OAKST. HDSF

FATHER PHILIP AND ELSPETH.

" ' Now, by mine order, it is as I suspected My mule, my mule ! I will abid no longer here well hast thou done, dame, in placing in my hands this perilous volume." PAGE 419.

V

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INTRODUCTION (1830.) tages, even tne church which once existed there, have sunk into vestiges hardly to be traced without IT would be difficult to assign any good reason visiting the spot, the inhabitants having gradually why the author of Ivanhoe, after using, in tliat withdrawn to the more prosperous town of Gala- vvork, all the art he possessed to remove the per- shiels, which has risen into consideration, within two sonages, action, and manners of the tale, to a dis- miles of their neighbourhood. Superstitious eld, ance from his own country, should choose for the however, lias tenanted the deserted groves with cene of his next attempt the celebrated ruins of aerial beings, to supply the want of the mortal Melrose, in the immediate neighbourhood of his tenants who have deserted it. The ruined and own residence. But the reason, or caprice, which abandoned churchyard of Boldside has been long dictated his change of system, has entirely escaped believed to be haunted by the Fairies, and the deep his recollection, nor is it worth while to attempt broad current of the Tweed, wheeling in moonlight recalling wkit must be a matter of very little con- round the foot of the steep bank, with the number sequence. of trees originally planted for shelter round the fields e 'rhe general plan of die story was, to conjoin two of the cottagers, but now presenting the effect of characters in that bustling and contentious age, who, scattered and detached groves, fill up the idea thrown into situations which gave them different winch one would form in imagination for a scene .iews on the subject of the Reformation, should, that Oberon and Queen Mab might love to revel in. 'vith the same sincerity and purity of intention, There are evenings when the spectator might be- iedicate themselves, the one to the support of the lieve, with Father Chaucer, that the fabric of the Catholic the other to ' ' sinking Church, Queen of Faerj , the establishment of the Reformed doctrines. It With harp, and pipe, and symphony, Were dwelling in the place." was supposed that some interesting subjects for nar- rative might be derived from opposing two such Another, and even a more familiar refuge of the to :ithusiasts each other in the path of life, and elfin race, (if tradition is to be trusted,) is the glen contrasting the real worth of both with their pas- of the river, or rather brook, named the Allen, which Vsions and prejudices. The localities of Melrose falls into the Tweed from the northward, about a suited well the of the the of a mile above the As scenery proposed story ; quarter present bridge. ruins themselves form a splendid theatre for any the streamlet finds its way behind Lord Somraer- incident which be forward ville's called the its !'agic might brought ; banting-seat, Pavilion, valley pined to the vicinity of the fine river, with all its lias been popularly termed the Fairy Dean, or rather L-ibutary streams, flowing through a country which the Nameless Dean, because of the supposed ill lias been the scene of so much fierce fighting, and luck attached by the popular faith of ancient times, is rich with so many recollections of former times, to any one who might name or allude to the race, ;ind lying almost under the immediate eye of the whom our fathers distinguished as the Good Neigh- author, by whom they were to be used in com- bours, and the Highlanders called Daoine Sliie, or i\j>osition. rather than Men of Peace ; by way of compliment, The situation possessed farther recommendations. on account of any particular idea of friendship or On the opposite bank of the Tweed be seen relation which either or Borderer j might pacific Highlander :he remains of ancient enclosures, surrounded by entertained towards the irritable beings whom they and ash-trees of considerable size. These thus distinguished, or supposed them to bear to iiad once formed the crofts or arable of a ' Sycamores ground humanity. village, now reduced to a single hut, the abode of -Jierman, who also manages a ferry. The coi- ' See Rob Key, Note G. vain Sunerttitum. ;94 WAVERLEY NOVELS.

snpport. But, as for that overboiling valour, which paper of pins, the Sermons of Mr Peflen, or the [ have heard many of ours talk of, though I seldom Life of Jack the Giant-Queller, (not Killer, as usu- observed that it influenced them in the actual ally erroneously written and pronounced. See ray affair that exuberant zeal, which courts Danger essay on the true history of this worthy, where as a bride, truly my courage was of a complexion real facts have in a peculiar degree been obscured much less ecstatical. by fable.) In short, all in the village were under Again, the love of a red coat, which, in default the necessity of doing something which they would of all other aptitudes to the profession, has made rather have left undone, excepting Captain Doolittle. many a bad soldier and some good ones, was an who walked every morning hi the open street. utter in blue stranger to my disposition. I cared not a which formed the high mall of our village, a " bodle" for the company of the misses : Nay, coat with a red neck, and played at whist the whole a though there was boarding-school in the village, evening, when he could make up a party. Thi^ and though we used to meet with its fair inmates happy vacuity of all employment appeared to me at Simon Lightfoot's weekly Practising, I cannot so delicious, that it became the primary hint, which, recollect any strong emotions being excited on according to the system of Helvetius, as the minister these occasions, excepting the infinite regret with says, determined my infant talents towards the pro- fession I was destined to which I went through the polite ceremonial of illustrate. presenting my partner with an orange, thrust into But who, alas ! can form a just estimate of their 2 future in this world . I was my pocket by my aunt for this special purpose, but prospects deceitful in I which, had I dared, I certainly would have secreted not long engaged my new profession, before for my own personal use. As for vanity, or love discovered, that if the independent indolence of of for I was a the officer must finery itself, was such a stranger to it, that half-pay paradise, pass the of and service in order the difficulty was great to make me brush my coat, through purgatory duty and appear in proper trim upon parade. I shall to gain admission to it. Captain Doolittle might the red or leave never forget the rebuke of my old Colonel on a brush his blue coat with neck, the reviewed a it at his but Clutter- morning when King brigade of which unbrushed, pleasure ; Ensign " ours made part. I am no friend to extravagance, buck had no such option. Captain Doolittle might said " to bed at ten if he had a mind but the Ensign Clutterbuck," he ; but, on the day go o'clock, ; when we are to pass before the Sovereign of the Ensign must make the rounds in his turn. What kingdom, in the name of God I would have at was worse, the Captain might repose under the least shewn him an inch of clean linen." tester of his tent-bed until noon, if he was so a to but the God had to Thus, stranger the ordinary motives which pleased ; Ensign, help him, lead young men to make the army their choice, and appear upon parade at peep of day. As for duty, without the least desire to become either a hero or I made that as easy as I could, had the sergeant a dandy, I really do not know what determined to whisper to me the words of command and my thoughts that way, unless it were the happy bustled through as other folks did. Of service, T state of half-pay indolence, enjoyed by Captain saw enough for an indolent man was buffeted up Doolittle, who had set up his staff of rest in my and down the world, and visited both the East and other distant native village. Every other person had, or seemed West Indies, Egypt, and places, which to have, something to do, less or more. They did my youth had scarce dreamed of. The French I and felt too witness two on not, indeed, precisely go to school and learn tasks, saw, ; fingers my that last of evils in estimation but it did which one of their cursed hussars took my ; not right hand, escape my boyish observation, that they were all off with his sabre as neatly as an hospital surgeon At the of old bothered with something or other like duty or length death an aunt, who left me labour all but the happy Captaiu Doolittle. The some fifteen hundred pounds, snugly vested in the minister three the had his parish to visit, and his preaching per cents, gave me long-wished-for oppor- to prepare, though perhaps he made more fuss than tunity of retiring, with the prospect of enjoying a clean shirt a four times he needed about both. The laird had his fairning and guinea a-week at

the at a piece of clattering parchment, turn on my on the privilege of my friend sexton, I became other side, damn the parade, and go to sleep again. gradually an assistant Cicerone in the task of de- But even this its termination and and and often a fresh enjoyment had ; scription explanation, (seeing time-, when it became a stock entirely at my own party of visiters arrive) has he turned over to me disposal, began to hang heavy on my hand. those to whom he had told half his story, with " I angled for two days, during which time I lost the flattering observation, What needs I say ony twenty hooks, and several scores of yards of gut mair about it ? There 's the Captain kens mair and line, and caught not even a minnow. Hunting anent it than I do, or any man in the town." Then was out of the question, for the stomach of a horse would I salute the strangers courteously, and expa-

by no means agrees with the half-pay establishment, i tiate to their astonished minds upon crypts and When I shot, the shepherds and and chancels, and naves, arches, Gothic and Saxon ploughmen, j my very dog, quizzed me every tune that I missed, architraves, mullions and flying buttresses. It not which was, generally speaking, every time I fired. unfrequently happened, that an acquaintance which Besides, the country gentlemen in this quarter like commenced in the Abbey concluded in the inn, their game, and began to talk of prosecutions and which served to relieve the solitude as well as the interdicts. I did not give up fighting the French monotony of my landlady's shoulder of mutton, " to commence a domestic war with the pleasant whether roast, cold, or hashed. of as the calls them so I mind became I found men Teviotdale," song ; By degrees my enlarged ; e'en spent three days (very agreeably) in cleaning a book or two which enlightened me on the sub- my gun, and disposing it upon two hooks over my ject of Gothic architecture, and I read now with chimney-piece. pleasure, because I was interested in what I read The success of this accidental experiment set me about. Even my character began to dilate and on trying my skill in the mechanical arts. Accord- expand. I spoke with more authority at the clul>, ingly, I took down and cleaned my landlady's and was listened to with deference, because on one tuckoo-clock, and in so doing, silenced that com- subject, at least, I possessed more information th;ui panion of the spring for ever and a day. I any of its members. Indeed, I found that even mounted a turning-lathe, and in attempting to use my stories about Egypt, which, to say truth, were h, I very nearly cribbed off, with an inch-and-half somewhat thread-bare, were now listened to with " former, one of the fingers which the hussar had more respect than formerly. The Captain," they " hft me. said, had something in him after a', there were Books I tried, both those of the little circulating few folk kend sae muckle about the Abbey." own library, and of the more rational subscription col- With this general approbation waxed my lection maintained by this intellectual people. But sense of self-importance, and my feeling of general I with neither the light reading of the one, nor the heavy comfort. I ate with more appetite, digested at with and artillery of the other, suited my purpose. I always more ease, I lay down night joy, slept I arose with a sense of fell asleep at the fourth or fifth page of history or sound till morning, when it took read- and hied me to to ex- disquisition ; and me a month's hard busy importance, measure, of this ing to wade through a half-bound trashy novel, amine, and to compare the various parts cen- during which I was pestered with applications to interesting structure. I lost all sense and return the volumes, by every half-bred milliner's sciousness of certain unpleasant sensations of a non- miss about the place. In short, during the hours descript nature, about my head and stomach, to when all the town besides had something to do, I which I had been in the habit of attending, more in /r>r the benefit of the than had nothing for it, but to walk the churchyard, village apothecary my and whistle till it was dinner-time. own, for the pure want of something else to think During these promenades, the Ruins necessarily about. I had found out an occupation unwittingly, to In forced thmselves on my attention, and, by degrees, and was happy because I had something do. I found myself engaged in studying the more a word, I had commenced local antiquary, and was minute ornaments, and at length the general plan, not unworthy of the name. of this noble structure. The old sexton aided my Whilst I was in this pleasing career of busy idle- labours, and gave me his portion of traditional lore. ness, for so it might at best be called, it happened Every day added something to my stock of know- that I was one night sitting in my Jittle parlour, the state of the to the closet which calls ledge respecting ancient building ; adjacent my landlady my and at length I made discoveries concerning the bedroom, in the act of preparing for an early purpose of several detached and very ruinous por- retreat to the realms of Morpheus. Dugdale'a

the at A , tions of it, the use of which had hitherto been Monasticon, borrowed from library some either unknown altogether or erroneously ex- was lying on the table before me, flanked by j plained. excellent Cheshire cheese, (a present, by the way, The knowledge which I thus I had fre- from an honest London citizen, to whom I had acquired j difference betwixt a Gothic and a qnent opportunities of retailing to those visiters explained the best as. whom the progress of a Scottish tour brought to Saxon arch,) and a glass of Vanderhagen's visit this celebrated at all old spot. Without encroaching i Thus armed points against my enemy 396 WAVEIILEY NOVELS.

1 Time, I was leisurely and deliciously preparing foi ' speered was about the auld drawbrig that has been

1 bed now reading a line of old Dugdale now at the bottom of the water these twal r^ore years sipping my ale, or munching my bread and cheese I have seen the fundations when we were sticking now undoing the strings at my breeches' knees, saumon And how the deevil suld lie ken ony or a button or two of my waistcoat, until the thing about the old drawbrig, unless he were a 2 village clock should strike ten, before which time I virtuoso ?" make it a rule never to go to bed. A loud knock- David being a virtuoso in his own way, and ing, however, interrupted my ordinary process on moreover a landholder and lieritor, vas a qualified this occasion, and the voice of my honest landlord judge of all who frequented his house and therefore 1 " of the George was heard vociferating, Wliat the I could not avoid again tying the strings of my dcevil, Mrs Grimslees, the Captain is no in his bed ? knees. " and a gentleman at our house has ordered a fowl That's right, Captain," vociferated David and minced collops, and a bottle of sherry, and "you twa will be as thick as three in a bed an has sent to ask him to supper, to tell him all about ance ye forgather. I haena seen the like o' him the Abbey." my very sell since I saw the great 3>octor Samuei " Na," answered Luckie Grimslees, in the true Johnson on his tower through Scotland, whilh tleepy tone of a Scottish matron when ten o'clock tower is lying in my back-parlour for the amuse- " is going to strike, he 's no in his bed, but I 'se ment of my guests, wi' the twa boards torn aff." " \varrant him no gae out at this time o' night to keep Then the gentleman is a scholar David ?" " folks sitting up waiting for him the Captain's a I 'se uphaud him a scholar," answered David " decent man." he has a black coat on, or a brown ane, at ory I plainly perceived this last compliment was made rate." " for my hearing, by way both of indicating and of Is he a clergyman ?" " recommending the course of conduct which Mrs I am thinking .no, for he looked after his horse't Grimslees desired I should pursue. But I had not supper before he spoke o' his ain," replied mire been knocked about the world for thirty years and host. " odd, and lived a bluff bachelor all the while, to come Has he a servant 1" demanded I. be under " " but home and put petticoat government by Nae servant," answered David ; a grand my landlady. Accordingly I opened my chamber- face he has o' his ain, that wad gar ony body be him." door, and desired my old friend David to walk up willing to serve him that looks upon " stairs. And what makes him think of disturbing me . " " said as he I as this been of Captain," he, entered, am gkd Ah, David, has some your chattering ; to find you up as if I had hooked a twenty pound you are perpetually bringing your guests on my saumon. There's a gentleman up yonder that will shoulders, as if it were my business to entertain not sleep sound in his bed tliis blessed night, unless every man who comes to the George." " he has the pleasure to drink a glass of wine with What the deil wad ye hae me do, Captain V you." answered mine host; "a gentleman lights down, " You know, David," I replied, with becoming and asks me in a most earnest manner, what man dignity, "that I cannot with propriety go out to of sense and learning there is about our town, that visit strangers at this time of night, or accept of can tell him about the antiquities of the place, and invitations from people of whom I know nothing." specially about the auld Abbey ye wadna hae me David swore a round oath, and added, "Was tell the gentleman a lee ? and ye ken weel eneugh ever the like heard of ? He has ordered a fowl and there is naebody in the town can say a reasonable it the egg sauce, a pancake and minched collops, and a word about it, be no yoursell, except bedral, bottle of sherry D 'ye think I %vad come and ask and he is as fou as a piper by this time. So, says you to go to keep with ony bit English I, there 's Captain Clutterbuck, that 's a very civil company j that on toasted and a cheerer of and has little to do a' the rider, sups cheese, ; gentleman, forby telling rum-toddy ? This is a gentleman every inch of auld cracks about the Abbey, and dwells just hard j to ' him, and a virtuoso, a clean virtuoso a sad- ! by. Then says the gentleman me, Sir,' says he, ' the to to coloured stand of claithes, and a wig like the curled very civilly, have goodness step Captain back of a mug-ewe. The very first question he Clutterbuck with my compliments, and say I am a stranger, who have been led to these parts chiefly the fame of these and that I would call 1 by Ruins, The George was, and is, the principal inn in the village of but the hour is late.' And mair he said Kennaquhair, or Melrose. But the landlord of the period was upon him, not the same civil and quiet person by whom the inn is now that I have forgotten, but I weel remember it ended kept. David Kyle, a Melrose proprietor of no little impor- ' And, landlord, get a bottle of your best sherry, tance, a first-rate person of consequence in whatever belonged and for two.' Ye wadna have had me to the business of the town, was the original owner and landlord supper a of the inn. Poor David ! like many other busy men, took so refuse to do the gentleman's bidding, and me much care of as in some to his public affairs, degree neglect publican 3" own. There are persons stttl alive at Kennaquhair who can recognize him and his peculiarities in the following sketch of There is more to be said about this old bridge hereafter oiinfi Host of the George. See Not* C. INTRODUCTORY EPISTLE. 397

u " I virtuoso had that I could tell but a deal more Well, David," said I, wish your him, great ; and. taken a fitter hour but as you say he is a gentle- what was still more mortifying, he was able, by " man reference to dates, charters, and other evidence of " " I 'se uphaud him that the order speaks for facts, that, as Burns says, downa be disputed," itsell a bottle of sherry minched collops and a to correct many of the vague tales which I had fowl that's speaking like a gentleman, I trow ? adopted on loose and vulgar tradition, as well as to confute of favourite That 's right, Captain, button weel up, the night's more than one my theories on 's for a' we'll the of the old monks and their raw but the water clearing that ; subject dwellings, be on 't neist night wi' my Lord's boats, and we '11 which I had sported freely in all the presumption liae ill luck if I dinna send you a kipper to relish of superior information. And here I cannot but ' your ale at e'en." remark, that much of the stranger's arguments and In five minutes after this dialogue, I found myself inductions rested upon the authority of Mr Deputy " of in of and his ^lucubrations a in the parlour the George, and the presence of Register Scotland, ; the stranger. gentleman whose indefatigable research into the He was a grave personage, about my own age, national records is like to destroy my trade, and shall all local truth (which we call about fifty,) and really had, as that of antiquaries, by substituting

in romance. Alas ! I would the my friend David expressed it, something his instead of legend and face that inclined men to oblige and to serve him. learned gentleman did but know how difficult it is Yet this expression of authority was not at all of the for us dealers in petty wares of antiquity to cast which I have seen in the countenance of a " Pluck from our memories a rooted legend," general of brigade, neither was the stranger's dress Raze out the written records of our brain, at all martial. It consisted of a uniform suit of Or cleanse our bosoms of that perilous stuff iron-gray clothes, cut in rather an old-fashioned and so forth. It would, I am sure, move his pity form. His legs were defended with strong leathern to think how many old dogs he hath set to learn gambadoes, which, according to an antiquarian new tricks, how many venerable parrots he hath contrivance, opened at the sides, and were secured taught to sing a new song, how many gray heads he by steel clasps. His countenance was worn as hath addled by vain attempts to exchange their much by toil and sorrow as by age, for it intimated old Mumpsimus for his new Sumpsimus. But let it that he had seen and endured much. His address pass. Humana perpessi sumits All changes .vas and to come which singularly pleasing and gentlemanlike, and the round us, past, present, ; that apology which he made for disturbing me at such was history yesterday becomes fable to-day, and an hour, and in such a manner, was so well and the truth of to-day is hatched into a lie by to- handsomely expressed, that I could not reply other- morrow. wise than by declaring my willingness to be of Finding myself like to be overpowered in the service to him. Monastery, which I had hitherto regarded as my " I have been a traveller to-day, sir," said he, citadel, I began, like a skilful general, to evacuate '' and I would willingly defer the little I have to that place of defence, and fight my way through say till after supper, for which I feel rather more the adjacent country. I had recourse to my ippetized than usual." acquaintance with the families and antiquities of the We sate down to table, and notwithstanding the neighbourhood, ground on which I thought I might stranger's alleged appetite, as well as the gentle skirmish at large without its being possible for the preparation of cheese and ale which I had already stranger to meet me with advantage. But I was laid aboard, I really believe that I of the two did mistaken. the greater honour to my friend David's fowl and The man in the iron-gray suit shewed a much of these minced collops. more minute knowledge particulars than I When the cloth was removed, and we had each had the least pretension to. He could tell the very made a tumbler of negus, of that liquor which hosts year in which the family of De Haga first settled 3 call Sherry, and guests call Lisbon, I perceived on their ancient barony. Not a Thane within his that the stranger seemed pensive, silent, and some- reach but he knew family and connections, how what embarrassed, as if he had something to com- many of liis ancestors had fallen by the sword of the municate which he knew not well how to in tioduce. English, how many in domestic brawl, and how To pave the way for him, I spoke of thb ancient many by the hand of the executioner for march- with ruins of the Monastery, and of their history. But, treason. Their castles he was acquainted from turret to foundation -stone ana as for the miscel to my great surprise, I found I had met my match ; with a witness. The stranger not only knew all * Thomas Thomson, Esq., whose wei.-.ieserved panegyric ought to be found on another puge than one written bv an inti- 1 The nobleman whose boats arc mentioned in the text, is mate friend of thirty years' standing. the lato kind and amiable Lord Sommerville, an intimate The family of be Haga, modernized into Haig, of Bemer- of friend of the author. David Kyle .vas a constant and privileged side, is of the highest antiquity, and is the subject of one attendant when Lord Sommerville had a party for spearing the prophecies of Thomas the Rhymer : salmon ; on such occasions, eighty 01 a hundred fish were often Betide, betiue, whntt'er btiJt, killed between Gleamer and Leaderfoot. Unix tkall be Haip: of B.-inenid 398 WAVERLEY NOVELS.

" " ] an rous antiquities scattered about the country, he Then," said I, you are a native Scotchman, knew every one of them, from a cromlech to a cairn, and from this neighbourhood ?" " and could as as if " the I give good an account of each he Not so," answered monk ; am a Scotch- had lived in the time of the Danes or Druids. man by extraction only, and never was in this I was now in the mortifying predicament of one neighbourhood during my whole life." " who suddenly finds himself a scholar when he came Never in this neighbourhood, and yet so to teach, and nothing was left for me but to pick up minutely acquainted with its history, its traditions, as much of his conversation as I could, for the and even its external scenery ! You surprise me, benefit of the next company. I told, indeed, Allan sir," I replied. " " Ramsay's story of the Monk and Miller's Wife, in It is not surprising," he said, that I should order to retreat with some honour under cover of a have that sort of local information, when it is con- parting volley. Here, however, my flank was again sidered, that my uncle, an excellent man, as well turned by the eternal stranger. as a good Scotchman, the head also of our religious " You are to be said he much of his leisure in pleased facetious, sir," ; community, employed making " these I but you cannot be ignorant, that the ludicrous me acquainted with particulars ; and that incident you mentioned is the subject of a tale much myself, disgusted with what has been passing older than that of Allan Ramsay." around me, have for many years amused myself, I nodded, unwilling to acknowledge my ignorance, by digesting and arranging the various scraps of though, in fact, I knew no more what he meant information which 1 derived from my worthy rela- than did one of my friend David's post-horses. ti're, and other aged brethren of our order." " " " I do not allude," continued my omniscient I presume, sir," said I, though I would by " companion, to the curious poem published by no means intrude the question, that you are no\\ Pinkerton from the Maitland Manuscript, called returned to Scotland with a view to settle amongst the Fryars of Berwick, although it presents a very your countrymen, since the great political catas- minute and amusing picture of Scottish manners trophe of our tune has reduced your corps 2" " " the of V. but the is during reign James ; rather to the No, sir," replied Benedictine, such not Italian novelist, by whom, so far as I know, the my intention. A European potentate, who still story was first printed, although unquestionably he cherishes the Catholic faith, has offered us a re

' first took his original from some ancient fabliau" treat within his dominions, where a few of my " It is not to be doubted," answered I, not very scattered brethren are already assembled, to pray well understanding, however, the proposition to to God for blessings on then' protector, and par- ivhich I gave such unqualified assent. don to then? enemies. No one, I believe, will be " " Yet," continued my companion, I question able to object to us under our new establishment, much, had you known my situation and profession, that the extent of our revenues will be inconsis- whether you would have pitched upon this precise tent with our vows of poverty and abstinence; but, anecdote for my amusement." let us strive to be tliankful to God, that the snaro This observation he made in a tone of perfect of temporal abundance is removed from us." I said 1. good-humour. pricked up my ears at the liint, "Many of your convents abroad, sir," " and allow- and answered as politely as I could, that my igno- enjoyed very handsome incomes yet, rance of his condition and rank could be the only ing for times, I question if any were better pro cause of my having stumbled on any thing dis- vided for than the Monastery of this village. It is two thousand agreeable; and that I was most willing to apologize said to have possessed nearly pounds for my unintentional offence, so soon as I should in yearly money-rent, fourteen chalders and nine know wherein it consisted. bolls of wheat, fifty-six chalders five bolls barley " no he " offence -four clialders and ten bolls and Nay, offence, sir," replied ; forty oats, capons can only exist where it is taken. I have been too poultry, butter, salt, carriage and arriage, peaty long accustomed to more severe and cruel miscon- and kain, wool and ale." to be " too of all these structions, offended at a popular jest, though Even much temporal goods, " directed at my profession." sir," said my companion, which, though well in- " " Am I to understand, then," I answered, that tended by the pious donors, served only to make 1 am speaking with a Catholic clergyman ?" the establishment the envy and the prey of those " An unworthy monk of the order of Saint Bene- by whom it was finally devoured." " " " dict," said the stranger, belonging to a commu- In the meanwhile, however," I observed, the life the old nity of your own countrymen, long established in monks had an easy of it, and, as song France, and scattered unhappily by the events of goes, the Revolution." made gude kale On Fridays when they fasted."

1 " It is curious to remark at how little of invention I said the Benedictine expense understand you, sir," ; successive ages are content to receive amusement. The same " it is difficult, saith the proverb, to carry a full story which Ramsay and Dunbar have successively handled, without the wealth forma also the subject of the modern larce, No Song, no cup spilling. Unquestionably Supper. of the community, as it endangered the safety of 1 X TKUDU UTOHY EI'IST I , M.

" the establishment by excitinb the cupidity of others, sion. I was about to request your assistance, which cannot but inte- was also in frequent instauoes a snare to the sir," he said, "ma matter brethren themselves. And ytt we have seen the rest you as an antiquary, and a person of research. revenues of convents expended, not only in acts of But I assure you it relates entirely to events and beneficence and hospitality to uvJividuals, but in persons removed to the distance of two centuries *orks of general and permanent advantage to the and a half. I have experienced too much evil from in which I world at large. The noble folio collection of French the violent unsettlement of the country historians, commenced in 1737, undur the inspec- was born, to be a rash labourer in the work oi tion and at the expense of the comnunity of Saint innovation in tliat of my ancestors." Maur, will long shew that the reveoues of the I again assured him of my willingness to assist Benedictines were not always spent ii* eelf-indul- him in any thing that was not contrary to my alle- ^ence, and that the members of that ordir did not giance or religion. " uniformly slumber in sloth and indolence when My proposal," he replied, "affects neither. they had discharged the formal duties ot Uieir May God bless the reigning family in Britain ! rule." They are not, indeed, of that dynasty to restore As I knew nothing earthly at the time about the which my ancestors struggled and suffered in vain; community of Saint Maur and their learned labours, but the Providence who has conducted his present I could only return a mumbling assent to this pro- Majesty to the throne, has given bun the virtues position. I have since seen this noble work in the necessary to his tune firmness and intrepidity library of a distinguished family, and I must own a true love of his country, and an enlightened view I am ashamed to reflect, that in so wealthy a of the dangers by which she is surrounded. For country as ours, a similar digest of our historians the religion of these realms, I am contented te hope should not be undertaken, under the patronage of that the great Power, whose mysterious dispensa- >,he noble and the learned, in rivalry of that which tion has rent them from the bosom of the church, the Benedictines of Paris executed at the expense will, in his own good time and manner, restore of their own conventual funds. them to its holy pale. The efforts of an individual " 1 perceive," said the ex-Benedictine, smiling, obscure and humble as myself, might well retard, * that your heretical prejudices are too strong to but could never advance, a work so mighty." " '' allow us poor brethren any merit, whether literary May I then inquire, sir," said I, with what or spiritual." purpose you seek tliis country 1" " " said I I assure I Ere he took his Far from it, sir," ; you my companion replied, from have been much obliged to monks in my time. pocket a clasped paper book, about the size of a When I was quartered in a Monastery in Flan- regimental orderly-book, full, as it seemed, of in the of 1 never lived more one of the candles Jers, campaign 1793, memoranda ; and drawing close comfortably in my life. They were jolly fellows to him, (for David, as a strong proof of his re- the Flemish Canons, and right sorry was I to leave spect for the stranger, had indulged us with two,) my good quarters, and to know that my honest he seemed to peruse the contents very earnestly. " liosts were to be at the niercy of the Sans-Culottes. There is among the ruins of the western end But fortune de la guerre .'" of the Abbey church," said he, looking up to me, The poor Benedictine looked down and was silent. yet keeping the memorandum-book half open, and ' had unwittingly awakened a train of bitter reflec- occasionally glancing at it, as if to refresh his " tions, or rather I had touched somewhat rudely memory, a sort of recess or chapel beneath a upon a chord which seldom ceased to vibrate of broken arch, and in the immediate vicinity of one itself. But he was too much accustomed to this of those shattered Gothic columns which once sup- sorrowful train of ideas to suffer it to overcome ported the magnificent roof, whose fall has now him. On my part, I hastened to atone for my encumbered that part of the building with its " blunder. If there was any object of his journey ruins." to this " " country in which I could, with propriety, I think," said I, that I know whereabouts you assist him, I begged to offer him my best services." are. Is there not in the side wall of the chapel, or 1 own I laid some little emphasis on the words recess which you mention, a large carved stone, ' with propriety," as I felt it would ill become me, bearing a coat of arms, which no one hitherto has a sound Protestant, and a servant of government been able to decipher ?" " so far as was to are answered the Benedictine my half-pay concerned, implicate You right," ; myself in any recruiting which my companion and again consulting his memoranda, he added, have " might undertaken in behalf of foreign semi- the arms on the dexter side are those of Glen- naries, or in any similar design for the advance- dinning, being a cross parted by a cross indented ment of Popery, which, whether the Pope be and countercharged of the same; and on die sinister actually the old lady of Babylon or no, it did not three spur-rowels for those of Avenel; they are two become me in any manner to advance or counte- ancient families, now almost extinct in this country nance. the arms part y per palt." " " My new friend hastened to relieve my indeci- I think," said I. there is no part of this 400 WAVERLEY NOVELS. ancient structure with which you are not as well in Scotland He became so much interested in his acquainted as was the mason who built it. But if own labours, that at length he resolved that the your information be correct, he who made out heart of one individual, the hero of his tale, should these bearings must have had better eyes than rest no longer in a land of heresy, now deserted mine." by all his kindred. As he knew where it was " " His eyes," said the Benedictine, have long deposited, he formed the resolution to visit his been closed in death when he native for the of this ; probably inspected country purpose recovering the monument it was in a more perfect state, or he valued relic. But age, and at length disease, inter- may have derived his information from the tradi- fered with his resolution, and it was on his deathbed tion of the place." that he charged me to undertake the task in his " " I assure you," said I, that no such tradition stead. The various important events which have now exists. I have made several reconnoissances crowded upon each other, our ruin and our exile, among the old people, in hopes to learn something have for many years obliged me to postpone this of the armorial bearings, but I never heard of such delegated duty. Why, indeed, transfer the relics a circumstance. It seems odd that you should have of a holy and worthy man to a country, where reli- acquired it in a foreign land." gion and virtue are become the mockery of the " " were scorner \ I have now a These trifling particulars," he replied, home, wliieh I trust may formerly looked upon as more important, and they be permanent, if any thing in this earth can be were sanctified to the exiles who retained recollec- termed so. Thither will I transport the heart of tion of them, because they related to a place dear the good father, and beside the shrine which it shall indeed to memory, but which their eyes could occupy, I will construct my own grave." " never again behold. It is possible, in like man- He must, indeed, have been an excellent man," " ner, that on the Potomac or Susquehannah, you replied I, whose memory, at so distant a period, may find traditions current concerning places in calls forth such strong marks of regard." " England, which are utterly forgotten in the neigh- He was, as you justly term him," said the eccle- " bourhood where they originated. But to my pur- siastic, indeed excellent excellent in his life and pose. In this recess, marked by the armorial doctrine excellent, above all, in his self-denied bearings, lies buried a treasure, and it is in order and disinterested sacrifice of all that life holds dear to remove it that I have undertaken my present to principle and to friendship. But you shall read journey." his history. I shall be happy at once to gratify " A treasure !" echoed I, in astonishment. your curiosity, and to shew my sense of your kind- " " Yes," replied the monk, an inestimable trea- ness, if you will have the goodness to procure me sure, for those who know how to use it rightly." the means of accomplishing my object." the I own my ears did tingle a little at the word I replied to the Benedictine, that, as rubbish treasure, and that a handsome tilbury, with a neat amongst which he proposed to search was no paat groom in blue and scarlet livery, having a smart of the ordinary burial-ground, and as I was on the cockade on his glazed hat, seemed as it were to best terms with the sexton, I had little doubt that the of his glide across the room before my eyes, while a voice, 1 could procure him means executing " as of a crier, pronounced in my ear, Captain pious purpose. this we for the and Clutterbuck's tilbury drive up." But I resisted With promise parted night ; the devil, and he fled from me. on the ensuing morning I made it my business to " " for a small I believe," said I, all hidden treasure belongs see the sexton, who, gratuity, readily either to the soil I of on how- king or the lord of the ; aud as granted permission search, condition, to see have served his majesty, I cannot concern myself ever, that he should be present himself, that in any adventure which may have an fiid in the the stranger removed nothing of intrinsic value. " Court of Exchequer." To banes, and skulls, and heai-ts, if he can find " The treasure I seek," said the stranger, smil- ony, he shall be welcome," said this guardian of the " " ing, will not be envied by princes or nobles, ruined Monastery, there 's plenty a' about, an " it is tne heart of he 's curious of them but if there be simpiy an upright man." ; ony picts " " " ! I understand or or the like of Ah you," I answered ; some (meaning perhaps pyx) chalishes, relic, forgotten in the confusion of the Reforma- such Popish veshells of gold and silver, deil hae me tion. I know the value which men of your per- an I conneeve at their being removed." suasion put upon the bodies and limbs of saints. The sexton also stipulated, that our researches I have seen the Three Kings of Cologne." should take place at night, being unwilling to excite " The relics which I seek, however," said the observation, or give rise to scandal. as Benedictine, "are not precisely of that nature. My new acquaintance and I spent the day The excellent relative whom I have already men- became lovers of hoar antiquity. We visited every tioned, amused his leisure hours with putting into corner of these magnificent ruins again and again the forenoon made a com- form the traditions of his family, particularly some during ; and, having the remarkable circumstances which took place about fortable dinner at David's, we walked in the first breaking out of the schism of the church afternoon to such places in the neighbourhood a-c IXTltODUCTOKY EPlSTLIi. 4ul

ancieai tradition or modern conjecture hud rendered were treasure concealed in it, still it could noi inarkworthy. Night found us in the interior of the become the property of the finder. I then pro- ruins, attended by the sexton, who curried a dark posed, that as the place was too dark to examine lantern, and stumbling alternately over the graves the contents of the leaden casket, we should adjourn of the dead, and the fragments of that architecture, to David's, where we might have the advantage ot " doubtless trusted which they would have canopied light and fire while carrying on our investigation. their bones till doomsday." The stranger requested us to go before, assuring I am by no means particularly superstitious, and us that he would follow in a few minutes. yet there was that in the present service which I I fancy that old Mattocks suspected these few did not very much like. There was something minutes might be employed in effecting farther awful in the resolution of disturbing, at such an discoveries amongst the tombs, for he glided back and in such a still hour, place, the and mute sanctity through a side-aisle to watch the Benedictine's of the grave. My companions were free from this motions, but presently returned, and told me in a " impression the stranger from his energetic desire whisper, that the gentleman was on his knees to execute the purpose for which he came and amang the cauld stanes, praying like ony saunt." the sexton from habitual indifference. We soon I stole back, and beheld the old man actually stood in the aisle, which, by the account of the employed as Mattocks had informed me. The lan- contained the bones of the of to be Latin and as the Benedictine, family guage seemed ; whispered, Glendinning, and were busily employed in remov- yet solemn accent, glided away through the ruined the rubbish from a ing corner which the stranger aisles, I could not help reflecting how long it was out. If pointed a lialf-pay Captain could have since they had heard the forms of that religion, for represented an ancient Border-knight, or an ex- the exercise of which they had been reared at such Benedictine " of the nineteenth century a wizard cost of time, taste, labour, and expense. Come monk of the we have I " let us to sixteenth, might aptly enough away, come away," said ; leave him the search after Michael Scott's Mattocks this is no business personified lamp himself, ; of ours." " and book of But the sexton would said Mattocks magic power. My certes, no, Captain," , ' " have been de trop in the group. ne'ertheless, it winna be amiss to keep an ee on Ere the stranger, assisted by the sexton in his him. My father, rest his saul, was a horse-couper, task, had been long at work, they came to some and used to say he never was cheated in a naig in hewn stones, which seemed to have made part his life, saving by a west-country whig frae of a small shrine, though now displaced and Kilmarnock, that said a grace ower a dram o' destroyed. whisky. But this gentleman will be a Roman, I'se " Let us remove these with caution, my friend," warrant ?" " said the stranger, "lest we injure that which I You are perfectly right in that, Saunders," come to seek." said I. " " They are prime stanes," said the sexton, Ay, I have seen twa or three of their priests " free ane of them that were chased ower here some score o' picked every ; warse than the years best wad never serve the monks, I'se warrant." syne. They just danced like mad when they looked A minute after he had made this observation, he on the friars' heads, and the nuns' heads, in the " exclaimed, I hae fund something now that stands cloister yonder; they took to them like auld acquain- again' the spade, as if it were neither earth nor tance like. Od, he is not stirring yet, mair than 2 stane." he were a through-stane ! I never kend a Roman, The stranger stooped eagerly to assist him. to say kend him, but ane mair by token, he was " liaill o' said the sexton the ane in the town to ken and that was auld Na, na, my ain," ; only "nae halves or quarters;" and he lifted from Jock of the Pend. It wad hae been lang ere ye amongst the ruins a small leaden box. fund Jock praying in the Abbey in a thick night, " wi' his knees on a cauld stane. You will be disappointed, my friend," said the Jock likit a kirk " wi' a in 't. a I Benedictine, if you expect any thing there but chimley Mony merry ploy hae had the wi' him down at the inn and when he mouldering dust of a human heart, closed in yonder ; died, an I wad hae carded him or I his inner case of porphyry." decently ; but, gat I weel interposed as a neutral party, and taking the grave howkit, some of the quality, that were box from the sexton, reminded him, that if there o' his ain unhappy persuasion, had the corpse whirried away up the water, and buried him after

1 This Is one of those passages which must now read awk- then? ain pleasure, doubtless they kend best. I since one knows that the Novelist and the author wardly, every wad hae made nae great charge. I wadna hae of the Lay of the Minstrel, is the same person. But before excised Johnnie, dead or alive. see the the avowal was made, the author was forced into this and Stay, is similar offences against good taste, to meet an argument, often strange gentleman coming." " repeated, that there was something very mysterious in the Hold the lantern to assist him, Mattocks," said Author of Waverley's reserve concerning Sir Walter Scott, an " I. This is rough walking, sir." author sufficiently voluminous at least. I had a great mind to remove the passages from this edition, but the more candid way it to explain how tliey camo there. A lonbitoM 94 402 WAVERLEY NOVELS.

" " I induced to believe that their Yes," replied the Benedictine ; may say publication will not be " with is doubtless familiar to an to the British a poet, who you unacceptable present public ; and 1 should be surprised if he were, thought I inter- willingly make over to you any profit that may nally. accrue from such a transaction." The stranger continued : I stared a little at this annunciation, and ob " that the hand seemed too for Saint Francis bo my speed ! how oft to-iiiglit served, modern the Have old feet stumbled iit !" my graves date he assigned to the manuscript. " " are now clear of the Do not mistake said the Benedictine We churchyard," said I, me, sir," ; " "and have but a short walk to David's, where I I did not mean to say the Memoirs were written hope we shall find a cheerful fire to enliven us after in the sixteenth century, but only, that they were our night's work," compiled from authentic materials of that period, written in the We entered, accordingly, the little parlour, into but taste and language of the pre- which Mattocks was also to sent uncle commenced this book and 1 about push himself with day. My ; Sufficient effrontery, when David, with a most partly to improve my habit of English composition, astounding oath, expelled him by head and shoul- partly to divert melancholy thoughts, amused my leisure hours with ders, d ning his curiosity, that would not let continuing and concluding it. will see the gentlemen be private iu their own inn. Apparently You period of the story where my uncle mine host considered his own presence as no intru- leaves off his narrative, and I commence mine. In relate in a sion, for he crowded up to the table on which I had fact, they great measure to different laid down the leaden box. It was frail and wasted, persons, as well as to a different period. the in as might be guessed, from having lain so many Retaining papers my hand, I proceeded in to state to him as a Pro- years the ground. On opening it, we found my doubts, whether, good deposited within, a case made of porphyry, as the testant, I could undertake or superintend a publi- written in stranger had announced to us. cation probably the spirit of Popery. " " You will he " no of I fancy," lie said, "gentlemen, your curiosity find," said, matter contro- in these nor sentiments will not be satisfied, perhaps I should say that versy sheets, any stated, with I the in all will your suspicions will not be removed, unless I which, trust, good persuasions this it not be to I remembered I was writ- undo casket ; yet only contains the moulder- willing join. ing remains of a heart, once the seat of the noblest ing for a land unhappily divided from the Catholic faith and I have taken care to thoughts." ; say nothing which, He undid the box with caution but the could for great ; justly interpreted, give ground accusing shrivelled substance which it contained bore now me of partiality. But if, upon collating my narra- tive with the to which I refer no resemblance to what it might once have been, proofs you for you of of the the means used having been apparently unequal will find copies many original papers in that are of that I have been to preserve its shape and colour, although they parcel you opinion to own I leave to were adequate to prevent its total decay. We were partial my faith, freely give you correct errors in that I quite satisfied, notwithstanding, that it was, what the my respect. own, however, the of heart I am not conscious of this defect, and have rather stranger asserted, remains a human ; to fear that the Catholics be of that 1 and David readily promised his influence in the may opinion, have mentioned circumstances the village, which was almost co-ordinate with that of respecting decay which and the bailie himself, to silence all idle rumours. He of discipline preceded, partly occasioned, the called the was, moreover, pleased to favour us with his com- great schism, by you Reformation, to and taken the lion's over which I to have drawn a veil. And pany supper ; having share ought this is one reason I choose the of two bottles of sherry, he not only sanctioned with indeed, why papers should iu a and to the. his plenary authority the stranger's removal of the appear foreign land, pass the hands of a heart, but, I believe, would have authorized the press through stranger." To this I had to unless to removal of the Abbey itself, were it not that it nothing reply, object to the task the father happens considerably to advantage the worthy my own incompetency good desirous to me. On this publican's own custom. was impose upon subject to I than his know- The object of the Benedictine's visit to the land he was pleased say more, fear, warranted at of his forefathers being now accomplished, he ledge of me fully more, any rate, than will me to record. At announced his intention of leaving us early in the my modesty permit he with me, if I continued ensuing da}', but requested my company to breakfast length ended, advising the diffidence which T to to with him before his departure. I came accordingly, to feel stated, apply of whose and when we had finished our morning's meal, the some veteran literature, experience might deficiencies. these terms we priest took me apart, and pulling from his pocket supply my Upon with mutual of and I a large bundle of papers, he put them into my parted, expressions regard, " " heard of him hands. These," said he, Captain Clutterbuck, have never since to the of are genuine Memoirs of the sixteenth century, and After several attempts peruse quires thus conferred on in which exhibit in a singular, and, as I think, an interesting paper singularly me, I -vas the most fits of point of view, the manners of that period. I ai interrupted by inexplicable ANSWER TO INTRODUCTORY EPISTLE. 403 fawning, 1 at length, in a sort of despair, communi- But a remonstrance from diree opulent farmers, cated them to our village club, from whom they whose sons he had at bed, board, and schooling, for found a more favourable reception than the unlucky twenty pounds per annum a-head, came like a frost conformation of my nerves had been able to afford over the blossoms of his literary ambition, and he them. They unanimously pronounced the work to was compelled to decline the service. I these be exceedingly good, and assured me would be In circumstances, sir, I apply to you, by to flour- the little of guilty of the greatest possible injuay our advice of our council war, notliing ishing village, if I should suppress what threw such doubting you will not be disinclined to take the an interesting and radiant light upon the history duty upon you, as it is much connected with thai of die ancient Monastery of Saint Mary. in which you have distinguished yourself. What At length, by dint of listening to their opinion, I I request is. that you will review, or rather revise became dubious of own when I and the enclosed and it for my ; and, indeed, correct, packet, prepare heard passages read forth by the sonorous voice of the press, by such alterations, additions, ami cur- our worthy pastor, I W;LS scarce more tired than tailments, as you think necessary. Forgive my I have felt myself at some of his own sermons. hinting to you, that the deepest well may be ex- Such, and so g"C';it is the difference betwixt read- hausted, the best corps of grenadiers, as our old ing a thing one's self, making toilsome way through general of brigade expressed himself, may be used all the difficulties of as the man few hints can do no manuscript, and, up. A you harm ; and, for " fays in the play, having the same read to you ;" the prize-money, let the battle be first won, and it it is positively like being wafted over a creek shall be parted at the drum-head. I hope you will in a boat, or wading tlirough it on your feet, with take nothing amiss that I have said. I am a plain the r.iud up to your knees. Still, however, there soldier, and little accustomed to compliments. I remained the great difficulty of finding some one may add, that I should be well contented to march at the hi die front with to who could act as editor, correcter once of you that is, put my name pi-ess and of the language, wliich, according to the with yours on the title-page. I liave the honour bcuoo! master, AVUS absolutely necessary. to be kinee the trees walked forth to choose them- selves a king, never was an honour so bandied Y>ur unknown humble Serv:. about. The parson would not leave the quiet of his cliimney-corner the bailie pleaded the dig- CLTHBF.RT CLUTTERBL-CK. city of his situation, and die approach of the great annual fair, as reasons against going to Edinburgh A'lMJlOK OK KEXNAQUKA 18 to make arrangements for printing the Benedic- of April, tine's manuscript. The schoolmaster alone seemed of malleable stuff; and, desirous perhaps of emulat- " For the A'tthor of Waverlfy," 4;c. ing the fame of Jedediah Qeishbotiiam, evinced a care of Mr John Sallantyne, wish to undertake this momentous commission. Hanover Street, Edinburgh.

ANSWER BY -'THE AUTHOR OF WAVERLEY,'

TO TI!K FOREGOING LETTER FROM CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK.

DEAR CAVTAIN, called the province of Utopia. Its productions, use tea Do not aumire, diat, notwithstanding the distance though censured by many (and some who unsub- an/1 ceremony of your address, I return an answer and tobacco without scruple) as idle and other in 'the terms of familiarity. The truth is, your

1 leas! , from house to house along with the guisards, and obstinate a peruser of novels, as if he had bcc:i the stone-eater, and other amusements of the sea- a very milliner's apprentice of eighteen. I know " son, which exhibited their unparalleled feats to little apology for troubling you with these things, private family-parties, if required." Amidst this excepting the desire to commemorate a delightful company stood Air Watt, the man whose genius evening, and a wish to encourage you to shake off discovered the means of multiplying our national that modest diffidence which makes you afraid of resources to a degree perhaps even beyond his own being supposed connected with the fairy-land of of calculation and combination delusive fiction. I will stupendous powers ; requite your tag of verse, bringing the treasures of the abyss to the summit from Horace himself, with a paraphrase for your of the earth giving the feeble arm of man the own use, my dear Captain, and for that of your momentum of an Afrite commanding manufac- country club, excepting in reverence the clergy- tures to arise, as the rod of the prophet produced man and schoolmaster : water in the desert affording the means of dis- AV tit nnciUa tlbi amor pudort, Ac pensing with that time and tide which wait for no Take thou no scorn, .nan, and of without that wind which defied sailing Of fiction born, the commands and threats of Xerxes himself. 1 Fair fiction's muse to woo ; This potent commander of the elements this Old Homer's theme Was but a dream, abridger of time and space this whose magician, Himself a fiction too. cloudy machinery has produced a change on the world, the effects of which, extraordinary as they Having told you your country, I must next, my are, are perhaps only now beginning to be felt dear Captain Clutterbuck, make free to mention was not only the most profound man of science, the your own immediate descent. You are not to sup- most successful combiner of powers and calculator pose your land of prodigies so little known to us as of numbers as adapted to practical purposes, was the careful concealment of your origin would seem not only one of the most generally well-informed, to imply. But you have it in common with many but one of the best and kindest of human beings. of your country, studiously and anxiously to hide There he stood, surrounded by the little band I any connection with it. There is this difference, have mentioned of Northern literati, men not less indeed, betwixt your countrymen and those of our tenacious, generally speaking, of their own fame more material world, that many of the most estim- and their own opinions, than the national regi- able of them, such as an old Highland gentleman ments are supposed to be jealous of the high cha- called Ossian, a monk of Bristol called Rowley and others, are inclined to pass themselves off as 1 Probably the ingenious author alludes to the national denizens of the land of reality, whereas most of our idage : ag The king said sail, fellow-citizens who deny their country are such But the wind said no. that country would be very willing to disclaim. The Our schoolmaster (who is also a land-surveyor) thinks this especial circumstances you mention relating to your whole passage refers to Mr Watt's improvements on the steam, us. knn engine. Sole by CAPTAIN CLUITIRBUOK. life and services, impose not upon We ANSWER TO INTRODUCTORY El'ISTLE. 405 the versatility of the unsubstantial species to which walks by the sea, I never saw it cast ashore any you belong permits them to assume all manner of thing but dulse and tangle, and now and then a we have seen them in the deceased star-fish disguises; apparelled ; my landlady never presented

1 caftan of a and the silken robe of a me with save her cursed bill Persian, Chinese, any manuscript ; and and to their are prepared suspect real character the most interesting of my discoveries in the way under every disguise. But how can we be ignorant of waste-paper, was finding a favourite passage of of your country and manners, or deceived by the one of my own novels wrapt round an ounce of evasion of its inhabitants, when the voyages of dis- snuff. No, Captain, the funds from which I have which cuvery have been made to it rival in number drawn my power of amusing the public, have been those recorded Purchas or !* And otherwise than fortuitous 1 by by Hackluyt ; bought by adventure. to shew the skill and perseverance of your naviga- '. have buried myself in libraries, to extract from tors and travellers, we have only to name Sindbad, the nonsense of ancient days new nonsense cf my Aboulfouaris, and Robinson Crusoe. These were own. I have turned over volumes, which, from the the men for discoveries. Could we have sent : pot-hooks I was obliged to decipher, might have Captain Greenland to look out for the north-west been the cabalistic manuscripts of Cornelius Agrippa, " or Peter Wilkins to examine Baffin's I never saw the door devil passage, Bay, I although open and the 6 what discoveries might we not have \ come in." But all the domestic inhabitants of expected | But there arc feats, and these both numerous and the libraries were disturbed by the vehemence of the inliabitants of studies extraordinary, performed by your my ; country, which we read without once attempting to From my research the boldest spider fled. emulate. And moths, retreating, trembled as I re.id.

I wander from my purpose, which was to assure From this learned sepulchre I emerged like the that 1 know as well as the mother who Magician in the Persian Tales, from his twelve- you, you I did nut bear for MacDufFs sticks month's residence in the mountain, not like him you, peculiarity I to soar to your whole race. You are not born of woman, I over the heads of the multitude, but t

: in the unless, indeed, in that figurative sense, in which the mingle crowd, and to elbow amongst the celebrated Maria Edgeworth may, in her state of throng, making my way from the highest society t single blessedness, be termed mother of the finest the lowest, undergoing the scorn, or, what is hardcf in You to the Editors to brook, the condescension of the one, family England. belong, sir, I patronizing of the laud of Utopia, a sort of persons for whom and enduring the vulgar familiarity of the other, ' I have the highest esteem. How is it possible it and all, you will say, for what? to collect should be otherwise, when you reckon among your materials for one of those manuscripts with which corporation the sage Cid Hamet Benengeli, the mere chance so often accommodates your country- short-faced of the in other to write a successful novel. president Spectator's Club, poor men ; words, " Ben Silton, and many others, who have acted as Athenians, how hard we labour to deserve your gentlemen-ushers to works which have cheered praise !" our and I dear Clutterbuck it heaviest, added wings to our lightest hours ? might stop here, my ; What I have remarked as peculiar to Editors would have a touching effect, and the air of proper of the class in which I venture to enrol you, is the deference to our dear Public. But I will not be false is happy combination of fortuitous circumstances which ', with you, (though falsehood excuse the usually put you in possession of the works which observation the current coin of your country,) have the to into notice. the truth I have studied and lived for the you goodness bring public i is, pur- One walks on the sea-shore, and a wave casts on pose of gratifying my own curiosity, and passing j land a small trunk or con- own time and the result has cylindrical casket, my ; though been, taining a manuscript much damaged with sea- that, in one shape or other, I have been frequently water, which is with difficulty deciphered, and so before the Public, perhaps more frequently than 3 forth. Another steps into a chandler's shop, to 1 prudence warranted, yet I cannot claim from them purchase a pound of butter, and, behold ! the the favour due to those who have dedicated their waste-paper on which it is laid is the manuscript ease and leisure to the improvement and enter- 4 of a cabalist. A third is so fortunate as to obtain tainment of others. from a woman who lets lodgings, the curious con- Having communicated thus freely with you, my tents of an antique bureau, the property of a dear Captain, it follows, of course, that I will deceased 5 lodger. All these are certainly possible gratefully accept of your communication, which, both occurrences; but I know not how, they seldom occur as your Benedictine observed, divides itself to Editors But any save those of your country. At by subject, manner, and age, into two parts. k-ast 1 can answer for myself, that in my solitary 1 am sorry I cannot gratify your literary ambition, the title- by suffering your name to appear upon

* I will tell the reason. Pec The Persian Letters, and The Citizen of the World. page ; and candidly you See Lea Voyages Imaginaines. The Editors of your country are of such a soft ::c History of Automatic*. * Adventures of a Guinea. See Southey's JJallad on the Young Jloc who read in * Adventures of an Atom. Conjurer's Hooks. 406 WAVERLEY NOVELS. and passive disposition, that they have frequently use the firm of the copartnery we are about to form, done themselves great disgrace by giving up the I will announce my property in my title-page, and coadjutors who first brought them into public notice put my own mark on my own chattels, which the and public favour, and snffering their names to bo attorney tells me it will be a crime to counterfeit, used by those quacks and impostors who live upon as much as it would to imitate the autograph of any the ideas of others. Thus I shame to tell how the other empiric a crime amounting, as advertise- sage Cid Hamet Benengeli was induced by one ments upon little vials assure to us, to nothing short Juan Avellaneda to play the Turk with the inge- of felony. If, therefore, my dear friend, your name nious Miguel Cervantes, and to publish a Second should hereafter appear in any title-page without Part of the adventures of his hero the renowned mine, readers will know what to think of you. I without the or to use either or threats but Don Quixote, knowledge co-opera- scorn arguments ; you tion of his principal aforesaid. It is true, the cannot but be sensible, that, as you owe your liter- Arabian sage returned to his allegiance, and there- ary existence to me on the one hand, so, on the after composed a genuine continuation of the Knight other, your very all is at my disposal. I can at of La Mancha, in which the said Avellaneda of pleasure cut off your annuity, strike your name Tordesillas is severely chastised. For in this you from the half-pay establishment, nay, actually put pseudo-editors resemble the juggler's disciplined you to death, without being answerable to any one. ape, to which a sly old Scotsman likened James I., These are plain words to a gentleman who has 11 if have Jackoo in can make served the whole war I you your hand, you during ; but, am aware, you him bite me; if I have Jackoo in my hand, I can will take nothing amiss at my hands. make him bite you." Yet, notwithstanding the And now, my good sir, let us address ourselves tu amende honorable thus made by Cid Hamct Ben- our task, and arrange as we best can the manu- engeli, his temporary defection did not the less script of your Benedictine, sons to suit the taste of occasion the decease of the ingenious Hidalgo Don this critical age. You will find I have made very Quixote, if he can be said to die, whose memory is liberal use of his permission, to alter whatever immortal. Cervantes put him to death, lest he seemed too favourable to the Church of Rome, should again fall into bad bands. Awful, yet just which I abominate, were it but for her fasts and consequence of Cid Hamet's defection ! penances. To quote a more modern and much less im- Our reader is doubtless impatient, and we must portant instance. I am sorry to observe my old own, with John Bunyan, acquaintance Jedediah Cleishbotham has misbe- We have too long detain'd him in the porch, And kept him from the sunshine with a torch. haved himself so far as to desert his original patron, and set up for himself. I am afraid the poor Adieu, therefore, my dear Captain remember me to the the and pedagogue will make little by his new allies, unless respectfully parson, schoolmaster, the club in the the pleasure of entertaining the public, and, for the bailie, and all friends of happy and aught I know, the gentlemen of the long robe, village of Kennaquhair. I have never seen, * shall of their faces and notwith- with disputes about his identity. Observe, there- never see, one 5 I believe that as I am better fore, Captarn Clutterbuck, that, wise by these great standing, yet acquainted than other who lives. I shall examples, I receive you as a partner, but a sleeping with them any man introduce to Mr John partner only. As I give you no title to employ or soon you my jocund friend, Ballantyne of Trinity Grove, whom you will find ; I am since more correctly informed, that Mr Cleishbotham warm from his match at single-stick with a brother died some months since at Gandercleugh, and that the person - Publisher. Peace to their differences ! It is a assuming his name is an impostor. The real Jedediah made Christian and end as I am in- a most edifying ; and, credibly wrathful trade, and the irrltab'ile genus comprehends formed, having sent for a Cameraman clergyman when he the bookselling as well as the book-writing species. was in extremis, was so fortunate as to convince the good man, Once more adieu ! after all, he had no wish to bring down on the scattered that, " remnant of Mountain folks, the bonnets of Bonny Dundee." THE AUTHOR OF WAVERLEY. Hard that tlie speculators in print and paper will not allow a 2 In of the Tales of Landlord good man to rest quiet in his grave ! consequence pscudo My printed the late Mr John This note, and the passages in the text, were occasioned by in London, as already mentioned, Ballantyne, with the a London bookseller having printed, as a speculation, an addi- the author's publisher, had a controversy interloping Cleishbotham v,.i> tional collection of Tales of My Landlord, which was not so bibliopolist, each insisting that his Jedediah fortunate as to succeed in passin? on the world as genuine. the real Siinoa Puna. THE MONASTERY. 407

CHAPTER I. and had become on the part of the English a struggle for subjugation, on that of the Scots a ! the .Monks, the Monks .did the ay they mischief! desperate and infuriated defence of their liberties. Theirs all the grossness, all the superstition This introduced on both sides a of and Of a most gross and superstitious age degree fury May HE be praised that sent the healthful tempest animosity unknown to the earlier period of their all And scatter'd these pestilential vapours : history; and as religious scruples soon gave to But that we owed them all to yonder Harlot way national hatred a love of the Throned on the seven hills with her cup of gold, spurred by plunder, 1 will as soon believe, with kind Sir Hoer, patrimony of the Church was no longer sacred from That old Moll White took win with cat and broomstick, incursions on either side. Still, the And nisc'd the last night's thunder. however, tenants and vassals of the had Old I'luy. great Abbeys many advantages over those of the lay barons, who were THE village described in the Benedictine's manu- harassed by constant military duty, until they be- script by the name of Kennaquhair, bears the came desperate, and lost all relish for the arts of same Celtic termination which occurs in Traquhair, peace. The vassals of the church, on the other Caquhair, and other compounds. The learne'd hand, were only liable to be called to arms on Chalmers derives this word Qu!ia!r,from the winding general occasions, and at other times were per- course of a stream; a definition which coincides, in mitted in comparative quiet to possess their farm a 1 a remarkable degree, with the serpentine turns of and feus. They of course exhibited superior skill the river Tweed near the village of which we speak. in every thing that related to the cultivation of the It has been long famous for the splendid Monastery soil, and were therefore both wealthier and better of Saint Mary, founded by David the First of Scot- informed than the military retainers of the restless land, in whose reign were formed, in the same chiefs and nobles in their neighbourhood. county, the no less splendid establishments of Mel- The residence of these church vassals was usually ro?e, Jedburgh, and Kelso. The donations of land in a small village or hamlet, where, for the sake with which the King endowed these wealthy frater- of mutual aid and protection, some thirty or forty nities procured him from the Monkidi historians the families dwelt together. This was called the Town, of and from one of his and the land to the various families epithet Saint, impoverished I belonging by " descendants the splenetic censure, that he had whom the Town was inhabited, was called the been a sore saint for the Crown." I Township. They usually possessed the land in It seems probable, notwithstanding, that David, ; common, though in various proportions, according who was a wise as well as a pious monarch, was to their several grants. The part of the Township not moved solely by religious motives to those arable, and kept as such continually under great | properly acts of munificence to the church, but annexed poli- the plough, was called in-jield. Here the use of tical views to his pious generosity. His possessions of manure supplied in some the j quantities degree in Northumberland and Cumberland became pre- exhaustion of the soil, and the feuars raised tolerable 2 carious after the loss of the Battle of the Standard; oats and bear, usually sowed on alternate ridges, and since the comparatively fertile valley of Teviot- on which the labour of the whole community was dale was likely to become the frontier of his king- bestowed without distinction, the produce being dom, it is probable he wished to secure at least a divided after harvest, agreeably to their respective part of these valuable possessions by placing them ! interests. in the hands of the monks, whose property was for a There was, besides, out-field land, from which it !o:i^ time even amidst the of a was to extract a now and respected, rage j thought possible crop " frontier war. In this manner alone had the then, after which it was abandoned to the skiey King I

some chance of ensuring protection and security to I influences," until the exhausted powers of vegetation the cultivators of the soil in for several were restored. These out-field were selected ; and, fact, ; spots ages the possessions of these Abbeys were each a by any feuar at his own choice, amongst the sheep- sort hills to of Goshen, enjoying the calm light of peace walks and which were always annexed the and immunity, while the rest of the country, occu- Township, to serve as pasturage to the community. pied by wild clans and marauding barons, was one dark scene of confusion, blood, and unremittcd 1 Small possessions conferred upon vassals and their heirs, held for a. small quit-rent, or a moderate proportion of the pro- outrage. duce. This was a favourite manner, by which the churchmen But these immunities did not continue down to peopled the patrimony of their convents ; and many descend- still to be found the union of the crowns. .Long before that period ants of such jf!ntart, -AH they are called, are in of their inheritances in the neighbourhood the wars betwixt and Scotland had lost possession family England ol ihe great Monasteries of Scotland. ' their original character of international hostilities, Or bigg, a coarse kind of bartey. 408 WAVERLEY NOVELS.

The trouble of cultivating these patches ot out-field note, were invidiously traced by their neighbours to and the precarious chance that the crop would pay such successful excursions. This, however, was a the labour, were considered as giving a right to more inexpiable crime in the eyes of the Abbot and any feuar, who chose to undertake the adventure, Community of Saint Mary's, than the borrowing " to the produce which might result from it. one of the gude king's deer ;" and they failed There remained the pasturage of extensive moors, not to discountenance and punish, by every means where the valleys often afforded good grass, aud in their power, offences which were sui-e to lead to upon which the whole cattle belonging to the com- severe retaliation upon the property of the church, munity fed indiscriminately during the summer, and which tended to alter the character of their under the charge of the Town-herd, who regularly peaceful vassalage. drove them out to pasture in the morning, and As for the information possessed by those de- brought them back at night, without which precau- pendents of the Abbacies, they might have been tion they would have fallen a speedy prey to some truly said to be better fed than taught, even though of the Suatcliers in the neighbourhood. These are their fare had been worse than it was. Still, how- things to make modern agriculturists hold up their ever, they enjoyed opportunities of knowledge from others hands and stare ; but the same mode of cultiva- which were excluded. The Monks were in tion ie not yet entirely in desuetude in some distant general well acquainted with then? vassals and parts of North Britain, and may be witnessed in tenants, and familiar in the families of the better full force and exercise in the Zetland Archipelago. class among them, where they were sure to be The habitations of the church-feuars were not received with the respect due to their twofold cha- less primitive than their agriculture. In each racter of spiritual father and secular landlord. it often village or Town were several small towers, having Thus happened, when a boy displayed battlements projecting over the side-walls, and talents and inclination for study, one of the brethren, usually an advanced angle or two with shot-holes for with a view to his being bred to the church, or out flanking the door-way, which was always defended of good-nature, in order to pass away his own idle by a strong door of oak, studded with nails, and time, if he had no better motive, initiated him into often by an exterior grated door of iron. These the mysteries of reading and writing, and imparted small peel-houses were ordinarily inhabited by the to him such other knowledge as he himself pos- their families the sessed. the heads of these allied principal feuars and ; but, upon And families, alarm of approaching danger, the whole inhabitants having more time for reflection, and more skill, as thronged from their own miserable cottages, which well as stronger motives for improving their small were situated around, to garrison these points of properties, bore amongst their neighbours the cha- defence. It was then no easy matter for a hostile racter of shrewd, intelligent men, who claimed party to penetrate into the village, for the men respect on account of their comparative wealth, were habituated to the use of bows and fire-arms, even while they were despised for a less warlike and ind the towers being generally so placed, that the enterprising turn than the other Borderers. They .lischarge from one crossed that of another, it was lived as much as they well could amongst them- impossible to assault any of them individually. selves, avoiding the company of others, and dreading The interior of these houses was usually suffi- nothing more than to be involved in the deadly ciently wretched, for it would have been folly to feuds and ceaseless contentions of the secular land- have furnished them in a manner which could excite holders. the avarice of their lawless neighbours. Yet the Such is a general picture of these communities. families themselves exhibited in their appearance a During the fatal wars in the commencement of degree of comfort, information, and independence, Queen Mary's reign, they had suffered dreadfully which could hardly have been expected. Their by the hostile invasions. For the English, now a in-field supplied them with bread and home-brewed Protestant people, were so far from sparing the ale, their herds and flocks with beef and mutton, church-lands, that they forayed them with more (the extravagance of killing lambs or calves was unrelenting severity than even the possessions of of never thought of.) Each family killed a mart, or the laity. But the peace 1550 had restored fat bullock, in November, which was salted up for some degree of tranquillity to these distracted and v/inter use, to which the goodwife could, upon great harassed regions, and matters began again gradu- occasions, add a dish of pigeons or a fat capon, ally to settle upon the former footing. The monks " the ill-cultivated garden afforded lang-cale," and repaired then.' ravaged shrines the feuar again the river gave salmon to serve as a relish during roofed his small forfalice which the enemy had the season of Lent. ruined the poor labourer rebuilt his cottage Of fuel they had plenty, for the bogs afforded an easy task, where a few sods, stones, and some turf; and the remains of the abused woods con- pieces of wood from the next copse, furnished all the tinued to give them logs for burning, as well as materials necessary. The cattle, lastly, were driven timber for the usual domestic purposes. In addi- out of the wastes and thickets in which the remnant of been secreted the bull tion to these comforts, the goodman would now them had ; and mighty and then sally forth to the greenwood, and mark moved at the head of his seraglio and their fol- down a buck of season with his gun or his cross- lowers, to take possession of their wonted pastures. Father There ensued the state of the bow ; and the Confessor seldom refused him peace and quiet, age absolution for the trespass, if duly invited to take and nation considered, to the Monastery of Saint his share of the smoking haunch. Some, still Mary, and its dependencies, for several tranquil bolder, made, either with their own domestics, or years. by associating themselves with the moss-troopers, in the language of shepherds, "a start and owei- loup ;" and the golden ornaments and silken head- gear worn by the females of one or two families of THE MONASTERY. 409

pying the concave recesses sf the bank, *ave at CHAPTER II. once beauty and variety to the landscape. Above these scattered woods rose the hill, in barren, but In yon lone vale his early youth was bred, the dark rich purple majesty ; hue, particularly in N(X solitary then the bugle-horn (if Ml Alecto often waked its windings, autumn, contrasting beautifully with the thickets l-'rom where the brook joins the majestic river, of oak and birch, the mountain ashes and thorns, To wild northern the curlew's the bog, haunt. the alders and which Where ooze* forth its first and feeble streamlet. quivering aspens, checquered Old Play. and varied the descent, and not less with the dark- green and velvet turf, which composed the level WE have said, that most of the fcuars dwelt part of the narrow glen. in the village belonging to their townships. This Yet, though thus embellished, the scene could was not, however, universally the case. A lonely neither be strictly termed sublime nor beautiful, lower, to which the reader must now be introduced, and scarcely even picturesque or striking. But w;is at least one to the rule. its extreme solitude on the heart the exception general pressed ; It was of small dimensions, yet larger than those traveller felt that uncertainty whither he was which occurred in the village, as intimating that, in going, or in what so wild a path was to terminate, car-e of assault, the proprietor would have to rely which, at times, strikes more on the imagination upon his own unassisted strength. Two or three than the grand features of a show-scene, when miserable huts, at the foot of the fortalice, held the you know the exact distance of the inn where your bondsmen and tenants of the feuar. The site was dinner is bespoke, and at the moment preparing a beautiful which started These are of a fur later for at green knoll, up suddenly ideas, however, age ; in the very throat of a wild and narrow glen, and the time we treat of, the picturesque, the beautiful, which, being surrounded, except on one side, by the the sublime, and all their intermediate shades, were winding of a small stream, afforded a position of ideas absolutely unknown to the inhabitants and considerable strength. occasional visitors of Glendearg. l!ut the great security of Glendearg, for so the These had, however, attached to the scene feel- pl:.ce was called, lay in its secluded, and almost ings fitting the time. Its name, signifying the Red hidden situation. To reach the tower, it was neces- Valley, seems to have been derived, not only from sary to travel three miles up the glen, crossing about the purple colour of the heath, with which the upper twenty times the little stream, which, winding part of the rising banks was profusely clothed, but through the narrow valley, encountered at every also from the dark red colour of the 1'ocks, ana hundred yards the opposition of a rock or precipitous of the precipitous earthen banks, which in that oank on the one side, which altered its course, and country are called scaurs. Another glen, about the caused it to shoot off in an oblique direction to the head of Ettrick, has acquired the same name from sther. The hills which side similar circumstances and there are ascend on each of ; probably this glen are very steep, and rise boldly over the more in Scotland to which it has been given. stream, which is thus imprisoned within their As our Glendearg did not abound in mortal visi- barriers. The sides of the glen are impracticable tants, superstition, that it might not be absolutely "or horse, and are only to be traversed by means of destitute of inhabitants, had peopled its recesses the sheep-paths which lie along their sides. It with beings belonging- to another world. The would not be readily supposed that a road so hope- savage and capricious Brown Man of the Moors, less and so difficult could lead to any habitation a being which seems the genuine descendant of the more important than the summer shealing of a northern dwarfs, was supposed to be seen there shepherd. frequently, especially after the autumnal equinox, Yet the glen, though loneiy, nearly inaccessible, when the fogs were thick, and objects not easily and steril, was not then absolutely void of beauty. distinguished. The Scottish fairies, too, a whim- The turf which covered the small portion of level sical, irritable, and mischievous tribe, who, though ground on the sides of the stream, was as close and at times capriciously benevolent, were more fre- verdant as if it had occupied the scythes of a hun- quently adverse to mortals, were also supposed to dred once it have formed a residence in a wild gardeners a-fortnight ; and was gar- particularly nished with an embroidery of daisies and wild recess of the glen, of which the real name was, in flower.-;, which the scythes would certainly have allusion to that circumstance, Carrie nan Sltian, destroyed. The little brook, now confined betwixt which, in corrupted Celtic, signifies the Hollow of closer limits, now left at large to choose its course the Fairies. But the neighbours were more cau- through the narrow valley, danced carelessly on tious in speaking about this place, and avoided from stream to pool, light and unturbid, as that giving it a name, from an idea common then c all the better cla s of spirits who pass their way through throughout British and Celtic provinces of life, yielding to insurmountable obstacles, but as Scotland, and still retained in many places, that to Jar from being subdued by them as the sailor who speak either good or ill of this capricious race of meets by chance with an unfavourable wind, and imaginary beings, is to provoke their resentment, shapes his course BO as to be driven back as little and that secrecy and silence is what they chiefly as jK>ssibie. desire from those who may intrude upon their The mountains, as they would have been called revels, or discover their haunts. in England, Kcotticc the steep braes, rose abruptly A mysterious terror was thus attached to the over the little glen, here presenting the gray lace dale, which afforded access from the broad valley of a rock, from which the turf had been peeled by of the Tweed, up the little glen we have described, the to the torrents, and there displaying patches of wood fortalice called the Tower of Glendearg. and copse, which had escaped the waste of the cattle Beyond the knoll, where, as we have said, the and the sheep of the feuars, and which, feathering tower was situated, the hills grew more steep, and naturally up the beds of empty torrents, or occu- narrowed on the slender brook, so as scarce to 410 WAVEHLEY NOVELS.

leave a which footpath ; and mere the glen terminated When the doleful news, spread terror and in a wild waterfall, where a slender thread of mourning through the whole of Scotland, reached water dashed in a precipitous line of foam over the Tower of Glendearg, the widow of Simon, two or three precipices. Yet farther in the same Elspeth Brydone by her family name, was alone direction, and above these successive cataracts, lay in that desolate habitation, excepting a hind or a wild and extensive morass, frequented only by two, alike past martial and agricultural labour, waterfowl, wide, waste, apparently almost inter- and the helpless widows and families of those who minable, and serving in a great measure to sepa- had fallen with their master. The feeling of deso- rate the inhabitants of the from those who universal but what availed it 2 The glen lation was ; lived to the northward. monks, their patrons and protectors, were driven To restless and indefatigable moss-troopers, in- from their Abbey by the English forces, who now deed, these morasses were well known, and some- overran the country, and enforced at least an ap- times afforded a retreat. They often rode down pearance of submission on the part of the inhabi- the glen called at this tower askeTl and received tants. The Protector, Somerset, formed a strong hospitality but still with a sort of reserve on the camp among the ruins of the ancient Castle of part of its more peaceful inhabitants, who enter- Roxburgh, and compelled the neighbouring coun- tained them as a party of North-American Indians try to come in, pay tribute, and take assurance might be received by a new European settler, as from him, as the phrase then went. Indeed, there much out of fear as hospitality, while the upper- was no power of resistance remaining; and the most wish of the landlord is the speedy departure few barons, whose higli spii-it disdained even the of the savage guests. appearance of surrender, could only retreat into This had not always been the current of feeling the wildest fastnesses of the country, leaving theiu in the little valley and its tower. Simon Glendin- houses and property to the wrath of the English, ning, its former inhabitant, boasted his connection who detached parties every where to distress, by by blood to that ancient family of Glendonwyne, military exaction, those whose chiefs liad not made on the western border. He used to narrate, at their submission. The Abbot and his community his in the autumn the feats of retreated the their fireside, evenings, having beyond ^Forth, lands the family to which he belonged, one of whom fell were severely forayed, as their sentiments %\cra by the side of the brave Earl of Douglas at Otter- held peculiarly inimical to the alliance with Eng- bourne. On these occasions Simon usually held land. upon his knee an ancient broadsword, which had Amongst the troops detached on this service was belonged to his ancestors before any of the family a small party, commanded by Stawarth Bolton, a had consented to accept a fief under the peaceful captain in the English army, and full of the blunt dominion of the monks of Saint Mary's. In mo- and unpretending gallantry and generosity which dern days, Simon might have lived at ease on his has so oftfiii distinguished that nation. Resistancu own estate, and quietly murmured against the fate was in vain. Elspeth Brydone, when she descried that had doomed him to dwell there, and cut off a dozen of horsemen threading their way up the his access to martial renown. But so many oppor- glen, with a man at their head, whose scarlet cloak, tunities, nay, so many calls there were for him, bright armour, and dancing plume, proclaimed him who in those days spoke big, to make good his a leader, saw no better protection for herself than words by his actions, that Simon Glendinning was to issue from the iron grate, covered with a long the soon under the necessity of marching with men mourning veil, and holding one of her two sons in of the Halidome, as it was called, of Saint Mary's, each hand, to meet the Englishman state her de- in that disastrous campaign which was concluded serted condition place the little tower at his com- by the battle of Pinkie. mand and beg for his mercy. She stated, in a " The Catholic clergy were deeply interested in few brief words, her intention, and added, I sub- that national quarrel, the principal object of which mit, because I have nae means of resistance." " was, to prevent the union of the infant Queen And I do not ask your submission, mistress, Mary with the son of the heretical Henry VIII. for the same reason," replied the Englishman. " The Monks had called out their vassals, under an To be satisfied of your peaceful intentions is all I leader. of themselves had taken ask from what tell there is no reason experienced Many ; and, you me, arms, and marched to the field, under a banner to doubt them." " " representing a female, supposed to personify the At least, sir," said Elspeth. Brydone, take Scottish Church, kneeling in the attitude of prayer, share of what our spence and our garners afford. 1 with the legend, Affiictce Sponsce ne^obllttscaris. Your horses are tired your folk want refresh- The Scots, however, in all their wars, had more ment." " occasion for good and cautious than for Not a whit not a whit," answered the honest generals, " whether or enthusiastic. Their it shall never be said we disturbed excitation, political Englishman ; headlong and impatient courage uniformly induced by carousal the widow of a brave soldier, while she them to rush into action without duly weighing was mourning for her husband. Comrades, face either their own situation, or that of their enemies, about. Yet, stay," he added, checking his war- and the inevitable was defeat. " are out in direction consequence freqiient horse, my parties every ; With the dolorous slaughter of Pinkie we have they must have some token that your family are nothing to do, excepting that, among ten thousand under my assurance of safety. Here, my little men of low and high degree, Simon Glendinning, fellow," said he, speaking to the eldest boy, who " of the Tower of Glendearg, bit the dust, no way might be about nine or teu years old, lend me disparaging in his death that ancient race from thy bonnet." which he claimed his descent. The child reddened, looked sulky, and hesitated, while the mother, with many a fye and nay pshaw, sarsenet tender mothers Forget not the afflicted spouse. and such eludings as give THE MONASTERY. 411

" to spoiled children, at length succeeded in snatch- God-a-rnercy, my little levin-bolt," said Sta- " ing the bonnet from him, and handing it to the warth, the goodly custom of deadly feud will English leader. never go down in th/ day, I presume. And yon, Stcwartfa Bolton took his embroidered red cross my tine white-head, will you not go with me, to t'rom his and putting it into the loop of ride a cock-horet- ?" barret-cap, " " the boy's bonnet, said to the mistress, (for the title No," said Edward, demurely, for you are a i f our forayers." placed boy's ; my troep you; yet envy you but it was no sooner there, than the little fellow, these two little chubby knaves." He signed a liis veins aud his eyes shooting fire moment, as was visible, in spite of gorget and swelling, " tlirough tears, snatched the bonnet from his head, corslet, and then added, And yet, my dame and and, ere his mother could interfere, skimmed it I would but quarrel which of the knaves we should into other ran to like best for I should wish for She the brook. The boy instantly ; black-eyed fish it out again, threw it back to his brother, first rogue a~ad she, I warrant me, for that blue- taking out the cross, which, with groat veneration, eyed, fair-haired darling. Natheless, we must he kissed and put into his bosom. The Englishman brook our solitary wedlock, and wish joy to those was half diverted, half surprised, with the scene. that are more fortunate. Sergeant Brittson, do " What mean ye by throwing away Saint thou remain here till recalled protect this family, George's red cross I" said he to the elder boy, in a as under assurance do them no wrong, and suf- wilt tone betwixt jest and earnest. fer no wrong to be done to them, as thou " Because Saint George is a southern saint," answer it. Dame, Brittson is a married man, the old feed him on what but aid child, sulkily. and steady ; you will, "Good" said Stawarth Bolton. "And what give him not over much liquor." did you mean by taking it out of the brook again- Dame Glendinning again offered refreshments, r.\\ little fellow ?" he demanded of the younger. but with a faltering voice, and an obvious desire " Because the priest says it is the common sign her invitation should not be accepted. The fact of salvation to all good Christians." was, that, supposing her boys as precious in the " Why, good again !" said the honest soldier. eyes of the Englishman as in her own, (the most " I protest unto you, mistress, I envy you these ordinary of parental errors,) she was half afraid, boys. Are they both yours ?" that the admiration he expressed of them in his Stawarth Bolton had reason to put the question, blunt manner might end in his actually carrying for Halbert Glendinuing, the elder of the two, had off one or other of the little darlings whom he ap- hair as dark as the raven's plumage, black eyes, peared to covet so much. She kept hold of their large, bold, and sparkling, that glittered under hands, therefore, as if her feeble strength could eyebrows of the same complexion; a skin deep em- have been of service, had any violence been in- browned, though it could not be termed swarthy, tended, and saw with joy she could not disguise, and an air of activity, frankness, and determina- the little party of horse countermarch, in order to tion, far beyond his age. On the other hand, descend the glen. Her feelings did not escape " Edward, the younger brother, was light-haired, Stawarth Bolton, I forgive you, dame," he said, " Llue-eyed, and of fairer complexion, in counte- for being suspicious that an English falcon was nance rather pale, and not exhibiting that rosy hovering over your Scottish moor-brood. But fear hue wliicli colours the sanguine cheek of robust not those who have fewest children have fewest health. Yet the had or ill-con- of another boy nothing sickly cares ; nor does a wise man covet those ditioned in his but on the a the look, was, contrary, household. Adieu, dame ; when black-eyed fair and handsome child, with a smiling face, and rogue is able to drive a foray from England, teach mild, yet cheerful eye. him to spare women and children, for the sake of The mother glanced a- proud motherly glance, Stawarth Bolton." " first at the one, and then at the other, ere she God be whh gallant Southern !" said " you, answered the Englishman, Surely, sir, they are Elspeth Glendiuuing, but not till he was out of both my children." hearing, spurring on his good horse to regain the " And by the same father, mistress 1" said head of liis party, whose plumage and armour were

Stawarth ; but, a blush of arise now and in the seeing displeasurs" glancing gradually disappearing on her brow, he instantly added, Nay, I mean distance, as they winded down the glen. " no offence I would have asked the " I will ; same question Mother," said the elder boy, not say at any of my gossips in merry Lincoln. Well, amen to a prayer for a Southern." " lame, you have two fair boys; I would I could Mother," said the younger, more reverentially, " borrow one, for Dame Bolton and I live childless is it right to pray for a heretic !" " m our old hall. Come, little fellows, which of you The God to whom I pray only knows," will with me 1" answered * but these two go poor Elspeth ; words, The trembling mother, half-fearing as he spoke, Southern and heretic, have already cost Scotland drew the children towards her, one with either ten thousand of her best and bravest, and me a " while both answered the I whether hand, they stranger. husband, and a father ; and, blessing u you will not go with you," said Halbert, boldly, for or banning, 1 never wish to hear them more. are false-hearted to you a Southern ; and the South- Follow me to the Place, sir," she said Brittson, erns killed father and I will war on to " offer shall be my ; you and such as we have to you at the when I can death, draw my father's sword." your disposal."

i See Note A. Stairarth Bollon 412 WAVEKLEY NOVELS.

