Master of Ravenswood entered the apartment
Lockhard and another domestic who had in vain attempted to oppose his
passage through the gallery or antechamber were seen standing on the threshold
transfixed with surprise which was instantly communicated to the whole party in
the stateroom That of Colonel Douglas Ashton was mingled with resentment that
of Bucklaw with haughty and affected indifference the rest even Lady Ashton
herself showed signs of fear and Lucy seemed stiffened to stone by this
unexpected apparition Apparition it might well be termed for Ravenswood had
more the appearance of one returned from the dead than of a living visitor
He planted himself full in the middle of the apartment opposite to the
table at which Lucy was seated on whom as if she had been alone in the
chamber he bent his eyes with a mingled expression of deep grief and deliberate
indignation His darkcoloured riding cloak displaced from one shoulder hung
around one side of his person in the ample folds of the Spanish mantle The rest
of his rich dress was travelsoild and deranged by hard riding He had a sword
by his side and pistols in his belt His slouched hat which he had not removed
at entrance gave an additional gloom to his dark features which wasted by
sorrow and marked by the ghastly look communicated by long illness added to a
countenance naturally somewhat stern and wild a fierce and even savage
expression The matted and dishevelled locks of hair which escaped from under
his hat together with his fixed and unmoved posture made his head more
resemble that of a marble bust than that of a living man He said not a single
word and there was a deep silence in the company for more than two minutes
It was broken by Lady Ashton who in that space partly recovered her natural
audacity She demanded to know the cause of this unauthorised intrusion
»That is a question madam« said her son »which I have the best right to
ask and I must request of the Master of Ravenswood to follow me where he can
answer it at leisure«
Bucklaw interposed saying »No man on earth should usurp his previous right
in demanding an explanation from the Master Craigengelt« he added in an
undertone »dn ye why do you stand staring as if ye saw a ghost fetch me my
sword from the gallery«
»I will relinquish to none« said Colonel Ashton »my right of calling to
account the man who has offered this unparalleled affront to my family«
»Be patient gentlemen« said Ravenswood turning sternly towards them and
waving his hand as if to impose silence on their altercation »If you are as
weary of your lives as I am I will find time and place to pledge mine against
one or both at present I have no leisure for the disputes of triflers«
»Triflers« echoed Colonel Ashton half unsheathing his sword while Bucklaw
laid his hand on the hilt of that which Craigengelt had just reached him
Sir William Ashton alarmed for his sons safety rushed between the young
men and Ravenswood exclaiming »My son I command you Bucklaw I entreat you
keep the peace in the name of the Queen and of the law«
»In the name of the law of God« said Bidethebent advancing also with
uplifted hands between Bucklaw the Colonel and the object of their resentment
»In the name of Him who brought peace on earth and goodwill to mankind I
implore I beseech I command you to forbear violence towards each other God
hateth the bloodthirsty man he who striketh with the sword shall perish with
the sword«
»Do you take me for a dog sir« said Colonel Ashton turning fiercely upon
him »or something more brutally stupid to endure this insult in my fathers
house Let me go Bucklaw He shall account to me or by Heaven I will stab
him where he stands«
»You shall not touch him here« said Bucklaw »he once gave me my life and
were he the devil come to fly away with the whole house and generation he shall
have nothing but fair play«
The passions of the two young men thus counteracting each other gave
Ravenswood leisure to exclaim in a stern and steady voice »Silence let him
who really seeks danger take the fitting time when it is to be found my
mission here will be shortly accomplished Is that your handwriting madam«
he added in a softer tone extending towards Miss Ashton her last letter
A faltering »Yes« seemed rather to escape from her lips than to be uttered
as a voluntary answer
»And is this also your handwriting« extending towards her the mutual
engagement
Lucy remained silent Terror and yet a stronger and more confused feeling
so utterly disturbed her understanding that she probably scarcely comprehended
the question that was put to her
»If you design« said Sir William Ashton »to found any legal claim on that
paper sir do not expect to receive any answer to an extrajudicial question«
»Sir William Ashton« said Ravenswood »I pray you and all who hear me
that you will not mistake my purpose If this young lady of her own free will
desires the restoration of this contract as her letter would seem to imply
there is not a withered leaf which this autumn wind strews on the heath that is
more valueless in my eyes But I must and will hear the truth from her own mouth
without this satisfaction I will not leave this spot Murder me by numbers you
possibly may but I am an armed man I am a desperate man and I will not die
without ample vengeance This is my resolution take it as you may I WILL hear
her determination from her own mouth from her own mouth alone and without
witnesses will I hear it Now choose« he said drawing his sword with the
right hand and with the left by the same motion taking a pistol from his belt
and cocking it but turning the point of one weapon and the muzzle of the
other to the ground »Choose if you will have this hall floated with blood
or if you will grant me the decisive interview with my affianced bride which
the laws of God and the country alike entitle me to demand«
All recoiled at the sound of his voice and the determined action by which
it was accompanied for the ecstasy of real desperation seldom fails to
overpower the less energetic passions by which it may be opposed The clergyman
was the first to speak »In the name of God« he said »receive an overture of
peace from the meanest of his servants What this honourable person demands
albeit it is urged with over violence hath yet in it something of reason Let
him hear from Miss Lucys own lips that she hath dutifully acceded to the will
of her parents and repenteth her of her covenant with him and when he is
assured of this he will depart in peace unto his own dwelling and cumber us no
more Alas the workings of the ancient Adam are strong even in the regenerate
surely we should have longsuffering with those who being yet in the gall of
bitterness and bond of iniquity are swept forward by the uncontrollable current
of worldly passion Let then the Master of Ravenswood have the interview on
which he insisteth it can but be as a passing pang to this honourable maiden
since her faith is now irrevocably pledged to the choice of her parents Let it
I say be thus it belongeth to my functions to entreat your honours compliance
with this healing overture«
»Never« answered Lady Ashton whose rage had now overcome her first
surprise and terror »never shall this man speak in private with my daughter
the affianced bride of another Pass from this room who will I remain here I
fear neither his violence nor his weapons though some« she said glancing a
look towards Colonel Ashton »who bear my name appear more moved by them«
»For Gods sake madam« answered the worthy divine »add not fuel to
firebrands The Master of Ravenswood cannot I am sure object to your presence
the young ladys state of health being considered and your maternal duty I
myself will also tarry peradventure my grey hairs may turn away wrath«
»You are welcome to do so sir« said Ravenswood »and Lady Ashton is also
welcome to remain if she shall think proper but let all others depart«
»Ravenswood« said Colonel Ashton crossing him as he went out »you shall
account for this ere long«
»When you please« replied Ravenswood
»But I« said Bucklaw with a half smile »have a prior demand on your
leisure a claim of some standing«
»Arrange it as you will« said Ravenswood »leave me but this day in peace
and I will have no dearer employment on earth tomorrow than to give you all
the satisfaction you can desire«
The other gentlemen left the apartment but Sir William Ashton lingered
»Master of Ravenswood« he said in a conciliating tone »I think I have not
deserved that you should make this scandal and outrage in my family If you will
sheathe your sword and retire with me into my study I will prove to you by
the most satisfactory arguments the inutility of your present irregular
procedure«
»Tomorrow sir tomorrow tomorrow I will hear you at length«
