horse, I think," says he. "That which I had given was a portion of

my liking, which your thankless nature does not seem to have

remarked. But for my patronage, it is not given, nor (to be exact)

is it yet offered." He paused a bit. "And I warn you, you do not

know yourself," he added. "Youth is a hasty season; you will think

better of all this before a year."

"Well, and I would like to be that kind of youth!" I cried. "I

have seen too much of the other party in these young advocates that

fawn upon your lordship and are even at the pains to fawn on me.

And I have seen it in the old ones also. They are all for by-ends,

the whole clan of them! It's this that makes me seem to misdoubt

your lordship's liking. Why would I think that you would like me?

But ye told me yourself ye had an interest!"

I stopped at this, confounded that I had run so far; he was

observing me with an unfathomable face.

"My lord, I ask your pardon," I resumed. "I have nothing in my

chafts but a rough country tongue. I think it would be only

decent-like if I would go to see my friend in her captivity; but

I'm owing you my life--I'll never forget that; and if it's for your

lordship's good, here I'll stay. That's barely gratitude."

"This might have been reached in fewer words," says Prestongrange

grimly. "It is easy, and it is at times gracious, to say a plain

Scots 'ay'."

"Ah, but, my lord, I think ye take me not yet entirely!" cried I.

"For YOUR sake, for my life-safe, and the kindness that ye say ye

<<BackPagesTo menuNext>>