sheep which had escaped the first researches of CHAPTER III. their avarice. Two cows shared the fate of tlve stock afforded remnant of their ; they had the They lighted down on Tweed water, family almost their sole support, and now famine And blew their coals sae het, to stare them in the face. And fired the March and appeared Teviotdale, " out All in an evening late. We are broken and beggared now, and MM Maitlaiut. out," said old Martin the shepherd and he wrung " his hands in the bitterness of agony, the thieves, THE report soon spread through the patrimony the harrying thieves ! not a cloot left of the haill of Saint Mary's and its vicinity, that the Mistress hirsel !" " of Glendearg had received assurance from the And to see poor Grizzy and Crumble," said " English Captain, and that her cattle were not to his wifo, turning back their necks to the byre, be driven off, or her corn burned. Among others and routing while the stony-hearted villains were who heard this report, it reached the ears of a brogging them on wi' their lances !" " lady, who, once much higher in rank than Elspeth There were but four of them," said Martin, " Glendinning, was now by the same calamity re- and I have seen the day forty wad not have ven- duced to even greater misfortune. tured this length. But our strength and manhood She was the widow of a brave soldier, Walter is gane with our puir maister." " Avenel, descended of a very ancient Border family, For the sake of the holy rood, whisht, man," " who once possessed immense estates in Eskdale. said the goodwife, our leddy is half gane already, These had long since passed from them into other as ye may see by that fleightering of the ee-lid hands, but they still enjoyed an ancient Barony a word mair and she 's dead outright." " " of considerable extent, not very fat .from the patri- I could almost wish," said Martin, we were mony of Saint Mary's, and lying upon the same a' gane, for what to do passes my puir wit. I care side of the river with the narrow vale of Glen- little for mysell, or you, Tibb, we can make a dearg, at the head of which was the little tower fend work or want we can do baith, but sha of the Glendinnings. Here they had lived, bear- can do neither." ing a respectable rank amongst tlte gentry of their They canvassed their situation thus openly be- province, though neither wealthy nor powerful. fore the lady, convinced by the paleness of her This general regard had been much augmented by look, her quivering lip, and dead-set eye, that the skill, courage, and enterprise which had been she neither heard nor understood what they were displayed by Walter Avenel, the last Baron. saying. " " When Scotland began to recover from the dread- There is a way," said the shepherd, but I ful if shock she had sustained after the battle of kenna she could bring her heart to it, there's Phikie-Cleuch, Avenel was one of the first who, Simon Gleudinning's widow of the glen yonder, has assembling a small force, set an example in those had assurance from the Southern loons, and nae bloody and unsparing skirmishes, which shewed soldier to steer them for one cause or other. Now, that a nation, though conquered and overrun by if the leddy could bow her mind to take quarters invaders, may yet wage against them such a war with Elspeth Glendinning till better days cast up, of detail as shall in the end become fatal to the nae doubt it wad be doing an honour to the like o5 " foreigners. In one of these, however, Walter her, but " " Avenel fell, and the news which came to the house An honour," answered Tibb, ay, by my word, of his fathers was followed by the distracting intel- sic an honour as wad be pride to her kin mony a ligence, that a party of Englishmen were coming lang year after her banes were in the mould. Oh ! to plunder the mansion and lands of his widow, in gudeman, to hear ye even the Lady of Avenel to order, by this act of terror, to prevent others from seeking quarters wi' a Kirk-vassal's widow !" " following the example of the deceased. Loath should I be to wish her to it," said " The unfortunate had no better than Martin but what we do ? to here is lady refuge ; may stay the miserable of a the mere starvation and where to I 'm sure I ken cottage shepherd among ; go, hills, to which she was hastily removed, scarce nae mair than ony tup I ever herded." " of conscious where or for what purpose her terrified Speak no more of it," said the widow " attendants were removing her and her infant Avenel, suddenly joining in the conversation, I daughter from her own house. Here she was will go to the tower. Dame Elspeth is of good tended with all the duteous service of ancient folk, a widow, and the mother of orphans, she times by the shepherd's wife, Tihb Tacket. who in will give us house-room until something be thought better days had been her own bowrrwoman. For upon. These evil showers make the low bush a time the was unconscious her better than no bicld." lady of misery ; " " but when the first stunning effect of grief was so See there, see there," said Martin, you see far passed away that she could form an estimate the leddy has twice our sense." " " of her own situation, the widow of Aveuel had And natural it is," said Tibb, seeing that she cause to envy the lot of her husband in his dark is convent-bred, and can lay silk broidery, forby and silent abode. The domestics who had guided white-seam and shell-work." " her to her place of refuge, were presently obliged Do you not think," said the lady to Martin, to disperse for their own safety, or to seek for still clasping her child to her bosom, and making subsistence and the his it clear from what motives she desired the necessary ; shepherd and refuge, " wife, whose poor cottage she shared, were soon that Dame Glendinning will make us welcome ?" " after deprived of the means of affording their late Blithely welcome, blithely welcome, my leddy," " mistress even that coarse sustenance which they answered Martin cheerily, and we shall deserve had gladly shared with her. Some of the English a welcome at her hand. Men are scarce now, my had discovered driven off the few with these wars a of fiTayers and leddy, ; and gie me thought THE MONASTERY. 413

tune to it, I can do as gude a day's dart; us ever I wise than by descending that which you leave, and did iu my life, and Tibb can sort cows with ony reascending the other, is often very difficult. living woman." Heights and hollows, mosses and rocks intervene, " And inuckle mair could I do," said Tibb, and all those local impediments which throw a tra- " it house but there will be veller out of his course. So that were in ony feasible ; Martin, however neither pearlins to mend, nor pinners to busk up, sure of his general direction, became conscious, to in Els]>ctli Glendmning's." and at length was forced reluctantly admit, that NVliisht wi' your pride, woman," said the shep- he had missed the direct road to Gleudcarg, though " " can baith outside and he insisted must be near it. If herd , eneugh ye do, inside, they very we " set mind to it and hard it is if we twa can but win across this wide he I an ye your ; bog," said, i-aima work for tliree folk's meat, forby my dainty sliall warrant ye are on tlie top of the tower." wee leddy there. Come awa, come awa, nae use But to get across the bog was a point of no in staying here langer; we have five Scots miles small difficulty. The farther they ventured into it, over moss and muir, and that is nae easy walk for though proceeding with all the caution which Mar- a leddy born and bred." tin's experience recommended, the more unsound Household stuff there was little or none to re- the ground became, until, after they had passed or care for old of their best move ; an pony which had escaped some places great peril, argument for She plunderers, owing partly to its pitiful appear- going forward came to be, that they had to encoun- ance, partly from the reluctance which it shewed ter equal danger in returning. to be caught by strangers, was employed to carry The Lady of Avenel had been tenderly nurtured, the few blankets, and other trifles which they pos- but what will not a woman endure when her child sessed. When Shagram came to his master's well is in danger ? Complaining less of the dangers of known whistle, he was surprised to find the poor the road than her attendants, who liad been inured thing had been wounded, though slightly, by an to such from their infancy, she kept herself close arrow, which one of the forayers had shot off in by the side of the pony, watching its every footstep anger after he had long chased it in vain. and ready, if it should flounder in the morass, tc Ay, Shagram," said the old man, as he applied snatch her little Mary from its back. At length " something to the wound, must you rue the lang- they came to a place where tlie guide greatly hesi- bow as w.eel as all of us !" tated, for all around him was broken lumps of ' What corner in Scotland rues it not !" said heath, divided from each other by deep sloughs of the Lady of Avenel. black tenacious mire. After great consideration, ' " Ay, ay, madam," said Martin, God keep the Martin, selecting what he thought the safest path, kindly Scot from the cloth-yard shaft, and he will began himself to lead forward Shagram, in order to keep himself from the handy stroke. But lot us afford greater security to the child. But Shagram the trash that is left I laid his ears stretched liis two feet _'o our way ; can come back snorted, back, '."i: There is nae ane to stir it but the good forward, and drew his hind feet under him, so as tc " neigh- bours, and they adopt the best possible posture for obstinate resis- " For the love of God, goodman," said his wife, tance and refused to move one yard hi the direc- " in a remonstrating tone, hand your peace ! Think tion indicated. Old Martin, much puzzled, now .vhat ye 're saying, and we hae sae muckle wild hesitated whether to exert his absolute authority, iand to go over before we win to the girth gate." or to defer to the contumacious obstinacy of Sha- for it and was not comforted his wife's The husband nodded acquiescence ; was gram, greatly by deemed highly imprudent to speak of the fairies observation, who, seeing Shagram stare with his either their title of or by any eyes, distend his nostrils, and tremble with terror, by good neighbours " other, especially when about to pass the places hinted that he surely saw more than they could 1 which they were supposed to haunt. see." They set forward on their pilgrimage on the last In this dilemma, the child suddenly exclaimed " " day of October. This is thy birth-day, my sweet Bonny leddy signs to us to come yon gate." They .Mary," said the mother, as a sting of bitter recol- all looked in the direction where the child pointed, " lection crossed her mind. Oh, who could have but saw nothing, save a wreath of rising mist, which form into a but which believed that the head, which, a few years since, fancy might human figure ; the sorrowful was cradled amongst so many rejoicing friends, afforded to Martin only conviction, may perliaps this night seek a cover in vain !" that the danger of their situation was about to be The exiled family then set forward, Mary increased by a heavy fog. He once more essayed six to lead forward but the animal was Avenel, a lovely girl between five and years Shagram ; old, fashion betwixt inflexible in its determination not to more in the nding gipsy upon Shagram, " two of walk- direction Martin recommended. Take awn bundles of ; the Avenel your bedding Lady " the side the for it said and let us see what ing by animal's ; Tibb leading bridle, way then," Martin, and old Martin walking a little before, looking you can do for us." anxiously around him to explore the way. Shagram, abandoned to the discretion r>f his set off hi the direction the Martin's task as guide, after two or three miles' own free-will, boldly walking, became more difficult than he himself had child had pointed. There was nothing wonderful in in its safe to the other expected, or than he was willing to avow. It hap- this, nor bringing them that the of with side of the morass for the instinct of pened extensive range pasturage, dangerous ; the mur-t which he was conversant, lay to tlie west, and to these animals in traversing bogs is one of fact get into the little valley of Glendearg he had to curious parts of their nature, and is a gene- that the proceed easterly. In the wilder districts of Scot- rally established. But H was remarkable, land, the passage from one vale to another, other- child more than once mentioned the beautiful lady and her signals, and that Shagram seemed to be 1 See Note B. Tlie fairici. in the secret, always moving in the same direction 414 WAVERLEY NOVELS.

which she indicated. The Lady of Avenel took Julian Avenel, the younger brother of the de< little notice at the time, her mind being probably ceased Walter, was a person of this description. the instant but her hesitated not to seize his brother's house occupied by danger ; attendants He upon changed expressive looks with each other more and lands, so soon as the retreat of the English than once. him. At he the " permitted first, occupied property All-Hallow Eve !" said Tibb, in a whisper to in the name of his niece, but when the lady proposed Martin. to return with her child to the mansion of its " For the mercy of Our Lady, not a word of that fathers, he gave her to understand, that Avenel, now !" said " the instead Martin in reply. Tell your beads, being a male fief, descended to brother, woman, if you cannot be silent." of the daughter, of the last possessor. The ancient When they got once more on firm ground, Martin philosopher declined a dispute with the emperor recognized certain land-marks, or cairns, on the who commanded twenty legions, and the widow of of the tops neighbouring hills, by which he was Walter Avenel was in no condition to maintain a enabled to guide his course, and" ere long they contest with the leader of twenty moss-troopers. arrived ai the Tower of Glendearg. Julian was also a man of service, who could back It was at the sight of this little i'ortalice that the a friend in case of need, and was sure, therefore, misery of her lot pressed hard on the poor Lady to find protectors among the ruling powers. In of Avenel. When by any accident they had met short, however clear the little Mary's right to the at church, market, or other place of public resort, possessions of her father, her mother saw the neces- she remembered the distant and respectful air with sity of giving way, at least for the time, to the usur- which the wife of the warlike baron was addressed pation of her uncle. by the spouse of the humble feuar. And now, so Her patience and forbearance were so far much was her pride humbled, that she was to ask attended with advantage, that Julian, for very to share the precarious safety of the same feuar's shame's sake, could no longer suffer her to be abso- widow, and her pittance of food, which might lutely dependant on the charity of Elspeth Glen- perhaps be yet more precarious. Martin probably dinning. A drove of cattle and a bull (which were guessed what was passing in her mind, for he looked probably missed by some English farmer) were at her with a wistful as if to driven to the of oi glance, deprecate any pastures Glendearg ; presents of resolution and to his raiment and household stuff were sent change ; answering looks, liberally, and rather than his words, she said, while the sparkle some little money, though with a more sparing of subdued pride once more glanced from her eye, hand : for those in the situation of Julian Avenel " If it were for myself alone, I could but die could come more easily by the than the " goods, but for this infant the last pledge of Avenel representing medium of value, and made their " said Martin as in kind. True, my lady," hastily ; and, payments chiefly if to prevent the possibility of her he In the meantime, the widows of Walter Avenel " retracting, added, I will step on and see Dame Elspeth I and Simon Glendinning had become habituated to tend lier husband weel, and have bought and sold each other's society, and were unwilling to part with him, for as great a man as ho was." The lady could hope no more secret and secure Martin's tale was soon told, and met all accep- residence than in the Tower of Glendearg, ami tance from her companion in misfortune. The Lady she was now in a condition to support her sliart of Avenel had been meek and courteous in her of the mutual housekeeping. Elspeth, on the cthei in felt well in the of prosperity ; adversity, therefore, she met with hand, pride, as as pleasure, society the greater sympathy. Besides, there was a point a guest of such distinction, and was at all times of pride in sheltering and supporting a woman of willing to pay much greater deference than the such birth and rank not to do of Avenel could be on to superior ; and, Lady Walter prevailed Elspeth Glendinning injustice, she felt sympathy accept. 'or one whose fate resembled her own in so many Martin and his wife diligently served the united points, yet was so much more severe. Every species family in their several vocations, and yielded obe- of hospitality was gladly and respectfully extended dience to both mistresses, though always considering to the distressed travellers, and they were kindly themselves as the especial servants of the Lady requested to stay as long at Glendearg as their of Avenel. This distinction sometimes occasioned tircumstances rendered necessary, or their inclina- a slight degree of difference between Dame Elspeth tion the former c' ner own prompted. and Tibb ; being jealous consequence, and the latter apt to lay too much stress upon the rank and family of her mistress. But both were alike desirous to conceal such petty from the her hostess scarce CHAPTER IV. squabbles lady, yield- ing to her old domestic in respect for her person. did the difference exist in such a as Ne'er be I found by tliee unawed, Neither degree On that thrice hallow'd eve abroad, to interrupt the general harmony of the family, for When goblins haunt from flood and fen, the one wisely gave way as she saw the other The steps of men, she often COLMNS'S Ode to fear. become warm ; and Tibb, though gave the first provocation, had generally the sense to be As the country became more settleo, the Lady of the first in relinquishing the argument. for Avenel would have willingly returned to her hus- The world which lay beyond was gradually band's mansion. But that was no longer in ler gotten by the inhabitants of this sequestered glen, power. It was a reign of minority, when the and unless when she attended mass at the Monas- of strongest had the best right, and when acts of tery Church upon some high holiday, Alice usurpation were frequent amongst those who had Avenel almost forgot that she once held an equal much power and little conscience. rank witli the proud wives of the neighbouring THE MONASTERY. 415

barons and nobles who on sucli occasions crowded perusing this little volume, which Tt>nned her whole to the solemnity. The recollection gave her little library. The family listened to the portions which pain. She loved her husband for himself, and in she selected, as to some good thing wliich there was his of it inestimable loss all lesser subjects regret had a merit in hearing with respect, whether was fully ceased to interest her. At times, indeed, she understood or no. To her daughter, Alice of thought of claiming the protection of the Queen Avenel had determined to impart their mystery Regent (Mary of Guise) for her little orphan, but more fully, but the knowledge was at that period the fear of Julian Aveuel always came between. attended with personal danger, and was not rashly She was sensible tliat he would have neither scruple to be trusted to a child. nor difficulty in spiriting away the child, (if he did The noise of the romping children interrupted, not proceed farther,) should he once consider its from time to time, the voice of the lady, and drew existence as formidable to his interest. Besides, on the noisy culprits the rebuke of Elspeth. " he led a wild and unsettled life, mingling in all feuds Could they not go farther a-field, if they and wherever there was a to be broken behoved to make such a and disturb the forays, spear ; din, lady's he evinced no purpose of marrying, and the fate good words ?" And this command was backed which he continually was braving might at length with the threat of Lending the whole party to bed remove him from his usurped inheritance. Ahce if it was not attended to punctually. Acting under of Avenel, therefore, judged it wise to check all the injunction, the children first played at a greater ambitious thoughts for the present, and remain distance from tlie party, and more quietly, and then quiet in the rude, but peaceable retreat, to which began to stray into the adjacent apartments, as they Providence had conducted her. became impatient of the restraint to which they It was upon an All-Hallow's eve, when the were subjected. But, all at once, the two boys family had resided together for the space of three came open-mouthed into the hall, to tell that there years, that the domestic circle was assembled round was an armed man in the spence. " the blazing turf-fire, in the old narrow hall of the It must be Christie of Cunt-hill," said Martin, " Tower of The idea of the master or what can have him here at tliis Glendearg. rising ; brought mistress of the mansion feeding or living apart from time ?" " their domestics, was at this period never entertained. Or how came he in 1" said Elspeth. " The highest end of the board, the most commodious Alas ! what can he seek I" said the Lady of settle by the fire, these were the only marks of Avenel, to whom this man, a retainer of her 'hus- distinction the servants with defe- band's executed ; and mingled, brother, and who sometimes his rence indeed, but unreproved and with freedom, in commissions at Glendearg, was an object of secret " whatever conversation was going forward. But apprehension and suspicion. Gracious heavens !" " the two or three domestics, kept merely for agri- she added, rising up, where is my child 1" All cultural purposes, had retired to their own cottages rushed to the spence, Halbcrt Glendinning first without, and with them a couple of wenches, arming himself with a rusty sword, and the younger usually employed within doors, the daughters of seizing upon the lady's book. They hastened to the one of the hinds. spence, and were relieved of a part of their anxiety After their departure, Martin locked, first, the by meeting Mary at the door of the apartment. iron the inner the did in the grate ; and, secondly, door of She not seem slightest degree alarmed, tower, when the domestic circle was thus arranged. or disturbed. They rushed into the spence, (a Dame Elspeth sate pulling the tliread from her sort of interior apartment in which the family ate distaff the of the their victuals in the there ; Tibb watched progress scalding summer season,) but whey, which hung in a large pot upon the crook, a was no one there. " chain terminated by a hook, which was suspended Where is Christie of Clint-hill ?" said Martin. in to " " I the chimney serve the purpose of the modern I do not know," said little Mary ; never saw crane. Martin, while busied in repairing some of him." " the household articles, (for every man in those days And what made you, ye misleard loons," said " was his own carpenter and smith, as well as his Dame Elspeth to her two boys, come yon gate into own tailor and shoemaker,) kept from time to time the ha', roaring like bullsegs, to frighten the leddy, a watchful eye upon the three children. and her far frae strong 1" The boys looked at They were allowed, however, to exercise their each other in silence and confusion, and their " juvenile restlessness by running up and down the mother proceeded with her lecture. Could ye hall, behind the seats of the elder members of the find nae night for daffin but Hallowe'en, and nae family, with the privilege of occasionally making time but when the leddy was reading to us about excursions into one or two small apartments which the holy Saints ? May ne'er be in my fingers, opened from it, and gave excellent opportunity to if I diuna sort ye baith for it !" The eldest boy play at hide-and-seek. This night, however, the bent his eyes on the ground, the younger began to children seemed to neither the not disposed avail themselves weep, but spoke ; and mother would of their privilege of visiting these dark regions, but have proceeded to extremities, but for the inter- preferred carrying on then: gambols in the vicinity position of the little maiden. " of the light. Dame Elspeth, it was my fault I did say to In the meanwhile, Ahce of Avenel, sitting close them, that I saw a man in the spencfc." " to an iron candlestick, which supported a mis- And what made you do so, child," said her " shapen torch of domestic manufacture, read small mother, to startle us all thus I" " " detached passages from a thick clasped volume, Because," said Mary, lowering her voice, 1 i vhich she preserved with the greatest care. The could not help it." \ " art of the liad resi- ! occasioned all this reading, lady acquired by her Not help it, Mary you li-.ice in a nunnery during her youth, but she idle noise, and you could not help it ! How mean in, of late years, put it to any other use than you by that, minion 1" 416 WAVEKLEY NOVELS.

'" There really was an armed man in this rock and and as little the monks " spenee," wheel, wf bell and said I Mary ; and because was surprised to see book." " " him, I cried out to Halbert and Edward And sae weel as the knees and broadswords "She has told it said herself," Halbert Glen- hae them I trow ! I was mair " kept back, beholden dinning, or it had never been told by me." to ae and that was Stawarth " Southron, Bolton, than Nor by me neither," said Edward, emulouslv. to a' the Border-riders ever wore Saint Andrew's " Mistress said " Mary," Elspeth, you never told cross I reckon their skelping back and forward, us before that was not true tell us if any thing ; and lifting honest men's gear, has been a main this was a Hallowe'en and make an cantrip, end cause of a the breach between us and England, of it." The of Avenel Lady looked as if she and I am sure that cost me a kind goodman. would have but knew not how and interfered, ; They spoke about the wedding of the Prince and who was too curious to our Elspeth, eagerly regard any Queen, but it's as like to oe the driving of the distant in her " hint, persevered inquiries. Was ft Cumberland folk's stocking that brought them down Christie of the ? Clint-hill I would not for a on us like dragons." Tibb would not have failed marie that he were about the and a in other house, body circumstances to answer what she thought no ken whare." reflections to her folk but she " " disparaging country ; It was not said it was it recollected that Christie," Mary ; Dame Elspetii was mistress of the was a a with a gentleman gentleman bright family, curbed her own zealous patriotism, and breastplate, like what I hae seen langsyue, when hastened to the " " change subject. we dwelt at Avenel And is it not she " that the " " strange," said, What like was he I continued Tibb, who now heiress of Avenel should liave seen her father this took share in the investigation. blessed night ?" " " Black -haired, black-eyed, with a peaked black And ye think it was her then V said " father, beard," said the child, and many a fold of pearling Elspeth Glendinuing. " round his neck, and hanging down his breast ower What else can 1 think ?" said Tibb. his and he had a beautiful with " It hae been breastplate ; hawk, may something waur, in his like- silver bells, standing on his left hand, with a crim- ness," said Dame Glendinning. " " " son silk hood upon its head I ken naething about that," said Tibb, but " her no for his likeness it I Ask more questions, the love of was, that will be sworn to, just as said the anxious menial to " but he used to ride out for enemies God," Elspeth, a-hawking ; having look to !" But the of tak- in the he seldom laid off the my leddy Lady Avenel, country, ; " breast-plate ing Mary in her hand, turned hastily away, and, and for my part," added Tibb, I diuna think a walking into the hall, gave them no opportunity of man looks like a man unless he has steel on hi* remarking in what manner she received the child's breast, and by his side too." " communication, which she thus cut short. What I have no skill of your harness on breast or " Tibb of it from her her- side said Dame but I ken thought appeared crossing either," Glendinning ; there is little in self repeatedly, and whispering into Elspeth's ear, luck Hallowe'en sights, for I have * Saint Mary preserve us ! the lassie has seen her had ane mysell." " " father ! Indeed, Dame Elspeth 2" said old Tibb, edging When reached the hall, found the lady her stool closer to the huge elbow-chair occupied they they " her daughter on her knee, and her by her friend, I should like to hear about that." holding kissing " repeatedly. When they entered, she again arose, Ye maun ken then, Tibb," said Dame Glen- " as if to shun observation, and retired to the little dinning, that when I was a hempie of nineteen or apartment where her child and she occupied the twenty, it wasna my fault if I wasna at a' the same bed. merry-makings time about." " said " but The boys were also sent to their cabin, and no That was very natural," Tibb ; ye one remained by the hall fire save the faithful Tibb hae sobered since that, or ye wadna haud our braw and Dame Elspeth, excellent persons both, and as gallants sae lightly." " thorough gossips as ever a tongue. I have had that wad sober me or ony ane," said wagged " It was but natural that they should instantly the matron. Aweel, Tibb, a lass like me wasna resume the subject of the supernatural appearance, to lack wooers, for I wasna sae ill-favoured that the for tikes after such they deemed it, which had this ntght wad bark me." " " alarmed the family. How should that be," said Trub, and you sic a " " I could hae wished it had been the deil him- weel-favoured woman to this day ? " self be good to and pi-eserve us! rather than Fie, fie, cummer," said the matron of Glendearg, Christie o' the Clint-hill," said the matron of the hitching her seat of honour, in her turn, a little " for in to the cuttie-stool Tibb mansion, the word runs rife the country, nearer on which was seated ; '' that he is ane of the maist thieves ever weel-favoured is time of but I masterfu' past my day ; lap on horse." might pass then, for I wasna sae tocherless but " " Hout-tout, Dame Elspeth," said Tibb, fear what I had a bit land at my breast-lace. My father frae Christie was of ye naething ; tods keep their ain holes portioner Little-dearg." " '' clean. You kirk-folk make sic a fasherie about Ye hae tell'd me that before," said Tibb but " ; men shifting a wee bit for their ! Our Bor- anont the Hallowe'en ? living " der-lairds would ride with few men at their back, Aweel, aweel, I had mair joes than ane, but 1 if a' the lads favoured nane o' light-handed were out o' them ; and sae, at Hallowe'en, " gate." Better they rade wi' nane than distress the Father Nicolas the cellarer he was cellarer before country-side the gate they do," said Dame Elspeth. this father, Father Clement, that now is was " But wha is to haud back the Southron, then," cracking his nuts and drinking his brown beer' " said Tibb, if ye take away the lances and broad- with us, and as blithe as might be, and they would swords \ I trow we auld wives couldna do that wi' have me try a cantrip to ken wha suld wed me : THE MOXASTKKV. 417

" and the monk said there w;is nae ill in it, and if head," said Elspeth, not without empliasis, and there was, he would assoil me for it. And wh.i if I havena lived wi' grit folk, grit folk have lived but I into the barn to winnow iny three weights o' wi' me." for fear " said " naetliing sair, sair my mind misgave me Weel, weel, dame," Tibb, your pardon's baith but I there was nae offence meant. But of wrang -doing and wrang-sufFering ; prayed, ye maun not winnowed the last ken the ancient families canna be had aye a bauld spirit. I had great just served the moon was wi' the to them like Saunt weight clean out, and shining bright ordinary saunts, (praise !) the of Saunt the tliat upon the floor, when in stalked presence my Anthony, Cuthbert, and like, come dear Simon Glendinning, that is now happy. I and gang at every sinner's bidding, but they hae a in life than I did that sort of saunts or or what to themsells never saw him plainer my angels, not, ; moment; he held up an arrow as he passed me, and as for the White Maiden of Avenel, she is keud and I swarfd awa wi' fright. Muckle wark there ower the haill country. And she is aye seen to was to bring me to mysell again, and sair they yammer and wail before ony o' that fanuly dies, as tried to make me believe it was a trick of Father was weel kend by twenty folk before the death of Nicolas and Simon between them, and that the Walter Avenel, haly be liis cast !" " arrow was to Cupid's shaft, as the Father If she can do nae mair than that," said Elspeth, signify " it a time Simon wad it to somewhat needua make called ; and mony threep scornfully, they mony me after I was married gude man, he liked not vows to her, I trow. Can she make nae better it should be said that he was seen out o' the body ! fend for them than that, and has naething better o' !" But mark the end it, Tibb ; we were married, to do than wait on them " and the gray -goose wing was the death o' him after Mouy braw services can the White Maiden a!" do for them to the boot of that, and has dune in " " As it lias been of ower mony brave men," said the auld histories," said Tibb, but I mind o' nae- " I there sic a bird as a in it was her that the bairn Tibb ; wish wasna goose thing my day, except in the wide warld, forby the decking that we hue saw in the bog." " at the burn-side." Aweel, aweel, Tibb," said Dame Glendinniii2, " " But tell me, Tibb," said Dame Glendinning, rising and lighting the iron lamp, these are great " what does your leddy aye do reading out o' that privileges of your grand folk. But our Lady and thick black book wi' the silver clasps? there are Saunt Paul are good eneugh sauuts for me, and I'se ower mony gude words in it to come frae ony body warrant them never leave me in a bog that they can or but a priest An it were about Robin Hood, help me out o', seeing I send four waxen caudles to ane ken their if some o' David Lindsay's ballants, wad chapels every Candlemas ; and they are not better what to say to it. I am no misdoubting your seen to weep at my death, I'se warrant them smile mistress nae way, but I wad like ill to hae a decent at my joyful rising again, wliilk Heaven send to all house haunted wi* and gyre-carlines." of us, Amen." ghaists " " to doubt or answered " now Ye hae nae reason my leddy, ony Amen," Tibb, devoutly ; and she says or does, Dame Glendinning," said it's time I should hap up the wee bit gathering thing " offended and touch- the fire is ower low." the faithful Tibb, something ; turf, as ing the bairn, it's weel kend she was born on Busily she set herself to perform this duty. The Hallowe'en was nine years gane, and they that are relict of Simon Glendinning did but pause a moment born on Hallowe'en whiles see mair tlian ither to cast a heedful and cautious glance all around the to see that was out of its folk." hall, nothing proper place ; " And tliat wad be the cause, then, that the then, 'visaing Tibb good-night, she retired to bairn didna mak muckle din about what it saw \ repose. " .f it load been my Halbert himself, forby Edward, The deil's in the carline," said Tibb to herself, " who is of softer nature, he wad hae yammered the because she was the wife of a cock-laird, she liaill night of a constancy. But it's like Mistress thinks herself grander, I trow, than the bowerwoman has sic mair natural to her." of a lady of that ilk !" Having given vent to her Mary sights " " said Tibb for on Hal- in this little Tibb also That may weel be," ; suppressed spleen ejaculation, lowe'en she was born, as I tell ye, and our auld betook herself to slumber. parish priest wad fain hae had the night ower, and All-Hallow day begun. But for a' that, the sweet bairn is just like ither bairns, as ye may see your- sell this blessed and ance before CHAPTER V. ; and except night, when we were in that weary bog on the road here, a ! lame I kenna that' it saw mair than ither folk." A priest, ye cry, priest shepherds they, " How shall they gather in the straggling flock ? But what saw she in the then," said bog, Dumb dogs which bark not how shall they compel Dame Glendinning, "forby moor-cocks and heather- The loitering vagrants to the Master's fold ? blutters 1" Fitter to bask before the blazing fire, And snuff the mess neat-handed Phillis dresses, " like white that The wean saw something a leddy Than on the smfw-wreath battle with the wolf. " weised us the gate," said Tibb, when we were Reformation. like to hae perished in the moss-hags certain it health of the of had been was that Shagram reisted, and I ken Martin thinks TUB Lady Avenel he saw something." gradually decaying ever since her disaster. It " her And what might the white leddy be 1" said seemed as if the few years which followed " have o' that ?" husband's death had done on her the work of haM Elspeth ; ye ony guess " said a lost the of It 's weel keud tliat, Dame Elspeth," century. She fresh elasticity form, " if liad lived as I liae the colour ana the mien of and became Tibb ; ye under grit folk, health, dune, ye wadna be to seek in that matter." wasted, wan, and feeble. She appeared to have " no formed it was evident to those I hae aye kecpit my ain ha' hoase abune my complaint ; yet S)5 413 WAVERLEY NOVELS.

who looked on her, that her strength waned daily. who, in their day, have been benefactors to the Her at became blenched and her with thee brother ride lips length eye Abbey. Away instantly, ; dim she not of desire to see it be let ; yet spoke any a priest, night and day, an necessary, and men see until Elspeth Glendinning in her zeal could not how diligent Abbot Boniface and his faithful chil- refrain from touching upon a point which she dren are in the execution of their spiritual duty deemed essential to salvation. Alice of Avenel toil not deterring them, for the glen is five received her hint kindly, and thanked her for it. miles in fear not them, for r " length withholding If any good priest would take the trouble of is said to be haunted of spectres nothing moving " such a she he should be welcome of their to the journey," said, ; them from pursuit spiritual calling ; for the prayers and lessons of the good must be at confusion of calumnious heretics, and the comfort all times advantageous." and edification of all true and faithful sons of the This quiet acquiescence was not quite what Catholic Church. I wonder what our brother Elspeth Glendinning wished or expected. She Eustace will say to this ?" made up, however, by her own enthusiasm, for the Breathless with his own picture of the dangers lady's want of eagerness to avail herself of ghostly and toil which he was to encounter, and the fame counsel, and Martin was despatched with such which he was to acquire, (both by proxy,) the haste as Shagram would make, to pray one of the Abbot moved slowly to finish his luncheon in the religious men of Saint Mary's to come up to admi- refectory, and the Sacristan, with no very good will, nister the last consolations to the widow of Walter old Martin in his return to accompanied Glendearg ; de Avenel. the greatest impediment in the journey being the When the Sacristan had announced to the Lord trouble of restraining his pampered mule, that she Abbot, that the Lady of the umquhile Walter de might tread in something like an equal pace with Avenel was in very weak health in the Tower of poor jaded Shagram. Glendearg, and desired the assistance of a father After remaining an hour in private with his confessor, the lordly monk paused on the request. penitent, the monk returned moody and full of " Walter de he said for the We do remember Avenel," ; thought. Dame Elspeth, who had placed " and a valiant he was honoured some refreshment in the a good knight ; dispossessed guest hall, was of his lands, and slain by the Southron May not struck with the embarrassment which appeared in the lady come hither to the sacrament of confes- his countenance. Elspeth watched him with great sion ? the road is distant and painful to travel." anxiety. She observed there was that on his brow " The lady is unwell, holy father," answered the which rather resembled a person come from " Sacristan, and unable to bear the journey." hearing the confession of some enormous crime, " True ay, yes then must one of our than the look of a confessor who resigns a reconciled brethren go to her Knowest thou if she hath penitent, not to earth, but to heaven. After long aught of a jointure from this Walter de Avenel ?" hesitating, she could not at length refrain from " said the Sacristan a She was she the Very little, holy father," ; hazarding question. sure, said, " she hath resided at Glendearg since her husband's leddy had made an easy shrift. Five years had death, well-nigh on the charity of a poor widow, they resided together, and she could safely say, no called Elspeth Glendinning." woman lived better. " " " Why, thou knowest all the widows in the Woman," said the Sacristan, sternly, thou country-side!" said the Abbot. "Ho! ho! ho!" speakest thou knowest not what What avails and he shook his portly sides at his own jest. clearing the outside of the platter, if the inside be " Ho ! ho ! ho !" echoed the Sacristan, in the tone foul with heresy ?" " and tune in which an inferior applauds the jest Our dishes and trenchers are not so clean as of his superior. Then added, with a hypocritical they could be wished, holy father," said Elspeth, " snuffle, and a sly twinkle of his eye, It is our but half understanding what he said, and beginning duty, most holy father, to comfort the widow with her apron to wipe the dust from the plates, He*! he ! he !" of which she supposed him to complain. " " last until the said the monk This laugh was more moderate, Forbear, Dame Elspeth," ; your Abbot should put his sanction on the jest. plates are as clean as wooden trenchers and pewter " " ! of I Ho ho !" said the Abbot ; then, to leave can well be ; the foulness which * jest- flagons speak ing, Father Philip, take thou thy riding gear, and is of that pestilential heresy which is daily becoming go to confess this Dame Avenel." ingrained in this our Holy Church of Scotland, " But," said the Sacristan and as a canker-worm in the rose-garland of the "Give me no Huts; neither But nor If pass Spouse." " between monk and Father the Mother of Heaven !" said Dame Abbot, Philip ; Holy Elspeth, bands of discipline must not be relaxed heresy crossing herself, "have I kept house with a gathers force like a snow-ball the multitude heretic 1" " " confessions the the it were expect and preachings from Bene- No, Elspeth, no," replied monk ; dictine, as they would from so many beggarly friars too strong a speech for me to make of this unhappy and we may not desert the vineyard, though the lady, but I would I could say she is free from toil be grievous unto us." heretical opinions. Alas ! they fly about like the " And with so little advantage to the holy monas- pestilence by noon-day, and infect even the first and tery," said the Sacristan. fairest of the flock ! For it is easy to see of this " but not that she hath been in as in True, Father Philip ; wot you that dame, high judgment what preventeth harm doth good ? This Julian de rank." " Avenel lives a light and evil h'fe, and should we And she can write and read, I had almost the widow of his brother, he might foray said, as weel as your reverence," said Elspeth. neglect " our lands, and we never able to shew who hurt us Whom doth she write to, and what doth she moreover it is our duty to an ancient family, read ?" said the monk, eagerly. THE MONASTERY. 419

" " " Nay," replied Elspeth, I cannol say I ever I am sure, and it is true," said Elspeth. Oh. that if of saw her write at all, but her maiden was she she had dealt by the counsel Saint Peter and write cow serves the family says she can And : Saint Paul !" " for reading, she has often read to us good tilings If she liad reverenced the command of Heaven," " silver it out of a thick black volume with clasps." said the monk, which, as her birth, life, j gave " " Let me see it," said the monk, hastily, on your ami happiness, fixed upon the grant such conditions allegiance as a true vassal on your faith as a as best corresponded with its holy pleasure. I tell Catholic Christian let me the Word that the text instantly instantly I thee, Elspeth, slayeth is, see it." alone, read with unskilled eye and unhallowed lips, The good woman hesitated, alarmed at the tone is like those strong medicines which sick men take in which the confessor took up her information; by the advice of the learned. Such patients re- ;uid moreover of that so cover thrive while those in them at being opinion, what good and ; dealing ;i woman as the Lady of Avenel studied so devoutly, their own hand, shall perish by their own deed." " could not be of a tendency actually evil. But borne Nae doubt, nae doubt," said the poor woman, " ilown Ly tl>e clamour, exclamations, and something your reverence knows best." " like threats used by Father Philip, she at length Not I," said Father Philip, in a tone as defe- brought liiin the fatal volume. It was easy to do rential as he thought could possibly become the " this without suspicion on the part of the owner, as Sacristan of Saint Mary's, Not I, but the Holy she lay on her bed exhausted with the fatigue of a Father of Christendom, and our own holy father long conference with her confessor, and as the small the Lord Abbot, know best. I, the poor Sacristan round, or turret closet, in which was the book and of Saint Mary's, can but repeat what I hear from her other trifling property, was accessible by another others my superiors. Yet of this, good woman, door. Of all her effects the book was the last she be assured, the Word the mere Word, slayeth. would have thought of securing, for of what use or But the church hath her ministers to gloze and to interest could it in a neither read the her faithful be family who expound same unto congregation ; themselves, nor were in the habit of seeing any and this I say, not so much, my beloved brethren who did 1 so that Daine Elspeth had no difficulty I mean, my beloved sister," (for the Sacristan, in possessing herself of the volume, although her had got unto the end of one of his old sermons,) " iteart all the while accused her of an ungenerous This I speak not so much of the rectors, curates, and an inhospitable part towards her friend and and secular clergy, so called because they live after inmate. The double power of a landlord and a the fashion of the seculum or age, unbound by those feudal was before her and to ties wliich us from the world neither superior eyes ; say sequestrate ; truth, the boldness, with which she might otherwise do I speak tliis of the mendicant friars, whether this I to whether but have resisted double authority, was, grieve black or gray, crossed or uncrossed ; she of the of the -;.y it, much qualified by the curiosity enter- Monks, and especially Monks Bene- tained, as a daughter of Eve, to have some expla- dictine, reformed on the rule of Saint Bernard nation respecting the mysterious volume which the of Clairvaux, thence called Cistercian, of which lady cherished with so much care, yet whose con- Monks, Christian brethren sister, 1 would say tents she imparted with such caution. For never great is the happiness and glory of the country had Alice of Avenel read them any passage from in possessing the holy ministers of Saint Mary's, the book in question until the iron door of the whereof I, though an unworthy brother, may say tower was locked, and all possibility of intrusion it hath produced more saints, more bishops, more prevented. Even then she had shewn, by the popes may our patrons make us thankful ! than election of particular passages, that she was more any holy foundation in Scotland. Wherefore anxious to impress on their minds the principles But I see Martin hath my mule in readiness, and wliich the volume contained, than to introduce I will but salute you with the lass of sisterhood, them to it as a new rule of faith. which maketh not ashamed, and so betake me to Wlien Elspeth, half curious, half remorseful, had my toilsome return, for the glen is of bad reputa- placed the book in the monk's hands, he exclaimed, tion for the evil spirits which haunt it. Moreover. " after turning over the leaves, Now, by mine order, I may arrive too late at the bridge, whereby I may

is ! take the I to bo it as I suspected ! My mule, my mule I will be obliged to river, which observed abide no longer here well hast thou done, dame, somewhat waxen." in placing in my hands this perilous volume." Accordingly, he took his leave of Dame Elspeth, " Is it then witchcraft or devil's work ?" said who was confounded by the rapidity of his utter- Dame Elspeth, in great agitation. ance, and the doctrine he gave forth, and by no " Nay, God forbid !" said the monk, signing him- means easy on the subject of the book, which her " self with the cross, it is the Holy Scripture. But conscience told her she should not have communi- it is rendered into the vulgar tongue, and therefore, cated to any one, without the knowledge of its by the order of the Holy Catholic Church, unfit to owner. as be in the hands of any lay person." Notwithstanding the haste which the monk " And yet is the Holy Scripture communicated well as his mule made to return to better quarters " at of not- fur our common salvation," said Elspeth. Good than they had left the head Gleudearg ; better the desire Father had to father, you must instruct mine ignorance ; withstanding eager Philip but lack of wit cannot be a and be the first who should the Abbot deadly sin, truly, I very acquaint dreaded had to my poor thinking, I should be glad to read the tliat a copy of the book they most Holy Scripture." been found within the Halidome, or patrimony of " thou " the certain I daresay wouldst," said the monk ; and Abbey ; notwithstanding, moreover, as fast even thus did our mother Eve seek to have know- feelings which induced him to hurry as ledge of good and evil, and thus Sin came into the possible through the gloomy and evil-reputed ^-len, world, and Death by Sin." still the difficulties of the road, and the rider's 420 WAVERLEY NOVELS.

ivant of habitude of quick motion, were such, that between him and the passengers. It is needless to twilight came upon him ere he had nearly cleared say, that the bridge-ward had usually the better in the narrow valley. these questions, since he could at pleasure detain It was indeed a ride. The two sides of the traveller on the side gloomy opposite ; or, suffering the vale were so near, that at every double of the him to pass half way, might keep him prisoner in river the shadows from the western sky fell upon, his tower till they were agreed on the rate of pon- and totally obscured, the eastern bank; the thickets tage.' of copsewood seemed to wave with a portentous But it was most frequently with the Monks o{ agitation of boughs and leaves, and the very crags Saint Mary's that the warder had to dispute his and scaurs seemed higher and grimmer than they perquisites. These holy men insisted for, and at had appeared to the monk while he was travel- length obtained, a right of gratuitous passage to ling iu daylight, and in company. Father Philip themselves, greatly to the discontent of the bridge- was heartily rejoiced, when, emerging from the keeper. But when they demanded the same im- narrow glen, he gained the open valley of the munity for the numerous pilgrims who visited the Tweed, which held on its majestic course from shrine, the bridge-keeper waxed restive, and was current to pool, and from pool stretched away to supported by his lord in his resistance. The con- other with a to itself animated on sides currents, dignity peculiar troversy grew both ; the Abbot the Scottish rivers for menaced the amongst ; whatever may excommunication, and keeper of the have been the drought of the season, the Tweed bridge, though unable to retaliate in kind, yet usually fills up the space between its banks, seldom made each individual monk who had to cross and leaving those extensive sheets of shingle which recross the river, endure a sort of purgatory, ere he deform the margins of many of the celebrated would accommodate them with a passage. This Scottish streams. was a great inconvenience, and would have proved The monk, insensible to beauties which the age a more serious one, but that the river was fordable had not regarded as deserving of notice, was never- for man and horse in ordinary weather. theless, like a prudent general, pleased to find him- It was a fine moonlight night, as we have self out of the narrow glen in which the enemy already said, when Father Philip approached thia might have stolen upon him unperceived. He bridge, the singular construction of which gives a drew up his bridle, reduced his mule to her natu- curious idea of the insecurity of the times. The ral and luxurious amble, instead of the agitating river was not in flood, but it was above its ordi- and broken trot at which, to his no small incon- nary level a Jieary water, as it is called in that venience, she had hitherto proceeded, and, wiping country, through which the monk had no particu- his brow, gazed forth at leisure on the broad moon, lar inclination to ride, if he could manage the which, now mingling with the lights of evening, matter better. " was rising over field and forest, village and forta- Peter, my good friend," cried the Sacristan, the his voice " excellent lice, and, above all, over stately Monastery, raising ; my very friend, to seen far and dim amid the yellow light. Peter, be so kind as lower the drawbridge. The worst part of the magnificent view, in the Peter, I say, dost thou not hear ? it is thy gos- monk's apprehension, was, that the Monastery sip, Father Philip, who calls thee." stood on the opposite side of the river, and that of Peter heard him perfectly well, and saw him the fine into the as considered the many bridges which have since been built bargain ; but, he had across that classical stream, not one then existed. Sacristan as peculiarly his enemy in his dispute There was, however, in recompense, a bridge then with the convent, lie went quietly to bed, after which has since its reconnoitring the monk through his loop-hole, ob- standing disappeared, although " ruins may still be traced by the curious. serving to his wife, that riding the water in a It was of a very peculiar form. Two strong moonlight night would do the Sacristan no harm, abutments were built on either side of the river, and would teach him the value of a brig the neist at a part where the stream was peculiarly con- time, on whilk a man might pass high and dry, tracted. Upon a rock in the centre of the current winter and summer, flood and ebb." was built a solid piece of masonry, constructed like After exhausting his voice in entreaties and the pier of a bridge, and presenting, like a pier, an threats, which were equally unattended to by Peter angle to the current of the stream. The masonry of the Brig, as he was called, Father Philip at continued solid until the pier rose to a level with length moved down the river to take the ordinary the two abutments upon either side, and from ford at the head of the next stream. Cursing the thence the building rose in the form of a tower. rustic obstinacy of Peter, he began, nevertheless, The lower story of this tower consisted only of an to persuade himself that the passage of the river archway or passage through the building, over by the ford was not only safe, but pleasant. The either entrance to which hung a drawbridge with banks and scattered trees were so beautifully re- counterpoises, either of which, when dropped, con- flected from the bosom of the dark stream, the nected the archway with the opposite abutment, whole cool and delicious picture formed so pleasing where the farther end of the drawbridge rested. a contrast to his late agitation, to the warmth occa- When both bridges were thus lowered, the passage sioned by his vain endeavours to move the relent- over the river was complete. less porter of the bridge, that the result was The bridge-keeper, who was the dependant of a rather agreeable than otherwise. neighbouring baron, resided with his family in the As Father Philip came close to the water's edge, at the there sat second and third stories of the tower, which, when spot where he was to enter it, a both drawbridges were raised, formed an insulated female under a large broken scathed osflc-tree, or fortalice in the midst of the river. He was entitled rather under the remains of such a tree, weeping, to a small toll or custom for the passage, concern- ing the amount of which disputes sometimes arose 1 See Note C. Drawbridge at liridgt-end. THE MONASTERY. 421 u-ringing her hands, and looking earnestly on the current of the river. The monk was struck with swim the moon shines astonishment to see a female there at that time of Merrily we, bright, Hoth current and ripple are dancing in light. night. But lie was, in all honest service, and if We have roused the night raven, I heard him croak, As we beneath the oak a step farther, I put it upon his own conscience, plashed along That its broad branches so far and so a devoted of dames. After flings wide. squire observing Their shadows are dancing in midst of the tide. the maiden for a she seemed to " Who wakens the raven he moment, although " my nestlings," said, beak shall ere mom in his blood be take no notice of his presence, he was moved by My red, For a blue swoln corpse is a dainty meal. her and to offer his assistance. distress, willing And I 'II have share with the and the eel." " " my pike Damsel," said lie, thou seemest in no ordinary II. distress; peradventure, like myself, thou hast been swim shines refused at the the churlish Merrily we, the moon bright, passage bridge by 'a There a golden gleam on tle distant height ; keeper, and thy crossing may concern thee either There 's a silver shower on the alders dank, And the for performance of a vow, or some other weighty drooping willows that wave on the bank. I see the Abbey, both turret and tower, charge." It is all astir for the vesper hour ; The maiden uttered some inarticulate sounds, The monks for the chapel are leaving each cell, Hut where 's Father should toll the bellf looked at the river, and then in the face of the Philip, Sacristan. It struck Father Philip at that instant, III. that a Chief of distinction had been for Highland Merrily swim we, the moon shines bright, some time expected to pay his vows at the shrine Downward we drift through shadow and light, Under yon rock the eddies sleep, ff Saint Mary's; and that possibly this fair maiden Calm and silent, dark and deep, be one of his alone for might family, travelling The Kelpy has risen from the fat-hornless pool, accomplishment of a vow, or left behind by some He has lighted his candle of death and of dool Look, Father, look, and you 'II laugh to see accident, to whom, therefore, it would be but right llo\v he gapes and glares with his eyes on thee and prudent to use every civility in his power, espe- IV. cially as she seemed unacquainted with the Lowland

Good luck to whom watch .' tongue. Such at least was the only motive the your fishing, ye to-night A man of mean or a man of 'i Sacristan was ever known to for his cour- might assign Is it layman or priest that must float in your cove, if there I once more refer it Or lover who crosses to visit his t tesy ; was any other, love ] lark ! heard the as we to his own conscience. " ye Kelpy reply, pass'd, God's blessing on the warder, he lock'd the fast To himself the common lan- bridge express by signs, All that come to my cove are sunk, guage of all nations, the cautious Sacristan first Priest or layman, lover or monk." pointed to the river, then to his mule's crupper, ;:nd then made, a? gracefully as he could, a sign How long the damsel might have continued to ro induce the fair solitary to mount behind him. sing, or where the terrified monk's journey might She seemed to understand his meaning, for she have ended, is uncertain. As she sung the last if his offer while arrived or rose up as to accept ; and the stanza, they at, rather in, a broad tran- good monk, who, as we have hinted, was no great quil sheet of water, caused by a strong wear or avalier, laboured, with the pressure of the right damhead, running across the river, which dashed leg and the use of the left rein, to place his mule in a broad cataract over, the barrier. The mule, with her side to the bank in such a position that whether from choice, or influenced by the suction the lady might mount with ease, she rose from the of the current, made towards the cut intended to ground with rather portentous activity, and at one supply the convent mills, and entered it half-swim- bound sate behind the monk upon the animal, ming, half-wading, and pitching the unlucky monk much the firmer rider of the two. The mule by to and fro in the saddle at a fearful rate. :io means seemed to approve of this double bur- As his person flew hither and thither, his gar- and ment became in den ; she bounded, bolted, would soon have loose, and an effort to retain it, thrown Father Philip over her head, had not the his hand lighted on the volume of the Lady of maiden with a firm hand detained him in the Avenel, which was in his bosom. No sooner had saddle. he grasped it, than his companion pitched him out At length the restive brute changed her humour; of the saddle into the stream, where, still keeping and, from refusing to budge off the spot, suddenly her hand on his collar, she gave him two or three Wretched her nose homeward, and dashed into the good souses in the watery fluid, so as to ensure ford as fast as she could scamper. A new terror that every other part of him had its share of wet- now invaded the monk's mind the ford seemed ting, and then quitted her hold when he was so musually deep, the water eddied off in strong near the side, that by a slight effort (of a great one ripple from the counter of the mule, and began to he was incapable) he might scramble on shore. ;>e upon her side. Philip lost his presence of This accordingly he accomplished, and turning his mind, which was at no time his most ready attri- eyes to see what had become of his extraordinary bute the mule to the of the cur- she was nowhere to be seen but still ; yielded weight companion, ; rent and as the rider not he as if from the surface of the and ; was attentive to keep heard, river, her head turned up the river, she drifted down- mixing with the noise of the water breaking over ward, lost the ford and her footing at once, and the damhead, a fragment of her wild song, which began to swim with her head down the stream. seemed to run thus : And what was at the same sufficiently strange, Landed landed ! the black book hath woe, moment, notwithstanding the extreme peril, the nise had you seen IJerwick with morning sun ! Sai'i and save and blithe mot damsel began to sing, thereby increasing, if any ye, ye, ye be, For seldom they land that go swimming with me thing could increase, the bodily fear of the worthy Sacristan. The ecstasy of the monk's terror could be en- dured no his alter longer ; head grew dizzy, and, 422 WAVERLEY NOVELS.

staggering a few steps onward and running him- capable not only to advise the Abbot on occasions t>elf against a wall, he sunk down in a state of of difficulty, but to make him sensible of his duty insensibility. in case he should, from good-nature or timidity, be disposed to shrink from it. Father Eustace played the same part in the CHAPTER VI. Monastery as the old general who, in foreign armies, is placed at the elbow of the Prince of the Now let us sit in conclave. That these weeds Blood, who nominally commands in chief, on con- .Be rooted from the vineyard of the church, dition of without the advice of That these foul tares be scver'd from the wheat, attempting nothing We nre, I trust, Yet how to do the fate of all such agreed. this, his dry-nurse ; and he shared Nor hurt the wholesome crop and tender vine-plants, disliked as well as feared Craves good advisement. dry-nurses, being heartily in- The Reformation. by his principal. Still, however, the Primate's tention was fully answered. Father Eustace be- THE vesper service in the Monastery Church of came the constant theme and often the bugbear of Saint Mary's was now over. The Abbot had dis- the worthy Abbot, who hardly dared to turn him- robed himself of his magnificent vestures of cere- self in his bed without considering what Father mony, and resumed his ordinary habit, which was Eustace would think of it. In every case of diffi- a black gown, worn over a white cassock, with a culty, Father Eustace was summoned, and his opi- narrow nion asked and no sooner was the embarrassment scapulary ; a decent and venerable dress, ; which was well calculated to set off to advantago removed, than the Abbot's next thought was how the portly mien of Abbot Boniface. to get rid of his adviser. In every letter which he In quiet times no one could have filled the state wrote to those in power, he recommended Father of a mitred Abbot, for such was his dignity^ more Eustace to some high church preferment, a bishop- this ric or an and as one after respectably than worthy prelate. He had, no abbey ; they dropped doubt, many of those habits of self-indulgence another, and were otherwise conferred, he began to which men are apt to acquire who live for them- think, as he confessed to the Sacristan in the bitter- selves alone. ness of his that the of St He was vain, moreover ; and when spirit, Monastery Mary'.-- boldly confronted, had sometimes shewn symptoms had got a liferent lease of their Sub-Prior. of timidity, not very consistent with the high Yet more indignant he would have been, had ho claims which he preferred as an eminent member suspected that Father Eustace's ambition was fixed j of the church, or with the punctual deference I upon his own mitre, which, from some attacks of which he exacted from his religious brethren, and an apoplectic nature, deemed by the Abbot's friends all who were placed under his command. But he to be more serious than by himself, it was supposed was hospitable, charitable, and by no means of might be shortly vacant. But the confidence which, himself disposed to proceed with severity against like other dignitaries, he reposed in his own health, any one. In short, he would in other times have prevented Abbot Boniface from imagining that it slumbered out his term of preferment with as held any concatenation with the motions of Father " much credit as any other purple Abbot," who Eustace. lived easily, but at the same time decorously The necessity under which he found himself of slept soundly, and did not disquiet himself with consulting with his grand adviser, in cases of real dreams. difficulty, rendered the worthy Abbot particularly But the wide alarm spread through the whole desirous of doing without him in all ordinary cases Church of Rome by the progress of the reformed of administration, though not without considering doctrines, sorely disturbed the repose of Abbot what Father Eustace would have said of the mat- Boniface, and opened to him a wide field of duties : ter. He scorned, therefore, to give a hint to the and cares which he had never so much as dreamed Sub-Prior of the bold stroke by which he had of. There were re- : to but when opinions to be combated and despatched Brother Philip Glendearg ; futed to be into heretics to the came without his re-appearance he be- practices inquired | vespers be detected and punished the fallen off to be 1 came a little uneasy, the more as other matter^ reclaimed the to be confirmed scan- his mind. The feud with the warder wavering j weighed upon dal to be removed the the or of the threatened to be attended from clergy, and vigour ! keeper bridge of discipline to be reestablished. Post with bad as the man's quarrel was upon post j consequences, arrived at the Monastery of St Mary's horses taken up by the martial baron under whom he and riders the served letters of an ten- reeking, exhausted this from ; and pressing unpleasant Privy Council, that from the Primate of Scotland, dency had just arrived from the Primate. Like and this other again from the Queen Mother, ex- a gouty man, who catches hold of his crutch while torting, approving, condemning, requesting advice he curses the infirmity that reduces him to use this himself upon subject, and requiring information upon it, die Abbot, however reluctant, found that. obliged to require Eustace's presence, after the These missives Abbot Boniface received with an service was over, in his house, or rather palace, important air of helplessness, or a helpless air of which was attached to, and made part of, the importance, whichever the reader may please to Monastery. term in his it, evincing at once gratified vanity, and pro- Abbot Boniface was seated high-backed found trouble of mind. chair, the grotesque carved back of which termi- The sharp-witted Primate of Saint Andrews had nated in a mitre, before a fire where two or three foreseen the deficiencies of the Abbot of St Mary's, large logs were reduced to one red glowing mass and endeavoured to provide for them by getting of charcoal. At his elbow, on an oaken stand, admitted into his Monastery as Sub-Prior a brother stood the remains of a roasted capon, on which his Cistercian, a man of part? and knowledge, devoted reverence had made his evening meal, flanked by to the service of the Catholic church, and very a goodly stoup of Bourdeaux of excellent flavour THE MONASTERY. 423

He was gazing indolently on the fire, partly en- The Abbot opened the conversation by motion- gaged in meditation on his past and present for- ing to his monk to take a stool, and inviting to a tunes, partly occupied by endeavouring to trace cup of wine. The courtesy was declined with re- towers and steeples in the red embers. spect, yet not without a remark, that the " " vesper- Yes," thought the Abbot to himself, in that service was past. " red perspective I could fancy to myself the peace- For the stomach's sake, brother," said the " ful towers of Dundrennan, where I passed life Abbot, colouring a little you know the text." my " ere I was called to pomp and to trouble. A quiet It is a dangerous one," answered the monk, " brotherhood we were, regular in our domestic to handle alone, or at late hours. Cut off from duties and when the frailties of the of the ; humanity pre- human society, juice grape becomes a vailed over us, we confessed, and were absolved perilous companion of solitude, and therefore I ever by each other, and the most formidable part of the shun it." the penance was jest of the convent on the culprit. Abbot Boniface had poured himself out a goblet I can almost that I see the cloister which hold about half an fancy garden, might English pint ; but, and the pear-trees which I grafted with my own either struck with the truth of the observation, or hands. And for what have I all but changed this, ashamed to act in direct opposition to it, he suffered to be overwhelmed with business which concerns it to remain untasted before him, and immediately me not, to be called My Lord Abbot, and to be changed the subject. " " tutored by Father Eustace ? I would these towers The Primate hath written to us," said he, to were the Abbey of Aberbrothwick, and Father make strict search within our bounds after the Eustace the or I would he were in the heretical denounced in this who have Abbot, | persons list, fire on any terms, so I were rid of him ! The withdrawn themselves from the justice which their I Primate says our Holy Father the Pope hath an opinions deserve. It is deemed probable that they adviser I am sure he could not live a week with will attempt to retire to England by our Borders, such a one as mine. Then there is no learning and the Primate me to watch with j requireth vigi- what Father Eustace thinks till you confess your lance, and what not." " " own difficulties No hint will bring forth his opi- Assuredly," said the monk, the magistrate nion he is like a miser, who will not unbuckle should not bear the sword in vain those be they his purse to bestow a farthing, until the wretch that turn the world upside down and doubtless who needs it has owned his excess of poverty, and your reverend wisdom will with due diligence wrung out the boon by importunity. And thus I second the exertions of the Right Reverend Father am dishonoured in the eyes of my religious breth- in God, being in the peremptory defence of the ren, who behold me treated like a child which hath Holy Church." " no sense of its own I will bear it no longer ! Ay, but how is this to be done ?" answered Brother brother to his " Bennet," (a lay answered the Abbot ; Saint aid us ! The Primate " Mary call) tell Father Eustace that I need not his writes to me as if I were a temporal baron a presence." man under command, soldiers under him ! " having I came to say to your reverence, that the holy He says, send forth scour the country guard father is entering even now from the cloisters." the passes Truly these men do not travel as those " " Be it so," said the Abbot, he is welcome, who would give 'their lives for nothing the last remove these things or rather, place a trencher, who went south passed the dry-march at the Rid- the holy father may be a little hungry yet, no ingburn with an escort of thirty spears, as our rem.ove them, for there is no good fellowship in reverend brother the Abbot of Kelso did write him Let the stoup of wine remain, however, and unto us. How are cowls and scapularies to stop place another cup." the way I" " The lay brother obeyed these contradictory com- Your bailiff is accounted a good man-at-arms, mands in the he most he said " vassals are way judged seemly holy father," Eustace ; your removed the carcass of the half-sacked capon, and obliged to rise for the defence of the Holy Kirk placed two goblets beside the stoup of Bourdeaux. it is the tenure on which they hold their lands At the same instant entered Father Eustace. if they will not come forth for the Church which He was a thin, sharp-faced, slight-made little gives them bread, let their possessions be given to man, whose keen gray eyes seemed almost to look others." " through the person to whom he addressed himself. We shall not be wanting," said the Abbot, col- " His body was emaciated not only with the fasts lecting himself with importance, to do whatever which he observed with rigid punctuality, but also may advantage Holy Kirk thyself shall hear the the by active and unwearied exercise of his sha,rp charge to our Bailiff and our officials but here and intellect is with the of the piercing ; again our controversy warden the of Saint A fiery soul, which, working out its way, bridge and Baron Meigallot Mary! Fretted the puny body to decay, vexations do so multiply upon the House, and upon And o'er-inform'd the tenement of clay. the generation, that a man wots not where to turn lie turned with conventual reverence to the to ! Thou didst say, Father Eustace, thou wouldst Lord Abbot it look into evidents this free ; and as they stood together, was our touching passage scarce possible to see a more complete difference for the pilgrims ?" " of form and expression. The good-natured rosy I have looked into the Chartulary of the House. " face and laughing eye of the Abbot, which even holy father," said Eustace, and therein I find a his present anxiety could not greatly ruffle, was a written and formal grant of all duties and customs wonderful contrast to the thin pallid cheek and payable at the drawbridge of Brigton, not only by quick penetrating glance of the rnonk, in which an ecclesiastics of this foundation, but by every pil- at tliis eager and keen spirit glanced through eyes to grim truly designed to accomplish his vows the of the which it seemed to give supernatural lustre. t House, to the Abbot AiJford, and Monks 424 WAVERLEY NOVELS.

House of Saint Mary in Kennaquhair, from that the necessity was prevented by the sudden appari- time and for ever. The deed is dated on Saint tion of the Sacristan, whose supposed danger excited Bridget's Even, in the year of Redemption, 1137, all the alarm. and bears the sign and seal of the granter, Charles of Meigallot, great-great-grandfather of this baron, and purports to be granted for the safety of his own soul, and for the weal of the souls of his father CHAPTER VII. and mother, and of all his predecessors and suc- cessors, being Barons of Meigallot." Haze out the written troubles of the brain, " Cleanse the foul bosom of the stuff But he said the " that the perilous alleges," Abbot, That weighs upon the heart. bridge-wards have been in possession of these Macbeth. dues, and have rendered them available for more than fifty years and the baron threatens violence WHAT betwixt cold and fright the afflicted Sa- meanwhile, the journey of the pilgrims is inter- cristan stood before his Superior, propped on the rupted, to the prejudice of their own souls and the friendly arm of the convent miller, drenched with diminution of the revenues of Saint Mary. The water, and scarce able to utter a syllable. Sacristan advised us to put on a boat; but the war- After various attempts to speak, the first words den, whom thou knowest to be a godless man, has he uttered were, sworn the devil tear him, but that if they put on "Swim we merrily the moon shines bright." a boat on the laird's stream, he will rive her board " from board and then some say we should com- Swim we merrily !" retorted the Abbot in- the claim for a small sum in silver." Here " a have chosen for pound dignantly ; merry night ye the Abbot paused a moment for a reply, but re- swimming, and a becoming salutation to your " ceiving none, he added, But what thinkest thou, Superior !" " Father Eustace ? art thou silent !" is said why Our brother bewildered," Eustace ; " " Because I am surprised at the question which speak, Father Philip, how is it with you ?" the Lord Abbot of Saint Mary's asks at the young- " Good luck to your fishing," est of his brethren." " Youngest in time of your abode with us, continued the Sacristan, making a most dolorous " Brother Eustace," said the Abbot, not youngest attempt at the tune of his strange companion. " in years, or I think in experience Sub-Prior also Good luck to your fishing!" repeated the Abbot, " of this convent." still and hali- more surprised displeased ; by my " " I am astonished," continued Eustace, that the dome he is drunken with wine, and comes to our

Abbot of this venerable house should ask of with his catches in his throat ! If any presence jolly " one whether he can alienate the patrimony of our bread and water can cure this folly " holy and divine patroness, or give up to an uncon- With your pardon, venerable father," said the and a heretic the " brother has had scieutious, perhaps baron, rights Sub-Prior, of water our enough ; conferred on this church by his devout progenitor. and methinks, the confusion of his eye is rather Popes and councils alike prohibit it the honour that of terror, than of aught unbecoming his pro- of the living, and the weal of departed souls, alike fession. Where did you find him, Hob Miller ?" " forbid it it may not be. To force, if he dare use An it please your reverence, I did but go to must surrender but the as I was to it, we ; never by our consent shut the sluice of mill and going should we see the goods of the church plundered, shut the sluice, I heard something groan near to with as little scruple as he would drive off a herd me; but judging it was one of Giles Fletcher's hogs of English beeves. Rouse yourself, reverend father, for so please you, he never shuts his gate I and doubt nothing but that the good cause shall caught up my lever, and was about Saint Mary the I the prevail. Whet spiritual sword, and direct it forgive me ! to strike where heard sound, I heard the against the wicked who would usurp our holy when, as the saints would have it, So I rights. Whet the temporal sword if it be neces- second groan just like that of a living man. sary, and stir up the courage and zeal of your called up my knaves, and found the Father Sacris- the wall of our loyal vassals." tan lying wet and senseless under " The Abbot sighed deeply. All this," he said, kiln. So soon as we brought him to himself a bit, " is soon it to but I spoken him who hath to act not ; he to be your reverence, " by prayed brought but He was interrupted by the entrance of doubt me his wits have gone a bell-wavering by " Bennet rather hastily. The mule on which the the road. It was but now that he spoke in some- Sacristan had set out in the morning had returned," what better form." " " " he said, to the convent stable all over wet, and Well!" said Brother Eustace, thou hast done with the saddle turned and remember round beneath her well, Hob Miller ; only begone now, " " belly." Sancta Maria !" said the Abbot, our dear a second time to pause, ere you strike in the dark." " brother hath perished by the way !" Please your reverence, it shall be a lesson to " " "It may not be," said Eustace hastily let the me," said the miller, not to mistake a holy man bell be tolled cause the brethren to get torches for a hog again, so long as I live." And, making with- alarm the village hurry down to the river a bow, with profound humility, the miller I myself will be the foremost." drew. " The real Abbot stood astonished and agape, And now that this churl is gone, Father Philip," " when at once he beheld his office filled, and saw said Eustace, wilt thou tell our venerable Supe- all which he ought to have ordered, going forward rior what ails thee ? art thou rino gratatut, man ! at the dictates of the youngest monk in the con- if so, we will have thee to thy cell." * the ex- vent. But ere the orders of Eustace, which nobody Water ! water ! not wine," muttered dreamed of disputing, were carried into execution, hausted Sacristan. THE MONASTERY. 425

u said the if that be com- but at the same time with For Nay," monk, thy | severity, secrecy. I Facinora plaint, wine may perhaps cure thee ;" and he ; what say the Decretals Mttmdi dm* abseondl debent." reached him a cup, which the patient drank off to }ninie>i(ur,jlagitia autem his great benefit. A sentence of Lathi, as Eustace liad before " " And now," said the Abbot, let his garments observed, had often much influence on the Abbot, be changed, or rather let him be carried to the infir- because he understood it not fluently, and was for it will our should we ashamed to his On these mary ; prejudice health, acknowledge ignorance. hear his narrative while he stands there, steaming terms they parted for the night. like a rising hoar-frost." The next day, Abbot Boniface strictly interro- " " I will hear his adventure," said Eustace, and gated Philip on the real cause of his disaster of report it to your reverence." And, accordingly, the previous night. But the Sacristan stood firm attended the Sacristan to his cell. In about half to his nor was he found to from he story ; vary any he an hour he returned to the Abbot. point of it, although the answers returned were " How is it with Father !" said the Abbot in some to his Philip ; degree incoherent, owing interming- "and through what came he into such a state ?" ling with them ever and anon snatches of the " He comes from Glendearg, reverend sir," said damsel's song, which had made such deep " strange Eustace and for the he telleth such his that he could not ; rest, a impression on imagination, legend, as has not been heard in this Monastery prevent himself from imitating it repeatedly in the ' for many a long day." He then gave the Abbot course of his examination. The Abbot had com- the outlines of the Sacristan's adventures in the passion with the Sacristan's involuntary frailty, to homeward journey, and added, that for some time which something supernatural seemed annexed, ' he was inclined to think his brain was infirm, seeing and finally became of opinion, that Father Eustace's he had sung, laughed, and wept, all in the same more natural explanation was rather plausible than breath. And indeed, although we have recorded the " just. A wonderful thing it is to us," said the Abbot, adventure as we find it written down, we cannot " that Satan has been permitted to put forth his forbear to add that there was a schism on the sub- hand thus far on one of our sacred brethren !" ject in the convent, and that several of the breth- " " said Father Eustace but for ren to reason for Time," ; every pretended have good thinking text there is a and I have sus- that the miller's was at the paraphrase ; my black-eyed daughter picions, that if the drenching of Father Philip bottom of the affair after all. Whichever way it it that it cometh of the Evil one, yet may not have been \ might be interpreted, all agreed had too altogether without his own personal fault." ludicrous a sound to be permitted to get abroad, 1 "How !" said the Father Abbot; "I will not and therefore the Sacristan was charged, on liis believe that tliou makest doubt that in for- vow of to no more of his Satan, obedience, say ducking ; j mer days, hath been permitted to afflict saints and an injunction which, having once eased his mind Uoly meH, even as he afflicted the pious Job ?" by telling his story, it may be well conjectured that " God forbid I should make question of it," said he joyfully obeyed. " the himself there is of Eustace less monk, crossing ; yet, where The attention Father was much an exposition of the Sacristan's tale, which is lus-; forcibly arrested by the marvellous tale of the than miraculous, I hold it safe to consider it at Sacristan's danger, and his escape, than by the least, if not to abide by it. Now, this Hob the mention of the volume which he had brought with Miller hath a buxom daughter. Suppose I say him from the Tower of Glendearg. A copy of the only suppose that our Sacristan met her at the Scriptures, translated into the vulgar tongue, had ford on her return from her uncle's on the other found its way even into the proper territory of the side, for there she hath this evening been sup- I church, and had been discovered in one of the most pose, that, in courtesy, and to save her stripping I hidden and sequestered recesses of the Halidome of hose and shoon, the Sacristan brought her across Saint Mary's. behind him suppose he carried his familiarities He anxiously requested to see the volume. In the to to farther than maiden was admit ; and this the Sacristan was unable him, for willing | gratify lost we may easily suppose, farther, that this wetting he had it, as far as he recollected, when the was the result of it." supernatural being, as he conceived her to be, took " And tliis legend invented to deceive us !" said her departure from him. Father Eustace went " the with wrath but to in and searched all Superior, reddening ; most down the spot person, shall it sifted into it is in of the volume in strictly be and inquired ; around it, hopes recovering not us that Father must to but his labour was in vain. returned upon Philip hope pass question ; He the result of his own evil practices for doings of to the Abbot, and reported that it must have fallen " Satan. To-morrow cite the wench to appear before into the river or the mill-stream; for I will hardly " us we will examine, and we will believe," he said, that Father musical " punish." Philip's Under your reverence's favour," said Eustace, friend would fly off with a copy of the Holy Scrip- " that were but poor policy. As things now stand tures." " " with us, the heretics catch hold of each flying re- Being," said the Abbot, as it is, an heretical port which tends to the scandal of our clergy. We translation, it may be thought that Satan may have must abate the evil, not only by strengthening dis- power over it." " " his cipline, but also by suppressing and stifling the Ay !" said Father Eustace, it is indeed voice of scandal. If my conjectures are true, the chiefest magazine of artillery, when he inspircth miller's will be silent for her own sake and to set forth their daughter ; presumptuous daring men and your reverence's authority may also impose own opinions and of Holy Writ But expositions ' silence on her father, and on the Sacristan. If he though thus abused, the Scriptures are the source is again found to afford room for throwing dis- of our salvation, and are no more to be reckoned honour on his order he can be punished with unholy, because of these rash men's proceedings, 426 AVAVEULEY NOVELS. than a powerful medicine is to be contemned, or strance was vain. He retired therefore to his cell, held poisonous, because bold and evil leeches have to try how far psalmody might be able to drive oil employed it to the prejudice of their patients. With the sounds of the syren tune which haunted his the permission of your reverence, I would that this memory. matter were looked into more closely. I will my- Meanwhile, Father Eustace proceeded to the self visit the Tower of Glendearg ere I am many drawbridge, in his way to the lonely valley of Glen- hours older, and we shall see if any spectre or white dearg. In a brief conversation with the churlish woman of the wild will venture to interrupt my warder, he had the address to render him more journey or return. Have I your reverend permis- tractable in the controversy betwixt him and the sion and your blessing 1" he added, but in a tone convent. He reminded him that his father had that to set store vassal under the that his appeared no great by either. been a community ; " Thou hast said the Abbot brother was childless and that their both, my brother," ; ; possession but no sooner had Eustace left the than would revert to the church on his apartment, ; death,and be either to or Boniface could not help breaking on the willing ear ! might granted himself the warder, of the Sacristan his sincere wish, that any spirit, to some greater favourite of the Abbot, as matters j black, or would read the adviser such chanced to stand betwixt them at the time. The white, gray, ] a lesson, as to cure him of his in Sub-Prior suggested to him also, the necessary presumption | esteeming himself wiser than the whole commu- connection of interests betwixt the Monastery anJ nity. the office which this man enjoyed. He listened " I with to his rude and churlish wish him no worse lesson," said the Sacris- temper answers ; " tan, than to go swimming merrily down the river and by keeping his own interest firm pitched in his with a ghost behind, and Kelpies, night-crows, ami view, he had the satisfaction to find that Peter mud-eels, all waiting to have a snatch at him. gradually softened his tone, and consented to let every pilgrim who travelled upon foot pass free oi swim we, the moon shines bright ! Merrily exaction until Pentecost next who travelled Good fuck to your fishing, whom watch you to-night ?" ; they on horseback or otherwise, consenting to pay the " " Brother Philip," said the Abbot, we exhort ordinary custom. Having thus accommodated a thee to say thy prayers, compose thyself, and matter in which the weal of the convent was so banish that foolish chant from thy mind; it is deeply interested, Father Eustace proceeded ou h;s but a deception of the devil's." " journey. I will essay, reverend Father," said the Sa- " cristan, but the tune hangs by my memory like a bur in a it with the beggar's rags ; mingles psalter the very bells of the convent seem to CHAPTER VIII. the and to the repeat words, jingle tune ; and were you to put me to death at this very moment, it is Nay, dally not with time, the wise man's treasure, ' Though fools are lavish on't the fatal Fisher my belief I should die singing it Now swim ' Hooks souls, while we waste moments. we merrily it is as it were a spell upon me." Old Phu/. He then again began to warble " A NOVEMBER mist overspread the little valley, Good luck to your fishing." up which slowly but steadily rode the Monk Eustace himself in the And checking strain with difficulty, He was not insensible to the feeling of melancholy he exclaimed, "It is too certain I am but a lost inspired by the scene and by the season. The priest ! Swim we merrily I shall sing it at the stream seemed to murmur with a deep and op- very mass Wo is me! I shall sing all the re- pressed note, as if bewailing the departure of mainder of never be to my life, and yet able change autumn. Among the scattered copses which here the tune!" and there fringed its banks, the oak-trees only The honest Abbot replied, "he knew many a retained that pallid green that precedes their russet good fellow in the same condition ;" and concluded hue. The leaves of the willows were most of them " the ! remark with ho ho ! ho !" for his reverence, stripped from the branches, lay rustling at each as the reader have was one of the may partly observed, breath, and disturbed by every step mule ; of those dull folks love who a quiet joke. while the foliage of other trees, totally withered, The Sacristan, well acquainted with his Supe- kept still precarious possession of the boughs, rior's humour, endeavoured to join in the laugh, waiting the first wind to scatter them. but his unfortunate canticle came again across his The monk dropped into the natural train of imagination, and interrupted the hilarity of his pensive thought which these autumnal emblems echo. customary of mortal hopes are peculiarly calculated to inspire. " the " By rood, Brother Philip," said the Abbot, There," he said, looking at the leaves which lay much " " moved, you become altogether intolerable ! strewed around, lie the hopes of early youth, and I am convinced that such a spell could not first formed that they may soonest wither, and subsist over a of person religion, and in a religious loveliest in spring to become most contemptible in unless he were under mortal sin. winter but he house, Where- ; you, ye lingerers," added, looking fore, say the seven penitentiary psalms make to a knot of beeches which still bore their withered use of " diligent thy scourge and hair-cloth refrain leaves, you are the proud plans of adventurous for three all days from food, save bread and water manhood, formed later, and still clinging to the I will shrive myself thee, and we will see if this mind of age, although it acknowledges their inanity ! devil be driven out of thee at least I lasts the sinking may ; None none endures, save the foKage of think Father Eustace himself could devise no better hardy oak, which only begins to shew itself when exorcism." that of the rest of the forest has enjoyed half its The Sacristan sighed deeply, but knew reraon existence. A pale and decayed hue is all it pos- THE MONASTERY. 427