reiterated Ravenswood interrupting him »this day hath its own sacred and
indispensable business«
He pointed to the door and Sir William left the apartment
Ravenswood sheathed his sword uncocked and returned his pistol to his belt
walked deliberately to the door of the apartment which he bolted returned
raised his hat from his forehead and gazing upon Lucy with eyes in which an
expression of sorrow overcame their late fierceness spread his dishevelled
locks back from his face and said »Do you know me Miss Ashton I am still
Edgar Ravenswood« She was silent and he went on with increasing vehemence »I
am still that Edgar Ravenswood who for your affection renounced the dear ties
by which injured honour bound him to seek vengeance I am that Ravenswood who
for your sake forgave nay clasped hands in friendship with the oppressor and
pillager of his house the traducer and murderer of his father«
»My daughter« answered Lady Ashton interrupting him »has no occasion to
dispute the identity of your person the venom of your present language is
sufficient to remind her that she speaks with the mortal enemy of her father«
»I pray you to be patient madam« answered Ravenswood »my answer must come
from her own lips Once more Miss Lucy Ashton I am that Ravenswood to whom
you granted the solemn engagement which you now desire to retract and cancel«
Lucys bloodless lips could only falter out the words »It was my mother«
»She speaks truly« said Lady Ashton »it was I who authorised alike by
the laws of God and man advised her and concurred with her to set aside an
unhappy and precipitate engagement and to annul it by the authority of
Scripture itself«
»Scripture« said Ravenswood scornfully
»Let him hear the text« said Lady Ashton appealing to the divine »on
which you yourself with cautious reluctance declared the nullity of the
pretended engagement insisted upon by this violent man«
The clergyman took his clasped Bible from his pocket and read the following
words »If a woman vow a vow unto the Lord and bind herself by a bond being in
her fathers house in her youth and her father hear her vow and her bond
wherewith she hath bound her soul and her father shall hold his peace at her
then all her vows shall stand and every vow wherewith she hath bound her soul
shall stand«
»And was it not even so with us« interrupted Ravenswood
»Control thy impatience young man« answered the divine »and hear what
follows in the sacred text But if her father disallow her in the day that he
heareth not any of her vows or of her bonds wherewith she hath bound her soul
shall stand and the Lord shall forgive her because her father disallowed her«
»And was not« said Lady Ashton fiercely and triumphantly breaking in
»was not ours the case stated in the holy writ Will this person deny that
the instant her parents heard of the vow or bond by which our daughter had
bound her soul we disallowed the same in the most express terms and informed
him by writing of our determination«
»And is this all« said Ravenswood looking at Lucy »are you willing to
barter sworn faith the exercise of free will and the feelings of mutual
affection to this wretched hypocritical sophistry«
»Hear him« said Lady Ashton looking to the clergyman »hear the
blasphemer«
»May God forgive him« said Bidethebent »and enlighten his ignorance«
»Hear what I have sacrificed for you« said Ravenswood still addressing
Lucy »ere you sanction what has been done in your name The honour of an
ancient family the urgent advice of my best friends have been in vain used to
sway my resolution neither the arguments of reason nor the portents of
superstition have shaken my fidelity The very dead have arisen to warn me and
their warning has been despised Are you prepared to pierce my heart for its
fidelity with the very weapon which my rash confidence intrusted to your
grasp«
»Master of Ravenswood« said Lady Ashton »you have asked what questions you
thought fit You see the total incapacity of my daughter to answer you But I
will reply for her and in a manner which you cannot dispute You desire to know
whether Lucy Ashton of her own free will desires to annul the engagement into
which she has been trepanned You have her letter under her own hand demanding
the surrender of it and in yet more full evidence of her purpose here is the
contract which she has this morning subscribed in presence of this reverend
gentleman with Mr Hayston of Bucklaw«
Ravenswood gazed upon the deed as if petrified »And it was without fraud
or compulsion« said he looking towards the clergyman »that Miss Ashton
subscribed this parchment«
»I vouch it upon my sacred character«
»This is indeed madam an undeniable piece of evidence« said Ravenswood
sternly »and it will be equally unnecessary and dishonourable to waste another
word in useless remonstrance or reproach There madam« he said laying down
before Lucy the signed paper and the broken piece of gold »there are the
evidences of your first engagement may you be more faithful to that which you
have just formed I will trouble you to return the corresponding tokens of my
illplaced confidence I ought rather to say of my egregious folly«
Lucy returned the scornful glance of her lover with a gaze from which
perception seemed to have been banished yet she seemed partly to have
understood his meaning for she raised her hands as if to undo a blue ribbon
which she wore around her neck She was unable to accomplish her purpose but
Lady Ashton cut the ribbon asunder and detached the broken piece of gold which
Miss Ashton had till then worn concealed in her bosom the written counterpart
of the lovers engagement she for some time had had in her own possession With
a haughty courtesy she delivered both to Ravenswood who was much softened when
he took the piece of gold
»And she could wear it thus« he said speaking to himself »could wear it
in her very bosom could wear it next to her heart even when But complaint
avails not« he said dashing from his eye the tear which had gathered in it
and resuming the stern composure of his manner He strode to the chimney and
threw into the fire the paper and piece of gold stamping upon the coals with
the heel of his boot as if to insure their destruction »I will be no longer«
he then said »an intruder here Your evil wishes and your worse offices Lady
Ashton I will only return by hoping these will be your last machinations
against your daughters honour and happiness And to you madam« he said
addressing Lucy »I have nothing farther to say except to pray to God that you
may not become a worlds wonder for this act of wilful and deliberate perjury«
Having uttered these words he turned on his heel and left the apartment
Sir William Ashton by entreaty and authority had detained his son and
Bucklaw in a distant part of the castle in order to prevent their again meeting
with Ravenswood but as the Master descended the great staircase Lockhard
delivered him a billet signed Sholto Douglas Ashton requesting to know where
the Master of Ravenswood would be heard of four or five days from hence as the
writer had business of weight to settle with him so soon as an important family
event had taken place
»Tell Colonel Ashton« said Ravenswood composedly »I shall be found at
Wolfs Crag when his leisure serves him«
As he descended the outward stair which led from the terrace he was
interrupted a second time by Craigengelt who on the part of his principal the
Laird of Bucklaw expressed a hope that Ravenswood would not leave Scotland
within ten days at least as he had both former and recent civilities for which
to express his gratitude
»Tell your master« said Ravenswood fiercely »to choose his own time He
will find me at Wolfs Crag if his purpose is not forestalled«
»My master« replied Craigengelt encouraged by seeing Colonel Ashton and
Bucklaw at the bottom of the terrace »give me leave to say I know of no such
person upon earth nor will I permit such language to be used to me«
»Seek your master then in hell« exclaimed Ravenswood giving way to the
passion he had hitherto restrained and throwing Craigengelt from him with such
violence that he rolled down the steps and lay senseless at the foot of them
»I am a fool« he instantly added »to vent my passion upon a caitiff so
worthless«
He then mounted his horse which at his arrival he had secured to a
balustrade in front of the castle rode very slowly past Bucklaw and Colonel
Ashton raising his hat as he passed each and looking in their faces steadily
while he offered this mute salutation which was returned by both with the same
stern gravity Ravenswood walked on with equal deliberation until he reached the
head of the avenue as if to show that he rather courted than avoided
interruption When he had passed the upper gate he turned his horse and looked
