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"And now you see how it is," he concluded, "and why, when you tell me your evidence is to be let in, I laugh aloud in your face." It was now my turn. I laid before him in brief Mr. Simon's threats and offers, and the whole incident of the bravo, with the subsequent scene at Prestongrange's. Of my first talk, according to promise, I said nothing, nor indeed was it necessary.
The voices of two of Prestongrange's liveried men upon his doorstep recalled me to myself. "Hae," said the one; "this billet as fast as ye can link to the captain." "Is that for the cateran back again?" asked the other. "It would seem sae," returned the first. "Him and Simon are seeking him." "I think Prestongrange is gane gyte," says the second. "He'll have James More in bed with him next."
"But those that do not love and cherish him I will not know." "I will take the freedom of a word yet," said I, beginning to tremble. "Perhaps neither your father nor I are in the best of spirits at Prestongrange's. I daresay we both have anxious business there, for it's a dangerous house. I was sorry for him too, and spoke to him the first, if I could but have spoken the wiser.
"But those that do not love and cherish him I will not know." "I will take the freedom of a word yet," said I, beginning to tremble. "Perhaps neither your father nor I are in the best of good spirits at Prestongrange's. I daresay we both have anxious business there, for it's a dangerous house. I was sorry for him too, and spoke to him the first, if I could but have spoken the wiser.
But who should the writer be, to have her billet thus enclosed with Prestongrange's? And of all wonders, why was it thought needful to give me this pleasing but most inconsequential intelligence upon the Bass? For the writer, I could hit upon none possible except Miss Grant.
Now I think my character in covered, and until a certain date, which your lordship can very well supply, it will be quite in vain to despatch against me any more officers. I will not consent to fight my way through the garrison of the castle." The veins swelled on Prestongrange's brow, and he regarded me with fury.
We went through the Sanctuary, up the Canongate, in by the Nether Bow, and straight to Prestongrange's door, talking as we came, and arranging the details of our affair. The footman owned his master was at home, but declared him engaged with other gentlemen on very private business, and his door forbidden.
Catriona's grey eyes shone in my remembrance. I thought, with a bound of pleasure, she must be the friend. But who should the writer be, to have her billet thus enclosed with Prestongrange's? And of all wonders, why was it thought needful to give me this pleasing but most inconsequent intelligence upon the Bass? For the writer, I could hit upon none possible except Miss Grant.
"There is nothing that would surprise me in this business," I remarked. "I'll surprise you ere I'm done!" cries he. "Do ye see this?" producing a print still wet from the press. "This is the libel: see, there's Prestongrange's name to the list of witnesses, and I find no word of any Balfour. But here is not the question. Who do ye think paid for the printing of this paper?"
I wrote a word of answer and compliment on a leaf out of my pocketbook, put it in with another scratch from Catriona, sealed the whole with my new signet of the Balfour arms, and despatched it by the hand of Prestongrange's servant that still waited in my boat. "Catriona?" said I. It seemed that was the first and last word of my eloquence. "You will be glad to see me again?" says she.
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