' " Rosses, but still it retains that symptom of vitality with him, that She paused a* it unwilling to to the last. So be it with Father Eustace ! The proceed. " of I have trodden under foot Dame said the fairy hopes youth Speak out, Glendiuning," Father ; my " like those neglected rustlers to the prouder with us it is your duty to have no secrets." " dreams of my manhood I look back as to lofty Nay, if it please your reverence, it is not that chimeras, of which the pith and essence liave long I would keep any thing from your reverence's since but the faithful but I fear I should the faded ; my religious vows, knowledge, prejudice lady which I have made in maturer in for is excellent profession my age, your opinion ; she an lady shall retain life while aught of Eustace lives. Dan- months and years has she dwelt in this tower, and it be feeble it must be live it none than she but this porous may yet more exemplary ; matter, shall, the proud determination to serve the church doubtless, she will explain it herself to your of which I am a member, and to combat the heresies reverence." " by which she is assailed." Thus spoke, at least I desire first to know it from you, Dame Glen- " thus a zealous to his im- said the and I it thought, man according dinning," monk ; again repeat, perfect knowledge, confounding the vital interests is your duty to tell it to me." " of Christianity with the extravagant and usurped This book, if it please your reverence, which claims of the Church of Rome, and defending his Father Philip removed from Glendearg, was this cause with an ardour worthy of a better. morning returned to us in a strange manner," said While moving onward in this contemplative the good widow. " " he could not than !" said the ?" mood, help thinking more once, Returned monk ; How mean you " " that he saw in his path the form of a female I mean," answered Dame Glendinning, that dressed in white, who appeared in the attitude of it was brought back .to the tower of Glendearg, the lamentation. But the impression was only momen- saints best know how that same book which tary, and whenever he looked steadily to the point Father Philip carried with him but yesterday. Old where he conceived the figure appeared, it always Martin, that is my tasker and the lady's servant, proved that he had mistaken some natural object, was driving out the cows to the pasture for we a white crag, or the trunk of a decayed birch-tree have three good milk-cows, reverend father, blessed with its silverb ark, for the appearance in question. be Saint Waldave, and thanks to the holy Monas- " Father Eustace had dwelt too long in Rome to tery the of the more The monk with but he re- partake superstitious feelings igno- groaned impatience ; rant Scottish he it membered that a of the dame's con- clergy ; yet certainly thought woman good extraordinary, that so strong an impression should dition was like a top, which, if you let it spin on been on his mind the of the must at last come to if have made by legend untouched, a pause ; but, " -Sacristan. It is strange," he said to himself, you interrupt it by flogging, there is no end to its " " that this story, which doubtless was the invention gyrations. But to speak no more of the cows, of Brother Philip to cover his own impropriety of your reverence, though they are likely cattle as ever conduct, should run so much in my head, and dis- were tied to a stake, the tasker was driving them turb my more serious thoughts I am wont, I out, and the lads, that is my Halbert and my think, to have more command over my senses. I Edward, that your reverence has seen at church on will repeat my prayers, and banish such folly from holidays, and especially Halbert, for you patted my recollection." him on the head and gave him a brooch of Saint The monk accordingly began with devotion to tell Cuthbert, which he wears in his bonnet, and little his beads, in pursuance of the prescribed rule of his Mary Avenel, that is the lady's daughter, they ran order, and was not again disturbed by any wander- all after the cattle, and began to play up and down ings of the imagination, until he found himself the pasture as young folk will, your reverence. beneath the little fortalice of Glendearg. And at length they lost sight of Martin and the cows to run little Dame Glendinning, who stood at the gate, set ; and they began up a cleugh up a shout of surprise and joy at seeing the good which we call Com-nan-Skian, where there is a " " father. Martin," she said, Jasper, where be a' wee bit stripe of a burn, and they saw there the folk ? help the right reverend Sub-Prior to Good guide us ! a White Woman sitting on the dismount, and take his mule from him. father ! burn-side wringing her hands so the bairns were God lias sent you in our need I was just going to frighted to see a strange woman sitting there, all send horse to 1 but who will be sixteen come Whitsuntide man and the convent, though ought Halbert, ; to be ashamed to give so much trouble to your and, besides, he never feared ony tiling and when reverences." they went up to her behold she was passed " Our trouble matters not, good dame," said away !" " " Father Eustace in what I ? I For woman !" said Father Eus- ; can pleasure you shame, good " came hither to visit tace a of sense to listen to tale the Lady of Avenel." ; woman your a so " " idle ! folk Well-a-day !" said Dame Alice, and it was on the young told you a lie, and that was her part that I had the boldness to think of sum- all." " moning you, for the good lady will never be able to Nay, sir, it was more than that," said the old " wear over the it to dame besides that never told lie day? Would please you go ; for, they me a to her chamber 1" in their lives, I must warn you tliat on the very " Hath she not been shriven by Father Philip J" ground where the White Woman was sitting, they said the monk. found the Lady of Avenel's book, and brought it " Shriven she was," said the Dame of Glendearg, with them to the tower." " " and by Father Philip, as your reverence truly That is worthy of mark at least," said the " says but I wish it may have been a clean shrift monk. Know you no other copy of tills volume Methought Father Philip looked but moody within these bounds ?" " npon it and there was a book which he took away None, your reverence," returned Elspeth ;"why 428 WAVERLEY NOVELS. should there! no one could read it were there all, she could not understand why, since she Iwd twenty." acquaintances in the family, and since the Dame " Then you are sure it is the very same volume Glendinning had always paid her multure aud which you to Father Philip ?" said the monk. duly, the said lass of the mill had not " gave knaveship As sure as that I now speak with your reve- come in to rest herself and eat a morsel, and tell rence." her the current news of the water. " It is most !" said the and he These satisfied the monk that singular monk ; very objections " " walked across the room in a musing posture. his conjectures were right. Dame," he said, you " I have heen upon nettles to hear what your must be cautious in what you say. This is an in- reverence would say," continued Dame Glendin- stance I would it were the sole one of the power " ning, respecting tins matter There is nothing I of the Enemy in these days. The matter must be would not do for the of Avenel and her sifted with a curious and careful hand." Lady " family, and that has been proved, and for her Indeed," said Elspeth, trying to catch and chime " servants to boot, both Martin and Tibb, although in with the ideas of the Sub-Prior, I have often Tibb is not so civil sometimes as altogether I have thought the miller's folk at the Monastery-mill were to but I cannot think it far over careless in our in bolt- a right expect ; beseeming sifting melder, and to have angels, or ghosts, or fairies, or the like, ing it too some folk say they will not stick at waiting upon a leddy when she is in another woman's whiles to put in a handful of ashes amongst Chris- house, in respect it is no creditable. Ony tian folk's corn-meal." ways " thing she had to do was always done to her hand, That shall be looked after also, dame," said the without costing her either pains or pence, as a Sub-Prior, not displeased to see that the good old and besides the I woman went off on a false scent " and country body says ; discredit, ; now, by cannot but think that there is no safety in having your leave, I will see this lady do you go before, such unchancy creatures about ane. But I have and prepare her to see me." tied red thread round the bairns's throats," (so her Dame Glendinning left the lower apartment " fondness still called them,) and given ilk ane of accordingly, which the monk paced in anxious re- them a riding-wand of rowan-tree, forby sewing up flection, considering how he might best discharge, witch-elm into their doublets I wish with well with the a slip of ; and humanity as as effect, important to know of your reverence if there be ony thing duty imposed on him. He resolved to approach mair that a lone woman can do in the matter of the bedside of the sick person with reprimands, ghosts and fairies ? Be here ! that I should have mitigated only by a feeling for her weak condition named their unlucky names twice ower !" he determined, in case of her reply, to which late " Dame Glendiuning," answered the monk, some- examples of hardened heretics might encourage her, what abruptly, when the good woman had finished to be prepared with answers to their customary " her narrative, I pray you, do you know the miller's scruples. High fraught, also, with zeal against her daughter !" unauthorized intrusion into the priestly function, " Did I know Kate Happer?" replied the widow; by study of the Sacred Scriptures, he imagined to " as well as the beggar knows his dish a canty himself the answers which one of the modern school quean was Kate, and a special cummer of my ain of heresy might return to him the victorious re- may be twenty years syne." futation which should lay the disputant prostrate at " She cannot be the wench I mean," said Father the Confessor's mercy and the healing, yet awful " she after I is scarce of the last Eustace ; whom inquire exhortation, which, under pain refusing fifteen, a black-eyed girl you may have seen her consolations of religion, he designed to make to the at the kirk." penitent, conjuring her, as she loved her own soul's " reverence must be in the she disclose to of the Your right ; and welfare, to him what she knew is my cummer's niece, doubtless, that you are dark mystery of iniquity, by which heresies were pleased to speak of : But I thank God I have introduced into the most secluded spots of the very always been too duteous in attention to the mass, patrimony of the church herself what agents they to know whether young wenches have black eyes had who could thus glide, as it were unseen, from or green ones." place to place, bring back the volume which the The good Father had so much of the world about church had interdicted to the spots from which it that he was unable to avoid the her him, smiling, when had been removed under express auspices ; dame boasted her absolute resistance to a tempta- and who, by encouraging the daring and profane tion, which was not quite so liable to beset her as thirst after knowledge forbidden and useless to the to those of the other sex. laity, had encouraged the fisher of souls use with " " Perhaps, then," he said, you know her usual effect his old bait of ambition and vain-glory. dress, Dame Glendinning ?" Much of this premeditated disputation escaped " Ay, ay, Father," answered the dame readily the good father, when Elspeth returned, her tears " enough, a white kirtie the wench wears, to hide flowing faster than her apron could dry them, and " the dust of the mill, no doubt and a blue hood, made him a signal to follow her. How," said the " that might weel be spared, for pridefulness." monk, is she then so near her end 2 nay, the " " Then, may it not be she," said the Father, who church must not break or bruise, when comfort is has brought back this book, and stepped out of the yet possible ;" and forgetting his polemics, the good way when the children came near her ?" Sub-Prior hastened to the little apartment, where, The dame paused was unwilling to combat the on the wretched bed which she had occupied since solution suggested by the monk but was at a loss her misfortunes had driven her to the Tower of to conceive why the lass of the mill should come so Gleiidearg, the widow of Walter Avenel had ren- wild " far from home into so a corner merely to dered up her spirit to her Creator. My God I" " leave an old book with three children, from whose said the Sub-Prior, and has my unfortunate dally- observation she wished to conceal herself. Above ing suffered her to depart without the Church'a THE MONASTERY. 429 consolation ! Look to her, dame," he exclaimed regions to which thou mayest be doomed if vigila " with is there not a if masses if if macerat.on of eager impatience ; yet sparkle penance my of the life left ! may she not be recalled re- body, till it resembles that extenuated form which called but for a moment ? Oh ! would that she the soul hath abandoned, may assure thy deliver- could express, but by the most imperfect word ance. The Holy Church the godly foundation but by the most feeble motion, her acquiescence our blessed Patroness herself, shall intercede for in the needful task of penitential prayer ! Does one whose errors were counterbalanced by so many she not breathe ? Art thu sure she doth not." virtues. Leave me, dame here, and by her bed- " She will never breathe more," said the matron. side, will I perform those duties which tins piteous " Oh ! the poor fatherless girl now motherless case demands !" also Oh, the kind companion I have had these Elspeth left the monk, who employed himself in many years, whom I shall never see again ! But fervent and sincere, though erroneous prayers, for she is in heaven for certain, if ever woman went the weal of the For an hour he " departed spirit. there; for a woman of better life remained in the apartment of death, and then re- " " Wo to me," said the good monk, if indeed turned to the hall, where he found the still weeping she went not hence in good assurance wo to the friend of the deceased. reckless shepherd, who suffered the wolf to carry But it would be injustice to Mrs Elspeth Glen- a choice one from the flock, while he busied himself diuning's hospitality, if we suppose her to have with trimming his sling and his staff to give the been weeping during this long interval, or rather if monster battle ! Oh ! if in the long Hereafter, we suppose her so entirely absorbed by the tribute aught but weal should that poor spirit share, what of sorrow which she paid frankly and plentifully has my delay cost ! the value of an immortal to her deceased friend, as to be incapable of soul !" attending to the rights of hospitality due to the He then approached the body, full of the deep holy visiter who was confessor at once, and Sub- remorse natural to a man of his Prior in all and secular consi- good persuasion, j mighty religious who believed the doctrines of the Catholic derations, so far as the vassals of the devoutly | Monastery " Church. Ay," said he, gazing on the pallid corpse, were interested. from which the spirit had parted so placidly as to Her barley -bread had been toasted her choicest leave a smile upon the thin blue h'ps, which had cask of home-brewed ale had been broached her been so long wasted by decay that they had parted best butter had been placed on the hall-table, along with the last breath of animation without the \\irli her most savoury ham and her choicest cheese, " slightest convulsive tremor Ay," said Father ere she abandoned herself to the extremity of sor- " there lies the faded as it row and it was not till she had her little Eustace, tree, and, fell, ; arranged so it lies awful thought for me, should my repast neatly on the board, that she sat down in have left it to descend in an evil direction !" the threw her checked over neglect j chimney corner, apron He then again and again conjured Dame Glendin- her head, and gave way to the current of tears j to tell liim she of the this or affec- ning what knew demeanour ! and sobs. In there was no grimace ind walk of the deceased. tatioii. held the honours of her ordinary j The good dame All tended to the high honour of the deceased house to be as essential a duty, especially when a

; for her who admired her suffi- monk was her as other call lady companion, I visitant, any pressing while ; her conscience nor until these were ciently alive, notwithstanding some trifling upon ; suitably _x)ints of jealousy, now idolized her after her death, attended to did she find herself at liberty to indulge

: and could think of no attribute of praise with her sorrow for her departed friend. which she did not adorn her memory. When she was conscious of the Sub-Prior's the of however she she rose with the same attention to his Indeed, Lady Avenel, might , presence,

doubt some of the doctrines ', but he declined all the offers of privately announced by reception ; hospi- the Church of and she had with which she endeavoured to him. Rome, although pro- , tality tempt bably tacitly appealed from that corrupted system ', Not her butter, as yellow as gold, and the best, she of Christianity to the volume on which Christianity assured him, that was made in the patrimony of " itself is founded, had nevertheless been regular Saint Mary not the bariey scones, which the in her attendance on the worship of the church, saint, God sain her ! used to say were departed" not, perhaps, extending her scruples so far as to so good not the ale, nor any other cates which break off communion. Such indeed was the first poor Elspeth's stores afforded, ceuld prevail on the sentiment of the earlier reformers, who seem to Sub-Prior to break his fast. " " have studied, for a time at least, to avoid a This day," lie said, I must not taste food schism, until the violence of the Pope rendered it until the sun go down, happy if, in so doing, I can inevitable. if expiate my own negligence happier still, my Father Eustace, on the present occasion, listened sufferings of this trifling nature, undertaken in with eagerness to every which could lead to pure faith and singleness of heart, may benefit the thing " assure him of the lady's orthodoxy in the main soul of the deceased. Yet, dame," he added, I of belief for his conscience him not so far the in cares for points ; reproached may forget living my sorely, that, instead of protracting conversation with the dead, as to leave behind me that book, wliich is the Dame of Glendearg, he had not instantly has- to the ignorant what, to our first parents, the tree " tened where his presence was so necessary. If," of Knowledge of Good and Evil unhappily proved " lie said, addressing the dead body, thou art yet excellent indeed in itself, but fatal because used free from the utmost penalty due to the followers by those to whom it is prohibited." " of false doctrine if thou dost but suffer for a Oh, reverend father," said the widow blithely, " time, to expiate faults done in the body, but par- of Simon Glendinning, will I give you the book, of mortal if it the bairns and taking frailty moi-e than of deadly sin, so be I can wile from ; indeed, fear not even that thy abode shall be long in the penal poor things, as the case stands with them 430 WAVEKLEY NOVELS.j aow, you might take the heart out of their bodies, oak, hung down by his side. The meagre condition ' and they never find it out, they are sae begrutten." of his horse, and the wild and emaciated lool>of " Give them this missal instead, good dame," said the rider, shewed their occupation could nol be the Father, drawing from his pocket one which was accounted an easy or a thriving one. He saluted " curiously illuminated with paintings, and I will Dame Glendinning with little courtesy, and the come one at with less for the to the myself, or send a fitting time, and monk ; growing disrespect teach them the meaning of these pictures." religious orders had not failed to extend itself " The bonny images !" said Dame Glendinning, among a class of men of such disorderly habits, forgetting for an instant her grief in her admira- although it may be supposed they were tolerably " " tion, and weel I wot," added she, it is another indifferent alike to the new or the ancient doctrines. " sort of a book than the of Avenel's our is Dame ?" said poor Lady ; and So, lady dead, Glendinning " blessed we have been this if reve- the master has sent even might day, your jack-man ; my you now rence had found the way up the glen, instead of a fat bullock for her mart it may serve for her Father Philip, though the Sacristan is a powerful funeral. I have left him in the upper cleugh, as he 2 man too, and speaks as if he would ger the house is somewhat kenspeckle, and is marked both with birn the the is is fly abroad, save that the walls are gey thick. cut and sooner skin off, and he Simon's forebears blessed in the less like are to have trouble (may he and they be !) saultfat, you took care of that." you understand me ? Let me have a peck of corn The monk ordered his mule, and was about to for my horse, and beef and beer for myself, for I take his leave and the was still must on to the I think this ; good dame delay- go Monastery though ing him with questions about the funeral, when a monk here might do mine errand." " horseman, armed and accoutred, rode into the Thine errand, rude man !" said the Sub-Prior, little which surrounded the his brows court-yard Keep. knitting" For God's sake !" cried poor Dame Glendin- ning, terrified at the idea of a quarrel between them, "0 Christie ! it is the Sub-Prior reverend it is Christie of the the laird's CHAPTER IX. sir, Clinthill, chief know that little can be jack-man ; ye havings For since they rode among our doors expected from the like o' them." " With splent on spauld and rusty spurs, Are you a retainer of the Laird of Avenel ?" There grows no fruit into our furs ; said the monk, addressing himself to the horseman, Thus said John Up-on-land. " Bannatynt MS- and do you speak thus rudely to a brother ol Saint Mary's, to whom thy master is so much THE Scottish laws, which were as wisely and beholden ?" made as were and " means to be more beholden to judiciously they carelessly He yet your in vain to fellow " ineffectually executed, had endeavoured house, Sir Monk," answered the ; foi restrain the damage done to agriculture, by the hearing his sister-in-law, the widow of Walter of chiefs and landed proprietors retaining in their ser- Avenel, was on her death-bed, he sent me to say to vice what were called jack-men, from the jack, or the Father Abbot and the brethren, that he will doublet quilted with iron which they wore as defen- hold the funeral-feast at their convent, and invites sive armour. These military retainers conducted himself thereto, with a score of horse and some themselves with great insolence towards the indus- friends, and to abide there for three days and tliree trious part of the community lived in a great nights, having horse-meat and men's-meat at the measure and were to execute the of which his intention he by plunder, ready any charge of community ; of commands their master, however unlawful. In sends due notice, that fitting preparation may be adopting this mode of life, men resigned the quiet timeously made." " " hopes and regular labours of industry, for an Friend," said the Sub-Prior, believe not that unsettled, precarious, and dangerous trade, which I will do to the Father Abbot the indignity of yet had such charms for those once accustomed to delivering such an errand. Think'st thou die it, that they became incapable of following any goods of the church were bestowed upon her by holy other. Hence the complaint of John Upland, a princes and pious nobles, now dead and gone, to be fictitious character, representing a countryman, consumed hi revelry by every profligate layman into whose mouth the poets of the day put their who numbers in his train more followers than he general satires upon men and manners : can support by honest means, or by his own ? the They ride about in such a rage, incomings Tell thy master, from Sub-Prior and By forest, frith, field, of Saint Mary's, that the Primate hath issued his With and brand. buckler, bow, commands to us that we submit no to this ! longer Lo where they ride out through the rye ! The Devil mot save the company, compulsory exaction of hospitality on slight or false Quoth John TJp-on-land. pretences. Our lands and goods were given to Christie of the Clinthill, the horseman who now relieve pilgrims and pious persons, not to feast arrived at the little Tower of was one bands of rude soldiers." Glendearg, " " of the hopeful company of whom the poet com- This to me !" said the angry spearman, this " plains, as was indicated by his splent on spauld," to me and to my master Look to yourself then, (iron-plates on his shoulder,) his rusted spurs, and Sir Priest, and try if Axe and Credo will keep his long lance. An iron skull-cap, none of the bullocks from wandering, and hay-stacks from brightest, bore for distinction a sprig of the burning." holly, " which was Avenel's badge. A long two-edged Dost thou menace the Holy Church's patrimony straight sword, having a handle made of polished with waste and fire-raising," said the Sub-Prior,

1 * Begrutten over-weeped. Kenspeckle that which is easily recognized by the eye. THE MOXASTK1IY. 431

u and that in the face of the sun ! I call on all who what he could Lay his liund on, and be kind to theo, hear me to bear witness to the words this ruffian has old wench." " spoken. Remember how tlie Lord James drowned Alas ! Muster Christie," said the matron, " euch as you by scores in the black pool at JedJart. that you should talk to a lone woman in such a To him and to the Primate will I complain." fashion, and death in the house besides !" The soldier shifted the position of his lance, and "Lone woman! why, that is the very reason brought it down to a level with the monk's body. thou shouldst take a mate. Thy old friend is dead, Dame Glendinning began to shriek for assistance. why, good choose thou another of somewhat " Tibb Tacket ! Martin ! where be ye all ? tougher frame, and that will not die of the pip like Christie, for the love of God, consider he is a man a young chicken. Better still Come, dame, let of Holy Kirk !" me have something to eat, and we will talk more " I not for his said the Sub-Prior of this." care spear," ; "if I am slain in defending the rights and privi- Dame Elspeth, though she well knew the charac- leges of ray community, the Primate will know ter of the man, whom in fact she both disliked and how to take vengeance." feared, could not help simpering at the personal " Let him look to himself," said Christie, but at address which he thought proper to make to her. " the same time depositing his lance against the She whispered to the Sub-Prior, ony " thing just wall of the tower if the Fife time to him went into the to set ; men spoke keep quiet," and tower who came hither with the Governor in the last before the soldier the food he j desired, trusting, raid, Norman Leslie has him at feud, and is like to betwixt good cheer and the power of her own set him hard. We know Norman a true blood- charms, to keep Christie of the Clinthill so well hound, who will never quit the slot. But I had no amused, that the altercation betwixt him and the design to offend the holy father," he added, think- holy father should not be renewed. " he a little too far I a The Sub-Prior was to hazard ing perhaps had gone ; am equally unwilling rude man, bred to lance and stirrup, and not used any unnecessary rupture between the community to deal I of with book-learned men and priests ; and and such a person as Julian Avenel. He was am willing to ask his forgiveness and his blessing, if sensible that moderation, as well as firmness, was I have said aught amiss." necessary to support the tottering cause of the " For said the widow Church of to former God's sake, your reverence," Rome ; and that, contrary " of Glendearg apart to the Sub-Prior, bestow on times, the quarrels betwixt the clergy and laity him your forgiveness how shall we poor folk sleep had, in the present, usually terminated to the in security in the dark nights, if the Convent is advantage of the latter. He resolved, therefore, to at feud with such men as he is V avoid farther strife by withdrawing, but failed not, " You are said the in the first to himself of the volume right, dame," Sub-Prior, place, possess < " your safety should, and must, be in the first which the Sacristan carried off the evening before, instance consulted. Soldier, I forgive thee, and and which had been returned to the glen in such a may God bless thee and send thee honesty." marvellous manner. Christie of the Clinthill made an unwilling incli- Edward, the younger of Dame Elspeth's boys, " nation with his head, and muttered apart, that is made great objections to the book's being removed, as much as to say, God send thee starvation. But in which Mary would probably have joined, but now to my master's demand, Sir Priest ? What that she was now in her little sleeping-chamber answer am I to return ?" with Tibb, who was exerting her simple skill to "That the body of the widow of Walter of console the young lady for her mother's death. " Avenel," answered the Father, shall be interred But the younger Glendiuning stood up in defence as becomes her rank, and in the tomb of her

" trated. Saint George and the dragon Halbert scarce acknowledged the greeting, by bending his his head and the into his weu4 will like that ; and Saint Michael brandishing ; dashing spurs horse, eword over the head of the Wicked One and that on at a pace which soon left the monk and liia will do for Halbert too. And see the Saint John mule far behind. And there, thought the Sub- leading his lamb in the wilderness, with his little Prior, goes another plague of the times a fellow cross made of reeds, and his scrip and staff that whose birth designed him to cultivate the earth; shall be favourite and where shall we find one but who is the unhallowed and un- my ; perverted by christian divisions of the into a and for poor Mary ? here is a beautiful woman weep- country, daring ing and lamenting herself." dissolute robber. The barons of Scotland are now " This is Saint Mary Magdalen repenting of her turned masterful thieves and ruffians, oppressing the the sins, my dear boy," said the Father. poor by violence, and wasting Church, by " will not suit she from and , That our for commits Mary ; extorting free-quarters abbeys priories, without either or ne faults, and is never angry with us, but when we shame reason. I fear me I shall do something wrong." be too late to counsel the Abbot to make a stand " " ' Then," said the Father, I will shew you a against these daring sorners I must make haste." struck his mule his Mary, who will protect her and you, and all good He with riding-wand accor- instead of her the ani- children. See how fairly she is represented, with dingly ; but, mending pace, her gown covered with golden stars." mal suddenly started from the path, and the rider's The was lost in wonder at the of the utmost efforts could not force her forward. boy portrait " which the Sub-Prior turned to him. Art thou, too, infected with the of the Virgin, up " spirit " " times !" said the Sub-Prior thou to This," he said, is really like our sweet Mary; ; wert wont and I think I will let you take away the black book, be ready and serviceable, and art now as restive in leave this as wild or stubborn heretic of them that has no such goodly shows it, and any jack-man for Mary instead. But you must promise to bring all." back the book, good Father for now I think upon While he was contending witli the startled ani- like that best which was her a like that of a chanted in his it, Mai'y may mal, voice, female, close mother's." ear, or at least very to it, " said I will certainly return," the monk, evad- " Good Sir Priest, and so late as " evening, you ride, his I to With mule so and mantle so wide ing answer, and perhaps may teach you your fair, your ; Hut ride or ride o'er write and read such beautiful letters as you see you through valley, you hill, There is one that has warrant to wait on you still. there written, and to paint them blue, green, and Back, back,

The volume black ! yellow, and to blazon them with gold." " 1 have a warraut to carry it back." Ay, and to make such figures as these blessed Saints, aud especially these two Marys 1" said the The Sub-Prior looked around, but neither bush boy. nor brake was near which could conceal an am " " With their blessing," said the Sub-Prior, I bushed songstress. May Our Lady have mercy " can teach that art so far as I on !" he said I trust senses have not you too, am myself me ; my capable of shewing, and you of learning it." forsaken me yet how my thoughts should arrange " " Then," said Edward, will I paint Mary's themselves into rhymes which I despise, and music picture and remember you are to bring back the which I care not for, or why there should be the that in in its black book ; you must promise me." sound of a female voice ears, which The Sub-Prior, anxious to get rid of the boy's melody has been so long indifferent, baffles my pertinacity, and to set forward on his return to the comprehension, and almost realizes the vision of convent, without having any farther interview with Philip the Sacristan. Come, good mule, betake Christie the galloper, answered by giving the pro- thee to the path, and let us hence while our judg-

, , mise Edward required, mounted his mule, and set ment serves us." forth on his return homeward. But the mule stood as if it had been rooted to

: The November day was well spent ere the Sub- the spot, backed from the point to w hich it was Prior resumed his for the of its her ears laid close into journey ; difficulty pressed by rider, and by the road, and the various delays which he had met her neck, and her eyes almost starting from their with at the tower, had detained him longer than sockets, testified that she was under great terror. ne proposed. A chill easterly wind was sighing While the Sub-Prior, by alternate threats and among the withered leaves, and stripping them soothing, endeavoured to reclaim the wayward from the hold they had yet retained on the parent animal to her duty, the wild musical voice was trees. again heard close beside him. " " Even said the our in " so," monk, prospects What, ho ! Sub-Prior, and came you but here this vale of time grow more disconsolate as the To conjure a book from a dead woman's bier ? Sain you, and save you, be wary and wise, stream of years passes on. Little have I gained Ride back with the book, or you'll pay for your prize by my journey, saving the certainty that heresy Back, back, is busy among us with more than his usual acti- There 's death in the track ! In the name of master, I bid thee bear back." vity, and that the spirit of insulting religious my " orders, and plundering the Church's property, so Iii the name of MY Master," said the astonished in the eastern districts of has " general Scotland, monk, that name before which all things created now come nearer home." tremble, I conjure thee to what thou art that " say The tread of a horse which came up behind him, hauntest me thus ? his and he soon interrupted reverie, saw he was The same voice replied, mounted by the same wild rider whom he had left " That which M neither ill nor well, at the tower. That which not to Heaven nor to hc'.l, " belongs Good even, my son, and benedicite," said the Sub-Prior as he passed : but the rude soldier 1 See Note. D. Sorner$. THE MONASTERY. 43 f

A wreath of the mist, bubble of the stream. liis senses were gone, and he lay long in a state TwUt a waking thought nnd a dream ; sleeping of for the sunset had not ceased to A form that men spy insensibility ; With the half-shut eye. gild the top of the distant hill when he fell, and In the beams of the am I." setting sun, when he again became conscious of existence, the " This is more than simple fantasy," said the pale moon was gleaming on the landscape. He himself notwithstand- awakened in state of from Sub-Prior, rousing ; though, a terror, which, for a ing the natural hardihood of his temper, the sen- few minutes, he found it difficult to shake himself sible presence of a supernatural being so near him, free. At length he sate up on the grass, and be- i'ailed not to make his blood run cold, and his hair came sensible, by repeated exertion, that the only " " bristle. I charge thee," he said aloud, be thine personal injury wliich he had sustained was the errand what it will, to depart and trouble me no numbness arising from extreme cold. The motion more! False spirit, thou canst not appal any save of something near him made die blood again run those who do the work negligently." to his heart, and by a sudden effort he started The voice immediately answered : up, and, looking around, saw to his relief that the " noise was occasioned the of his own Vainly, Sir Prior, wouldst tliou bar me my right ! by footsteps Like the star when it I can dart the mule. The animal had remained shoots, through night ; peaceable quietly I can dunce on the torrent and ride on the air, beside her master during his trance, browsing on And travel the world with the bonny night-mare. the which in that Again, again, grass grew plentifully seques- At the crook of the glen, tered nook. Where bickers the burnie, I '11 meet thee again." With some exertion he collected himself, re- The road was left for mounted the and his wild now apparently open ; the animal, meditating upon mule collected herself, and changed from her pos- adventure, descended the glen till its junctio-i ture of terror to one which promised advance, with the broader valley through wliich the TweeJ although a profuse perspiration, and general trem- winds. The drawbridge was readily dropped at his first summons and so much had he the Ming of the joints, indicated the bodily terror she ; won upon had undergone. heart of the churlish warden, that Peter appeared ' I used to doubt tfle existence of Cabalists and himself with a lantern to shew the Sub-Prior his " Rosicrucians," thought the Sub-Prior, but, by way over the perilous pass. my Holy Order, I know no longer wliat to say ! "By my sooth, sir," he said, holding the light My pulse beats temperately my hand is cool up to Father Eustace's face, "you look sorely I am fasting from every thing but sin, and pos- travelled and deadly pale but a little matter sessed of my ordinary faculties Either some fiend serves to weary out you men of the cell. I now is permitted to bewilder me, or the tales of Corne- who speak to you I have ridden before I lius Agrippa, Paracelsus, and others who treat of was perched up here on this pillar betwixt wind occult philosophy, are not without foundation. and water it may be thirty Scots miles before At the crook of the glen ? I ceuld have desired to I broke my fast, and have had the red of a avoid a second meeting, but I am on the service bramble rose in my cheek all the while But will of the church, and the gates of hell shall not you taste some food, or a cup of d'stilled waters ?" pre- " " vail against me." I may not," said Father Eustace, being under a vow but I thank for kindness, He moved around accordingly, but with pre- ; you your and to what I not to the caution, and not without fear ; for he neither knew pray you give may accept the manner in which, or the place where, his jour- next poor pilgrim, who comes hither pale and ney might be next interrupted by his invisible fainting, for so it shall be the better both with him attendant. He descended the without inter- here, and with you hereafter." glen " ruption for about a mile farther, when, at the By my faith, and I will do so," said Peter just " spot where the brook approached the steep hill, Bridge-Ward, even for thy sake It is strange with a winding so abrupt as to leave scarcely room now, how this Sub-Prior gets round one's heart for a horse to pass, the mule was again \i.siffd more than the rest of these cowled gentry, that with the same symptoms of terror which had be- think of nothing but quaffing and stuffing ! Wife, fore interrupted her course. Better acquainted 1 say wife, we will give a cup of distilled waters than before with the cause of her restiveuess, the and a crust of bread unto the next pilgrim that to comes over and for the the Priest employed no effort make her proceed, ; ye may keep purpose of last 11 but addressed himself to the object, which he grunds the greybeard, and the ill-baked doubted not was the same that had formerly inter- bannock which the bairns couldna eat." rupted him, in the words of solemn exorcism pre- While Peter issued these charitable, and, at the scribed by the Church of Rome on such occasions. same time, prudent injunctions, the Sub-Prior, In to his the voice whose mild interference had awakened the reply demand, again sung ; Bridge- " Ward to such an act of unwonted generosity, was Men of good are bold as sackless,* onward to the In the Men of rude are fld and reckless, pacing Monastery. way, Lie thou still he had to commune with and subdue his own In the nook of the hill, rebellious heart, an he was sensible, more For those be before thee that wUh thee ill." enemy, formidable than any which the external powers of While the Sub-Prior listened, with his head Satan could place in his way. turned in the direction from which the sounds Father Eustace had indeed strong temptation to seemed to come, he felt as if something rushed suppress the extraordinary incident which had against him; and ere he could discover the cause, befallen him, which he was the more reluctant tu lie was pushed from his saddle with gentle but confess, because he had passed so severe a judg- irresistible force. Before he reached the ground ment upon Father Phih'p, who, as lie was not

2 SacV&i innocent. An old fashioned name for :m earthen jar for hoIJi!.;.- rj>in:> 96 434 WAVERLEY NOVELS. unwilling to allow, had, on his return from Glen- "Nay, brother, if thou know'st not, we will n

the Sacristan to the Abbot, who at that moment en- Eustace, "for what purpose he nourished th " tered He refused to hear a heretic preacher." thought of putting to death one who never did him " The better for him in the next world," evil 1" " " answered the Abbot. Prepare for death, my Ay ! but tliou didst menace me with evil," said a fool is s , mj we deliver thee over to the secular arm of the ruffian, "and no one but menaced twice. Dost thou not said our bailie, for execution on the Gallow-hill by peep remember what you of touching the Primate and Lord James, and the light" " " 'tis the end I must black of 1 Didst thou think foel Ainen !" said the ruffian ; pool Jedwood me have come by sooner or later and what care I enough to wait till thou hadst betrayed me to the whether I feed the crows at Saint Mary's or at sack and the fork ! There were small wisdom in Carlisle 1" that, methinks as little as in coming hither to " Let me implore your reverend patience for an tell my own misdeeds I think the devil was in " until I shall me when I took this road I have remem- instant," said the Sub-Prior ; might " ' " inquire bered the proverb, Never Friar forgot feud.' " " What !" exclaimed the Abbot, observing him And it was solely for that for that only " for the first time Our deal- brother restored to hasty word of mine, uttered in a moment of impu- ere it well us when his life was unhoped for ! nay, kneel dence, and forgotten was spoken !" said not to a sinner like me stand up thou hast Father Eustace. " my blessing. When this villain came to the gate, Ay ! for that, and for the love of thy gold accused his own evil conscience, and crying out crucifix," said Christie of the Clinthill. by " he liad murdered thee, I thought that the pillar of Gracious Heaven ! and could the yellow metal our main aisle had fallen no more shall a life so the glittering earth so far overcome every precious be exposed to such risks as occur in this sense of what is thereby represented ! Father no shall one beloved and I as a dear will deliver border country ; longer Abbot, pray, boon, you rescued of Heaven hold so low a station in the this guilty person to my mercy." " " church as that of a poor Sub-Prior I will write Nay, brother," interposed the Sacristan, to by express to the Primate for thy speedy removal your doom, if you will, not to your mercy Re- we are not all favoured our and advancement." | member, equally by ' Nay, but let me understand," said the Sub- blessed Lady, nor is it likely that every frocL- in the " this he slain Convent will serve as a coat of when lance Prior ; did soldier say had me V proof a " That he had transfixed you," answered the is couched against it." " Abbot, "in full career with bis lance but it "For that very reason," said the Sub-Prior, 1 seems he had taken an indifferent aim. But no would not that for my worthless self the commu- sooner didst thou fall to the ground mortally gored, nity were to fall at feud with Julian of Aveiiel. as he deemed, with his weapon, than our blessed this man's master." " " ' Patroness appeared to him, as he averred Our Lady forbid !" said the Sacristan, lie " I no said the is a second Julian the averred such thing," prisoner ; Apostate." " " I said a woman in white interrupted me, as I With oui- reverend father the Abbot's permis- " was about to examine the priest's cassock, for they sion, then," said Father Eustace, 1 desire this are usually well lined she had a bulrush in her man be free from his chains, and suffered to with she hand, one touch of which struck me depart uninjured ; and here, friend," he added, " from my horse, as I might strike down a child of giving him the golden crucifix, is the image for four years old with an iron mace and then, 1 which thou wert willing to stain thy hands with like a singing fiend as she was, she sung to me, murder. View it well, and may k inspire thee j with other and better than those which Thank the holly-bush thoughts referred to it as a of bullion. Part with That nods on thy brow ; piece it, Or with this slender rush if necessities and 1 nevertheless, require, I had thee now. thy get strangled thee one of such coarse substance that Mamuioa | I with fear and threw shall have no share in of the reflections to which gathered myself up difficulty, | any myself on my horse, and came hither like a fool to it gives rise. It was the bequest of a dear friend for a get myself hanged rogue." to me ; but dearer service can it never do than th:.; " Thou seest, honoured brother," said the Abbot of winning a soul to Heaven." to the " in Sub-Prior, what favour thou art with The Borderer, now freed from his chains, stood our blessed she Patroneas, that herself becomes gazing alternately on the Sub-Prior, and on the the of " " guardian thy paths Not since the days of golden crucifix. By Saint Giles," said he, I our blessed founder hath she shewn such grace understand ye not! An ye give me gold for to one. All any unworthy were we to hold couching my lance at thee, what would you give me spiritual superiority over thee. and we pray thee to to level it at a heretic ?" " " prepare for thy speedy removal to Aberbrothwick." The said the will the " Church," Sub-Prior, try Alas ! lord and said the effect of her my father," Sub-Prior, ! spiritual censures to bring these stray u words your pierce my very soul. Under the seal ! sheep into the fold, ere she employ the edge of the of confession will 1 presently tell thee why 1 con- sword of Saint Peter." | ceive rather the of " " myself Lamed sport of a spirit Ay, but," said the ruffian, they say the another than the of the sort, protected favourite Primate recommends a little strangling and burning heavenly powers. But first kt me ask this unhappy in aid both of censure and of sword. But fare ye man a question or two." weel, I owe a and it be I will not j you life, " " may Do as ye list," replied the Abbot but debt." you | forget my shall not convince me that it is fitting you remain The bailie now came bustling iu dressed in lus in this inferior office in the convent of Saint Mary." blue coat and bandaliers, and attended by two or "1 " would ask of this poor man," said Father three halberdiers. I have been a thought too 436 WAVERLEY NOVELS.

waiting upon your reverend lordship. I am yesterday the freebooters were the best welcome grown somewhat fatter since the field of Pinkie, men that came to Saint Mary's. Ay, they paid and my leathern coat slips not on so soon as it was tithe of every drove that they brought over from is I wont ; but the and as the South, and because were dungeon ready, " though, they something said, I have been somewhat late lightly come by, I have known them make the tithe Here his intended prisoner walked gravely up a seventh that is, if their confessor knew hia to the officer's nose, to his great amazement. business ay, when we saw from the tower a score " You have been indeed somewhat late, bailie," of fat bullocks, or a drove of sheep coming down the said he, "and I am greatly obligated to your valley, with two or tliree stout men-at-arms behind buff-coat, and to the time you took to put it on. them with their glittering steel caps, and then? black- If the secular arm had arrived some quarter of jacks, and their long lances, the good Lord Abbot :ia hour sooner, I had been out of the reach of Ingilram was wont to say he was a merry man but as it I wish there the tithes of the spiritual grace ; is, you good come spoilers of the Egyptians! even, and a safe riddance out of your garment Ay, and I have seen the famous John the Arm- if durance, in which you have much the air of a strang a fair man he was and a goodly, the more hog in armour." pity that hemp was ever heckled for him I have Wroth was the bailie with this comparison, and seen him come into the Abbey -Church witli nine " exclaimed in ire An it were not for the tassels of gold in his bonnet, and every tassel made presence of the venerable Lord Abbot, thou of nine English nobles, and he would from chapel " go knave to chapel, and from image to image, and from altar " Nay, an thou wouldst try conclusions," said to altar, on his knees and leave here a tassel, " Christie of the Clinthill, I will meet thee at day- and there a noble, till there was as little gold on break by Saint Mary's well." his bonnet as on my hood you will find no such " " Hardened wretch !" said Father Eustace, art Border thieves now !" " thou but this instant delivered from death, and dost No truly, Brother Nicolas," answered the thou so soon of ?" " are more to take the morse thoughts slaughter Abbot ; they apt any gold " I will meet with thee ere it be long, thou Church has left, than to bequeath or bestow any knave," said the bailie, "and teach thee thine and for cattle, beshrew me if I think they care Oremus." whether beeves have fed on the meadows of Laner- " I will meet thy cattle in a moonlight night cost Abbey or of Saint Mary's !" " before that day," said he of the Clinthill. There is no good thing left in them," said " I will have thee by the neck one misty morn- Father Nicolas; "they are clean naught Ah, the ing, thou strong thief," answered the secular officer thieves that I have seen ! such proper men ! and of the church. as pitiful as proper, and as pious as pitiful !" " " Thou art thyself as strong a thief as ever It skills not talking of it, Brother Nicolas," " retorted Christie if the said the Abbot and I will now dismiss rode," ; "and worms were ; you, my once feasting on that fat carcass of thine, I might brethren, holding your meeting upon this our well hope to have thine office, by favour of these inquisition concerning the danger of our reverend reverend men." Sub-Prior, instead fcf the attendance on the lauds " A cast of their office, and a cast of mine," this evening Yet let the bells be duly rung for answered the bailie " cord edification of the and also ; a and a confessor, the laymen without, that is all thou wilt have from us." that the novices may give due reverence. And " Sirs," said the Sub-Prior, observing that his now, benedicite, brethren ! The cellarer will brethren began to take more interest than was bestow on each a grace-cup and a morsel as ye exactly decorous iu this wrangling betwixt pass, the buttery, for ye have been turmoiled and " justice and iniquity, I pray you both to depart Master anxious, and dangerous it is to fall asleep in such Bailie, retire with your halberdiers, and trouble case with empty stomach." " not the man whom we have dismissed. And thou, Gratias agimus quam ma.rimas, Domine n-re- Christie, or whatever be thy name, take thy depar- rendissime" replied the brethren, departing iu ture, and remember thou owest thy life to the Lord their due order. Abbot's clemency." But the Sub-Prior remained behind, and falling " " Nay, as to that," answered Christie, I judge on his knees before the Abbot, as he was about that I owe it to but it to to craved him to hear under the seal of your own ; impute whom withdraw, I ye list, owe a life among ye, and there is an end." confession the adventures of the day. The reve- And whistling as he went, he left the apartment, rend Lord Abbot yawned, and would have alleged as if he held life to of all he seeming the which he had forfeited fatigue ; but Father Eustace, men, not worthy farther thanks. was ashamed to shew indifference in his religious " Obstinate even to !" said Father duties. The confession, therefore, proceeded, iu " brutality Eustace told all the ; and yet who knows but some better ore which Father Eustace extraordinary may lie under so rude an exterior i" circumstances which had befallen him during the "Save a thief from the gallows," said the Sa- journey. And being questioned by the Abbot, cristan know the rest of the whether he was not conscious of secret "you proverb ; and any sin, admitting, as may Heaven grant, that our lives through which he might have been subjected for and limbs are safe from this outrageous knave, a time to the delusions of evil spirits, the Sub-Prior who shall insure our meal and our malt, our herds admitted with frank avowal, that he thought he and our flocks ?" might have deserved such penance for having judged " of Father Marry, that will I, my brethren," said an aged with unfraternal rigour of the report " monk. Ah, brethren, you little know what may Philip the Sacristan. " " been be inatle of a repentant robber. In Abbot Ingil- Heaven," said the penitent, may have rarn's days ay, and I remember them as it were willing to convince me, not only that h can at THE MONASTERY. 437

1 pleasure open a communication betwixt us and that modest facility of opinion, wnereby our office l>eiiigs of a different, and, as we word it, super- is lessened and our person (were that of conse- natural class, but also to punish our pride of quence) rendered less important in the eyes of tiio j superior wisdom, or superior courage, or superior community over which we preside."

learning." Notwithstanding the high notions wliich, as .- virtue is its reward It is well said that own ; and rigid Catholic, Father Eustace entertained of the I question if duty was ever more completely recom- sacrament of confession, as his church calls it, there pensed, than by the audience which the reverend was some danger that a sense of the ridiculous Abbot so unwillingly yielded to the confession of the might have stolen on him, when he heard his Sub-Prior. To find the object of his fear shall we Superior, with such simple cunning, lay out a little say, or of his envy, or of both, accusing himself of plan for availing himself of the Sub-Prior's wisdom the very error with which he had so tacitly charged and experience, while he should take the whole him, was at once a corroboration of the Abbot's credit to himself. Yet his conscience immediately judgment, a soothing of his pride, and an allaying told him that he was right. " of his fears. The sense of triumph, however, I should have thought more," he reflected, " rather increased than diminished his natural good of the spiritual Superior, and less of the indi- humour so far was Abbot Boniface from vidual. I should have mantle over the ; and spread my being disposed to tyrannize over his Sub-Prior, in frailties of my spiritual father, and done what I consequence of tliis discovery, that in his exhorta- might to support his character, and, of course, to tion he hovered somewhat ludicrously betwixt the extend his utility among the brethren, as well as natural expression of his own gratified vanity, with others. The Abbot cannot be humbled, but and his timid reluctance to hurt the feelings of what the community must be humbled in his per- Father Eustace. son. Her boast is, that over all her children, " " My brother," said he, ex cathedra, it cannot especially over those called to places of distinction, have escaped your judicious observation, that we she can diffuse those gifts which are necessary to have often declined our own judgment in favour render them illustrious." of your opinion, even about those matters which Actuated by these sentiments, Father Eustace most nearly concerned the community. Never- frankly assented to the charge which his Superior, theless, grieved would we be, could you think even in that moment

as from ourselves have ! And for such ex. r- Chapter, emanating directly ; Heaven mercy holy thus sparing you, dearest brother, that seeming cises as may farther advantage your soul, and victory wlu'cli is so apt to engender spiritual pride, expiate the faults whereof you have contritely and uid avoiding ourselves the temptation of railing into humbly avowed yourself gnilty, "e will ponder 133 WAVEBLEY NOVELS.

upon that matter, and announce our will unto you a spirit," for such he coula not help the " judging the next morning." being whose voice he had heard, should, on the [t was remarkable, that after this memorable one side, seek the advancement of heresy, and, on e\ ening, the feelings of the worthy Abbot towards the other, interpose to save the life of a zealous

taller the the each lesson which the he was head, and stronger by liulf, writing ; and monk as- by j than any boy of his years within the Halideme. signed her was conned over in company with But he was fit for no peaceful work that could be Edward, and by him explained and re-explained, liked she devised. If he liked a book ill, he a plough and again illustrated, until became .perfectly or a puttie worse. He had scoured his father's old mistress of it. broadsword suspended it by a belt round his In the beginning of their studies, Halbert had waist, and seldom stirred without it. He was a been their school companion. But the boldness sweet boy and a gentle if spoken fair, but cross and impatience of his disposition soon quarrelei! " him and he was a born devil. In a word," she with an occupation in which, without assiduitv " said, bursting into tears, deprive me of Edward, and unremitted attention, no progress was to be j and bereave house of and The Sub-Prior's visits were at good father, ye my prop j expected. irregular for heart tells me that Halbert will take and often weeks would intervene between pillar ; my intervals, ' to his father's gates, and die his father's death." them, hi which case Halbert was sure to forget all When the conversation came to this the tliat had been for him to and crisis, : prescribed learn, good-humoured monk was always content to drop much which he liad partly acquired before. His the discussion for the time, trusting some oppor- deficiencies on these occasions gave him pain, but it tunity would occur of removing her prejudices, for was not of that sort which produces amendment. such he thought them, against Edward's proposed For a tune, like all who are fond of idleness, he destination. endeavoured to detach the attention of his brother When, leaving the mother, the Sub-Prior and Mary Avenel from their task, rather than to addressed himself to the son, animating his zeal for learn his own, and such dialogues as the following knowledge, and pointing out how amply it might be would ensue. " gratified should he agree to take holy orders, he Take your bonnet, Edward, and make haste found the same repugnance which Dame Elspeth the Laird of Colmslie is at the head of the glen with had exhibited. Edward a want of sufficient his hounds." pleaded " vocation to so serious a profession his reluctance I care not, Halbert," answered the younger " to leave his and other which the brother two brace of kill deer mother, objections, ; dogs may a Sub-Prior treated as evasive. without my being there to see them, and I must '' I plainly perceive," he said one day, in answer help Mary Avenel with her lesson." " well " to them, that the devil has his factors as as Ay ! you will labour at the monk's lessons till Heaven, and that they are equally, or, alas ! the you turn monk yourself," answered Halbert. " former are perhaps more active, in bespeaking for Mary, will you go with me, and I will shew you their master the first of the market. I trust, young the cushat's nest I told you of 1" " man, that neither idleness, nor licentious pleasure, I cannot go with you, Halbert," answered " nor the love of worldly gain and worldly grandeur, Mary, because I must study this lesson it will the chief baits with which the great Fisher of souls take me long to learn it I am sorry I am so conceals liis hook, are the causes of your declining dull, for if I could get my task as fast as Edward, the career to which I would incke you. But above I should like to go with you." " " :t!l I trust above all I that the of Should indeed !" said then 1 hope vanity you Halbert ; superior knowledge a sin with which those who will wait for you and, what is more, I will try have made proficiency in learning are most fre- to get my lesson also." quently beset has not led you into the awful With a smile and a sigh he took up the primei, hazard of listening to the dangerous doctrines which and began heavily to con over the task which liad are now afloat concerning religion. Better for you been assigned him. As if banished from the that you were as grossly ignorant as the beasts society of the two others, he sat sad and solitary which perish, than that the pride of knowledge in one of the deep window-recesses, and after in should induce you to lend an ear to the voice of vain struggling with the difficulties of his task, and the heretics." Edward Glendinnmg listened to his disinclination to learn it, he found himself the rebuke with a downcast look, and failed not, involuntarily engaged in watching the movements

when it was concluded, earnestly to vindicate him- i of the other two students, instead of toiling any self from the charge of having pushed his studies longer. the inhibited into any subjects which Church ; and The picture which Halbert looked upon was so the monk was left to form vain conjectures delightful in itself, but somehow or other it afforded respecting the cause of his reluctance to embrace the very little pleasure to lum. The beautiful girl, monastic state. with looks of simple, yet earnest aaxiety, was bent It is an old proverb, used by Chaucer, and on disentangling those intricacies which obstructed " quoted by Elizabeth, that the greatest clerks are her progress to knowledge, and looking ever and not the wisest men ;" and it is as true as if the poet anon to Edward for assistance, while, seated close had not rhymed, or the queen reasoned on it. If by her side, and watchful to remove every obstacle Father Eustace had not had his thoughts turned so from her way, he seemed at once to be proud of much to the progress of heresy, and so little to the progress which his pupil made, and of the what was passing in the tower, he might have read, assistance which he was able to render her. There in the speaking eyes of Mary Avenel, now a girl of was a bond betwixt them, a strong and interesting fourteen or fifteen, reasons which might disincline tie, the desire of obtaining knowledge, the pride of her youthful companion towards the monastic vows. surmounting difficulties. I I have said, that she also was a promising pupil of Feeling most acutely, yet ignorant of the nature the good father, upon whom her innocent and infan- and source of his own emotions, Halbert could no tine beauty had an effect of which he was himself, longer endure to look upon this quiet scene, but, perhaps, unconscious. Her rank and expectations starting up, dashed liis book from him, and " entitled her to be taught the arts of reading and exclaimed aloud. To the fiend I bequeath all 440 WAVEKLEY NOVELS.

the ! under the excuse of a not books, and dreamers that make them I ingly engaged, headach ; would a score of Southrons would come up the could Edward prevail upon her to resume it again glen, and we should learn how little all this mutter- that morning. his ing; and scribbling is worth." Meanwhile Halbert, head unbonneted, his Mary Avenel and his brother started, and looked features swelled with jealous anger, and the tear at Halbert with surprise, while he went on with still in his eye, sped up the wild and upper extre- great animation, his features swelling, and the tears mity of the little valley of Glendearg with the " starting into his eyes as he spoke. Yes, Mary speed of a roebuck, choosing, as if in desperate I wish a score of Southrons came up the glen this defiance of the difficulties of the way, the wildest and should see one and most and very day ; you good hand, and dangerous paths, voluntarily exposing one good sword, do more to protect you, than all himself a hundred times to dangers which he might the books that were ever opened, and all the pens have escaped by turning a little aside from them. that ever grew on a goose's whig." It seemed as if he wished his course to be as Mary looked a little surprised and a little straight as that of the arrow to its mark. frightened at his vehemence, but replied He arrived at length in a narrow and secluded " instantly affectionately, You are vexed, Halbert, because cleuch, or deep ravine, which ran down into the do not lesson so fast as can and contributed a rivulet to the you get your Edward ; valley, scanty and so am I, for I am as stupid as you But supply of the brook with which Glendearg is come, and Edward shall sit betwixt us and teach us." watered. Up this he sped with the same preci- " He shall not teach me" said Halbert, in the pitate haste which had marked his departure from same " I never to the nor did he and look around until angry mood ; can teach him do tower, pause any thing that is honourable and manly, and he he had reached the fountain from which the rivulet shall not teach me any of his monkish tricks. I had its rise. hate the monks, with their drawling nasal tone like Here Halbert stopt short, and cast a gloomy, so many frogs, and their long black petticoats like and almost a frightened glance around him. A so many women, and their reverences, and their huge rock rose in front, from a cleft of which grew wild lordships, and their lazy vassals, that do nothing a holly-tree, whose dark green branches rustled but peddle in the mire with plough and harrow over the spring which arose beneath. The banks from Yule to Michaelmas. I will call none lord, on either hand rose so high, and approached each but him who wears a sword to make his title other so closely, that it was only when the sun I will call was at its meridian and the sum- good ; and none man, but he that can height, during bear himself manlike and masterful." mer solstice, that its rays could reach the bottom of " For Heaven's sake, peace, brother !" said the chasm in which he stood. But it was now Edward; "if such words were taken up and summer, and the hour was noon, so that the reported out of the house, they would be our unwonted reflection of the sun was dancing in the mother's ruin." pellucid fountain. " " Report them yourself then, and they will be It is the season and the hour," said Halbert to himself " and I 1 become your and save mine own. ; now - might soon making, nobody's marring Say that Halbert Glendinning will never be vassal wiser than Edward with all his pains ! Mary to an old man with a cowl and shaven crown, should see whether he alone is 5t to be consulted, while there are twenty barons who wear casque and to sit by her side, and hang over her as she and plume that lack bold followers. Let them reads, and point out every word and every letter. grant you these wretched acres, and much meal And she loves me better than him I am sure may they bear you to make your brochan." He she does for she comes of noble blood, and left the room hastily, but instantly returned, and scorns sloth and cowardice. And do I myself not continued to speak with the same tone of quick stand here slothful and cowardly as any priest of " and irritated feeling. And you need not think so them all ? Why should I fear to call upon this much, neither of you, and especially you, Edward, form this shape I Already have I endured the need not think so much of your parchment book vision, and why not again ? What can it do to there, and your cunning in reading it. By my me, who am a man of lith and limb, and have by I will soon learn to read as well as side father's sword ? Does heart beat faith, you ; and my my my for I know a better teacher than your grim old do my hairs bristle, at the thought of calling up and a better book than his a aud how should I face a band of monk, printed breviary ; painted shadow, and since soul of the you like scholarcraft so well, Mary Southrons in flesh and blood 1 By the Avenel, you shall see whether Edward or I have first Glendinning, I will make proof of the charm !" most of it." He left the apartment, and came not He cast the leathern brogue or buskin from his again. right foot, planted himself in a firm posture, un- " What can be the matter with him ?" said Mary, sheathed his sword, and first looking around to following Halbert with her eyes from the window, collect his resolution, he bowed three times delibe- with as hasty and unequal steps he ran up the wild rately towards the holly-tree, and as often to the ''Where little glen can your brother be going, Edward ? fountain repeating at the same time, with a what book ? what teacher does he talk of ?" determined voice, the following rhyme : " It avails not said Edward. " Hal- guessing," " bert is angry, he knows not why, and speaks of he Thrice to the holly brake Thrice to the knows not what let us to our well': ; go again lessons, I bid tiiee nwake, and he will come home when he has tired himself White JIaid of Avenei! with scrambh'ng the as usual." among crags Noon on But on account of Halbert gleams Mary's anxiety Njoon glows on the Fell seemed more deeply rooted. She declined Wake thee, O wake, prose- " White .Maid of Aveati I cuiJng the task in which they had been so pleas- THE MONASTERY. 441

Far less for we hare These lines were hardly uttered, when there liaj'py, Help nor hope beyond the grave ! stood the of a female clothed in white, within figure Man awakes to joy or sorrow ; three steps of Halbert Glendinning. Ours the sleep that knows no morrow. This is all that I can shew " there to see I guess 'twas friglrtful This is all that thou mayest know." A lady richly clad as she 1 Beautiful exceedingly." The White Lady paused, and appeared to await

an answer ; but, as Halbert hesitated how to frame his speech, the vision seemed gradually to fade, and become more and more incorporeal. Justly CHAPTER XII. guessing this to be a symptom of her disappear- " ance, Halbert compelled himself to say, Lady, There ' in that ancient something superstition, when I saw you in the glen, and when you brought as it our loves. Which', erring is, fancy back the black book of of thou didst The spring that, with its thousand crystal bubbles, Mary Avenel, Bursts from the bosom of some desert rock say I should one day learn to read it." In secret solitude, well be deem'd may The White Lady replied, The haunt of something purer, wore refined, " I And mightier than ourselves. Ay! and taught thee the word and the spell. Oid Play. To waken me here by the Fairies' Well. Hut thou hast loved the heron and hawk, More than to seek my haunted walk ; You NO Halbert Glendinning had scarcely pro- And thou hast loved the lance and the sword. More than text and word nounced the mystical rhymes, than, as we have good holy ; And thou hast loved the deer to track, mentioned in the conclusion of the last chapter, an More than the lines and the letters black ; appearance, as of a beautiful female, dressed in And thou art a ranger of moss and of wood, And scornest the nurture of blood." white, stood within two yards of him. His terror gentle as '' for the moment overcame his natural courage, I will do so no longer, fair maiden," said Hal- " well as the resolution which he had bert I desire to leam and thou didst strong formed, ; ; promise seen should that the figure which he had now twice me, that when I did so desire, thou wouldst be my not third time daunt him. But it would seem I afraid a helper ; am no longer of thy presence, and there is something thrilling and abhorrent to flesh I am no longer regardless of instruction." As stand in and blood, in the consciousness that we he uttered these words, the figure of the White presence of a being in form like to ourselves, but Maiden grew gradually as distinct as it had been so different in faculties and that we can at first into ill- nature, ; and what had well-nigh faded an neither understand its purposes, nor calculate its defined and colourless shadow, again assumed an means of pursuing them. appearance at least of corporeal consistency, al- Halbert stood silent and gasped for breath, his though the hues were less vivid, and the outline of his hairs erecting themselves on his head mouth the figure less distinct and defined so at least it open his eyes fixed, and, as the sole remaining seemed to Halbert than those of an ordinary sword " sign of his late determined purpose, his inhabitant of the earth. Wilt thou grant my with pointed towards the apparition. At length, request," he said, "fair Lady, and give to my a voice of ineffable sweetness, the White Lady, keeping the holy book which Mary of Avenel has for by that name we shall distinguish this being, so often wept for 1" sung, or rather chanted, the following lines: The White Lady replied : " Youth of the dark wherefore didst tliou ' ill me ? " eye, Thy craven fear my truth accused, Wherefore art thou here, if terrors can appal th

To rend, to fear, to hope, to pray, What was of all the most remarkable, the black To lift the latch, and force the ; way volume so often mentioned not unconsumed. And better had they ne'er been born, lay only Who read to doubt, or read to scorn." but untouched in the slightest degree, amid this intensity of fire, which, while it seemed to be of force " Give me the volume, Lady," said young Glen- sufficient to melt adamant, had no effect whatever " on the sacred book thus to its utmost dinning. They call me idle they call me dull subjected influence. in this pursuit my industry shall not fail, nor, The White to with God's blessing, shall my undei-standing. Give Lady, having paused long enough let take of me tho volume." The apparition again replied : young Glendinning a complete survey " what was around now said in her usual Many a fathom dark and deep him, I have laid the book to sleep ; chant, Ethereal fires around it glowing " Here lies the volume thou boldly hast sought ; Ethereal music ever flowing Touch it, and take it, 'twill dearly be bough: I" The sacred pledge of Ileav'n All things revere, Familiarised in some degree with marvels, and Each in his sphere, desirous of the he had Save man for whom 'twas giv'n : desperately shewing courage Lend thy hand, and thou shall spy boasted, Halbert plunged his hand, without hesita- ne'er seen mortal Things by eye." tion, into the flame, trusting to the rapidity of the Halbert Glendinning boldly reached his hand to motion, to snatch out the volume before the tire the White Lady. could greatly affect him. But he was much dis- " Fearest thou to go with me ?" she said, as hia appointed. The flame instantly caught upon his hand trembled at the soft and cold touch of her sleeve, and though he withdrew his hand imme- diately, yet his arm was so dreadfully scorched, " that he had screamed with I'earest thou to go with me ? well-nigh pain. He Still it is free to thee suppressed the natural expression of anguish, how- A to dwell ; peasant ever, and intimated the which he felt Thou drive the dull steer, only agony mayst a And chase the king's deer, by contortion and a muttered groan. The White Out never more come near Lady passed her cold hand over his arm, and, ere This haunted well." she had finished the following metrical chant, his " If what thou sayest be true," said the un- pain had entirely gone, and no mark of the scorch " daunted boy, my destinies are higher than thine ing was visible : own. There shall be neither well nor wood which "Rash thy deed, I dare not visit. No fear of aught, natural or Mortal weed To immortal flames ; supernatural, shall bar path through native applying my my Rasher trust valley." Has thing of dust, He had scarce uttered the words, when they On his own weak worth relying : tliee of such fences vain, both descended through the earth with a rapidity Strip Strip, and prove thy luck again." which took away Halbert's breath and every other sensation, saving that of being hurried on with the Obedient to what he understood to be the meaning to the utmost velocity. At length they stopped with a ;>f his conductress, Halbert bared his arm shock so sudden, that the mortal journeyer through shoulder, throwing down the remains of his sleeve, this unknown space must have been thrown down which no sooner touched the floor on which he with violence, had lie not been upheld by his super- stood than it collected itself together, shrivelled fire reduced natural companion. itself up, and was without any visible It was more than a sudden breath of wind dis- minute, ere, looking around to light tinder, which a he or White ob- him, beheld a grotto, natural cavern, composed persed into empty space. The Lady, of the most re- the splendid spars and crystals, which serving the surp'rise of youth, immediately in a thousand turned prismatic hues the light of repeated a flame that altar of " brilliant glowed on an alabaster. Mortal warp and mortal woof, brook this charmed roof ; This altar, with its fire, formed the central point Cannot AH that mortal art hali wrought, of the which was of a round form, and grotto, very In our cell returns to nought. liigh in the roof, resembling in some respects the The molten gold returns to clay, melts dome of a cathedral. Corresponding to the four The polish'd diamond away ; All is alter'd all is flown, of the there went off four points compass, long Nought stands fast but truth alone. galleries, or arcades, constructed of the same bril- .Not for that thy quest give o'er: more." ! thy chance once liant materials with the dome itself, and the termi- Courage prove nation of which was lost in darkness. Imboldened by her words, Halbert Glendinning hia bare No human imagination can conceive, or words made a second effort, and, plunging arm suffice to describe, the glorious radiance, which, shot into the flame, took out the sacred volume without forth the of kind. fiercely by name, was returned from so feeling either heat or inconvenience any his success, many hundred thousand points of reflection, afforded Astonished, and almost terrified at own shoot into by the sparry pillars and their numerous angular he beheld the flame collect itself, and up as if it crystals. The fire itself did not remain steady one long and final stream, which seemed of the and and unmoved, but rose and fell, sometimes ascend- would ascend to the very roof cavern, extin- ing in a brilliant pyramid of condensed flame half then, sinking as suddenly, became totally the into darkness ensued but Hal- way up lofty expanse, and again fading a guished. The deepest ; for the softer and more rosy hue, and hovering, as it were, bert had no time to consider his situation, and i>n the surface of the altar to collect its strength for White Lady had already caught his hand, they another powerful exertion. There was no visible ascended to upper air with the same velocity with fuel by which it was fed, nor did it emit either which they had sunk into the earth. moke or vapour of any kind. They stood by the fountain in the Corri-nan- THE MONASTERY, 443

-,lnan when they emerged from the bowels of tlie But neither sound nor appearance indicated the around of the White and -.arth ; but on casting a bewildered glance presence Lady, nothing preterna- the him, the youth was .surprised to observe, that tural beyond what he had already witnessed, was Jiadows had fallen far to the east, and that the day again audible or visible. Halbert, in the mean- his conductress of tfas well-nigh spent. He gazed on while, by the very exertion again inviting the to fade before for explanation, but her figure began presence of this mysterious Being, had recovered her features less his his eyes her cheeks grew paler, natural audacity. He looked around once more, distinct, her form became shadowy, and blended and resumed his solitary path down the valley into itself with the mist which was ascending the hollow whose recesses he had penetrated. ravine. What had late the symmetry of form, and Nothing could be more strongly contrasted than the delicate, yet clear hues of feminine beauty, now the storm of passion with which he had bounded of some maiden stock resembled the flitting and pale ghost over and crag, in order to plunge himself into who has died for love, as it is seen indistinctly and the Corri-nan-Shian, and the sobered mood in which her lover. he now returned by" moonlight, by perjured homeward, industriously seeking " !" said the youth, imboldened by out the most practicable path, not from a wish to Stay, spirit " his success in the subterranean dome, thy kind- avoid danger, but that he might not by personal ness must not leave me, as one encumbered with a toil distract his attention, deeply fixed on the extra- weapon he knows not how to wield. Thou must ordinary scene which he had witnessed. In the teach me the art to read, and to understand this former case, he had sought by hazard and bodily else what avails it that I it ?" exertion to at once the excitation of volume ; me possess indulge fiery But the figure of the White Lady still waned passion, and to banish the cause of the excitement as before his eye, until it became an outline pale from his recollection; while now he studiously and indistinct as that of the moon, when the winter avoided all interruption to his contemplative walk, ended the lest morning is far advanced, and ere she had the difficulty of the way should interfere with, : or following chant, she was entirely invisible disturb, his own deep reflections. Thus slowly pacing forth his course, with the air of a " Alas! alas! pilgrim rather than of a Halbert about the Not ours the grace deer-hunter, These holy characters to trace : close of the evening regained his paternal tower. Idle forms of painted air, Jfot to its i given to share The boun bestow'd on Adam's race ' With patience bide. Heaven will provide The the fitting time, fitting guide." CHAPTER XIII. The form was already gone, and now the voice itself had melted away in melancholy cadence, The Miller was of manly make, To meet him was na mows ; as if the who had ben softening, Being spoke There durst na ten come him to com- take, slowly wafted from the spot where she had Sae noited he their pows. menced her melody. Cnrist't Kirk on Hit Crtcn. It was at this moment that Halbert felt the ex- tremity of the terror which he had hitherto so IT was after sunset, as we have already stated, to the abode manfully suppressed. The very necessity of exer- when Halbert Glendinning returned hour of dinner was at tion had given him spirit to make it, and the pre- of his father. The noon, sunset at this sence of the mysterious Being, while it was a subject and that of supper about an hour after had without of fear hi itself, had nevertheless given him the period of the year. The former passed sense near to It was llalbcrt's but this was no uncommon of protection being him. appearing ; when he could reflect with composure on what had circumstance, for the chase, or any other pastime passed, that a cold tremor shot across his limbs, his which occurred, made Halbert a frequent neglecter lest his and hair bristled, and he was afraid to look around of hours ; and mother, though angry disap- not at was so lie should find at his elbow something more fright- pointed when she saw him table, and ful than the first vision. A breeze arising suddenly much accustomed to his occasional absence, realized the beautiful and wild idea of the most knew so little how to teach him more regularity, ' almost all the censure imaginative of our modern bards that a testy observation was with which such omissions were visited. It fann'd his it raised his hair, the wrath of cheek, On the present occasion, however, Like a meadow gale in spring ; Dame soared higher than usual. It It mingled strangely with his fears, good Elspeth Vet it felt like a welcoming. was not merely on account of the special tup's-head of and trotters, the haggis and the side mutton, The youth stood silent and astonished for a few with which her table was set forth, but also because minutes. It seemed to him that the extraordinary of the arrival of no less a person than Hob Miller, man's 13eing he had seen, half his terror, half his protect- as he was universally termed, though the ress, was still hovering on the gale which swept name was Happer. herself the of past him, and tKat she might again make The object of the Miller's visit to Tower sensible to his " he embassies organs of sight. Speak !" said, Glendearg was like the purpose of those his " be once wildly tossing arms, speak yet again which potentates send to each other's courts, partly more vision ! thrice have I now Hobb present, lovely ostensible, partly politic. In outward show, share ween thee, yet the idea of thy invisible presence came to visit his friends of the Halidome, and around or beside makes heart beat faster after the me, my the festivity common among country folk, tlian if the earth a demon." to renew old intima- yawned and gave up barn-yard has been filled, and truth he cies by new conviviality. But in vevy the contents of a.1 so came to have an eye upon 444 WAVERLEY NOVELS. each stack, and to obtain such information respect- By turning and again turning these advantages ing the extent of the crop reaped and gathered in over in her own mind, Elspeth at length came to by each feaar, as prevent the of be of opinion, that the only way to save her son might possibility " abttracted multures. Halbert from a life of spur, spear, and snafle," All the world knows that the cultivators of each as they called that of the border-riders, from the barony or regalky, temporal or spiritual, in Scot- dint of a cloth-yard shaft, or the loop of an inch- land, are obliged to bring their corn to be grinded cord, was, that he should marry and settle, and that at the mill of the territory, for which they pay a Mysie Happer should be his destined bride. heavy charge, called the intown multures. I could As if to her wish, Hob Miller arrived on his speak to the thirlage of invecta et ittata too, but strong-built mare, bearing OH a pillion behind him let that pass. I have said enough to intimate that the lovely Mysie, with cheeks like a peony-rose, I talk not without book. Those of the Sucken, or (if Dame Glendinning had ever seen one,) spirits afloat with rustic enthralled ground, were liable in penalties, if, de- all coquetry, and a profusion of viating from this thirlage, (or thraldom,) they car- hair as black as ebony. The beau-ideal which ried their grain to another mill. Now such another Dame Glendinning had been bodying forth in her mill, erected on the lands of a lay-baron, lay within imagination, became unexpectedly realized in the a and convenient distance of buxom form of in the course tempting Glendearg ; Mysie Happer, whom, and the Miller was so obliging, and his charges so of half an hour, she settled upon as the maiden who moderate, that it required Hob Miller's utmost was to fix the restless and untutored Halbert. True, vigilance to prevent evasions of his right of Mysie, as the dame soon saw, was like to love dancing monopoly. round a may-pole as well as managing a domestic The most effectual means he could devise was this establishment, and Halbert was like to break more show of good fellowship and neighbourly friendship, heads than he would grind stacks of corn. But under colour of which he made his annual cruise then a miller should always be of manly make, and through the barony numbered every corn-stack, has been described so since the days of Chaucer and 1 and computed its contents by the boll, so that he James 1. Indeed to be able to outdo and bully the could give a shrewd hint afterwards whether or not whole Sucken, (once more we use this barbarous Uie grist came to the right mill. phrase,) in all athletic exercises, was one way to Dame Elspeth, like her compeers, was obliged render easy the collection of dues which men would r to take these domiciliary A isits in the sense of have disputed with a less formidable champion. in as to the deficiencies of the miller's politeness ; but her case they had not occurred Then, wife, since her husband's death, probably because the the dame was of opinion that they might be supplied " Tower of Glendearg was distant, and there was by the activity of the miller's mother. I will keep but a trifling quantity of arable or infield land house for the young folk myself, for the tower is attached to it. This year there had been, upon grown very lonely," thought Dame Glendinning, " some speculation of old Martin's, several bolls sown and to live near the lark will be mair comfortable in the out-field, which, the season being fine, had in my auld age and then Edward may agree with ripened remarkably well. Perhaps this circumstance his brother about the feu, more especially as he is a occasioned the honest Miller's including Glendearg, favourite with the Sub-Prior, and then he may live on this occasion, hi his annual round. in the auld tower like his worthy father before him Dame Glendinning received with pleasure a visit and wha kens but Mary Avenel, high-blood as e'en in which she used formerly only to endure with pa- she is, may draw her stool to the chimney- tience she her view the sit down here for a' ? ; and had changed of matter nook, and good and It's chiefly, if not entirely, because Hob had brought true she has no tocher, but the like of her for beauty with him his of she and sense ne'er crossed een and I have daughter Mysie, whose features my ; keud could give so slight an account, but whose dress every wench in the Halidome of St Mary's ay, she had described so accurately to the Sub-Prior. and their mothers that bore them ay, she is a Hitherto this girl had been an object of very sweet and a lovely creature as ever tied snood over consideration in the of the widow brown hair and her uncle trifling eyes good ; ay, then, though keeps but the Sub-Prior's particular and somewhat myste- her out of her ain for the present time, yet it is rious inquiries had set her brains to work on the to be thought the gray-goose shaft will find a hole of of the Mill here in his coat of us ! it has done in subject Mysie ; and she had proof, as, God help asked a broad question, and there she had thrown many a better man's And, moreover, if they out an innuendo, and there again she had gradually should stand on then? pedigree and gentle race, led on to a conversation on the subject of poor Edward might say to them, that is, to her gentle * Mysie. And from all inquiries and investigations kith and kin, whilk o' ye was her best friend she had collected, that Mysie was a dark-eyed when she came down the glen to Glendearg in laughter-loving wench, with cherry-cheeks, and a a misty evening, on a beast mair like a cuddie than skin as white as her father's finest bolted flour, aughfr else ?' And if they tax him with churl's out of which was made the Abbot's own wastel-bread. For her temper, she sung and laughed from morn- 1 The verse we have chosen for a is from a im- for motto, poem to ; and her a material article, ing night fortune, puted to James I. of Scotland. As for the Miller who figures besides that which the Miller might have amassed among the Canterbury pilgrims, besides his sword and buckler, he boasted other all of but the by means of his proverbial golden thumb, Mysie attributes, which, especially shew that he relied more on the of the outside to inherit a of last, strength was good handsome lump land, with than that of the inside of his skull. a prospect of the mill and mill-acres to descending The miller was a stout carl for the none*, if a fair Full he was of and eke of her husband on an easy lease, word were big brawn, bone* ; Thatat provedprove we,well, foror weresoe'rwheresoe' he cam ; in season to the and to the Prior, spoken Abbot, At wrestling he wold bear away the ram ; He was short thick and to the Sut- Prior, and to the Sacristan, and shoulder'd, broad, a gnar ; ThThere n'ns no door that he n old heave rf bar, BO fortk Or b ing with his head, Ac. THE MONASTERY. 44:

" biood, fcdward might say, that, ibrby tlie old pro- Alas, that you will say so, neighbour Hob," said verb, how Dame Elspeth, "or that Martin should have ha<;

deed ! flentlo any words with you about the mill-dues I wil 1 Makes gentle blcid ; chide him roundly for it, I promise you, on the yet, moreover, there comes no churl's blood from i faith of a time widow. You know full well that a Edward " Glendinning or Brydone ; for, says lone woman is sore by her servants." j put upon " The hoarse voice of the Miller at this moment Nay, dame," said the Miller, unbuckling the

recalled the dame from her reverie, and compelled I broad belt which made fast his cloak, and served, her to remember that if she meant to realize her at the same time, to suspend by his side a swinging the airy castle, she must begin by laying foundation Andrea Ferrara, "bear no grudge at Martin, for 1

his i in civility to her guest and daughter, whom she bear none I take it on me as a thing of mine was at that moment most to maintain of and strangely neglecting, i office, my right multure, lock, 3 though her whole plan turned on conciliating their goupen. And reason good, for as the old sou- j favour and good opinion, and that, in fact, while says, matters for so intimate a union with her arranging I live by my mill, Rod bless her, she to sit company, was suffering them unnoticed, She's parent, child, and wife. and in their riding gear, as if about to resume their " journey. And so I say, dame," concluded the The poor old slut, I am beholden to her for my not Miller, (for she had marked the beginning of living, and bound to stand by her, as I say to my his speech,) "an ye be so busied with your house- mill-knaves, in right and in wrong. And so should kep, or aught else, why, Mysie and I will trot our every honest fellow stand by his bread-winner. way down the glen again to Johnnie Broxmouth's, And so, Mysie, ye may doff your cloak since our who pressed us right kindly to bide with him." neighbour is so kindly glad to see us why, T Starting at once from her dream of marriages think, we are as blithe to see her not one hi the and intermarriages, mills, mill-lands, and baronies, Halidome pays their multures more duly, sequels, Dame Elspeth felt for a moment like the milkmaid arriage, and carriage, and mill-services, used and in the fable, when she overset the pitcher, on the wont." contents of which so many golden dreams were With that the Miller hung his ample cloak founded. But the foundation of Dame Glendin- without farther ceremony upon a huge pair of was not which adorned at once the uing's hopes only tottering, overthrown, ] stag's antlers, naked and she hastened to restore its equilibrium. In- walls of the tower, and served for what we vulgarly :>, a not at the mill of die thirl. It uricl grinding was, is, accounted handful, were additional perquisites demanded by the miller, a. vexatious exaction. and submitted to or resisted the Suckfner as circumstances * by The under is in the !;i of called the miller, >ffu:ige thirlage, permitted. These and other petty dues ivere called in genera' his knave, uidi, indeed, signified originally lad, (Ktuibf the &'

" sliould be settled, for to that point the dame always To be a Prior, neighbour Miller," said Edward, " returned and here excellent a first be a and for that I ; was an opportunity. man must priest, judge The simple cunning of Dame Elspeth now I have little vocation." " exhausted itself in commendations of her fair He will take to the pleugh-pettle, neighbour," guest, " from the as to the the and so will Halbert 1 snood, they say, single-soled shoe. said good dame ; too, Mysie listened and blushed with pleasure for the trust. I wish you saw Halbert. Edward, where first five minutes but ere ten is ; had elapsed, she your brother ?" to view the old " I " began lady's compliments rather as Hunting, think," replied Edward ; at least subjects of mirth than of vanity, and was much he left us this morning to join the Laird of Colmslie more disposed to laugh at than to be flattered with and his hounds. I have heard them baying in the them, for Nature had ininglod the good-humour glen all day." " with which she had endowed the damsel with no And if I had heard that music," said the Miller, " small portion of shrewdness. Even Hob himself it would have done my heart good, ay, and may began to tire of hearing his daughter's praises, and be taken me two or tliree miles out of my road. broke in with, "Ay, ay, she is a clever quean When I was the Miller of Morebatttle's knave, I followed the enough ; and, were she five years older, she shall have hounds from Eckford to the foot l lay a loaded sack on an aver with e'er a lass in of Hounam-law followed them on foot, Dame the Halidome. But I have been looking for your Glendinning, ay, and led the chase when the Laird two sons, dame. Men say downby that Halbert's of Cessford and his gay riders were all thrown out turned wild the mosses and I a springald, and that we may have by gills. brought the stag on word of him from Westmoreland one moonlight my back to Hounam Cross, when the dogs had night or another." pulled him down. I think I see the old gray " God in his as he sate so on his war forbid, my good neighbour ; God, knight, upright strong forbid !" said all white with foam and ' said ho mercy, Dame Glendinning earnestly ; horse, ; Miller,' ' for it was touching the very key-note of her appre- to me, an thou wilt turn thy back on the mill, and hensions, to hint any probability that Halbert might wend with me, I will make a man of thee.' But I become one of the marauders so common in the chose rather to abide by clap and happer, and the and fearful of better luck was mine for the caused age country. But, having betrayed ; proud Percy too much alarm on this subject, she immediately hang five of the Laird's henchmen at Alnwick for " added, That though, since the last rout at Piukie- burning a rickle of houses some gate beyond Fow- cleuch, she had been all of a tremble when a gun berry, and it might have been my luck as well as or a spear was named, or when men spoke of fight- another man's." to " said Gfen ing ; yet, thanks God and our Lady, her sons Ah, neighbour, neighbour," Dame " were h'ke to live die honest tenants were wise and but il and and peaceful dinning, you aye wary ; to the Abbey, as their father might have done, you h'ke hunting, I must say Halbert's the lad to out for that awful hosting which he went forth to, please you. He hath all those fair holiday terms ot with mony a brave man that never returned." hawk and hound as ready in his mouth as Tom with " is Ye need not tell me of it, dame," said the the tod's tail, that the Lord Abbot's ranger." " " Miller, since I was there myself, and made two Ranges he not homeward at dinner-time, dame," of these but the Miller "for we call noon the duiiKu-- pair legs (and were not mine, my demanded ; mare's,) worth one pair of hands. I judged how it hour at Kennaquhair V would be, when I saw our host break ranks, with The widow was forced to admit, that, even at rushing on through that broken ploughed field, and this important period of the day, Halbert w;is so as of I e'en absent at which the Miller shook liis they had made a pricker me, pricked frequently ; off with myself while the play was good." head, intimating, at the same time, some allusiou " " Ay, ay, neighbour," said the dame, ye were to the proverb of MacFarlane's geese, which " * a wise and a if Simon had had liked their better than their meat." aye wary man ; my play your wit, he might have been here to speak about That the delay of dinner might not increase the it this he of his Miller's to Dame day ; but was aye cracking good disposition prejudge Halbert, blood and liis high kindred, and less would not Glendinning called hastily on Mary Avenel to take serve him than to bide the .bang to the last, with her task of entertaining Mysie Happer, while she the earls, and knights, and squires, that had no herself rushed to the kitchen, and, entering at once wives to greet for them, or else had wives that into the province of Tibb Tacket, rummaged among cared not soon is trenchers snatched from the how they were widows ; but that and dishes, pots fire, not for the like of us. But touching my son Hal- and placed pans and gridirons on it, accompanying there is no fear of if it should be her own feats of with such a con- bert, him ; for personal activity his misfortune to be in the like he has the best tinued list of unctions to Tibb, that Tibb at case, inj " pair of heels in the Halidome, and could run almost length lost patience, and said, Here was as muckle as fast as your mare herself." work about meating an auld miller, as if they had " Is this he, neighbour V quoth the Miller. been to banquet the blood of Bruce." But this, as " " the mother that is it was to be Dame Glen- No," replied ; my youngest supposed spoken aside, son, Edward, who can read and write like the Lord dinning did not think it convenient to hear. Abbot himself, if it were not a sin to say so." " " said the Miller and is that Ay," ; the young See Note E. MacFarlaiit'c Gees*. clerk the Sub-Prior thinks so much of ? they say he will come far ben that lad ; wha kens but he may come to be Sub-Prior himself ] as broken a ship has come to laud."

1 Aver properly a tiorse of labour THE MONASTERY. 447

from the retired in CHAPTER XIV. being themselves, situation which they dwelt, comparative strangers in the Halidome, did not serve in any degree to alter the May, let me have the friends who eat my victuals, towards the As various as my dishes. The feast's naught, feelings of the inhabitants young lady, Where one huge plate predominates. John Plaintext, who seemed to have dropped amongst them from He shall be mighty beef, our English staple ; another sphere of life. Still, however, she was The worthy Alderman, a butter'd dumpling ; if not with and the Von pair o'f whisker'd Cornets, ruffs and rees : regarded with respect, fondness; a in Their friend the Dandy, green goose sippets. attention of the Sub-Prior to the family, not to And so the board is at ouce and tfll'd spread mention the formidable name of Julian Avenel, Uo the same principle Variety. those tumultuous timi-s A"i'r Plii;i which every new incident of ! tended to render more famous, attached to liis " AXD what brave lass is this ?" said Hub niece a certain importance. Thus some aspired Miller, as Mary Avenel entered the apartment to to her acquaintance out of pride, while the more supply the absence of Dame Elspeth Glendinning. timid of the feuars were anxious to inculcate upon " The young Lady of Aveuel, father," said the then? children, the necessity of being respectful to Maid of the Mill, dropping as low a curtsy as her the noble orphan. So that Mary Avenel, little lovt; J rustic manners enabled her to make. The Miller, because little known, was regarded with a myste- her father, doffed his bonnet, and made his reve- rious awe, partly derived from fear of her uncle's rence, not altogether so low perliaps as if the young moss-troopers, and partly from her own retired lady had appeared in the pride of rank and riches, and distant liabits, enhanced by the superstitious yet so as to give high birth the due homage wliich opinions of the time and country. the Scotch for a length of time scrupulously ren- It was not without some portion of this awe, that dered to it. Mysie felt herself left alone in company with a Indeed, from having had her mother's example young person so distant in rank, and so different in before for so and from a native herself for her father had her many years, bearing, from ; worthy sense of propriety and even of dignity, Mary taken the first opportunity to step out unobserved, Avenel had acquired a demeanour, which marked in order to mark how the barn-yard was filled, and her title to consideration, and effectually checked what prospect it afforded of grist to the mill. ID any attempt at familiarity on the part of those who youth, however, there is a sort of free-masonry, might be her associates in her present situation, which, without much conversation, teaches young but could not be well termed her equals. She was persons to estimate each other's character, and by nature mild, pensive, and contemplative, gentle places them at ease on the shortest acquaintance. in disposition, and most placable when accidentally It is only when taught deceit by the commerce of still she of a retired reserved the that learn to shroud cliaracter offended ; but was and world, we our habit, and shunned to mix in ordinary sports, even from observation, and to disguise our real senti- when the rare occurrence of a fair or wake gave ments from those with whom we are placed in her an opportunity of mingling with companions communion. of her own age. If at such scenes she was seen Accordingly, the two young women were soon for an instant, she appeared to behold them with engaged in such objects of interest as best became the composed indifference of one to whom their their age. They visited Mary Avenel's pigeons, of which she nursed with the tenderness of a mother gaiety was a matter no interest, and who seemed ; only desirous to glide away from the scene as soon they turned over her slender stores of finery, which as she possibly could. yet contained some articles that excited the respect Something also had transpired concerning her of her companion, though Mysie was too good- being born on All-hallow Eve, and the powers humoured to nourish envy. A golden rosary, and with which that circumstance was supposed to some female ornaments marking superior rank, had nvest her over the invisible world. And from all been rescued in the moment of their utmost ihese particulars combined, the young men and adversity, more by Tibb Tacket's presence of mind, women of the Halidome used to distingush Mary than by the ire of their owner, who was at that among themselves by the name of the Spirit of sad period too much sunk in grief to pay any Avenel, as if the fair but fragile form, the beautiful attention to such circumstances. They struck of veneration but rather colourless cheek, the dark blue eye, and Mysie with a deep impression ; for, the shady hair, had belonged rather to the imma- excepting what the Lord Abbot and the convent terial than the substantial world. The general might possess, she did not beKeve there was so much tradition of the White Lady, who was supposed to real gold in the world as was exhibited in these wait on the fortunes of the family of Avene), gave a few trinkets, and Mary, however sage and serious, sort of zest to this piece of rural wit. It gave was not above being pleased with the admiration great offence, however, to the two sons of Simon of her rustic companion. the in could exhibit a con- Glendinning ; and when expression was Nothing, indeed, stronger their presence applied to the young lady, Edward trast than the appearance of the two girls; the was wont to check the petulance of those who used good-humoured laughter-loving countenance of the it by strength of argument, and Halbert by strength Maid of the Mill, who stood gazing with unrepresbed of arm. In such cases Halbert had this advantage, astonishment on whatever was in her inexperienced the that although he could render no aid to his brother's eye rare and costly, and with an humble, and at argument, yet when circumstances required it, he same time cheerful acquiescence in her inferiority, ; was sure to have that of who never indeed all the little about the use and value Edward, asking queries | with himself commenced a fray, but, on the other hand, of the ornaments, while Mary Avenel, her dir> not testify any reluctance to enter into com- quiet composed dignity and placidity of manner, Lat in lialbert's behalf or in his rescue. produced them one after another for the amusemeut liu: the zealous attachment of the two youths, of her companion. 448 WAYERLEY NOVELS.

As they became gradually more fai.iiliar, Mysie might have sought the point of observation, if she of the Mill was just venturing to ask, why Mary had not been scared from it by the unrestrained the and to her friend Avenel never appeared at May-pole, curiosity expressed by buxom ; but at express her wonder when the young lady said she length the same feeling prevailed over her sense of disliked dancing, when a trampling of horses at the dignity, and satisfied with having displayed all the gate of the tower interrupted their conversation. indifference that was necessary in point of decorum, flew to the shot window in the full ardour she no herself bound to restrain her Mysie " longer thought of unrestrained female curiosity. Saint Mary ! curiosity.