at the castle with a fixed eye then set spurs to his good steed and departed
with the speed of a demon dismissed by the exorcist
Chapter ThirtyThird
Who comes from the bridal chamber
It is Azrael the angel of death
Thalaba
After the dreadful scene that had taken place at the castle Lucy was
transported to her own chamber where she remained for some time in a state of
absolute stupor Yet afterwards in the course of the ensuing day she seemed to
have recovered not merely her spirits and resolution but a sort of flighty
levity that was foreign to her character and situation and which was at times
chequered by fits of deep silence and melancholy and of capricious pettishness
Lady Ashton became much alarmed and consulted the family physicians But as her
pulse indicated no change they could only say that the disease was on the
spirits and recommended gentle exercise and amusement Miss Ashton never
alluded to what had passed in the stateroom It seemed doubtful even if she was
conscious of it for she was often observed to raise her hands to her neck as
if in search of the ribbon that had been taken from it and mutter in surprise
and discontent when she could not find it »It was the link that bound me to
life«
Notwithstanding all these remarkable symptoms Lady Ashton was too deeply
pledged to delay her daughters marriage even in her present state of health It
cost her much trouble to keep up the fair side of appearances towards Bucklaw
She was well aware that if he once saw any reluctance on her daughters part
he would break off the treaty to her great personal shame and dishonour She
therefore resolved that if Lucy continued passive the marriage should take
place upon the day that had been previously fixed trusting that a change of
place of situation and of character would operate a more speedy and effectual
cure upon the unsettled spirits of her daughter than could be attained by the
slow measures which the medical men recommended Sir William Ashtons views of
family aggrandisement and his desire to strengthen himself against the measures
of the Marquis of A readily induced him to acquiesce in what he could not
have perhaps resisted if willing to do so As for the young men Bucklaw and
Colonel Ashton they protested that after what had happened it would be most
dishonourable to postpone for a single hour the time appointed for the marriage
as it would be generally ascribed to their being intimidated by the intrusive
visit and threats of Ravenswood
Bucklaw would indeed have been incapable of such precipitation had he been
aware of the state of Miss Ashtons health or rather of her mind But custom
upon these occasions permitted only brief and sparing intercourse between the
bridegroom and the betrothed a circumstance so well improved by Lady Ashton
that Bucklaw neither saw nor suspected the real state of the health and feelings
of his unhappy bride
On the eve of the bridal day Lucy appeared to have one of her fits of
levity and surveyed with a degree of girlish interest the various preparations
of dress etc etc which the different members of the family had prepared for
the occasion
The morning dawned bright and cheerily The bridal guests assembled in
gallant troops from distant quarters Not only the relations of Sir William
Ashton and the still more dignified connections of his lady together with the
numerous kinsmen and allies of the bridegroom were present upon this joyful
ceremony gallantly mounted arrayed and caparisoned but almost every
Presbyterian family of distinction within fifty miles made a point of
attendance upon an occasion which was considered as giving a sort of triumph
over the Marquis of A in the person of his kinsman Splendid refreshments
awaited the guests on their arrival and after these were finished the cry was
to horse The bride was led forth betwixt her brother Henry and her mother Her
gaiety of the preceding day had given rise to a deep shade of melancholy which
however did not misbecome an occasion so momentous There was a light in her
eyes and a colour in her cheek which had not been kindled for many a day and
which joined to her great beauty and the splendour of her dress occasioned
her entrance to be greeted with a universal murmur of applause in which even
the ladies could not refrain from joining While the cavalcade were getting to
horse Sir William Ashton a man of peace and of form censured his son Henry
for having begirt himself with a military sword of preposterous length
belonging to his brother Colonel Ashton
»If you must have a weapon« he said »upon such a peaceful occasion why
did you not use the short poniard sent from Edinburgh on purpose«
The boy vindicated himself by saying it was lost
»You put it out of the way yourself I suppose« said his father »out of
ambition to wear that preposterous thing which might have served Sir William
Wallace But never mind get to horse now and take care of your sister«
The boy did so and was placed in the centre of the gallant train At the
time he was too full of his own appearance his sword his laced cloak his
feathered hat and his managed horse to pay much regard to anything else but
he afterwards remembered to the hour of his death that when the hand of his
sister by which she supported herself on the pillion behind him touched his
own it felt as wet and cold as sepulchral marble
Glancing wide over hill and dale the fair bridal procession at last reached
the parish church which they nearly filled for besides domestics above a
hundred gentlemen and ladies were present upon the occasion The marriage
ceremony was performed according to the rites of the Presbyterian persuasion to
which Bucklaw of late had judged it proper to conform
On the outside of the church a liberal dole was distributed to the poor of
the neighbouring parishes under the direction of Johnny Mortsheugh who had
lately been promoted from his desolate quarters at the Hermitage to fill the
more eligible situation of sexton at the parish church of Ravenswood Dame
Gourlay with two of her contemporaries the same who assisted at Alices
latewake seated apart upon a flat monument or throughstane sate enviously
comparing the shares which had been allotted to them in dividing the dole
»Johnny Mortsheugh« said Annie Winnie »might hae minded auld lang syne
and thought of his auld kimmers for as braw as he is with his new black coat I
hae gotten but five herring instead o sax and this disna look like a gude
saxpennys and I daresay this bit morsel o beef is an unce lighter than ony
thats been dealt round and its a bit o the tenony hough mair by token that
yours Maggie is out o the back sey«
»Mine quo she« mumbled the paralytic hag »mine is half banes I trow If
grit folk gie poor bodies ony thing for coming to their weddings and burials it
suld be something that wad do them gude I think«
»Their gifts« said Ailsie Gourlay »are dealt for nae love of us nor out
of respect for whether we feed or starve They wad gie us whinstanes for loaves
if it would serve their ain vanity and yet they expect us to be as gratefu as
they ca it as if they served us for true love and liking«
»And thats truly said« answered her companion
»But Ailsie Gourlay yere the auldest o us three did ye ever see a mair
grand bridal«
»I winna say that I have« answered the hag »but I think soon to see as
braw a burial«
»And that wad please me as weel« said Annie Winnie »for theres as large a
dole and folk are no obliged to girn and laugh and mak murgeons and wish joy
to these hellicat quality that lord it ower us like brute beasts I like to
pack the deaddole in my lap and rin ower my auld rhyme
My loaf in my lap my penny in my purse
Thou art neer the better and Im neer the worse«28
»Thats right Annie« said the paralytic woman »God send us a green Yule and a
fat kirkyard«
»But I wad like to ken Lucky Gourlay for yere the auldest and wisest
amang us whilk o these revellers turns it will be to be streekit first«
»Dye see yon dandilly maiden« said Dame Gourlay »a glistening wi gowd
and jewels that they are lifting up on the white horse behind that harebrained
callant in scarlet wi the lang sword at his side«
»But thats the bride« said her companion her cold heart touched with some
sort of compassion »thats the very bride hersell Eh whow sae young sae
braw and sae bonny and is her time sae short«
»I tell ye« said the sibyl »her winding sheet is up as high as her throat
already believe it wha list Her sand has but few grains to rin out and nae
wonder theyve been weel shaken The leaves are withering fast on the trees
but shell never see the Martinmas wind gar them dance in swirls like the fairy
rings«
»Ye waited on her for a quarter« said the paralytic woman »and got twa red
pieces or I am far beguiled«
»Ay ay« answered Ailsie with a bitter grin »and Sir William Ashton
