 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 hot-headed 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