! here come two well-mounted the out-shot or window she sweet lady gallants ; From projecting will you step this way to look at them ?" could perceive, that Christie of the Clinthill was " " No," said Mary Avenel, you shall tell me attended on the present occasion by a very gay and who they are." gallant cavalier, who from the nobleness of his " " Well, if you like it better," said ysie but countenance and manner, his rich and handsome how shall I know them] Stay, I do know one of dress, and the showy appearance of his horse and them, and so do you, lady; he is a blithe man, furniture, must, she agreed with her new friend, somewhat light of hand they say, but the gallants be a person of some consequence. of these days think no great harm of that. He is Christie also seemed conscious of something, your uncle's henchman, that they call Christie of which made him call out with more than his usual insolence of " the Clinthill; and he has not his old green jerkin manner, What, ho ! so ho ! the

scarlet house ! Churl will and the rusty black-jack over it, but a cloak, peasants, no one answer when I laid down with silver lace three inches broad, and call ? Ho ! Martin, Tibb, Dame Glendinning ! a breast-plate you might see to dress your hair in, a murrain on you, must we stand keeping our as well as in that keeking-glass in the ivory frame horses in the cold here, and they steaming with that you shewed me even now. Come, dear lady, heat, when we have ridden so sharply ?" come to the shot-window and see him." At length he was obeyed, and old Martin made " " " If it be the man you mean, Mysie," replied the his appearance. Ha !" said Christie, art thou " orphan of Avenel, I shall see him soon enough, there, old Truepenny ? here, stable me these steeds, considering either the pleasure or comfort the sight and see them well bedded, and stretch thine old will limbs them down see thou give me." by rubbing ; and quit "Nay, but if you will not come to see gay not the stable till there is not a turned hair on Christie," replied the Maid of the Mill, her face either of them." flushed with eager curiosity, "come and tell me who Martin took the horses to the stable as com- the gallant is that is with him, the handsomest, the manded, but suppressed not his indignation a " very lovesomest young man I ever saw with sight." moment after he could vent it with safety. Would " It is my foster-brother, Halbert Glendinning," not any one think," he said to Jasper, an old said with indifference for she had in to his Mary, apparent ; ploughman, who, coming assistance, had been accustomed to call the sons of Elspeth her heard Christie's imperious inj unctions, "that this foster-brethren, and to live with them as if they loon, this Christie of the Clinthill, was laird or lord had been brothers in earnest. at least of him ? No such thing, man ! I remember " that it is said him little in the Nay, by Our Lady, not," Mysie ; a dirty turnspit-boy house of " I know the favour of both the Glendinnings well, Avenel, that every body in a frosty morning like and I think this rider be not of our country. He this warmed his fingers by kicking or cuffing ! and has a crimson velvet bonnet, and long brown hair now he is a gentleman, and swears, d n him and if falling down under it, and a beard on his upper lip, renounce him, as the gentlemen could not so and his chin clean and close shaved, save a small much as keep their own wickedness to themselves, patch on the point of the chin, and a sky-blue jerkin, without the like of him going to hell in their very slashed and lined with white satin, and trunk-hose company, and by the same road. I have as much to suit, and no weapon but a rapier and dagger a mind as ever I had to my dinner, to go back and Well, if I was a man, I would never wear weapon tell him to sort his horse himself, since he is as able but the rapier ! it is so slender and becoming, as I am." " " instead of having a cart-load of iron at my back, Hout tout, man !" answered Jasper, keep a like father's broad-sword with its calm better to fleech fool than with my great rusty sough ; a fight basket-hilt. Do you not delight in the rapier and him." poniard, lady ?" Martin acknowledged the truth of the proverb, " " The best sword," answered Mary, if I must and, much comforted therewith, betook himself to needs answer a question of the sort, is that which cleaning the stranger's horse with great assiduity, is drawn in the best cause, and which is best used remarking, it was a pleasure to handle a handsome when it is out of the scabbard." nag, and turned over the other to the charge of " can But you not guess who this stranger should Jasper. Nor was it until Christie's commands were be ?" said Mysie. literally complied with, that he deemed it proper " I cannot even it but to after to the in the Indeed, attempt ; judge fitting ablutions, join party his it is na matter little he is not for the of by companion, how spence ; purpose waiting upon them, known," replied Mary. as a mere modern reader might possibly expect, but " My benison on his bonny face," said Mysie, "if that he might have his share of dinner in their lie is not going to alight here ! Now, I am as company. much pleased as if my father had given me the In the meanwhile Christie had presented his silver he has me so often to Sir Piercie earrings promised ; companion Dame Glendinning as nay, you had as well come to the window, for you Shafton, a friend of his and of his master, come to must see him by and by whether you will or not." spend three or four days with little din in the I do not know how much sooner Mary Avenel tower. The good dame could not conceive how she THE MONASTERY. 449 was entitled to such an honour, and would fain have or any other infirmity of the organs. But though to pleaded her want of every sort of convenience the embroidery of his conversation was different, entertain a guest of that quality. But, indeed, the the groundwork was the same, and the high-flown visiter, when he cast his eyes round the bare walls, and ornate compliments with which the gallant eyed the huge black chimney, scrutinized the knight of the sixteenth century interlarded his con- meagre and broken furniture of the apartment, versation, were as much the offspring of egotism of the mistress of and beheld the embarrassment and self-conceit, as the jargon of the coxcombs of our the family, intimated great reluctance to intrude own days. upon Dame Glendinning a visit, which could scarce, The English knight was, however, something otherwise than from all appearances, prove an daunted at finding that Mary Avenel listened with inconvenience to her, and a penance to himself. an air of indifference, and answered with won- hostess to But the reluctant and her guest had derful brevity, to all the fine things which ought, do with an inexorable man, who silenced all ex- as he conceived, to have dazzled her with their '' postulation with, such was his master's pleasure. and puzzled her their " brilliancy, by obscurity. And, moreover," he continued, though the Baron But if he was disappointed in making the desired, of Aveuel's will must, and ought to prove law to all or rather the expected impression, upon her whom within ten miles around him, yet here, dame," he he addressed, Sir Piercie Shafton's discourse was " said, is a letter from your petticoated baron, the marvellous in the ears of Mysio the Miller's daugh- lord-priest yonder, who enjoins you, as you regard ter, and not the less so that she did not compre- his pleasure, that you afford to this good knight hend the meaning of a single word which he such decent accommodation as is in your power, uttered. Indeed, the gallant knight's language was suffering him to live as privately as he shall desire. far too courtly to be understood by persons of And for you, Sir Piercie Shafton," continued much greater acuteness than Mysie's. Christie, "you will judge for yourself, whether It was about this period, that the "only rare secrecy and safety is not more your object even poet of his time, the witty, comical, facetiously- not now, than soft beds and high cheer. And do quick, and quickly-facetious, John Lylly he that the of judge of the dame's goods by semblance her sate at Apollo's table, and to whom Phoebus gave for will the dinner she is about ' cottage ; you see by a wreath of his own bays without snatching" to spread for us, that the vassal of the kirk is seldom he, in short, who wrote that singularly coxcomical found with her basket bare." To Mary Avenel work, called Euphues and his England, was in the Christie presented the stranger, after the best very zenith of his absurdity and reputation. The to his the fashion he could, as the niece of master quaint, forced, and unnatural style which he intro- " baron. duced by his Anatomy of Wit," had a fashion aa While he thus laboured to reconcile Sir Piercie rapid as it was momentary all the court ladies Shafton to his fete, the widow, having consulted her were his scholars, and to parler Eupkidsme, was as the real of Abbot's >on Edward on import the Lord necessary a qualification to a courtly gallant, as injunction, and having fouud that Christie had given those of understanding how to use his rapier, or to a true exposition, saw nothing else left for her but dance a measure. to make tliat fate as easy as she could to the It was no wonder that the Maid of the Mill was to his stranger. He himself also seemed reconciled soon as effectually blinded by the intricacies of this lot by some feeling probably of strong necessity, and erudite and courtly style of conversation, as she accepted with a good grace the hospitality which the had ever been by the dust of her father's own meal- dame offered with a very indifferent one. sacks. But there she sate with her mouth and In fact, the dinner, which soon smoked before eyes as open as the mill-door and the two windows, die assembled guests, was of that substantial kind shewing teeth as white as her father's bolted flour, wliich warrants plenty and comfort. Dame Glen- and endeavouring to secure a word or two for her cooked it after her best manner rhetoric wliich dinning had ; and, own future use out of the pearls of delighted with the handsome appearance which Sir Piercie Shafton scattered around him with such the her good cheer made when placed on table, bounteous profusion. forgot both her plans and the vexations which For the male part of the company, Edward felt interrupted them, in the hospitable duty of pressing ashamed of his own manner and slowness of speech, her assembled visiters to eat and drink, watching when he observed the handsome young courtier, every trencher as it waxed empty, and loading it with an ease and volubility of which he had no with fresh supplies ere the guest could utter a conception, run over all the commonplace topics sense negative. of high-flown gallantry. It is true, the good In the meanwhile, the company attentively re- and natural taste of young Glendiuning soon garded each other's motions, and seemed endea- informed him that the gallant cavalier was speak- to charac- of vouring form a judgment of each other's ing nonsense. But, alas ! where is the man ter. Sir Piercie Shafton condescended to speak modest merit, and real talent, who has not suffered to no one but to Mary Avenel, and on her he from being outshone in conversation, and out- conferred the familiar exactly same and compas- stripped in the race of life, by men of less reserve, of substan- sionate, though somewhat scornful sort attention, and of qualities more showy, though less that which a pretty fellow of these days will sometimes tial ? and well constituted must the mind be, condescend to when bestow on a country miss, can yield up the prize without envy to competitors there is no prettier or more fashionable woman more worthy than himself. present. The manner indeed was different, for the etiquette of those times did not permit Sir Piercie i Such, and yet more extravagant, are the compliment* paid his editor Blount. Notwithstanding all Shafton to pick his teeth, or to yawn, or to gabble to this author by was a man of wit and imagination, like the whose he was cut exasperation, Lylly really beggar tongue (as says) h were deformed by the most unnatural affectation out by the Turks, or to affect deafness or blindness, that ever disgraced a printed page. 97 450 WAVJiitLEY NOVELS.

Edward Glendinning had no such philosophy. glimpse of the sun of courtesy, though it rather While he despised the of the gay cavalier, blinds than enlightens us." jargon " he envied the facility with which he could run Pretty and quaint, fairest lady," answered the on, " as well as the courtly tone and expression, and the Euphuist. Ah, that I had with me my Anatomy perfect ease and elegance with which he offered of Wit that all-to-be-unparalleled volume that all the little acts of politeness to which the duties quintessence of human wit that treasury of of the table gave opportunity. And if I am to quaint invention that exquisitely-pleasant-to- Fpeak truth, I must own that he envied those read, and inevitably-uecessary-to-be-remembered qualities the more as they were all exercised in Mary manual, of all that is worthy to be known which Avenel's service, and, although only so far accepted indoctrines the rude in civility, the dull in intel- is they could not be refused, intimated a wish on lectuality, the heavy in jocosity, the blunt in die stranger's part to place himself in her good gentility, the vulgar in nobility, and all of them graces, as the only person in the room to whom he in that unutterable perfection of human utterance, thought it worth while to recommend himself. His that eloquence which no other eloquence is suffi- title, rank, and very nandsome figure, together with cient to praise, that art which, when we call it some sparks of wit and spirit which flashed across by its own name of Euphuism, we bestow on it the cloud of nonsense which he uttered, rendered its richest panegyric." " " him, as the words of the old song say, a lad for By Saint Mary," said Christie of the Clinthill, ; " a lady s viewing;" so that poor Edward, with all if your worship had told me that you had left his real worth and acquired knowledge, in his such stores of wealth as you talk of at Prudhoe home-spun doublet, blue cap, and deerskin trowsers, Castle, Long Dickie and I would have had them off looked like a clown beside the with us if and horse could carried courtier, and, feeling man have them ; the full inferiority, nourished no good-will to him but you told us of no treasure I wot of, save the by whom he was eclipsed. silver tongs for turning up your mustachoes." Christie, on the other hand, so soon as he had The knight treated this intruder's mistake for satisfied to the full a commodious appetite, by certainly Christie had no idea that all these epithets means of which persons of his profession could, like which sounded so rich and splendid, were lavished the wolf and eagle, gorge themselves with as much upon a small quarto volume with a stare, and food at one meal as might serve them for several then turning again to Mary Avenel, the only person days, began also to feel himself more in the back- whom he thought worthy to address, he proceeded " ground than he liked to be. This worthy had, in his strain of high-flown oratory, Even thus," amongst his other good qualities, an excellent said he, "do hogs contemn the splendour of of of a bold and for- even thus are the delicacies of a opinion himself; and, being Oriental pearls ; ward disposition, had no mind to be thrown into choice repast in vain offered to the long-eared the shade by any one. With an impudent fami- grazer of the common, who turneth from them to liarity which such persons mistake for graceful devour a thistle. Surely as idle is it to pour forth ease, he broke in upon the kaight's finest speeches the treasures of oratory before the eyes of the with as little remorse as he would have driven the ignorant, and io spread the dainties of the intellec- point of his lance through a laced doublet. tual banquet before those who are, morally and Sir Piercie Shafton, a man of rank and high birth, metaphysically speaking, no better than asses." " by no means encouraged or endured this familiarity, Sir Knight, since that is your quality," said " and requited the intruder either with total neglect, Edward, we cannot strive with you in loftiness of or such laconic as intimated but I in fair while replies, a sovereign language ; pray you courtesy, contempt for the rude spearman, who affected to you honour my father's house with your presence, converse with him upon terms of equality. to spare us such vile comparisons." The Miller held his as his usual said the peace ; for, "Peace, good villagio," knight, grace- " rus- conversation turned chiefly on his clapper and toll- fully waving his hand, I prithee peace, kind he had no mind to of his wealth in tic and whom I scarce call dish, brag pre- ; you, my guide, may sence of Christie of the Clinthill, or to intrude his honest, let me prevail upon you to imitate the discourse on the English cavalier. laudable taciturnity of that honest yeoman, who A little specimen of the conversation may not be sits as mute as a mill-post, and of that comely dam- out of in place, were it but to shew young ladies what sel, who seems as with her ears she drank what fine as things they have lost by living when Euphuism she did not altogether comprehend, even a pal- is out of fashion. to a whereof, howsoever, he " frey listening lute, Credit me, fairest lady," said the knight, that knoweth not the gamut." such is the cunning of our English courtiers of the "Marvellous fine words," at length said dame tired hodiernal strain, that, as they have infinitely refined Glendinning, who began to be of sitting so the upon plain and rusticial discourse of our fathers, long silent, "marvellous fine words, neighbour which, as I may say, more beseemed the mouths of Happer, are they not I" country roisterers in a than that of "Brave words brave wr-ds very ex- May-game very " in a I the Miller never- courtly gallants galliard, so hold it ineffably ceeding pyet words," answered ; and unutterably impossible, that those who may theless, to speak my mind, a lippy of bran were succeed us in that gardeji of wit and courtesy shall worth a bushel o' them." " alter or amend it. Venus delighted but hi the lan- I think so too, under his worship's favour," guage of Mercury, Bucephalus will stoop to no one answered Christie of the Clinthill. "I well re- iiut Alexander, none can sound Apollo's pipe but member that at the race of Morham, as we call fellow Orpheus." it, near Berwick, I took a young Southern " Valiant sir" said Mary, who could scarcely out of saddle with my lance, and cast him, it might but to in from his and as he had help langhing, "we have rejoice the be, a gad's length nag ; so, '.liance which hath honoured this solitude with a some gold on his laced doublet, I deemed he might THE MONASTERY. 4.H

ha' the like on It in his pocket too, though that is a I to his language and manner, we pretend not to rule that does not aye hold good So I was speak- determine. But it was evident to all, that, from : * i ~f , i ,.* % /.^.voa .;*!, o with t ing to him of ransom, and out he comes a ],;g jj.^ young Halbert was an altered man; that handful of such terms as his honour there hath he acted with the steadiness, promptitude, and gleaned up, and craved me for mercy, as I was a determination, which belonged to riper years, and true son of Mars, and such like." bore himself with a manner which appertained to " And obtained no mercy at thy hand, I dare higher rank. be sworn," said the knight, who deigned not to speak The knight took the rebuke with good humour. sex. " " Euphuism excepting to the fair By mine honour," he said, thou hast reason " " By my troggs," replied Christie, I would on thy side, good Juvenal nevertheless, I spoke have thrust my lance down his throat, but just not as in ridicule of the roof which relieves me, then they flung open that accursed postern gate, and but rather in your own praise, to whom, if this roof forth pricked old Hunsdoh, and Henry Carey, be native, thou mayst nevertheless rise from its and as many fellows at their heels as turned the lowliness; even as the lark, which maketh its chase northward again. So I e'en pricked Bayard humble nest in the furrow, ascendeth towards the with the went off with the rest for a as well spur, and ; sun, as the eagle which buildeth her eyry in man should ride when he may not wrestle, as they the cliff." say in Tynedale." This high-flown discourse was interrupted by " Trust me," said the knight, again turning to Dame Gleudinning, who, with all the busy anxiety " Avenel, if I do not pity you, lady, who, of a mother, was her son's trencher with -Mary j loading being of noble blood, are thus in a manner com- food, and dinning in his ear her reproaches on " pelled to abide in the cottage of the ignorant, like account of his prolonged absence. And see," " the precious stone in the head of the toad, or like she said, that you do not one day get such a sight a precious garland on the brow of an ass. But while you are walking about among the haunts of soft, what gallant have we here, whose garb them that are not of our flesh and bone, as befell Vivoureth more of the rustic than doth his when he on the j Mungo Murray slept greensward demeanour, and whose looks seem more lofty than ring of the Auld Kirkhill at sunset, and wakened at j his habit ? even as - daybreak in the wild hills of Breadalbane. And " " I pray you, Sir Knight," said Mary, to spare see that, when you are looking for deer, the red your courtly similitudes for refined ears, and give stag does not gall you as he did Diccon Thorburn, me leave to name unto you my foster-brother, who never overcast the wound that he took from a Halbert Glendinning." buck's horn. And see, when you go swaggering " The son of the good dame of the cottage, as I about with a long broadsword by your side, whilk " the for it becomes no to that opine," answered English knight ; by peaceful man do, you diuna iome such name did my guide discriminate the meet with them that have broadsword and lance mistress of this mansion, which you, madam, enrich both there are enow of rank riders in this land, with your presence. And yet, touching this that neither fear God nor regard man." " juvenal, he hath that about him which belongeth Here her eye, in a fine frenzy rolling," fell full to higher birth, for all are not black who dig upon that of Christie of the Clinthill, and at once " coals her fears for having given offence interrupted the "Nor all white who are millers," said honest current of maternal rebuke, which, like rebuke Happer, glad to get in a word, as they say, edge- 1 matrimonial, may be often better meant than timed. ways. There was something of sly and watchful signifi- Halbert, who had sustained the glance of the cance in Christie's eye, an eye gray, keen, fierce, Englishman with some impatience, and knew not yet wily, formed to express at once cunning and what to make of his manner and language, replied malice, which made the dame instantly conjecture " with some asperity, Sir Knight, we have in this she had said too much, while she saw in imagina- ' land of Scotland an ancient saying, Scorn not the tion her twelve goodly cows go lowing down the bush that bields you' you are a guest of my glen in a moonlight night, with half a score of father's house to shelter you from danger, if I am Border spearmen at their heels. sunk rightly informed by the domestics. Scoff not its Her voice, therefore, from the elevated tone nor that of its inmates ye might of maternal authority into a whimpering apologetic homeliness, " long have abidden at the court of England, ere we sort of strain, and she proceeded to say, It is no had sought your favour, or cumbered you with our that I have only ill thoughts of the Border riders, there has that I society. Since your fate has sent you hither for Tibb Tacket often heard me say bridle amongst us, be contented with such fare and such thought spear and as natural to a Borderman for to a or a feather-fan to a and converse as we can afford you, and scorn us not as a pen priest, lady ; our kindness for short have not heard m Tibb!" ; the Scots wear patience and you say it, long daggers." Tibb shewed someth g less than her expected All eyes were turned on Halbert while he was alacrity in attesting her mistress's deep respect for of the thus speaking, and there was a general feeling that the freebooters southland hills; but, thus did at " nis countenance had an expression of intelligence, conjured, length reply, Hout ay, mistress, I have like and his person an air of dignity, which they had I 'se warrant heard you say something never before observed. Whether it were that the that." " wonderful Being with whom he had so lately held Mother !" said Halbert, in a firm and com- " communication, had bestowed on him a grace and manding tone of voice, what or whom is it that dignity of look and bearing winch he had not before, you fear under my father's roof! I weil hope that or whether the being conversant in high matters, it harbours not a guest in whose presence you are and called to a destiny beyond that of other men, afraid to say your pleasure to me or my brother 1 had a natural effect in giving becoming confidence I I am sorry I have been detained so late, being 452 WAVEELEY NOVELS.

gnorant of the fair company which I should en- counter on my return. I pray you let this excuse CHAPTER XV. suffice: and what satisfies you will, I trust, be strikes no 'tis but coins new nothing less than acceptable to your guests." lie coin, true, phrases, And vends them forth as knaves vend An answer calculated so betwixt the sub- gilded counters, justly Which wise men scorn, and fools accept in payment. mission due to his parent, and the natural feeling Old Play. of dignity in one who was by birth master of the mansion, excited universal satisfaction. And as IN the morning Christie of the Clinthill was no Elspeth herself confessed to Tibb on the same where to be seen. As this worthy personage did " evening, She did not think it had been in the seldom pique himself on sounding a trumpet before callant. Till that night, he took pets and passions his movements, no one was surprised at his moon- if he was spoke to, and lap through the house like light departure, though some alarm was excited a four-year-auld at the least word of advice that lest he had not made it empty-handed. So, in the was minted at him, but now he spoke as grave and language of the national ballad, as douce as the Lord Abbot himself. She kendua," " Some ran to cupboard, and some to kist, she what be the of but it said, might upshot it, But nought was away that could be mist. was like he was a wonderfu' callant even now." The party then separated, the young men retiring All was in order, the key of the stable left above to their apartments, the elder to their household the door, and that of the iron grate in the inside cares. While Christie went to see his horse of the lock. In short, the retreat had been made properly accommodated, Edward betook himself to with scrupulous attention to the security of the his book, and Halbert, who was as ingenious in garrison, and so far Christie left them nothing to employing his hands as he had hitherto appeared complain of. imperfect in mental exertion, applied himself to The safety of the premises was ascertained by constructing a place of concealment in the floor of Halbert, who, instead of catching up a gun or cross- his apartment by raising a plank, beneath which he bow, and sallying out for the day as had been his resolved to deposit that copy of the Holy Scriptures frequent custom, now, with a gravity beyond his which had been so strangely regained from the years, took a survey of all around the tower, and possession of men and spirits. then returned to the spence, or public apartment, In the meanwhile, Sir Piercie Shafton sate still in which, at the early hour of seven, the morning- as a stone, in the chair in which he had deposited meal was prepared. himself, his hands folded on his breast, his legs There he found the Euphuist in the same ele- Bfcretched straight out before him and resting upon gant posture of abstruse calculation which he had the heels, his eyes cast up to the ceiling as if he exhibited on the preceding evening, his arms folded had meant to count every mesh of every cobweb in the same angle, his eyes turned up to the same with which the arched roof was canopied, wearing cobwebs, and his heels resting on the ground as at the same time a face of as solemn and imper- before. Tired of this affectation of indolent im- turbable gravity, as if his existence had depended portance, and not much flattered with his guest's on the accuracy of his calculation. persevering in it to the last, Halbert resolved at He could scarce be roused from his listless state once to break the ice, being determined to know of contemplative absorption so as to take some what circumstance had brought to the Tower of supper, a meal at which the younger females Glendinning a guest at once so supercilious and so appeared not. Sir Piercie stared around twice or silent. " thrice as if he missed but he asked not " he said with some I something ; Sir Knight," firmness, for them, and only evinced his sense of a proper have twice given you good morning, to which the audience being wanting, by his abstraction and absence of your mind hath, I presume, prevented absence of mind, seldom speaking until he was you from yielding attention, or from making return. twice addressed, and then replying, without trope This exchange of courtesy is at your pleasure to or figure, in that plain English, which nobody give or withhold But, as what I have farther to say could speak better when he had a mind. concerns your comfort and your motions in an Christie, finding himself in undisturbed posses- especial manner, I will entreat you to give me some sion of the conversation, indulged all who chose to signs of attention, that I may be sure I am not listen with details of his own wild and inglorious wasting my words on a monumental image." warfare, while Dame Elspeth's curch bristled with At this unexpected address, Sir Piercie Shafton horror, and Tibb Tacket, rejoiced to find herself opened his eyes, and afforded the speaker a broad once more in the of a listened stare as returned the without company jack-man, ; but Halbert glance to his tales, like Desdemona to Othello's, with un- either confusion or dismay, the knight thought disguised delight. Meantime the two young Glen- proper to change his posture, draw in his legs, raise diunings were each wrapped up in his own reflec- his eyes, fix them on young Glendinning, and tions, and only interrupted in them by the signal assume the appearance of one who listens to what to move bedward. is said to him. Nay, to make his purpose more evident, he gave voice to his resolution in these " words, Speak ! we do hear." " " Sir Knight," said the youth, it is the custom of this Halidorne, or patrimony of St Mary's, to trouble with inquiries no guests who receive our hospitality, providing they tarry in our house only that for a single revolution of the sun. We know both criminals and debtors come hither for sanc- tuary, and we scorn to extort from the pilgrim, THE MONASTERY. 453 whom chance may make our guest, an avowal of the dinning could not be less than considerable. I wot cause of his pilgrimage and penance. But when not if this led the honest Miller to nourish any one so above our rank as Sir similar to it high yourself, Knight, plans those adopted by Elspeth ; but of is and especially one to whom the possession such certain that he accepted with grateful alacrity an pre-eminence is not indifferent, shews his deter- invitation which the dame gave to his daughter, to mination to be our guest for a longer time, it is remain a week or two as her guest at Glendearg. our usage to inquire of him whence he comes, and The principal persons being thus in high good what is the cause of his journey 1" humour with each other, all business gave place to The twice or thrice before the of the so English knight gaped hilarity morning repast ; and much lie in did answered, and then replied a bantering tone, Sir Piercie appear gratified by the attention " Truly, good villagio, your question hath in it wliich was paid to every word that he uttered by somewhat of embarrassment, for you ask me of the nut-brown Mysie, that, notwithstanding his high tilings concerning which I am not as yet altogether birth and distinguished quality, he bestowed on her j determined what answer I may find it convenient some of the more ordinary and second-rate tropes to make. Let it suffice thee, kind juvenal, that of his elocution. thou hast the Lord Abbot's authority for treating Mary Avenel, when relieved from the awkward- me to the best of that power of thine, which, indeed, ness of feeling the full weight of his conversation not so well suffice for accommoda- addressed to it more may always my herself, enjoyed much ; and tion as either of us would desire." the those I good knight, encouraged " by conciliating I must have a more precise answer than this, marks of approbation from the sex, for whose sake Sir Knight," said the young Glendinning. he cultivated his oratorical talents, made speedy " " Friend," said the knight, be not outrageous. intimation of his purpose to be more communicative It may suit your northern manners thus to press than he had shewn himself in his conversation the secrets of betters but believe with Halbert to harshly upon thy ; Glendinning, and gave them un- me, that even as the lute, struck an unskilful that it was in of some by " derstand, consequence press- hand, doth produce discords, so At this ing danger that he was at present their involuntary moment the door of the apartment opened, and guest. " Mary Avenel presented herself But who can The conclusion of the breakfast was a signal for talk of discords," said the knight, assuming his com- the of the The Miller went u separation company. vein and when the soul of to for his his to plimentary humour, prepare departure ; daughter descends us in the of sur- matters for her harmony upon presence arrange unexpected stay ; Edward passing beauty ! For even as foxes, wolves, and was summoned to consultation by Martin concern- other animals void of sense and reason, do fly from ing some agricultural matter, in which Halbert the of the sun of heaven could not be to interest himself the presence resplendent brought ; dame when he arises hi his glory, so do strife, wrath, and left the room upon her household concerns, and all ireful passions retreat, and, as it were, scud Mary was in the act of following her, when she away, from the face which now beams upon us, suddenly recollected, that it she did so, the strange with power to compose our angry passions, illu- knight and Halbert must be left alone together, at minate our errors and difficulties, soothe our the risk of another quarrel. wounded minds, and lull to rest our disorderly The maiden no sooner observed this circumstance, she the the apprehensions ; for as the heat and warmth of the than instantly returned from door of eye of day is to the material and physical world, apartment, and, seating herself hi a small stone so is the eye which I now bow down before to that window -seat, resolved to maintain that curb which of the intellectual microcosm." she was sensible her presence imposed on Halbert concluded with a bow of she had some He profound ; and Mary Glendinning, whose quick temper Avenel, gazing from one to the other, and plainly apprehensions. seeing that something was amiss, could only say, The stranger marked her motions, and, either " For heaven's sake, what is the meaning of this 2" interpreting them as inviting his society, or obedient The newly-acquired tact and intelligence of her to those laws of gallantry which permitted him not foster-brother was as yet insufficient to enable him to leave a lady in silence and solitude, he instantly to give an answer. He was quite uncertain how he placed himself near to her side and opened the con- ought to deal with a guest, who, preserving a singu- versation as follows : j '' larly high tone of assumed superiority and impor- Credit me, fair lady," he said, addressing Mary tance, seemed nevertheless so little serious in what Avenel, "it much rejoiceth me, being, as I am, he said, that it was quite impossible to discern with a banished man from the delights of mine own : in this accuracy whether he was hi jest or earnest. country, that I shall find here, obscure and Forming, however, the internal resolution to silvan cottage of the north, a fair form and a candid bring Sir Piercie Shaftou to a reckoning at a more soul, with whom I may explain ray mutual senti- fit place and season, he resolved to prosecute the ments. And let me pi-ay you in particular, lovely matter no farther the entrance of to the universal custom now at present ; and lady, that, according his mother with the damsel of the Mill, and the predominant in our court, the garden of superior return of the honest Miller from the stack-yard, wits, you will exchange with me some epithet where he had been numbering and calculating the whereby you may mark my devotion to your service. henceforward for Protec- probable amount of the season's grist, rendered Be named, example, my farther discussion for and let me be impossible the moment. | tion, your Affability." " In the course of the calculation it could not but Our northern and country manners, Sir Knight, with those to strike the man of meal and grindstones, that, after do not permit us to exchange epithets the church's dues were and after all which he whom we are strangers," replied Mary Avenel. paid, " " himself could by any means deduct from the crop, Nay, but see now," said the knight, how you which still the residue wliich must revert to Dame Glen- i are startled ! even as the unbroken steed, 454 WAVERLEY NOVELS. swerves aside from the shaking' of a hankerchief, moved by the speech of this rudesby, than the though he must in time encounter the waving of bright and serene moon is perturbed by the baying a pennon. This courtly exchange of epithets of of the cottage-cur, proud of the height of his own honour, is no more than the compliments which dung-hill, which, in his conceit, lifteth him nearer pass between valour and beauty, wherever they unto the majestic luminary." meet, and under whatever circumstances. Eliza- To what lengths so unsavoury a simile might beth of herself calls her have driven Halbert's is left uncertain England Philip Sydney indignation, ; Courage, and he in return calls that princess his for at that moment Edward rushed into the apart- Inspiration. Wherefore, my fair Protection, for ment with the intelligence that two most important by such it shall be mine to denominate officers of the Convent, the Kitchener and Refec- " epithet you tioner, were just arrived with a sumpter-mule. " Not without the young lady's consent, sir !" loaded with provisions, announcing that the Lord " Halbert most I the the were on interrupted ; truly do hope your Abbot, Sub-Prior, and Sacristan, courtly and quaint breeding will not so far prevail their way thither. A circumstance so very extra- over the more ordinary rules of civil behaviour." ordinary had never been recorded in die ajinals " Fair tenant of an indifferent copyhold," replied of Saint Mary's, or hi the traditions of Glendearg, the knight, with the same coolness and civility of though there was a faint legendary report, that a mien, but in a tone somewhat more lofty than he certain Abbot had dined there in old days, after " used to the young lady, we do not in the southern having been bewildered in a hunting expedition parts, much intermingle discourse, save with those amongst the wilds which lie to the northward. But with whom we may stand on some footing of that the present Lord Abbot should have taken a equality; and I must, in all discretion, remind you, voluntary journey to so wild and dreary a spot, the that the necessity which makes us inhabitants of very Kamtschatka of the Halidome, was a thing the doth not us otherwise on a never dreamt of and the news excited the same cabin, place ; greatest level with each other." surprise in all the members of the saving " family By Saint Mary," replied young Glendinning, Halbert alone. " it is that it does for This too full of the insult my thought ; plain men hold, fiery youth was he had tliat he who asks the shelter is indebted to him who received to think of any thing as unconnected with " " it and so is our it. I of he exclaimed I gives ; far, therefore, rank equalized am glad it," ; am glad while this roof covers us both." the Abbot comes hither. I will know of him by " Thou art altogether deceived," answered Sir what right this stranger is sent hither to domineer Piercie " that father's as if slaves ; and thou mayst fully adapt thyself over us under our roof, we were to oui- relative condition, know that I account not and not freemen. I will tell the proud priest to his " myself thy guest, but that of thy master, the beard best " " Lord Abbot of St Mary's, who, for reasons Alas ! alas ! my brother," said Edward, think known to himself and me, chooseth to administer what these words may cost thee !" " his hospitality to me through the means of thee, And what will, or what can they cost me," said " his servant and vassal, who art, therefore, in good Halbert, that I should sacrifice my human feelings truth, as passive an instrument of my accommoda- and my justifiable resentment to the fear of what tion as this ill-made and rugged joint-stool on the Abbot can do 2" or I " !" wluch I sit, as the wooden trencher from which Our mother our mother exclaimed Edward ; eat my coarse commons. Wherefore," he added, "think, if she is deprived of her home, expelled turning to Mary, "fairest mistress, or rather, as from her property, how can you amend what your ' " I said before, most lovely Protection rashness may ruin V " Mary Avenel was about to reply to him, when It is too true, by Heaven !" said Halbert striking the stern, fierce, and resentful expression of voice his forehead. Then, stamping his foot against the and countenance with which Halbert exclaimed, floor to the full energy of the passion to " express Not from the King of Scotland, did he live, would which he dared no longer give vent, he turned I brook such terms !" induced her to throw herself round and left the apartment. " between him and the stranger, exclaiming, For Mary Avenel looked at the stranger knight, while God's sake, Halbert, beware what you do !" she was endeavouring to frame a request that he " Fear not, fairest Protection," replied Sir Piercie, would not the intemperate violence of her " report with the utmost serenity, that I can be provoked foster-brother to the prejudice of his family, in the by this rustical and mistaught Juvenal to do aught mind of the Abbot. But Sir Piercie, the very pink or mine own her from her misbecoming your presence dignity ; of courtesy, conjectured meaning for as soon shall the gunner's linstock give fire unto embarrassment, and waited not to be entreated. " " the icicle, as the spark of passion inflame my blood, Credit me, fairest Protection," said he, your tempered as it is to serenity by the respect due Affability is less than capable of seeing or hearing, to the presence of gracious Protection." far less of or aught of an un- " my reciting reiterating, You may well call her your protection, Sir seemly nature which may have chanced while I " said Halbert Saint it is the of The winds Knight," ; by Andrew, enjoyed Elysium your presence. the only sensible word I have heard you speak ! of idle passion may indeed rudely agitate the bosom But we meet where her shall no but the heart of the courtier is may protection of the rude ; polished longer afford you shelter." to resist them. As the frozen lake receives not " " Fairest Protection," continued the courtier, not the influence of the breeze, even so even honouring with a look, far less with a direct The voice of Dame Glendinning, in shrill sum- " reply, the threat of the incensed Halbert, doubt mons, here demanded Mary Avenel's attendance, noi that thy faithful Affability will be more com- who instantly obeyed, not a little glad to escape from the compliments and similies cf this court- relief i See Note F. Epithett like gallant. Nor was it apparently less a oa THE MONASTERY. 45.- his for no sooner was she the threshold to send some salmon part; past j homewards, promised up by of the room, than he exchanged the look of formal his own servant. Dame Elspeth, who by this time and elaborate politeness which had accompanied thought she had guests enough, had begun to repeni each word he had uttered hitherto, for an expression of her invitation to poor Mysie, and was just con- ennui and after in- of the utmost lassitude and ; sidering by what means, short of giving offence dulging in one or two portentous yawns, broke forth she could eend off the Maid of the Mill behind hei ' into a soliloquy. father, and adjourn all her own aerial architecture ' What the foul fiend sent this wench hither ! till some future opportunity, when this unexpected As if it were not sufficient plague to be harboured generosity on the part of the sire rendered any in a hovel that would hardly serve for a dog's kennel present attempt to return his daughter on his hand'w in baited a rude and too to be farther on. England, by peasant-boy, ; highly ungracious thought dependent on the faith of a mercenary ruffian, but - So the Miller departed alone on his homeward ' I cannot even have tune to muse over my own journey. mishap, but must come aloft, frisk, fidget, and make Dame Elspeth's sense of hospitality proved in this its to hectic because ; this instance own reward for dwelt speeches, please pale phantom, ; Mysie had she has gentle blood in her veins ! By mine I too near the Convent to be altogether ignorant of honour, setting prejudice aside, the mill-wench is the noble art of cookery, which her father patron- j the more attractive of the two But patienza, ' ized to the extent of consuming on festival days thou not lose dainties as his could in Piercie Shafton ; must thy well-earned such daughter prepare emula- claim to be accounted a devout servant of the fair tion of the luxuries of the Abbot's kitchen. Laying sex, a witty-brained, prompt, and accomplished aside, therefore, her holiday kirtle, and adopting a courtier. Rather thank heaven, Piercie Shafton, dress more suitable to the occasion, the good-hu- j' which hath sent thee a subject, wherein, without moured maiden bared her snowy arms above the from the honours of the elbows as in the derogating thy rank, (since ; and, Elspeth acknowledged, Avenel family are beyond dispute,) thou mayest language of the time and country, took "entire Hnd a whetstone for thy witty compliments, a strop and aefauld part with her" in the labours of the day; whereon to sharpen thine acute ingine, a butt! shewing unparalleled talent, and indefatigable in- whereat to shoot the arrows of thy gallantry. For dustry, in the preparation of mo rtreux, Uanc-manger even as a Bilboa blade, the more it is rubbed, the and heaven knows what delicacies besides, which brighter and the sharper will it prove, so But Dame Glendinning, unassisted by her skill, dared what need I waste my stock of similitudes in holding not even have dreamt of presenting, converse with myself ? Yonder comes the monkish Leaving this able substitute in the kitchen, and j retinue, like some half score of crows winging their regretting that Mary Avenel was so brought up, that I intrust to her unless it way slowly up the valley hope, a'gad, they have ! she could nothing care, not forgotten my trunk-mails of apparel amid the might be seeing the great chamber strewed with ample provision they have made for then? own rushes, and ornamented with such flowers and belly-timber Mercy, a'gad, I were finely holped branches as the season afforded, Dame Elspeth j if the vesture has miscarried the thievish donned her best and with a up among j hastily attire, beating Borderers !" heart presented herself at the door of her little as Stung by this reflection, he ran hastily down tower, to make her obeisance to the Lord Abbot stairs, and caused his horse to be saddled, that he he crossed her humble threshold. Edward stood which might, as soon as possible, ascertain this important by his mother, and felt the same palpitation, point, by meeting the Lord Abbot and his retinue his philosophy was at a loss to account for. He as they came up the glen. He had not ridden was yet to learn how long it is ere our reason is a mile before he met them advancing with the enabled to triumph over the force of external cir- slowness and decorum which became persons of cumstances, and how much our feelings are affected their dignity and profession. The knight failed by novelty, and blunted by use and habit. not to greet the Lord Abbot with all the formal On the present occasion, he witnessed with wonder compliments with which men of rank at that period and awe the approach of some half-score of riders, exchanged courtesies. He had the good fortune to sober men upon sober palfreys, muffled in their find that his mails were numbered among the train long black garments, and only relieved by theii of which attended the ! white more like a funeral baggage upon party ; and, scapularies, shewing prc their satisfied in that particular, he turned his horse's ! cession than aught else, and not quickening head, and accompanied the ALbot to the Tower of pace beyond that which permitted easy conversation of the scene was Glendearg. and easy digestion. The sobriety j Great, in the meanwhile, had been the turmoil indeed somewhat enlivened by the presence of Sir that his skill in the of the good Dame Elspeth and her coadjutors, to Piercie Shafton, who, to shew ' ' inferior to liis other prepare for the fitting reception of the Father Lord manege was not accomplish- Abbot and his retinue. The monks had indeed ments, kept alternately pressing and checking his to taken care not to trust too much to the state of her gay courser, forcing him to piaffe, to caracole, but to all the other feats of the pantry ; she was not the less anxious to make passage, and do school, the such additions as might enable her to claim the to tiie great annoyance of the Lord Abbot, at thanks of her feudal lord and spiritual father. wonted sobriety of whose palfrey became length with his blood on he the of its while Meeting Halbert, as, fire, discomposed by vivacity companion, " in 1 returned from his altercation with her guest, she the dignitary kept crying out bodily alarm, Sir commanded him instantly to go forth to the hill, and do pray you, sir Sir Knight good now, not to return without venison him that Piercie Be there is a steed ; reminding quiet, Benedict, good the other he was apt enough to go tliither for his own pleasure, soh, poor fellow !" and uttering all which a and must now do so for the credit of the house. precatory and soothing exclamations by the favour of B The Miller, who was now hastening his journey timid horseman usually bespeaks 456 WAVERLEY NOVELS. frisky companion, or of his own unauiet nag, and spence, where such preparations as haste permitted concluding the bead-roll with a sincere Deo gratias were making for the noon collation of the Abbot so soon as he alighted in the court-yard of the and the English knight. Here he found the Lord Tower of Glendearg. Abbot, for whom a cushion, composed of all thu The inhabitants unanimously knelt down to kiss plaids in the house, had been unable to render the hand of the Lord Abbot, a ceremony which Simon's huge elbow-chair a soft or comfortable even the monks were often condemned to. Good place of rest. " Abbot Boniface was too much fluttered by the Benedicite !" said Abbot Boniface, "now marry incidents of the latter part of his journey, to go fie upon these hard benches with all my heart through this ceremony with much solemnity, or they are as uneasy as the scabella of our novices. indeed with much patience. He kept wiping his Saint Jude be with us, Sir Knight, how have you brow with a snow-white handkerchief with one contrived to pass over the night in this dungeon I hand, while another was abandoned to the homage An your bed was no softer than your seat, you his vassals then the cross with as well have of ; and signing might slept on the stone couch of " his outstretched arm, and exclaiming, Bless ye Saint Pacomius. After trotting a full ten miles, a bless ye, my children !" he hastened into the house, man needs a softer seat than has fallen to my and murmured not a little at the darkness and hard lot." steepness of the rugged winding stair, whereby he With sympathizing faces, the Sacristan and the at length scaled the spence destined for his enter- Refectioner ran to raise the Lord Abbot, and to tainment, and, overcome with fatigue, threw him- adjust his seat to his mind, which was at length self, I do not say into an easy chair, but into the accomplished in some sort, although he continued easiest the apartment afforded. alternately to bewail his fatigue, and to exult in the conscious sense of having discharged an ar- " duous duty. You errant cavaliers," said he, addressing the knight, "may now perceive that XVI. CHAPTER others have their travail and their toils to undergo as well as your honoured faculty. And this I will A courtier who diet extraordinary, by say for myself and the soldiers of Saint Of meats and drinks, his temperate exercise, Mary I be Choice music, frequent bath, his horary shifts among whom may termed captain, that it is Of shirts and means to immortalize waistcoats, not our wont to flinch from the heat of the service, Mortality itself, and makes the essence or to withdraw from the fight. Saint Of hia whole happiness the trim of court. good No, by Magnetic Lady. Mary ! no sooner did I learn that you were here, and dared not for certain reasons come to the WHEN the Lord Abbot had suddenly and super- Monastery, where, with as good will, and with more ciliously vanished from the eyes of his expectant convenience, we might have given you a better vassals, the Sub-Prior made amends for the negli- reception, than, striking the table with my hammer, gence of his principal, by the kind and affectionate I called a brother Timothy, said I, let them saddle greeting which he gave to all the members of the Benedict let them saddle my black palfrey, and family, but especially to Dame Elspeth, her foster- bid the Sub-Prior and some half-score of attendants " daughter, and her son Edward. Where," he even be in readiness to-morrow after matins we would " condescended to inquire, is that naughty Nimrod, ride to Glendearg. Brother Timothy stared, Halbert 1 He hath not yet, I trust, turned, like thinking, I imagine, that his ears had scarce done his great prototype, his hunting-spear against man !" him justice but I repeated my commands, and " no, an it please your reverence," said Dame said, Let the Kitchener and Refectioner go before to " Glendinning, Halbert is up at the glen to get aid the poor vassals to whom the place belongs in some venison, or surely he would not have been making a suitable collation. So that you will con- absent when such a day of honour dawned upon sider, good Sir Piercie, our mutual incommodities, me and mine." and forgive whatever you may find amiss." " " " Oh, to get savoury meat, such as our soul By my faith," said Sir Piercie Shafton, there " muttered the it been at is to If warriors loveth," Sub-Prior ; has nothing forgive you spiritual to to times an acceptable gift. I bid you good morrow, have submit the grievous incommodities which my good dame, as I must attend upon his lord- your lordship narrates, it would ill become me, a ship the Father Abbot." sinful and secular man, to complain of a bed as " And 0, reverend sir," said the good widow, hard as a board, of broth which relished as if made " detaining him, if it might be your pleasure to take of burnt wool, of flesh, which, in its sable and with us if there is and if seemed to me on a level with part any thing wrong ; singed shape, put there is any thing wanted, to say that it is just Richard Cceur-de-Lion, when he ate up the head coming, or to make some excuses your learning of a Moor carbonadoed, and of other viands savour- best knows how. Every bit of vassail and silver ing rather of the rusticity of this northern region." " work have we been spoiled of since Pinkie Cleuch, By the good Saints, sir," said the Abbot, some- when I lost poor Simon Glendinning, that was the what touched in point of his character for hospi- warst of a'." tality, of which he was in truth a most faithful and " " Never mind never fear," said the Sub-Prior, zealous professor, it grieves me to the heart that gently extricating his garment from the anxious you have found our vassals no better provided for " grasp of Dame Elspeth, the Refectioner has your reception Yet I crave leave to observe, that with him the Abbot's and if Sir Piercie Shafton's affairs him plate drinking cups ; had permitted and I pray you to believe that whatever is short in to honour with his company our poor house of your entertainment will be deemed amply made up Saint Mary's, he might have had less to complain in your good-will." of in respect of easements." " So saying, he escaped from her and went into the To give your lordship the reasons," aaid Sir THE MONASTERY. 457

" Piercie Shafton, why I could not at this present best suit him. And now, Sir Piercie Shafton, time approach your dwelling, or avail myself of its since the fates have assigned us a space of well-nigh well known and undoubted hospitality, craves either an hour, ere we dare hope to enjoy more than the some delay, or," looking around him, "a limited vapour or savour of our repast, may I pray you, of audience." tell the cause of this visit your courtesy, to me ; his The Lord Abbot immediately issued mandate and, above all, to inform us, you will not " why to the Refectioner : Hie tliee to the kitchen, approach our more pleasant and better furnished Brother Hilarius, and there make inquiry of our hospitium ?" " brother the Kitchener, within what time he opines Reverend Father, and my very good lord," said " that our collation may be prepared, since sin and Sir Piercie Shafton, it is well known to your wis- sorrow it were, considering the hardships of this dom, that there are stone walls which have ears, noble and gallant knight, no whit mentioning or and that secrecy is to be looked to in matters weigliing those we ourselves have endured, if we which concern a man's head." were now either to advance or retard the hour of The Abbot signed to his attendants, excepting refection beyond the time when the viands are fit the Sub-Prior, to leave the room, and then said, be set before " to us." Your valour, Sir Piercie, may freely unburden Brother Hilarius parted with an eager alertness yourself before our faithful friend and counsellor to execute the will of his Superior, and returned Father Eustace, the benefits of whose advice we with the assurance, that punctually at one after- may too soon lose, inasmuch as his merits will noon would the collation be recommend him to an in " ready. speedily higher station, Before that time," said the accurate Refec- which, we trust, he may find the blessing of a tioner, "the wafers, flamms, and pastry-meat, will friend and adviser as valuable as himself, since I ' scai-ce have had the just degree of fire which learned may say of him, as our claustral rhyme goeth, as fittest for the pottlngers prescribe ; and ' body Dixit Abbns ad prioris, if it should be past one o'clock, were it but ten. Tu es homo boni inoris, minutes, our brother the Kitchener opines, that the Qnia semper sariioris Milii das concilia." 1 launch of venison would suffer in of the skill spite " of the little turn-broche whom he has recom- Indeed," he added, the office of Sub-Prior is alto- to his beneath our dear brother nor can we elevate mended your holiness by praises." gether ; " " unto that of How !" said the Abbot, a haunch of venison ! him Prior, which, for certain reasons, from whence comes that dainty ? I remember is at present kept vacant amongst us. Howbeit, not thou didst intimate its presence in thy hamper Father Eustace is fully possessed of my confidence, of vivers." and worthy of yours, and well may it be said of " So please your holiness and lordship," said the him, Intravlt in secretis nostris." Refectioner, "he is a son of the woman of the Sir Piercie Shafton bowed to the reverend house who hath shot it and sent it in killed but brethren, and, heaving a sigh, as if he would liave as the animal left burst his steel he thus commenced his now ; yet, heat hath not the body, cuirass, the Kitchener undertakes it shall eat as tender as speech : " a young chicken and this youth hath a special Certes, reverend sirs, I may well heave such gift in shooting deer, and never misses the heart a suspiration, who have, as it were, exchanged or the brain so is heaven for the ; that the blood not driven purgatory, leaving lightsome sphere through the flesh, as happens too often with us. of the royal court of England, for a remote nook ii> It is a hart of grease your holiness has seldom this inaccessible desert quitting the tilt-yard, seen such a haunch." where I was ever ready among my compeers to " Silence, Brother Hilarius," said the Abbot, splinter a lance, either for the love of honour, or " his it is for the honour of in order to couch wiping mouth ; not beseeming our order love, my to talk of food so earnestly, especially as we must knightly spear against base and pilfering besognios the oft have our animal powers exhausted by fasting, and marauders exchanging lighted halls, swift or and be accessible (as being ever mere mortals) wherein I used nimbly to pace the coranto, to those of his to move with a loftier grace in the stately galliard, " signs longing" (he again wiped mouth) which arise on the mention of victuals to for this rugged and decayed dungeon of rusty- au hungry man. Minute down, however, the name coloured stone quitting the gay theatre, for the of that youth it is fitting merit should be solitary chimney-nook of a Scottish dog-house rewarded, and he shall hereafter be a frater ad bartering the sounds of the soul-ravishing lute, and tntccurrendum in the kitchen and the love-awakening viol-de-gamba, for the discor- " buttery." Alas ! reverend Father, and good lord," dant squeak of a northern bagpipe above all, " my replied the Refectioner, I did inquire after the exchanging the smiles of those beauties, who form the cold youth, and I learn he is one who prefers the casque a galaxy around the throne of England, for to the cowl, and the sword of the flesh to the courtesy of an untaught damsel, and the bewildered I of weapons of the spirit." stare of a miller's maiden. More might say, " " And if it be so," said the Abbot, see that the exchange of the conversation of gallant knights thou retain him as a deputy-keeper and man-at- and gay courtiers of mine own order and capacity, the arms, and not as a lay brother of the Monastery whose conceits are bright and vivid as light- but it for old Tallboy, our forester, waxes dim-eyed, and ning, for that of monks and churchmen twice hath spoiled a noble buck, by hitting him un- were discourteous to urge that topic." with warily on the haunch. Ah ! 'tis a foul fault, the The Abbot listened to this list of complaints no exact inteUi- abusing by evil-killing, evil-dressing, evil-appetite, great round eyes, which evinced or otherwise, the good creatures indulged to us lor ur use. secure us the service of Wherefore, ' The rest of this dopcere! rhyme may be found in Fo this youth, Brother Hilarius. in the way that may brooke's learned work on British Moiiacliism. 453 WAVERLEY NOVELS. gence of the orator's meaning; and when the on," he observed, looking at the window; "and knight paused to take breath, he looked with a if the Abbot should be obh'ged to return to the doubtful and inquiring eye at the Sub-Prior, not Monastery without obtaining the necessary intelli- well knowing in what tone he should reply to an gence, the regret might be mutual, but the incon- exordium so extraordinary. The Sub-Prior accor- venience was like to be all ou Sir Piercie's own dingly stepped in to the relief of his principal. side." " We deeply sympathize with you, Sir Knight, The nint was not thrown away. " in the several mortifications and hardships to which 0, goddess of courtesy !" said Che knight, " fate has subjected you, particularly in that which can I have so far forgotten thy behests, as to has thrown you into the society of those, who, as make this good prelate's ease and time a sacrifice they were conscious they deserved not such an to my vain complaints! Know, then, raost worthy, honour, so neither did they at all desire it. But and not less worshipful, that I, your poor visitor all this goes little way to expound the cause of this and guest, am by birth nearly bound to the Piercie train of disasters, or, in plainer words, the reason of Northumberland, whose fame is so widely blown which has compelled you into a situation having so through all parts of the world where English worth few charms for you." hath been known. Now, this present Earl ol " Gentle and reverend sir," replied the knight, Northumberland, of whom I propose to give you the " " forgive an unhappy person, who, in giving a his- brief history " of his dilateth them It is said the Abbot tory miseries, upon extremely, altogether unnecessary," ; " even as he who, having fallen from a precipice, we know him to be a good and true nobleman, looketh upward to measure the height from which and a sworn upholder of our Catholic faith, in tho he hath been precipitated." spite of the heretical woman who now sits upon the " " Yea, but," said Father Eustace, methinks it throne of England. And it is specially as his kins- were wiser in him to tell those who come to lift man, and as knowing that ye partake with him in him up, which of his bones have been broken." such devout and faithful belief and adherence to " " You, reverend sir," said the knight, have, in our holy Mother Church, that we say to you, Sir fair attaint that welcome to the encounter of our wits, made a ; Piercie Shafton, ye be heartily UP, whereas I may be in some sort said to have broken and that, an we wist how, we would labour to du 1 my staff across. Pardon me, grave sir, that I you good service in your extremity." " speak the of the tilt-yard, which is doubt- For such kind offer I rest your most humblo language " less to ears. ! brave Sir Piercie nor need I at this strange your reverend Ah debtor," said ; resort of the noble, the fair, and the gay! Ah ! moment say more than that my Right Honourable throne of love, and citadel of honour ! Ah ! celes- Cousin of Northumberland, having devised witli tial beauties, by whose bright eyes it is graced ! me and some others, the choice and picked spirits Never more shall Piercie Shafton advance, as the of the age, how and by what means the worship of centre of your radiant glances, couch his lance, and God, according to the Catholic Church, might be spur his horse at the sound of the spirit-stirring again introduced into this distracted kingdom of trumpets, nobly called the voice of war never England, (even as one deviseth, by the assistance more shall he baffle his adversary's encounter of his friend, to catch and to bridle a runawav boldly, break his spear dexterously, and, ambling steed,) it pleased him so deeply to intrust me in around the lovely circle, receive the rewards with those communications, that my personal safety which beauty honours chivalry !" becomes, as it were, entwined or complicated Here he paused, wrung his hands, looked up- therewith. Natheless, as we have had sudden wards, and seemed lost in contemplation of his own reason to believe, this Princess Elizabeth, who fallen fortunes. maintained! around her a sort of counsellors skilful " Mad, very mad," whispered the Abbot to the in tracking whatever schemes may be pursued for " Sub-Prior I would we were rid of him title into or for ; fairly ; bringing her challenge, erecting

for, of a truth, I expect he will proceed from ! again the discipline of the Catholic church, has ob- raving to mischief Were it not better to call up tained certain knowledge of the trains which we hat! the rest of the brethren ?" laid before we could give fire unto them. Where- But the Sub-Prior knew better than his Superior fore, my Right Honourable Cousin of Northumber- how to distinguish the jargon of affectation from land, thinking it best belike that one man should the ravings of insanity, and although the extremity take both blame and shame for the whole, did lay of the seemed the burden of all this back knight's passion altogether fantastic, trafficking upon my ;. yet he was not ignorant to what extravagancies which load I am the rather content to bear, in the fashion of the day can conduct its votaries. that he hath always shewn himself my kind and Allowing, therefore, two minutes' space to per- honourable kinsman, as well as that my estate, I mit the knight's enthusiastic feelings to exhaust wot not how, hath of late been somewhat insuf- themselves, he again gravely reminded him that ficient to maintain the expense of those braveries, the Lord Abbot had taken a journey, unwonted to wherewith it is incumbent on us, who are chosen liis age and habits, solely to learn in what he could and selected spirits, to distinguish ourselves from serve Sir Piercie Shafton that it was altogether the vulgar." " '' impossible he could do so without his receiving So that possibly," said the Sub-Prior, your distinct information of the situation in which le had private affairs rendered a foreign journey less in- now sought refuge in Scotland. "The day wore commodious to you than it might have been to the noble earl, your right worthy cousin V " 1 answered the Attaint was a term of tilting used to express the champion's You are right, reverend sir," having attained his mark, or, in other words, struck his lance " rail acu have touched the courtier ; you point and fair the helmet or breast of straight against his adversary. with a needle cost and had been Whereas to break the lance across, intimated a total failure in My expenses lireoting the point of the weapon on the object of his aim. indeed somewhat lavish at the late triumnhs and THE MONASTERY. 459

tourneys, and the flat-capp'd citizens had shewn of every remnant of my wardrobe actually themselves unwilling to furnish my pocket for new flayed, by the hospitable gods I swear it! Sir, as well as gallantries for the honour of the nation, I he secured my spare doublet, and had a pluck at for mine own peculiar glory and, to speak truth, my galligaskins I was enforced to beat a retreat it was in some part the hope of seeing these mat- before I was altogether unrigged. That Border ters amended that led me to desire a new world in knave, his serving-man, liad a pluck at me too, England." and usurped a scarlet cassock and steel cuirass " So that the miscarriage of your public enter- belonging to the page of my body, whom I was f;iin to received prise, with the derangement of your own private leave behind me. In good time I a affairs," said the Sub-Prior, "have induced you to letter from my Right Honourable Cousin, shewing seek Scotland as a place of refuge ?" me that he had written to you in my behalf, and " jti'in once said Sir Piercie sent to two filled with acu, again," ; "and your charge mails wearing not without good cause, since my neck, if I re- apparel namely, my rich crimson silk doublet, mained, might have been brought within the cir- slashed out and lined with cloth of gold, which I cumstances of a baiter and so speedy was my wore at the last revels, with baldric and trimmings journey northward, that I had but time to exchange to correspond also two pair black silk slops, with my peach-coloured doublet of Genoa velvet, thickly hanging garters of carnation silk also the flesh- hud over with goldsmith's work, for this cuirass, coloured silken doublet, with the trimmings of fur, which was made Bonamico of Milan, and in which I danced the man at the by salvage" Gray's- travelled northward with all speed, judging that I Inn mummery also " " might do well to visit my Right Honourable Cousin Sir Knight," said the Sub-Prior, I pray you of Northumberland, at one of his numerous castles. to spare the farther inventory of your wardrobe. But as I posted towards Almvick, even with the The monks of Saint Mary's are no free-booting speed of a star, which, darting from its native barons, and whatever part of your vestments sphere, shoots wildly downwards, I was met at arrived at our house, have been this day faithfully Northallerton by one Henry Vaughan, a servant of brought hither, with the mails which contained :ny right honourable kinsman, who shewed me, that them. I may presume from what has been said, as :is then I might not with safety come to his pre- we have indeed been given to understand by the sence, seeing that, in obedience to orders from Earl of Northumberland, that your desire is to his court, he was obliged to issue out letters for my remain for the present as unknown and as un- incarceration." noticed, as may be consistent with your high worth " Tliis," said the Abbot, "seems but hard measure and distinction 2" " on the part of your honourable kinsman." Alas, reverend father !" replied the courtier, " " It might be so judged, my lord," replied Sir a blade when it is in the scabbard cannot give ** I will to it is in the casket Piercie ; nevertheless, stand the death lustre, a diamond when cannot for the honour of my Right Honourable Cousin give light, and worth, when it is compelled by of Northumberland. Also, Henry Vaughan gave circumstances to obscure itself, cannot draw ob- me, from my said cousin, a good horse, and a servation my retreat can only attract the admi- purse of gold, with two Border-prickers, as they ration of those few to whom circumstances permit are called, for my guides, who conducted me, its displaying itself." " by such roads and by-paths as have never been I conceive now, my venerable father and lord," " seen since the days of Sir Lancelot and Sir Tris- said the Sub-Prior, that your wisdom will assign trem, into this kingdom of Scotland, and to the such a course of conduct to this noble knight, as house of a certain baron, or one who holds the may be alike consistent with his safety, and with style of such, called Julian Avenel, with whom I the weal of the community. For you wot well, that found such reception as the place and party could perilous strides have been made in these audacious afford." days, to the destruction of all ecclesiastical fouu " " And tliat," said the Abbot, must have been dations, and that our holy community has been re- " wretched to from the Hitherto have found no right ; for, judge appetite peatedly menaced. they which Julian sheweth when abroad, he ^lath not, riaw m our raiment; out n parry, meiialy ns well ru I judge, over-abundant provision at home." the Queen of England, as to the heretical doctrines " You are right, sir your reverence is in the of the schismatical church, or even to worse and continued " but at the court right," Sir Pieroie ; we had lenten wilder forms of heresy, prevails now fare, and, what was worse, a score to clear at of our sovereign, who dare not yield to her suf- the for this Julian the she would extend departure ; though Avenel fering clergy protection gladly called us to no reckoning, yet he did so extrava- to them." " gantly admire the fasliion of my poniard the My lord, and reverend sir," said the knight, of silver and " I will relieve of while polynet being exquisitely hatched, gladly you my presence, indeed the ex- this matter at freedom and to weapon being altogether a piece of ye canvass your ; ceeding rare device and beauty that in faith I speak truly, I am desirous to see in what case the could not for very shame's sake but pray his chamberlain of my noble kinsman hath found my of it words he not the he the and acceptance ; which gave me wardrobe, and how hath packed same, trouble of repeating twice, before he had stuck whether it has suffered from the journey there it iuto his greasy buff-belt, where, credit me, are four suits of as pure and elegant device as reverend sir, it shewed more like a butcher's knife ever the fancy of a fair lady doated upon, every than a gentleman's dagger." one having a treble, and appropriate change oi " in So goodly a gift might at least have purchased ribbons, trimmings, and fringes, which, case of you a few days' hospitality," said Father Eustace, need, as it were renew each of them, and mul- " j may " I is sad- Reverend sir,'' said Sir Piercie, had abidden tiply the four into twelve. There also my with him, I should hare been complimented out coloured riding-suit, and three cut-work shirts with 460 WAVERLEY NOVELS. falling bands I pray you, pardon me I must bring this man this Sir Piercis Shafton, to our needs see how matters stand with them without house of Saint Mary's." " farther But how then shall we dispose of him 1" dallying." " replied left the room and the Sub- the bethink thce that he is a sufferer Thus spGaking, he ; Abbot ; for Prior, looking after him significantly, added, holy Church's sake that his patron, the Earl of " Where the treasure is will the heart be also." Northumberland, hath been our friend, and that, " Saint Mary preserve our wits !" said the Abbot, lying so near us, he may work us weal or wo ac- stunned with the knight's abundance of words; cording as we deal with his kinsman." " " " were man's brains ever so stuffed with silk and And, accordingly," said the Sub-Prior, for broadcloth, cut-work, and I wot not what besides ! these reasons, as well as for discharge of the great And what could move the Earl of Northumberland duty of Christian charity, I would protect and to assume for his bosom counsellor, in matters of relieve this man. Let him not go back to Julian depth and danger, such a feather-brained coxcomb Avenel that unconscientious baron would not as this ?" stick to plunder the exiled stranger Let him " Had he been other than what he is, venerable remain here the spot is secluded, and if the " father," said the Sub-Prior, he had been less fitted accommodation be beneath his quality, discovery for the part of scape-goat, to which his Right will become the less likely. We will make such Honourable Cousin had probably destined him from means for his convenience as we can devise." " the commencement, in case of their plot failing. Will he be persuaded, thinkest thou ?" said the " will I know something of this Piercie Shafton. The Abbot ; I leave my own travelling bed for his of his mother's descent from the Piercie repose, and send up a suitable easy-chair." legitimacy " the on which he is most jealous, With such easements," said the Sub-Prior, family, point " If he must not if hath been called in question. hairbrained complain ; and then, threatened courage, and an outrageous spirit of gallantry, can by any sudden danger, he can soon come down to make good his pretensions to the high lineage he the sanctuary, where we will harbour him in secret claims, these qualities have never been denied him. until means can be devised of dismissing him in For the rest, he is one of the ruffling gallants of the safety." 1 " " time, like Rowland Yorke, Stukely, and others, Were we not better," said the Abbot, send who wear out their fortunes, and endanger their him on to the court, and get rid of him at once ?" " lives, in idle braveries, in order that they may be Ay, but at the expense of our friends this esteemed the choice of the time and fold his and lie under covei only gallants ; butterfly may wings, afterwards endeavour to their in the cold air of but were he at repair estate, by Glendearg ; in engaging the desperate plots and conspiracies Holyrood, he would, did his life depend on it, which wiser heads have devised. To use one of expand his spangled drapery in the eyes of the queen his own conceited similitudes, such courageous and court Rather than fail of distinction, he fools resemble hawks, which the wiser conspirator would sue for love to our gracious sovereign keeps hooded and blinded on his wrist until the the eyes of all men would be upon him in the quarry is on the wing, and who are then flown at course of three short days, and the international them." peace of the two ends of the island endangered for "Saint Mary," said the Abbot, "he were an a creature, who, like a silly moth, cannot abstain evil guest to introduce into our quiet household. from fluttering round a light." " Our young monks make bustle and more Thou hast prevailed with me, Father Eustace,'" enough, " than is beseeming God's servants, about their said the Abbot, and it will go hard but I improve outward attire already this knight were enough on thy plan I will send up in secret, not only to turn their brains, from the Vestiarius down to household stuff, but wine and wassell-bread. There the very scullion boy." is a swankie here who shoots venison well. " young A worse evil might follow," said the Sub-Prior : I will him directions to see that the knight " give in these bad days, the patrimony of the church lacks none." " is bought and sold, forfeited and distrained, as if Whatever accommodation he can have, which it were the unhallowed soil appertaining to a secu- infers not a risk of discovery," said the Sub-Prior, " lar baron. Think what penalty awaits us, were we it is our duty to afford him." " " convicted of harbouring a rebel to her whom they Nay," said the Abbot, we will do more, and call the Queen of England ! There would neither will instantly despatch a servant express to the be wanting Scottish parasites to beg the lands of the keeper of our revestiary to send us such things as foundation, nor an army from England to burn he may want, even tjiis night. See it done, good and harry the Halidome. The men of Scotland father." were once firm united their " " I Scotsmen, and in love I will," answered Father Eustace ; but their of country, and throwing every other con- hear the gull clamorous for some one to truss his 2 sideration aside when the frontier was menaced points. He will be fortunate if he lights on any now they are what shall I call them the one one here who can do him the office of groom of the part French, the other part English, chamber." considering " " their dear native country merely as a prize-fighting I would he would appear," said the Abbot, for stage, upon which foreigners are welcome to decide here comes the Refectioner with the collation their quarrels." By my faith, the ride hath given me a sharp " " Benedicite !" replied the Abbot, they are appetite !" indeed slippery and evil times." " " And said Father we 2 therefore," Eustace, The points were the strings of cord r ribbon, (so called, must walk warily we must not, for example, because pointed with metal like the laces of women's stays,) which attached the doublet to the hose. They were verv numerous, and required assistance to tie them properly, which 1 See Xote G. Rowland Yorke, and Stukeiy. was called trusting. THE MONASTERY.

you hasty, wild, and inconsiderate, rude, and prompt CHAPTER XVII. to at the and without speak volley reflection ; but now, methinks, your bearing, without losing its Ill seek for other aid Spirits, they say, natural has in it of force Flit round invisible, as tliick as motes fire, something and Dance in the sunbeam. If that spell dignity which it had not before. It seems as if you Or necromancer's sigil can compel them, had fallen asleep a carle, and awakened a gentle- They sliall hold council with me. JAMES DUFK. man." " Thou canst judge, then, of noble bearing ?" said THE reader's attention must be recalled to Hal- Halbert. bert Glendinning, who had left the Tower of "Surely," answered Martin, "in some sort I his its can for I have travelled Glendcarg immediately after quarrel with ; through court, and camp, and with new guest, Sir Piercie Shafton. As he walked city, my master Walter Avenel, although could with a rapid pace up the glen, Old Martin followed he do nothing for me in the long run, but give him, beseeching him to be less hasty. me room for two score of sheep on the liill and " " Halbert," said the old man, you will never surely even now, while I speak with you, I feel live to have white hair, if you take fire thus at sensible that my language is more refined than it every spark of provocation." is my wont to use, and that though I know " I wish Hal- not the reason the rude northern so And why should it, old man," said dialeot, " bcrt, if I am to be -the butt that every fool may familiar to my tongue, has given place to a more town-bred aim a shaft of scorn against ? What avails it, old speech." " this man, that you yourself move, sleep, and wake, And change in thyself and me, thou canst eat niggard meal, and on thy hard by no means account for ?" said young Glendinning. thy repose " " pallet ! Why art thou so well pleased that the Change !" replied Martin, by our Lady it is not so morning should call thee up to daily toil, and the much a change which I feel, as a recalling evening again lay thee down a wearied-out wretch ? and renewing sentiments and expressions which I Were it not better sleep and wake no more, than to had some thirty years since, ere Tibb and I set undergo this dull exchange of labour for insensibi- up our humble household. It is singular, that lity and of insensibility for labour ?" your society should have this sort of influence over " " God help me," answered Martin, there may me, Halbert, and that I should never have experi- be tri'th in what thou but walk slower, enced it ere now." sayest " " for my old limbs cannot keep pace with your young Thinkest thou," said Halbert, thou seest in legs walk slower, and I will tell you why age, me aught that can raise me from this base, low, though unlovely, is yet endurable." despised state, into one where I may rank with those "Speak on then," said Halbert, slackening his proud men, who now despise my clownish poverty f " but remember we must seek venison to Martin paused an instant, and then answered pace, " the of these will Doubtless Halbert as refresh fatigues holy men, who you may, ; broken a ship this of ten miles has come to land. Heard never of morning have achieved a journey ; ye Hughie and if we reach not the Brocksburn head, we are Dun, who left this Halidome some thirty-five years scarce like to see an antler." gone by ? A deliverly fellow was Hughie could " Then know, my good Halbert," said Martin, read and write like a priest, and could wield brand " whom I love as my own son, that I am satisfied and buckler with the best of the riders. I mind to live till death calls me, because my Maker wills him the like of him was never seen in the Hali- it. Ay, and although I spend what men call a hard dome of Saint Mary's, and so was seen of the pre- ferment that life, pinched with cold in winter, and burnt with God sent him." heat in summer, though I feed hard and sleep "And what was that?" said Halbert, his eyes hard, and am held mean and despised, yet I be- sparkling with eagerness. " " think me, that were I of no use on the face of this Nothing less," answered Martin, than body- fair creation, God would withdraw me from it." servant to the Archbishop of Saint Andrews !" " " Thou poor old man," said Halbert, and can Halbert's countenance fell. "A servant and such a vain conceit as this of thy fancied use, recon- to a priest ? Was this all that knowledge and cile thee to a world where thou playest so poor a activity could raise him to ?" part ?" Martin, in his turn, looked with wistful surprise " My part was nearly as poor," said Mai-tin, "my in the face of his young friend. "And to what person nearly as much despised, the day that I saved could fortune lead him farther?" answered he. " my mistress and her child from perishing in the The son of a kirk-feuar is not the stuff that lords wilderness." and knights are made of. Courage and school " " Right, Martin," answered Halbert, there, craft cannot change churl's blood into gentle blood, indeed, thou didst what might be a sufficient apo- I trow. I have heard, forby, that Hughie Dun logy for a whole life of insignificance." left a good five hundred punds of Scots to " money And do you account it for nothing, Halbert, that his only daughter, and that she married the Bailie I should have the power of giving you a lesson of of Pittenweem." patience, and submission to the destinies of Pro- At this moment, and while Halbert was em- vidence ? Methinks there is use for the gray hairs barrassed with devising a suitable answer, a deer on tlie old scalp, were it but to instruct the green bounded across their path. In an instant the cross- head by precept and by example." bow was at the youth's shoulder, the be It whistled, Halbert held down his face, and remained silent and the deer, after giving one bound upright, dropt for a minute or two, and then resumed his dis- dead on the green sward. " " course : Martin, seest thou aught changed in me There lies the venison our dame wanted," said " of late ?" Martin of ; who would have thought an out-lying " u Surely," said Martin. I have always known stag being so low down the glen at this season ! 462 WAVERLEY NOVELS.