promised me a bonny red gown to the boot o that a stake and a chain and a
tar barrel lass what think ye o that for a propine for being up early
and doun late for fourscore nights and mair wi his dwining daughter But he may
keep it for his ain leddy cummers«
»I hae heard a sough« said Annie Winnie »as if Leddy Ashton was nae canny
body«
»Dye see her yonder« said Dame Gourlay »as she prances on her grey
gelding out at the kirkyard theres mair o utter deevilry in that woman as
brave and fairfashioned as she rides yonder than in a the Scotch witches that
ever flew by moonlight ower North Berwick Law«
»Whats that ye say about witches ye damned hags« said Johnny Mortsheugh
»are ye casting yer cantrips in the very kirkyard to mischief the bride and
bridegroom Get awa hame for if I tak my souple tye Ill gar ye find the road
faster than ye wad like«
»Hech sirs« answered Ailsie Gourlay »how braw are we wi our new black
coat and our weelpouthered head as if we had never kend hunger nor thirst
oursells and well be screwing up our bit fiddle doubtless in the ha the
night amang a the other elbojiggers for miles round Lets see if the pins
haud Johnny thats a lad«
»I take ye a to witness gude people« said Mortsheugh »that she threatens
me wi mischief and forespeaks me If ony thing but gude happens to me or my
fiddle this night Ill make it the blackest nights job she ever stirred in
Ill hae her before Presbytery and Synod Im half a minister mysell now that
I am a bedral in an inhabited parish«
Although the mutual hatred betwixt these hags and the rest of mankind had
steeled their hearts against all impressions of festivity this was by no means
the case with the multitude at large The splendour of the bridal retinue
the gay dresses the spirited horses the blithesome appearance of the
handsome women and gallant gentlemen assembled upon the occasion had the usual
effect upon the minds of the populace The repeated shouts of »Ashton and
Bucklaw for ever« the discharge of pistols guns and musketoons to give
what was called the bridalshot evinced the interest the people took in the
occasion of the cavalcade as they accompanied it upon their return to the
castle If there was here and there an elder peasant or his wife who sneered at
the pomp of the upstart family and remembered the days of the longdescended
Ravenswoods even they attracted by the plentiful cheer which the castle that
day afforded to rich and poor held their way thither and acknowledged
notwithstanding their prejudices the influence of lAmphitrion oú l on dine
Thus accompanied with the attendance both of rich and poor Lucy returned to
her fathers house Bucklaw used his privilege of riding next to the bride but
new to such a situation rather endeavoured to attract attention by the display
of his person and horsemanship than by any attempt to address her in private
They reached the castle in safety amid a thousand joyous acclamations
It is well known that the weddings of ancient days were celebrated with a
festive publicity rejected by the delicacy of modern times The marriage guests
on the present occasion were regaled with a banquet of unbounded profusion the
relics of which after the domestics had feasted in their turn were distributed
among the shouting crowd with as many barrels of ale as made the hilarity
without correspond to that within the castle The gentlemen according to the
fashion of the times indulged for the most part in deep draughts of the
richest wines while the ladies prepared for the ball which always closed a
bridal entertainment impatiently expected their arrival in the state gallery
At length the social party broke up at a late hour and the gentlemen crowded
into the saloon where enlivened by wine and the joyful occasion they laid
aside their swords and handed their impatient partners to the floor The music
already rung from the gallery along the fretted roof of the ancient state
apartment According to strict etiquette the bride ought to have opened the
ball but Lady Ashton making an apology on account of her daughters health
offered her own hand to Bucklaw as substitute for her daughters
But as Lady Ashton raised her head gracefully expecting the strain at which
she was to begin the dance she was so much struck by an unexpected alteration
in the ornaments of the apartment that she was surprised into an exclamation
»Who has dared to change the pictures«
All looked up and those who knew the usual state of the apartment observed
with surprise that the picture of Sir William Ashtons father was removed from
its place and in its stead that of old Sir Malise Ravenswood seemed to frown
wrath and vengeance upon the party assembled below The exchange must have been
made while the apartments were empty but had not been observed until the
torches and lights in the sconces were kindled for the ball The haughty and
heated spirits of the gentlemen led them to demand an immediate inquiry into the
cause of what they deemed an affront to their host and to themselves but Lady
Ashton recovering herself passed it over as the freak of a crazy wench who was
maintained about the castle and whose susceptible imagination had been observed
to be much affected by the stories which Dame Gourlay delighted to tell
concerning »the former family« so Lady Ashton named the Ravenswoods The
obnoxious picture was immediately removed and the ball was opened by Lady
Ashton with a grace and dignity which supplied the charms of youth and almost
verified the extravagant encomiums of the elder part of the company who
extolled her performance as far exceeding the dancing of the rising generation
When Lady Ashton sat down she was not surprised to find that her daughter
had left the apartment and she herself followed eager to obviate any
impression which might have been made upon her nerves by an incident so likely
to affect them as the mysterious transposition of the portraits Apparently she
found her apprehensions groundless for she returned in about an hour and
whispered the bridegroom who extricated himself from the dancers and vanished
from the apartment The instruments now played their loudest strains the
dancers pursued their exercise with all the enthusiasm inspired by youth mirth
and high spirits when a cry was heard so shrill and piercing as at once to
arrest the dance and the music All stood motionless but when the yell was
again repeated Colonel Ashton snatched a torch from the sconce and demanding
the key of the bridal chamber from Henry to whom as bridesman it had been
intrusted rushed thither followed by Sir William and Lady Ashton and one or
two others near relations of the family The bridal guests waited their return
in stupified amazement
Arrived at the door of the apartment Colonel Ashton knocked and called but
received no answer except stifled groans He hesitated no longer to open the
door of the apartment in which he found opposition from something which lay
against it When he had succeeded in opening it the body of the bridegroom was
found lying on the threshold of the bridal chamber and all around was flooded
with blood A cry of surprise and horror was raised by all present and the
company excited by this new alarm began to rush tumultuously towards the
sleeping apartment Colonel Ashton first whispering to his mother »Search
for her she has murdered him« drew his sword planted himself in the passage
and declared he would suffer no man to pass excepting the clergyman and a
medical person present By their assistance Bucklaw who still breathed was
raised from the ground and transported to another apartment where his friends
full of suspicion and murmuring assembled round him to learn the opinion of the
surgeon
In the meanwhile Lady Ashton her husband and their assistants in vain
sought Lucy in the bridal bed and in the chamber There was no private passage
from the room and they began to think that she must have thrown herself from
the window when one of the company holding his torch lower than the rest
discovered something white in the corner of the great oldfashioned chimney of
the apartment Here they found the unfortunate girl seated or rather couched
like a hare upon its form her headgear dishevelled her nightclothes torn
and dabbled with blood her eyes glazed and her features convulsed into a
wild paroxysm of insanity When she saw herself discovered she gibbered made
mouths and pointed at them with her bloody fingers with the frantic gestures
of an exulting demoniac
Female assistance was now hastily summoned the unhappy bride was
overpowered not without the use of some force As they carried her over the
threshold she looked down and uttered the only articulate words that she had
yet spoken saying with a sort of grinning exultation »So you have taen up
your bonny bridegroom« She was by the shuddering assistants conveyed to another
