with the young
nobleman into a recess, where the following brief dialogue passed between them:
-
    »I think I need not remind you, Colonel, that when our family interest was
of service to you last year in that affair in the privy-council, you considered
yourself as laid under some obligation to us?«
    »Certainly, my dear Evandale,« answered Claverhouse, »I am not a man who
forgets such debts; yon will delight me by showing how I can evince my
gratitude.«
    »I will hold the debt cancelled,« said Lord Evandale, »if you will spare
this young man's life.«
    »Evandale,« replied Grahame, in great surprise, »you are mad! - absolutely
mad! What interest can you have in this young spawn of an old roundhead? His
father was positively the most dangerous man in all Scotland - cool, resolute,
soldierly, and inflexible in his principles. His son seems his very model; you
cannot conceive the mischief he may do. I know mankind, Evandale - were he an
insignificant, fanatical, country booby, do you think I would have refused such
a trifle as his life to Lady Margaret and this family? But this is a lad of
fire, zeal, and education - and these knaves want but such a leader to direct
their blind enthusiastic hardiness. I mention this, not as refusing your
request, but to make you fully aware of the possible consequences. I will never
evade a promise, or refuse to return an obligation - if you ask his life he
shall have it.«
    »Keep him close prisoner,« answered Evandale, »but do not be surprised if I
persist in requesting you will not put him to death. I have most urgent reasons
for what I ask.«
    »Be it so then,« replied Grahame. »But, young man, should you wish in your
future life to rise to eminence in the service of your king and country, let it
be your first task to subject to the public interest, and to the discharge of
your duty, your private passions, affections, and feelings. These are not times
to sacrifice to the dotage of greybeards, or the tears of silly women, the
measures of salutary severity which the dangers around compel us to adopt. And
remember, that if I now yield this point, in compliance with your urgency, my
present concession must exempt me from future solicitations of the same nature.«
    He then stepped forward to the table, and bent his eyes keenly on Morton, as
if to observe what