And it is a hart of grease too, in full season, Halbert Glendinning did not long, however, and three inches of fat on the brisket. Now this allow himself to pause. Hardihood was the natural follows where characteristic of his mind and under the - is all your luck, Halbert, that you, go ; expan in for I would war- sion and modification which his you like. Were you to put it, feelings had lately rant you were made oue of the Abbot's yeoman- undergone, it had been augmented rather than prickers, and ride about ia a purple doublet as diminished. He drew his sword, undid the buskin bold as the best." from his foot, bowed three times with deliberation " " Tush, man," answered Halbert, I will serve towards the fountain, and as often towards the tree, the Queen or no one. Take tliou care to have and repeated the same rhyme as formerly, down the venison to the Tower, since they expect " Thrice to the holy brake it. I will to the I or three on moss. have two Thrice to the well : I bid thee Dird-bolts at my girdle, and it may be I shall find awake, White Maid of Avenel ! wild-fowl." He hastened his pace, and was soon out of Noon gleams on the lake ISoo'n glows on the fell sight. Martin paused for a moment, and looked " Wake thee, O wake, after him. There goes the making of a right White Maid of Avenel !" gallant stripling, an ambition have not the spoiling His was on the bush as he the of him Serve the Queen ! said he. By my faith, eye holly spoke e'er last line and it was not without and she hath worse servants, from all that I ; an involuntary heard of him. And wherefore should he not keep shuddering that he saw the air betwixt his eye the and that become more and a high head ? They that ettle to the top of object dim, condense, as it into the faint of ladder will at least get up some rounds. They were, appearance a form, ' a so thin and that mint at a gown of gold, will always get through which, however, transparent was the first of the sleeve of it. But come, sir, (addressing the stag,) appearance phantom, he could of the you shall go to lendearg on my two legs some- discern the outline bush, as through a veil what more slowly than you were frisking it even of fine crape. But, gradually, it darkened into a now on your own four nimble shanks. Nay, by more substantial appearance, and the White Lady with stood before him with on her my faith, if you be so heavy, I will content me displeasure brow. the best of you, and that's the haunch and the She spoke, and her speech was still song, or rather old measured chant as if now more nombles, and e'en heave up the rest on the ; but, familiar, in oak-tree yonder, and come back for it with one of it flowed occasionally modulated blank-verse, the vwuds. and at other times in the lyrical measure which While Martin returned to Glendearg with the she had used at their former meeting. t'enison, Halbert prosecuted ,his walk, breathing " This is the day when the fairy kind /nore easily since he was free of his companion. Sit weeping alone for their hopeless lot, " The a domestic of proud and lazy priest body- And the wood-maiden sighs to the sighing wind, And the mer-maiden in her squire to the Archbishop of Saint Andrews," he weeps crystal grot : For this is the that a deed was to himself " and with the day wrought, repeated ; this, privilege In which we have neither part nor share, of allying his blood with the Bailie of Pittenweesn, For the children of clay was salvation bought, Hut not for the forms of sea or air ! is thought a preferment worth a brave man's And ever the mortal is most forlorn, more a if struggling for; nay preferment which, \Vlio meeteth our race on the Friday morn." allowed, should crown thetaopes, past, present, and to " said Halbert " come, of the son of a Kirk-vassal ! By Heaven, Spirit," Glendinning boldly, it but that I find in me a reluctance to practise their is bootless to threaten one who holds his life at no acts of I Thine but nocturnal rapine, would rather take the rate. anger can slay ; nor do I think jack and lance, and join with the Border-riders. thy power extendeth, or thy will stretcheth, so far. Something I will do. Here, degraded and dis- The terrors which your race produce upon others, I will not is honoured, live the scorn of each whiffling are vain against me. My heart hardened against stranger from the South, because, forsooth, he fear, as by a sense of despair. If I am, as thy wears tinkling spurs on a tawny boot. This thing words infer, of a race more peculiarly the care of this phantom, be it what it will, I will see it once Heaven than thine, it is mine to call, it must be more. Since I spoke with her, and touched her thine to answer. I am the nobler being." hand, thoughts and feelings have dawned on me, of As he spoke, the figure looked upon him with which former life a fierce and ireful my had not even dreamed ; but countenance, which, without shall I, who feel my father's glen too narrow for my I losing the similitude of that which it usually exhi-

: expanding spirit, brook to be bearded in it by this bited, had a wilder and more exaggerated cast of vain gewgaw of a courtier, and in the too of features. The seemed to contract and become sight j eyes Avenel ? I will to more convulsions Mary not stoop it, by Heaven !" fiery, and sh'ght passed over the As he spoke thus, he arrived in the sequestered face, as if it was about to be transformed into glen of Corri-uan-shian, as it verged upon the hour something hideous. The whole appearance resem- of noon. A few moments he remained looking upon bled those faces which the imagination summons the fountain, and doubting in his own mind with up when it is disturbed by laudanum, but which vhat countenance the White Lady might receive do not remain under the visionary's command, and, nim. She had not indeed expressly forbidden his beautiful hi their first appearance, become wild and her but there was ere we can arrest them. Ugain evoking ; yet something grotesque like such a prohibition implied in the farewell, which But when Halbert had concluded his bold speech, recommended him to wait for another guide. the White Lady stood before him with the same pale, fixed, and melancholy aspect, which she bore. He had the which 1 Mint aim at. usually expected agitation " of she exhibited would conclude in some Taudt horses ; mor particularly horses labour. frightful THE MONASTERY. 463

" " metamorpncsis. Folding her arms on her bosom, Yet thine own fate," replied Halbert, unless the phantom replied, men greatly err, is linked with that of mortals I" " The Daring youth ! for thee it is well, phantom answered, Here me in haunted calling (loll, " That thy heart has not quail'd, By ties mysterious link'd, our fated race Nor thy courage fail'd, Holds strange connection with the sons of men. And that thou couldst brook The star that rose upon the House of Avenel, The angry look When Js'orman Ulric first assumed the name, Of Her of A vend. That star, when culminating in its orbit, Did one limb shiver, Shot from its sphere a drop of diamond dew, this font it Or an eyelid quiver, And bright received and a Spirit Thou wert lost for ever. Rose from the fountain, and her date of life Though I am fqrm'd from the ether blue, Hath co-existence with the House of Avenel, And my blood is of the unfallen dew. And with the star that rules it." And thou art framed of mud and dust, Tis thine to I must." " speak, reply Speak yet more plainly," answered young " I demand of said the " " of this I thee, then," youth, by Glendinning ; can understand nothing. what charm it is that I am thus altered in mind Say, what hath forged thy wierded ' link of destiny and in wishes that I think no longer of deer or with the House of Avenel ? Say, especially, what dog, of how or bolt that my soul spurns the fate now overhangs that house ?" bounds of this obscure glen that my blood boils The White Lady replied, at an insult from one by whose stirrup I would " Look on my girdle on this thread of gold some since have run for a whole summer's days 'Tis fine as web of lightest gossamer, but there is a on would morn, contented and honoured by the notice of And, spell 't, not bind, as are, the folds of thin robe. a word ? do I now seek to mate me Light they my single Why But when 'twas donn'd, it was a massive chain, with princes, and knights, and nobles 1 Am I the t^uch as might bind the champion of the Jews. same, who but yesterday, as it were, slumbered in Even when his locks were longest it hath dwindled, Hath minish'd in its substance and its contented but who am awakened strength, obscurity, to-day As sunk the greatness of the House of Avenel. to glory and ambition! Speak tell me, if thou When this frail thread gives way, I to the elements the of life lent me. canst, the meaning of this change ? Am I spell- Resign principles they Ask me no more of this ! the stars forbid it." bound? or have I til] now been under the influ- " ence of a spell, that I feel as another being, yet Then canst thou read the stars," answered the am conscious of the same I and " remaining Speak youth, and mayest tell me the fate of my passion, tell me, is it to thy influence that the change is if thou canst not aid it 1" !" e^'ing The White Lady again replied, The White Lady replied, " Dim burns the once bright star of Avenel, " Dim as the beacon when the morn is nigh, A mightier wizard far than I And the o'er-wearied warder leaves the his light-house ; Wields o'er the universe power ; There is an influence sorrowful and fearful, Him owns the eagle in the sky, That its downward course. Disastrous The turtle in the bower. dogs passion, Fierce hate and rivalry, are in the aspect Changeful in shape, yet mightiest still, That lowers upon its fortunes." He wields the heart of man at will, From ill to from good, good to ill, " " !" it is In cot aad castle-tower." And rivalry repeated Glendinning ;

then as I feared ! But shall that silkworm " ; English Speak not thus darkly," said the youth, colour- presume to beard me in my father's house, and in so that and were in a of ? deeply, face, neck, hands, : the Avenel Give me to meet ing " presence Mary make me sensible of to do the vain distinc- sanguine glow ; thy purpose." him, spirit, give me away The spirit answered, tion of rank on which he refuses me the combat. " Place us on equal terms, and gleam the stars with Ask thy heart, whose secret cell 1 what will, the sword of father shah Is fill'd with Mary Avenel ! aspect they my Ask thy pride, why scornful look control their influences." In view it will not brook ? Mary's She answered as promptly as before. Ask it, why thou seek'st to rise Among the mighty and the wise? " Complain not of me, child of clay, Why thou spurn 'st thy lowly lot ? If to thy barm I yield the way. Why thy pastimes are forgot ? We, who soar thy sphere above, Why thou wouldst in bloody strife Know not aught of hate or love ; Jlend thy luck or lose thy life ? As will or wisdom rules thy mood, Ask thy heart, and it shall tell, Jly gifts to evil turn, or good." Sighing from its secret cell, 'Tis for Mary Avenel." " Give me to redeem honour," said Halbert " my Tell me, then," said Halbert, his cheek still Glendinning "give me to retort on " my proud eply crimsoned, thou who hast said to me that rival the insults he has thrown on me, and let .-Inch I dared not say to myself, by what means the rest fare as it will. If I cannot revenge my '.-.all I urge my passion by what means make wrong, I shall sleep quiet, and know nought of my it known ?" disgrace." The White Lady replied, The phantom failed not to reply,

" " Piercie Shafton Do not ask me ; When boasteth high, On doubts like these thou canst not task me. Let this token meet his eye. We only see the passing show The sun is westering from the dell, Of wish is fare thee well !" human passions' ebb and flow ; Thy granted And view the pageant's idle glance As mortals eye the northern dance, As the White Lady spoke or chanted these last When thousand streamers, flashing bright, words, she undid from her locks a silver bodkin Career it o'er the brow of night, And gazers mark their changeful gleams, But feel 110 influence from their beams." > Wierdtd fated. 464 WAVERLEY NOVELS. around which they were twisted, and gave it to fell down on his breast, and terminated in a me then her dishevelled dallion. Halbert Glendinning ; shaking K hair till it fell like a veil around her, the outlines of We waited for Sir Piercie Shafton," said the her form gradually became as diffuse as her flowing Abbot, hastily assuming his place in the great tresses, her countenance grew pale as the moon chair which the Kitchener advanced to the table in her first quarter, her features became indistin- with ready hand. " guishable, and she melted into the air. I pray your pardon, reverend father, and my inures us to wonders but the did that of " I Habit ; youth good lord," replied pink courtesy ; not find himself alone by the fountain without did but wait to cast my riding slough, and to experiencing, though in a much less degree, the transmew myself into some civil form meeter revulsion of spirits which he had felt upon the for this worshipful company." " phantom's former disappearance, A doubt strongly I cannot but praise your gallantry, Sir " Knigl.t, pressed upon his mind, whether it were safe to said the Abbot, and your prudence also, for choos- avail himself of the gifts of a spirit which did not ing the fitting tune to appear thus adorned. CerteSj even pretend to belong to the class of angels, and had that goodly chain been visible in some part of might, for aught he knew, have a much worse your late progress, there was risk that the law- lineage than that which she was pleased to avow. ful owner might have parted company therewith." " " " I will speak of it," he said, to Edward, who This chain, said your reverence ?" answered is will tell I should Sir Piercie it is but clerkly learned, and me what ; "surely a toy, a trifle, a do. And yet, no Edward is scrupulous and slight thing which shews but poorly with this Sir I wary. I will prove the effect of her gift on doublet marry, when wear that of the murrey- Piercie Shafton if he again braves me, and by the coloured double-piled Genoa velvet, puffed out with issue, I will be myself a sufficient judge whether ciprus, the gems, being relieved and set off by the there is danger in resorting to her counsel. Home, darker and more grave ground of the stuff, shew then, home and we shall soon learn whether that like stars giving a lustre through dark clouds." " " shall hold for not will I I doubt said the but I home longer me ; again nothing it," Abbot, brook insult, with my father's sword by my side, pray you to sit down at the board." and Mary for the spectator of my disgrace." But Sir Piercie had now got into his element, and was not easily interrupted "I own," he " continued, that slight as the toy is, it might per- chance have had some captivation for Julian XVIII. Santa Maria !" said he, interrupting himself; CHAPTER " what was I about to say, and my fair and I give thee eigliteenpence a-dny, beauteous Protection, or shall I rather term her And bow shall thou bear, my my Discretion, here in presence ! Indiscreet hath And over all the north country, it been in most Dis- I make thee the chief rydere. your Affability, lovely And I thirteenpence a-dny, quoth the queen, cretion, to suffer a stray word to have broke out of God and By by my faye, the pen-fold of his mouth, that might overleap the Come fetch thy payment when thou wilt, fence of and on the manor of No man shall say thee nay. civility, trespass WiUiam of Cloudesley. decorum." " Marry !" said the Abbot, somewhat impatiently, THE manners of the age did not permit the "the greatest discretion that I can see in the matter

' inhabitants of Glendearg to partake of the collation is, to eat our victuals being hot Father Eustace, which was placed in the spence of that ancient say the Benedicite, and cut up the haunch." tower, before the Lord Abbot and his attendants, The Sub-Prior readily obeyed the first part of and Sir Piercie Shafton. Dame Glendinning was the Abbot's injunction, but paused upon the second " excluded, both by inferiority of rank and by sex, It is Friday, most reverend," he said in Latin, for (though it was a rule often neglected) the desirous that the hint should escape, if possible, the Superior of Saint Mary's was debarred from taking ears of the stranger. " his meals in female society. To Mary Avenel the We are travellers," said the Abbot, in reply, latter, and to Edward Glendinning the former, "and viatoribus licituiii est You know the canon attached but it his to a traveller must eat what food his hard fate sets incapacity ; pleased lordship require their presence in the apartment, and to before him. I grant you all a dispensation to eat say sundry kind words to them upon the ready and flesh this day, conditionally that you, brethren, say hospitable reception which they had afforded him. the Confiteor at curfew time, that the knight give

i The haunch stood the table a alms to his and that all and each of smoking now upon ; ability, you napkin, white as snow, was, with due reverence, fast from flesh on such day within the next month tucked under the chin of the Refec- that shall most convenient wherefore fall to the Abbot by seem ; tioner and cheerful ; nought was wanting to commence the and eat your food with countenances, and repast, save the presence of Sir Piercie Shafton, you, Father Refectioner, da mixtus." who at length appeared, glittering like the sun, While the Abbot was thus stating the conditions in a carnation-velvet doublet, slashed and puffed on which his indulgence was granted, he had out with cloth of silver, his hat of the newest block, already half finished a slice of the noble "launch, surrounded by a hatband of goldsmith's work, while and now washed it down with a flagon of rhenish, around his neck he wore a collar of gold, set with modestly tempered with water. " rubies and topazes so rich, that it vindicated his Well is if said," he observed, as he required " anxiety for the safety of his baggage from being from the Refectioner another sh'ce, that virtue is founded his love of This its reward for this is but humble upon mere finery. own ; though fare, gorgeous collar or chain, resembling those worn and hastily prepared, and eaten in a poor chamber, by the knights of the highest orders of chivalry, I do not remember me of having had such an TUK MONASTERY. 465

appetite since I was a simple brother in the Abbey as thou sayest, in the Kirk's quarrel, and under of Dundrennan, and was wont to labour in the her banner, rely upon it that we will have him out warden from morning until nones, when our Abbot of purgatory forthwith that is, always provided struck the Cymbalum. Then would I enter keen he be there. But it is not of thy husband whom we with mihi rinum now devise to but of son not of a shot with hunger, parched thirst, (da speak, thy ; with of but quceso, et nurum tit,) and partake appetite Scotsman, of a shot deer Wherefore I say, to our rule to is whatever was set before us, according ; answer me the point, thy son a practised feast or fast-day, carifas or penltentia, was the same archer, ay or no 1" " to me. I had no stomach complaints then, which Alack ! my reverend lord," replied the widow, now crave both the aid of wine and choice cookery, "and my croft would be better tilled, if I could to render my food acceptable to my palate, and answer your reverence that he is not. Practised of archer ! I would he would easy digestion." marry, holy sir, prac- [ ' "It may be, holy father," said the Sub-Prior, tise something else cross-bow and long-bow, hand- :< an occasional ride to the extremity of Saint gun and hackbut, falconet and saker, he can shoot Mary's patrimony, may have the same happy effect with them all. And if it would please this right on your health as the air of the garden at Dun- honourable gentleman, our guest, to hold out his hat drennan." at the distance of a hundred yards, our Halbert " bullet Perchance, with our patroness's blessing, such shall send shaft, bolt, or through it, (so that progresses may advantage us," said the Abbot; right honourable gentleman swerve not, but hold " liaving an especial eye that our venison is carefully out steady,) and I will forfeit a quarter of barley killed by some woodsman that is master of his if he touch but a knot of his ribands. I have seen craft." our old Martha do as much, and so lias our right ' If the Lord Abbot will permit me," said the reverend the Sub-Prior, if he be pleased to remem- " Kitchener, I think the best way to assure his ber it." " lordship on that important point, would be to retain I am not like to forget it, dame," said Father a or the eldest Eustace "for I knew not which most to as yeoman-pricker, deputy-ranger, ; admire, son of this good woman, Dame Glendinning, who the composure of the young marksman, or the is here to wait upon us. I should know by mine steadiness of the old mark. Yet I presume not to office what belongs to killing of game, and I can advise Sir Piercie Shafton to subject his valuable safely pronounce, tliat never saw I, or any other beaver, and yet more valuable person, to such a coquinarlus, a bolt so justly shot. It has cloven risk, unless it should be his own special pleasure." " the very heart of the buck." Be assured it is not," said Sir Piercie Shafton, " " of father 1" be well What speak you to us one good shot, something hastily ; assured, holy father, " said Sir Piercie I would advise that such no that it is not. I not the lad's ; you dispute qualities, more maketh a shooter, than doth one swallow make for which your reverence vouches. But bows are a summer I have seen this springald of whom but wood, strings are but flax, or the silk-worm's you speak, and if his hand can send forth his shafts excrement at best; archers are but men, fingers hit as boldly as his tongue doth utter presumptuous may slip, eyes may dazzle, the blindest may speeches, I will own him. as good an archer as the butt, the best marker may shoot a bow's length Robin Hood." beside. Therefore will we try no perilous experi- " " Marry," said the Abbot, and it is fitting we ments." " know the truth of this matter from the dame her- Be that as you will, Sir Piercie," said the " self for ill to to Abbot we will this bow- ; advised were we give way any ; meantime name youth rashness in this matter, whereby the bounties which bearer in the forest granted to us by good King Heaven and our patroness provide might be un- David, that the chase might recreate our wearied skilfully mangled, and rendered unfit for worthy spirits, the flesh of the deer improve our poor com- Glendin- the liides cover the books of our men's use. Stand forth, therefore, Dame mons, and library , ning, and tell to us, as thy liege lord and spiritual thus tending at once to the sustenance of body and Superior, using plainness and truth, without either soul." " fear or favour, as being a matter wherein we are Kneel down, woman, kneel down," said the interested, Doth this son of thine use his Refectioner and the Kitchener, with one voice, deeply " bow as well as the Father Kitchener avers to us ? to Dame Glendinning, "and kiss his lordship's "So please your noble fatherhood," answered hand, for the grace which he has granted to thy " Dame Glendinning, with a deep curtsy, I should son." know somewhat of archery to my cost, seeing my They then, as if they had been chanting the husband God assoilzie him ! was slain in the service and the responses, set off in a sort of duetto, Meld of Pinkie with an arrow-shot, while he was enumerating the advantages of the situation. " fighting under the Kirk's banner, as became a liege A green gown and a pair ef leathern galli- I vassal of the Halidome. He was a valiant man, gaskins every Pentecost," said the Kitchener. and honest and sav- " Four marks the at please your reverence, an ; by year Candlemas," , ing that he loved a bit of venison, and shifted answered the Refectioner. " for his living at a time as Border-men will some- An hogshead of ale at Martlemas, of the times do, I wot not of sin that he did. And double and ale at as he shall yet, strike, single " pleasure, though I have paid for mass after mass to the agree with the Cellarer " matter of a forty shilling, besides a quarter of Who is a reasonable man," said the Abbot, " wheat and four firlots of rye, I can have no and will encourage an active servant of the con- assurance yet that he has been delivered from vent." " purgatory." A mess of broth and a dole of mutton or beef, " " Dame," said the Lord Abbot, this shall be at the Kitchener's, on each high holiday," resumed looked into heedfully ; and since thy husband fell, the Kitchener. 98 466 WAVERLEY NOVELS.

flashes "The gang of two cows and a palfrey on our be some of mania! spirit about tins Young Lady's meadow," answered his brother officer. person, which I am not called upon to " dispute, An ox-hide to make buskins of yearly, because (though I have seldom seen that presumption and of the brambles," echoed the Kitchener. arrogance were made good upon the upshot by deed " And various other perquisites, quce nunc prce- and action,) yet still tnese wiii prove insufficient to tcnbers longum" said the Abbot, summing, with distinguish him, save in his own limited and lowly his own lordly voice, the advantages attached to sphere even as the glowworm, which makes a the office of conventual bow-bearer. goodly show among the grass of the field, would be Dame Glendinning was all this while on her of little avail if deposited in a beacon-grate." " " knees, her head mechanically turning from the Now, in good time," said the Sub-Prior, and one church -officer to the other, which, as they here comes the young huntsman to speak for him- stood one on each side of her, had much the self ;" for, being placed opposite to the window, he appearance of a figure moved by clock-work, and could observe Halbert as he ascended the little so soon as they were silent, most devoutly did she mound on which the tower was situated. " kiss the munificent hand of the Abbot. Conscious, Summon him to our presence," said the Lord with however, of Halbert's intractability in some points, Abbot ; and an obedient start the two atten- she could not help qualifying her grateful aud dant monks went off with emulous alertness. Dame reiterated thanks for the Abbot's bountiful proffer, Glendinning sprung away at the same moment, with a hope that Halbert would see his wisdom, partly to gain an instant to recommend obedience and accept of it. to her son, partly to prevail with him to change "How," said the Abbot, bending his brows, his apparel before coming in presence of the Abbot. " accept of it 1 Woman, is thy son in his right But the Kitchener and Refectioner, both speaking wits?" at once, had already seized each an arm, and were Elspeth, stunned by the tone in which this ques- leading Halbert in triumph into the " apartment, tion was was unable to to so that she could His will be done asked, altogether reply only ejaculate, ; it. Indeed, any answer she might have made but an he had bat had on him his Sunday's hose !" could hardly have been heard, as it pleased the two Limited and humble as this desire was, the fates of the Abbot's to did office-bearers table again recom- not grant it, for Halbert Glendinning was mence their alternate dialogue. hurried into the presence of the Lord Abbot and " Refuse !" said the Kitchener. his party without a word of explanation, and " Refuse !" answered the. Refectioner, echoing without a moment's time being allowed to assume the other's word in a tone of still louder astonish- his holiday hose, which, in the language of the ment. time, implied both breeches and " stockings. Refuse four marks by the year !" said the one. Yet though thus suddenly presented amid the " Ale and beer broth and mutton cow's-grass centre of all eyes, there was something in Halbert's and palfrey's !" shouted the Kitchener. which commanded a certain of j appearance degree " Gown and galligaskins !" responded the Refec- respect from the company into which he was so tioner. unceremoniously intruded, and the of " greater part A moment's patience, my brethren," answered whom were disposed to consider him with hauteur " the Sub-Prior, and let us not be thus astonished if not with absolute contempt. But his appearance before cause is afforded of our amazement. This and reception we must devote to another chapter. good dame best knoweth the temper and spirit of her son this much I can say, that it lieth not to- wards letters or learning, of which I have in vain endeavoured to instil into him some tincture. CHAPTER XIX. Nevertheless, he is a youth of no common spirit, but much like those weak whom (in my judgment) Now choose thee, gallant, betwixt wealth and honour ; There lies the in sum to thee God raises up among a people when he meaneth pelf, bear through The dance of and the turmoil of that their deliverance shall be out with youth, manhood, wrought Yet leave enough for age's chimney-corner ; strength of hand and valour of heart. Such men But an thou grasp to it, farewell ambitio". we have seen marked by a waywardness, and even Farewell each hope of bettering thy condition, And raising thy low rank above the churls 'of an obstinacy character, which hath appeared That till the earth for bread. intractability and stupidity to those among whom Old Play. they walked and were conversant, until the very opportunity hath arrived in which it was the will IT is necessary to dwell for some brief space on of Providence that they should be the fitting instru- the appearance and demeanour of young Glendin- ment of ere we to describe his interview with " great things." ning, proceed Now, in good time hast thou spoken, Father the Abbot of Saint Mary's, at this momentous said the " will see this Eustace," Abbot ; and we crisis of his life. swankie before we decide upon the means of Halbert was now about nineteen years old, tall employing him. How say you, Sir Piercie Shafton, and active rather than strong, yet of that hardy is it not the court fashion to suit the man to the conformation of limb and smew, which promises office, and not the office to the man ?" great strength when the growth shall be complete, " So please your reverence and lordship," an- and the system confirmed. He was perfectly well " swered the Northumbrian knight, I do partly, made, and like most men who have that advan- that is, in some sort, subscribe to what your wis- tage, possessed a grace and natural ease of manner dom hath delivered Nevertheless, under reve- and carriage, which prevented his height from rence of the Sub-Prior, we do not look for gallant being the distinguished part of his external appear- leaders and national deliverers in the hovels of ance. It was not until you had compared his the mean common people. Credit me, that if there stature with that of those amongst or near to whore THE MONASTERY. 467 he stood, that you became sensible that the young alone he was personally known, and blushing as he Glendinning was upwards of six feet high. In the encountered the anxious look of Mary Avenel, who combination of unusual height with perfect sym- beheld with painful interest the sort of ordeal to metry, ease, and grace of carriage, the young heir which her foster-brother was about to be subjected. of Glendearg, notwithstanding his rustic birth and Recovering from the transient flurry of spirits into education, had greatly the advantage even of Sir which the encounter of her glance had thrown Piercie Shafton himself, whose stature was lower, him, he stood composedly awaiting till the Abbot and his limbs, though there was no particular point should express his pleasure. 10 object to, were on the whole less exactly propor- The ingenuous expression of countenance, noble tioned. On the other hand, Sir Piercie's very form, and graceful attitude of the young man, failed handsome countenance afforded him as decided not to prepossess in his favour the churchmen in an advantage over the Scotsman, as regularity of whose presence he stood. The Abbot looked round, features and brilliance of complexion could give and exchanged a gracious and approving glance over traits which were rather strongly marked with his counsellor Father Eustace, although pro- than beautiful, and upon whose complexion the bably the appointment of a ranger, or bow-bearer, "skyey influences," to which he was constantly was one in which he might have been disposed exposed, had blended the red and white into the to proceed without the Sub-Prior's advice, were purely nut-brown hue, which coloured alike cheeks, it but to shew his own free agency. But the good neck, and forehead, and blushed only in a darker mien of the young man now in nomination was glow upon the former. Halbert's eyes supplied a such, that he rather hastened to exchange con- marked and distinguished part of his physiognomy. gratulation on meeting with so proper a subject They were large and of a hazel colour, and sparkled of promotion, than to indulge any other feeling. in moments of animation with such uncommon Father Eustace enjoyed the pleasure which a brilliancy, that it seemed as if they actually emitted well-constituted mind derives from seeing a benefit Nature had curled the locks of dark- for as he had not light. closely light on a deserving object ; brown hair, which relieved and set off the features, seen Halbert since circumstances had made so such as we have described them, displaying a bold material a change in his manner and feelings, he and animated disposition, much more than might scarce doubted that the preferred appointment have been expected from his situation, or from his would, notwithstanding his mother's uncertainty, previous manners, which hitherto had seemed bash- suit the disposition of a youth who had appeared ful, homely, and awkward. devoted to woodland sports, and a foe alike to Halbert's dress was certainly not of that descrip- sedentary or settled occupation of any kind. The tion which sets off to the best advantage a presence Refectioner and Kitchener were so well pleased of itself prepossessing. His jerkin and hose were with Halbert's prepossessing appearance, that they of coarse rustic cloth, and his cap of the same. seemed to think that the salary, emoluments, and A belt round his waist served at once to sustain the perquisites, the dole, the grazing, the gown, and broad-sword which we have already mentioned, the galligaskins, could scarce be better bestowed and to hold five or six arrows and bird-bolts, which than on the active and graceful figure before them. were stuck into it on the right side, along with a Sir Piercie Shafton, whether from being more it the i'arge knife hilted with buck-horn, or, as was deeply engaged in his own cogitations, or that then called, a dudgeon-dagger. To complete his subject was unworthy of his notice, did not seem dress, we must notice his loose buskins of deer's- to partake of the general feeling of approbation hide, formed so as to draw up on the leg as high excited by the young man's presence. He sate as the knee, or at pleasure to be thrust down lower with his eyes half shut, and his arms folded, than the calves. These were generally used at the appearing to be wrapped in contemplations of a period by such as either had their principal occu- nature deeper than those arising out of the scene pation, or their chief pleasure, in silvan sports, as before him. But, notwithstanding his seeming they served to protect the legs against the rough and abstraction and absence of mind, there was a flutter tangled thickets into which the pursuit of game fre- of vanity in Sir Piercie's very handsome counte- quently led them. And these trifling particulars nance, an occasional change of posture from one complete his external appearance. striking attitude (or what he conceived to be such) It is not so easy to do justice to the manner to another, and an occasional stolen glance at in which young Glendinning's soul spoke through the female part of the company, to spy how far his eyes when ushered so suddenly into the com- he succeeded hi riveting their attention, which gave pany of those whom his earliest education had a marked advantage, in comparison, to the less taught him to treat with awe and reverence. The regular and more harsh features of Halbert Glec- degree of embarrassment, which his demeanour dinning, with their composed, manly, and deliberate evinced, had nothing in it either meanly servile, expression of mental fortitude. or utterly disconcerted. It was no more than Of the females belonging to the family ol became a generous and ingenuous youth of a bold Glendearg, the Miller's daughter alone had her spirit, but totally inexperienced, who should for the mind sufficiently at leisure to admire, from time first time be called upon to think and act for himself to time, the graceful attitudes of Sir Piercie in such for both Glen- society and under such disadvantageous Shafton ; Mary Avenel and Dame circumstances. There was not in his carriage a dinning were waiting in anxiety and apprehension grain either of forwardness or of timidity, which the answer which Halbert was to return to the the a friend could have wished away. Abbot's proposal, and fearfully anticipating He kneeled and kissed the Abbot's hand, then consequences of his probable refusal. The con- and two to duct of bis brother for a lad constitu- rose, retiring paces, bowed respectfully Edward, at the circle around, smiling gently as he received an tionally shy, respectful, and even timid, was anconraging nod from the Sub-Prior, to whom once affectionate and noble. This younger eon 468 WAVERLEY NOVELS. of Dame had stood unnoticed in a Elspeth corner, Glendearg, lately possessed by my father, Simon after the at the of the Abbot, request Sub-Prior, Glendinning : and having prayed your lordship to had honoured him with some passing notice, and be the same kmd and generous master to them, asked him a few commonplace questions about his that your predecessors, the venerable Abbots of in and in the Saint have been to fathers in time progress Donatus, Promptuarium Mary's, my past ; Parvulorum, without waiting for the answers. for myself, I am determined to seek my fortune From his corner he now glided round to his where I may best find it." brother's side, and keeping a little behind him, Dame Glendinning here ventured, imboldened slid his into the right hand huntsman's left, and by by maternal anxiety, to break silence with an a which " gentle pressure, Halbert instantly and exclamation of my son !" Edward, clinging at ardently returned, expressed once his interest in to his brother's side, half spoke, half whispered, a bis his " situation, and resolution to share his fate. similar ejaculation, of Brother ! brother !" The group was thus arranged, when, after the The Sub-Prior took up the matter in a tone oi pause of two or three minutes, which he employed grave reprehension, which, as he conceived, the in slowly sipping his cup of wine, in order that he interest he had always taken in the family of Glen- might enter on his proposal with due and deliberate dearg required at his hand. the Abbot at himself " Wilful " dignity, length expressed young man," he said, what folly can thus : urge thee to push back the hand that is stretched "My son we your lawful Superior, and the out to aid thee ? What visionary aim hast thou Abbot, under God's favour, of the community of before thee, that can compensate for the decent and of sufficient Saint Mary's, have heard your manifold good independence which thou art now reject- gifts a-hem especially touching wood-craft ing with scorn 1" " and the huntsman-like fashion in which you strike Four marks by the year, duly and truly," said your game, truly and as a yeoman should, not the Kitchener. " abusing Heaven's good benefits by spoiling the Cow's-grass, doublet, and galligaskins," re- flesh, as is too often seen in careless rangers sponded the Refectioner. a-hem." He made here a but " said the Sub-Prior pause, observing Peace, my brethren," ; " that Glendinning only replied to his compliment and may it please your lordship, venerable father, " by a bow, he proceeded, My son, we commend upon my petition, to allow this headstrong youth a we will that thou for it shall to your modesty ; nevertheless, day consideration, and be my part so shouldst speak freely to us touching that which we indoctrinate him, as to convince him what is due have premeditated for thine advancement, mean- on this occasion to your lordship, and to his family, ing to confer on thee the office of bow-bearer and and to himself." " ranger, as well over the chases and forests wherein Your kindness, reverend father," said the youth, our house hath privilege by the gifts of pious kings "craves my dearest thanks it is the continuance and nobles, whose souls now enjoy the fruits of of a long train of benevolence towards me, for their bounties to the church, as to those which which I give you my gratitude, for I have nothing belong to us in exclusive right of property and else to offer. It is my mishap, not your fault, that perpetuity. Thy knee, my son that we may, your intentions have been frustrated. But my with our own hand, and without loss of time, induct present resolution is fixed and unalterable. I can- thee into office." not the offer of the Lord accept generous Abbot ; " Kneel down," said the Kitchener on the one fate calls me elsewhere, to scenes where I shall " my the it it." side ; and Kneel down," said Refectioner on end or mend " " the other. By our Lady," said the Abbot, I think the But Halbert Glendinning remained standing. be mad indeed or that Sir Piercie, " youth you, Were it to shew gratitude and good-will for judged of him most truly, when you prophesied that your reverend lordship's noble offer, I could not," he would prove unfit for the promotion we " he said, kneel low enough, or remain long enough designed him it may be you knew something of kneeling. But I may not kneel to take investiture this wayward humour before ?" of your noble gift, my lord Abbot, being a man the mass, not I," answered Sir Piercie "By " determined to seek my fortune otherwise." Shafton, with his usual indifference. I but judged " How is sir ?" said the his his birth for seldom doth that, Abbot, knitting of him by and breeding ; " do I * of kite's brows ; hear you speak aright and do you, a good hawk come out a egg." " a born vassal of the Halidome, at the moment Thou art thyself a kite, and kestrel to boot," when I am destining to you such a noble expresson replied Halbert Glendinning, without a moment's of my good-will, propose exchanging my service hesitation. for that of other ?" " This in our and to a man of wor- any presence, j " My lord," said Halbert Glendinning, "it grieves ship 1" said the Abbot, the blood rushing to his me to think you hold me capable of undervaluing face. or of service " the " even in your gracious offer, exchanging your Yes, my lord," answered youth ; for another. But your noble proffer doth but your presence I return to this gay man's face, the hasten the execution of a determination which I causeless dishonour which he has flung on my name. have long since formed." brave father, who fell in the cause of his country, " " My Ay, my son," said the Abbot, is it indeed so ? demands that justice at the hands of his son !" " right early have you learned to form resolutions Unmannered boy !" said the Abbot. " " without consulting those on whom you naturally Nay, my good lord," said the knight, praying depend. But what may it be, this sagacious re- pardon for the coarse interruption, let me entreat solution, if I may so far pray you 1" not to be wroth with this rustical Credit me, " you To yield up to my brother and mother," the north wind shall as soon puff one of your rocks " so answered Halbert. mine interest in the fief of from its basis, as aught which I hold slight THE MONASTERY. 469

and inconsiderate as the churlish speech of an Shafton himself, whose ear caught, as he entered, untaught churl, shall move the spleen of Piercio the sound of the Sub-Prior's question. Shafton." Without until Halbert Glendinning re- " waiting Proud as you are, Sir Knight," said Halbert, plied, he came forward, whispering to him as he " " in your imagined superiority, be not too confident passed, Be secret thou shalt have the satisfaction that you cannot be moved." thou hast dared to seek for." " Faith, by nothing that thou canst urge," said When he returned to his place, there were still Piercie. of his Sir marks discomposure on brow ; but, becoming " Knowest thou then this token ?" said young apparently -collected and calm, he looked around Glendinning, offering to him the silver bodkin which him, and apologized for the indecorum of which he he had received from the White Lady. had been guilty, which he ascribed to sudden and Never was such an instant change, from the most severe indisposition. All were silent, and looked contemptuous serenity, to the most furious state on each other with some surprise. of passion, as that which Sir Piercie Shafton The Lord Abbot gave orders for all to retire exhibited. It was the difference between a cannon from the apartment, save himself, Sir Piercie Shaf- " lying quiet in its embrasure, and the same gun when ton, and the Sub-Prior. And have an eye," he touched the linstock. started limb " that bold that he not for by He up, every added, on youth, escape ; quivering with rage, and his features so inflamed if he hath practised by charm, or otherwise, on the and agitated by passion, that he more resembled a health of our worshipful guest, I swear by the alb 1 lemoniac, than a man under the regulation of reason. and mitre which I wear, that his punishment shall He clenched both his fists, and thrusting them be most exemplary." " forward, offered them furiously at the face of lord and venerable father," said Halbert, My " Glendinning, who was even himself startled at the bowing respectfully, fear not but that I will abide frantic state of excitation which his action had my doom. I think you will best learn from the occasioned. The next moment he withdrew them, worshipful knight himself, what is the cause of his struck lus open palm against his own forehead, and distemperature, and how slight my share in it has rushed out of the room in a state of indescribable been." " agitation. The whole matter had been so sudden, Be assured," said the knight, without looking " that no person present had time to interfere. up, however, while he spoke, I will satisfy the When Sir Piercie Shafton had left the apartment, Lord Abbot." there was a moment's of astonishment and these the pause ; With words company retired, and with then a general demand that Halbert Glendinning them young Glendinning. should instantly explain by what means he had When the Abbot, the Sub-Prior, and the English produced such a violent change in the deportment knight were left alone, Father Eustace, contrary of the English cavalier. to his custom, could not help speaking the first- " " " I did nought to him," answered Halbert Glen- Expound unto us, noble sir," he said, by what " dinning, but what you all saw am I to answer mysterious means the production of this simple toy for his fantastic freaks of humour ?" could so far move your spirit, and overcome your " Boy," said the Abbot, in his most authori- patience, after you had shewn yourself proof to all " tative manner, these subterfuges shall not avail the provocation offered by this self-suificient and thee. This is not a man to be driven from his singular youth ?" temperament without some sufficient cause. That The knight took the silver bodkin from the good cause was given by thee, and must have been father's hand, looked at it with great composurej known to thee. I command thee, as thou wilt save and, having examined it all over, returned it to " thyself from worse measure, to explain to me by the Sub-Prior, saying at the same time, In truth what means thou hast moved our friend thus We venerable father, I cannot but marvel, that the choose not that our vassals shall drive our guests wisdom implied alike in your silver hairs, and in mad in our very presence, and we remain ignorant your eminent rank, should, like a babbling hound, of the means whereby that purpose is effected." (excuse the similitude,) open thus loudly on a false " So may it please your reverence, I did but scent. I were, indeed, more slight to be moved shew him this token," said Halbert Glendinuing, than the leaves of the aspen-tree, which wag at the delivering it at the same time to the Abbot, who least breath of heaven, could I be touched by such looked at it with much attention, and then, shaking a trifle as this, which in no way concerns me more his head, gravely delivered it to the Sub-Prior, than if the same quantity of silver were stricken without speaking a word. into so many groats. Truth is, that from my Father Eustace looked at the mysterious token youth upward, I have been subjected to such a with some attention then Halbert as saw me visited with even now ; and addressing malady you " n a stern and severe voice, said, Young man, a cruel and searching pain, which goeth through if thou wouldst not have us suspect thee of some nerve and bone, even as a good brand in the hands strange double-dealing in this matter, let us of a brave soldier sheers through limb and sinew instantly know whence thou hadst this token, and but it passes away speedily, as you yourselves may how it possesses an influence on Sir Piercie Shaf- judge." ton " " ?" It would have been extremely difficult for Still," said the Sub-Prior, this will nol Halbert, thus hard pressed, to have either evaded account for the youth offering to you this piece of or answered so puzzling a question. To have silver, as a token by which you were to under- avowed the trutk. might, in those times, have occa- stand something, and, as we must needs conjecture, sioned his being burnt at a stake, although, in ours, something disagreeable." " his confession would have only gained for him the Your reverence is to conjecture what you will," credit of a liar all " I to beyond rational credibility. He said Sir Piercie ; but cannot pretend lay your *as fortunately relieved the return of Sir Piercie on the scent when I see it at fault by j judgment right 470 WAVERLEY NOVELS.

hope 1 am not liable to be called upon to account followed by the whole establishment. Here, with a for the foolish actions of a malapert boy ?" heavy sigh approaching to a groan, the venerable " " Assuredly," said the Sub-Prior, we shall father heaved himself upon his palfrey, whose which is to our dark the prosecute no inquiry disagreeable purple housings swept ground ; and, the discretion guest. Nevertheless," said he, looking to his greatly comforted that of the " Superior, this chance may, in some sort, alter the animal's pace would be no longer disturbed by plan your lordship had formed for your worshipful the gambadoes of Sir Piercie and his prancing guest's residence for a brief term in this tower, as a war-horse, he set forth at a sober and steady alike of of both of trot his return to the place secrecy and security ; upon Monastery. which, in the terms which we now stand on with When the Sub-Prior had mounted to accompany England, are circumstances to be desired." his principal, his eye sought out Halbert, who, " " In truth," said the Abbot, and the doubt is partly hidden by a projection of the outward wall it well for I of the stood and the well thought on, were as removed ; court, apart from, gazing upon the scarce know in the Halidome so fitting a place of departing cavalcade, and group which assem- refuge, yet see I not how to recommend it to our bled around them. Unsatisfied with the explanation received worshipful guest, considering the unrestrained petu- he had concerning the mysterious transac- lance of this headstrong youth." tion of the silver bodkin, yet interesting himself in " the of whose character a Tush ! reverend sirs, what would you make youth, he had formed " of me 1" said Sir Piercie Shafton. I protest, by favourable idea, the worthy monk resolved to take mine honour, I would abide in this house were I to an early opportunity of investigating that matter. In the he looked Halbert with a L-hoose. What ! I take no exceptions at the youth meanwhile, upon serious and and held his for shewing a flash of spirit, though the spark may warning aspect, up finger to him as he farewell. He then the light on name own head. I honour the lad for signed joined rest of the and followed his it. I protest I will abide here, and he shall aid churchmen, Superior the aie in striking down a deer. I must needs be down valley. friends with him, an he be such a shot : and we will speedily send down to my lord Abbot a buck of the first head, lulled so artificially as shall satisfy even the reverend Kitchener." CHAPTER XX. This was said with such apparent ease and good- that the Abbot made no farther observa- humour, I hope you '11 give me cause to think you noble, tion on what had passed, but proceeded to acquaint And do me right with your sword, sir, as becomes One of honour to his guest with the details of furniture, hangings, gentleman another; All this is fair, sir let us make no days on't, and so which he to provisions, forth, proposed I'll lead your way. send up to the Tower of Glendearg for his accom- Love's Pilgrimage. modation. This discourse, seasoned with a cup or two of wine, served to prolong the time until the THE look and sign of warning which the Sub- reverend Abbot ordered his cavalcade to prepare Prior gave to Halbert Gleudinning as they parted, for their return to the to his heart for he had Monastery. went ; although profited " " As we have," he said, in the course of this much less than Edward by the good man's instruc- our toilsome lost our 1 indul- he had a sincere reverence for his journey, meridian, tions, person ; gence shall be given to those of our attendants and even the short time he had for deliberation who shall, from very weariness, be unable to tended to shew him he was embarked in a perilous 2 attend the duty at prime, and this by way of adventure. The nature of the provocation which 3 misericord or induLjentia." he had given to Sir Piercie Shafton he could not intimated to his but he that it was of mortal Having benevolently a boon even conjecture ; saw a faithful followers, which he probably judged would quality, and he was now to abide the consequences. be far from unacceptable, the good Abbot, seeing That he might not force these consequences for- all ready for his journey, bestowed his blessing on ward by any premature renewal of their quarrel, the assembled household gave his hand to be he resolved to walk apart for an hour, and consider kissed by Dame Glendinning himself kissed the on what terms he was to meet this haughty of cheek Mary Avenel, and even of the Miller's foreigner. The time seemed propitious for his maiden, when they approached to render him doing so without having the appearance of wilfully the same homage commanded Halbert to rule shunning the stranger, as all the members of the his temper, and to be aiding and obedient in all little household were dispersing either to perform things to the English Knight admonished such tasks as had been interrupted by the arrival to Edward be discipulus impiger atque strenuus of the dignitaries, or to put in order what had then took a courteous farewell of Sir Piercie been deranged by their visit. Shafton, advising him to lie close, for fear of the Leaving the tower, therefore, and descending, English borderers, who might be employed to unobserved as he thought, the knoll on which it him the little of level kidnap ; and having discharged these various stood, Halbert gained piece offices of courtesy, moved forth to the court-yard, ground which extended betwixt the descent of the hill, and the first sweep made by the brook after

i the foot of the eminence on which the The hour of repose at noon, which, in the middle ages, washing n-as employed in slumber, and which the monastic rules of tower was situated, where a few straggling birch nocturnal vigils rendered necessary. and oak-trees served to secure him from observa- Prime was the midnight service of the monks. tion. the when Misericord, according to the learned work of Fosbrooke But scarcely had he reached spot, oa British Monachism, meant not only an indulgence, or he was surprised to feel a smart tap upon the exoneration from but also a particular duties, particular apart- around, he he had ment in a convent, where the monks assembled to such shoulder, and, turning perceived enjoy Shafton. Indulgences or allowance! as were granted beyond the rule. been closely followed by Sir Piercie THE MONASTERY. 471

" When, whether from our state ot animal spirits, we will dispute this matter to-morrow morning want of confidence in the justice of our cause, or with our swords. Let the time be daybreak, and any other motive, our own courage happens to do thou assign the place. We will go forth as il be in a wavering condition, nothing tends so much to strike a deer." " " altogether to disconcert us, as a great appearance of Content," replied Halbert Glendinning : 1 promptitude on the part of our antagonist. Halbert will guide thee to a spot where an hundred men Glendinning, both morally and constitutionally might fight and fall without any chance of inter- intrepid, was nevertheless somewhat troubled at ruption." the stranger, whose resentment he had "It is well," answered Sir Piercie Shafton. seeing " provoked, appear at once before him, and with an Here then we part. Many will say, that in thus aspect which boded hostility. But though his heart indulging the right of a gentleman to the son of a might beat somewhat thicker, he was too high- clod-breaking peasant, I derogate from my sphere, spirited to exhibit any external signs of emotion. even as the blessed sun would derogate should " What is your pleasure, Sir Piercie 1" he said to he condescend to compare and match his golden the English knight, enduring without apparent beams with the twinkle of a pale, blinking, expir- discomposure all the terrors which his antagonist ing, gross-fed taper. But no consideration of had summoned into his aspect. rank shall prevent my avenging the insult thou " is ?" Sir Piercie hast offered me. bear a smooth observe What my pleasure answered ; We face, " a goodly question after the part you have acted me, Sir Villagio, before the worshipful inmates of towards me ! Young man, I know not what yonder cabin, and to-morrow we try conclusions infatuation has led thee to place thyself in direct with our swords." So saying, he turned away and insolent opposition to one who is a guest of towards the tower. thy liege-lord the Abbot, and who, even from It may not be unworthy of notice, that in the the courtesy due to thy mother's roof, had a last speech only, had Sir Piercie used some of right to remain there without meeting insult. those flowers of rhetoric which characterized the Neither do I ask, or care, by what means thou usual style of his conversation. Apparently, a hast become possessed of the fatal secret by which sense of wounded honour, and the deep desire of thou hast dared to offer me open shame. But I vindicating his injured feelings, had proved too must now tell thee, that the possession of it hath strong for the fantastic affectation of his acquired cost thee thy life." habits. Indeed, such is usually the influence of '' Not, I trust, if my hand and sword can defend energy of mind, when called forth and exerted, it," replied Halbert, boldly. that Sir Piercie Shafton had never appeared in " " True," said the Englishman, I mean not to the eyes of his youthful antagonist half so much deprive thee of thy fair chance of self-defence. I deserving of esteem and respect as in this brief am only sorry to think, that, young and country- dialogue, by which they exchanged mutual defiance. bred as thou art, it can but little avail thee. But As he followed him slowly to the tower, he could thou must be well aware, that m this quarrel I not help thinking to himself, that, had the English shall use no terms of quarter." knight always displayed this superior tone of bear- " not felt Rely on it, proud man," answered the youth, ing and feeling, he would probably have so " that I shall ask to take offence at his hand. none ; and although thou speakest earnestly disposed as if I lay already at thy feet, trust me, that as I Mortal offence, however, had been exchanged, and am determined never to ask thy mercy, so I am the matter was to be put to mortal arbitrement. not fearful of needing it." The family met at the evening meal, when " " Thou wilt, then," said the knight, do nothing Sir Piercie Shafton extended the benignity of his to avert the certain fate which thou hast provoked countenance and the graces of his conversation far with such wantonness J" more generally over the party than he had hitherto " And how were that to be purchased 1" replied condescended to do. The greater part of hia Halbert Glendinning, more with the wish of obtain- attention was, of course, still engrossed by his ing some farther insight into the terms on which divine and inimitable Discretion, as he chose co he stood with this to there were stranger, than make him the term Mary Avenel ; but, nevertheless, submission which he might require. interjectional flourishes to the Maid of the Mill, "Explain to me instantly," said Sir Piercie, under the title of Comely Damsel, and to the " without equivocation or delay, by what means Dame, under that of Worthy Matron. Nay, lest thou wert enabled to wound my honour so deeply he should fail to excite their admiration by the and shouldst thou point out to me by so doing graces of his rhetoric, he generously, and without an I those of his voice and after enemy more worthy of my resentment, will solicitation, added ; permit thine own obscure to draw a bitterly the absence of his viol-de- insignificance regretting " veil over thine insolence." he regaled them with a song, which," " gamba, This is " too liigh a flight," said Glendinning, said he, the inimitable Astrophel, whom mortals " fiercely, for thine own presumption to soar call Philip Sidney, composed in the nonage of his without being checked. Thou hast come to my muse, to shew the world what they are to expect father's will house, as well as I can guess, a fugitive from his riper years, and which one day and an exile, and thy first greeting to its inhabi- see the light in that not-to-be-paralleled perfection tants has been that of contempt and injury. By of human wit, which he has addressed to his sister, what means I have been able to retort that con- the matchless Parthenope, whom men call Countesa " let thine own conscience tell thee. of a he whereof tempt, Enough Pembroke ; work," continued, for me that I stand on the privilege of a free his friendship hath permitted me, though unworthy, Scotchman, and will brook no insult unreturned, to be an occasional partaker, and whereof I may and no iniury unrequited." well that the deep afflictive tale which awaken- M say, It is said Sir is relieved with brilliant simili- well, then," Piercie Shafton ; eth our sorrows, so 472 WAVERLEY NOVELS.

dulcet see whether he be tudea, descriptions, pleasant poems, and as prompt at that sport fis engaging interludes, that they seem as the stars fame bespeaks him." " " of the firmament, beautifying the dusky robe of Alas ! sir," answered Dame Elspeth, he is night. And though I wot well how much the but too prompt, an you talk of promptitude, at will suffer that has steel at lovely and quaint language by my any thing one end of it, and widowed voice, widowed in that it is no longer mischief at the other. But he is at your honour- matched by my beloved viol-de-gamba, I will able disposal, and I trust you will teach him how essay to give you a taste of the ravishing sweet- obedience is due to our venerable father and ness of the poesy of the un-to-be-imitated Astro- lord, the Abbot, and prevail with him to take the bow-bearer's in fee as the two phel." place ; for, worthy So saying, he sung without mercy or remorse monks said, it will be a gr* help to a widow- about five hundred verses, of which the two first woman." " " and the four last may suffice for a specimen Trust me, good dame," replied Sir Piercie, it is so to indoctrinate his What tongue can her perfections tell, my purpose him, touching On whose each part all pens may dwell. conduct and bearing towards his betters, that he shall not lightly depart from the reverence due Of whose high praise and praiseful bliss, to them. We beneath the birch-trees Goodness the pen, Heaven paper is; meet, then, The iuk immortal fame doth send, in the plain," he said, looking to Halbert, "so As I so I must end. began soon as the eye of day hath opened its lids." As Sir Piercie Shafton always sung with his eyes Halbert answered with a sign of and " acquiescence, Iialf shut, it was not until, agreeably to the promise the knight proceeded, And now, having wished of poetry, he had fairly made an end, that looking to my fairest Discretion those pleasant dreams round, he discovered that the greater part of his which wave their pinions around the couch of audience had, in the meanwhile, yielded to the sleeping beauty, and to this comely damsel the charms of repose. Mary Avenel, indeed, from a bounties of Morpheus, and to all others the com- natural sense of politeness, had contrived to keep mon good-night, I will crave you leave to depart to awake all the of the divine of through prolixities my place rest, though I may say with the poet, but was in Astrophel ; Mysie transported dreams ' Ah rest ! no rest but of : back to the dusty atmosphere of her father's mill. change place and posture Ah no but worn-out Nature's Edward who had his attention for sleep! sleep swooning; himself, given Ah bed! no bed but cushion h'll'd with stones: some had at fallen fast " time, length asleep ; and Rest, sleep, nor bed, await not on an exile.' the good dame's nose, could its tones have been put under regulation, might have supplied the bass With a delicate obeisance he left the room, of the lamented viol-de-gamba. Halbert, however, evading Dame Glendinning, who hastened to assure who had no temptation to give way to the charms him he would find his accommodations for repose of slumber, remained awake with his eyes fixed much more agreeable than they had been the on the songster; not that he was better entertained night before, there having been store of warm with the words, or more ravished with the execu- coverlets, and a soft feather-bed, sent up from the tion, than the rest of the company, but rather Abbey. But the good knight probably thought because he admired, or perhaps envied, the com- that the grace and effect of his exit would be posure, which could thus spend the evening in diminished, if he were recalled from his heroics to interminable madrigals, when the next morning discuss such sublunary and domestic topics, and was to be devoted to deadly combat. Yet it struck therefore hastened away without waiting to hear his natural acuteness of observation, that the eye her out. of the gallant cavalier did now and then, furtively "A pleasant gentleman," said Dame Glendin- " 1 as it seek a of his I will were, glance countenance, as ning ; but warrant him an humorous to discover how he was taking the exhibition of And sings a sweet song, though it is somewhat his antagonist's composure and serenity of mind. of the longest. Well, I make mine avow he is He shall read nothing in my countenance, thought goodly company I wonder when he will go Halbert, proudly, that can make him think my indif- away." ference less than his own. Having thus expressed her respect for her guest, And taking from the shelf a bag full of mis- not without intimation that she was heartily tired cellaneous matters collected for the purpose, he of his company, the good dame gave the signal with began great industry to dress hooks, and had for the family to disperse, and laid her injunc- finished half-a-dozen of flies (we are enabled, for tions on Halbert to attend Sir Piercie Shafton at the benefit of those who admire the antiquities of daybreak, as he required. the art of gentle angling, to state that they were When stretched on his pallet by his brother's brown hackles) by the time that Sir Piercie had side, Halbert had no small cause to envy the sound arrived at the conclusion of his long-winded sleep which instantly settled on the eyes of Edward, strophes of the divine Astrophel. So that he also but refused him any share of its influence. He testified a magnanimous contempt of that which saw now too well what the spirit had darkly to-morrow should bring forth. indicated, that, in granting the boon which he had As it now waxed late, the family of Glendearg asked so unadvisedly, she had contributed more to for the Sir Piercie his than his sensible, separated evening ; first saying harm good. He was now to " " the dame that her son Albert too late, of the various dangers and inconveniences " " Halbert," said Elspeth, with emphasis. Hal- with which his dearest friends were threatened, bert, after his Halbert alike his discomfiture or his success in the " goodsire, Brydone." by Well, then, I have prayed your son, Halbert, 1 Humorous full of whims thus "Humo- that we may strive to-morrow, with the sun's Shakspeare, rous as winter." The vulgar word huaiorsome comes nearesl to wake a from his that tarliness, stag lair, I may to the meaning. THE MONASTERY. 473

approaching duel. If he fell, he might say per- Dimly as it was expressed, the sound of the voice " sonally, good-night all." But it was not the less soon made him sensible he saw the White Lady. certain that he should leave a dreadful legacy At no time had her presence seemed so terrifie of distress to his mother and to and embarrassment him ; for when he had invoked her, it was with family, an anticipation which by no means tended the expectation of the apparition, and the deter- to render the front of death, in itself a grisly object, mination to abide the issue. But now she had come more agreeable to his imagination. The vengeance uncalled, and her presence impressed him with a of the Abbot, his conscience told him, was sure to sense of approaching misfortune, and with the descend on his mother and brother, or could only hideous apprehension that he had associated him be averted by the generosity of the victor And self with a demon, over whose motions he had no he should shewn if Mary Avenel have himself, control, and of whose powers and quality he had he succumbed in the present combat, as inefficient no certain knowledge. He remained, therefore, in in protecting her, as he had been unnecessarily mere terror, gazing on the apparition, which chanted active in bringing disaster on her, and on the house or recited in cadence the following lines in which she had been from " protected infancy. He whose heart for vengeance sued, to this view of the case were to And be added Must not shrink from shedding blood ; The knot that tliou hast tied with all those imbittered and anxious feelings with word, Thou must loose by edge of sword." which the bravest men, even in a better or less " doubtful quarrel, regard the issue of a dubious Avaunt thee, false Spirit !" said Halbert Glen- " the first time when it has been their I conflict, dinning ; have bought thy advice too } dearly fate to engage in an affair of that nature. I already Begone in the name of God 1" But however disconsolate the seemed in The the cold prospect Spirit laughed ; and unnatural sound the event of his being conquered, Halbert could I of her kughter had something in it more fearful ' rxpect from victory little mors than the safety of than the usual melancholy tones of her voice. She his own and the of his then life, gratification wounded I replied, pride. To his friends to his mother and brother " , You have summon 'd me once you have summon'd me twice, to Avenel the e'er especially Mary consequences And without a summons I come to you thrice ; Unask'd for. of liis triumph would be more certain destruction unsued for, you came to my glen; Vnsued and unask'd I am with you again." than the contingency of his defeat and death. If the English knight survived, he might in courtesy Halbert Glendinning gave way for a moment to " his to but if he and called on his ! extend protection them ; fell, terror, brother, Edward wakeii, lothing was likely to screen them from the vindic- waken, for Our Lady's sake !" tive measures which the Abbot and convent would Edward awaked accordingly, and asked what he surely against the violation of the peace of wanted. adopt " " the Halidome, and the slaughter of a protected Look out," said Halbert, look up ! seest thou guest by one of their own vassals, within whose no one in the room ?" " house they had lodged him for shelter. These No, upon my good word," said Edward, looking thoughts, in which neither view of the case out. " augured aught short of ruin to his family, and What ! seest thou notlu'ng in the moonshine that ruin entirely brought on by his own rashness, upon the floor there ?" were thorns in Halbert Glendinning's pillow, and "No, nothing," answered Edward, "save thy- deprived his soul of peace and his eyes of slumber. self resting on thy naked sword. I tell thee, Halbert, There appeared no middle course, saving one thou shouldst trust more to thy spiritual arms, and which was marked by degradation, and which, even less to those of steel and iron. For this many a if hast thou started cried he stooped to it, was by no means free of danger. night and moaned, and He might indeed confess to the English knight the out of fighting, and of spectres, and of goblins strange circumstances which led to his presenting thy sleep hath not refreshed thee thy waking him with that token which the White Lady (hi her hath been a dream. Credit me, dear Halbert, displeasure as it now seemed) had given him, that say the Pater and Credo, resign thyself to the he might offer it to Sir Piercie Shafton. But to protection of God, and thou wilt sleep sound and this avowal his could not and reason, wake in comfort." pride stoop, " vho is wonderfully ready to be of counsel with pride It may be," said Halbert slowly, and having his n such occasions, offered to shew eye still bent on the female form which to him many arguments " it would be useless as well as mean so far to degrade seemed distinctly visible, it may be But tell " himself. If I tell a tale so wonderful," thought he, me, dear Edward, seest thou no one on the chamber " shall I not either be as a or floor but me V stigmatized liar, " punished as a wizard? Were Sir Piercie Shafton No one," answered Edward, raising himself as the on his elbow " dear aside generous, noble, and benevolent, champions ; brother, lay thy weapon, of whom we hear in romance, I might indeed gain say thy prayers, and lay thee down to rest." his ear, and, without demeaning myself, escape from While he thus spoke, the Spirit smiled at Halbert the situation in which I am placed. But as he as if in scorn; her wan cheek faded in the wan before the smile is, or at least seems to be, self-conceited, arrogant, moonlight even had passed away vain, and presumptuous I should but humble and Halbert himself no longer beheld the vision to myself in vain and I will not humble myself !" which he had so anxiously solicited his brother's? " he said, starting out of bed, grasping to his broad- attention. May God preserve my wits !" he saidj threw himscli sword, and brandishing it in the light of the moon, as, laying aside his weapon, he again which streamed through the deep niche that served on his bed. them as a window ; when, to his extreme "Amen ! dearest brother," answered Edward surprise " my and terror, an airy form stood in the moonlight, but we must not provoke that Heaven in our but intercepted not the reflection on the floor. wantonness which we invoke in our misery. 1'< tfAVERLEY NOVELS.

DOT angry with me. my dear brother I know not why you have total!/ of late estranged yourself CHAPTER XXI. from me It is true, I am neither so athletic in in as body, nor so alert courage, you have been Indifferent, but indifferent pshaw, he doth it not till not Like one who is his craft's master ne'er the less from your infancy ; yet, lately, you have 1 liave seen a clown confer a bloody coxcomb cast ofi' Believe I have absolutely my society me, On one who was a master of defence. I wept in secret, though forbore to intrude myself Old Play. on your privacy. The time has been when you held not so and if I could not the first of me cheap ; when, WITH gray peep dawn, Halbert Glen- follow the game so Closely, or mark it so truly as dinning arose and hastened to dress himself, girded you, I could fill up our intervals of pastime with on his weapon, and took a cross-bow hi his hand, pleasant tales of the olden times, which I had read as if his usual sport had been his sole object. He or heard, and which excited even your attention as groped his way down the dark and winding stair- we sate and eat our provision by some pleasant case, and undid, with as h'ttle noise as possible, the spring but now I have, though I know not why, fastenings of the inner door, and of the exterior lost thy regard and affection. Nay, toss not thy iron grate. At length he stood free in the court- arms about tliee thus wildly," said the younger yard, and looking up to the tower, saw a signal brother u from I fear some made with a handkerchief ; thy strange dreams, from the window. No- touch of fever hath affected thy blood let me thing doubting that it was his antagonist, he paused draw closer around thee thy mantle." expecting him. But it was Mary Avenel, who " " Forbear," said Halbert your care is need- glided like a spirit from under the low and rugged less your complaints are without reason your portal. in vain." Halbert was fears on my account are much surprised, and felt, he knew " Nay, but hear me, brother," said Edward. not why, like one caught in the act of a meditated " Your speech in sleep, and now even your waking trespass. The presence of Mary Avenel had til dreams, are of beings which belong not to this world, that moment never given him pain. She spoke or to our race Our good Father Eustace says, too, in a tone where sorrow seemed to mingle with that howbeit we may not do well to receive all idle reproach, while she asked him with emphasis, " tales of goblins and spectres, yet there is warrant What he was about to do 1" from holy Scripture to believe, that the fiends He shewed his cross-bow, and was about to haunt waste and and that those the he had solitary places ; express pretext meditated, when Marj who frequent such wildernesses alone, are the interrupted him. prey, " or the sport, of these wandering demons. And Not so, Halbert that evasion were unworthy therefore, I pray thee, brother, let me go with you of one whose word has hitherto been truth. You when you go next up the glen, where, as you well meditate not the destruction of the deer your know, there be places of evil reputation Thou hand and your heart are aimed at other game carest not for escort such seek to do battle with this ; but, Kaibert, dangers you my " stranger." are more safely encountered by the wise in judg- And wherefore should I quarrel with our in I 1" answered ment, than by the bold bosom ; and though guest Halbert, blushing deeply. " have small cause to boast of my own wisdom, yet There are, indeed, many reasons why you should " I have that which ariseth from the written know- not," replied the maiden, nor is there one of avail ledge of elder times." wherefore you should yet nevertheless, such a There was a moment during this discourse, when quarrel you are now searching after." " Halbert had well-nigh come to the resolution of Why should you suppose so, Mary ?" said Hal- disburdening his own breast, by intrusting Edward bert, endeavouring to hide his conscious purpose " with all that weighed upon it. But when his brother he is my mother's guest he is protected by the reminded him that this was the morning of a high Abbot and the community, who are our masters holiday, and that, setting aside all other business he is of high degree also, and wherefore should or pleasure, he ought to go to the Monastery and you think that I can, or dare, resent a hasty word, shrive himself before Father Eustace, who would which he has perchance thrown out against me more that day occupy the confessional, pride stepped in from the wantonness of his wit, than the purpose " and confirmed his wavering resolution. I will of his heart 1" K " " not avow," he thought, a tale so extraordinary, Alas !" answered the maiden, the very asking that I may be considered as an impostor or some- that question puts your resolution beyond a doubt. thing worse I will not fly from this Englishman, Since your childhood you were ever daring, seeking whose arm and sword may be no better than my danger rather than avoiding it delighting in own. My fathers have faced his betters, were he whatever had the air of adventure and of courage : as much distinguished in battle as he is by his quaint and it is not from fear that you will now blench discourse." from your purpose Oh, let it then be from pity ! Pride, which has been said to save man, and from pity, Halbert, to your aged mother, whom woman too, from falling, has yet a stronger influence your death or victory will alike deprive of the on the mind when it embraces the cause of passion, comfort and stay of her age." and seldom fails to render it victorious over con- "She has my brother Edward," said Halbert science and reason. Halbert, once determined, turning suddenly from her. " " though not to the better course, at length slept She has indeed," said Mary Avenel, the calm, Bomwlly, and was only awakened by the dawn of the noble-minded, the considerate Edward, who day. has thy courage, Halbert, without thy fiery rash- ness, thy generous spirit, with more of reason to guide it. He would not have heard Ins mother, would not have heard his adopted sister, beseech THE MONASTERY. 475 him in vain not to ruin himself, and tear up their back his car, and rather leave the world in dark future of and than incur the of such an encountei hopes happiness protection." ness, disgrace " Halbert's heart swelled as he replied to this Credit me, lovely Discretion " reproach. Well what avails it speaking ? you But as Sir Piercie Shafton (the reader will have him that is better than me wiser, more readily set down these flowers of eloquence to the considerate braver, for aught I know you are proper owner) attempted to take Mary Avenel's provided with a protector, and need care no more hand, in order to proceed in his speech, she shook for me." him abruptly off, and regarding him with an eye Again he turned to depart, but Mary Avenel laid which evinced terror and agitation, rushed past ner hand on his arm so gently that he scarce felt him into the tower. her hold, yet felt that it was impossible for him to The knight stood looking after her with a coun- strike it off. There he stood, one foot advanced tenance in which contempt was strongly mingled " to leave the but so little determined with mortification. By !" he court-yard, " my knighthood on departure, that he resembled a traveller arrested ejaculated, I have thrown away upon this rude by the spell of a magician, and unable either to quit rustic Phidele' a speech, which the proudest beauty the attitude of motion, or to proceed on his course. at the court of Felicia (so let me call the Elysium of which I banished Mary Avenel availed herself of his state from am !) might have termed " " suspense. Hear me," she said, hear me, Hal- the very matins of Cupid. Hard and inexorable the fate that sent thee bert ! I am an orphan, and even Heaven hears was thither, Piercie Shafton, the orphan I have been the companion of your to waste thy wit upon country wenches, and thy infancy, and if you will not hear me for an instant, valour upon hob-nailed clowns! But that insult from whom may Mary Aveuel claim so poor a that affront had it been offered to me by the boon 1" lowest plebeian, he must have died for it by my " " I hear you," said Halbert Glendinning, but hand, in respect the enormity of the offence doth be brief, dear Mary you mistake the nature of countervail the inequality of him by whom it is given. my business it is but a morning of summer sport I trust I shall find this clownish roisterer not less which we propose." willing to deal in blows than in taunts." "Say not thus," said the maiden, interrupting While he held this conversation with himself, Sir " nim, say not thus to me others thou niayst Piercie Shafton was hastening to the little tuft oi deceive, but me thou canst not There has been birch-trees which had been assigned as the placa that in me from the earliest youth, which fraud of meeting. He greeted his antagonist with a courtly " flies from, and which imposture cannot deceive. For salutation, followed by this commentry : I pray such a I not to that I doff hat to what fate has given me power know ; you observe, my you, though but bred an ignorant maiden, hi this sequestered so much my inferior in rank, without derogation ralley, mine eyes can too often see what man would on my part, inasmuch as my having so far honoured most willingly hide I can judge of the dark you in receiving and admitting your defiance, doth, purpose, though it is hid under the smiling brow, in the judgment of the best martialists, in some and a glance of the eye says more to me than sort and for the time, raise you to a level with me oaths and protestations do to others." an honour which you may and ought to account " " Then/' said Halbert, if thou canst so read the cheaply purchased, even with the loss of your if human heart, say, dear Mary what dost thou I life, such should chance to be the issue of this see in mine? tell me that that what thou duello." say | " " seest what thou readest in this bosom, does not For which condescension," said Halbert, I offend thee say but that, and thou shalt be the have to tliank the token which I presented to guide of my actions, and mould me now and hence- you." forward to honour or to dishonour at tliv own free The knight changed colour, and grinded his teeth " will !" with rage Draw your weapon !" said he to Mary Avenel became first red, and then deadly Glendinning. Halbert But u in this answered the " we pale, as Glendinning spoke. when, Not spot," youth ; turning round at the close of his address, he took should be liable to interruption Follow me, and '' will her hand, she gently withdrew it, and replied, I I bring you to a place where we shall en- cannot read the heart, Halbert, and I would not counter no such risk." of my will know aught of yours, save what beseems He proceeded to walk up the glen, resolving that us both I only can judge of signs, words, and their place of combat should be in the entrance of actions of little the Corri-nan-shian both the outward import, more truly than ; because spot, lying those around me, as my eyes, thou knowest, have under the reputation of being haunted, was very seen objects not presented to those of others." little frequented, and also because he regarded it " Let them gaze then on one whom they shall as a place which to him might be termed fated, never see more," said Halbert, once more turning and which he therefore resolved should witness his from her, and rushing out of the court-yard without death or victory. again looking back. They walked up the glen for some time in silence, Mary Avenel gave a faint scream, and clasped like honourable enemies who did not wish to con- both her hands firmly on her forehead and eyes. tend with words, and who had nothing friendly She had been a minute in this attitude, when she to exchange with each other. Silence, however, " was thus greeted by a voice from behind : Ge- was always an irksome state with Sir Piercie, and, nerously done, my most clement Discretion, to moreover, his anger was usually a hasty and short- hide those brilliant eyes from the far inferior beams lived passion. As, therefore, he went forth, uj which even now begin to gild the eastern horizon his own idea, in all love and honour towards hia Certes, peril there wore that Phoebus, outshone antagonist, he saw not any cause for submitting in splendour, might in very shamefaoedness turn longer to the painful restraint of positive silence 476 WAVER LEY NOVELS.

He began by complimenting Halbert on the alert which the rivulet issued forth, yet large enough foi activity with which he surmounted the obstacles their present purpose. and impediments of the way. When they had reached this spot of ground, fitted " " Trust me," said he, worthy rustic, we have well by its gloom and sequestered situation to be a not a lighter or a firmer step in our courtlike revels, scene of mortal strife, both were surprised to and if duly set forth by a silk hose, and trained observe that a grave was dug close by the foot of unto that stately exercise, your leg would make the rock with great neatness and regularity, the an indiffei'ent good show in a pavin or a galliard. turf laid down upon the one side, and " green being And I doubt nothing," he added, that you have the earth thrown out in a heap upon the other. availed yourself of some opportunity to improve A mattock and shovel lay by the verge of the yourself in the art of fence, which is more akin grave. than dancing to our present 1" Sir Piercie Shafton bent his eye with unusual " purpose I know nothing more of fencing," said Halbert, seriousness upon Halbert Glendinning, as he asked " " than hath been taught me by an old shepherd of him sternly, Does this bode treason, young man ? ours, called Martin, and at whiles a lesson from And have you purpose to set upon me here as in Christie of the Clinthill for the rest, T must trust an emboscata or place of vantage ?" " to good sword, strong arm, and sound heart." Not on my part, by Heaven !" answered the " " : I told no of our I Marry and I am glad of it, young Audacity, (I youth one purpose, nor would the will call you my Audacity, and you will call me for throne of Scotland take odds against a single your Condescension, while we are on these terms arm." " of unnatural equality,) I am glad of your ignorance I believe thou wouldst not, mine Audacity," with all my heart. For we martialists proportion s'lid the knight, resuming the affected manner the which inflict our which was become a second nature to him " never- punishments we upon opposites, ; to the length and hazard of the efforts wherewith theless this fosse is curiously well shaped, and they oppose themselves to us. And I see not why might be the masterpiece of Nature's last bed- you, being but a tyro, may not be held sufficiently maker, I would say the sexton Wherefore, let us punished for your outrecuidance, and orgillous pre- be thankful to chance or some unknown friend, sumption, by the loss of an ear, an eye, or even a who hath thus provided for one of us the decencies finger, accompanied by some flesh-wound of depth of sepulture, and let us proceed to determine which and severity, suited to your error whereas, had shall have the advantage of enjoying this place of you been able to stand more effectually on your undisturbed slumber." defence, I see not how less than your life could So saying, he stripped off his doublet and cloak, have atoned sufficiently for your presumption." which he folded up with great care, and deposited "Now, by God and Our Lady," said Halbert, upon a large stone, while Halbert Glendinning, not " unable any longer to restrain himself, thou art without some emotion, followed his example. Theil thyself over presumptuous, who speakest thus vicinity to the favourite haunt of the White Ladj j daringly of the issue of a combat which is not yet led him to form conjectures concerning the inci- " even Are you a god, that you already dis- dent of the grave It must have been her work !" begun " pose of my life and limbs I or are you a judge in ! he thought : the Spirit foresaw and has provided the justice-air, telling at your ease and without for the fatal event of the combat I must return risk, how the head and quarters of a condemned from this place a homicide, or I must remain here criminal are to be of 1" for ever !" " disposed Not so, thou, whom I have well permitted to The bridge seemed now broken down behind call thyself my Audacity ? I, thy Condescension, him, and the chance of coming off honourably with- am neither a god to judge the issue of the combat out killing or being killed, (the hope of which issue before it is fought, nor a judge to dispose at my has cheered the sinking heart of many a duellist,) ease and in safety of the limbs and head of a con- seemed now altogether to be removed. Yet the criminal but I indifferent of his situation on an demned ; am an good very desperation gave him, master of fence, being the first pupil of the first instant's reflection, both firmness and courage, and master of the first school of fence that our royal presented to him one sole alternative, conquest, England affords, the said master being no other namely, or death. Mian the truly noble, and all-unutterably-skilful "As we are here," said Sir Piercie Shafton, " Vinceutio Saviola, from whom I learned the firm unaccompanied by any patrons or seconds, it step, quick eye, and nimble hand of which qua- were well you should pass your hands over my lities most rustical art full as I shall over not that I thou, my Audacity, side, yours ; suspect you like to reap the fruits so soon as we shall find a to use any quaint device of privy armour, but hi piece of ground fitting for such experiments." order to comply with the ancient and laudable cus- They had now reached the gorge of the ravine, tom practised on all such occasions." where Halbert had at first to his intended stop ; but While, complying with antagonist's humour, when he observed the narrowness of the level Halbert Glendinning went through this ceremony, ground, he began to consider that it was only by Sir Piercie Shafton did not fail to solicit his attention superior agility that he could expect to make up his to the quality and fineness of his wrought and " deficiency in the science, as it was called, of defence. embroidered shirt In this very shirt," said he, " He found no spot which afforded sufficient room to mine Audacity ! I say in this very garment, traverse for this purpose, until he gained the well- in which I am now to combat a Scottish rustic like known fountain, by whose margin, and in front of thyself, it was my envied lot to lead the winning the huge rock from which it sprung, was an amphi- party at that wondrous match at ballon, made be- theatre of level turf, of small space indeed, com- twixt the divine Astrophel, (our matchless Sidney,) pared with the great height of the cliffs with which and the right honourable my very good lord of it was surrounded on point save that from Oxford. All the beauties of Felicia (by which every | THE MONASTERY. 477

name* 1 distinguish our beloved England) stood in come acquainted with the play of his enemy, he j' the gallery, waving their kerchiefs at each turn of stood on his defence, keeping his foot, hand, eye, the game, and cheering the winners by their plau- and body, in perfect unison, and holding his sword j dits. After which noble sport we were refreshed short, and with the point towards his antagonist's j by a suitable banquet, whereat it pleased the noble face, so that Sir Piercie, in order to assail him, was j Urania (being the unmatched Countess of Peru- ! obliged to make actual passes, and could not avail with her fan for the himself of his skill in feints on broke) to accommodate me making ; while, too inflamed to the other was to these cooling my somewhat much visage, | hand, Halbert prompt parry requite which courtesy, I said, casting my features attacks, either by shifting his ground, or with the j

into a smiling yet melancholy fashion, divinest I sword. The consequence was, that after two or Urania ! receive again that too fatal gift, which not three sharp attempts on the part of Sir Piercie, j ! like the Zephyr cooleth, but like the hot breath of which were evaded or disconcerted by the address the heateth more that which is of his he to assume the defensive Sirocco, yet already | opponent, began jiflamed. Whereupon, looking upon me somewhat in his turn, fearful of giving some advantage by scornfully, yet not so but what the experienced being repeatedly the assailant. But Halbert was courtier might perceive a certain cast of too cautious to press on a swordsman whose dex- " approbative affection terity had already more than once placed him Here the knight was interrupted by Halbert, who within a hair's-breadth of death, which he had had waited with courteous patience for some little only escaped by uncommon watchfulness and time, till he found, that far from drawing to a close, agility. Sir Piercie seemed rather inclined to wax prolix in When each had made a feint or two, there was his reminiscences. a pause in the conflict, both as if by one assent " " Sir Knight," said the youth, if this matter dropping then? swords' point, and looking on each be not very much to the purpose, we will, if you other for a moment without speaking. At length object not, proceed to that which we have in hand. Halbert Gleudinning, who felt perhaps more un- You should have abidden in England had you easy on account of his family than he had done desired to waste time in words, for here we spend before he had displayed his own courage, and it in blows." proved the strength of his antagonist, could not

" ' " I crave your pardon, most rusticated Audacity," help saying, Is the subject of our quarrel, Sir answered Sir Piercie " I become oblivous so that one of our two bodies must ; truly j Knight, mortal, the needs fill that ? of every thing beside, when recollections of ! up grave or may we with honour, the divine court of Felicia press upon my wakened having proved ourselves against each other, sheathe memory, even as a saint is dazzled when he be- our swords and depart friends !" " thinks him of the beatific vision. Ah, felicitous Valiant and most rustical Audacity," said the " Feliciana ! delicate nurse of the fair, chosen abode Southron knight, to no man on earth could you of the wise, the birth-place and cradle of nobility, have put a question on the code of honour, who the temple of courtesy, the fane of sprightly chivalry was more capable of rendering you a reason. Let us for the of until I Ah heavenly court, or rather courtly heaven ! pause space one venue, give cheered with lulled with on this ' for certain dances, asleep harmony, you my opinion dependence ; Wakened with sprightly sports and tourneys, decored it is, that brave men should not run upon their fate with silks and tissues, glittering with diamonds and like brute and furious wild beasts, but should slay jewels, standing on end with double piled velvets, : each other deliberately, decently, and with reason. satins, and satinettas !" Therefore, if we coolly examine the state of our " ' The token, Sir Knight, the token !" exclaimed dependence, we may the better apprehend whether Halbert Glendinning, who, impatient of Sir Piercie's the sisters three have doomed one of us to expiate interminable oratory, reminded him of the ground the same with his blood Dost thou understand .f their quarrel, as the best way to compel him to me?" " the purpose of then? meeting. I have heard Father Eustace," said Halbert, And he for Sir after a moment's " of the three judged right ; Piercie Shafton no recollection, speak " sooner heard him speak, than he exclaimed, Thy furies, with then? thread and their shears." " death-hour has struck betake thee to thy sword Enough enough," interrupted Sir Piercie " Via!" Shafton, crimsoning with a new fit of rage, the Both swords were unsheathed, and the comba- thread of thy life is spun !" tants commenced then? engagement. Halbert And with these words he attacked with the became immediately aware, that, as he had expected, utmost ferocity the Scottish youth, who had but he was far inferior to his adversary in the use of just time to throw himself into a posture of defence. his weapon. Sir Piercie Shafton had taken no more But the rash fury of the assailant, as frequently than his its he own share of real merit, when he termed happens, disappointed own purpose ; for, as himself an fencer made a Halbert absolutely good ; and Glendin- desperate thrust, Glendinning soon his ning found that he should have great difficulty avoided it, and ere the knight could recover n escaping with life and honour from such a weapon, requited him (to use his own language) master of the sword. The English knight was with a resolute stoccata, which passed through master of all the mystery of the stoccata, imbro- his body, and Sir Piercie Shafton fell to the ground. cata, punto-rererto, incartata, and so forth, which the Italian masters of defence had intro- lately 1 Dependence A phrase among the brethren of the sword duced into general practice. But Glendinning, on for an e.xi=ti;:s quarrel. fcis part, was no novice in the principles of the art, .ccoruing to the old Scottish fashion, and possessed j the first of all qualities, a steady and collected mind, j At first, desirous to the and be- being try skill, | 478 WAVERLEY NOVELS.

aid than his own, he saw not how it could be pre served. CHAPTER XXII. " " Why," he exclaimed, in vain penitence, why did I provoke him to an issue so fatal ! Would to Yes, life hath left him every busy thought, God I had submitted to the worst insult man could Each every strong affection, fiery passion, receive from rather than be the instru- All sense of outward ill and inward sorrow, man, bloody once from the trunk before Are fled at pale me ; ment of this bloody deed and doubly cursed be And I have given that which spoke and moved, this evil-boding spot, which, haunted as I knew it Thought, acted, suffer'd as a living man, to be a witch or a I chose for the To be a ghastly form of bloody clay, by devil, yet the foul food for Soon reptiles. place of combat ! In any other place, save this, Old Play. there had been help to be gotten by speed of foot, or by uplifting of voice but here there is no one I few successful duellists the word BELIEVE (if to be found by search, no one to hear my shouts, successful can be applied to a superiority so fatal) save the evil spirit who has counselled this mis- their the have beheld dead antagonist stretched on chief. It is not her hour I will essay the spell earth at their without could re- if she feet, wishing they howsoever ; and can give me aid, she shall with their blood that which it has been of deem own do it, or know what a madman is capable even indiffe- their fate to spill. Least of all could such against those of another world !" rence be the lot of so young a man as Halbert He spurned his bloody shoe from his foot, and Glendinning, who, unused to the sight of human repeated the spell with which the reader is well was not struck with but with but there was neither blood, only sorrow, acquainted ; voice, apparition, terror, when he beheld Sir Piercie Shafton lie nor signal of answer. The youth, in the impa- stretched on the green-sward before him, vomiting tience of his despair, and with the rash hardihood gore as if impelled by the strokes of a pump. He which formed the basis of his character, shouted " threw his bloody sword on the ground, and hastened aloud Witch Sorceress Fiend ! art thou to kneel down and support him, vainly striving, at deaf to my cries of help, and so ready to appeal his the same time, to stanch wound, which seemed and answer those of vengeance ? Arise and speak- rather to bleed inwardly than externally. to me, or I will choke up thy fountain, tear down The unfortunate knight spoke at intervals, when thy hollybush, and leave thy haunt as waste and the syncope would permit him, and his words, so bare as thy fatal assistance has made me waste of far as intelligible, partook of his affected and con- comfort and bare of counsel !" This furious and ceited, yet not ungenerous character. invocation was suddenly interrupted by a " " raving Most rustical youth," he said, thy fortune distant sound, resembling a hollo, from the gorge " hath prevailed over knightly skill and Audacity of the ravine. Now Saint Mary be praised," may " hath overcome Condescension, even as the kite hath said the youth, hastily fastening his sandal, I hear sometimes hawked at and struck down the falcon- the voice of some living man, who may give me gentle. Fly and save thyself! Take my purse counsel and help in this fearful extremity." it is in the nether pocket of my carnation- Having donned his sandal, Halbert Glendinning coloured hose and is worth a clown's acceptance. hallooing at intervals, in answer to the sound See that my mails, with my vestments, be sent to which he had heard, ran with the speed of a hunted the Monastery of St Mary's" (here his voice grew buck down the rugged defile, as if paradise had weak, and his mind and recollection seemed to been before him, hell and all her furies behind, waver) "I bestow the cut velvet jerkin, with and his eternal happiness or misery had depended close breeches conforming for oh ! the good upon the speed which he exerted. In a space of my soul." incredibly short for any one but a Scottish moun- " Be of good comfort, sir," said Halbert, half taineer having his nerves strung by the deepest " distracted with his agony of pity and remorse. I and most passionate interest, the youth reached trust you shall yet do well Oh for a leech !" the entrance of the ravine, through which the rill " Were there twenty physicians, most gene- that flows down Corri-nan-shian discharges itself, rous Audacity, and that were a grave spectacle and unites with the brook that waters the little I might not survive, my life is ebbing fast. Com- valley of Glendearg. mend me to the rustical nymph whom I called my Here he paused, and looked around him upwards Discretion O Claridiana ! true empress of this and downwards through the glen, without perceiving bleeding heart which now bleedeth in sad ear- a human form. His heart sank within him. But his nest ! Place me on the ground at my length, the windings of the glen intercepted prospect, most rustical victor, born to quench the pride of and the person, whose voice he had heard, might the burning light of the most felicitous court of therefore, be at no great distance, though not Feliciana saints and angels knights and ladies obvious to his sight. The branches of an oak- masques and theatres quaint devices tree, which shot straight out from the face of a chain-work and love, honour, and tall cliff, to his bold spirit, steady head, " broidery proffered boauty ! and active limbs, the means of ascending it as a While muttering these last words, which slid place of out-look, although the enterprise was what

from him, as it were unawares, while doubtless he most men would have shrunk from. But by one | was recalling to mind the glories of the English bound from the earth, the active youth caught court, the gallant Sir Piercie Shafton stretched out hold of the lower branch, and swung himself up the his limbs groaned deeply, shut his eyes, and into the tree, and in a minute more gamed became motionless. top of the cliff, from which he could easily descry was not The victor tore his hair for very sorrow, as he a human figure descending the valley. It looked on the pale countenance of his victim. Life, that of a shepherd, or of a hunter, and scarcely deserted he thought, had not utterly fled, but without better any others used to traverse this solitude, THE MONASTERY. 479

the " thou not said the traveller especially coming from the north, since reader Nay, shall need," ; " may remember that the brook took its rise from if it indeed be as thou sayest, I will follow thee n extensive and dangerous morass which lay in of free-will the rather tliat I am not wholly un- lhat direction. skilled in leech-craft, and have in my scrip that But Halbert Glendinning did not pause to con- which may do thy friend a service Yet walk rider who the traveller might be, or what mighi be more slowly, I pray thee, for I am already well the purpose of his journey. To know that he saw nigh forespent with travel.' the a human being, and might receive, in the extremity With indignant impatience of the fiery steed of his distress, the countenance and advice of a when compelled by his rider to keep pace with fellow-creature, was enough for him at the moment. some slow drudge upon the highway, Halbert ac- He threw himself from the pinnacle of the cliff companied the wayfarer, burning with anxiety once more into the arms of the projecting oak-tree, which he endeavoured to subdue, that he might whose boughs waved in middle air, anchored by not alarm his companion, who was obviously afraid the roots in a huge rift, or ohasm of the rock. to trust him. When they reached the place where Catching at the branch which was nearest to him, they were to turn off the wider glen into the Corri, lie dropped himself from that height upon the the traveller made a dou tful pause, as if " unwilling and such the athletic of to leave the broader ground ; was springiness path Young man," he said, "if but his youthful sinews, that he pitched there as lightly, thou meanest aught good to these gray and with as little injury, as the falcon stooping from hairs, thou wilt gain little by thy cruelty I have her wheel. no earthly treasure to tempt either robber or To resume his race at full speed up the glen, was murderer." the work of an instant; and as he turned angle "And I," said the youth, "am neither and after angle of the indented banks of the valley, yet God of Heaven! I may be a murderer, without meeting that which he sought, he became unless your aid comes in time to this wounded half afraid that the form which he had seen at wretch !" " " such distance into thin it a had already melted air, Is even so," said the traveller ; and do and was either a deception of his own imagination, human passions disturb the breast of nature even or of the elementary spirits by which the valley was in her deepest solitude ? Yet why should I marvel supposed to be haunted. that where darkness ab'.des the works of darkness But, to his inexpressible joy, as he turned round should abound I By its fruits is the tree known the base of a huge and distinguished crag, he saw, Lead on, unhappy youth I follow thee !" straight before and very near to him, a person, And with better will to the journey than he had whose dress, as he viewed it hastily, resembled that evinced hitherto, the stranger exerted himself to of a pilgrim. the uttermost, and seemed to forget his own fatigue He was a man in advanced life, and wearing in his efforts to keep pace with his impatient guide. a long beard, having on his head a large slouched What was the surprise of Halbert Glendinning, hat, without either band or brooch. His dress was when, upon arriving at the fatal spot, he saw no n. tunic of black serg which like those commonly appearance of the body of Sir Piercie Shafton ! called hussar-cloaks, had an upper part, -which The traces of the fray were otherwise sufficiently i covered the arms and fell down on the lower a visible. The cloak had indeed vanished ; knight's ; small and bottle, which at his back, with as well as his but his doublet remained where scrip hung body, j a stout staff in his hand, completed his equipage. he had laid it down, and the turf on which he had His step was feeble, like that of one exhausted by been stretched was stained with blood ir. many a a toilsome journey. dark crimson spot. " " Save ye, good father !" said the youth. God As he gazed round him m terror and astonish- and Our Lady have sent you to my assistance." ment, Halbert's eyes fell upon the place of sepulture " in victim. And what, my son, can so frail a creature which had so lately appeared to gape for a as I am, be of rvice to you V said the old man, It was no longer open, and it seemed that earth not a little at so tenant for the usual surprised being thus accosted by had received the expected ; handsome a youth, his features discomposed by narrow hillock was piled over what had lately been anxiety, his face flushed with exertion, his hands an open grave, and the green sod was adjusted over and much of his dress stained with blood. all with the accuracy of an experienced sexton. "A man bleeds to death in the valley here, Halbert stood aghast. The idea rushed on his hard by. Come with me come with mel You mind irresistibly, that the earth-heap before him are aged you have experience you have at least enclosed what had lately been a living, moving, your senses and mine have well-nigh left me." and sentient fellow-creature, whom, on little pro- " the A man and bleeding to death and here vocation, his fell act had duced to a clod of in this desolate !" said the as senseless and as cold as the turf under " spot stranger. valley, not to the Stay question it, father," said the youth, which he rested. The hand that scooped grave '' but come had its work whose hand could it instantly to his rescue. Follow me completed ; and follow me, without an instant's delay." be save that of the myster ous being of doubtful "Nay, but, my son," said the old man, "we quality, whom his rashness had invoked, and whom do not lightly follow the guides who present them- he had suffered to intermingle in his destinies ? selves thus suddenly in the bosom of a howling As he stood with clasped hands and uplifted roused wilderness. Ere I follow thee, thou must expound eyes, bitterly rueing his rashness, he was of to me thy name, thy purpose, and thy cause." by the voice of the stranger, whose suspicions " the There is no time to expound any tiling," said his guide had again been awakened by finding " I tell had led hii- Halbert ; thee a man's life is at stake, and scene so different from what Halbert "hast thou thou must come to aid him, or I will carry thee to expect. "Young man," he said, tliithcr '' cut by force ! baited thy tongue with falsehood to perhaps

I 430 WAVERLEY NOVELS.