and more retired apartment where she was secured as her situation required and
closely watched The unutterable agony of the parents the horror and confusion
of all who were in the castle the fury of contending passions between the
friends of the different parties passions augmented by previous intemperance
surpass description
The surgeon was the first who obtained something like a patient hearing he
pronounced that the wound of Bucklaw though severe and dangerous was by no
means fatal but might readily be rendered so by disturbance and hasty removal
This silenced the numerous party of Bucklaws friends who had previously
insisted that he should at all rates be transported from the castle to the
nearest of their houses They still demanded however that in consideration of
what had happened four of their number should remain to watch over the sickbed
of their friend and that a suitable number of their domestics well armed
should also remain in the castle This condition being acceded to on the part of
Colonel Ashton and his father the rest of the bridegrooms friends left the
castle notwithstanding the hour and the darkness of the night The cares of the
medical man were next employed in behalf of Miss Ashton whom he pronounced to
be in a very dangerous state Farther medical assistance was immediately
summoned All night she remained delirious On the morning she fell into a
state of absolute insensibility The next evening the physicians said would be
the crisis of her malady It proved so for although she awoke from her trance
with some appearance of calmness and suffered her nightclothes to be changed
or put in order yet so soon as she put her hand to her neck as if to search
for the fatal blue ribbon a tide of recollections seemed to rush upon her
which her mind and body were alike incapable of bearing Convulsion followed
convulsion till they closed in death without her being able to utter a word
explanatory of the fatal scene
The provincial judge of the district arrived the day after the young lady
had expired and executed though with all possible delicacy to the afflicted
family the painful duty of inquiring into this fatal transaction But there
occurred nothing to explain the general hypothesis that the bride in a sudden
fit of insanity had stabbed the bridegroom at the threshold of the apartment
The fatal weapon was found in the chamber smeared with blood It was the same
poniard which Henry should have worn on the weddingday and which his unhappy
sister had probably contrived to secrete on the preceding evening when it had
been shown to her among other articles of preparation for the wedding
The friends of Bucklaw expected that on his recovery he would throw some
light upon this dark story and eagerly pressed him with inquiries which for
some time he evaded under pretext of weakness When however he had been
transported to his own house and was considered as in a state of convalescence
he assembled those persons both male and female who had considered themselves
as entitled to press him on this subject and returned them thanks for the
interest they had exhibited in his behalf and their offers of adherence and
support »I wish you all« he said »my friends to understand however that I
have neither story to tell nor injuries to avenge If a lady shall question me
henceforward upon the incidents of that unhappy night I shall remain silent
and in future consider her as one who has shown herself desirous to break off
her friendship with me in a word I will never speak to her again But if a
gentleman shall ask me the same question I shall regard the incivility as
equivalent to an invitation to meet him in the Dukes Walk29 and I expect that
he will rule himself accordingly«
A declaration so decisive admitted no commentary and it was soon after seen
that Bucklaw had arisen from the bed of sickness a sadder and a wiser man than
he had hitherto shown himself He dismissed Craigengelt from his society but
not without such a provision as if well employed might secure him against
indigence and against temptation
Bucklaw afterwards went abroad and never returned to Scotland nor was he
known ever to hint at the circumstances attending his fatal marriage By many
readers this may be deemed overstrained romantic and composed by the wild
imagination of an author desirous of gratifying the popular appetite for the
horrible but those who are read in the private family history of Scotland
during the period in which the scene is laid will readily discover through the
disguise of borrowed names and added incidents the leading particulars of AN
OWER TRUE TALE
Chapter ThirtyFourth
Whose minds so marbled and his heart so hard
That would not when this huge mishap was heard
To th utmost note of sorrow set their song
To see a gallant with so great a grace
So suddenly unthought on so oerthrown
And so to perish in so poor a place
By too rash riding in a ground unknown
Poem in Nisbets Heraldry Vol II
We have anticipated the course of time to mention Bucklaws recovery and fate
that we might not interrupt the detail of events which succeeded the funeral of
the unfortunate Lucy Ashton This melancholy ceremony was performed in the misty
dawn of an autumnal morning with such moderate attendance and ceremony as could
not possibly be dispensed with A very few of the nearest relations attended her
body to the same churchyard to which she had lately been led as a bride with as
little free will perhaps as could be now testified by her lifeless and passive
remains An aisle adjacent to the church had been fitted up by Sir William
Ashton as a family cemetery and here in a coffin bearing neither name nor
date were consigned to dust the remains of what was once lovely beautiful and
innocent though exasperated to frenzy by a long tract of unremitting
persecution While the mourners were busy in the vault the three village hags
who notwithstanding the unwonted earliness of the hour had snuffed the carrion
like vultures were seated on the »throughstane« and engaged in their wonted
unhallowed conference
»Did not I say« said Dame Gourlay »that the braw bridal would be followed
by as braw a funeral«
»I think« answered Dame Winnie »theres little bravery at it neither meat
nor drink and just a wheen silver tippences to the poor folk it was little
worth while to come sae far road for sae sma profit and us sae frail«
»Out wretch« replied Dame Gourlay »can a the dainties they could gie us
be half sae sweet as this hours vengeance There they are that were capering on
their prancing nags four days since and they are now ganging as dreigh and
sober as oursells the day They were a glistening wi gowd and silver theyre
now as black as the crook And Miss Lucy Ashton that grudged when an honest
woman came near her a taid may sit on her coffin the day and she can never
scunner when he croaks And Lady Ashton has hellfire burning in her breast by
this time and Sir William wi his gibbets and his faggots and his chains
how likes he the witcheries of his ain dwellinghouse«
»And is it true then« mumbled the paralytic wretch »that the bride was
trailed out of her bed and up the chimley by evil spirits and that the
bridegrooms face was wrung round ahint him«
»Ye needna care wha did it or how it was done« said Ailsie Gourlay »but
Ill uphaud it for nae stickit30 job and that the lairds and leddies ken weel
this day«
»And was it true« said Annie Winnie »sin ye ken sae muckle about it that
the picture of auld Sir Malise Ravenswood came down on the ha floor and led out
the brawl before them a«
»Na« said Ailsie »but into the ha came the picture and I ken weel how
it came there to gie them a warning that pride would get a fa But theres as
queer a ploy cummers as ony o thae thats gaun on even now in the burial
vault yonder ye saw twall mourners wi crape and cloak gang down the steps
pair and pair«
»What should ail us to see them« said the one old woman
»I counted them« said the other with the eagerness of a person to whom the
spectacle had afforded too much interest to be viewed with indifference
»But ye did not see« said Ailsie exulting in her superior observation
»that theres a thirteenth amang them that they ken naething about and if auld
freits say true theres ane o that company thatll no be lang for this warld
But come awa cummers if we bide here Ise warrant we get the wyte o whatever
ill comes of it and that gude will come of it nane o them need ever think to
see«
And thus croaking like the ravens when they anticipate pestilence the
illboding sibyls withdrew from the churchyard
In fact the mourners when the service of interment was ended discovered
that there was among them one more than the invited number and the remark was
communicated in whispers to each other The suspicion fell upon a figure which
