yet to run - thou hast to
vindicate the high trust which has been bestowed on thee through my assurance
that it was dearly well-merited. At Loudon Hill thou wert a captive, and at the
last assault it was thy part to fight under cover, whilst I led the more open
and dangerous attack; and, shouldst thou now remain before these walls when
there is active service elsewhere, trust me that men will say that the son of
Silas Morton hath fallen away from the paths of his father.«
    Stung by this last observation, to which, as a gentleman and soldier, he
could offer no suitable reply, Morton hastily acquiesced in the proposed
arrangement. Yet he was unable to divest himself of certain feelings of distrust
which he involuntarily attached to the quarter from which he received this
information.
    »Mr. Balfour,« he said, »let us distinctly understand each other. You have
thought it worth your while to bestow particular attention upon my private
affairs and personal attachments; - be so good as to understand, that I am as
constant to them as to my political principles. It is possible, that, during my
absence, you may possess the power of soothing or of wounding those feelings. Be
assured, that whatever may be the consequences to the issue of our present
adventure, my eternal gratitude, or my persevering resentment, will attend the
line of conduct you may adopt on such an occasion; and however young and
inexperienced I am, I have no doubt of finding friends to assist me in
expressing my sentiments in either case.«
    »If there be a threat implied in that denunciation,« replied Burley, coldly
and haughtily, »it had better have, been spared. I know how to value the regard
of my friends, and despise from my soul the threats of my enemies. But I will
not take occasion of offence. Whatever happens here in your absence shall be
managed with as much deference to your wishes, as the duty I owe to a higher
power can possibly permit.« With this qualified promise Morton was obliged to
rest satisfied.
    »Our defeat will relieve the garrison,« said he, internally, »ere they can
be reduced to surrender at discretion; and, in case of victory, I already see,
from the numbers of the moderate party, that I shall have a voice as powerful as
Burley's in determining the use which shall be made of it.«
    He therefore followed Balfour to the council, where they found Kettledrummle
adding to his lastly a few words of practical application. When these were
expended, Morton