only a few days from the life of one whom Nature guided Piercie Shafton into Scotland, and hip will soon call home, without guilt on thy part to henchman, Christie of the Clmthill, brought the hasten his journey J" Southron hither." " " " By the blessed Heaven ! by our dear Lady !" Of that," said the old man, I am well aware. Halbert Yet if thou wilt trust to me, as I have shewn no ejaculated" Swear not at all !" said the inter- reluctance to confide in thee, thou shalt find with " stranger, rupting him, neither by Heaven, for it is God's Julian Avenel welcome, or at least " " safety." throne, nor by earth, for it is his footstool nor Father," replied Halbert, though I can ill by the creatures whom he hath made, for they reconcile what thou sayest with what Julian Avenel are but earth and clay as we are. Let thy be yea, hath done, yet little about the of a yea j caring safety and thy nay nay. Tell me in a word, and for creature so lost as and as words why ]' myself, thy what purpose thou hast feigned a tale, to lead a seem those of truth and honesty, and finally, as bewildered traveller yet farther ?" thou didst render to con- " astray thyself frankly up my As I am a Christian man," said Glendinning, duct I will return the confidence thou hast shewn, " I left him here bleeding to death and now I and accompany thee to the Castle of Avenel by no where spy him, and much I doubt that the tomb a road which thou thyself couldst never have that thou seest has closed his !" discovered." led the on mortal remains | He and the old man " way, And who is he for whose fate thou art so followed for some time in silence. " anxious ?" said the or is it stranger ; how possible that this wounded man could have been either removed from, or interred in, a place so solitary ?" "His name," said Halbert, after a moment's " CHAPTER XXIII. pause, is Piercie Shafton there, on that very I left Bpot, him bleeding ; and what power has con- 'Tis when the wound is stiffening with the cold, veyed him hence, I know no more than thou dost." The warrior first feels pain 'tis when the heat And fever of his soul is " Piercie Shafton ?" said the " Sir fiery pass'd, stranger ; The sinner feels remorse. Piercie Shafton of Wilvertou, a kinsman, as it is Old Play. said, of the great Piercie of Northumberland ? If thou hast slain him, to return to the territories THE feeh'ngs of compunction with which Halbert of the proud Abbot is to give thy neck to the gal- Glendinning was visited upon this painful occasion, lows. is well known that Piercie the were than to an and He Shafton ; deeper belonged age country meddling tool of wiser plotters a harebrained in which human life was held so cheap. They trafficker in treason a champion of the Pope, fell far short certainly of those which might have employed as a forlorn hope by those more politic afflicted a mind regulated by better religious pre- who have more will to work than and more trained under social laws heads, mischief, cepts, strictly ; valour to encounter danger. Come with me, but still they were deep and severely felt, and youth, and save thyself from the evil consequences divided in Halbert's heart even the regret with of this deed Guide me to the Castle of Avenel, which he parted from Mary Aveuel and the tower and thy reward shall be protection and safety." of his fathers. Again Halbert paused, and summoned his mind The old traveller walked silently by his side to a hasty council. The vengeance with which the for some time, and then addressed him. "My Abbot was likely to visit the slaughter of Shafton, son, it has been said that sorrow must speak or his friend, and in some measure his guest, was die Why art thou so much cast down ? Tell to be severe in the various me and it be that likely ; yet, contingen- thy unhappy tale, may my cies which he had considered previous to their gray head may devise counsel and aid for your duel, he had unaccountably omitted to reflect what young life." " " was to be his line of conduct in case of Sir Piercie Alas !" said Halbert Glendinning, can you falling by his hand. If he returned to Glendearg, wonder why I am cast down ? I am at this he was sure to draw on his whole family, includ- instant a fugitive from my father's house, from ing Mary Avenel, the resentment of the Abbot and my mother, and from my friends, and I bear on community, whereas it was possible that flight my head the blood of a man who injured me but in might make him be regarded as the sole author of idle words, which I have thus bloodily requited. the deed, and might avert the indignation of the My heart now tells me I have done evil it were monks from the rest of the inhabitants of his harder than these rocks if it could bear unmoved paternal tower. Halbert recollected also the favour the thought, that I have sent this man to a long expressed for the household, and especially for account, unhouseled and unshrieved !" " the Pause said the traveller. Edward, by Sub-Prior ; and he conceived that there, my son," he could, by communicating his own guilt to that "That thou hast defaced God's image in thy worthy ecclesiastic, when at a distance from Glen- neighbour's person that thou hast sent dust to dearg, secure his powerful interposition in favour dust in idle wrath or idler pride, is indeed a sin of of his family. These thoughts rapidly passed the deepest dye that thou hast cut short the his for through mind, and he determined on flight. space which Heaven might have allowed him The stranger's compauy and his promised protec- repentance, makes it yet more deadly but for all tion came in aid of that resolution; but he was this there is balm in Gilead." " unable to reconcile the invitation which the old I understand you not, father," said Halbert, man gave him to accompany him for safety to the struck by the solemn tone winch was assumed by Castle of Avenel, with the connections of Julian, his companion. " " the present usurper of that inheritance. Good The old man proceeded. Thou hast slain thine " father," he said, I fear that you mistake the enemy it was a cruel deed: thou hast cut him off man with whom you wish me to harbour. Avenel perchance in his sins it is a fearful aggravation. THE MONASTERY. 481

Do yet by my counsel, and in lieu of him whom breath with Knox, but yet willing to venture on tliou hast perchance consigned to the kingdom of whatever dangers my master's service may caL Satan, let thine efforts wrest another subject from me to." " to said Halbert " to the reign of the Evil One." Hearken me, then," ; slay " I understand you, father," said Halbert; "thou thee, I have no heart to make thee prisoner, were wouldst have me atone for my rashness by doing equally to bring thy blood on my head to leave service to the soul of my adversary But how thee in this wild without a guide, were little better. to 1 will I in the may this be ? I have no money purchase conduct thee, as promised, safety to would I barefoot to the Castle of Avenel but breathe while are masses, and gladly go ; not, we Holy Land to free his spirit from purgatory, only on the journey, a word against the doctrines of that the holy church of which I am an unworthy but " My son," said the old man, interrupting him, though an ignorant, a zealous member. When " the sinner for whose redemption I entreat you to thou art there arrived, beware of thyself there labour, is not the dead but the living. It is not for is a high price upon thy head, and Julian Avenel ' the soul of thine enemy I would exhort thee to loves the glance of gold bonnet-pieces." " pray that has already had its final doom from Yet thou sayest not," answered the Protestant " as merciful as he is wert for such he that for lucre a Judge just ; nor, preacher, was, he would thou to coin that rock into ducats, and obtain a sell the blood of his guest V " mass for each one, would it avail the departed Not if thou comest an invited " stranger, relying the tree it must lio. said the evil as spirit. Where hath fallen, on his faith," youth ; Julian may the hath in it the not break the rites of But sapling, which yet vigour be, he dare hospitality ; for, in and juice of life, may be bended to the point to loose as we on these marches may be all other ties, which it ought to incline." these are respected amongst us even to idolatry, " Art thou a priest, father 1" said the young and his nearest relations would think it incum- man, "or by what commission dost thou talk of bent on them to spill his blood themselves, to such high matters '!" efface the disgrace such treason would bring upon " By that of my Almighty Master," sai(* the their name and lineage. But if thou goest self- " traveller, under whose banner I am an enlisted invited, and without assurance of safety, I promise soldier." thee thy risk is great." Halbert's with matters " I in God's answered the acquaintance religious am hand," preacher ; was no deeper than could be derived from the "it is on His errand that I traverse these wild.s Archbishop of Saint Andrew's Catechism, and amidst dangers of every kind; while I am useful the pamphlet called the Twa-pennie Faith, both for my master's service, they shall not prevail which were industriously circulated and recom- against me, and when, like the barren-fig-tree, I mended by the monks of Saint Mary's. Yet, can no longer produce fruit, what imports it when however indifferent and superficial a theologian, or by whom the axe is laid to the root ?" " lie began to suspect that he was now in company Your courage and devotion," said Glendinning, " with one of the gospellers, or heretics, before whose are worthy of a better cause." " " influence the ancient system of religion now tottered That," said Warden, cannot be mine is the to the very foundation. Bred up, as may well be very best." presumed, in a holy horror against these formidable They continued their journey in silence, Halbert sectaries, the youth's first feelings were those of Glendinning tracing with the utmost accuracy the " a loyal and devoted church vassal. Old man," mazes of the dangerous and intricate morasses and " he said, wert thou able to make good with thy hills which divided the Halidome from the barony hand the words that thy tongue hath spoken of Avenel. From time to time he was obliged against our Holy Mother Church, we should have to stop, in order to assist his companion to cross tried upon this moor which of our creeds hath the black intervals of quaking bog, called in the the better champion." Scottish dialect hags, by which the firmer parts of " " Nay," said the stranger, if thou art a true the morass were intersected. " soldier of Rome, thou wilt not pause from thy pur- Courage, old man," said Halbert, as he saw " pose because thou hast the odds of years and of his companion almost exhausted with fatigue, we strength on thy side. Hearken to me, my son. I shall soon be upon hard ground. And yet soft have to the shewed thee how make thy peace with as this moss is, I have seen merry falconers go Heaven, and thou hast rejected my proffer. I will through it as light as deer when the quarry was now thee thou shalt reconcilia- shew how make thy upon the flight." " " tion with the powers of this world. Take this gray True, my son," answered Warden, for so I head from the frail body which supports it, and will still call you, though you term me no longer it to the chair of Abbot Boniface so doth carry proud ; father ; and even headlong youth pursue and when thou tellest him thou hast slain Piercie its pleasures, without regard to the mire and and his the Shafton, ire rises at the deed, lay the peril of the paths through which they are head of Henry Warden at his foot, and thou shalt hurried." " have praise instead of censure." I have already told thee," answered Halbert ' Haibert Glendinning stepped back in surprise. Glendinning, sternly, that I will hear nothing " What ! are you that Henry Warden so famous from thee that savours of doctrine." " " among the heretics, that even Knox's name is Nay, but, my son," answered Warden, thy scarce more in their ? not frequently mouths Art spiritual father himself would surely dispute thou he, and darest thou to approach the Hali- dome of Saint Mary's 1" " 1 A coin of James V., the most beautiful of the Scottish i am Warden of a said the gold Henry surety," series so called because the of the is repro " ; effigies sovereign old man, far unworthy to be named in the same stnted wearing a bonnet. 482 WAVERLEY NOVELS.

the truth of what I have now spoken for your narrow causeway extended betwixt the islet and edification !" the shore. But the fortress was larger in appear- " I know not ance than in and of the Glendinning stoutly replied, how reality ; buildings which that may be but I wot well it is the fashion of it actually contained, many had become ruinous your brotherhood to bait your hook with fair and uninhabitable. In the times of the grandeur discourse, and to hold yourselves up as angels of of the Avenel family, these had been occupied by light, that you may the better extend the kingdom a considerable garrison of followers and retainers, of in deserted darkness." but they were now a great measure ; and " " May God," replied the preacher, pardon those Julian Avenel would probably have fixed his habi- who have thus reported of his servants ! I will tation in a residence better suited to his diminished not offend thee, my son, by being instant out of fortunes, had it not been fcr the great security season thou speakest but as thou art taught yet which the situation of the old castle afforded to sure I trust that so goodly a youth will be still a man of his precarious and perilous mode of life. . rescued, like a brand from the burning." Indeed, in this respect, the spot could scarce have While he thus spoke, the verge of the morass been more happily chosen, for it could be ren- was attained, and their path lay on the declivity. dered almost completely inaccessible at the pleasure Green-sward it was, and, viewed from a distance, of the inhabitant. The distance betwixt the nearest chequered with its narrow and verdant line the shore and the islet was not indeed above an it the hundred but dark-brown heath which traversed, though yards ; then the causeway which con- distinction was not so easily traced when they nected them was extremely narrow, and com- ' were walking on it. The old man pursued his pletely divided by two cuts, one in the mid-way journey with comparative ease; and, unwilling between the islet and shore, and another close again to awaken the jealous zeal of his young under the outward gate of the castle. These companion for the Roman faith, he discoursed formed a formidable, and almost insurmountable on other matters. The tone of his conversation interruption to any hostile approach. Each was was still grave, moral, and instructive. He had defended by a drawbridge, one of which, being travelled much, and knew both the language and that nearest to the castle, was regularly raised at manners of other countries, concerning which all times during the day, and both were lifted at 2 Halbert Glendinning, already anticipating the night. possibility of being obliged to quit Scotland for the The situation of Julian Avenel, engaged in a deed he had done, was naturally and anxiously variety of feuds, and a party to almost every dark desirous of information. By degrees he was more and mysterious transaction which was on foot in attracted by the charms of the stranger's conver- that wild and military frontier, required all these sation than repelled by the dread of his dangerous precautions for his security. His own ambiguous character as a heretic, and Halbert had called him and doubtful course of policy had increased these ere the turrets of Avenel for father more than once, dangers ; as he made professions to both parties Castle came in view. in the state, and occasionally united more actively The situation of this ancient fortress was remark- with either the one or the other, as chanced best to able. It occupied a small rocky islet in a mountain serve his immediate purpose, he could not be said lake, or tarn, as such a piece of water is called to have either firm allies and protectors, or deter- in Westmoreland. The lake might be about a mined enemies. His life was a life of expedients mile in surrounded hills of and of in of his circumference, by peril ; and while, pursuit interest, considerable height, which, except where old trees he made all the doubles which he thought necessary and brushwood occupied the ravines that divided to attain his object, he often overran his prey, them from each other, were bare and heathy. and missed that which he might have gamed by The surprise of the spectator was chiefly excited observing a straighter course. by finding a piece of water situated in that high and mountainous region, and the landscape around had features which might rather be termed wild, or the scene than either romantic sublime ; yet CHAPTER XXIV. was not without its charms. Under the burning I'll walk on arm with "un of summer, the clear azure of the un- tiptoa ; my eye caution, deep heart with and hand with * uffled lake refreshed the the My courage, ruy weapon, eye, and impressed Like him who ventures on a lion's den. mind with a pleasing feeling of deep solitude. In Old Play. winter, when the snow lay on the mountains around, these dazzling masses appeared to ascend WHEN, issuing from the gorge of a pass which far beyond their wonted and natural height, while terminated upon the lake, the travellers came in the lake, which stretched beneath, and filled their sight of the ancient castle of Avenel, the old man bosom with all its frozen waves, lay like the surface paused, and, resting upon his pilgrim staff, looked of a darkened and broken mirror around the black with earnest attention upon the scene before him. and rocky islet, and the walls of the gray castle with The castle was, as we have said, in many places which it was crowned. ruinous, as was evident, even at this distance, As the castle occupied, either with its principal by the broken, rugged, and irregular outline of buildings, or with its flanking and outward walls, the walls and of the towers. In others it seemed every projecting point of rock, which served as more entire, and a pillar of dark smoke, which and its site, it seemed as completely surrounded by ascended from the chimneys of the donjon, water as the nest of a wild swan, save where a spread its long dusky pennon through the clear ether, indicated that it v;as inhabited. But no 1 This sort of path, visible when looked at from a distance, but not to be se^n when you are upon it, is called on the Bor- t et by the signifies t name of a Blind-road. See Note II. Avenel THE MONASTERY. 483

corn-fields or enclosed pasture-grounds on the side Halbert, "and believe that it is founded upon of the lake shewed that provident attention to com- the usage of this country and its inhabitants. If fort and subsistence which usually appeared near you can better shift for yourself, go not to the the houses of the greater, and even of the lesser Castle of Avenel if you do risk going thither, barons. There were no cottages with their patches obtain from him, if possible, his safe-conduct, and of infield, and their crofts and gardens, surrounded beware that he swears it by the Black Rood And no church with its observe he eats with at the by rows of massive sycamores ; lastly, whether you in the no herds of or in the for if he dimple tower valley ; sheep board, pledges you cup ; gives the hills no cattle on the lower not these of his are among ; ground ; you signs welcome, thoughts nothing which intimated the occasional prosecution evil towards you." " " of the arts of peace and of industry. It was plain Alas !" said the preacher, I have no better that the inhabitants, whether few or numerous, earthly refuge for the present than these frowning must be considered as the garrison of the castle, towers, but 1 go thither trusting to aid which is not living within its defended precincts, and subsisting of this earth But thou, good youth, needest thou by means which were other than peaceful. trust thyself in this dangerous den 2" " " Probably it was with this conviction that the old I," answered Halbert, am in no danger. I man, gazing on the castle, muttered to himself, am well known to Christie of the Clinthill, the tt scandali!" of this Julian Avenel what is a "Lapis offensionis petra and then, henchman ; and, " turning to Halbert Glendinning, he added, We yet better protection, I have nothing either to pro- may say of yonder fort as King James did of voke malice or to tempt plunder." another fastness in this province, that he who built The tramp of a steed, which clattered along * it was a thief in his heart." the shingly banks of the loch, was now heard " it was not answered behind when looked a rider But so," Glendinning ; them ; and, they back, " yonder castle was built by the old lords of Avenel, was visible, his steel cap and the point of his long men as much beloved in peace as they were lance glancing in the setting sun, as he rode respected in war. They were the bulwark of the rapidly towards them. frontiers against foreigners, and the protectors of Halbert Glendinning soon recognized Christie of the natives from domestic oppression. The present the Clinthill, and made his companion aware that usurper of their inheritance no more resembles the henchman of Julian Avenel was approaching. " them, than the night-prowling owl resembles a Ha, youngling !" said Christie to Halbert, as falcon, because she builds on the same rock." he came up to them, "thou hast made good my " This Julian Avenel, then, holds no high place word at last, and come to take service with my in the love and regard of his neighbours ?" said noble master, hast thou not ? Thou shalt find a Warden. good friend and a true; and ere Saint Barnaby " " So little," answered Halbert, that besides the come round again, thou shalt know every pass jack-men and riders with whom he has associated betwixt Millburn Plain and Netherby, as if thou himself, and of whom he has many at his disposal, liadst been born with a jack on thy back, and a I know of few who voluntarily associate with him. lance in thy hand. What old carle hast thou He has been more than once outlawed both by Eng- with thee 1 He is not of the brotherhood of Saint 2 land and Scotland, his lands declared forfeited, and Mary's at least he has not the buist of these liis head set at a price. But in these unquiet black cattle." " times, a man so daring as Julian Avenel has He is a wayfaring man," said Halbert, "who ever found some friends willing to protect him has concerns with Julian of Avenel. For myself, against the penalties of the law, on condition of his I intend to go to Edinburgh to see the court and the secret services." Queen, and when I return hither we will talk of " You describe a dangerous man," replied your proffer. Meantime, as thou hast often invited Warden. me to the castle, I crave hospitality there to-night " You may have experience of that," the for myself and companion." " replied my if not the " re- youth, you deal more warily ; though For thyself and welcome, young comrade," it be that he also has the " harbour no nor may forsaken com- plied Christie ; but we pilgrims, munity of the church, and gone astray in the path aught that looks like a pilgrim." " " of heresy." So please you," said Warden, I have letters " What your blindness terms the path of heresy," of commendation to thy master from a sure friend, " answered the reformer, is indeed the straight whom he will right willingly oblige in higher mat- and narrow way, wherein he who walks turns not ters than in affording me a brief protection. And aside, whether for worldly wealth or for worldly I am no pilgrim, but renounce the same, with all passions. Would to God this man were moved its superstitious observances." by no other and no worse spirit than that which He offered his letters to the horseman, who shook prompts my poor endeavours to extend the king- his head. dom of " " Heaven ! This Baron of Avenel is per- These," he said, are matters for my master, sonally unknown to me, is not of our congregation and it will be well if he can read them 'himself or of our counsel 1 bear to him touch- for ; yet charges me, sword and lance are my book and psalter, ing my safety, from those whom he must fear if he and have been since I was twelve years old. But does not respect them, and upon that assurance I will guide you to the castle, and the Baron of I will venture upon his hold I am now sufficiently Avenel will himself judge of your errand." refreshed by these few minutes of repose." By this time the party had reached the causeway, " Take then thia advice for your safety," said along which Christie advanced at a trot, intimating 3 It was of Lochwood, the hereditary fortress of the John- Buist The brand, or mark, set upon sheep or cattle by Stones of Annandale, a strong castle situated in the centre of a their owners. quaking bog, that James VI. made this remark. 434 WAVEKLEY NOVELS. nis presence to the warders within the castle by a his tall person, it partly hid, and partly shewed, a shrill and peculiar whistle. At this signal the farther short doublet of buff, under which was in some visible shirt of drawbridge was lowered. The horseman passed it, places that light mail which was and disappeared under the gloomy portal which was called a secret, because worn instead of more osten- beyond it. sible armour, to protect against private assassina- Glendinning and his companion advancing more tion. A leathern belt sustained a large and heavy leisurely along the rugged causeway, stood at length sword on one side, and on the other that gay poniard under the same gateway, over which frowned, in which had once called Sir Piercie Shafton master, dark red freestone, the ancient armorial bearings of which the hatchments and gildings were already of the house of Avenel, which represented a female much defaced, either by rough usage or neglect. figure shrouded and muffled, which occupied the Notwithstanding the rudeness of his apparel, whole field. The cause of their assuming so singular Julian Avenel's manner and countenance had far a device was uncertain, but the figure was generally more elevation than those of the attendants who supposed to represent the mysterious being called surrounded him. He might be fifty or upwards, 1 the White Lady of Avenel. The sight of this for his dark hair was mingled with gray, but age mouldering shield awakened in the mind of Hal- 1 had neither tamed the fire of his eye nor the enter- bert the strange circumstances which had con- I prise of his disposition. His countenance had been nected his fate with that of Mary Avenel, and handsome, for beauty was an attribute of the family; with the doings of the spiritual being who was but the lines were roughened by fatigue and ex- attached to her house, and whom he saw here posure to the weather, and rendered coarse by the represented in stone, as he had before seen her habitual indulgence of violent passions. in effigy upon the seal ring of Walter Avenel, which, He seemed deep and moody reflection, and was with other trinkets formerly mentioned, had been pacing at a distance from his dependents along the saved from pillage, and brought to Glendearg, when upper end of the hall, sometimes stopping from Mary's mother was driven from her habitation. time to time to caress and feed a gos-hawk, which " said the old observ- sat his with its e. the You sigh, my son," man, upon wrist, jesses (i. leathern ing the impression made on his youthful com- straps fixed to its legs) wrapt around his hand. The " but the cause if which seemed not insensible to its panion's countenance, mistaking ; bird, master's you fear to enter, we may yet return." attention, answered his caresses by ruffling forward " That can ye not," said Christie of the Clinthill, its feathers, and pecking playfully at his finger. At who emerged at that instant from the side-door such intervals the Baron smiled, but instantly re- " under the archway. Look yonder, and choose sumed the darksome air of sullen meditation. He whether you will return skimming the water like did not even deign to look upon an object, which a wild-duck, or winging the air like a plover." few could have passed and repassed so often without They looked, and saw that the drawbridge which bestowing on it a transient glance. they had just crossed was again raised, and now This was a woman of exceeding beauty, rather interposed its planks betwixt the setting sun and gaily than richly attired, who sat on a low seat the portal of the castle, deepening the gloom of close by the huge hall chimney. The gold chains the arch under which they stood. Christie laughed round her neck and arms, the gay gown of green and bid them follow him, saying, by way of encou- which swept the floor, the silver-embroidered " ragement, in Halbert's ear, Answer boldly and girdle, with its bunch of keys, depending in house readily to whatever the Baron asks you. Never wifely pride by a silver chain, the yellow silken stop to pick your words, and above all shew no cou-crechef (Scottice, curch) which was disposed fear of him the devil is not so black as he is around her head, and partly concealed her dark painted." profusion of hair, above all, the circumstance so " As he spoke thus, he introduced them into the delicately touched in the old ballad, that the " large stone hall, at the upper end of which blazed a girdle was too short," the gown of green all too huge fire of wood. The long oaken table, which, as strait," for the wearer's present shape, would have usual, occupied the midst of the apartment, was intimated the Baron's Lady. But then the lowly covered with rude preparations for the evening seat, the expression of deep melancholy, which meal of the Baron and his chief domestics, five was changed into a timid smile whenever she saw or six of whom, strong, athletic, savage-looking the least chance of catching the eye of Julian men, paced up and down the lower end of the hall, Avenel, the subdued look of grief, and the which rang to the jarring clang of their long swords starting tear for which that constrained smile was that clashed as they moved, and to the heavy tramp again exchanged when she saw herself entirely dis- of their high-heeled jack-boots. Iron jacks, or regarded, these were not the attributes of a wife coats of buff, formed the principal part of their or they were those of a dejected and afflicted female, dress, and steel-bonnets, or large slouched hats who had yielded her love on less than legitimate with Spanish plumes drooping backwards, were their terms. head attire. Julian Avenel, as we have said, continued to The Baron of Avenel was one of those tall, pace the hall without paying any of that mute muscular, martial figures, which are the favourite attention which is rendered to almost every female subjects of Salvator Rosa. He wore a cloak which either by affection or courtesy. He seemed totally had been once gaily trimmed, but which, by long unconscious of her presence, or of that of his wear and frequent exposure to the weather, was attendants, and was only roused from his own dark now faded in its colours. Thrown negligently about reflections by the notice he paid to the falcon, to which, however, the lady seemed to attend, as if 1 There is an ancient I English family, believe, which bears, studying to find either an opportunity of speaking or did bear, a ghost or sable in a field spirit passant argent. to the or of seems to have device of a Baron, finding something enigmatical This_ been a punning or canting herald. in the expressions which he used to the bird. All THE MONASTERY. 485

this the had time to remark for in south-western not strangers enough ; finger a direction, "may no sooner had they entered the apartment than ride with the day he purposed, because the Lord you " their usher, Christie of the Cliutliill, after exchang- Warden has threatened that he will or ing a significant glance with the menials troopers Here another blank, intelligibly enough made up at the lower end of the apartment, signed to Hal- by the speaker touching his own neck with his left bert Glendinning and to his companion to stand fore-finger, and leaning his head a little to on still near the door, while he himself, advancing side. " nearer the himself in such a situa- caitiff !" said Julian table, placed Cowardly ; "by Heaven! tion as to catch the Baron's observation when he the whole world turns sheer naught it is not to look but without should be disposed around, worth a brave man's living in ye may ride a daj presuming to intrude himself on his master's notice. and night, and never see a feather wave or hear a the look of this Indeed, man, naturally bold, hardy, horse prance the spirit of our fathers is dead and audacious, seemed totally changed when he amongst us the very brutes are degenerated was hi presence of his master, and resembled the the cattle we bring home at our life's risk are mere 2 dejected and cowering manner of a quarrelsome carrion our hawks are riflers our hounds are dog when rebuked by his owner, or when he finds and trindle-tails our men are women turnspits " himself obliged to deprecate the violence of a supe- and our women are rior adversary of his own species. He looked at the female for the first time, and In spite of the novelty of his own situation, and short in the midst of what he was about to j stopped connected with ! every painful feeling it, Halbert felt say, though there was something so contemptuous his curiosity interested in the female, who sate in the that the blank have been thus by j glance, might " the unnoticed and He marked filled Our women are such as she is." chimney unregarded. j up with what keen and trembling solicitude she watched He said it not, however, and, as if desirous of the broken words of Julian, and how her glance attracting his attention at all risks, and in what- stole towards him, ready to be averted upon the ever manner, she rose and came forward to him, his slightest chance of perceiving himself to be but with a timorousness ill-disguised by affected " watched. gaiety. Our women, Julian what would you Meantime he went on with his dalliance with his say of the women V " " feathered favourite, now giving, now withholding, Nothing," answered Julian Avenel, at least the morsel with which he was about to feed the bird, nothing but that they are kind-hearted wenches and so exciting its appetite and gratifying it by like thyself, Kate." The female coloured deeply, " " turns. What ! more yet ! thou foul kite, thou and returned to her seat. And what strangers wouldst never have done give thee part thou hast thou brought with thee, Christie, that stand wilt have all Ay, prune thy feathers, and prink yonder like two stone statues 1" said the Baron. " " thyself gay much thou wilt make of it now dost The taller," answered Christie, is, so please think I know thee not ? dost think I see not that you, a young fellow called Halbert Glendinniug, the all that ruffling and pluming of wing and feathers eldest son of the old widow at Glendearg." " is not for but to thou canst " here ?" said the thy master, try what What brings him Baron ; hath make of him, thou greedy gled ? well there he any message from Mary Avenel ?" " take it and little boon " as I said Christie the is then, rejoice thyself goes Not think," ; youth far with thee, and with all thy sex and so it roving the country he was always a wild slip, for should." I have known him since he was the height of my He ceased to look on the bird, and again tra- sword." " versed the apartment. Then taking another small What qualities hath he ?" said the Baron. " piece of raw meat from the trencher, on which it All manner of qualities," answered his follower was placed ready cut for his use, he began once "he can strike a buck, track a deer, fly a hawk, again to tempt and tease the bird, by offering and ! haloo to a hound he shoots in the long and cross- until he awakened its wild and bold to a hair's-breadth wields a lance or sword withdrawing it, j bow " disposition. What! struggling, fluttering, aiming ! like myself nearly backs a horse manfully and at ' to me with beak and single ? So la ! So la ! i fairly I wot not what more a man need do to wouldst mount ? wouldst fly ! the jesses are round make him a gallant companion." " " 3 thy clutches, fool thou canst neither stir nor And who," said the Baron, is the old miser soar, but by my will Beware thou come to re- who stands beside him ?" " claim, wench, else I will wring thy head off one Some cast of a priest as I fancy he says he is of these days Well, have it then, and well fare charged with letters to you." thou it. " said the ai.d with So ho, Jenkin !" One of the atten- Bid them come forward," Baron ; " dants stepped forward Take the foul gled hence no sooner had they approached him more nearly, to the well struck the fine form and mew or, ; leave her, but look than, by strength displayed stay | " to her casting and to her bathing we will see by Halbert Glendinning, he addressed him thus : I j the her fly to-morrow. How now, Christie, so soon am told, young swankie, that you are roaming returned!" world to seek your fortune if you will serve Christie advanced to his master, and gave an Julian Avenel, you may find it without going account of himself and his in the way in farther." journey, " " which a police-officer holds communication with his So please you," answered Glendinning, some- it better I magistrate, that is, as much as by words. thing has chanced to me that makes " by signs " Noble sir," said that worthy satelite, the Laird of ," he named no place, but pointed with his * So termed when they only caught their prey by the feathers. 3 Miser, used in th sense in which it often occurs in Spen- 1 " In the kindly language of hawking, as Lady Juliana Bcniers ser, and which is indeed Us literal import, wretched old terms it, hawk*' talons are called their tingla. man." 486 WAVERLEY NOVELS.

should leave this land, and I am bound for why I find thee in this boy's company, and doubt- Edinburgh." less thou wouldst have such a strapping-- lad as he " relieve What ! thou hast stricken some of the king's to carry thy wallet, and thy lazy shoulders; deer, I warrant, or lightened the meadows of Saint but, by the mass, I will cross thy cunning. I make Mary's of some of their beeves or thou hast taken my vow to sun and moon, I will not see a proper a moonlight leap over the border ?" lad so misleard as to run the country with an old " " his l No, sir," said Halbert, my case is entirely knave, like Sunmie and brother. Away with different." thee !" he added, rising in wrath, and speaking so " " Then I warrant thee," said the Baron, thou fast as to give no opportunity of answer, being hast stabbed some brother churl in a fray about probably determined to terrify the elder guest into " a wench thou art a likely lad to wrangle hi such an abrupt flight Away with thee, with thy a cause." clouted coat, scrip, and scallop-shell, or, by the Ineffably disgusted at his tone and manner, Hal- name of Avenel, I will have them loose the hounds bert Glendinning remained silent, while the thought on thee !" darted across his mind, what would Julian Avenel Warden waited with the greatest patience until have said, had he known the quarrel, of which he Julian Avenel, astonished that the threats and his spoke so lightly, had arisen on account of his own violence of language made no impression on him, " brother's ! But be cause of flight parsed is a sort of wonder, and said in a less daughter thy " what it will," said Julian, in continuation, "dost imperious tone, Why the fiend dost thou not thou think the law or its emissaries can follow thee answer me ?" " into this island, or arrest thee under the standard When you have done speaking," said Warden, " of Avenel ? Look at the depth of the lake, the in the same composed manner, it will be full tune strength of the walls, the length of the causeway to reply." " look at my men, and think if they are Jsily to Say on man, in the devil's name but take see a comrade injured, or if I, their master, &ra a heed beg not here were it but for the rinds of man to desert a faithful follower, in good or evil. cheese, the refuse of the rats, or a morsel that my I tell thee, it shall be an eternal day of truce be- dogs would turn from neither a grain of meal, will twixt thee and justice, as they call it, from the nor the nineteenth part of a gray groat, I give instant thou hast put my colours into thy cap to any feigned limmar of thy coat." " " thou shalt ride by the Warden's nose as thou It may be," answered Warden, that you wouldst pass an old market-woman, and ne'er a cur would have less quarrel with my coat if you knew which follows him shall dare to bay at thee !" what it covers. I am neither a friar nor mendi- " I thank you for your offers, noble sir," replied cant, and would be right glad to hear thy testimony " Halbert, but I must answer in brief, that I cannot against these foul deceivers of God's church, and profit by them my fortunes lead me elsewhere." usurpers of his rights over the Christian flock, were " Thou art a self-willed fool for thy pains," said it given in Christian charity." from and Christie to " And who or what art said Julian, turning him ; signing thou, then," Avenel, " " approach, he whispered in his ear, There is that thou comest to this Border hind, and art in that young fellow's looks, Christie, and neither monk, nor soldier, nor broken man !" promise " we want men of limbs and sinews so compacted I am an humble teacher of the holy word," " those thou hast brought to me of late are the mere answered Warden, This letter from a most noble refuse of mankind, wretches scarce worth the arrow person will speak why I am here at this present that ends them : this youngster is limbed like Saint time." George. Ply him with wine and wassail let the He delivered the letter to the Baron, who re- wenches weave their meshes about him like spiders garded the seal with some surprise, and then looked thou understandest 1" Christie gave a sagacious on the letter itself, which seemed to excite still more. nod of intelligence, and fell back to a respectful He then fixed his eyes on the stranger, and said, in " " distance from his master. And thou, old man," a menacing tone, I think thou darest not betray " said the Baron, turning to the elder traveller, hast me, or deceive me 1" " thou been roaming the world after fortune too 1 I am not the man to attempt either," was the it seems not she has fallen into thy way." concise reply. " " So please you," replied Warden, I were per- Julian Avenel carried the letter to the window, haps more to be pitied than I am now, had I indeed where he perused, or at least attempted to peruse met with that fortune, which, like others, I have it more than once, often looking from the paper in sought my greener days." and gazing on the stranger who had delivered it, " understand said the as if he to the of the missive in Nay, me, friend," Baron ; meant read purport u if thou art satisfied with thy buckram gown and the face of the messenger. Julian at length called " long staff, I also am well content thou shouldst be to the female, Catherine, bestir thee, and fetch as poor and contemptible as is good for the health me presently that letter which I bade thee keep of thy body and soul All I care to know of thee ready at hand in thy casket, having no sure lock- the is, cause which hath brought thee to my castle, fast place of my own." where few crows of thy kind care to settle. Thou Catherine went with the readiness of one willing I warrant to as the situation art, thee, some ejected monk of a sup- be employed ; and she walked, pressed convent, paying in his old days the price of which requires a wider gown and a longer girdle, the luxurious idleness in which he spent his youth. and in which woman claims from man a double Ay, or it may be some pilgrim with a budget of portion of the most anxious care, was still more lies from Saint James of Compostella, or Our Lady visible than before. She soon returned with the of Loretto or thou be ; mayest some pardoner with his of relics from sins Rome, at i budget forgiving Two qiurtlionarii, or begging friars, whew accoutrements a penny a-dozen, and one to the tale Ay, I guess and roguery make the subject of an old Scottish satirical poem. THE MONASTERY. 437

" paper, and was rewarded with a cold I thank a stoup of wine thou shalt have, and of the best Catherine thee, wench ; thou art a careful secretary." thou shalt sit betwixt and me at the This second paper he also perused and reperused board-end. And, Christie, do thou look to the read bent from call to the cellarer more than once, and still, as he it, young springald, and for a time to time a wary and observant eye upon Henry flagon of the best." Warden. This examination and re-examination, The Baron took his wonted place at the upper both the and the were end of the board his Catherine sate and though man place dangerous, ; down, the preacher endured with the most composed and courteously pointed to a seat betwixt them for their steady countenance, seeming, under the eagle, or reverend guest. But notwithstanding the influence -^ther the vulture eye of the Baron, as unmoved as both of hunger and fatigue, Henry Warden retained nnder the gaze of an ordinary and peaceful peasant. his standing posture. At length Julian Avenel folded both papers, and having put them into the pocket of his cloak, cleared his brow, and, coming forward, addressed his female " " companion. Catherine," said he, I have done CHAPTER XXV. this good man injustice, when I mistook him for When woman to one of the drones of Rome. He is a preacher, lovely stoops folly, And finds too late that men betray Catherine a preacher of the the new doctrine * of the Lords of the Congregation." " The doctrine of the blessed Scriptures," said JULIAN AVENEL saw with surprise the demeanour " " the preacher, purified from the devices of men." of the reverend stranger. Beshrew me," he said. " "Sayest thou?" said Julian Avenel "Well, these new-fashioned religioners have fast-days, I call it thou lists but to it is thou mayst what ; me warrant me the old ones used to confer these it all those sottish recommended, because flings off blessings chiefly on the laity." " dreams about saints and angels and devils, and We acknowledge no such rule," said the " unhorses the lazy monks that have ridden us so long, preacher We hold that our faith consists not in and spur-galled us so hard. No more masses and using or abstaining from special meats on special no more tithes and to make in we our corpse-gifts offerings days ; and fasting rend hearts, and not men poor no more prayers or psalms to make our garments." " men cowards no more christenings and penances, The better the better for yourselves, and the confessions and the " and marriages." worse for Tom Tailor," said Baron ; but come, " " So please you," said Henry Warden, it is sit down, or, if thou needs must e'en give us a casi against the corruptions, not against the fundamental of thy office, mutter thy charm." " J doctrines, of the church, which we desire to reno- Sir Baron," said the preacher, I am in a vate, and not to abolish." strange land, where neither mine office nor my " " said of it Prithee, peace, man," the Baron ; we doctrine are known, and where, would seem, both the laity care not what you set up, so you" pull are greatly misunderstood. It is my duty so to bear merrily down what stands in our way. Specially it me, that in my person, however unworthy, my suits well with us of the Southland fells for it is be that sin ; Master's dignity may respected, and our profession to turn the world upside down, and may take no confidence from relaxation of the bonds we live ever the blithest life when the downer side of "discipline." is ! said the uppermost." Ho la halt there," Baron ; thou but the Baron I Warden would have replied ; wert sent hither for thy safety, but not, thiak, allowed him not time, striking the table with the to preach to, or control me. What is it thou " hilt of his dagger, and crying out, Ha ! you wouldst have, Sir Preacher ? Remember thou loitering knaves, bring our supper-meal quickly, j speakest to one somewhat short of patience, who See not this man is exhausted for lack of loves a short health and a draught." you holy j long " u food ! Heard ye ever of priest or preacher that In a word, then," said Henry Warden, that " devoured not his five meals a-day 1" lady The attendants bustled to and fro, and speedily "How?" said the Baron, starting "what of brought in several large smoking platters, filled her ? what hast thou to say of that dame I" " with huge pieces of beef, boiled and roasted, but Is she thy house-dame 1" said the preacher, without any variety whatsoever; without vegetables, after a moment's pause, in which he seemed to seek and almost without bread, though there was at the for the best mode of expressing what he had to say " upper end a few oat-cakes in a basket. Julian Is she, in brief, thy wife ?" Avenel made a sort of apology to Warden. The unfortunate young woman pressed both her " if to You have been commended to our care, Sir hands on her face, as hide it, but the deep Preacher, since that is your style, by a person blush which crimsoned her brow and neck, shewed we were also the burst- whom honour." that her cheeks glowing ; and " highly " I am assured," said Warden, that the most tears, which found their way betwixt her slender " ing noble Lord fingers, bore witness to her sorrow, as well as to " " what her Prithee, peace, man," said Avenel ; shame. " " need of naming names, so we understand each Now, by my father's ashes ! said the Baron, other ? I meant but to speak in reference to your rising and spurning from him his footstool with safety and comfort, of which he desires us to be such violence, that it hit the wall on the opposite chary. Now, for your safety, look at my walls and side of the apartment then instantly constraining " water. But touching your comfort, we have no corn himself, he muttered, What need to run myself of our own, and the of the south are into trouble for a fool's word?" then resuming meal-girnels " less easily transported than their beeves, seeing his seat, he answered coldly and scornfully No, they have no legs to walk upon. But what though ? Sir Priest or Sir Preacher, Catherine is not my 488 WAVERLEY NOVELS. wife Cease thy whimpering, thou foolish wench come driven by calamity, and unknowing where she is not my wife, but she is handfasted with my course is bound, like a leaf travelling on the me, and that makes her as honest a woman." north wind." " Handfasted ?" repeated Warden. The plain, and even coarse features, of the " Knowest thou not that rite, holy man ?" said zealous speaker, were warmed at once and ennobled " in the same tone of derision I will the of his enthusiasm and the Avenel, ; then by dignity ; wile) tell thee. We Border-men are more wary than Baron, lawless as he was, and accustomed to spurn your inland clowns of Fife and Lothian no jump at the control whether of religious or moral law, in in the dark for us no clenching the fetters felt, for the first tune perhaps his life, that he around our wrists till we know how they will wear was under subjection to a mind superior to his own. with us we take our wives, like our horses, upon He sat mute and suspended in his deliberations, trial. When we are handfasted, as we term it, hesitating betwixt anger and shame, yet borne we are man and wife for a year and day that down by the weight of the just rebuke thus boldly space gone by, each may choose another mate, or, fulminated against him. at their pleasure, may call the priest to marry The unfortunate young woman, conceiving hopes 1 them for life and this we call handfasting." from her tyrant's silence and apparent indecision, " " Then," said the preacher, I tell thee, noble forgot both her fear and shame in her timid ex- in love to it is custom that Avenel would relent and Baron, brotherly thy soul, a pectation ; fixing licentious, gross, and corrupted, and if persisted upon him her anxious and beseeching eyes, gradu- to in, dangerous, j'ea, damnable. It binds thee to the ally drew near and nearer his seat, till at length, frailer being while she is the ot desire laying a trembling hand on his cloak, she ventured object " it relieves thee when she is most the subject of to utter, noble Julian, listen to the good pity it gives all to brutal sense, and nothing to man !" generous and gentle affection. I say to thee, that The speech and the motion were ill-tuned, and he who can meditate the breach of such an engage- wrought on that proud and wayward spirit the ment, abandoning the deluded woman and the reverse of her wishes. is the birds of The fierce Baron started in helpless offspring, worse than prey ; up fury, exclaiming, " for of them the males remain with their mates until What ! thou foolish callet, art thou confederate the nestlings can take wing. Above all, I say it is with this strolling vagabond, whom thou hast seen contrary to the pure Christian doctrine, which beard me in mine own hall ! Hence with thee, assigns woman to man as the partner of his labour, and think that I am proof both to male and female the soother of his evil, his helpmate in peril, his hypocrisy !" friend in affliction not of his looser The started astounded at his voice ; as the toy poor girl back, hours, or as a flower, which, once cropped, he may of thunder and looks of fury, and, turning pale as throw aside at pleasure." death, endeavoured to obey liis orders, and tottered " Now, by the Saints, a most virtuous homily !" towards the door. Her limbs failed in the attempt, " said the Baron conceived and she fell on the stone floor in a manner which ; quaintly and curiously pronounced, and to a well-chosen congregation. her situation might have rendered fatal The blood Hark ye, Sir Gospeller ! trow ye to have a fool in gushed from her face. Halbert Glendinning hand ? Know I not that your sect rose by bluff brooked not a sight so brutal, but, uttering a deep Harry Tudor, merely because ye aided him to imprecation, started from his seat, and laid his hi$ hand on his under the of change Kate ; and wherefore should I not use sword, strong impulse the it same Christian liberty with mine ? Tush, man ! passing through the body of the cruel and hard- bless the good food, and meddle not with what con- hearted ruffian. But Christie of the Clinthill, guess- cerns thee not thou hast no gull in Julian ing his intention, threw his arms around him, and Avenel." prevented him from stirring to execute his purpose. " He hath gulled and cheated himself," said The impulse to such a dangerous act of violence " the preacher, should he even incline to do that was indeed but momentary, as it instantly appeared poor sharer of his domestic cares the imperfect that Avenel himself, shocked at the effects of his justice that remains to him. Can he now raise violence, was lifting up and endeavouring to soothe her to the rank of a pure and uncontaminated in his own way the terrified Catherine. " " matron ? Can he deprive his child of the misery Peace," he said, prithee, peace, thou silly of owing birth to a mother who has erred ? He can minion why, Kate, though I listen not to this indeed give them both the rank, the state of mar- tramping preacher, I said not what might happen ried wife and of lawful an thou dost bear me a stout There there son ; but, in pubh'c opinion, boy. their names will be smirched and sullied with a dry thy tears call thy women. So ho! stain which his tardy efforts cannot entirely efface. where be these queans ? Christie Rowley Yet render it to them, Baron of Avenel, render to Hutcheon drag them hither by the hair of the this them late and imperfect justice. Bid me bind head !" you together for ever, and celebrate the day of your A half dozen of startled wild-looking females bridal, not with feasting or wassail, but with sor- rushed into the room, and bore out her who might row for past sin, and the resolution to commence be either termed their mistress or their companion. better life. a Happy then will have the chance She shewed little sign of life, except by groaning been that has drawn me to this castle, though I faintly and keeping her hand on her side. No sooner had this luckless female been con-

1 from the than the Baron, advan- This custom of handfasting actually prevailed in the upland veyed apartment, It filled days. arose partly from the want of priests. While the cing to the table, arid drank a deep goblet convents subsisted, monks were detached on regular circuits of wine an obvious restraint on liis ; then, putting through the wilder districts, to marry those who had lived in turned tc the- who stood horror- this species of connection. A practice of the same kind passions, preacher, existed in the Isle of Portland. struck at the scene he had witnessed, and said, THE MONASTERY. 489

** You have borne too hard on us, Sir Preacher impatient of the long unbroken silence, cried out " but coming with the commendations which you aloud, What, ho ! my masters are ye Border- have brought me, I doubt not but your meaning riders, and sit as mute over your meal as a mess was good. But we are a wilder folk than you inland of monks and. friars I Some one sing, if no ona men of Fife and Lothian. Be advised, therefore, list to speak. Meat eaten without either mirth or me not an unbroken horse put not music is ill of digestion. Louis," he added, speak- by Spur j

! " your ploughshare too deep into new land Preach ing to one of the youngest of his followers, thou

i bids thee." to us spiritual liberty, and we will hearken to you. art ready enough to sing when no one then But we will give no way to spiritual bondage. The young man looked first at his master, up ' off the Sit, therefore, down, and pledge me in old sack, to the arched roof of the hall, then drank and we will talk over other matters." horn of ale, or wine, which stood beside him, and j with not the "It is from spiritual bondage," said the preacher, a rough, yet unmelodious voice, sung " " in the same tone of admonitory reproof, that I following ditty to the ancient air of Blue Bonnets came to deliver you it is from a bondage more over the Border." fearful than that of the heaviest earthly gyves I. it is from your own evil passions." " March, march, Ettrick and Tcviotdale, " Sit said sit down down," Avenel, fiercely ; Why the deil dinna ye inarch forward in order 7 while the play is good else by my father's crest March, march, Eskdale and Liddesdale, " All the Blue Bonnets are bound for the Border. and my mother's honour ! " Many a banner spread, Now," whispered Christie of the Clinthill to Flutters above your head, " a crest that is famous in Halbert, if he refuse to sit down, I would not give Many story, Mount and make ready then, a gray groat for his head." mountain " " Sons of the glen, Lord Baron," said Warden, thou hast placed Fight for the Queen and the old Scottish g'.ory I me in But if the whether extremity. question be, II. I am to hide the light which I am commanded Come from the hills where the hirsels are grazing, to shew or to lose the of this forth, light world, Come from the glen of the buck and the roe ; my choice is made. I say to thee, like the Holy Come to the crag where the beacon is blazing, Come with the the and the bow to Herod, it is not lawful for thee to have buckler, lance, Baptist Trumpets are sounding, this I bonds and death woman ; and say it, though War-steeds are bounding, be the consequence, counting my life as nothing in Stand to your arms then, and march in good order, shall a of the to which I am called." England many day comparison ministry Tell of the bloody fray, at the firmness of this Julian Avenel, enraged When the Blue Bonnets came over the Border ! in which reply, flung from his right hand the cup he was about to drink to his guest, and from the The song, rude as it was, had in it that warlike other cast off the hawk, which flew wildly through character which at any other time would have first motion to hand roused Halbert's but at the charm the apartment. His was lay spirit ; present upon his dagger. But, changing his resolution, he of minstrelsy had no effect upon him. He made " exclaimed, To the dungeon with this insolent it his request to Christie to suffer him to retire to for that stroller ! I will hear no man speak a word rest, a request with which worthy person, him. Look to the falcon, Christie, thou fool an seeing no chance of making a favourable impres- she escape, I will despatch you after her every man sion on his intended proselyte in his present humour, Away with that hypocritical dreamer drag him was at length pleased to comply. But no Sergeant hence if he resist !" Kite, who ever practised the profession of recruit- He was obeyed in both points. Christie of the ing, was more attentive that his object should not Clinthill arrested the hawk's flight, by putting hi? escape him, than was Christie of the Cliiithill. He while to small foot on her jesses, and so holding her fast, indeed conducted Halbert Glendinning a Henry Warden was led off, without having shewn apartment overlooking the hike, which was accom- the slightest symptoms of terror, by two of the modated with a truckle bed. But before quitting Baron's satellites. Julian Avenel walked the apart- him, Christie took special care to give a look to the ment for a short time in sullen silence, and bars which crossed the outside of the window, and despatcliing one of his attendants with a whispered when he left the apartment, he failed not to give to the health of the turn circumstances which con- which related key a double ; message, probably " the unfortunate Catherine, he said aloud, These vinced young Glendinning that there was no inten- rash and meddling priests By Heaven ! they tion of suffering him to depart from the Castle of l make us worse than we would be without them." Avenel at his own tune and pleasure. He judged received to let these The answer which he presently seemed it, however, most prudent alarming somewhat to pacify his angry mood, and he took his symptoms pass without observation. place at the board, commanding his retinue to do No sooner did he find himself in undisturbed the like. All sat down in silence, and began the solitude, than he ran rapidly over the events of the repast. day in his recollection, and to his surprise found During the meal Christie in vain attempted to that his own precarious fate, and even the death engage his youthful companion in carousal, or, of Piercie Shafton, made less impression on him at least, in conversation. Halbert Glendinning than the singularly bold and determined conduct pleaded fatigue, and expressed himself unwilling of his companion, Henry Warden. Providence, to take any liquor stronger than the heather ale, which suits its instruments to the end they are which was at that time frequently used at meals. to achieve, had awakened in the cause of Refor- of Thus every effort at jovialty died away, until the mation in Scotland, a body of preachers more Baron, striking his hand against the table, as if energy than refinement, bold in spirit, and strong in faith, contemners of whatever stood betwixt i See Note L Julian Averut. them and their principal object, aud seeking the 490 WAVERLEY NOVELS.

full summer's moon. " advancement of the great cause in which they of a Were I once placed laboured by the roughest road, provided it were on that ledge," thought Glendinning, "Julian Avenel the shortest. The soft breeze may wave the willow, and Christie had seen the last of me." The size of but it requires the voice of the tempest to agitate the window favoured such an attempt, but the of the oak to milder stanchions or iron bars seemed to form the boughs ; and, accordingly, an insur- hearers, and in a less rude age, their manners would mountable obstacle. have been ill adapted, but they were singularly While Halbert Glendinning gazed from the successful in their mission to the rude people to window with that eagerness of hope which was whom it was addressed. prompted by the energy of his character and his Owing to these reasons, Halbert Glendinning, determination not to yield to circumstances, his ear who had resisted and repelled the arguments of the caught some sounds from below, and listening with preacher, was forcibly struck by the firmness of his more attention, he could distinguish the voice of demeanour in the dispute with Julian Avenel. It the preacher engaged in his solitary devotions. To might be discourteous, and most certainly it was open a correspondence with him became imme- his ncautious, to choose such a place and such an diately object, and failing to do so by less marked audience, for upbraiding with his transgressions a sounds, he at length ventured to speak, and was " baron, whom both manners and situation placed answered from beneath Is it thou, my son ?" in full possession of independent power. But the The voice of the prisoner now sounded more conduct of the preacher was uncompromising, firm, distinctly than when it was first heard, for Wai-den manly, and obviously grounded upon the deepest had approached the small aperture, which, serving could afford his for a conviction which duty and principle ; prison window, opened just betwixt the and Glendinning, who had viewed the conduct of wall and the rock, and admitted a scanty portion Avenel with the deepest abhorrence, was propor- of light through a wall of immense thickness. This tionally interested in the brave old man, who had soupirail being placed exactly under Halbert's ventured life rather than withhold the censure due window, the contiguity permitted the prisoners to to in to guilt. This pitch of virtue seemed to him be converse a low tone, when Halbert declared his in religion what was demanded by chivalry of her intention to escape, and the possibility he saw oi votaries in absolute surrender of all selfish his but for the iron war ; an achieving purpose, stanchions of the " feelings, and a combination of every energy proper window Prove thy strength, my son, in to the human mind, to discharge the task which the name of God !" said the preacher. Halbert duty demanded. obeyed him more in despair than hope, but to his Halbert was at the period when youth was most great astonishment, and somewhat to his terror, open to generous emotions, and knows best how to the bar parted asunder near the bottom, and tha appreciate them in others, and he felt, although he longer part being easily bent outwards, and not hardly knew why, that, whether catholic or heretic, secured with lead in the upper socket, dropt out the safety of this man deeply interested him. into Halbert's hand. He immediately whispered, Curiosity mingled with the feeling, and led him to but as energetically as a whisper could be expressed wonder what the nature of those doctrines could "By Heaven, the bar has given way in my be, which stole their votary so completely from hand !" " himself, and devoted him to chains or to death Thank Heaven, my son, instead of swearing by as their sworn champion. He had indeed been it," answered Warden from his dungeon. told of saints and martyrs of former days, who had With little effort Halbert Glendinning forced braved for their religious faith the extremity of himself through the opening thus wonderfully death and torture. But their spirit of enthusiastic effected, and using his leathern sword-belt as a devotion had long slept in the ease and indolent rope to assist him, let himself safely drop on the habits of their successors, and their adventures, like shelf of rock upon which the preacher's window those of knights-errant, were rather read for amuse- opened. But through this no passage could be ment than for edification. A new impulse had effected, being scarce larger than a loophole for been necessary to rekindle the energies of religious musketry, and apparently constructed for that zeal, and that impulse was now operating in favour purpose. " of a purer religion, with one of whose steadiest Are there no means by which I can assist votaries the youth had now met for the first time. your escape, my father 1" said Halbert. " The sense that he himself was a prisoner, under There are none, my son," answered the " the of this no but if thou wilt ensure that power savage chieftain, by means preacher ; my safety, diminished Halbert's interest in the fate of his fel- may be in thy power." " low-sufferer, while he determined at the same time I will labour for said the " earnestly it," youth. BO far to emulate his fortitude, that neither threats Take then a letter which I will presently write, nor suffering should compel him to enter into the for I have the means of light and writing materials service of such a master. The possibility of escape in my scrip Hasten towards Edinburgh, and on next occurred to him, and though with little hope the way ihou wilt meet a body of horse marching of effecting it in that way, Glendinning proceeded southwards Give this to their leader, and acquaint to examine more particularly the window of the him of the state in which thou hast left me. It may apartment. The apartment was situated in the hap that thy doing so will advantage thyself." first of the castle In or the of story ; and was not so far from a minute two light a taper gleamed the rock on which it was founded, but that an through the shot-hole, and very shortly after, the active and bold man might with little assistance preacher, with the assistance of his staff, pushed descend to a shelf of the rock which was imme- a billet to Glendinning through the window. " diately below the window, and from thence either God bless thee, my son," said the old man, or " leap drop himself down into the lake which lay and complete the marvellous work which he has before his eye, clear and bins in the placid light begun." THE MONASTERY. 491

* Amen !" answered Halbert, with solemnity, rant them. He is a considerate lord the Lord n

from the Monastery, could bestow on it. Their : broth for my sick bairn, that maun make room for dialogue ran on as usual in the intervals of their the dainty Southron's wastel-bread. It was a blithe labour, partly as between mistress and servant, 1 time hi Wight Wallace's day, or good King Robert's, partly as maintained by gossips of nearly equal when the pock-puddings gat naetliing here but hard quality. straiks and bloody crowns. But we will see how it " said will Look to the minced meat, Tibb," Elspeth ; a' end." " and turn the broach even, thou good-for-nothing Elspeth did not think it proper to notice these Simmie, thy wits are harrying birds' nests, child. discontented expressions of Tibbie, but they sunk this is a fasheous this Sir for she to consider her as Weel, Tibb, job, into her mind ; was apt Piercie lying leaguer with us up here, and wha kens a sort of authority in matters of war and policy, for how lang 1" with which her former experience as bower-woman " A fasheous job indeed," answered her faithful at Avenel Castle made her better acquainted than " attendant, and little good did the name ever were the peaceful inhabitants of the Halidome. She bring to fair Scotland. Ye may have your hands only spoke, however, to express her surprise that fuller of them than they are yet Mony a sair the hunters did not return. " heart have the Piercies given to Scots wife and An they come not back the sooner," said Tibb, " bairns with their pricking on the Borders. There they will fare the waur, for the meat will be was Hotspur, and many more of that bloody kin- roasted to a cinder and there is poor Simmie that dred, have sate in our skirts since Malcolm's time, can turn the spit nae langer : the bairn is melting as Martin says !" like an icicle in warm water Gang awa, bairn, " Martin should keep a weel-scrapit tongue in and take a mouthful of the caller air, and I will " his head," said Elspeth, and not slander the kin turn the broach till ye come back." that " to cal- of any body quarters at Glendearg ; forby, Rin up the bartizan at the tower-head, " that Sir Piercie Shafton is much respected with lant," said Dame Glendinning, the air will be the holy fathers of the community, and they will callerer there than ony gate else, and bring us word j make to us fasherie that we have with if our Halbert and the are down up ony may I gentleman coming either word or I'se war- the him, by good good deed, j glen."

1 492 WAVEBLEY NOVELS.

The boy lingered long enough to allow his sub- pended animation, were employed alternately, and stitute, Tibb Tacket, heartily to tire of her own with little effect. generosity, and of his cricket-stool by the side of a At length a new assistant, who had joined the huge fire. He at length returned with the news group unobserved, tendered his aid in the following that " he had seen nobody. terms : How is this, my most fair Discretion \ The matter was not remarkable so far as Halbert What cause hath moved the ruby current of life Glendinning was concerned, for, patient alike of to rush back to the citadel of the heart, leaving pale want and of fatigue, it was no uncommon circum- those features in which it should have delighted to stance for him to remain in the wilds till curfew meander for ever ? Let me approach her," he " time. But nobody had given Sir Piercie Shafton said, with this sovereign essence, distilled by the credit for being so keen a sportsman, and the idea fair hands of the divine Urania, and powerful to of an Englishman preferring the chase to his dinner recall fugitive life, even if it were trembling on the was altogether inconsistent with their preconcep- verge of departure." tions of the national character. Amidst wondering Thus speaking, Sir Piercie Shafton knelt down, and conjecturing, the usual dinner-hour passed and most gracefully presented to the nostrils of and the inmates of the Avenel a silver long away ; tower, taking Mary pouncet-box, exquisitely a hasty meal themselves, adjourned their more chased, containing a sponge dipt in the essence solemn preparations until the hunters' return at which he recommended so highly. Yes, gentle night, since it seemed now certain that their sport reader, it was Sir Piercie Shafton himself who thus either carried had them to a greater distance, or unexpectedly proffered his good offices ! his cheeks, engaged them for a longer time than had been indeed, very pale, and some part of his dress stained expected. with blood, but not otherwise appearing different About four hours after noon, arrived, not the from what he was on the preceding evening. But expected sportsmen, but an unlocked for visitant, no sooner had Mary Avenel opened her eyes, and the Sub-Prior from the Monastery. The scene of fixed them on the figure of the officious courtier, the preceding day had dwelt on the mind of Father than she screamed faintly, and exclaimed, " Eustace, who was of that keen and penetrating Secure the murderer !" cast of mind which loves not to leave unascertained Those present stood aghast with astonishment, whatever of mysterious is subjected to its inquiry. and none more so than the Euphuist, who found His kindness was interested in the family of himself so suddenly and so strangely accused by Glendearg, which he had now known for a long the patient whom he was endeavouring to succour, time and the interested his to assis- ; besides, community was and who repelled attempts yield her in the preservation of the peace betwixt Sir Piercie tance with all the energy of abhorrence. " " Shafton and his youthful host, since whatever Take him away !" she exclaimed take away might draw public attention on the former, could the murderer !" " not fail to be prejudicial to the Monastery, which Now, by my knighthood," answered Sir Piercie. " was already threatened by the hand of power. He your lovely faculties either of mind or body are found the family assembled all but Mary Avenel, my most fair Discretion, obnubilated by some and was informed that Halbert Glendinning had strange hallucination. For either your eyes do not accompanied the stranger on a day's sport. So far discern that it is Piercie Shafton, your most devoted was well. not returned but did stands before or They had ; when Affability, who now you, else, you? youth and sport conceive themselves bound by set eyes discerning truly, your mind hath most errone- hours ? and the circumstance excited no alarm in ously concluded that he hath been guilty of some his mind. delict or violence to which his hand is a stranger While he was conversing with Edward Glen- No murder, most scornful Discretion, hath been dinning touching his progress in the studies he had this day done, saving but that which your angry pointed out to him, they were startled by a shriek glances are now performing on your most devoted from Mary Avenel's apartment, which drew the captive." whole family thither in headlong haste. They found He was here interrupted by the Sub-Prior, who her in a swoon in the arms of old Martin, who was had, in the meantime, been speaking with Martin himself of killed her so received from him account of bitterly accusing having ; apart, and had an indeed it seemed, for her pale features and closed the circumstances, which, suddenly communicated eyes argued rather a dead corpse than a living to Mary Avenel, had thrown her into this state. " person. The whole family were instantly in tumult. Sir Knight," said the Sub-Prior, in a very solemn " Snatching her from Martin's arms with the eager- tone, yet with some hesitation, circumstances ness of affectionate terror, Edward bore her to the have been communicated to us of a nature so extra- casement, that she might receive the influence oi ordinary, that, reluctant as I am to exercise such the air the like of over of our venerable open ; Sub-Prior, who, many authority a guest community, his profession, had some knowledge of medicine, 1 am constrained to request from you an explana- hastened to prescribe the readiest remedies which tion of them. You left this tower early in the occurred to him, and the terrified females con- morning, accompanied by a youth, Halbert tended with, and impeded each other, in their rival Glendinning, the eldest son of this good dame, and efforts to be useful. you return hither without him. Where, and at " It has been ane of her weary ghaists," said Dame what hour, did you part company from him I" Glendinning. The English knight paused for a moment, and " It 's just a trembling on her spirits, as her then replied, "I marvel that your reverence blessed mother used to said Tibb. so a tone to enforce so a " have," employs grave light ques- It 's some ill news has come ower her," said tion. I parted with the villagio whom you call the miller's maiden while burnt cold Halbert hour or twain after ; feathers, Glendinning some Water, and all the usual means of restoring sus- sunrise." THE MONASTERY.! 493

" And at what place, I pray you {" said the and Mary Avenel into separate apartments, and jnoiik. while Edward, still keeping his sword in his hand, " at In a deep ravine, where a fountain rises the hastily traversed the room, as if to prevent the which oase of a rock ; an earth-born Titan, of Sir Piercie Shafton's the Sub- huge " possibility escape, neaveth up its gray head, even as Prior insisted upon knowing from the perplexed "Spare us farther description," said the Sub- knight the particulars which he knew respecting " the But that hath Halbert His situation became ex- Prior ; we know spot. youth Glendinning. not since been heard of, and it will fall on you to tremely embarrassing, for what he might with safety account for nim." have told of the issue of their combat was so revolt- " himself My bairn ! my bairn !" exclaimed Dame Glen- ing to his pride, that he could not bring " make the villain to enter into the detail and of Halbert's actual dinning. Yes, holy father, ; account for my bairn !" fate he knew, as the reader is well aware, absolutely " I swear, woman, by bread and by water, good " nothing. which are the props of our life The father in the meanwhile pressed him with " Swear by wine and wastel-bread, for these are remonstrances, and prayed him to observe, he would the props of thy life, thou greedy Southron !" said greatly prejudice himself by declining to give a full to transactions of Darne Glendinning ; "a base belly-god, come account of the the day. "You " here to eat the best, and practise on our lives that cannot deny," he said, that yesterday you seemed give it to him !" to take the most violent offence at this unfortunate " I tell said Sir Piercie that resentment thee, woman," Shafton, youth ; and you suppressed your " I did but go with thy son to the hunting." so suddenly as to impress us all with surprise. Last " A black hunting it has been to him, poor bairn," night you proposed to him this day's hunting party, " Tibb and sae I said it wad since set out break of You replied ; prove and you together by day. I first saw the false Southron snout of thee. Little parted, you said, at the fountain near the rock, good comes of a Piercie's hunting, from Chevy about an hour or twain after sunrise, and it appears Chase till now." that before you parted you had been at strife " " Be silent, woman," said the Sub-Prior, and together." " rail not the we do not " I said the is upon English knight ; yet not so," replied knight. Here know of any thing beyond suspicion." a coil indeed about the absence of a rustical bonds- " said We will have his heart's blood !" Dame man, who, I dare say, hath gone off (if he be gone)

seconded the faithful the of freebooters ! Glendinning ; and, by Tibbie, to join next rascally band Ye she made such a sudden onslaught on the unlucky ask me, a knight of the Piercie's lineage, to account Euphuist, as must have terminated in something for such an insignificant fugitive, and I answer, serious, had not the monk, aided by Mysie Happer, let me know the price of his head, and I will pay it interposed to protect him from their fury. Edward to your convent treasurer." " had left the apartment the instant the disturbance You admit, then, that you have slain my in followed broke out, and now entered, sword hand, brother 3" said Edward, interfering once more ; " by Martin and Jasper, the one having a hunting I will presently shew you at what price we Scots spear in his hand, the other a cross-bow. rate the lives of our friends." " the said to his two attendants I entreat I com- Keep door," he ; "Peace, Edward, peace K " shoot him or stab him without mercy, should he mand thee," said the Sub-Prior. And you, Sir to forth if he offers an think better of us than to attempt break ; escape, by Knight, suppose you may Heaven he shall die !" spend Scottish blood, and reckon for it as for wine " said the " revel. was no bonds- How now, Edward," Sub-Prior ; how spilt in a drunken This youth is this that you so far forget yourself 1 meditating man thou well knowest, that in thine own land violence to a guest, and in my presence, who re- thou hadst not dared to lift thy sword against the present your liege lord ?" meanest subject of England, but her laws would Edward stepped forward with his drawn sword in have called thee to answer for the deed. Do not " his hand. Pardon me, reverend father," he said, hope it will be otherwise here, for you will but " but m this matter the voice of nature speaks louder deceive yourself." " and stronger than yours. I turn my sword's point You drive me beyond my patience," said the " against this proud man, and I demand of him the Euphuist, even as the over-driven ox is urged into blood of tell of fellow of my brother the blood my father's son madness ! What can I you a young of the heir of our name ! If he denies to give whom I have not seen since the second hour after me a true account of him, he shall not deny me sunrise ?" " vengeance." But can you explain in what circumstances you Embarrassed as he was, Sir Piercie Shafton parted with him ?" said the monk. " " shewed no personal fear. Put up thy sword," he What are the circumstances, in the devil's " man not in the does Piercie which desire should be said, young ; same day name, you explained? Shafton contend with two peasants." for although I protest against this constraint as " Hear him ! he confesses the deed, holy father," alike unworthy and inhospitable, yet would I will- said Edward. end this fray, provided that by words it " ingly Be patient, my son," said the Sub-Prior, endea- may be ended," said the knight. " vouring to soothe the feelings which he could not If these end it not," said Edward, "blows shall, otherwise control, "be patient thou wilt attain and that full speedily." " the ends of justice better through my means than Peace, impatient boy !" said the Sub-Prior ; " thine own violence And you, women, be silent and do you, Sir Percie Shafton, acquaint me why Tibb, remove your mistress and Mary Avenel." the ground is bloody by the verge of the fountain While Tibb, with the assistance of the ther in Corri-nan-shian, where, as you say yourself females of the household, bore the poor mother you parted from Halbert Glendinning ?" WAVERLEY NOVELS.

" Resolute not to avow his defeat if possibly he the Sub-Prior, and is adding insult to violence in a could avoid it, the knight answered haughty and injury. Do you hold me for a child or an idiot, tone, that he supposed it was no unusual thing to that you pretend to make me believe that the fresh find the turf bloody where hunters had slain a blood with which your shirt is stained, flowed from deer. a wound which has been healed for weeks or " And did you bury your game as well as kill months ? Unhappy mocker, thinkest thou thus to " * it ?" said the monk. We must know from you blind us Too well do we know that it is the who is the tenant of that grave, that newly-made blood of your victim, wrestling with you in the grave, beside the very fountain whose margin is desperate and mortal struggle, which has thus BO deeply crimsoned with blood? Thouseest thou dyed your apparel." not evade therefore be after canst me ; ingenuous, and The knight, a moment's recollection, said " tell us the fate of this unhappy youth, whose body in reply, I will be open with you, my father is doubtless lying under that bloody turf." bid these men stand out of ear-shot, and I will tell " " If it said have all I know of this be," Sir Piercie, they must you mysterious business ; and buried him alive for I swear to reverend muse it wit ; thee, not, good father, though may pass thy in to I it father, that this rustic juvenal parted from me expound it, for avouch to you is too dark for perfect health. Let the grave be searched, and mine own." if his body be found, then deal with me as ye list." The monk commanded Edward and the two men " It is not my sphere to determine thy fate, Sir to withdraw, assuring the former that his conference Knight, but that of the Lord Abbot, and the right with the prisoner should be brief, and giving him reverend Chapter. It is but my duty to collect permission to keep watch at the door of the apart- information best their wisdom ment without which allowance he such as may possess ; might, perhaps, with the matters which have chanced." have had some difficulty in procuring his absence. " Might I presume so far, reverend father," said Edward had no sooner left tb.6 chamber, than he " the knight, I should wish to know the author and despatched messengers to one or two families of evidence of all these suspicions, so unfoundedly the Halidome, with whose sons his brother and he urged against me ?" sometimes associated, to tell them that Halbert " It is soon said the " had been murdered an told," Sub-Prior ; nor do Glendinning by Englishman, I wish to disguise it, if it can avail you in your and to require them to repair to the Tower of defence. This maiden, Mary Avenel, apprehending Glendearg without delay. The duty of revenge in that you nourished malice against her foster-brother such cases was held so sacred, that he had no reason under a friendly brow, did advisedly send up the old to doubt they would instantly come with such assis- man, Martin Tacket, to follow your footsteps and tance as would ensure the detention of the prisoner. to prevent mischief. But it seems that your evil He then locked the doors of the tower, both inner and also the of the passions had outrun precaution ; for when he came outer, and gate court-yard. to the spot, guided by your footsteps upon the dew, Having taken these precautions, he made a hasty he found but the bloody turf and the new covered visit to' the females of the family, exhausting him- and after and vain search the self in efforts to console and in grave ; long through them, protestations wilds after Halbert and yourself, he brought back that he would hare vengeance for his murdered the sorrowful news to her who had sent him." brother. " Saw he not my doublet, I pray you ?" said Sir " Piercie for when I to I found that ; came myself, I was in but without wrapped my cloak, my under CHAPTER XXVII. garment, as your reverence may observe." So saying, he opened his cloak, forgetting, with Now, by Our Lady, Sheriff, 'tis hard reckoning, his characteristical that he shewed inconsistency, That I, with every odds of birth and barony, his shirt stained with blood. Should be detain'd here for the casual death " Of a wild forester, whose utmost having How ! cruel said the when he man," monk, Is but the brazen buckle of the belt observed this confirmation of his " wilt suspicions ; In which he sticks his hedge-knife. Old thou deny the guilt, even while thou bearest on thy Play. person the blood thou hast shed ? Wilt thou longer deny that thy rash hand has robbed a mother WHILE Edward was making preparations for of a son, our community of a vassal, the Queen of securing and punishing the supposed murderer of Scotland of a liege subject ? and what canst thou his brother, with an intense thirst for vengeance, expect, but that, at the least, we deliver thee up to which had not hitherto shewn itself as part of his England, as undeserving our farther protection 1" character, Sir Piercie Shafton made such com- " " By the Saints ! said the now driven munications as it pleased him to the Sub-Prior, " knight, to extremity, if this blood be the witness against who listened with great attention, though the me, it is but rebel bloody since this morning at sun- knight's narrative was none of the clearest, rise it flowed within own veins." especially as his self-conceit led him to conceal or " my How were that possible, Sir Piercie Shafton," abridge the details which were necessary to render " said the monk, since I see no wound from whence it intelligible. " " it can have flowed ?" You are to know," he said, reverend father, " " That," said the knight, is the most mysterious that this rustical juvenal having chosen to offer part of the transaction See here !" me, in the presence of your venerable Superior, So saying, he undid his shirt collar, and, opening yourself, and other excellent and worthy persons, his bosom, shewed the spot through which Halbert's besides the damsel Mary Avenel, whom I term my . sword had passed, but already cicatrized, and bear- Discretion in all honour and kindness, a gross insult, time ing the appearance of a wound lately healed. rendered yet more intolerable by the and " the This exhausts my patience, Sir Knight," said place, my just resentment did so gain mastery THE MONASTERY. 495 over my discretion, that I resolved to allow him not so well together, that I should receive them the privileges of an equal, and to indulge him with as gospel." " die combat." Reverend father," answered Sir Piercie Shafton, " "But, Sir Knight," said the Sub-Prior, "you I pray you in the first place to observe, that if still leave two matters very obscure. First, why I offer peaceful and civil justification of that which the tokon he presented to you gave you so much I kave already averred to be true, I do so only in witnessed and then devout deference to dress to offence, as I with others ; your and your order, again, how the youth, whom you then met for the protesting, that to any other opposite, saving a man the second so much of a I lirst, or, at least, time, knew religion, lady, or my liege prince, would not of your history as enabled him so greatly to move deign to support that which I had once attested, you." otherwise than with the point of my good sword. The knight coloured very deeply. And so much being premised, I have to add, that I " " For your first query," he said, most reverend can but gage my honour as a gentleman, and my father, we will, if you please, pretermit it as nothing faith as a catholic Christian, that the things which in for second I have described to essential to the matter hand ; and the you have happened to me as I protest to you that I know as little of his I have described them, and not otherwise." " means of knowledge as you do, and that I am well- It is a deep assertion, Sir answered " Knight," he deals with of which the Sub-Prior bethink it is nigh persuaded Sathanas, ; yet, you, only an more anon. Well, sir In the evening, I failed assertion, and that no reason can be alleged why not to veil my purpose with a pleasant brow, as is things should be believed which are so contrary die custom amongst us martialists, who never to reason. Let me pray you to say whether the display the bloody colours of defiance in our coun- grave, wliich has been seen at your place of combat, tenance until our hand is armed to fight under them. was open or closed when your encounter took I amused the fair Discretion with some canzonettes, place !" " " and other toys, which could not but be ravishing to Reverend father," said the knight, I .will ner inexperienced ears. I arose in the morning, veil from you nothing, but shew you each secret to for an of even as the and met my antagonist, who, say truth, my bosom ; pure fountain revealeth villagio, comported himself as stoutly the smallest which the sand at the inexperienced pebble graces " as I could have desired. So, coming to the bottom of its crystal mirror, and as " encounter, reverend sir, I did try his mettle with Speak in plain terms, for the love of heaven J" of with one said the " these some half-a-dozen downright passes, any monk ; holiday phrases belong not of which I could have been through his body, only to solemn affairs Was the grave open when the that I was loth to take so fatal an advantage, but conflict began 1" " " rather, mixing with just indignation, It was," answered the knight, I mercy my acknowledge" studied to inflict him some flesh-wound of no it even as he that upon ; acknowledged! " very fatal quality. But, sir, in the midst of my Nay, I pray you, fair son, forbear these clemency, he, being instigated, I think, by the similitudes, and observe me. On yesterday at even devil, did follow up his first offence with some no grave was found in that place, for old Martin insult of the same nature. Whereupon being eager chanced, contrary to his wont, to go thither in to punish him, I made an estramazone, and my quest of a strayed sheep. At break of day, by your foot slipping at the same time, not from any own confession, a grave was opened hi that spot, fault of fence on my part, or any advantage of skill and there a combat was fought only one of the on his, but the devil having, as I said, taken up the combatants appears, and he is covered with blood, matter hi hand, and the grass being slippery, ere and to all appearance woundless." Here the " I recovered my position I encountered his sword, knight made a gesture of impatience. Nay, fair which he had advanced, with my undefended per- son, hear me but one moment the grave is closed son, so that, as I think, I was in some sort run and covered by the sod what can we believe, but the body. Juvenal, being beyond that it conceals the bloody corpse of the fallen through My " measure appalled at his own unexpected and un- duellist merited success in this strange encounter, takes "By Heaven, it cannot !" said the knight, "unless the flight and leaves me there, and I fall into a the juvenal hath slain himself, and buried himself, dead swoon for the lack of the blood I had lost so hi order to place me hi the predicament of his foolishly ad when I awake, as from a sound murderer." " sleep, I find myself lying, an it like you, wrapt The grave shall doubtless be explored, and hi cloak at the foot of one of the birch-trees that to-morrow's said the " I up my by dawn," monk ; v.-hich stand together hi a clump near to this place. will see it done with mine own eyes." " " I feel my limbs, and experience little pain, but But," said the prisoner, I protest against all much weakness I put my hand to the wound evidence which may arise from its contents, and do it was whole and skinned over as you now see insist beforehand, that whatever may be found in it I rise and come hither and in these words that shall not in defence. ; grave prejudicate me my you have my whole day's story." I have been so haunted by diabolical in " deceptions I can only reply to so a tale," answered this matter, that what do I know but that the devil " strange the monk, that it is scarce possible that Sir Piercie may assume the form of this rustical juvenal, ia Shafton can expect me to credit it. Here is a order to procure me farther vexation ? I protest quarrel, the cause of which you conceal, a wound to you, holy father, it is my very thought that received in the morning, of which there is no there is witchcraft hi all that hath befallen me. recent appearance at sunset, a grave filled up, Since I entered into this northern land, in which in which no body is deposited the vanquished men say that sorceries do abound, I, who am held found alive and well the victor departed no man La awe and regard even by the prime gallants in the mows whither. These things, Sir Knight, hang court of Feliciana, have been here bearded and 496 WAVERLEY NOVELS. taunted by a clod-treading clown. I, whom "Vin- ing found in this rude place something which by centio Saviola termed his nimblest and most agile blood and birth might be termed a lady, and being in disciple, was, to speak briefly, foiled by a cow-boy, desirous to keep my gallant humour exercise, as who knew no more of fence than is used at every well as to shew my sworn devotion to the sex in country wake. I am run, as it seemed to me, general, I did shoot off some arrows of compliment through the body, with a very sufficient stoccata, at this Mary Avenel, terming her my Discretion, and faint on the spot; and yet, when I recover, with other quaint and well-imagined courtesies, I find myself without either wem or wound, and rather bestowed out of my bounty than warranted lacking nothing of my apparel, saving my murrey- by her merit, or perchance like unto the boyish coloured doublet, slashed with satin, which I will fowler, who, rather than not exercise his bird- be inquired after, lest the devil, who piece, will shoot at crows or magpies for lack of pray may " transported me, should have dropped it in his pas- better game " sage among some of the trees or bushes it being Mary Avenel is much obliged by your notice," " choice fanciful of which answered the but to all this a and most piece raiment, monk ; what does I wore for the first time at the Queen's pageant in detail of past and present gallantry conduct us ?" " Southwark." Marry, to this conclusion," answered the " " " said the do that either this I Sir Knight," monk, you again knight ; my Discretion, or this matter. I of am little less than bewitched instead go astray from inquire you myself, ; for, respecting that which concerns the life of another of receiving my accost with a gratified bow, answer- man, and, it may be, touches your own also, and ing my regard with a suppressed smile, accompany- doublet !" off or you answer me with a tale of an old ing my falling departure with a slight sigli " the " the honours with which I to Old !" exclaimed knight ; now, by gods protest you the noblest and saints, if there be a gallant at the British Court dancers and proudest beauties in Feliciana have more fancifully considerate, and more considerately graced my poor services she hath paid me as fanciful, more quaintly curious, and more curiously little and as cold regard as if I had been some quaint, in frequent changes of all rich articles of hob-nailed clown of these bleak mountains ! Nay, vesture, becoming one who may be accounted point- this very day, while I was in the act of kneeling de-vice a courtier, I will give you leave to term me at her feet to render her the succours of this a slave and a liar." pungent quintessence of purest spirit distilled by The monk thought, but did not say, that he had the fairest hands of the court of Feliciana, she already acquired right to doubt the veracity of the pushed me from her with looks which savoured of Euphuist, considering the marvellous tale which he repugnance, and, as I think, thrust at me with her had told. Yet his own strange adventure, and that foot as if to spurn me from her presence. Thesa of Father Philip, rushed on his mind, and forbade things, reverend father, are strange, portentous, his coming to any conclusion. He contented him- unnatural, and befall not in the current of mortal self, therefore, with observing, that these were affairs, but are symptomatic of sorcery and fasci- certainly strange incidents, and requested to know nation. So that, having given to your reverence a if Sir Piercie Shafton had any other reason for perfect, simple, and plain account of all that I know suspecting himself to be in a manner so particularly concerning this matter, I leave it to your wisdom selected for the sport of sorcery and witchcraft. to solve what may be found soluble in the same, " " Sir Sub-Prior," said the Euphuist, the most it being my purpose to-morrow, with the peep of extraordinary circumstance remains behind, which dawn, to set forward towards Edinburgh." " alone, had I neither been bearded in dispute, nor I grieve to be an interruption to your designs, " foiled in combat, nor wounded and cured in the Sir Knight," said the monk, but that purpose of space of a few hours, would nevertheless of itself, thine may hardly be fulfilled." " and without any other corroborative, have compelled How, reverend father !" said the knight, with " to believe the of malevolent if me myself subject some an air of the utmost surprise ; what you say fascination. Reverend sir, it is not to your ears respects my departure, understand that it must be, that men should tell tales of love and gallantry, nor for I have so resolved it." " " is Sir Piercie Shafton one who, to any ears whatso- Sir Knight," reiterated the Sub-Prior, T must ever, is wont to boast of his fair acceptance with once more repeat, this cannot be, until the Abbot's the choice beauties of the court inso- in the and prime ; pleasure be known matter." " much that a lady, none of the least resplendent Reverend sir," said the knight, drawing him- " constellations which revolve in that hemisphere of self up with great dignity, I desire my hearty but whose I to the but in honour, pleasure, and beauty, name and thankful commendations Abbot ; here pretermit, was wont to call me her Taciturnity. this matter I have nothing to do with his reverend Nevertheless truth must be and I cannot to consult spoken ; pleasure, designing only my own." but as the of the allowed " said the " the allow, general report court, Pardon me," Sub-Prior ; Lord in camps, and echoed back by city and country, Abbot hath in this matter a voice potential." that in the alacrity of the accost, the tender delicacy Sir Piercie Shafton's colour began to rise " of the regard, the facetiousness of the address, the I marvel," he said, "to hear your reverence talk and of adopting pursuing of the fancy, the solemn close thus What ! will you, for the imagined death the and graceful fall-off, Piercie Shafton was a rude low-born frampler and wrangler, venture the accounted only gallant of the time, and so well to impinge upon the liberty of the kinsman of the accepted amongst the choicer beauties of the age, house of Piercie ?" silk-hosed " that no reveller of the presence-chamber, Sir Knight," returned the Sub-Prior, civilly, the " or plumed jouster of tilt-yard, approached him your high h'neage and your kindling anger will by a bow's length in the ladies' regard, being the avail you nothing in this matter You shall not at which well-born and mark every generous Juvenal come here to seek a shelter, and then spill our blood aimeth his shaft Nevertheless, reverend sir, hav- as if it were water." THE MONASTERY. 497