muffled in the same deep mourning with the others was reclined almost in a
state of insensibility against one of the pillars of the sepulchral vault The
relatives of the Ashton family were expressing in whispers their surprise and
displeasure at the intrusion when they were interrupted by Colonel Ashton who
in his fathers absence acted as principal mourner »I know« he said in a
whisper »who this person is he has or shall soon have as deep cause of
mourning as ourselves leave me to deal with him and do not disturb the
ceremony by unnecessary exposure« So saying he separated himself from the
group of his relations and taking the unknown mourner by the cloak he said to
him in a tone of suppressed emotion »Follow me«
The stranger as if starting from a trance at the sound of his voice
mechanically obeyed and they ascended the broken ruinous stair which led from
the sepulchre into the churchyard The other mourners followed but remained
grouped together at the door of the vault watching with anxiety the motions of
Colonel Ashton and the stranger who now appeared to be in close conference
beneath the shade of a yewtree in the most remote part of the burialground
To this sequestered spot Colonel Ashton had guided the stranger and then
turning round addressed him in a stern and composed tone »I cannot doubt that
I speak to the Master of Ravenswood« No answer was returned »I cannot doubt«
resumed the Colonel trembling with rising passion »that I speak to the
murderer of my sister«
»You have named me but too truly« said Ravenswood in a hollow and
tremulous voice
»If you repent what you have done« said the Colonel »may your penitence
avail you before God with me it shall serve you nothing Here« he said giving
a paper »is the measure of my sword and a memorandum of the time and place of
meeting Sunrise tomorrow morning on the links to the east of Wolf s Hope«
The Master of Ravenswood held the paper in his hand and seemed irresolute
At length he spoke »Do not« he said »urge to farther desperation a wretch
who is already desperate Enjoy your life when you can and let me seek my death
from another«
»That you never never shall« said Douglas Ashton »You shall die by my
hand or you shall complete the ruin of my family by taking my life If you
refuse my open challenge there is no advantage I will not take of you no
indignity with which I will not load you until the very name of Ravenswood
shall be the sign of everything that is dishonourable as it is already of all
that is villanous«
»That it shall never be« said Ravenswood fiercely »if I am the last who
must bear it I owe it to those who once owned it that the name shall be
extinguished without infamy I accept your challenge time and place of
meeting We meet I presume alone«
»Alone we meet« said Colonel Ashton »and alone will the survivor of us
return from that place of rendezvous«
»Then God have mercy on the soul of him who falls« said Ravenswood
»So be it« said Colonel Ashton »so far can my charity reach even for the
man I hate most deadly and with the deepest reason Now break off for we
shall be interrupted The links by the seashore to the east of Wolfs Hope
the hour sunrise our swords our only weapons«
»Enough« said the Master »I will not fail you«
They separated Colonel Ashton joining the rest of the mourners and the
Master of Ravenswood taking his horse which was tied to a tree behind the
church Colonel Ashton returned to the Castle with the funeral guests but found
a pretext for detaching himself from them in the evening when changing his
dress to a ridinghabit he rode to Wolf s Hope that night and took up his
abode in the little inn in order that he might be ready for his rendezvous in
the morning
It is not known how the Master of Ravenswood disposed of the rest of that
unhappy day Late at night however he arrived at Wolf s Crag and aroused his
old domestic Caleb Balderston who had ceased to expect his return Confused
and flying rumours of the late tragical death of Miss Ashton and of its
mysterious cause had already reached the old man who was filled with the
utmost anxiety on account of the probable effect these events might produce
upon the mind of his master
The conduct of Ravenswood did not alleviate his apprehensions To the
butlers trembling entreaties that he would take some refreshment he at first
returned no answer and then suddenly and fiercely demanding wine he drank
contrary to his habits a very large draught Seeing that his master would eat
nothing the old man affectionately entreated that he would permit him to light
him to his chamber It was not until the request was three or four times
repeated that Ravenswood made a mute sign of compliance But when Balderston
conducted him to an apartment which had been comfortably fitted up and which
since his return he had usually occupied Ravenswood stopped short on the
threshold
»Not here« said he sternly »show me the room in which my father died the
room in which SHE slept the night they were at the castle«
»Who sir« said Caleb too terrified to preserve his presence of mind
»She Lucy Ashton would you kill me old man by forcing me to repeat her
name«
Caleb would have said something of the disrepair of the chamber but was
silenced by the irritable impatience which was expressed in his masters
countenance he lighted the way trembling and in silence placed the lamp on the
table of the deserted room and was about to attempt some arrangement of the
bed when his master bid him begone in a tone that admitted of no delay The old
man retired not to rest but to prayer and from time to time crept to the door
of the apartment in order to find out whether Ravenswood had gone to repose
His measured heavy step upon the floor was only interrupted by deep groans and
the repeated stamps of the heel of his heavy boot intimated too clearly that
the wretched inmate was abandoning himself at such moments to paroxysms of
uncontrolled agony The old man thought that the morning for which he longed
would never have dawned but time whose course rolls on with equal current
however it may seem more rapid or more slow to mortal apprehension brought the
dawn at last and spread a ruddy light on the broad verge of the glistening
ocean It was early in November and the weather was serene for the season of
the year But an easterly wind had prevailed during the night and the advancing
tide rolled nearer than usual to the foot of the crags on which the castle was
founded
With the first peep of light Caleb Balderston again resorted to the door of
Ravenswoods sleeping apartment through a chink of which he observed him
engaged in measuring the length of two or three swords which lay in a closet
adjoining to the apartment He muttered to himself as he selected one of these
weapons »It is shorter let him have this advantage as he has every other«
Caleb Balderston knew too well from what he witnessed upon what enterprise
his master was bound and how vain all interference on his part must necessarily
prove He had but time to retreat from the door so nearly was he surprised by
his master suddenly coming out and descending to the stables The faithful
domestic followed and from the dishevelled appearance of his masters dress
and his ghastly looks was confirmed in his conjecture that he had passed the
night without sleep or repose He found him busily engaged in saddling his
horse a service from which Caleb though with faltering voice and trembling
hands offered to relieve him Ravenswood rejected his assistance by a mute
sign and having led the animal into the court was just about to mount him when
the old domestics fear giving way to the strong attachment which was the
principal passion of his mind he flung himself suddenly at Ravenswoods feet
and clasped his knees while he exclaimed »Oh sir Oh master kill me if you
will but do not go out on this dreadful errand Oh my dear master wait but
this day the Marquis of A comes tomorrow and a will be remedied«
»You have no longer a master Caleb« said Ravenswood endeavouring to
extricate himself »why old man would you cling to a falling tower«
»But I have a master« cried Caleb still holding him fast »while the heir
of Ravenswood breathes I am but a servant but I was born your fathers your
grandfathers servant I was born for the family I have lived for them I
would die for them Stay but at home and all will be well«
»Well fool well« said Ravenswood »vain old man nothing hereafter in
life will be well with me and happiest is the hour that shall soonest close
it«
So saying he extricated himself from the old mans hold threw himself on
his horse and rode out at the gate but instantly turning back he threw
towards Caleb who hastened to meet him a heavy purse of gold
»Caleb« he said with a ghastly smile »I make you my executor« and again