" " 1 tell you," said the knight, once more, as I an hundred senses may 1 well term you," said the " told there was no blood fear I would that I will have you already, that young man ; not, say, in spilled but mine own !" any thing diminish the respect I owe to the vene- " That remains to be proved," replied the Sub- rable community by whom we have so long been " Prior we of the of Saint of less that I will do which ; community Mary's protected, far aught can Kennaquhair, use not to take fairy tales in exchange be personally less than respectful to you. Bat the for the lives of our liege vassals." blood of iny brother must not cry for vengeance " We of the house of Piercie," answered Shaf- ill vain your reverence knows our Border " ton, brook neither threats nor restraint I say creed." " ' I will travel to-morrow, happen what may !" Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord, and I will " " " And I," answered the Sub-Prior, in the same requite it,' answered the monk. The heathenish " tone of determination, say that I will break your custom of deadly feud which prevails in this laud, journey, come what may!" through which each man seeks vengeance at his " " Who shall gainsay me," said the knight, if I own hand wjien the death of a friend or kinsman has make my way by force 1" chanced, hath already deluged our vales with the " You will judge wisely to think ere you make blood of Scottish men, spilled by the hands of such an attempt," answered the monk, with com- countrymen and kindred. It were endless to count " there are in the Halidome the fatal results. the Eastern posure ; men enough up On Border, the to vindicate its rights over those who dare to Homes are at feud with the Swintons and Cock- hi the infringe them." burns ; our Middle Marches, Scotts and " My cousin of Northumberland will know how Kerrs have spilled as much brave blood in domestic to revenge this usage to a beloved kinsman so near feud as might have fought a pitched field in England, to his blood," said the Englishman. could they have but forgiven and forgotten a casual " The Lord Abbot will know how to protect the rencounter that placed their names in opposition of his territory, both with the temporal and to each other. On the west frontier, the John- rights " spiritual sword," said the monk. Besides, con- stones are at war with the Maxwells, the Jardines sider, were we to send you to your kinsman at with the Bells, drawing with them the flower of the Alnwick or Warkworth to-morrow, he dare do country, which should place their breasts as a nothing but transmit you in fetters to the Queen bulwark against England, into private and bloody of England. Bethink, Sir Knight, that you stand warfare, of which it is the only end to waste and on slippery ground, and will act most wisely in impair the forces of the country, already divided in reconciling yourself to be a prisoner in this place itself. Do not, my dear son Edsvard, permit this until the Abbot shall decide the matter. There are bloody prejudice to master your mind. I cannot armed men enow to countervail all your efforts at ask you to think of the crime supposed as if the escape. Let patience and resignation, therefore, blood spilled had been less dear to you Alas ! arm you to a necessary submission." I know that is impossible. But I do require you, So saying, he clapped his hands, and called aloud. hi proportion to your interest in the supposed Edward entered, accompanied by two young men sufferer, (for as yet the whole is matter of sup- who had already joined him, and were well armed. position,) to bear on your mind the evidence on " " Edward," said the Sub-Prior, you will supply which the guilt of the accused person must be tried. (he English knight here in this spence with suitable He hath spoken with me, and I confess his tale is so food and accommodation for the night, treating him extraordinary, that I should have, without a mo with as much kindness as if nothing had happened incut's hesitation, rejected it as incredible, but that between you. But you will place a sufficient guard, an affair which chanced to myself in this very glen and look carefully that he make not his escape. More of that another time Suffice it for the Should he attempt to break forth, resist him to the present to say, that from what I have myself expe- in no other case hair of I it as death ; but harm a his rienced, deem possible, that, extraordinary head, as you shall be answerable." Sir Piercie Shafton's story may seem, I hold it not " Edward Glendinning replied, That I may utterly impossible." " obey your commands, reverend sir, I will not again Father," said Edward Glendinning, when he to this for it that his farther offer myself person's presence ; shame saw preceptor paused, unwilling were to me to break the peace of the Halidome, to explain upon what grounds he was inclined to but not less shame to leave my brother's death give a certain degree of credit to Sir Piercie Shaf- unavenged." ton's story, while he admitted it as improbable " in sense. As he spoke, his lip grew livid, the blood for- Father to me you have been every sook his cheek, and he was about to leave the You know that my hand grasped more readily to the to the and that I lacked apartment, when the Sub-Prior recalled him and book than sword ; utterly " " said in a solemn tone, Edward, I have known the ready and bold spirit which distinguished you from infancy I have done what lay within Here his voice faltered, and he paused for a my reach to be of use to you I say nothing of moment, and then went on with resolution and what you owe to me as the representative of your rapidity "I would say, tliat I was unequal to Halbert in of heart and of haud but spiritual Superior I say nothing of the duty from promptitude ; the vassal to the Sub-Prior But Father Eustace Halbert is gone, and I stand his representative, and expects from the pupil whom he has nurtured that of my father his successor in all his rights," " bound he expects from Edward Glendinning, that he will (while he said this his eyes shot fire,) and not by any deed of sudden violence, however jus- to assert and maintain them as he would have tified in his own mind by the provocation, break done therefore I am a changed man, increased through the respect due to public justice, or that in courage as in my rights and pretensions. And, which he has an especial right to claim from him." reverend father, respectfully, but plainly and firmly u Fear nothing, uiy reverend father, for so in do I say, his Wood, if it has beeu shed by tlua 100 498 WAVERLEY NOVELS.

man, shall be atoned Halbert shall not sleep and inveterate, was sufficient cause of anxiety to neglected in his lonely grave, as if with him the Father Eustace. But he had also to consider the spirit of my father had ceased for ever. His blood situation of his community, dishonoured and de- flows in my veins, and while his has been poured graded by submitting to suffer the slaughter of a forth mine will me no rest. vassal to a circumstance unrequited, permit pass unavenged ; which of My poverty and meanness of rank shall not avail itself might in those difficult times have afforded the lordly murderer. My calm nature and peaceful pretext for a revolt among their wavering adhe- studies shall not be his protection. Even the rents, or, on the other hand, exposed the commu- obligations, holy father, which I acknowledge to nity to imminent danger, should they proceed you, shall not be his protection. I wait with against a subject of England of high degree, con- patience the judgment of the Abbot and Chapter, nected with the house of Northumberland, and for the slaughter of one of their most anciently other northern families of high rank, who, as they descended vassals. If they do right to my brother's possessed the means, could not be supposed to lack memory, it is well. But mark me, father, if they inclination, to wreak upon the patrimony of Saint shall fail in rendering me that justice, I bear a Mary of Kennaquhair, any violence which might heart and a hand which, though I love not such be offered to then? kinsman. extremities, are capable of remedying such an error. In either case, the Sub-Prior well knew that the He who takes up my brother's succession must ostensible cause of feud, insurrection, or incursion, avenge his death." being once afforded, the case would not be ruled The monk perceived with surprise, that Edward, either by reason or by evidence, and he groaned in with his extreme diffidence, humility, and obedient spirit when, upon counting up the chances which assiduity, for such were his genez-al characteristics, arose in this ambiguous dilemma, he found he had had still boiling in his veins the wild principles of only a choice of difficulties. He was a monk, but those from whom he was descended, and by whom he felt also as a man, indignant at the supposed he was surrounded. His eyes sparkled, his frame slaughter of young Glendinning by one skilful in was agitated, and the extremity of his desire of all the practice of arms, in which the vassal of the seemed to a to his was most to be deficient vengeance give vehemence Monastery likely ; and manner resembling the restlessness of to aid the resentment which he felt for the loss " joy. " May God help us," said Father Eustace, for, of a youth whom he had known from infancy, frail wretches as we are, we cannot help ourselves came in full force the sense of dishonour arising under sudden and strong temptation. Edward, to his community from passing over so gross an I will rely on your word that you do nothing rashly." insult unavenged. Then the h'ght in which it "That will I not," said Edward, "that, my might be viewed by those who at present presided better than father, I surely will not. But the in the stormy Court of Scotland, attached as they blood of my brother, the tears of my mother were to the Reformation, and allied by common and and and of Mary Avenel, shall not be shed faith and common interest with Queen Elizabeth, in vain. I will not deceive you, father if this was a formidable subject of apprehension. Th^ Piercie Shafton hath slain my brother, he dies, if Sub-Prior well knew how they lusted after the the whole blood of the whole house of Piercie were revenues of the church, (to express it in the ordi- in his veins." nary phrase of the religious of the time,) and how There was a deep and solemn determination in readily they would grasp at such a pretext for the utterance of Edward Glendinning, expressive encroaching on those of Saint Mary's, as would be of a rooted resolution. The Sub-Prior sighed afforded by the suffering to pass unpunished the deeply, and for the moment yielded to circum- death of a native Scottishman by a Catholic stances, and urged the acquiescence of his pupil Englishman, a rebel to Queen Elizabeth. no farther. He commanded lights to be placed in On the other hand, to deliver up to England, or, the lower chamber, which for a time he paced in which was nearly the same thing, to the Scottish silence. administration, an English knight leagued with the A thousand ideas, and even differing principles, Piercie by kindred and political intrigue, a faithful debated with each other in his bosom. He greatly follower of the Catholic Cnurch, who had fled to doubted the English knight's account of the duel, the Halidome for protection, was, in the estimation and of what had followed it. Yet the extraordinary of the Sub-Prior, an act most unworthy in itself and supernatural circumstances which had befallen and meriting the malediction of Heaven, besides the Sacristan and himself in that very glen, pre- being, moreover, fraught with great temporal risk. vented him from being absolutely incredulous on If the government of Scotland was now almost the score of the wonderful wound and recovery of entirely in the hands of the Protestant party, the Sir Piercie Shafton, and prevented him from at Queen was still a Catholic, and there was no know- once condemning as impossible that which was ing when, amid the sudden changes which agitated altogether improbable. Then he was at a loss how that tumultuous country, she might find herself at to control the fraternal affections of Edward, with the head of her own affairs, and able to protect respect to whom he felt something like the keeper those of her own faith. Then if the Court of of a wild animal, a lion's whelp or tiger's cub, England and its Queen were zealously Protestant, which he has held under his command from the northern counties, whose friendship or enmity infancy, but which, when grown to maturity, on were of most consequence in the first instance to some sudden provocation displays his fangs and the community of Saint Mary's, contained many talons, erects his crest, resumes his savage nature, Catholics, the heads of whom were able, and must suffered and bids defiance at once to his keeper and to all be supposed willing, to avenge any injury mankind. by Sir Piercie Shafton. How to restrain and mitigate an ire which the On either side, the Sub-Prior, thinking, according the universal example of the times rendered deadly to his sense of duty, most anxiously for safety THE MONASTERY. 499

and welfare of his Monastery, saw the greatest risk VIII. of damage, blame, inroad, and confiscation. The CHAPTER XX only course on which he could determine, was to lie is at liberty, I have ventured for him ! stand the helm like a resolute pilot, watch every by if the law his best to weather each reef and contingence, do Find and condemn me for 't, some living wenches, Some honest-hearted will shoal, and commit the rest to heaven and his maids sing my dirge, And tell to memory my death was noble, patroness. Dying almost a martyr. As he left the apartment, the knight called after Tico Noble Kintmen. him, beseeching he would order his trunk-mails to be sent into his apartment, understanding he was THE Sub-Prior of Saint Mary's, in taking his to be guarded there for the night, as he wished to departure from the spence in which Sir Piercie ' make some alteration in his apparel. Shafton was confined, and in which some prepara- " Ay, ay," said the monk, muttering as he went tions were made for his passing the night as the " up the winding stair, carry him his trumpery room which might be most conveniently guarded, with all despatch. Alas ! that man, with so many left more than one perplexed person behind him. noble objects of pursuit, will amuse himself like a There was connected with this chamber, and

bells ! into jackanape, with a laced jerkin and a cap and opening it, a small ovtshot, or projecting part of I must now to the melancholy work of consoling the building, occupied by a sleeping apartment, that which is well-nigh inconsolable, a mother which upon ordinary occasions, was that of Mary weeping for her first-born." Avenel, and which, in the unusual number of guests Advancing, after a gentle knock, into the apart- who had come to the tower on the former evening, ment of the women, he found that Mary Avenel had also accommodated Mysie Happer, the Miller's retired to and that for as well as in the had bed, extremely indisposed, daughter ; anciently, present Dame Glendinning and Tibb were indulging their day, a Scottish house was always rather too nar- sorrows by the side of a decaying fire, and by the row and limited for the extent of the owner's hos- light of a small iron lamp, or cruize, as it was pitality, and some shift and contrivance was neces- termed. Poor Elspeth's apron was thrown over sary, upon any unusual occasion, to ensure the her head, and bitterly did she sob and weep for accommodation of all the guests. " her beautiful, her brave, the very image of her The fatal news of Halbert Glendinning's death dear Simon Glendinning, the stay of her widowhood had thrown all former arrangements into confusion. and the support of her old age." Mary Avenel, whose case required immediate The faithful Tibb echoed her complaints, and, attention, had been transported into the apartment more violently clamorous, made deep promises of hitherto occupied by Halbert and bis brother, as " revenge on Sir Piercie Shafton, if there were a the latter proposed to watch all night, in order to man left hi the south who could draw a whinger, or prevent the escape of the prisoner. Poor Mysie a woman that could thraw a rape." The presence had been altogether overlooked, and had naturally of the Sub-Prior imposed silence on these clamours. enough betaken herself to the little apartment He sate down by the unfortunate mother, and which she had hitherto occupied, ignorant that the his reason essayed, by such topics as religion and spence, through which lay the only access to it, was suggested, to interrupt the current of Dame Glen- to be the sleeping chamber of Sir Piercie Shafton. but tb.2 in vain. measures taken for dinning's feelings ; attempt was The securing him there had She listened, indeed, with some little interest, while been so sudden, that she was not aware of it, until he pledged his word and his influence with the she found that the other females had been removed Abbot, that the family which had lost their eldest- from the spence by the Sub-Prior's direction, and born by means of a guest received at his command, having once missed the opportunity of retreating should experience particular protection at the along with them, bashfulness, and the high respect of the that the fief which she was to to the hands community ; and which taught bear monks, pre- belonged to Simon Glendinning should, with ex- vented her venturing forth alone, and intruding tended bounds and added privileges, be conferred herself on the presence of Father Eustace, while on Edward. in secret conference with the Soutliron. There But it was only for a very brief space that the appeared no remedy but to wait till their interview mother's sobs her was over as the door was did not were apparently softer, and grief ; and, thin, and more mild. She soon blamed herself for casting a shut very closely, she could hear every word that moment's thought upon world's gear while poor passed betwixt them. Halbert was lying stretched in his bloody shirt. It thus happened, that without any intended The Sub-Prior was not more fortunate, when he intrusion on her part, she became privy to the " promised that Halbert's body should be removed whole conversation of the Sub-Prior and the to hallowed ground, and his soul secured by the English knight, and could also observe from the prayers of the church in his behalf." Grief would window of .her little retreat, that more than one of have its natural course, and the voice of the com- the young men summoned by Edward arrived suc- forter was wasted in vain. cessively at the tower. These circumstances led her to entertain most serious apprehension that the See Note K. foppery of the Sixteenth Century. life of Sir Piercie Shafton was in great and instant peril. "Woman is naturally compassionate, and not less willingly so when youth and fair features are on the side of him who claims her sympathy. The handsome presence, elaborate dress and address of Sir Piercie Shafton, which had failed to make any favourable impression on the grave and lofty 500 WAVEELEY NOVELS.

of Mary Aveuel, had completely dazzled the benefit I am about TO confer upOH Sn* Piercie iiiid bewildered the poor Maid of the Mill. The Shafton, do nothing towards removing the distance knight had perceived tins result, and, flattered by of rank between us ?" which femal j seeing that his merit was not universally under- Such was the question vanity asked deal ' of and even dared not answer rated, he had bestowed on Mysie a good more fancv ; though fancy of his courtesy than in his opinion her rank war- in a ready affirmative, a middle conclusion was " ranted. It was not cast away, but received with a adopted Let me first succour the gallant youth, the rest." devout sense of his condescension, and with grati- and trust to fortune for tude for his personal notice, which, joined to her Banishing, therefore, from her mind every tiling fears for his safety, and the natural tenderness of that was personal to herself, the rash but generous her disposition, began to make wild work in her girl turned her whole thoughts to the means of heart. executing this enterprise. " To be sure it was very wrong in him to slay The difficulties which interposed were of ua the nature. The the oi Halbert Glendinning," (it was thus she argued ordinary vengeance of men " in cases case with herself,) but then he was a gentleman that country, of deadly feud, that is, in born, and a soldier, and so gentle and courteous cases of a quarrel excited by the slaughter of any withal, that she was sure the quarrel had been all of their relations, was one of their most marked of for it was characteristics and however in young Glendinning's own seeking ; ; Edward, gentle well known that both these lads were so taken up other respects, was so fond of his brother, that there be doubt that /.n with that Mary Avenel, that they never looked at could no he would be as signal another lass in the Halidome, more than if they his revenge as the customs of the country autho- were of a different degree. And then Halbert's rized. There were to be passed the inner doer ol dress was as clownish as his manners were the apartment, the two gates of the tower itself, and and this was the of the ere the was at haughty ; poor young gentleman, (who gate court-yard, prisoner from his own and then a and means of were habited like any prince,) banished liberty ; guide flight land, was first drawn into a quarrel by a rude to be provided, otherwise ultimate escape was im- brangler, and then persecuted and like to be put to possible. But where the will of woman is strongly death by his kin and allies." bent on the accomplishment of such a purpose, her Mysie wept bitterly at the thought, and then her wit is seldom baffled by difficulties, however em- heart rising against such cruelty and oppression to barrassing. a defenceless stranger, who dressed with so much The Sub-Prior had not long left the apartment, skill, and spoke with so much grace, she began to ere Mysie had devised a scheme for Sir Piercie consider whether she could not render him some Shafton's freedom, daring, indeed, but likely to be assistance in this extremity. successful, if dexterously conducted. It was neces- Her mind was now entirely altered from its sary, however, that she should remain where she original purpose. At first her only anxiety had was till so late an hour, that all in the tower should been to find the means of escaping from the interior have betaken themselves to repose, excepting those noticed one but whose made them watchers. The interval she apartment, without being by any ; duty now she began to think that Heaven had placed her employed in observing the movements of the person there for the safety and protection of the persecuted in whose service she was thus boldly a volunteer. stranger. She was of a simple and affectionate, She could hear Sir Piercie Shafton pace the floor but at the same time an alert and enterprising to and fro, in reflection doubtless on his own unto- character, possessing more than female strength of ward fate and precarious situation. By and by she body, and more than female courage, though with heard him making a rustling among his trunks, feelings as capable of being bewildered with gal- which, agreeable to the order of the Sub-Prior, had lantry of dress and language, as a fine gentleman been placed in the apartment to which he was con- of any generation would have desired to exercise fined, and which he was probably amusing more " his talents upon. I will save him," she thought, melancholy thoughts by examining and arranging. " that is the first thing to be resolved and then I Then she could hear him resume his walk tlirough wonder what he will say to the poor Miller's maiden, the room, and, as if his spirits had been somewhat that has done for him what all the dainty dames relieved and elevated by the survey of his ward- in London or Holyrood would have been afraid to robe, she could distinguish that at one turn he hall venture upon." recited a sonnet, at another half whistled a galliard, Prudence began to pull her sleeve as she indulged and at the third hummed a saraband. At length speculations so hazardous, and hinted to her that she could understand that he extended himself the warmer Sir Piercie Shafton's gratitude might on the temporary couch which had been allotted prove, it was the more likely to be fraught with to him, after muttering his prayers hastily, and hi a danger to his benefactress. Alas ! poor Prudence, short time she concluded he must be fast asleep. thou mayest say with our moral teacher, She employed the moments which intervened hi " considering her enterprize under every different I preach for ever, but I preach in vain." as it the review aspect ; and dangerous was, steady The Miller's maiden, while you pour your warning which she took of the various perils accompanying into her unwilling bosom, has glanced her eye on her purpose, furnished her with plausible devices the small mirror by which she has placed her little for obviating them. Love and generous compas- lamp, and it returns to her a countenance and sion, which give singly such powerful impulse to eyes, pretty and sparkling at all times, but ennobled the female heart, were in this case united, and at present with th energy of expression proper to championed her to the last extremity of hazard. those who have daoed to form, and stand prepared It was an hour past midnight. All in the tower to execute, deeds of generous audacity. slept soundly but those who had undertaken to " Will these features will these to the or if sorrow and suffer* eyes, joined guard English prisoner ; THE MONASTERY. 501 ing droT<5 sleep from the bed of Dame Glendinning that the Baker's nymph of Raphael d'Urbino shall and her foster-daughter, they were too much seem but a gipsey in comparison of my Molinara." " wrapt in their own griefs to attend to external I pray you, then, be silent," said the Miller's " sounds. of were at hand if that The means striking light daughter ; for your speech betrays you in the small apartment, and thus the Miller's are awake, my scheme fails utterly, and it is maiden was enabled to light and trim a small Heaven's mercy and Our Lady's that we are not lamp. With a trembling step and throbbing heart, already overheard and discovered." " " she undid the door which separated her from the I am silent," replied the Southron, even as apartment in which the Southron knight was con- the starless night but yet if tliis contrivance fined, and almost flinched from her fixed purpose, of thine should endanger thy safety, fair and no when she fonnd herself in the same room with the less kind than fair damsel, it were utterly unworthy sleeping prisoner. She scarcely trusted herself to of me to accept it at thy hand." " " look as he in his Do not think of said I upon him, lay wrapped cloak, me," Mysie, hastily ; and fast asleep upon the pallet bed, but turned am safe I will take thought for myself, if I once her eyes away while she gently pulled his mantle saw you out of this dangerous dwelling if you with no more force than was just equal to awaken would provide yourself with any part of your apparel him. He moved not until she had twitched his or goods, lose no time." cloak a second and a third time, and then at length The knight did, however, lose some time, ere he looking up, was about to make an exclamation in could settle in his own mind what to take and what the suddenness of his surprise. to abandon of his wardrobe, each article of which Mysie's bashfulness was conquered by her fear. seemed endeared to him by recollection of the She placed her fingers on her lips, in token that ho feasts and revels at which it had been exhibited. must observe the most strict silence, and then For some little while Mysie left him to make his pointed to the door to intimate that it was watched. selections at leisure, for she herself had also some Sir Piercie Shafton now collected himself, and preparations to make for flight. But when, return- sat upright on his couch. He gazed with surprise ing from the chamber into which she had retired, on the graceful figure of the young woman who with a small bundle in her hand, she found him still stood before her her him ; well-formed person, indecisive, she insisted in plain terms, that he flowing hair, and the outline of her features, shewed should either make up his baggage for the enter- dimly, and yet to advantage, by the partial and prise, or give it up entirely. Thus urged, the dis- feeble light which she held in her hand. The consolate knight hastily made up a few clothes into romantic imagination of the gallant would soon a bundle, regarded his trunk-mails with a mute have coined some compliment proper for the occa- expression of parting sorrow, and intimated hia sion, but Mysie left him not time. readiness to wait upon his kind guide. " I come," she said, ".to save your life, which is She led the way to the door of the apartment. else in great peril if you answer me, speak as low having first carefully extinguished her lamp, and as you can, for they have sentinelled your door with motioning to the knight to stand close beliind her, armed men." tapped once or twice at the door. She was at " Comeliest of millers' daughters," answered Sir length answered by Edward Glendinning, who Piercie, who by this time was sitting upright on his demanded to know who knocked within, and what " couch, dread nothing for my safety. Credit me, was desired. " " that, as in very truth, I have not spilled the red Speak low," said Mysie Happer, or you will puddle (which these villagios call the blood) of their awaken the English knight. It is I, Mysie Happer, most uncivil relation, so I am under no apprehen- who knock I wish to get out you have locked sion whatever for the issue of this restraint, seeing me up and I was obliged to wait till the Southron that it cannot but be harmless to me. Natheless, slept." " to thee, O most Molendinar beauty, I return the Locked you up !" replied Edward, in surprise. " " thanks which thy courtesy may justly claim." Yes," answered the Miller's daughter, you " Nay, but, Sir Knight," answered the maiden,,in have locked me up into this room I was in " a whisper as low as it was tremulous, I deserve Mary Avenel's sleeping apartment." " no thanks, unless you will act by my counsel. And can you not remain there till morning," " Edward Glendinning hath sent for Dan of the replied Edward, since it has so chanced ?" " Howlet-hirst, and young Adie of Aikenshaw, and What !" said the Miller's daughter, in a tone " they are come with three men more, and with bow, of offended delicacy, I remain here a moment and jack, and spear, and I heard them say to each longer than I can get out without discovery ! I other, and to Edward, as they alighted in the court, would not, for all the Halidome of St Mary's, that they would have amends for the death of remain a minute longer in the neighbourhood of a their kinsman, if the monk's cowl should smoke for man's apartment than I can help it For whom, it And the vassals are so wilful now, that the or for what do you hold me ? I promise you, my Abbot himself dare not control them, for fear they father's daughter has been better brought up tliau turn heretics, and refuse to pay their feu-duties." to put in peril her good name." " " "In faith," said Sir Piercie Shafton, it may Come forth then, and get to thy chamber in be a shrewd temptation, and perchance the monks silence," said Edward. may rid themselves of trouble and cumber, by So saying, he undid the bolt The staircase with- lianding me over the march to Sir John Foster or out was in utter darkness, as Mysie had before Lord Hunsdon, the English wardens, and so make ascertained. So soon as she stept out, she took hold peace with their vassals and with England at once. of Edward as if to support herself, thus interposing Fairest Molinara, I will for once walk by thy rede, her person betwixt him and Sir Piercie Shafton, and if thou dost contrive to extricate me from this by whom she was closely followed. Thus screened vile kennel, I will so celebrate thy wit and beauty, from observation, the Englishman slipped past on 502 \YAYEELEY NOVELS.

unshod and in silence, while ttie damsel digested her coyness, and then presenting herself tiptoe, " complained to Edward that she wanted a light. before the watchful sentinel, demanded of him the " " the I cannot get you a light," said he, for I keys of the outer tower, and of court-yard this but there is a fire below." cannot leave post ; gate." " " I will sit below till morning," said the Maid of And for what purpose 1" answered the warder. " the Mill; and, tripping down stairs, heard Edward To milk the cows, and drive them out to then? " bolt and bar the door of the now tenantless apart- pasture," said Mysie ; you would not have the ment with vain caution. poor beasts kept in the byre a' morning, and the At the foot of the stair which she descended, family in such distress, that there is na ane fit to she found the object of her care waiting her farther do a turn but the byre-woman and myself ?" " directions. She recommended to him the most And where is the byre-woman ?" said Dan. " absolute silence, which, for once hi his life, he Sitting with me in the kitchen, in case these seemed not to observe, conducted him distressed folks want any unwilling " thing." with as much caution as if he were walking on There are the keys, then, Mysie Dorts," said cracked to a dark used for the sentinel. ice, recess, depositing " wood, and instructed him to ensconce himself behind Many thanks, Dan Ne'er-do-weel," answered the fagots. She herself lighted her lamp once the Maid of the Mill, and escaped down stairs in a more at the kitchen fire, and took her distaff and moment. the spindle, that she might not seem to be unemployed, To hasten to wood-hole, and there to robe the in case any one came into the apartment. From English knight in a short-gown and petticoat, which tune t time, however, she stole towards the she had provided for the purpose, was the work of the another window on tiptoe, to catch the first glance of moment. She then undid the gates of the dawn, for the farther prosecution of her adven- tower, and made towards the byre, or cow-house, in turous project. At length she saw, to her great which stood one corner of the court-yard. Sir joy, the first peep of the morning brighten upon the Piercie Shafton remonstrated against the delay gray clouds of the east, and, clasping her hands which this would occasion. together, thanked Our Lady for the sight, and im- "Fair and generous Molinara," he said, "had plored protection during the remainder of her enter- we not better undo the outward gate, and make the started prise. Ere she had finished her prayer, she best of our way hence, even like a pair of sea-mews at feeling a man's arm across her shoulder, while who make towards shelter of the rocks as the storm a rough voice spoke in her ear "What! menseful waxes high !" Mysie of the Mill so soon at her prayers ? now, "We must drive oat the cows first," said Mysie, " benison on the bonny eyes that open so early! I'll for a sin it were to spoil the poor widow's cattle, kiss for morrow's sake." both for her sake the beasts' I have a good and poor own ; and Dan of the Howlet-hirst, for he was the gallant have no mind any one shall leave the tower in a who paid Mysie this compliment, suited the action hurry to follow us. Besides, you must have your with the word, and the action, as is usual in such horse, for you will need a fleet one ere all be cases of rustic gallantry, was rewarded with a cuff, done." which Dan received as a fine gentleman receives So saying, she locked and double-locked both the a tap with a fan, but which, delivered by the ener- inward and outward door of the tower, proceeded getic arm of the Miller's maiden, would have to the cow-house, turned out the cattle, and, giving certainly astonished a less robust gallant. the knight his own horse to lead, drove them before " " How now, Sir Coxcomb !" said she, and must her out at the court-yard gate, intending to return you be away from your guard over the English for her own palfrey. But the noise attending the knight, to plague quiet folks with your horse- first operation caught the wakeful attention of tricks !" Edward, who, starting to the bartizan, called to " Truly you are mistaken, pretty Mysie," said the know what the matter was. " " clown, for I have not yet reh'eved Edward at his Mysie answered with great readiness, that she were it not a shame to let him out the for that post ; and stay any was driving cows, they would be longer, by faith, I could find it in heart not spoiled for want of looking to." my my " to quit you these two hours." I thank thee, kind maiden," said Edward " " " Oh, you have hours and hours enough to see and yet," he added, after a moment's pause, what " of the is thee ?" any one," said Mysie ; but you must think damsel that thou hast with distress of the household even now, and get Edward Mysie was about to answer, when Sir Piercie to sleep for a while, for he has kept watch this whole Shafton, who apparently did not desire that the night." work of his liberation should be executed " great I will have another kiss first," answered Dan without the interposition of his own ingenuity, ex- " of the Howlet-hirst. claimed from beneath, I am she, O most bucolical But Mysie was now on her guard, and, conscious juvenal, under whose charge are placed the milky of the vicinity of the wood-hole, offered such strenu- mothers of the herd." " ous resistance, that the swam cursed the nymph's Hell and darkness !" exclaimed Edward, hi a " bad humour with very unpastoral phrase and transport of fury and astonishment, it is Piercie emphasis, and ran up stairs to relieve the guard of Shafton What! treason! treason! ho! Dan his comrade. Stealing to the door, she heard the Jasper Martin the villain escapes I" " new sentinel hold a brief conversation with Edward, To horse ! to horse !" cried Mysie, and in aa after which the latter withdrew, and the former instant mounted behind the knight, who was already entered upon the duties of his watch. in the saddle. Mysie suffered him to walk there a little while Edward caught up a cross-bow, and let fly a bolt, undisturbed, until the dawning became more gene- which whistled so near Mysie's ear, that she called " ral, by which time she supposed he might have to her companion, Spur spur, Sir Knight ! THE MONASTERY. 503

the next will not miss us. Had it been Halbert ficent liberatrice ! Dismount, then, O lovely instead of Edward who bent that bow, we had been Molinara, unless thou wouldst rather that I should dead." transport thee on horseback to the house of thy The knight pressed his horse, which dashed past molendinary father, which, if thou sayest the word, the cows, and down the knoll on which the tower I am prompt to do, defying all dangers which may was situated. Then taking the road down the arise to me personally, whether bj monk or valley, the gallant animal, reckless of its double miller." burden, soon conveyed them out of hearing of the Mysie suppressed her sobs, and with, conside- tumult and alarm with which their departure filled rable difficulty muttered her desire to aligbt, and the Tower of Gleadearg. take her fortune by herself. Sir Piercie Shaftou, Thus it strangely happened, that two men were too devoted a squire of dames to consider the most flying in different directions at the same time, each lowly as exempted from a respectful attention, in- accused of being the other's murderer. dependent of tile claims which the Miller's maiden possessed over him, dismounted instantly from his horse, and received in his arms the poor girl, who still wept bitterly, and, when placed on the ground, CHAPTER XXIX. seemed scarce able to support herself, or at least still clung, though, as it appeared, unconsciously, . Sure he cannot to the support he had afforded. Ho carried her Be so as to leave me here unmanly ; to a weeping birch tree, which grew on the green- If he do, maids will not so easily sward bank around which the road and, Trust men again. winded, The Twt NMe Kinsmen. placing her on the ground beneath it, exhorted her to compose herself. A strong touch of natural THE knight continued to keep the good horse struggled with, and half overcame, lu's feeling " at a pace as quick as the road permitted, until acquired affectation, while he said, Credit me, they had cleared the valley of Glendearg, and most generous damsel, the service yon have done to entered upon the broad dale of the Tweed, which Piercie Shafton he would have deemed too dearly now rolled before them in crystal beauty, displaying bought, had he foreseen it was to cost you these on its opposite bank the huge gray Monastery of St tears and singults. Shew me the cause of your Mary's, whose towers and pinnacles were scarce grief, and if I can do aught to remove it, believe yet touched by the newly-risen sun, so deeply the that the rights you have acquired over me will edifice lies shrouded under the mountains winch rise make your commands sacred as those of an em- to the southward. press. Speak, then, fair Molinara, and command Turning to the left, the knight continued his him whom fortune hath rendered at once your road down the northern bank of the river, until debtor and your champion. What are your they arrived nearly opposite to the weir, or dam- orders ?" " dike, where Father Philip concluded his extra- Only that you will fly and save yourself," said ordinary aquatic excursion. Mysie, mustering up her utmost efforts to utter Sir Piercie Shafton, whose brain seldom admitted these few words. " " more than one idea at a time, had hitherto pushed Yet," said the knight, let me not leave you forward without very distinctly considering where without some token of remembrance." Mysie would he was going. But the sight of the Monastery so have said there needed none, and most truly would near to him, reminded him that he was still on she have spoken, could she have spoken for weeping. " " dangerous ground, and that he must necessarily Piercie Shafton is poor," he continued, but let hia provide for his safety by choosing some settled plan this chain testify he is not ungrateful to of escape. The situation of his guide and deliverer deliverer." also occurred to him, for he was far from being He took from his neck the rich chain and either selfish or ungrateful. He listened, and dis- medallion we have formerly mentioned, and put covered that the JVIiller's daughter was sobbing it into the powerless hand of the poor maiden, who and weeping bitterly as she rested her head on his neither received nor rejected it, but, occupied with shoulder. more intense feelings, seemed scarce aware of what " " What ails thee," he said, my generous Molin- he was doing. " ara ? is there aught that Piercie Shafton can do We shall meet again," said Sir Piercie Shafton, his to his deliverer I" " least I trust so no which may shew gratitude at ; meanwhile, weep more, Mysie pointed with her finger across the river, but fair Molinara, an thou lovest me." ventured not to turn her eyes in that direction. The phrase of conjuration was but used as an " Nay, but speak plain, most generous damsel," ordinary commonplace expression of the time, but said the knight, who, for once, was puzzled as much bore a deeper sense to poor Mysie's ear. She dried as his own of to when the in all kind and elegance speech was wont puzzle her tears ; and knight, others, "for I swear to you that I comprehend chivalrous courtesy, stooped to embrace her at their nought by the extension of thy fair digit." parting, she rose humbly up to receive the proffered " Yonder is my father's house," said Mysie, honour in a posture of more deference, and meekly in a voice interrupted by the increased burst of her and gratefully accepted the offered salute. Sir borrow. Piercie Shafton mounted his horse, and began to " And I was carrying thee discourteously to a ride off, burf curiosity, or perhaps a stronger distance from thy habitation 1" said Shafton, ima- feeling, soon induced him to look back, when he gining he had found out the source of her grief. beheld the Miller's daughter standing still motion- " Wo worth the hour that Piercie Shafton, in less on the spot where they had parted, her eyes chain attention to his own safety, neglected the accommo- turned after him, and *^e unheeded hangif dation of any female, far less of his most bene- from her hand. 504 WAVERLEY NOVELS.

It was at tliis moment that a glimpse of the should dare to injure a hair of your head ! There- real state of Mysie's affections, and of the motive fore be hopeful and content, kind Mysinda, and from which she had acted in the whole matter, know you have obliged one who can and will avenge glanced on Sir Piercie Shafton's mind. The gallants the slightest wrong offered to you." of that age, disinterested, aspiring, and lofty-minded He sprung from his horse as he spoke, and, in the even in their coxcombry, were strangers to those animation of his argument, grasped the willing hand degrading and mischievous pursuits which are of Mysie, (or Mysinda as he had now christened " usually termed low amours. They did not chase her.) He gazed too upon full black eyes, fixed the humble maidens of the plain," or degrade their upon his own with an expression which, however own rank, to deprive rural innocence of peace and subdued by maidenly shame, it was impossible to virtue. It followed, of course, that as conquests in mistake, on cheeks where something like hope this class were no part of their ambition, they were began to restore the natural colour, and on two in most cases totally overlooked and unsuspected, lips which, like double rosebuds, were kept a little left unimproved, as a modern would call it, where, apart by expectation, and shewed within a line of as on the present occasion, they were casually teeth as white as pearl. All this was dangerous made. The companion of Astrophel, and flower of to look upon, and Sir Piercie Shafton, after repeating the tilt-yard of Feliciana, had no more idea that with less and less force his request that the fnir his graces and good parts could attach the love of Mysinda would allow him to carry her to her Mysie Happer, than a first-rate beauty hi the boxes father's, ended by asking the fair Mysinda to go " " dreams of the fatal wound which her charms may along with him At least," he added, until I inflict on some attorney's romantic apprentice in shall be able to conduct you to a place of safety." the I in the pit. suppose, any ordinary case, pride Mysie Happer made no answer ; but blushing of rank and distinction would have pronounced on scarlet betwixt joy and shame, mutely expressed the humble admirer the doom which Beau Fielding her willingness to accompany the Southron Knight, " denounced against the whole female world, Let by her bundle closer, and preparing to re- knitting " them look and die ;" but the obligations under sume her seat en croupe. And what is your which he lay to the enamoured maiden, miller's pleasure that I should do with this ?" she said daughter as she was, precluded the possibility of holding up the chain as if she had been for the Sir Piercie's treating the matter en cavalier, and, first time aware that it was in her hand. little flattered at the " fairest for said the much embarrassed, yet a same Keep it, Mysinda, my sake," time, he rode back to try what could be done for Knight. " the damsel's relief. " the Not so, sir," answered Mysie, gravely ; The innate modesty of poor Mysie could not maidens of my country take no such gifts from their prevent her shewing too obvious signs of joy at Sir superiors, and I need no token to remind me of this Piercie Shafton's return. She was betrayed by morning." the sparkle of the rekindling eye, and a caress Most earnestly and courteously did the Knight which, however timidly bestowed, she could not help urge her acceptance of the proposed guerdon, but to the neck of the horse which back on this was resolute giving brought point Mysie ; feeling, perhaps, the beloved rider. that to accept of any thing bearing the appearance " What farther can I do for you, kind Molinara ?" of reward, would be to place the service she had said Sir Piercie Shafton, himself hesitating and rendered him on a mercenary footing. In short, to the of Bess's to the lest it blushing ; for, grace Queen age be she would only agree conceal chain, it spoken, her courtiers wore more iron on their might prove the means of detecting the owner, until breasts than brass on their foreheads, and even Sir Piercie should be placed in perfect safety. amid their vanities preserved still the decaying They mounted and resumed their journey, of spirit of chivalry, which inspired of yore the very which Mysie, as bold and sharp-witted in some gentle Knight of Chaucer, points as she was simple and susceptible in others, " now took in some degree the direction, having only Who in his port was modest as a maid." inquired its general destination, and learned that Mysie blushed deeply, with her eyes fixed on the Sir Piercie Shafton desired to go to Edinburgh, and Sir Piercie proceeded in the same tone where he hoped to find friends and protection. ground, " of embarrassed kindness. Are you afraid to Possessed of this information, Mysie availed her- return home alone, my kind Molinara ? would self of her local knowledge to get as soon as possible you that I should accompany you ?" out of the bounds of the Halidome, and into those " Alas !" said Mysie, looking up, and her cheek of a temporal baron, supposed to be addicted to " changing from scarlet to pale, I have no home the reformed doctrines, and upon whose limits, at left." least, she thought their pursuers would not attempt " " How ! no home 1" said Shafton to hazard violence. She was not indeed ; says my any very generous Molinara she hath no home, when yonder apprehensive of a pursuit, reckoning with some stands the house of her father, and but a crystal confidence that the inhabitants of the Tower of stream between ?" Glendearg would find it a matter of difficulty to " " Alas !" answered the Miller's maiden, I have surmount the obstacles arising from their own bolts no longer either home or father. He is a devoted and bars, with which she had carefully secured servant to the Abbey I have offended the Abbot, them before setting forth on the retreat. and if I return home my father will kill me." They journeyed on, therefore, in tolerable secu- " to He dare not injure thee, by Heaven !" said Sir rity, and Sir Piercie Shafton found leisure Piercie " I swear to the time in and ; thee, by my honour and amuse high-flown speeches long knighthood, that the forces of my cousin of North- anecdotes of the court of Feliciana, to which that umberland shall lay the Monastery so flat, that a Mysie bent an ear not a whit less attentive, three which hcrse shall not stumble as he rides over it, if they she did not understand one word out of THE MONASTERY. 505

was uttered by her fellow-traveller. She listened, that she had brought him to ner kend friend's however, and admired upon trust, as many a wise hostelry rather than to proud Peter Peddie's, who the mills and that man has been contented to treat conversation got his malt at the Mellerstane ; he of a handsome but silly mistress. As for Sir must get the best that the house afforded, and that well assured he it in of and that Piercie, he was in his element ; and, must get ready a moment time, of the interest and full approbation of his auditor, she was ready to help in the kitchen. he went on spouting Euphuism of more than usual All this ran glibly off the tongue without pause obscurity, and at more than usual length. Thus on the part of Mysie Happer, or doubt on that of passed the morning, and noon brought them within the landlord. The guest's horse was conducted to sight of a winding stream, on the side of which arose the stable, and he himself installed in the cleanest an ancient baronial castle, surrounded by some corner and best seat which the place afforded. large trees. At a small distance from the gate of Mysie, ever active and officious, was at once engaged the mansion, extended, as in those days was usual, in preparing food, in spreading the table, and in ;i .straggling hamlet, having a church in the centre. making all the better arrangements which her " There are two hostelnes in this Kirk-town," experience could suggest, for the honour and com- " said but the worst is for our fort of her would fain resisted Mysie, best purpose ; companion. He have for it I this for while it to stands apart from the other houses, and ; was impossible not be gratified ken the man weel, for he has dealt with my father with the eager and alert kindness which was so for malt." active in his service, he felt an undefinable pain in This can fa scientice, to use a lawyer's phrase, was seeing Mysinda engaged hi these menial services, ill chosen for for Sir Piercie and as one to Mysie's purpose ; discharging them, moreover, whom Shafton had, by dint of his own loquacity, been they were but too familiar. Yet this jarring feeling talking himself all this while into a high esteem for was mixed with, and perhaps balanced by, the his fellow-traveller, and, pleased with the gracious extreme grace with which the neat-handed maiden reception which she afforded to his powers of con- executed these tasks, however mean in themselves, versation, had well-nigh forgotten that she was not and gave to the wretched corner of a miserable inn herself one of those high-born beauties of whom he of the period, the air of a bower, in which an was recounting so many stories, when this unlucky enamoured fairy, or at least a shepherdess of speech at once placed the most disadvantageous Arcadia, was displaying, with unavailing solicitude, circumstances attending her lineage under his her designs on the heart of some knight, destined immediate recollection. He said nothing, however. by fortune to higher thoughts, and a more splendid What indeed could he say ? Nothing was so natural union. as that a miller's daughter should be acquainted The lightness and grace with which Mysie with publicans who dealt with her father for malt, covered the little round table with a snow-white and all that was to be wondered at was the concur- cloth, and arranged upon it the hastily-roasted rence of events which had rendered such a female capon, with its accompanying stoup of Bourdeaux, the of Sir Piercie Shafton were but in themselves but companion and guide of plebeian graces ; yet Wilvertoii, kinsman of the great Earl of Northum- there were very flattering ideas excited by each berland, whom princes and sovereigns themselves glance. She was so very well made, agile at once l termed cousin, because of the Piercie blood. He and graceful, with her hand and arm as white as felt the disgrace of strolling through the country snow, and her face in which a smile contended with with a miller's maiden on the crupper behind him, a blush, and her eyee which looked ever at Shafton and was even ungrateful enough to feel some when he looked elsewhere, and were dropped at emotions of shame, when he halted his horse at the once when they encountered his, that she was door of the little inn. irresistible ! In fine, the affectionate delicacy of But the alert intelligence of Mysie Happer spared her whole demeanour, joined to the promptitude him farther sense of derogation, by instantly and boldness she had so lately evinced, tended to springing from the horse, and cramming the ears ennoble the services she had rendered, as if some of mine who came out with his mouth " host, agape sweet engaging Grace to receive a guest of the knight's appearance, with Put on some clothes to come abroad, And took a waiter's an imagined tale, in which circumstance on circum- place." stance were huddled so fast, as to astonish Sir But, on the other hand, came the damning 1'iercie Shafton, whose own invention was none of reflection, that these duties were not taught her by the most brilliant. She explained to the publican Love, to serve the beloved only, but arose from the that this was a great English knight travelling from ordinary and natural habits of a miller's daughter, the Monastery to the Court of Scotland, after accustomed, doubtless, to render the same service having paid his vows to Saint Mary, and that she to every wealthier churl who frequented her father's had been directed to conduct him so far on the mill. This stopped the mouth of vanity, and of road and that the love which had been as effec- ; Ball, her palfrey, had fallen by the vanity hatching, way, because he had been over-wrought with tually as a peck of literal flour would have done. parrying home the last melder of meal to the por- Amidst this variety of emotions, Sir Piercie tioner of in Shafton not to ask the of them to sit Langhope ; and that she had turned forgot object Ball to graze in the Tasker's park, near Cripple- down and partake the good cheer which she had cross, for he had stood as still as Lot's wife with been so anxious to provide and to place in order. very weariness; and that the knight had cour- He expected that this invitation would have been teously insisted she should ride behind him, and bashfully, perhaps, but certainly most thankfully, but and accepted ; he was partly flattered, partly ' Froissart tells us somewhere, (the readers of romances piqued, by the mixture of deference and resolu- are indifferent to accurate that the reference,) King of France tion with which declined his invitation. called one of the Picrcies cousin, because of tlie blood of Mysie Northumberland. Immediately after, she vanished from the apart- 506 WAYEELEY NOVELS.

" ment, leaving the Euphui&t to consider whether he lim, and repeating his question She is gane was most gratified or displeased by her dis- iiame to her father's, it is like and she gaed just appearance. when she gave orders about your worship's horse, In fact, this was a point on which he would have and saw it well fed, (she might have trusted me, found it difficult to make up his mind, had there but millers and millers' kin think a' body as thief- been any necessity for it. As there was none, he like as themselves,) an' she's three miles on the drank a few cups of claret, and sang (to himself) jate by this time." " a strophe or two of the canzonettes of the divine Is she gone then ?" muttered Sir Piercie, making Astrophel. But in spite both of wine and of Sir two or three hasty strides through the narrow apart- Philip Sidney, the connection in which he now ment "Is she gone? Well, then, let her go. stood, and that which he was in future to hold, with She could have had but disgrace by abiding by me, the lovely Molinara, or Mysinda, as he had been and I little credit by her society. That I should pleased to denominate Mysie Happer, recurred to have thought there was such difficulty in shaking uis mind. The fashion of the times (as we have her off! I warrant she is by this time laughing with his with some clown she has encountered and already noticed) fortunately coincided own ; my natural generosity of disposition, which indeed rich chain will prove a good dowry. And ought it to so ? and amounted almost to extravagance, in prohibiting, not prove has she not deserved it, were as a deadly sin, alike against gallantry, chivalry, it ten times more valuable ? Piercie Shafton ! and morality, his rewarding the good offices he Piercie Shafton ! dost thou grudge thy deliverer the had received from this poor maiden, by abusing guerdon she hath so dearly won ? The selfish air any of the advantages which her confidence in his of this northern land hath infected thee, Piercie the honour had afforded. To do Sir Piercie justice, it Shafton ! and blighted blossoms of thy genero- was an idea which never entered into his head; sity, even as it is said to shrivel the flowers of the and he would have dealt the most scientific mulberry. Yet I thought," he added, after a probably " imbroccata, stoccata, or punto reverso, which the moment's pause, that she would not so easily and school of Vincent Saviola had taught him, to any voluntarily have parted from me. But it skills not man who had dared to suggest to him such selfish thinking of it. Cast my reckoning, mine host, and and ungrateful meanness. On the other hand, he let your groom lead forth my nag." was a man, and foresaw various circumstances The good host seemed also to have some mental which might render their journey together in this point to discuss, for he answered not instantly, de- intimate fashion a scandal and a snare. Moreover, bating perhaps whether his conscience would beai ne was a coxcomb and a courtier, and felt there a double charge for the same guests. Apparently was something ridiculous in travelling the land his conscience replied in the negative, though not " with a miller's daughter behind his saddle, giving without hesitation, for he at length replied It's to and to lee it winna that the is clean rise to suspicions not very creditable either, daffing ; deny lawing to ludicrous so far as he himself was if constructions, paid. Ne'ertheless, your worshipful knighthood" concerned. pleases to give aught for increase of trouble " " " " if the the ? I would," he said half aloud, that, such How!" said knight ; reckoning paid might be done without harm or discredit to the and by whom, I pray you ?" " too-ambitious, yet too-well-distinguishing Molinara, E'en by Mysie Happer, if truth maun be she and I were fairly severed, and bound on our spoken, as I said before," answered the honest see the vessel with as for different courses ; even as we goodly landlord, many compunctious visitings bound for the distant seas hoist sails and bear away telling the verity as another might have felt for " Into the deep, while the humble fly-boat carries to making a lie in the circumstances And out of shore those friends, who, with wounded hearts and the moneys supplied for your honour's journey by watery eyes, have committed to their higher des- the Abbot, as she tauld to me. And laith were I to tinies the more daring adventurers by whom the surcharge any gentleman that darkens my doors." fair is manned." He added in the confidence of honesty which his frigate " He had scarce uttered the wish when it was frank avowal entitled him to entertain, Never- gratified; for the host entered to say that his theless, as I said before, if it pleases your knight horse was ready to be hood of free to consider extraordinary worshipful knighthood's " good-will forth as he desired on his trouble brought had ; and inquiry for "the the damsel that is the The knight cut short his argument, by throwing " young woman the landlord a rose-noble, which probably doubled " " Mysie Happer," said the landlord, has re- the value of a Scottish reckoning, though it would turned to her father's but she have but a half one at the Three Cranes ; bade me say, you defrayed could not miss the road for Edinburgh, in respect or the Vintry. The bounty so much delighted it was neither far way nor foul gate." mine host, that he ran to fill the stirrup-cup (for It is seldom we are exactly blessed with the pre- which no charge was ever made) from a butt yet cise fulfilment of our wishes at the moment when charier than that which he had pierced for the for we utter them; perhaps because Heaven wisely mer stoup. The knight paced slowly to horse, withholds what, if granted, would be often received partook of his courtesy, and thanked him with tho of of then with ingratitude. So at least it chanced in the stiff condescension the court Elizabeth ; instance for that followed the northern which was present ; when mine host said mounted and path, Mysie was returned homeward, the knight was pointed out as the nearest to Edinburgh, and bore tempted to reply, with an ejaculation of surprise which, though very unlike a modern highway, and vexation, and a hasty demand, whither and yet so distinct a resemblance to a public and fre- when she had departed? The first emotions his quented road as not to be easily mistaken. " the second found utterance. I shall not need her it seems," said prudence suppressed, guidance " " onward and I Where is she gane ?" said the host, gazing on he to himself, as he rode slowly ; THE MONASTERY. 507

" suppose that was one reason of her abrupt depar- But then the poor man will lose his horsey ture, so different from what one might have most argute Mysinda," said Sir Piercie Shafton, expected. Well, I am well rid of her. Do we whose English notions of property were a little not pray to be liberated from temptation 1 Yet startled at a mode of acquisition more congenial to that she should have erred so much in estimation the ideas of a miller's daughter (and he a Border of her own situation and mine, as to think of miller to boot) than with those of an English per- defraying the reckoning ! I would I saw her once son of quality. more, but to to her the solecism of which "And if he does lose his said explain " horse," Mysie, her inexperience hath rendered her guilty. And laughing, surely he is not the first man on the I fear," he added, as he emerged from some strag- marches who has had such a mischance. But he out wild gling trees, and looked upon a moorish will be no loser, for I warrant he will stop the value country, composed of a succession of swelling out of moneys which he has owed father this " my lumpish hills, I fear I shall soon want the aid of many a day." " this Ariadne, who might afford me a clew through But then your father will be the loser," objected the recesses of yonder mountainous labyrinth." yet again the pertinacious uprightness of Sir Piercie As the Knight thus communed with himself, his Shafton. " the of a horse's it attention was caught by sound What signifies now to talk of my father 1" and a mounted on a little said the then footsteps ; lad, gray damsel, pettishly ; instantly changing about fourteen " Scottish nag, hands high, coming to a tone of deep feeling, she added, My father along a path which led from behind the trees, has this day lost that which will make him hold joined him on the high-road, if it could be termed light the loss of all the gear he has left." such. Struck with the accents of remorseful sorrow in The dress of the lad was completely in village which his companion uttered these few words, the fashion, yet Heat and handsome in appearance. English knight felt himself bound both in honour He had a jerkin of gray cloth slashed and trimmed, and conscience to expostulate with her as strongly with black hose of the same, with deer-skin rullions as he could, on the risk of the step which she had or sandals, and handsome silver spurs. A cloak of now taken, and on the propriety of her returning a dark mulberry colour was closely drawn round to her father's house. The matter of his discourse, in the upper part of his person, and the cape part though adorned with many unnecessary flourishes, muffled his face, which was also obscured by his was honourable both to his head and heart. bonnet of black velvet cloth, and its little plume of The Maid of the Mill listened to his flowing feathers. periods with her head sunk on her bosom as she Sir Piercie Shafton, fond of society, desirous also rode, like one in deep thought or deeper sorrow. to have a guide, and, moreover, prepossessed in When he had finished, she raised up her counte- favour of so handsome a youth, failed not to ask ance, looked full on the and with " knight, replied him whence he came, and whither he was going. great firmness If you are weary of my company, The youth looked another way, as he answered, Sir Piercie Shafton, you have but to say so, and " that he was going to Edinburgh, to seek service the Miller's daughter will be no farther cumber in some nobleman's family." to you. And do not think I will be a burden to " I fear me have run from last if we travel to I you away your you, together Edinburgh ; have " master," said Sir Piercie, since you dare not look wit enough and pride enough to be a willing burden me in the face while you answer my question." to no man. But if you reject not my company at "Indeed, sir, I have not," answered the lad, present, and fear not it will be burdensome to bashfully, while, as if with reluctance, he turned you hereafter, speak no more to me of returning round his face, and instantly withdrew it. It was a back. All that you can say to me I have said to the was There was that I is I glance, but discovery complete. myself ; and am now here, a sign that no mistaking the dark full eye, the cheek hi which have said it to no purpose. Let this subject, much embarrassment could not altogether disguise therefore, be for ever ended betwixt us. I have an expression of comic humour, and the whole already, in some small fashion, been useful to you, at once under her and the time come I be more so for this figure betrayed, metamorphosis, may may ; the Maid of the Mill. The recognition was joyful, is not your land of England, where men say justice and Sir Piercie Shafton was too much pleased to is done with little fear or favour to great and to have his to remember the small but it is land where do the regained companion very ; a men by strong good reasons which had consoled him for losing her. hand, and defend by the ready wit, and I know To his questions respecting her dress, she better than you the perils you are exposed to." answered, that she had obtained it in the Kirk- Sir Piercie Shafton was somewhat mortified to town from a friend it was the suit of a son find that the damsel conceived her use- ; holiday presence of hers, who had taken the field with his liege-lord, ful to him as a protectress as well as guide, and the baron of the land. She had borrowed the suit said something of seeking protection from nought under pretence she meant to play in some mum- save his own arm and his good sword. Mysie or ming rural masquerade. She had left, she said, answered very quietly, that she nothing doubted her own in which was better his but it that of apparel exchange, bravery ; was very quality bravery worth ten crowns than this was worth four. which was most likely to involve him in danger. " And the nag, my ingenious Molinara," said Sir Sir Piercie Shafton, whose head never kept very " Piercie, whence comes the nag 1" long in any continued train of thinking, acquiesced " I borrowed him from our host at the Gled's- without much reply, resolving in his own mind Nest," she replied; and added, half stifling a laugh, that the maiden only used this apology to disguise " he has sent to get instead of it, our Ball, which her real motive, of affection to his person. The I left in the Tasker's Park at Cripplecross. He romance of the situation flattered his vanity and will be lucky if he find it there." elevated his imagination, as placing him in the 508 WAVERLEY NOVELS. situation of one of those romantic heroes of whom her not again until the next morning, when the ho had read the histories, where similar trans- horses were brought to the door that they might their formations made a distinguished figure. prosecute journey. our here leaves the He took many a sidelong glance at his page, But story necessarily English whose habits of country sport and country exercise knight and his page, to return to the Tower ol had rendered her quite adequate to sustain the Glendearg. character she had assumed. She managed the with and even with nor little nag dexterity, grace ; did any thing appear that could have betrayed her CHAPTER XXX. disguise, except when a bashful consciousness of her fixed on her an companion's eye being her, gave You call it an ill angel it may be so ; But sure I the ranks which appearance of temporary embarrassment, which am, among fell, 'Tis the first fiend e'er counsell'd man to added to her rise, greatly beauty. And win the bliss the sprite himself had forfeited. The couple rode forward as in the morning, Old Play. pleased with themselves and with each other, until they arrived at the village where they were to WE must resume our narrative at the period repose for the night, and where all the inhabitants when Mary Avenel was conveyed to the apartment of the little inn, both male and female, joined in which had been formerly occupied by the two extolh'ng the good grace and handsome countenance Glendinnings, and when her faithful attendant, of the English knight, and the uncommon beauty Tibbie, had exhausted herself in useless attempts of his youthful attendant. to compose and to comfort her. Father Eustace It was here that Mysie Happer first made Sir also dealt forth with well-meant kindness thosp Piercie Shafton sensible of the reserved manner apothegms and dogmata of consolation, which friend in which she proposed to live with him. She ship almost always offers to grief, though they are announced him as her master, and, waiting upon uniformly offered in vain. She was at length left him with the reverent demeanour of an actual to indulge in the desolation of her own sorrowful domestic, permitted not the least approach to fami- feelings. She felt as those who, loving for the first with the liarity, not even such as the knight might time, have lost what they loved, before time and utmost innocence have ventured upon. For ex- repeated calamity have taught them that every loss ample, Sir Piercie, who, as we know, was a great is to a certain extent reparable or endurable. connoisseur in dress, was detailing to her the Such grief may be conceived better than it can advantageous change which he proposed to make be described, as is well known to those who have in her attire as soon as they should reach Edin- experienced it. But Mary Avenel had been taught burgh, by arraying her in his own colours of pink by the peculiarity of her situation, to regard herself carnation. listened with as the Child of and the and and Mysie Happer great Destiny ; melancholy complacency to the unction with which he dilated reflecting turn of her disposition gave to her sorrows upon welts, laces, slashes, and trimmings, until, a depth and breadth peculiar to her character, carried away by the enthusiasm with which he was The grave and it was a bloody grave had closed, asserting the superiority of the falling band over as she believed, over the youth to whom she was he his in the but attached the force and the Spanish ruff, approached hand, secretly, most warmly ; way of illustration, towards the collar of his page's ardour of Halbert's character bearing a singular doublet. She instantly stepped back and gravely correspondence to the energy of which her own reminded him that she was alone and under his was capable. Her sorrow did not exhaust itself in protection. sighs and tears, but when the first shock had passed " You cannot but remember the cause which has away, concentrated itself with deep and steady " she continued make the least to collect and like a brought me here," ; meditation, calculate, bankrupt approach to any familiarity which you would not debtor, the full amount of her loss. It seemed as if offer to a princess surrounded by her court, and all that connected her with earth, had vanished with you have seen the last of the Miller's daughter this broken tie. She had never dared to anticipate She will vanish as the chaff disappears from the the probability of an ultimate union with Halbert, * the shieling-hill, when the west wind blows." yet now his supposed fall seemed that of only " I do protest, fair Molinara," said Sir Piercie tree which was to shelter her from the storm. She Shafton but the fair Molinara had disappeared respected the more gentle character, and more before his could uttered. most the protest be "A peaceful attainments, of younger Glendinning ; " said to and this it never indeed singular wench," he himself ; by but had not escaped her (what hand, as discreet as she is fair-featured Certes, escaped woman in such circumstances) that he was shame it were to offer her scathe or dishonour ! disposed to place himself in competition with what She makes similes too, though somewhat savouring she, the daughter of a proud and warlike race, of her condition. Had she but read Euphues, and deemed the more manly qualities of his elder that mill it is is does forgotten accursed and shieling-hill, brother ; and there no time when a woman my thought that her converse would be broidered so little justice to the character of a surviving lover, with as many and as choice pearls of compliment, as when comparing him with the preferred rival of as that of the most rhetorical lady in the court of whom she has been recently deprived. Felciania. 1 trust she means to return to bear The motherly, but coarse kindness of Dame me company." Glendinning, and the doating fondness of her old But that was no part of Mysie's prudential domestic, seemed now the only kind feeling of which scheme. It was then drawing to dusk, and he saw she formed the object; and she could not but reflect how little these were to be compared with the devoted 1 The where corn was while place winnowed, that operation attachment of a whom the least was performed by the band, was called in Scotland the Shiel- high-souled youth, as the ing-hill. glance of her eye could command, high- THE MONASTERY. 509

steed is the rider. mettled governed by the bridle of i Avenel hastily arranged the dress which she had

It was when plunged among these desolating reflec- I not laid aside, and, venturing to quit her chamber, tions that Mary Avenel felt the void of mind, arising learned from Tibb, who, with her gray hairs dis- hi which from the narrow and bigoted ignorance : bevelled like those of a sibyl, was flying from room Rome then educated the children of her church. to room, that the bloody Southron villain had made Their whole religion was a ritual, and their prayers his escape, and that Halbert Glendinning, poor were the formal iteration of unknown words, which, bairn, would sleep unrevenged and unquiet in his in the hour of affliction, could but little con- In the lower the yield ; bloody grave. apartments, young solation to those who from habit resorted to them. men were roaring like thunder, and venting in Unused to the practice of mental devotion, and of oaths and exclamations against the fugitives the personal approach to the Divine Presence by rage which they experienced in finding themselves she could not in her dis- locked within the and their prayer, help exclaiming i up tower, debarred from " tress, There is no aid for me on earth, and I know vindictive pursuit by the wily precautions of Mysie not how to ask it from Heaven !" Happer. The authoritative voice of the Sub-Prior As she thus in an of she cast silence was next heard which spoke agony sorrow, commanding ; upon her eyes into the apartment, and saw the mysterious Mary Avenel, whose tone of feeling did not lead her Spirit, which waited upon the fortunes of her house, to enter into counsel or society with the rest of the standing in the moonlight in the midst of the room. party, again retired to her solitary chamber. The same form, as the reader knows, had more The rest of the family held counsel in the spence, than once offered itself to her either her almost beside himself with sight ; and Edward rage, and the

1 native boldness of mind, or some peculiarity attached Sub-Prior in no small degree offended at the effron- to her from her birth, made her now look upon it tery of Mysie Happer hi attempting such a scheme, | without shrinking. But the White Lady of Avenel as well as at the mingled boldness and dexterity j was now more distinctly visible, and more closely with which it had been executed. But neither sur-

present, than she had ever before seemed to be, : prise nor anger availed aught. The windows, well and Mary was appalled by her presence. She would, I secured with iron bars for keeping assailants out, but there a I as effectual for the however, have spoken ; ran tradition, proved now detaining inhabitants that others who seen the White within. The battlements were indeed but though had Lady open, ; had asked questions and received answers, yet those without ladder or ropes to act as a substitute for of the house of Avenel who had ventured to speak wings, there was no possibility of descending from to her, had never long survived the colloquy. The them. They easily succeeded in alarming the figure, besides, as sitting up in her bed, Mary Avenel inhabitants of the cottages beyond the precincts of gazed on it intently, seemed by its gestures to caution the court; but the men had been called in to her to keep silence, and at the same time to bespeak strengthen the guard for the night, and only women attention. and children remained, who could contribute nothing The White Lady then seemed to press one of the in the emergency, except their useless exclamations planks of the floor with her foot, while, in her usual of surprise, and there were no neighbours for miles low, melancholy, and- musical chant, she repeated around. Dame Elspeth, however, though drowned the following verses : in tears, was not so unmindful of external affairs, but that she could find voice enough to tell the ' Maiden, whose sorrows wail the Dead. " Living women and children without, to leave their skir- Whose eyes shall commune with the Dead Alive, look after the that she Maiden, attend! Beneath my foot lies hid ling, and cows couldna The the the which thou Word, Law, Path, dost strive get minded, what wi' the awfu' distraction of her To find and canst not find. Could shed spirits mind, what wi' that fause slut locked them Tears for their lot, it were my lot to weep. having Shewing the road which I shall never tread, up in their ain tower as fast as if they had been in Though my foot points it. Sleep, eternal sleep, the Jeddart tolbooth." Dark, and cold lot ! long, forgetfulness my the men other modes of exit But do not thou at human ills repine, Meanwile, finding Secure there lies full guerdon in this spot, impossible, unanimously concluded to force the doors For all the woes that wait frail Adam's line with such tools as the house afforded for the purpose. Stoop, then, and make it yours I muy not make it mine '." These were not very proper for the occasion, and The phantom stooped towards the floor as she the strength of the doors was great. The interior concluded, as if with the intention of laying her hand one, formed of oak, occupied them for three mortal on the board on which she stood. But ere she had hours, and there was little prospect of the iron door completed that gesture, her form became indistinct, being forced hi double the time. was presently only like the shade of a fleecy cloud, While they were engaged hi this ungrateful toil. which passed betwixt earth and the moon, and was Mary Avenel had with much less labour acquired soon altogether invisible. exact knowledge of what the Spirit had intimated A strong impression of fear, the first which she in her mystic rhyme. On examining the spot which had experienced in her life to any agitating extent, the phantom had indicated by her gestures, it was seized upon the mind of Mary Avenel, and for a not difficult to discover that a board had been minute she felt a disposition to" faint. She repelled loosened, which might be raised at pleasure. On was it, however, mustered her courage, and addressed removing this piece of plank, Mary Avenel herself to saints and angels, as her church recom- astonished to find the Black Book, well remembered mended. Broken slumbers at length stole on her by her as her mother's favourite study, of which she as exhausted mind and frame, and she slept until the immediately took possession, with as much joy dawn was about to arise, when she was awakened her present situation rendered her capable of feeling. " the ! its *by cry of Treason treason ! follow, follow !" Ignorant in a great measure of contents, Mary 'which arose in the tower, when it was found that Avenel had been taught from her infancy to hold Piercie Shafton had made his escape. this volume in sacred veneration. It is probable Apprehensive of some new misfortune, Mary tliat the deceased Lady of Walter Avenel only 510 WAVEKLEY NOVELS. postponed initiating her daughter into the myste- by the unexpected arrival of Christie ol the Clint- ries of the Divine Word, until she shou Id be better hill. He came at the head of a small party, con- able to comprehend both the lessons which it taught, sisting of four horsemen, who bore in their caps the and the risk at which, in those times, they were sprig of holly, which was the badge of Avenel. " " studied. Death interposed, and removed her before What, ho ! my masters," he said, I bring the times became favourable to the reformers, and you a prisoner." " before her daughter was so far advanced in age as You had better have brought us liberty," said to be fit to receive religious instruction of this deep Dan of the Howlet-hirst. import. But the affectionate mother had made pre- Christie looked at the state of affairs with great parations for the earthly work which she had most surprise. "An I were to be hanged for it," he " at heart. There were slips of paper inserted in the said, as I may for as little a matter, I could not volume, in which, by art appeal to, and a comparison forbear laughing at seeing men peeping through of, various passages in holy writ, the errors and their own bars like so many rats in a rat-trap, and human inventions with which the Church of Rome he with the beard behind, like the oldest rat in the had defaced the edifice of Christianity, as cellar." simple " erected by its divine architect, were pointed out. Hush, thou unmannered knave," said Edward, These controversial topics were treated with a spirit "it is the Sub-Prior; and this is neither time, of calmness and Christian charity, which might have place, nor company, for your ruffian jests." " to the of the ho ! is ?" been an example theologians period ; What, my young master malapert but were and said Christie " were own carnal they clearly, fairly, plainly argued, ; why, man, he my and supported by the necessary proofs and refe- father, instead of being father to half the world, I rences. Other papers there were which had no would have my laugh out. And now it is over, I reference whatever to polemics, but were the simple must assist you, I reckon, for you are setting very effusions of a devout mind communing with itself. greenly about this gear put the pinch nearer the Among these was one frequently used, as it seemed staple, man, and hand me an iron crow through the from the state of the manuscript, on which the grate, for that 's the fowl to fly away with a wicket mother of Mary had transcribed and placed together on its shoulders. I have broke into as many grates those affecting texts to which the heart has recourse as you have teeth in your young head ay, and in affliction, and which assures us at once of the broke out of them too, as the captain of the Castle sympathy and protection afforded to the children of of Lochmaben knows full well." the promise. In Mary Avenel's state of mind, these Christie did not boast more skill than he really attracted her above all the other their combined lessons, which, possessed ; for, applying strength, coming from a hand so dear, had reached her at a under the direction of that experienced engineer, time so critical, and in a manner so touching. She bolt and staple gave way before them, and in less " read the affecting promise, I will never leave thee than half an hour, the grate, which had so long nor forsake thee," and the consoling exhortation, repelled their force, stood open before them. " " " Call upon me in the day of trouble, and I will And now," said Edward, to horse, my mates, deliver thee." She read them, and her heart and pursue the villain Shaftoh !" acquiesced in the conclusion, Surely this is the word "Halt there," said Christie of the Clinthill; " of God ! pursue your guest, my master's friend and my There are those to whom a sense of religion has own ? there go two words to that bargain. in storm there are those fiend him for 2" come and tempest ; whom What the foul would you pursue " " it has summoned amid scenes of revelry and idle Let me pass," said Edward, vehemently, I there are have its staid no the villain has vanity ; those, too, who heard will be by man murdered " still small voice" amid rural leisure and placid my brother !" " contentment. But perhaps the knowledge which What says he ?" said Christie, turning to the " causeth not to is most ? is and err, frequently impressed others ; murdered who murdered, by the mind seasons of affliction upon during ; and whom ?" tears are the softened showers which cause the "The Englishman, Sir Piercie Shafton," said seed of Heaven to spring and take root in the Dan of the Howlet-hirst, "has murdered young human breast. At least it was thus with Mary Halbert Glendinning yesterday morning, and we Avenel. She was insensible to the discordant have all risen to the fray." " noise which rang below, the clang of bars and the It is a bedlam business, T think," said Christie. " jarring symphony of the levers which they used to First I find you all locked up in your own tower, force them, the measured shouts of the labouring and next I am come to prevent you revenging a inmates as they combined their strength for each murder that was never committed !" " " heave, and gave time with their voices to the I tell you," said Edward, that my brother exertion of their arms, and their deeply muttered was slain and buried yesterday morning by this vows of revenge on the fugitives who had be- false Englishman." " " queathed them at their departure a task so toilsome And I tell you," answered Christie, that I and difficult. Not all this din, combined in hideous saw him alive and well last night. I would I knew and of but out of the most men find concert, expressive aught peace, love, his trick of getting grave ; and forgiveness, could divert Mary Avenel from it more hard to break through a green sod than a the new course of study on which she had so singu- grated door." " in .arly entered. The serenity of Heaven," she said, Every body now paused, and looked on Christie " is the hitherto above me ; sounds which ar-e around are astonishment, until the Sub-Pior, who had but those of earth and earthly passion." avoided communication with him, came up andf Meanwhile the noon was passed, and little im- required earnestly to know, whether he meant really pression was made on the iron grate, when they to maintain that Halbert Giendinning lived. " he who laboured at it received a sudden reinforcement Father," he said, with more respect than THE MONASTERY. 511

" usually snewe

tions began to awake in either bosom, at the sight authority, secure that his mind at least will defy of features long unseen and much altered, but not your influence, as the snows of that Mont Blanc forgotten. The brow of the Sub-Prior dismissed which we saw together, shrink not under the heat by degrees its frown of command, the look of calm of the hottest summer sun." " " yet stern defiance gradually vanished from that of I do believe thee," said the Sub-Prior, I do Warden, and both lost for an instant that of gloomy believe that thine is indeed metal tmmalleable by solemnity. They had been ancient and intimate force. Let it yield then to persuasion. Let us friends in youth at a foreign university, but had debate these matters of faith, as we once were wont been long separated from each other; and the change to conduct our scholastic disputes, when hours, nay, of name, which the preacher had adopted from days, glided past in the mutual exercise of our motives of safety, and the monk from the common intellectual powers. It may be thou mayst yet hear custom of the convent, had prevented the possibility the voice of the shepherd, and return to the universal of their hitherto recognizing each other in the fold." opposite parts which they had been playing in the "No, Allan," replied the prisoner, "this is no great polemical and political drama. But now the vain question, devised by dreaming scholiasts, on " Sub-Prior exclaimed, Henry Welhvood !" and the which they may whet their intellectual faculties preacher replied, "William Allan!" and, stirred until the very metal be wasted away. The errors by the old familiar names, and never-to-be-forgotten which I combat are like those fiends which are only recollections of college studies and college intimacy, cast out by fasting and prayer. Alas ! not many their hands were for a moment locked in each not learned are chosen the wise, many ; cottage and other. the hamlet shall in our days bear witness " against Remove his bonds," said the Sub-Prior, and the schools and their disciples. Thy very wisdom, assisted Christie in performing that office with his which is foolishness, hath made thee, as the Greeks own hands, although the prisoner scarcely would of old, hold as foolishness that which is the only true consent to be unbound, repeating with emphasis, wisdom." " " that he rejoiced in the cause for which he suffered This," said the Sub-Prior, sternly, is the mere shame. When his hands were at liberty, however, cant of ignorant enthusiasm, which appealeth from he shewed his sense of the kindness ex- and from from the sure by again learning authority, guidance changing a grasp and a look of affection with the of that lamp which God hath afforded us in the Sub-Prior. Councils and in the Fathers of the Church, to a rash, The salute was frank and generous on either self-willed, and arbitrary interpretation of the Scrip- side, yet it was but the friendly recognition and tures, wrested according to the private opinion of greeting which are wont to take place betwixt each speculating heretic." " adverse champions, who do nothing in hate but all I disdain to reply to the replied War- " charge," hi honour. As each felt the pressure of the situa- den. The question at issue between your church tion in which they stood, he quitted the grasp of and mine, is, whether we will be judged by the the other's hand, and fell back, confronting each Holy Scriptures, or by the devices" and decisions other with looks more calm and sorrowful than ex- of men not less subject to error than ourselves, pressive of any other passion. The Sub-Prior was and who have defaced our holy religion with vain the first to speak. devices, reared up idols of stone and wood, in form " And is tliis, then, the end of that restless activity of those, who, when they lived, were but sinful of mind, that bold and indefatigable love of truth creatures, to share the worship due only to the that urged investigation to its utmost limits, and Creator established a toll-house betwixt heaven seemed to take heaven itself by storm is this the and hell, that profitable purgatory of which the termination of Wellwood's career 1 And having Pope keeps the keys, like an iniquitous com- "Judge known and loved him during the best years of our mutes punishment for bribes, and " youth, do we meet in our old age as judge and Silence, blasphemer," said the Sub-Prior, sternly, " criminal?" or I will have thy blatant obloquy stopped with a " Not as judge and criminal," said Henry War- gag!" " " den, for to avoid confusion we describe him by Ay," replied Warden, such is the freedom of his later and best known name "Not as judge the Christian conference to which Rome's priests and criminal do we meet, but as a misguided oppres- so kindly invite us ! . the gag the rack the axe sor and his ready and devoted victim. I, too, may is the ratio ultima Romce. But know thou, mine ask, are these the harvest of the rich hopes excited ancient friend, that the character of thy former by the classical learning, acute logical powers, and companion is not so changed by age, but that he varied knowledge of William Allan, that he should still dares to endure for the cause of truth all that sink to be the solitary drone of a cell, graced only thy proud hierarchy shall dare to inflict." " " above the swarm with the high commission of exe- Of that," said the monk, I nothing doubt cuting Roman- malice on all who oppose Roman Thou wert ever a lion to turn against the spear of imposture ?" the hunter, not a stag to be dismayed at the sound "Not to thee," answered the Sub-Prior, "be of his bugle." He walked through the room iu " " assured not unto thee, nor unto mortal man, will silence. Wellwood," he said at length, we can 1 render an account of the power with which the no longer be friends. Our faith, our hope, our church may have invested me. It was granted anchor on futurity, is no longer the same." " but as a deposit for her welfare for her welfare Deep is my sorrow that thou speakest truth. " it shall at every risk be exercised, without fear May God so judge me," said the Reformer, as I I said without favour." would buy the conversion of a soul like thine with " I expected no less from your misguided zeal," my dearest heart's blood." " answered the and hi have " and better do I return preacher ; me you met To thee, with reason, " one on whom exercise the the Sub-Prior it is such ao you may fearlessly your wish," replied ; KH I * 514 flTAVEKLEY NOVELS. arm as thine that should defend the bulwarks of and he again paced the apartment, and muttered, " the Church, and it is now directing the battering- A plague upon the self-willed fool !" then stopped ram against them, and rendering practicable the short in his walk, and proceeded in his argument.

1 " breach through which all tliat is greedy, and all tha* Why, by thine own reasoning, Henry, thy is base, and all that is mutable and hot-headed in refusal here is but peevish obstinacy. It is hi my this innovating age, already hope to advance to I power to place you where your preaching can reach

! hi to destruction and to spoil. But since such is our no human ear; promising therefore abstain ' which have it in fate, that we can no longer fight side by side as from it, you grant nothing you friends, let us at least act as enemies. your power to refuse." generous " " cannot I know not Warden thou You have forgotten, that," replied Henry ; indeed cast me into a but can I ' mayest dungeon, O gran bonta dei cavalier! antiqui ! foretell that Master hath not task-work for me Erano uemici, eran" de fede diversa' my to perform even in that dreary mansion ? The Although, perhaps," he added, stopping short in his ains of saints have, ere now, been the means of " quotation, your new faith forbids you to reserve breaking the bonds of Satan. In a prison, holy a place in your memory, even for what high poets Paul found the jailor whom he brought to believe have recorded of faith and generous senti- e word of salvation, he and all his house." loyal " ment." Nay," said the Sub-Prior, in a tone betwixt " " The faith of Buchanan," replied the preacher, anger and scorn, if you match yourself with the " faith of of cannot be blessed it were time we had done the Buchanan and Beza j Apostle, pre- unfriendly to literature. But the poet you have pare to endure what thy folly, as well as j thy heresy, quoted affords strains fitter for a dissolute court than deserves. Bind him, soldier." for a convent." With proud submission to his fate, and regard- " I might retort on your Theodore Beza," said ing the Sub-Prior with something which almos* " but I hate the to a smile of the the Sub-Prior, smiling ; judgment amounted superiority, preacher that, like the flesh-fly, skims over whatever is sound, placed his arms so that the bonds could be again to detect and settle upon some spot which is tainted. fastened round him. to the If I conduct thee " he said to Christie for even But purpose. or send thep. Spare me not," ; a prisoner to Saint Mary's, thou art to-night a that ruffian hesitated to draw the cord straitly. tenant of the dungeon, to-morrow a burden to the The Sub-Prior, meanwhile, looked at him from gibbet-tree. If I were to let thee go hence at large, under his cowl, which he had drawn over his head, I were thereby wronging the Holy Church, and and partly over his face, as if he wished to shade breaking mine own solemn vow. Other resolutions his own emotions. They were those of a huntsman of is may be adopted in the capital, or better times may within point-blank shot a noble stag, who yet speedily ensue. Wilt thou remain a true prisoner too much struck with his majesty of front and of upon thy parole, rescue or no rescue, as is the phrase antlei to take aim at him. They were those of a amongst the warriors of this country ? Wilt thou fcwler, who, levelling his gun at a magnificent eagle, solemnly promise that thou wilt do so, and that at is yet reluctant to use his advantage when he 'sees my summons thou wilt present thyself before the the noble sovereign of the birds pruning himself Abbot and Chapter at Saint Mary's, and that thou in proud defiance of whatever may be attempted wilt not stir from this house above a quarter of a against him. The heart of the Sub-Prior (bigoted if he mile in any direction ! Wilt thou, I say, engage as he was) relented, and he doubted ought to me thy word for this and such is the sure trust purchase by a rigorous discharge of what he deemed which I repose in thy good faith, that thou shalt his duty, the remorse he might afterwards feel for remain here unharmed and unsecured, a prisoner the death of one so nobly independent in thought at large, subject only to appear before our court ! and character, the friend, besides, of his own happi- when called upon." est years, during which they had, side by side, " striven hi the race of and The preacher paused I am unwilling," he noble knowledge, indulged " in the studies said, to fetter my native liberty by any self-adopted their intervals of repose lighter of engagement. But I am already hi your power, and classical and general letters. you may bind me to my answer. By such promise, The Sub-Prior's hand pressed his half-o'er- to abide within a certain limit, and to appear when shadowed cheek, and his eye, more completely called upon, I renounce not any liberty which I at obscured, was bent on the ground, as if to hide the and am free to exercise on of his nature. present possess, ; but, workings relenting the " contrary, being in bonds, and at your mercy, I Were but Edward safe from the infection," he acquire thereby a liberty which I at present possess thought to himself "Edward, whose eager and not, I will therefore accept of thy proffer, as enthusiastic mind presses forward in the chase of what is courteously offered on thy part, and may all that hath even the shadow of knowledge, I might be honourably accepted on mine." trust this enthusiast with the women, after due said the "Stay yet," Sub-Prior, "one important caution to them that they cannot, without guilt, part of thy engagement is forgotten thou art far attend to his reveries." ther to that while promise, thus left at liberty, thou As the Sub-Prior revolved these thoughts, an<3 wilt not or preach teach, directly or indirectly, any delayed the definitive order which was to determine of those heresies which so pestilent by many souls the fate ofthe prisoner, a sudden noise at the entrance have been in this our over i day won from the king- of the tower diverted his attention for an instant, dom of to the of light kingdom darkness." and, his cheek and brow inflamed with all the glow "There we break off our treaty," said War- of heat and determination, Edward Glendinning den, firmly" Wo unto me if I preach not the rushed into the roonv Gospel!" The Sub-Prior's countenance became clouded, THE MONASTERY.