turning his bridle he resumed his course down the hill
The gold fell unheeded on the pavement for the old man ran to observe the
course which was taken by his master who turned to the left down a small and
broken path which gained the seashore through a cleft in the rock and led to
a sort of cove where in former times the boats of the castle were wont to be
moored Observing him take this course Caleb hastened to the eastern
battlement which commanded the prospect of the whole sands very near as far as
the village of Wolfs Hope He could easily see his master riding in that
direction as fast as the horse could carry him The prophecy at once rushed on
Balderstons mind that the Lord of Ravenswood should perish on the Kelpies
Flow which lay half betwixt the tower and the links or sand knolls to the
northward of Wolfs Hope He saw him accordingly reach the fatal spot but he
never saw him pass farther
Colonel Ashton frantic for revenge was already in the field pacing the
turf with eagerness and looking with impatience towards the tower for the
arrival of his antagonist The sun had now risen and showed its broad disk
above the eastern sea so that he could easily discern the horseman who rode
towards him with speed which argued impatience equal to his own At once the
figure became invisible as if it had melted into the air He rubbed his eyes
as if he had witnessed an apparition and then hastened to the spot near which
he was met by Balderston who came from the opposite direction No trace
whatever of horse or rider could be discerned it only appeared that the late
winds and high tides had greatly extended the usual bounds of the quicksand and
that the unfortunate horseman as appeared from the hooftracks in his
precipitate haste had not attended to keep on the firm sands on the foot of the
rock but had taken the shortest and most dangerous course One only vestige of
his fate appeared A large sable feather had been detached from his hat and the
rippling waves of the rising tide wafted it to Calebs feet
The old man took it up dried it and placed it in his bosom
The inhabitants of Wolfs Hope were now alarmed and crowded to the place
some on shore and some in boats but their search availed nothing The
tenacious depths of the quicksand as is usual in such cases retained its prey
Our tale draws to a conclusion The Marquis of A alarmed at the frightful
reports that were current and anxious for his kinsmans safety arrived on the
subsequent day to mourn his loss and after renewing in vain a search for the
body returned to forget what had happened amid the bustle of politics and state
affairs
Not so Caleb Balderston If worldly profit could have consoled the old man
his age was better provided for than his earlier life had ever been but life
had lost to him its salt and its savour His whole course of ideas his
feelings whether of pride or of apprehension of pleasure or of pain had all
arisen from his close connection with the family which was now extinguished He
held up his head no longer forsook all his usual haunts and occupations and
seemed only to find pleasure in moping about those apartments in the old castle
which the Master of Ravenswood had last inhabited He ate without refreshment
and slumbered without repose and with a fidelity sometimes displayed by the
canine race but seldom by human beings he pined and died within a year after
the catastrophe which we have narrated
The family of Ashton did not long survive that of Ravenswood Sir William
Ashton outlived his eldest son the Colonel who was slain in a duel in
Flanders and Henry by whom he was succeeded died unmarried Lady Ashton lived
to the verge of extreme old age the only survivor of the group of unhappy
persons whose misfortunes were owing to her implacability That she might
internally feel compunction and reconcile herself with Heaven whom she had
offended we will not and we dare not deny but to those around her she did
not evince the slightest symptom either of repentance or remorse In all
external appearance she bore the same bold haughty unbending character which
she had displayed before these unhappy events A splendid marble monument
records her name titles and virtues while her victims remain undistinguished
by tomb or epitaph
Notes
1 Laws Memorials 4to 1818 p 226
2 See note to p 7
3 Memoirs of John Earl of Stair by an Impartial Hand London printed for C
Cobbet p 7
4 The fall from his horse by which he was killed
5 I have compared the satire which occurs in the first volume of the curious
little collection called a Book of Scottish Pasquils 1827 with that which has
a more full text and more extended notes and which is in my own possession by
gift of Thomas Thomson Esq RegisterDepute In the second Book of Pasquils
p 72 is a most abusive epitaph on Sir James Hamilton of Whitelaw
6 This elegy is reprinted in the appendix to a topographical work by the same
author entitled A Large Description of Galloway by Andrew Symson Minister of
Kirkinner 1684 8vo W and C Tait Edinburgh 1823 The reverend gentlemans
elegies are bound up with the Tripatriarchicon 1705 a religious poem from the
Biblical History by the same author
7 Hauds out Holds out ie presents his piece
8 President of the Court of Session He was pistolled in the High Street of
Edinburgh by John Chiesley of Dalry in the year 1689 The revenge of this
desperate man was stimulated by an opinion that he had sustained injustice in a
decreetarbitral pronounced by the President assigning an alimentary provision
of about £93 in favour of his wife and children He is said at first to have
designed to shoot the judge while attending upon divine worship but was
diverted by some feeling concerning the sanctity of the place After the
congregation was dismissed he dogged his victim as far as the head of the close
on the south side of the Lawnmarket in which the Presidents house was
situated and shot him dead as he was about to enter it This act was done in
the presence of numerous spectators The assassin made no attempt to fly but
boasted of the deed saying »I have taught the President how to do justice« He
had at least given him fair warning as Jack Cade says on a similar occasion
The murderer after undergoing the torture by a special act of the Estates of
Parliament was tried before the Lord Provost of Edinburgh as high sheriff and
condemned to be dragged on a hurdle to the place of execution to have his right
hand struck off while he yet lived and finally to be hung on the gallows with
the pistol wherewith he shot the President tied round his neck This execution
took place on the 3d of April 1689 and the incident was long remembered as a
dreadful instance of what the law books call the perfervidum ingenium Scotorum
9 Wind him a pirn reel proverbial for preparing a troublesome business for
some person
10 ie Let him pay with his person who cannot pay with his purse
11 Drinking cups of different sizes made out of staves hooped together The
quaigh was used chiefly for drinking wine or brandy it might hold about a gill
and was often composed of rare wood and curiously ornamented with silver
12 That is absolute rights of property for the payment of a sum annually which
is usually a trifle in such cases as are alluded to in the text
13 Burkes Speech on Economical Reform Works vol iii p 250
14 ie To act as may be necessary and legal a Scottish law phrase
15 Weid a feverish cold a disorder incident to infants and to females is so
called
16 Monetæ Scoticæ scilicet
17 Taking up his abode
18 The raid of Caleb Balderston on the coopers kitchen has been universally
considered on the southern side of the Tweed as grotesquely and absurdly
extravagant The Author can only say that a similar anecdote was communicated
to him with date and names of the parties by a noble Earl lately deceased
whose remembrances of former days both in Scotland and England while they were
given with a felicity and power of humour never to be forgotten by those who had
the happiness of meeting his lordship in familiar society were especially
invaluable from their extreme accuracy
Speaking after my kind and lamented informer with the omission of names only
the anecdote ran thus There was a certain bachelor gentleman in one of the
midland counties of Scotland second son of an ancient family who lived on the
fortune of a second son videlicet upon some miserably small annuity which
yet was so managed and stretched out by the expedients of his man John that his
master kept the front rank with all the young men of quality in the county and
hunted dined diced and drank with them upon apparently equal terms
It is true that as the masters society was extremely amusing his friends
contrived to reconcile his man John to accept assistance of various kinds under
the rose which they dared not to have directly offered to his master Yet very
consistently with all this good inclination to John and Johns master it was
thought among the young foxhunters that it would be an excellent jest if
possible to take John at fault
With this intention and I think in consequence of a bet a party of four or
five of these youngsters arrived at the bachelors little mansion which was
adjacent to a considerable village Here they alighted a short while before the
dinnerhour for it was judged regular to give Johns ingenuity a fair start
and rushing past the astonished domestic entered the little parlour and
telling some concerted story of the cause of their invasion the selfinvited
guests asked their landlord if he could let them have some dinner Their friend
gave them a hearty and unembarrassed reception and for the matter of dinner
referred them to John He was summoned accordingly received his masters
orders to get dinner ready for the party who had thus unexpectedly arrived and
without changing a muscle of his countenance promised prompt obedience Great
was the speculation of the visitors and probably of the landlord also what was
to be the issue of Johns fair promises Some of the more curious had taken a
peep into the kitchen and could see nothing there to realise the prospect held
out by the MajorDomo But punctual as the dinnerhour struck on the village
clock John placed before them a stately rump of boiled beef with a proper
accompaniment of greens amply sufficient to dine the whole party and to decide
the bet against those among the visitors who expected to take John napping The
explanation was the same as in the case of Caleb Balderston John had used the
freedom to carry off the kailpot of a rich old chuff in the village and
brought it to his masters house leaving the proprietor and his friends to dine
on bread and cheese and as John said »good enough for them« The fear of
giving offence to so many persons of distinction kept the poor man sufficiently
quiet and he was afterwards remunerated by some indirect patronage so that the
jest was admitted a good one on all sides In England at any period or in some
parts of Scotland at the present day it might not have passed off so well
19 Cuitle may answer to the elegant modern phrase diddle
20 It was once the universal custom to place ale wine or some strong liquor
in the chamber of an honoured guest to assuage his thirst should he feel any on
awakening in the night which considering that the hospitality of that period
often reached excess was by no means unlikely The Author has met some
instances of it in former days and in old families It was perhaps no poetic
fiction that records how
»My cummer and I lay down to sleep
With two pint stoups at our bedfeet
And aye when we wakent we drank them dry
What think you o my cummer and I«
It is a current story in Teviotdale that in the house of an ancient family of
distinction much addicted to the Presbyterian cause a Bible was always put
into the sleeping apartment of the guests along with a bottle of strong ale On
some occasion there was a meeting of clergymen in the vicinity of the castle
all of whom were invited to dinner by the worthy Baronet and several abode all
night According to the fashion of the times seven of the reverend guests were
allotted to one large barrackroom which was used on such occasions of extended
hospitality The butler took care that the divines were presented according to
custom each with a Bible and a bottle of ale But after a little consultation
among themselves they are said to have recalled the domestic as he was leaving
the apartment »My friend« said one of the venerable guests »you must know
when we meet together as brethren the youngest minister reads aloud a portion
of Scripture to the rest only one Bible therefore is necessary take away
the other six and in their place bring six more bottles of ale«
This synod would have suited the »hermitsage« of Johnson who answered a pupil
who inquired for the real road to happiness with the celebrated line
»Come my lad and drink some beer«
21 The power of appeal from the Court of Session the supreme Judges of
Scotland to the Scottish Parliament in cases of civil right was fiercely
debated before the Union It was a privilege highly desirable for the subject
as the examination and occasional reversal of their sentences in Parliament
might serve as a check upon the Judges which they greatly required at a time
when they were much more distinguished for legal knowledge than for uprightness
and integrity
The members of the Faculty of Advocates so the Scottish barristers are termed
in the year 1674 incurred the violent displeasure of the Court of Session on
account of their refusal to renounce the right of appeal to Parliament and by
a very arbitrary procedure the majority of the number were banished from
Edinburgh and consequently deprived of their professional practice for several
sessions or terms But by the articles of the Union an appeal to the British
House of Peers has been secured to the Scottish subject and that right has no
doubt had its influence in forming the impartial and independent character
which much contrary to the practice of their predecessors the Judges of the
Court of Session have since displayed
It is easy to conceive that an old lawyer like the Lord Keeper in the text
should feel alarm at the judgments given in his favour upon grounds of strict
penal law being brought to appeal under a new and dreaded procedure in a Court
eminently impartial and peculiarly moved by considerations of equity
In earlier editions of this Work this legal distinction was not sufficiently
explained
22 ie They are bounded by my own
23 Broil
24 The bladebone of a shoulder of mutton is called in Scotland »a poor man« as
in some parts of England it is termed »a poor knight of Windsor« in contrast
it must be presumed to the baronial Sir Loin It is said that in the last age
an old Scottish peer whose conditions none of the most gentle were marked by
a strange and fiercelooking exaggeration of the Highland countenance chanced
to be indisposed while he was in London attending Parliament The master of the
hotel where he lodged anxious to show attention to his noble guest waited on
him to enumerate the contents of his wellstocked larder so as to endeavour to
hit on something which might suit his appetite »I think landlord« said his
lordship rising up from his couch and throwing back the tartan plaid with
which he had screened his grim and ferocious visage »I think I could eat a
morsel of a poor man« The landlord fled in terror having no doubt that his
guest was a cannibal who might be in the habit of eating a slice of tenant as
light food when he was under regimen
25 »Cut a drink with a tale« equivalent to the English adage of boon
companions »Dont preach over your liquor«
26 Hereupon I Jedediah Cleishbotham crave leave to remark primo which
signifies in the first place that having in vain inquired at the Circulating
Library in Gandercleugh albeit it aboundeth in similar vanities for this samyn
Middleton and his Mad World it was at length shown unto me amongst other
ancient fooleries carefully compiled by one Dodsley who doubtless hath his
reward for neglect of precious time and having misused so much of mine as was
necessary for the purpose I therein found that a playman is brought in as a
footman whom a knight is made to greet facetiously with the epithet of »linen
stocking and threescore miles aday«
Secundo which is secondly in the vernacular under Mr Pattiesons favour
some men not altogether so old as he would represent them do remember this
species of menial or forerunner In evidence of which I Jedediah
Cleishbotham though mine eyes yet do me good service remember me to have seen
one of this tribe clothed in white and bearing a staff who ran daily before
the stagecoach of the umquhile John Earl of Hopeton father of this Earl
Charles that now is unto whom it may be justly said that Renown playeth the
part of a running footman or precursor and as the poet singeth
»Mars standing by asserts his quarrel
And Fame flies after with a laurel«
JC
27 Anglicè adze
28 Reginald Scott tells of an old woman who performed so many cures by means of
a charm that she was suspected of witchcraft Her mode of practice being
inquired into it was found that the only fee which she would accept of was a
loaf of bread and a silver penny and that the potent charm with which she
wrought so many cures was the doggerel couplet in the text
29 A walk in the vicinity of Holyrood House so called because often frequented
by the Duke of York afterwards James II during his residence in Scotland It
was for a long time the usual place of rendezvous for settling affairs of
honour
30 Stickit imperfect