" Ay," answered Henry Warden, apt and armed XXXII. " CHAPTER for controversy, but it should be borne in the heart, not scored with the fingers in the air. That Tlien in my gown of sober gray very impassive air, which hand Along the mountain patli 1 '11 wan

All be ; injuries may forgiven tions, and signs of the cross, from the living and And there for thee, obdurate maid, heart-born duties of faith and works." My oruons shall rise to heaven. " good The Crutl Lady of the Mountains. I pity thee," said the Sub-Prior, as actively for ready polemics as liimself, "I pity thee, THE first words which Edward uttered were, Henry, and reply not to thee. Thou mayst aa " My brother is safe, reverend father he is safe, well winnow forth and measure the ocean with a thank God, and lives ! There is not in Corri-nan- sieve, as mete out the power of holy words, deeds, shian a grave, nor a vestige of a grave. The turf and signs, by the erring gauge of thine own reason." " around the fountain has neither been disturbed by Not by mine own reason would I mete them," nor since the deer's-hair said Warden " but His pick-axe, spade, mattock, ; by holy Word, that unfad- first sprang there. He lives as surely as I live !" ing and unerring lamp of our paths, compared to The earnestness of the youth the vivacity with which human reason is but as a glimmering and which he looked and moved the springy step, fading taper, and your boasted tradition only a outstretched hand, and ardent eye, reminded Henry misleading wild-fire. Shew me your Scripture Warden of Halbert, so lately his guide. The brothers warrant for ascribing virtue to such vain signs and had indeed a strong family resemblance, though motions ?" " Halbert was far more athletic and active in his I offered thee a fair field of debate," said the " person, taller and better knit in the limbs, and Sub-Prior, which thou didst refuse. I will not at though Edward had, on ordinary occasions, a look present resume the controversy." " of more habitual acuteness and more profound Were these last accents," said the " my reformer, reflection. The preacher was interested as well as and were they uttered at the stake, half-choked the Sub-Prior. with smoke, and as the fagots kindled into a blaze " do son ?" he with last Of whom you speak, my said, hi a around me, that utterance I would testify tone as unconcerned as if his own fate had not been against the superstitious devices of Rome." at the same instant trembling in the balance, and The Sub-Prior suppressed with pain the contro- as if a and death did not to his versial answer which arose to his dungeon appear be lips, and, turning " " instant doom Of whom, I say, speak you ? If to Edward Glendinning, he said, there could be of a youth somewhat older than you seem to be now no doubt that his mother ought presently to brown-haired, open-featured, taller and stronger be informed that her son lived." " than you appear, yet having much of the same air I told you that two hours since," said Christie " and of the same tone of voice if such a one is the of the Clinthill, an you would have believed me. brother whom you seek, it may be I can tell you But it seems you are more willing to take the word news of him." of an old gray sorner, whose life has been spent in " Speak, then, for Heaven's sake," ssid Edward pattering heresy, than mine, I never rode a " though life or death lies on thy tongue !" foray in my life without duly saying paternoster." " my The Sub-Prior in the same Go said Father to " let joined eagerly then," Eustace Edward ; request, and, without waiting to be urged, the thy sorrowing mother know that her son is restored preacher gave a minute account of the circum- to her from the grave, like the child of the widow stances under which he met the elder of at the Glendinning, Zarephath ; intercession," he added, look- " with so exact a description of his person, that there ing at Henry Warden, of the blessed Saint whom remained no doubt as to his identity. When he I invoked in his behalf." " " mentioned that Halbert Glendinning had conducted Deceived thyself," said Warden,instantly, thou him to the dell in which they found the grass bloody, art a deceiver of others. It was no dead man, no and a grave newly closed, and told how the youth creature of clay, whom the blessed Tishbite invoked, accused himself of the slaughter of Sir Piercie when, stung by the reproach of the Shunamite Shafton, the Sub-Prior looked on Edward with woman, he prayed that her son's soul might come astonishment. into him again." " " Didst thou not say, even now," he said, that "It was by his intercession, however," repeated there was no of in that the " for vestige a grave spot 1" Sub-Prior ; what says the Vulgate ? Thus " ' No more of the earth is it written : exaudivit vestige having been Et Dominta vocem Helie ; removed than if the turf had there since et reversa est anima intra et revizit grown pueri eum} ;' the days of Adam," replied Edward Glendinning. and thinkest thou the intercession of a " " glorified It is true," he added, that the adjacent grass was saint is more feeble than when he walks on earth, trampled and bloody.", shrouded hi a tabernacle of and but " clay, seeing These are delusions of the Enemy," said the with the eye of flesh ?" " Sub-Prior, crossing himself. Christian men may During this controversy Edward Glendinning no longer doubt of it." appeared restless and some " impatient, agitated by But an it be said " so," Warden, Christian men strong internal feeling, but whether of joy, grief, or better might guard themselves by the sword of expectation, hia countenance did not expressly prayer than by the idle form of a cabalistical declare. He took now the unusual freedom to break " spell." The badge of our salvation," said the Sub- in upon the discourse of the Sub-Prior, who, not- " be Prior, cannot so termed the sign of the cross withstanding his resolution to the contrary, was disarmeth all evil spirits." obriously kindling hi the spirit of controversy, 516 WAVERLEY NOVELS. which Edward diverted by conjuring his reverence joy under the appearance of revenge Brother, 1 to allow him to speak a few words with him in said, I cannot give thee tears, but I will give thee private. blood Yes, Father, as I counted hour after " hour, Remove the prisoner," said the Sub-Prior to while I kept watch upon the English prisoner, Christie " look to him that he not ; carefully escape ; and said, I am an hour nearer to and to " hope but for thy life do him no injury." happiness " His commands being obeyed, Edward and the I understand thee not, Edward," said the were left " monk alone, when the Sub-Prior thus monk, nor can I conceive in what way thy addressed him. brother's supposed murder should have affected " hath What come over thee, Edward, that thy thee with such unnatural joy Surely the sordid kindles " eye so wildly, and thy cheek is thus desire to succeed him in his small possessions " changing from scarlet to pale ? Why didst thou Perish the paltry trash !" said Edward, with in so " break hastily and unadvisedly upon the argu- the same emotion. No, father, it was rivalry ment with which I was prostrating yonder heretic 2 it was jealous rage it was the love of Mary And wherefore dost thou not tell thy mother that Avenel, that rendered me the unnatural wretch I her son is restored to her by the intercession, as confess myself !" Church well of blessed " " Holy warrants us to believe, Of Mary Avenel !" said the priest of a lady the ? if Saint Benedict, patron of our Order For so high above either of you in name and in rank 1 ever my prayers were put forth to him with zeal, How dared Halbert how dared you, to presume it been this hath in behalf of house, and thine eyes to Uft your eye to her but in honour and respect, have seen the result go tell it to thy mother." as a superior of another degree from yours ?" " " " I must tell her then," said Edward, that if When did love wait for the sanction of she has one another is lost to her." ?" " in regained son, heraldry reph'ed Edward ; and what but a " What meanest thou, Edward ? what language line of dead ancestors was Mary, our mother's guest is this ?" said the Sub-Prior. and foster-child, different from us, with whom she " Father," said the youth, kneeling down to him, was brought up ? Enough, we loved we both " my sin and my shame shall be told thee, and thou loved her ! But the passion of Halbert was re- shalt witness my penance with thine own eyes." quited. He knew it not, he saw it not but I was " I comprehend thee not," said the Sub-Prior. I saw that even when I was more " sharper-eyed. What canst thou have done to deserve such self- approved, Halbert was more beloved. With me accusation ? Hast thou too listened," he added, she would sit for hours at our common task with " knitting his brows, to the demon of heresy, ever the cold simplicity and indifference of a sister, but most effectual tempter of those, who, like yonder with Halbert she trusted not herself. She changed are their love of she was fluttered when he her unhappy man, distinguished by colour, approached ; knowledge ?" and when he left her, she was sad, pensive, and " I am guiltless in that matter," answered Glen- solitary. I bore all this I saw my rival's ad- " to otherwise in affections dinning, nor have presumed think vancing progress her I bore it, than thou, my kind father, hast taught me, and than father, and yet I hated him not I could not hate the church allows." him !" " " And what is it then, my son," said the Sub- And well for thee that thou didst not," said the " " which afflicts conscience ? father wild as thou Prior, kindly, thus thy ; and headstrong art, wouldst speak it to me, that I may answer thee in the thou hate thy brother for partaking in thine own of comfort for the church's is !" words ; mercy great folly " " to those obedient children who doubt not her Father," renlied Edward, the world esteems power." thee wise, and holds thy knowledge of mankind " confession will her shews that thou require mercy," reph'ed high ; but thy question hast never My " Edward. My brother Halbert so kind, so loved. It was by an effort that I saved myself brave, so gentle, who spoke not, thought not, acted from hating my kind and affectionate brother, who, not, but in love to me, whose hand had aided me all unsuspicious of my rivalry, was perpetually in every difficulty, whose eye watched over me like loading me with kindness. Nay, there were moods the eagle's over her nestlings, when they prove of my mind, in which I could return that kindness their first flight from the eyry this brother, for a time with energetic enthusiasm. Never did I BO kind, so gently affectionate I heard of his feel this so strongly as on the night which parted sudden, his bloody, his violent death, and I us. But I could not help rejoicing when he was rejoiced I heard of his unexpected restoration, swept from my path could not help sorrowing and I sorrowed !" when he was again restored to be a stumbling- " " Edward," said the father, thou art beside block in my paths." " thyself what could urge thee to such odious in- May God be gracious to thee, my son !" said " ? In have the this is awful state of Even gratitude your hurry of spirits you monk ; an mind. mistaken the confused tenor of your feelings Go, in such evil mood did the first murderer rise up my son, pray and compose thy mind' we will against his brother, because Abel's was the more speak of this another time." acceptable sacrifice." " " No, father, no," said Edward, vehemently, I will wrestle with the demon which has haunted " " now, or never ! I will find the means to tame me, father," replied the youth, firmly I will this rebellious heart of mine, or I will tear it out wrestle with him, and I will subdue him. But first of my bosom Mistake its passions ? No, father, I must remove from the scenes which are to follow 1 grief can ill be mistaken for joy Ah wept, all here. I cannot endure that I should see Mary shrieked around me my mother the menials Avenel's eyes again flash with joy at the restoration she too, the cause of my crime all wept and of her lover. It were a sight to make indeed a I I could hardly disguise my brutal and insane second Cain of me ! My fierce, turbid, and trail- THE MONASTERY. 517

sitory joy discharged itself in a thirst to commit recounted the circumstances which have thia homicide, and how can I estimate the frenzy of my suddenly determined thee to a religious life ?" " despair ?" The sins I have confessed, my father," answered " " " Madman !" said the Sub-Prior, at what Edward, but I have not yet told of a strange dreadful crime does thy fury drive ?" appearance, which, acting in my mind, hath, I " lot is determined, father," said Edward, think, aided to determine resolution." My " my " I wUl embrace the Tell returned the Sub-Prior in a resolute tone ; spiritual it, then, now," ; " state which you have so oft recommended. It is it is thy duty to leave me uninstructed in nought, my purpose to return with you to Saint Mary's, so that thereby I may understand the temptation and, with the permission of the Holy Virgin and of that besets thee." " to offer to the Abbot." I tell it with said Saint Benedict, my profession unwillingness," Edward ; * " Not now, my son," said the Sub-Prior, not in "for although, God wot, I speak but the mere

this distemperature of mind. The wise and good i truth, yet even while my tongue speaks it as truth, in it accept not gifts which are made heat of blood, my own ears receive as fable." j " and which be after of and shall we Yet the said Father Eustace : may repented ; say whole," " to to itself fear rebuke from I make our offerings wisdom and goodness ! neither me, seeing may know with less of solemn resolution and devotion of reasons for as true that which others deep ; receiving mind, than is necessary to make them acceptable to might regard as fabulous." " " our own frail companions in this valley of darkness ? Know, then, father," replied Edward, that I This say to thee, my son, not as meaning to betwixt hope and despair and, heavens ! what deter thee from the good path thou art now inclined a hope ! the hope to find the corpse mangled to prefer, but that thou mayst make thy vocation and crushed hastily in amongst the bloody clay and thine election sure." which the foot of the scornful victor had trod " There are actions, father," returned Edward, down upon my good, my gentle, my courageous " no and this is one. It must I to the called Corri-nan-shian which brook delay, brother, sped glen ; never be done this very now ; or it may be done. but, as your reverence has been already informed, Let with let not behold the return neither the which unhallowed wishes me go you ; me grave, my had of Halbert into this house. Shame, and the sense in spite of my better self longed to see, nor any of the injustice I have already done him, will join appearance of the earth having been opened, was with these dreadful passions which urge me to do visible in the solitary spot where Martin had, at him yet farther wrong. Let me then go with you." morning yesterday, seen the fatal hillock. You " " With me, my son," said the Sub-Prior, thou know our dalesmen, father. The place hath an shalt but our as well as reason and evil and this of the inclined surely go ; rule, name, deception sight good order, require that you should dwell a space them to leave it. My companions became affrighted, with us as a probationer, or novice, before taking and hastened down the glen as men caught in tres- upon thee those final vows, which, sequestering thee pass. My hopes were too much blighted, my mind for ever from the world, dedicate thee to the service too much agitated, to fear either the living or the of Heaven." dead. I descended the glen more slowly than they, " And when shall we set forth, father 1" said the often looking back, and not ill pleased with the youth, as eagerly as if the journey which he was poltroonery of my companions, which left me to my now undertaking led to the pleasures of a summer own perplexed and moody humour, and induced holiday. them to hasten into the broader dale. They were " Even now, if thou wilt," said the Sub-Prior, already out of sight, and lost amongst the windings " yielding to his impetuosity go, then, and com- of the glen, when, looking back, I saw a female form " mand them to prepare for our departure. Yet standing beside the fountain " " stay," he said, as Edward, with all the awakened How, my fair son ?" said the Sub-Prior, be- enthusiasm of his character, hastened from his ware you jest not with your present situation !" " " " come kneel down." I answered the it presence, hither, my son, and jest not, father," youth ; Edward obeyed, and kneeled down before him. may be I shall never jest again surely not for Notwithstanding his slight figure and thin features, many a day. I saw, I say, the form of a female the Sub-Prior could, from the energy of his tone, clad in white, such as the Spirit which haunts tho nd the earnestness of his devotional manner, house of Avenel is supposed to be. Believe me, impress his pupils and his penitents with no ordi- my father, for, by heaven and earth, I say nought nary feelings of personal reverence. His heart but what I saw with these eyes !" as well as to in the " I believe said the " always was, seemed be, duty thee> my son," monk ; pro- which he was and the ceed in immediately performing ; thy strange story." " spiritual guide who thus shews a conviction of The said Edward deep " apparition," Glendinning, the of his fails and thus run her it importance office, seldom to impress sung, lay ; for, strange as may a similar feeling upon his hearers. Upon such seem to you, her words abide by my remembrance occasions as the present, his puny body seemed to as if they had been sung to me from infancy upward : assume more stature his and majestic spare Thou who seek'st fountain emaciated countenance bore a and ray lone, bolder, loftier, With thoughts and hopes thou darest not own ; more commanding port his voice, always beauti- Whose heart within leap'd wildly glad When most his brow scein'd dark and sad ful, trembled as under the immediate ; labouring Hie thee back, thou find'st not i-ore of the and his whole demeanour impulse Divinity Corpse or coffin, grave or bier ; The is seemed to bespeak, not the mere ordinary man, but Dead Alive gone and fled Go thou, and the Dead ! the organ of the Church in which she had vested join Living ' her high power for delivering sinners from their The Living Dead, whose sober brow Oft shrouds such thoughts as thou hast now, load of iniquity. " Whose hearts within are seldom cured Hast fair said " thou, my son," he, faithfully Of passions by their TOWS abjured : 518 WAVERLEY NOVELS.

Wher.e, under sad and solemn show, these as liked but Southrons they ; they had not Vain hopes are nursed, wild wishes glow. the and wind of a when it came Seek the convent's vaulted room, pith canny Scot, close Prayer and vigil be thy doom ; to grips." Doff the and don the green, "gray," On Mary Avenel the impression was incon- To the cloister hence away ceivably deeper. She had but newly learned to * " 'Tis a wild lay," said the Sub-Prior, and pray, and it seemed to her that her prayers had chanted, I fear me, with no good end. But we been instantly answered that the compassion of hare power to turn the machinations of Satan to Heaven, which she had learned to implore in the his shame. Edward, thou shah go with me as thou words of Scripture, had descended upon her after desirest thou shall life a almost ; prove the for which I have manner miraculous, and recalled the dead long thought thee best fitted thou shalt'aid, my from the grave at the sound of her lamentations. Don, this trembling hand of mine to sustain the There was a dangerous degree of enthusiasm in this Holy Ark, which bold unhallowed men press rashly strain of feeling, but it originated in the purest forward to touch and to profane. Wilt thou not devotion. first see thy mother I" A silken and embroidered muffler, one of the " " I will see no one," said Edward, hastily; I few articles of more costly attire which she pos- will risk nothing that may shake the purpose of sessed, was devoted to the purpose of wrapping up my heart. From Saint Mary's they shall learn and concealing the sacred volume, which hence- my destination all of them shall learn it. My forth she was to regard as her chiefest treasure, for mother Mary Avenel my restored and happy lamenting only that, want of a fitting inter- brother they shall all know that Edward lives preter, much must remain to her a book closed and no longer to the world to be a clog on their happi- a fountain sealed. She was unaware of the yet ness. Mary shall no longer need to constrain her greater danger she incurred, of putting an imper- looks and to coldness because I am fect or even false sense upon some of the doctrines expressions " She shall no which most But Heaven nigh. longer appeared comprehensible. ( " My son," said the Sub-Prior, interrupting him, had provided against both these hazards. " it is not by looking back on the vanities and While Edward was preparing the horses, Christie vexations of this world, that we fit ourselves for of the ClinthiH again solicited his orders respecting the discharge of duties which are not of it. Go, get the reformed preacher, Henry Warden, and again our horses ready, and, as we descend the glen the worthy monk laboured to reconcile in his own together, I will teach thee the truths through which mind the compassion and esteem which, almost in the fathers and wise men of old had that precious spite of him, he could not help feeling for his former alchemy, which can convert suffering into happi- companion, with the duty which he owed to the ness."- church. The unexpected resolution of Edward had he the chief removed, thought, objection to his being left at Glendearg. " If I carry this Wellwood, or Warden, to the CHAPTER XXXIII. " Monastery," he thought, he must die die in his heresy perish body and soul : And though such Now, on my faith, this gear is all entangled, Like to the yarn-clew of the drowsy knitter, a measure was once thought advisable, to strike the frolic kitten the Dragg'd by through cabin, terror into the heretics, yet such is now their daily While the good dame sits nodding o'er the fire ! increasing strength, that it rather rouse them Masters, attend ; 'twill crave some skill to clear it. may Old Play. to fury and to revenge. Time, he refuses to pledge himself to abstain from sowing his tares among the with the of one who doubts but the here is to EDWARD, speed the wheat ; ground too barren receive steadiness of his own resolution, hastened to pre- them. I fear not his making impression on these pare the horses for their departure, and at the same poor women, the vassals of the church, and bred up time thanked and dismissed the neighbours who had in due obedience to her behests. The keen, search- come to his assistance, and who were not a little ing, inquiring, and bold disposition of Edward, might at the suddenness of his have afforded fuel to the fire that is surprised both proposed ; but removed, departure, and at the turn affairs had taken. and there is nothing left which the flame may catch " Here 's cold hospitality," quoth Dan of the to. Thus shall he have no power to spread his " Howlet-hirst to his comrades I trow the Glen- evil doctrines his life shall be ; abroad, and yet pre- dinnings may die and come alive right oft, ere I served, and it may be his soul rescued as a prey put foot in stirrup again for the matter." from the fowler's net. I will myself contend with soothed them food and him hi for studied in Martin by placiij, liquor argument ; when we common, before them. They ate sullenly, however, and I yielded not to him, and surely the cause for which departed in bad humour. I struggle will support me, were I yet more weak The joyful news that Halbert Glendinning lived, than I deem myself. Were this man reclaimed was quickly communicated through the sorrowing from his errors, an hundred-fold more advantage family. The mother wept and thanked Heaven would arise to the church from his spiritual regene- until alternately ; her habits of domestic economy ration, than from his temporal death." awakening as her feelings became calmer, she Having finished these meditations, in which there " observed, It would be an unco task to mend the was at once goodness of disposition and narrowness yetts, and what were they to do while they were of principle, a considerable portion of self-opinion, broken in that fashion I At open doors dogs and no small degree of self-delusion, the Sub-Prior come in." commanded the prisoner to be into his " brought Tibb remarked, She aye thought Halbert was presence. " " owcr gleg at his weapon to be killed sae easily by Henry," he said, whatever a rigid sense of ony Sir Piercie of them a'. They might say of duty may demand of me, ancient friendship and THE MONASTERY. 519

Christian compassion forbid me to lead thee to Glendinning, that this person was to be her guest assured death. Thou wert wont to be generous, for some days, forbidding her and her whole house- stubborn in resolves let not to hold though stern and thy ; hold, under high spiritual censures, any thy sense of what thine own thoughts term duty, conversation with him on religious subjects, but draw thee farther than mine have done. Remember, commanding her to attend to his wants in all other that every sheep whom thou shalt here lead astray particulars. in time " from the fold, will be demanded and through May Our Lady forgive me, reverend father," the eternity of him who hath left thee liberty of said Dame Glendiuning, somewhat dismayed at this I no of " doing such evil. ask engagement thee, intelligence, but I must needs say, that ower mony save that thou remain a prisoner on thy word at guests have been the ruin of mony a house, and I tliis tower, and wilt appear when summoned." trow they will bring down Glendearg. First came " Thou hast found an invention to bind my hands," the Lady of Avenel (her soul be at rest she the k< more sure than would have replied preacher, meant nae ill) but she brought with her as mony been the heaviest shackles in the prison of thy con- bogles and fairies, as hae kept the house in care vent. I will not rashly do what may endanger thee ever since, sae that we have been living as it were with thy unhappy superiors, and I will be the more in a dream. And then came that English knight, if had of if cautious, because, we farther opportunity if it please you, and he hasna killed my son out- I trust thine own soul be rescued conference, may yet right, he has chased him aff the gate, and it may be as a brand from the burning, and that, casting from lang eneugh ere I see him again forby the damage thee the livery of Anti-Christ, that trader in human done to outer door and inner door. And now your sins and human souls, I may yet assist thee to lay reverence has given me the charge of a heretic, hold on the Rock of Ages." who, it is like, may bring the great horned devil The Sub-Prior heard the so similar us all and that it is sentiment, himself down upon ; they say to that which had occurred to himself, with the neither door nor window will serve him, but he will same kindly feelings with which the game-cock hears take away the side of the auld tower along with him. and replies to the challenge of his rival. Nevertheless, reverend father, your pleasure is " I bless God and Our Lady," said he, drawing doubtless to be done to our power." " " himself that faith is anchored on " said the Sub-Prior send for up, my already Go to, woman," ; that Rock on which Saint Peter founded his church." workmen from the clachan, and let them charge the " It is a perversion of the text," said the eager expense of their repairs to the Community, and I " Henry Warden, grounded on a vain play upon will give the treasurer warrant to allow them. More- words a most idle paronomasia." over, in settling the rental mails, and feu-duties, thou The controversy would have been rekindled, and shalt have allowance for the trouble and charges to in all probability for what can insure the good which thou art now put, and I will cause strict temper and moderation of polemics ? might have search to be made after thy sou." ended in the preacher's being transported a captive The dame curtsied deep and low at each favour- to the had not Christie of the Clinthill when the Sub-Prior done Monastery, able expression ; and had observed that it was growing late, and that he having speaking, she added her farther hope that the Sub- to descend the glen, which had no good reputation, Prior would hold some communing with her gossip cared not greatly for travelling there after sunset. the Miller, concerning the fate of his daughter, and The Sub- Prior, therefore, stifled his desire of argu- expound to him that the chance had by no means ment, and again telling the preacher, that he trusted happened through any negligence on her part. " " to his gratitude and generosity, he bade him fare- I sair doubt me, father," she said, whethei well. finds to the Mill in a Mysie back hurry ; " hei^way Be assured, mine old friend," replied Warden, but it was all her father's own fault that let her " that no willing act of mine shall be to thy preju- run lamping about the country, riding on bare- dice. But if my Master shall place work before me, backed naigs, and never settling to do a turn oi I must obey God rather than man." wark within doors, unless it were to dress dainties ' These two men, both excellent from natural dis- at dinner-time for his ain kyte." and acquired knowledge, had more points "You remind me, dame, of another matter of position " of than themselves would said Father Eustace God similarity they have urgency," ; and, knows, admitted. In truth, the chief distinction betwixt too many of them press on me at this moment. This them was, that the Catholic, defending a religion English knight must be sought out, and explanation which afforded little interest to the feelings, had, in given to him of these most strange chances. The his devotion to Ihe cause he espoused, more of the giddy girl must also be recovered. If she hath head than of the heart, and was politic, cautious, suffered in reputation by this unhappy mistake, I and artful while the under the will not hold innocent of the ; Protestant, acting myself disgrace. Yet strong impulse of more lately adopted conviction, how to find them out I know not." " and feeling, as he justly might, a more animated So please you," said Christie of the Clinthill, " confidence in his cause, was enthusiastic, eager, and I am willing to take the chase, and bring them in his to it. fair means or foul for have precipitate desire advance The priest back by ; though you would have been contented to defend, the preacher always looked as black as night at me, whenever we to I have not that aspired conquer ; and, of course, the impulse by have forgathered, yet forgotten had which the latter was governed, was more active and it not been for you, my neck would have kend the more decisive. They could not part from each weight of my four quarters. If any man can track other without a second pressure of hands, and each the tread of them, I will say in the face of both looked in the face of his old companion, as he bade Merse and Teviotdale, and take the Forest to boot, him adieu, with a countenance strongly expressive I am that man. But first I have matters to treat of and of on master's if will me to sorrow, affection, pity. i my score, you permit then to Dame ride the with Father Eustace explained briefly . down glen you." 520 WAVERLEY NOVELS.

' said the thou whom call heretics one Nay, but, my friend," Sub-Prior," Congregation, you ; and at shouldst remember I have but slender cause to trust time he was minded, to be plain with you, to have thee for a companion through a place so solitary." taken their way for he was assured that the Lord " ' " said the fear not this road at the of Tush! tush!" Jackman, me ; James was coming head a round I had the worst too surely to begin that sport again. body of cavalry. And accordingly Lord James did Besides, have I not said a dozen of times, I owe so far reckon upon him, that he sent this man you a life ? and when I owe a man either a good Warden, or whatsoever be his name, to my mas- turn or a bad, I never fail to pay it sooner or later. ter's protection, as an assured friend; and, moreover, Moreover, beshrew me if I care to go alone down with tidings that he himself was marching hither- the glen, or even with my troopers, who are, every ward at the head of a strong body of horse." " loon of them, as much devil's bairns as myself; Now, Our Lady forefend !" said the Sub-Prior. " whereas, if your reverence, since that is the word, Amen!" answered Christie, in some " trepidation, take beads and psalter, and I come along with jack did your reverence see aught 1" " " and will the devils take the and the it spear, you make air, Nothing whatever," replied monk ; was I will make all human enemies take the earth." thy tale which wrested from me that exclamation." " Edward here entered, and told his reverence that And it was some he of the " cause," replied his horse was prepared. At this instant his eye Clinthill, for if Lord James should come hither, caught his mother's, and the resolution which he your Halidome would smoke for it. But be of good had so strongly formed was staggered when he cheer that expedition is ended before it was begun. recollected the necessity of bidding her farewell. The Baron of Avenel had sure news that Lord James The Sub-Prior saw his embarrassment, and came has been fain to march westward with his merry- to his relief. men, to protect Lord Semple against Cassilis and " " Dame," said he, I forgot to mention that your the Kennedies. By my faith, it will cost him a son Edward goes with me to Saint Mary's, and will brush; for wot ye what they say of that name, not return for two or three days." " 'Twixt Wigton and the town of Ayr, You '11 be wishing to help him to recover his Portpatrick and the cruives of Cree, No man need think for to bide brother ? the saints reward kindness !" there," May your Unless he court Saint Kennedie.' The Sub-Prior returned the benediction which, in " " this instance, he had not very well deserved, and he Then," said the Sub-Prior, the Lord James's and Edward set forth on their route. They were purpose of coming southwards being broken, cost presently followed by Christie, who came up with this person, Henry Warden, a cold reception at his followers at such a speedy pace, as intimated Avenel Castle." " It not ufficiently that his wish to obtain spiritual convoy would have been altogether so rough a " the sincere. said the for master was through glen, was extremely He had, one," moss-trooper ; my nowever, other matters to stimulate his speed, for he in heavy thought what to do in these unsettled was desirous to communicate to the Sub-Prior a times, and would scarce have hazarded misusing a message from his master Julian, connected with the man sent to him by so terrible a leader as the Lord of the and re- James. to the some devil delivery prisoner Warden ; having But, speak truth, busy quested the Sub-Prior to ride with him a few yards tempted the old man to meddle with my master's with before Edward, and the troopers of his own party, Christian liberty of hand-fasting Catherine of he thus addressed him, sometimes interrupting his Newport. So that broke the wand of peace between discourse in a manner testifying that his fear of them, and now ye may have my master, and all the supernatural beings was not altogether lulled to rest force he can make, at your devotion, for Lord James done to him and if ho by his confidence in the sanctity of his fellow- never forgave wrong ; come traveller. by the upper hand, he will have Julian's head if " " My master," said the rider, deemed he had there were never another of the name, as it is like is the bit of a sent you an acceptable gift in that old heretic there not, excepting slip lassie yonder. but it from the care And now I have told more of master's preacher ; seems, slight you you my of that affairs than he would thank me for but have have taken him, you make small account of ; you the boon." done me a frank turn once, and I may need one at " Nay," said the Sub-Prior, \" do not thus judge your hands again." of it. The Community must account highly of the "Thy frankness," said the Sub-Prior, "shall will it to thee for much it concerns the service, and reward thy master in goodly surely advantage ; fashion. But this man and I are old friends, and church in these broken times to know the purposes I trust to bring him back from the paths of perdi- and motives of those around us. But what is it tion." that thy master expects from us in reward of good " said the " I service for I esteem him one of those who are noi Nay," moss-trooper, when saw you ; shake hands at the I counted that you willing to work without their hire ?" beginning, " it all that I tell for Lord would fight out in love and honour, and that Nay, can you flatly ; James there would be no extreme dealings betwixt ye had promised him, in case he would be of his faction however it is all in these an tack of the teind-sheaves of one to my master Saint Mary ! parts, easy what call you yon, Sir Monk ?" his own Barony of Avenel, together with the lands " The branch of a willow streaming across the of Cranberry-moor, which lie intersected with his path betwixt us and the sky." own. And he will look for no less at your hand." K " " Beshrew me," said Christie, if it looked not But there is old Gilbert of Cranberry-moor," " like a man's hand holding a sword. But touching said the Sub-Prior, what are we to make of him 1 my master, he, like a prudent man, hath kept him- The heretic Lord James may take on him ts dis- self aloof in these broken times, until he could see pone upon the goods and lauds of the Halidome at with precision what footing he was to stand upon. Ri^ht tempting offers he hath had from the Lords of i Lord James Stewart, afterwards the Begent Murray. THE MONASTEKY. 521

" nis pleasure, because, doubtless, but for the protec- in great haste. I have not seen him more dis- tion of God, and the baronage which yet remain couraged or desolate of counsel since the field of faithful to their he us of them was stricken." creed, may despoil Pinkie-cleugh" force while are the of the I I said by ; but they property come, my good brother, come," Father " community, we may not take steadings from ancient Eustace. I pray thee, good brother, let this youth, and faithful vassals, to gratify the covetousness of Edward Glendinning, be conveyed to the Chamber those who serve God only from the lucre of gain." of the Novices, and placed under their instructor " " By the mass," said Christie, it is well talking, God hath touched his heart, and he proposeth laying consider that Gilbert has aside the vanities of the to a brother Sir Priest ; but when ye world, become to follow of our order if his be but two half-starved cowardly peasants holy ; which, good parts him, and only an auld jaded aver to ride upon, fitter matched with fitting docility and humility, he may for the plough than for manly service; and that the one day live to adorn." " Baron of Avenel never rides with fewer than ten My very venerable brother," exclaimed old iackmen at his back, and oftener with fifty, bodin Father Nicholas, who came hobbling with a third " in all that effeirs to war as if they were to do battle summons to the Sub-Prior, I pray thee to hasten for a kingdom, and mounted on nags that nieker at to our worshipful Lord Abbot. The holy patroness the clash of a sword as if it were the clank of the be with us ! never saw I Abbot of the House of I Saint in such consternation I lid of a corn-chest say, when ye have computed Mary's ; and yet re- all this, you may guess which course will best serve member me well when Father Ingelram had the your Monastery." news of Flodden-field." " " " Friend," said the monk, I would I come, I come, venerable brother," said Father willingly " purchase thy master's assistance on his own terms, Eustace And having repeatedly ejaculated I since times leave us no better means of defence come !" he at last went to the Abbot in good the of heresy ; but earnest. against sacrilegious spoliation " to take from a poor man his patrimony " " For that matter," said the rider, his seat would scarce be a soft one, if my master thought that CHAPTER XXXIV. Gilbert's interest stood betwixt him and what he wishes. The Halidome has land and Gilbert enough, It is not texts will do it Church artillery may be quartered elsewhere." Are silenced soon by real ordnance, " And canons are but vain opposed to cannon. We will consider the possibility of so disposing Go, coin your crosier,' melt your church plate down, " will in the matter," said the monk, and expect Bid the starved soldier banquet in your halls, consequence your master's most active assistance, And quaff your long-saved hogsheads Turn them out Thus primed with your good cheer, to guard your wall, with all the followers he can make, to in the join And they will venture for 't. defence of the Halidome, against any force by which Old Play it may be threatened." " 1 A man's hand and a mailed glove on that," said THE Abbot received his counsellor with a tremu- " the jackman. They call us marauders, thieves, lous eagerness of welcome., which announced to the

the side take hold . Sub-Prior extreme of the and what not ; but we we by. an agitation spirits, and And I will be blithe when my Baron comes to a utmost need of good counsel. There was neither point which side he will take, for the castle is a kind mazer-dish nor standing-cup upon the little table, at of for such a the elbow of his chair of state his beads alone hell, (Our Lady forgive me naming huge ; word in this place!) while he is in his mood, study- lay there, and it seemed as if he had been telling ing how he may best advantage himself. And now, them in his extremity of distress. Beside the beadi Heaven be praised, we are in the open valley, and was placed the mitre of the Abbot, of an antique I may swear a round oath, should aught happen to form, and blazing with precious stones, and the rich provoke it." and highly-embossed crosier rested against the same "My friend," said the Sub-Prior, "thou hast table. little merit in abstaining from oaths or blasphemy, The Sacristan and old Father Nicholas had fol- if it be only out of fear of evil spirits." lowed the Sub-Prior into the Abbot's apartment, " Nay, I am not quite a church vassal yet," said perhaps with the hope of learning something of the " the jackman, and if you link the curb too tight on important matter which seemed to be in hand. a I he will rear were not mistaken after ushered young horse, promise you Why, They ; for, having it is much for me to forbear old customs on any in the Sub-Prior, and being themselves in the act account whatever." of the Abbot made them a signal to remain. "retiring, " The night being fine, they forded the river at My brethren," he said, it is well known to the spot where the Sacristan met with his unhappy you with what painful zeal we have overseen the this to encounter with the spirit. As soon as they arrived weighty affairs of house committed our at the gate of the Monastery, the porter in waiting unworthy hand your bread hath been given to " eagerly exclaimed, Reverend father, the Lord you, and your water hath been sure I have not Abbot is most anxious for your presence." wasted the revenues of the Convent on vain pleasures, " Let these strangers be carried to the great hall," as hunting or hawking, or in change of rich cope " said the Sub-Prior, and be treated with the best or alb, or in feasting idle bards and jesters, saving the cellarer of that those to old were received in by ; reminding them, however, who, according wont, modesty and decency of conduct which becomcth time of Christmas and Easter. Neither have I guests in a house like this." enriched either mine own relations nor strange '' But the Lord Abbot demands you instantly, women, at the ejqpense of the Patrimony." J " my venerable brother," said Father Philip, arriving There hath not been such a Lord Abbot," said " Father Nicholas, to knowledge, since the days my " ' of See Note L. Good Faiih o/tfie Bwierert. Abbot Ingelram, who 522 WAVERLEY NOVELS.

At that portentous word, which always preluded as if striving to catch some comfort from the expres- a long story, the Abbot broke in. sion of his countenance. When at he beheld " length his soul ! May God have mercy on we talk that, after a second intent perusal of the letters, he not of him now. What would know of ye, my remained still silent and full of thought, he asked in " brethren, is, whether I have, your mind, faith- him in an anxious tone, What is to be done 2" " fully discharged the duties of mine office V Our duty must be done," answered the Sub- " " There has never been subject of complaint," Prior, and the rest is in the hands of God." " answered the Sub-Prior. Our duty our duty ?" answered the Abbot, " The Sacristan, more diffuse, enumerated the impatiently; doubtless we are to do our duty? but various acts of indulgence and kindness which the what is that duty ? or how will it serve us ? Will mild government of Abbot Boniface had conferred bell, book, and candle, drive back the English here- on the brotherhood ofSaint Mary's the indulgently tics ? or will Murray care for psalms and anti- the gratias the biberes the weekly mess of phonars 1 or can I fight for the Halidome, like Judas boiled almonds the enlarged accommodation of Maccabeus, against those profane Nicanors ? or send the refectory the better arrangement of the cel- the Sacristan against this new Holofernes, to bring larage the improvement of the revenue of the back his head in a basket \" " Monastery the diminution of the privations of the True, my Lord Abbot," said the Sub-Prior, " brethren. we cannot fight with carnal weapons, it is alike " You have said the to our habit and vow but we can die foi might added, my brother," contrary ; Abbot, listening with melancholy acquiescence to our Convent and for our Order. Besides, we can " to the detail of his own merits, that I caused be arm those who will and can fight. The English are built that curious screen, which secureth the cloisters but few in number, trusting, as it would seem, thai from the north-east wind. But all these things they will be joined by Murray, whose march ha-, avail nothing As we read in holy Maccabee, been interrupted. If Foster, with his Cumberland Capta est civitas per toluntatem Dei. It hath cost and Hexham bandits, ventures to march into Scot' me no little thought, no common toil, to keep these land, to pillage and despoil our House, we will lev) weighty matters in such order as you have seen our vassals, and, I trust, shall be found strong them there was both barn and binn to be kept enough to give him battle." " full Infirmary, dormitory, guest-hall, and refec- In the blessed name of Our Lady," said the " tory, to be looked to processions to be made, con- Abbot, think you that I am Petrus Eremita, to go fessions to be heard, strangers to be entertained, forth the leader of an host V " venice to be or refused and I warrant " the let some skilled granted ; me, Nay," said Sub-Prior, man when every one of you was asleep in your cell, the in war lead our people there is Julian Avenel, an Abbot hath lain awake for a full hour by the bell, approved soldier." " thinking how these matters might be ordered seemly But a scoffer, a debauched person, and, in and suitably." brief, a man of Belial," quoth the Abbot. " " " May we ask, reverend my lord," said the Sub- Still," said the monk, we must use his minis- " Prior, what additional care has now been thrown try in that to which he has been brought up. We upon you, since your discourse seems to point that can guerdon him richly, and indeed I already know way 1" the price of his service. The English, it is expected, " " Marry, this it is," said the Abbot. The talk will presently set forth, hoping here to seize upon is not now of biberes, or of caritas. or of boiled Piercie Shafton, whose refuge being taken with us, L almonds, but of an English band coming against they make the pretext of this unheard-of inroad." " " us from Hexham, commanded by Sir John Foster; Is it even so 2" said the Abbot; I never judged nor is it of the screening us from the east wind, but that his body of satin and his brain of feathers boded how to escape Lord James Stewart, who cometh to us much good." " lay waste and destroy with his heretic soldiers." Yet we must have his assistance, if possible," " I that had been broken the said " he interest in our behalf thought purpose by the Sub-Prior ; may feud between Semple and the Kennedies," said the the great Piercie, of whose friendship he boasts, and Sub-Prior, hastily. that and faithful Lord may break Foster's " good They have accorded that matter at the expense purpose. I will despatch the jackman after him of the " the church as usual," said the Abbot; the Earl with all speed. Chiefly, however, I trust to of Cassilis is to the will not suffer have teind-sheaves of his lands, military spirit of the land, which peace which were given to the house of Crosraguel, and he to be easily broken on the frontier. Credit me, my has stricken hands with Stewart, who is now called lord, it will bring to our side the hands of many, Murray. Principes convenerunt unum actversus whose hearts may have gone astray after strange Dominum. There are the letters." doctrines. The great chiefs and barons will be The Sub-Prior took the letters, which had come ashamed to let the vassals of peaceful monks fight by an express messenger from the Primate of Scot- unaided against the old enemies of Scotland." who still " " will land, laboured to uphold the tottering fabric It may be," said the Abbot, that Foster of the system trader which he was at length buried, wait for Murray, whose purpose hitherward is but and, stepping towards the lamp, read them with an delayed for a short space." air of and settled attention the Sacristan " the he will said the Sub-Prior deep By rood, not," ; " and Father Nicholas looked as helplessly at each we know this Sir John Foster a pestilent heretic, the other, as denizens of the poultry yard when the he will long to destroy the church born a Borderer hawk soars over it. The Abbot seemed bowed he will thirst to plunder her of her wealth 3 down with the extremity of sorrowful apprehension, Border-warden, he will be eager to ride in Scotland but kept his eye timorously fixed on the Sub-Prior, There are too many causes to urge him on. If he befit but an joins with Murray, he will have at 1 See Note M. Indulgences of the Wonkt. auxiliary's share of the spoil if he comes hither THE MONASTERY. 523

' before him, he will reckon on the whole harvest of looks to Father Eustace witn some sui-[)nse, tlut depredation as his own. Julian Avenel also has, you, father, of all men, would have done me this as I have heard, some spite against Sir John Fos- justice." " " ter will when with double In said the I ; they fight, they meet, your absence," Sub-Prior, have determination. Sacristan, send for our bailiff even done it more fully. Do not lose the good Where is the roll of fencible men liable to do suit opinion which all men entertain of you, by renounc- and service to the Halidome ? Send off to the ing your office when your care is most needed." " " of he can raise threescore horse said the I leave a Baron Meigallot ; But, my brother," Abbot, and better Say to him the Monastery will com- mere able in my place." " " with for the customs of his which Tliat do said Eustace because it is pound him bridge, you not," ; have been in controversy, if he will shew himself a not necessary you should resign, hi order to possess friend at such a point. And now, my lord, let us the use of whatever experience or talent I may be compute our possible numbers, and those of the accounted master of. I have been long enough in that human blood be not in vain this to know that the individual enemy, " spilled profession qualities Let us therefore calculate which any of us may have, are not his own, but the " My brain is dizzied with the emergency," said property^of the Community, and only BO far useful the poor Abbot "I am not, I think, more a coward when they promote the general advantage. If you than others, so far as my own person is concerned; care not hi person, my lord, to deal with this trouble- but speak to me of marching and collecting soldiers, some matter, let me implore you to go instantly to and calculating forces, and you may as well tell of Edinburgh, and make what friends you can in our it to the youngest novice of a nunnery. But my behalf, while I in your absence will, as Sub-Prior resolution is taken. Brethren," he said, rising up, do my duty in defence of the Halidome. If I suc- and coming forward with that dignity which his ceed, may the honour and praise be yours, and if I " comely person enabled him to assume, hear for fail, let the disgrace and shame be mine own." the last time the voice of your Abbot Boniface. The Abbot mused for a space, and then replied, " I have done for you the best that I could; in quieter No, Father Eustatius, you shall not conquer times I had perhaps done better, for it was for me by your generosity. In times like these, this quiet that I sought the cloister, which has been to house must have a stronger pilotage than my weak me a place of turmoil, as much as if I had sate in hands afford; and he who steers the vessel must be the receipt of custom, or ridden forth as leader of chief of the crew. Shame were it to accept the an armed host But now matters turn worse and praise of other men's labours; and, in my poor mind, worse, and I, as I grow old, am less able to struggle all the praise which can be bestowed on him who with them. Also, it becomes me not to hold a place, undertakes a task so perilous and perplexing, is a whereof the duties, through my default or misfor- meed beneath his merits. Misfortune to him would tune, may be but imperfectly filled by me. Where- deprive him of an iota of it ! Assume, therefore, fore I have resolved to demit this mine high office, your authority to-night, and proceed hi the prepara- so that the order of these matters may presently tions you judge necessary. Let the Chapter be devolve upon Father Eustatius here present, our summoned to-morrow after we have heard mass, well-beloved I that he all shall be ordered as I have told Ilene- Sub-Prior ; and now rejoice and you. hath not been provided according to his merits else- dicite, my brethren ! peace be witli you ! May where, seeing that I well hope he will succeed to the new Abbot-expectant sleep as sound as he who the mitre and staff which it is my present purpose is about to resign his mitre." to lay down." They retired, affected even to tears. The good " In the name of Our Lady, do nothing hastily, Abbot had shewn a point of his character to which " my lord!" said Father Nicholas I do remember they were strangers. Even Father Eustace had that when the worthy Abbot Ingelram, being in held his spiritual Superior hitherto as a good- his ninetieth year for I warrant you he could re- humoured, indolent, self-indulgent man, whose chief the of faults so that this member when Benedict Thirteenth was deposed merit was the absence gross ; and being ill at ease and bed-rid, the brethren sacrifice of power to a sense of duty, even if a little rounded in his ear that he were better resign his alloyed by the meaner motives of fear and appre- office. And what said he, being a pleasant man ? hended difficulties, raised him considerably in the marry, that while he could crook his little finger he Sub-Prior's estimation. He even felt an aversion would keep hold of the crosier with it." to profit by the resignation of the Abbot Boniface, The Sacristan also strongly remonstrated against and hi a manner to rise on his ruins; but this senti- the resolution of his Superior, and set down the ment did not long contend with those which led him insufficiency he pleaded to the native modesty of his to recollect higher considerations. It could not be disposition. The Abbot listened in downcast silence; denied that Boniface was entirely unfit for his situa- even his ear. tion hi crisis and the Sub-Prior felt flattery could not win the present ; Father Eustace took a nobler tone with his dis- that he himself, acting merely as a delegate, could " concerted and dejected Superior. My Lord not well take the decisive measures which the time " he if I silent the weal of the therefore Abbot," said, have been concerning required ; Community hi the virtues with which you have governed this demanded his elevation. If, besides, there crept house, do not think that I am unaware of them. I a feeling of a high dignity obtained, and the native with know that no man ever brought to your high office exultation of a haughty spirit called to contend a sincere to all and the to a of such more wish do well to mankind ; imminent dangers attached post if your rule has not been marked with the bold distinction, these sentiments were so cunningly of lines which sometimes distinguished your spiritual blended and amalgamated with others a more himselt predecessors, their faults have equally been strangers disinterested nature, that, as the Sub-Prior to your character." was unconscious of their agency, we, who have a " T did not believe," said the Abbot, turning his regard for him, are not solicitous to detect it. 524 WAVERLEY NOVELS.

" The Abbot elect carried himself with more dignity No force must be used upon him. within what than formerly, when giving such directions as the tune wilt thou find him out ?" the times and " so he not pressing circumstances of required ; Within thirty hours, have crossed the those who approached him could perceive an unusual Lothian firth If it is to do you a pleasure, I will kindling of his falcon eye, and an unusual flush upon set off directly, and wind him as a sleuth-dog tracks his and faded cheek. With briefness and pre- the moss-trooper," answered Christie. pale " cision he wrote and dictated various letters to diffe- Bring him hither then, and thou wilt deserve rent barons, acquainting them with the meditated good at our hands, which I may soon have free invasion of the Halidome by the English, and con- means of bestowing on thee." " juring them to lend aid and assistance as in a com- Thanks to your reverence, I put myself in youj mon cause. The temptation of advantage was held reverence's hands. We of the spear and snaflift out to those he less sensible of the walk life but if a whom judged something recklessly through ; man of all cause honour, and were urged by the motives were worse than he is, your reverence knows he must of patriotism and ancient animosity to the English. live, and that's not to be done without shifting, I The time had been when no such exhortations would trow." " have been necessary. But so essential was Eliza- Peace, Sir, and begone on thine errand thou beth's aid to the reformed party in Scotland, and so shalt have a letter from us to Sir Piercie." was that almost that there Christie made two towards the door strong party every where, steps ; then was reason to believe a great many would observe turning back and hesitating, like one who would neutrality on the present occasion, even if they did make an impertinent pleasantry if he dared, he not go the length of uniting with the English against asked what he was to do with the wench Mysie the Catholics. Happer, whom the Southron knight had carried off When Father Eustace considered the number of with him. " the immediate vassals of the church whose aid he Am I to bring her hither, please your reve- might legally command, his heart sunk at the rence ?" " thoughts of ranking them under the banner of the Hither, you malapert knave ?" said the church fierce Julian Avenel. " remember to whom ?" and profligate man ; you you speak " " "Were the enthusiast Halbert offence Christie but ii young Glendinning No meant," replied ; to be found," thought Father Eustace in his anxiety, such is not your will, I would carry her to Avenel " I would have risked the battle under his leading, Castle, where a well-favoured wench was never young as he is, and with better hope of God's bless- unwelcome." " ing. But the bailiff is now too infirm, nor know I Bring the unfortunate girl to her father's, an, a chief of name whom I might trust in this important break no scurril jests here," said the Sub-Prior " matter better than this Avenel." He touched a See that thou guide her in all safety and honour," " " bell which stood on the table, and commanded In safety, surely," said the rider, and in such Christie of the Clinthill to be brought before him. honour as her outbreak has left her. I bid youJ " Thou owest me a life," said he to that person reverence farewell, I must be on horse before cock- " on his entrance, and I may do thee another good crow." " turn if thou be'st sincere with me." What, in the dark ! how knowest thou which Christie had already drained two standing-cups way to go 1" " of wine, which would, on another occasion, have I tracked the knight's horse-tread as far as near added to the insolence of his familiarity. But at to the ford, as we rode along together," said Christie, " present there was something in the augmented and T observed the track turn to the northward. dignity of manner of Father Eustace, which im- He is for Edinburgh, I will warrant you so soon posed a restraint on him. Yet his answers partook as daylight comes I will be on the road again. It of his usual character of undaunted assurance. He is a kenspeckle hoof-mark, for the shoe was made professed himself willing to return a true answer to by old Eckie of Cannobie I would swear to the all inquiries. curve of the cawker." So saying, he departed. " " Has the Baron (so styled) of Avenel any friend- Hateful necessity," said Father Eustace, looking " ship with Sir John Foster, Warden of the West after him, that obliges us to use such implements Marches of England ?" as these ! But, assailed as we are on all sides, and " Such friendship as is between the wild-cat and by all conditions of men, what alternative is left us 1 the terrier," replied the rider. But now let me to my most needful task." Will he do battle with him should they meet 2" The Abbot elect accordingly sate down to write " " As surely," answered Christie, as ever cock letters, arrange orders, and take upon him the whole fought on Shrovetide-even." charge of an institution which tottered to its fall, " And would he fight with Foster in the Church's with the same spirit of proud and devoted fortitude quarrel ?" wherewith the commander of a fortress, reduced " On any quarrel, or upon no quarrel whatever," nearly to the last extremity, calculates what means replied the jackman. remain to him to protract the fatal hour of success- " We will then write to him, letting him know, ful storm. In the meanwhile Abbot Boniface, that if upon occasion of an apprehended incursion having given a few natural sighs to the downfall of by Sir John Foster he will agree to join his force the pre-eminence he had so long enjoyed amongst with ours, he shall lead our men, and be gratified his brethren, fell fast asleep, leaving the whole cares for doing so to the extent of his wish. Yet one and toils of office to his assistant and successor. word more Thou didst say thou conldst find out where the English knight Piercie Shafton has this day fled to ?" " That I can, and bring him back too, by fair means or force, as best likes your reverence." THE MONASTERY. 525

supposed to have possessed, tipped mm the wink, CHAPTER XXXV. and assured the pedlar he need have no doubt that her young cousin was a true man. " " And when he came to broken briggs, Cousin !" said the pedlar, I thought you said He slack 'd 1m bow and swam ; this youth had been a And when he came to growing, stranger." grass "Ill Set down his feet and ran. hearing makes ill rehearsing," said the Gil Hornet, " landlady; he is a stranger to me by eye-sight, but that does not make him a stranger to me by blood, our WE return to Halbert Glendinning, who, as more especially seeing his likeness to my son readers may remember, took the high-road to Edin- Saunders, poor bairn." with the burgh. His intercourse preacher Henry The pedlar's scruples and jealousies being thus Warden, from whom he received a letter at the removed, or at least silenced, the travellers agreed moment of 'his deliverance, had been so brief, that that they would proceed in company together the lie had not even learned the name of the nobleman next morning by daybreak, the pedlar acting as to whose care he was recommended. Something a guide to Glendinning, and the youth as a guard like a name had been spoken indeed, but he had to the pedlar, until they should fall in with Murray's only comprehended that he was to meet the chief detachment of horse. It would appear that the advancing towards the south, at the head of a party landlady never doubted what was to be the event of horse. When day dawned on his journey, he of this compact, for, taking aside, she " Glendinning was in the same uncertainty. A better scholar charged him, to be moderate with the puir body, would have been informed by the address of the but at all events, not to forget to take a piece of letter, but Halbert had not so far profited by Father black say, to make the auld wife a new rokelay." Eustace's lessons as to be able to decipher it. His Halbert laughed and took his leave. mother-wit taught him that he must not, in such It did not a little appal the pedlar, when, in the uncertain times, be too hasty in asking information midst of a black heath, the young man told him the of one and after a nature of the commission with which their hostess any ; when, long day's journey, night surprised him near a little village, he began had charged him. He took heart, however, upon to be dubious and anxious concerning the issue of seeing the open, frank, and friendly demeanour of his journey. the youth, and vented his exclamations on the In a poor country, hospitality is generally exer- ungrateful old traitress. "*I gave her," he said, " cised freely, and Halbert, when he requested a night's yester-e'en nae farther gane, a yard of that very did either or extraor- black to her a couvre-chef I see it quarters, nothing degrading say, make ; but dinary. The old woman, to whom he made this is ill done to teach the cat the way to the kirn." request, granted it the more readily, that she Thus set at ease on the intentions of his com- thought she saw some resemblance between Halbert panion (for in those happy days the worst was and her son Sauuders, who had been killed in one always to be expected from a stranger,) the pedlar of the frays so common in the time. It is true, acted as Halbert's guide over moss and moor, over Saunders was a short square-made fellow, with red hill and many a dale, hi such a direction as might hair and a freckled face, and somewhat bandy- best lead them towards the route of Murray's party. legged, whereas the stranger was of a brown com- At length they arrived upon the side of an eminence, plexion, tall, and remarkably well-made. Never- which commanded a distant prospect over a tract of theless, the widow was clear that there existed a savage and desolate moorland, marshy and waste general resemblance betwixt her guest and Saun- an alternate change of shingly hill and level morass, ders, and kindly pressed him to share of her evening only varied by blue stagnant pools of water. A road cheer. A pedlar, a man of about forty years old, scarcely marked winded like a serpent through the was also her guest, who talked with great feeling of wilderness, and the pedlar, pointing to it, said " the misery of pursuing such a profession as his in The road from Edinburgh to Glasgow. Here we the tune of war and tumult. must wait, and if Murray and his tram be not " We think much of knights and soldiers," said already passed by, we shall soon see trace of them, " the travels the land unless some shall have altered their fle ; but pedder-coffe who has new purpose of all. I resolution for in these blessed no need more courage than them am sure ; days man, were he maun face mair risk, God help him. Here have he the nearest the throne, as the Earl of Murray I come this length, trusting the godly Earl of Murray may be, knows when he lays his head on his pillow would be on his march to the Borders, for he was at night where it is to lie upon the following even." to with the of sat the have guestened Baron Avenel ; and They paused accordingly, and down, instead of that comes news that he has gone west- pedlar cautiously using for a seat the box which landways about some tuilzie hi Ayrshire. And contained his treasures, and not concealing from what to do I for if I to the south with- his that he wore under his cloak wot not ; go companion a pis- out a safeguard, the next bonny rider I meet might tolet hanging at his belt in case of need. He was ease me of sack and pack, and maybe of my life courteous, however, and offered Halbert a share of to boot the the for ; and then, if I try to strike across provisions which he carried about him moors, I may bo as ill off before I can join myself refreshment. They were of the coarsest kind to that good Lord's company." oat-bread baked into cakes, oatmeal slaked with No one was quicker at catching a hint than Hal- cold water, an onion or two, and a morsel of smoked, bert Glendinning. He said he himself had a desire ham completed the feast. But such as it was, no to go westward. The pedlar looked at him with a Scotsman of the time, had his rank been much very doubtful air, when the old dame, who perhaps higher than that of Glendinuing, would have refused to in thought her young guest resembled the umquhile share it, especially as the pedlar produced, Sauuders, not only in his looks, but in a certain with a mysterious air, a tup's horn, which he pretty turn to slight-of-haud, which the defunct was carried slung from his shoulders, and which, when 526 WAVEELEY NOVELS.

tp icontents were examined, produced to each party vanced enfans perdus, as the French call them, and children a clam-shell-full of excellent usquebagh a liquor so they are indeed, namely, of the fall, strange to Halbert, for the strong waters known in singing unclean and fulsome ballads of sin and the south of Scotland came from France, and in harlotrie. And then will come on the middle-ward, fact such were but rarely used. The pedlar recom- when you will hear the canticles and psalms sung mended it as excellent, said he had procured it by the reforming nobles, and the gentry, and in his last visit to the braes of Doune, where he honest and pious clergy, by whom they are accom- had securely traded under the safe-conduct of the panied. And last of all, you will find in the rear a Laird of Buchanan. He also set an example to legend of godless lackeys, and palfreniers, and Halbert, by devoutly emptying the cup "to the horse-boys, talking of nothing but dicing, drinking, speedy downfall of Anti-Christ." and drabbing." Their conviviality was scarce ended, ere a rising As the pedlar spoke, they had reached the side of dust was seen on the road of which they commanded the high-road, and Murray's main body was in sight, the prospect, and half a score of horsemen were consisting of about three hundred horse, marching dimly descried advancing at considerble speed, with great regularity, and in a closely compacted their casques glancing, and the points of their body. Some of the troopers wore the liveries of spears twinkling as they caught a glimpse of the their masters, but this was not common. Most of sun. them were dressed in such colours as chance " " These," said the pedlar, must be the out- dictated. But the majority, being clad in blue scourers of let us lie down in the and the whole armed wfrth cuirass back- Murray's party ; cloth, and peat-hag, and keep ourselves out of sight." plate, with sleeves of mail, gauntlets and poldroons, " " so ?" said Halbert let us rather and either mailed hose or And why ; go strong jack-boots, they down and make a signal to them." had something of a uniform appearance. Many of " " the the leaders were clad hi all God forbid !" replied pedlar ; do you complete armour, and ken so ill the customs of our Scottish nation ? in a certain half-military dress, which no man of That plump of spears that are spurring on so fast quality in those disturbed times ever felt himself are doubtless commanded by some wild kinsman of sufficiently safe to abandon. Morton, or some such daring, fear-nothing as neither The foremost of this party immediately rode up regards God nor man. It is their business, if they to the pedlar and to Halbert Glendinning, and meet with any enemies, to pick quarrels and clear demanded of them who they were. The pedlar the of the chief knows of told his the exhibited his way them ; and nothing story, young Glendinning what happens, coming up with his more discreet letter, which a gentleman carried to Murray. In " and moderate friends, it may be a full mile in the an instant after, the word Halt !" was given rear. Were we to go near these lads of the laird's through the squadron, and at once the onward belt, your letter would do you little good, and my heavy tramp, which seemed the most distinctive ill tirl attribute of the and pack would do me muckle black ; they would body, ceased, was heard no every steek of claithes from our back, fling us more. The command was announced that the into a moss-hag with a stone at our heels, naked as troop should halt here for an hour to refresh them- the hour that brought us into this cumbered and selves and their horses. The pedlar was assured sinful world, and neither Murray nor any other man of safe protection, and accommodated with the use ever the if did horse. the wiser. But he come to ken of it, of a baggage But at same time he it ? it into the rear what might he help would be accounted a was ordered ; a command which he mere mistake, and there were all the moan made. reluctantly obeyed, and not without wringing credit me, youth, that when men draw cold pathetically the hand of Halbert as he separated steel on each other in their native country, they from him. neither can nor may dwell deeply on the offences of The young heir of Glendearg was in the mean- those whose swords are useful to them." while conducted to a plot of ground more raised, They suffered, therefore, the vanguard, as it and therefore drier than the rest of the moor. might be termed, of the Earl of Murray's host to Here a carpet was flung on the ground by way of it was not until it sat the leaders of the pass forward ; and long a denser table-cloth, and around cloud of dust to arise to the northward. of an entertainment as coarse, with " began " party, partaking Now," said the pedlar, let us hurry down the relation to then' rank, as that which Glendinning hill; for to tell the truth," said he, dragging Halbert had so lately shared. Murray himself rose as he " along earnestly, a Scottish noble's march is like a came forward, and advanced a step to meet him. serpent the head is furnished with fangs, and the This celebrated person had in his appearance, as tail hath its the harmless well as in his of the admirable sting ; only point of access mind, much qualities is the main body." of James V., his father. Had not the stain of as "I will hasten fast as you," said the youth; illegitimacy rested upon his birth, he would have " but tell me A'hy the rearward of such an army filled the Scottish throne with as much honour as should be as dangerous as the van ?" any of the Stewart race. But History, while she " as the Because, vanguard consists of then? acknowledges his high talents, and much that was picked wild desperates, resolute for mischief, such princely, nay, royal, in his conduct, cannot forget fear as neither God nor regard their fellow- that ambition led him farther than honour or loyalty creatures, but understand themselves bound to warranted. Brave amongst the bravest, fail- hi road hurry from the whatever is displeasing to presence and in favour, skilful to manage the most themselves, so the rear-guard consists of misproud intricate affairs, to attach to himself those who were serving-men, who, being in charge of the baggage, doubtful, to stun and overwhelm, by the suddenness their take care to amend by exactions upon travel- and intrepidity of his enterprises, those who were ling-merchants and others, their own thefts or resolute in resistance, he attained, and as to per- their in master's property. You will hear the ad i sonal merit certainlv deserved, the highest place THE MONASTERY. 527

ihekingdom. But he abused, under the influence allowance for certain alliances, though not strictly of strong temptation, the opportunities which his formal, and the issue of such may succeed." sister Mary's misfortunes and imprudence threw in This general declaration, he expressed, accom- his his and benefac- it with a around the few way ; he supplanted sovereign panying glance upon tress in her power, and his history affords us one followers who were present at this interview. The " of those mixed characters, in which principle was most of them answered There is no contra- so often sacrificed to policy, that we must condemn vening that ;" but one or two looked on the the statesman while we pity and regret the indi- ground, and were silent. Murray then turned vidual. Many events in his life give likelihood to again to Glendinning, commanding him to say himself aimed at the crown what next and not to omit the charge that he ; chanced, any particular. and it is too true, that he countenanced the fatal When he mentioned the manner in which Julian expedient of establishing an English, that is a had cast from him his concubine, Murray drew a foreign and a hostile interest, in the councils of deep breath, set his teeth hard, and laid his hand on Scotland. But his death may be received as an the hilt of his dagger. Casting his eyes once more atonement for his offences, and may serve to shew around the circle, which wa now augmented by how much more safe is the person of a real patriot, one or two of the reformed preachers, he seemed than that of the mere head of a faction, who is to devour his rage in silence, and again com- accounted answerable for the offences of his meanest manded Halbert to proceed. When he came to attendants. describe how Warden had been dragged to a ' When Murray approached, the young rustic was dungeon, the Earl seemed to have found the point naturally abashed at the dignity of his presence. at which he might give vent to his own resent- The commanding form and the countenance to ment, secure of the sympathy and approbation of " which high and important thoughts were familiar, all who were present. Judge you," he said, look- the features which bore the resemblance of Scot- ing to those around him, "judge you, my peers, land's long line of kings, were well calculated to and noble gentlemen of Scotland, betwixt me and impress awe and reverence. His dress had little to this Julian Avenel he hath broken his own word, distinguish him from the high-born nobles and and hath violated my safe-conduct and judge oarons by whom he was attended. A buff-coat, you also, my reverend brethren, he hath put his .richly embroidered with silken lace, supplied the hand forth upon a preacher of the gospel, and of and a massive with its sell his blood to the of place armour ; gold chain, perchance may worshippers medal, hung round his neck. His black velvet Anti-Christ !" " bonnet was decorated with a string of large and fair Let him die the death of a traitor," said the " with a small tufted feather a secular and let his be struck pearls, and ; long heavy chiefs, tongue sword was girt to his side, as the familiar com- through with the hangman's fiery iron, to avenge panion of his hand. He wore gilded spurs on his his perjury !" " boots, and these completed his equipment. Let him go down to his place with Baai's " " " This letter," he said, is from the godly priests," said the preachers, and be his ashes cast preacher of the word, Henry Warden, young man ? into Tophet !" is it not so ?" Halbert answered in the affirmative. Murray heard them with the smile of expected " he writes to it would in it is that the brutal treat- And us, seem, some strait, revenge ; yet probable and refers us to you for the circumstances. Let us ment of the female, whose circumstances somewhat know, I pray you, how things stand with him." resembled those of the Earl's own mother, had its In some perturbation Halbert Glendinning gave sluire in the grim smile which curled his sun -burnt tn account of the circumstances which had accom- cheek and its haughty lip. To Halbert Glen- panied the preacher's imprisonment. When he dinning, when his narrative was finished, he spoke came to the discussion of the handfasting engage- with great kindness. ment, he was struck with the ominous and dis- "He is a bold and gallant youth," said he to " pleased expression of Murray's brows, and, con- those around, and formed of the stuff which trary to all prudential and politic rule, seeing some- becomes a bustling time. There are periods when thing was wrong, yet not well aware what that men's spirits slime bravely through them. 1 will something was, nad almost stopped short in his know something more of him." narratm. He questioned him more particularly concern- " What ails ice fool J" said the Earl, drawing ing the Baron of Avenel's probable forces the his dark-red eyebrows together, while the same strength of his castle the dispositions of his next " dusky glow kindled on his brow Hast thou not heir, and this brought necessarily forward the sad learned to tell a true tale without !" of his brother's daughter, Mary Avenel, " stammering history So please you," answered Halbert, with con- which was told with an embarrassment that did not " siderable address, I have never before spoken in escape Murray. " " such a presence." Ha ! Julian Avenel," he said, and do you " He seems a modest youth," said Murray, turn- provoke my resentment, when you have so much " ing to his next attendant, and yet one who in a more reason to deprecate! my justice ! I knew good cause will neither fear friend nor foe. Walter Avenel, a true Scotsman and a good soldier. the his Speak on, friend, and speak freely." Our sister, Queen, must right daughter ; Halbert then gave an account of the quarrel and were her land restored, she would be a fitting betwixt Julian Avenel and the preacher, which the bride to some brave man who may better merit our at Earl, biting his h'p the while, compelled himself to favour than the traitor Julian." Then looking " glisten to as a thing of indifference. At first he Halbert, he said, Art thou of gentle blood, young appeared even to take the part of the Baron. man 1" " " Henry Warden," he said, is too hot in his Halbert, with a faltering and uncertain voice, seal. The law both of God and man maketh began to speak of his distant pretensions to claim a 528 WAVERLEY NOVELS.

descent from the ancient of Gallo- " Call said the * Glendonwynes your master, Halbert," Earl ; I when him with a smile. have news for him from Teviotdale for way, Murray interrupted ; and you " Nay nay leave pedigrees to bards and too, Glendinning. News ! news ! my Lord oi heralds. In our days, each man is the son of his Murray !" he exclaimed at the door of the Earl's deeds. The of reformation " come forth own glorious light hath bedroom ; instantly." The Earl shone alike on as his prince and peasant ; and peasant appeared, and greeted ally, demanding eagerly well as prince may be illustrated by fighting in its his tidings. " defence. It is a stirring world, where all may I have had a sure friend with me from the advance themselves who have stout hearts and said " has south," Morton ; he been at Saint Mary's strong arms. Tell me frankly why thou hast left Monastery, and brings important tidings." " " thy father's house." Of what complexion ?" said Murray, and can Halbert Glendinning made a frank confession of you trust the bearer ?" his duel with Piercie and mentioned his He is on said Morton I Shafton, faithful, my life," ; supposed death. wish all around your Lordship may prove equally so." " " " By my hand," said Murray, thou art a bold At what, and whom, do you point ?" demanded sparrow-hawk, to match thee so early with such Murray. " a kite as Piercie Shafton. Queen Elizabeth would Here is the Egyptian of trusty Halbert Glen- give her glove filled with gold crowns to know that dinning, our Southland Moses, come alive again, meddling coxcomb to be under the sod. Would and flourishing, gay and bright as ever, in that she not, Morton 1" Teviotdale Goshen, the Halidome of " " Kennaquhair.'' Ay, by my word, and esteem her glove a better What mean you, my lord ?" said Murray. " " gift than the crowns," replied Morton, which few Only that your new henchman has put a false Border lads like this fellow will esteem tale Piercie Shafton is alive well just upon you. and ; valuation." by the same token that the gull is thought to be " But what shall we do with this young homi- detained there by love to a miller's daughter, who !" said " what will our ?" the with him in cide Murray ; preachers say roamed country disguise." " " Tell them of Moses and of Benaiah," said Mor- Glendinning," said Murray, bending his brow " it is the of all into his I trust ton ; but smiting an Egyptian when darkest frown, "thou hast not, is said out." dared to bring me a lie in thy mouth, in order t " " Let it be said but win confidence ?" so," Murray, laughing ; my " " we will bury the tale, as the prophet did the body, My lord," said Halbert, I am incapable of a in the sand. I will take care of this swankie. lie. I should choke on one were my life to require Be near to us, ,Glendinning, since that is thy name. that I pronounced it. I say, that this sword of my We retain thee as a squire of our household. The father was through the body the point came out master of our horse will see thee fully equipped and behind his back the hilt pressed upon his breast' armed." bone. And I will plunge it as deep in the body During the expedition which he was now engaged of any one who shall dare to charge me with in, Murray found several opportunities of putting falsehood." " " Glendinning's courage and presence of mind to the How, fellow !" said Morton, wouldst thou test, and he began to rise so rapidly in his esteem, beard a nobleman ?" " " that those who knew the Earl considered the youth's Be silent, Halbert," said Murray, and you, fortune as certain. One step only was wanting to my Lord of Morton, forbear him. I see truth raise him to a still higher degree of confidence and written on his brow." " favour it was the abjuration of the Popish reli- I wish the inside of the manuscript may cor- gion. The ministers who attended upon Murray, with the superscription," replied his more respond " and formed his chief support amongst the people, suspicious ally. Look to it, my lord, you will one found an easy convert in Halbert Glendinning, day lose your life by too much confidence." " who, from his earliest days, had never felt much And will lose your friends by being too you " devotion towards the Catholic faith, and who readily suspicious," answered Murray. Enough listened eagerly to more reasonable views of reli- of this let me hear thy tidings." " " gion. By thus adopting the faith of his master, he Sir John Foster," said Morton, is about to rose higher in his favour, and was constantly about send a party into Scotland to waste the Halidome." his " person during his prolonged stay in the west of How ! without waiting my presence and per- Scotland, which the intractability of those whom the mission ?" said Murray "he is mad will he Earl had to deal with, protracted from day to day, come as an enemy into the Queen's country ?" " and week to week. He has Elizabeth's express orders," answered Morton, "and they are not to be trifled with. Indeed, his march has been more than once pro- been jected and laid aside during the time we have CHAPTER XXXVI. here, and has caused much alarm at Kennaquhair. Boniface, the old Abbot, has resigned, and whom Faint the din of battle bray'd think you they have chosen in his place V Distant " " down the hollow wind ; said would No one surely," Murray ; they War and terror fled before, to hold no election until the Queen's Wounds and death were left behind. presume PEJJROSE. and mine were known ?" pleasure " Morton shrugged his shoulders They have that THE autumn of the year was well advanced, chosen the pupil of old Cardinal Beatoun, wily the bosom-friend of when the Earl of Morton, one morning, rather determined champion of Rome, late unexpectedly, entered the antechamber of Murray, our busy Primate of Saint Andrews. Eustace, is now its Abbot, in which Halbert Glen dinning"was in waiting. the Sub-Prior of Kennaquhair, THE MONASTERY. 529

and, like a second Pope Julius, is levying men and port, Sir John Foster, after several times announc- making musters to fight with Foster if he comes ing, and as often delaying, his intended incursion, forward." had at last been so stung with the news that Piercie " We must prevent that meeting," said Murray, Shafton was openly residing within the Halidome, " wins the it were a that he to execute the of hastily ; whichever party day, determined commands fatal encounter for us Who commands the troop his mistress, which directed him, at every risk, of the Abbot I" to make himself master of the Euphuist's person. " Our faithful old friend, Julian Avenel, nothing The Abbot's unceasing exertions had collected a less," answered Morton. body of men almost equal in number to those of " " Glendinning," said Murray, sound trumpets the English Warden, but less practised in arms. to horse directly, and let all who love us get on They were united under the command of Julian horseback without delay Yes, my lord, this were Avenel, and it was apprehended they would join indeed a fatal dilemma. If we take part with our battle upon the banks of a small stream which English friends, the country will cry shame on us forms the verge of the Halidome. " the very old wives will attack us with their rocks Who knows the place ?" said Murray. " and spindles the very stones of the street will I do, my lord," answered Glendinning. " rise us set our face to such " 'Tis said the Earl take score of the up against we cannot well," ; a a deed of infamy. And my sister, whose confi- best-mounted horse make what haste thou canst, dence I already have such difficulty in preserving, and announce to them that I am coming up instantly will altogether withdraw it from me. Then, were with a strong power, and will cut to pieces, without we to oppose the English Warden, Elizabeth would mercy, whichever party strikes the first blow. call it a protecting of her enemies and what not, Davidson," said he to the gentleman who brought " and we should lose her." the intelligence, thou shalt be my guide. Hie " " The she-dragon," said Morton, is the best thee on, Glendinning Say to Foster, I conjure card in our and I would not as he his mistress's that he pack ; yet willingly him, respects service, stand still and see English blades carve Scots flesh will leave the matter in my hands. Say to the What say you to loitering by the way, marching Abbot, J will burn the Monastery over his head, far and easy for fear of spoiling our horses ? They if he strikes a stroke till I come Tell the dog, might then fight dog fight bull, fight Abbot fight Julian Avenel, that he hath already one deep score archer, and no one could blame us for what chanced to settle with me I will set his head on the top when we were not present." of the highest pinnacle of Saint Mary's, if he pre- " All would blame us, James Douglas," replied sume to open another. Make haste, and spare not Murray; "we should lose both sides we had the spur for fear of spoiling horse-flesh." " better advance with the utmost celerity, and do Your bidding shall be obeyed, my lord," said what we can to keep the peace betwixt them. I Glendinning; and choosing those whose horses were would the nag that brought Piercie Shafton hither hi best plight to be his attendants, he went off as had broken his neck over the highest heuch in fast as the jaded state of their cavalry permitted. Northumberland ! He is a proper coxcomb to Hill and hollow vanished from under the feet of the make all this bustle about, and to occasion per- chargers. haps a national war !" They liad not ridden half the way, when they " " Had we known in time," said Douglas, we met stragglers coming off from the field, whose might have had him privily waited upon as he appearance announced that the conflict was begun. entered the there are lads in their a their elder Borders ; strapping Two supported arms third, enough would have rid us of him for the lucre of brother, who was pierced with an arrow through ' his spur-whang. But to the saddle, James Stewart, the body. Halbert, who knew them to belong to since so the phrase goes. I hear your trumpets the HaUdome, called them by their names, and sound to horse we shall soon see of the state of the but and away which questioned them affray ; nag is best breathed." just then, in spite of their efforts to retain him in Followed by a train of about three hundred the saddle, their brother dropped from the horse, well-mounted men-at-arms, these two powerful and they dismounted in haste to receive his last barons directed their course to Dumfries, and from breath. From men thus engaged, no information thence eastward to Teviotdale, marching at a rate was to be obtained. Glendinning, therefore, pushed which, as Morton had foretold, soon disabled a good on with his little troop, the more anxiously as he many of their horses, so that when they approached perceived other stragglers, bearing Saint Andrew's the scene of expected action, there were not above cross upon their caps and corslets, flying apparently two hundred of their train remaining in a body, from the field of battle. Most of these, when they and of these most were mounted on steeds which were aware of a body of horsemen approaching on had been sorely jaded. the road, held to the one hand or the other, at such They had hitherto been amused and agitated by a distance as precluded coming to speech of them. various reports concerning the advance of the Others, whose fear was more intense, kept the on- English soldiers, and the degree of resistance which ward road, galloping wildly as fast as their horses tlie Abbot was able to oppose to them. But could carry them, and when questioned, only glared when they were six or seven miles from Saint Mary's without reply on those who spoke to them, and rode of Kennaquhair, a gentleman of the country, whom on without drawing bridle. Several of these were Murray had summoned to attend him, and on whose also known to Halbert, who had therefore no doubt, intelligence he knew he could rely, arrived at the from the circumstances in which he met them, that " ^Jead of two or three servants, bloody with spur- the men of the Halidome were defeated. He became ring, fiery red with haste." According to Ids re- now unspeakably anxious concerning the fate of his brother, who, he could not doubt, must have been therefore increased the Spur-tchany Spar-leather. engaged in the affray. He 102 530 WAVERLEY NOVELS.

" speed of his horse, so that not above five or six of a tone of impatient grief, Oh, he would recover his followers could keep up with him. At length I instantly could I but give him air land and he reached a little hill, at the descent of which,' living, life and honour, would I give for the power surrounded a semicircular of a small of these cruel iron that suffocate by sweep | undoing platings stream, lay the plain which had been the scene of him !" He that would soothe sorrow must not argue the skirmish. on the vanity of the most deceitful hopes. The It was a melancholy spectacle. War and terror, body lay as that of one whose last draught of to use the expression of the poet, had rushed on vital air had been drawn, and who must never more to the field, and left only wounds and death behind have concern with the nether sky. But Halbert them. The battle had been stoutly contested, as Glendinning failed not to raise the visor and cast was almost always the case with these Border skir- loose the gorget, when, to his great surprise, he re- mishes, where ancient hatred, and mutual injuries, cognized the pale face of Julian Avenel. His last made men stubborn in maintaining the cause of fight was over, the fierce and turbid spirit had their conflict. Towards the middle of the plain, departed in the strife in which it had so long there lay the bodies of several men who had fallen delighted. " in the act of with the and Alas ! he is said to very grappling enemy ; gone," Halbert, speaking there were seen countenances which still bore the the young woman, in whom he had now no difficulty stern expression of unextinguishable hate and of knowing the unhappy Catherine. " " defiance, hands which clasped the hilt of the broken Oh, no, no, no !" she reiterated, do not say falchion, or strove in vain to pluck the deadly arrow so he is not dead he is but in a swoon. I have from the wound. Some were wounded, and, cowed lain as long in one myself and then his voice of the courage they had lately shewn, were begging would rouse me, when he spoke kindly, and said, aid, and craving water, in a tone of melancholy Catherine, look up for my sake And look up, while others tried to teach the Julian, for mine !" she said, addressing the sense- depression, faltering " to half less I know do but counterfeit to tongue pronounce some forgotten prayer, corpse ; you which, even when first learned, they had but half- frighten me, but I am not frightened," she added, with to in- understood. Halbert, uncertain what course he was an hysterical attempt laugh ; and then to her to " next pursue, rode through the plain to see if, stantly changing tone, entreated him speak, the dead or wounded, he could discover were it but to curse folly. Oh, the rudest word among any l my traces of his brother Edward. He experienced no you ever said to me would now sound like the interruption from the English. A distant cloud of dearest you wasted on me before I gave you all. dust announced that they were still pursuing the Lift him up," she said, "lift him up, for God's scattered fugitives, and he guessed, that to approach sake ! have you no compassion ? He promised them with his followers, until they were again under to wed me if I bore him a boy, and this child is would be to throw his so like to its father ! shall he his some command, away own j How keep word, life, and that of his men, whom the victors would if you do not help me to awaken him ? Christie Instantly confound with the Scots, against whom of the Clinthill, Rowley, Hutcheon ! ye were con- they had been successful. He resolved, therefore, stant at his feast, but ye fled from him at the fray, to pause until Murray came up with his forces, to false villains as ye are !" " which he was the more readily moved, as he heard Not I, by Heaven !" said a dying man, who the trumpets of the English Warden sounding the made some shift to raise himself on his elbow, and retreat, and from the He drew discovered to Halbert the well known features of recalling pursuit. " his men together, and made a stand in an advan- Christie; I fled not a foot, and a man can but fight tageous spot of ground, which had been occupied while his breath lasts mine is going fast. So, by the Scots in the of the action, and said he, looking at Glendinning, and beginning youngster," " most fiercely disputed while the skirmish lasted. seeing his military dress, thou hast ta'en the While he stood here, Halbert's ear was assailed basnet at last ? it is a better cap to live in than by the feeble moan of a woman, which he had not iie in. I would chance had sent thy brother here

expected to hear amid that scene, until the retreat ! instead there was good in him but thou art as of the foes had permitted the relations of the slain wild, and wilt soon be as wicked as myself." " to approach, for the purpose of paying them the last God forbid !" said Halbert, hastily. " duties. He looked with anxiety, and at length Marry, and amen, with all my heart," said the " observed, that by the body of a knight in bright wounded, man, there will be company enow armour, whose crest, though soiled and broken, still without thee where I am going. But God be shewed the marks of rank and birth, there sat a praised I had no hand in that wickedness," said hi to Catherine and with some ex- female, wrapt a horseman's cloak, and holding he, looking poor ; something pressed against her bosom, which he soon clamation in his mouth, that sounded betwixt a discovered to be a child. He glanced towards the prayer and a curse, the soul of Christie of the English. They advanced not, and the continued Clinthill took wing to the last account. and prolonged sound of their trumpets, with the Deeply wrapt in the painful interest which these shouts of the leaders, announced that their powers shocking events had excited, Glendinning forgot would not be instantly re-assembled. He had, for a moment his own situation and duties, and therefore, a moment to look after this unfortunate was first recalled to them by a trampling of horse, woman. He gave his horse to a spearman as he and the cry of Saint George for England, which and soldiers still continued to His dismounted, approaching the unhappy female, the English use. asked her, in the most soothing tone he could assume, handful of men, for most of the stragglers had x whether he could assist her in her distress. The waited for remained on horso- j Murray's coming up, direct their lances no mourner made him no answer ; but endea- back, upright, having | holding vouring, with a trembling and unskilful hand, to command either to submit or resist. " undo the springs of the visor and gorget, said in There stands our Captain," said one of them, THE MONASTERY. 531

aa a strong party of English came up, the vanguard else ! During my whole life has she kept rue to of Foster's troop. this hangman's office, chasing thieves one day ano " ! liis sword and traitors in fear of life the lance Your Captain with sheathed, another, daily my ; on foot in the presence of his enemy ? a raw soldier, never hung up in the hall, the foot never out of the " I the leader. So 1 the saddles never off backs and warrant him," said English stirrup, my nags' ; will ho ! young man, is your dream out, and you now, because I have been mistaken in the person of now answer me if you will fight or fly ?" a man I never saw, I warrant me, the next letters " Neither," answered Halbert Glendinning, with from the Privy Council will rate me as I were a great tranquillity. dog a man were better dead than thus slaved and " Then throw down thy sword and yield thee," harassed." answered the Englishman. A trumpet interrupted Foster's complaints, and '' " Not till I can help myself no otherwise," said a Scottish pursuivant who attended, declared that I 1 albert, with the same moderation of tone and the noble Earl of Murray desired, in all honour manner. and safety, a personal conference with Sir John " Art thou for thine own hand, friend, or to Foster, midway between their parties, with six of whom dost thou owe service I" demanded the company in each, and ten free minutes to come English Captain. and go." " " u To the noble Earl of Murray." And now," said the Englishman, comes " " Then thou servest," said the Southron, the another plague. I must go speak with yonder false most disloyal nobleman who breathes false both Scot, and he knows how to frame his devices, to cast to England and Scotland." dust in the eyes of a plain man, as well as ever " Thou liest 1" said Gleudinning, regardless of all a knave hi the north. I am no match for him in consequences. words, and for hard blows we are but too ill pro- " Ha ! art thou so hot now, and wert so cold vided. Pursuivant, we grant the conference and but a minute since 1 I lie, do I ? Wilt thou you, Sir Swordsman," (speaking to young Glen- " do battle with me on that quarrel ?" dinning,) draw off with your troopers to your " With one to one one to two or two to own party march attend your Earl's trumpet. " said Stawarth our in five, as you list," Halbert Glendinning ; grant Bolton, put troop order, and be me but a fair field." ready to move forward at the wagging of a finger. " That thou shalt have. Stand back, my mates," Get you gone to your own friends, 1 tell you, Sir " said the brave Englishman. If I fall, give him Squire, and loiter not here." fair play, and let him go off free with his people." Notwithstanding this peremptory order, Halbert " Long life to the noble Captain !" cried the Glendinning could not help stopping to cast a look soldiers, as impatient to see the duel as if it had upon the unfortunate Catherine, who lay insensible been a bull-baiting. of the danger and of the trampling of so many horses " life said the the He will have a short of it, though," around her, insensible, as second glance assured M for of sergeant, if he, an old man of sixty, is to fight him, all and for ever. Glendinning almost rej oiced any reason, or for no reason, with every man he when he saw that the last misery of life was over, meets, and especially the young fellows he might and that the hoofs of the war-horses, amongst be father to. And here comes the Warden besides, which he was compelled to leave her, could only to see the sword-play." injure and deface a senseless corpse. He caught In fact, Sir John Foster came up with a consi- the infant from her arms, half ashamed of the derable body of his horsemen, just as his Captain, shout of laughter which rose on all sides, at seeing whose age rendered him unequal to the combat with an armed man hi such a s''*uation assume such an so strong and active a youth as Glendinning, was unwonted and inconvenient burden. " deprived of his sword. Shoulder your infant !" cried a harquebusier. " " Take it up for shame, old Stawarth Bolton," Port your infant !" said a pikeman. said the " and u said Stawarth " English Warden ; thou, young man, Peace, ye brutes," Bolton, and tell me who and what thou art I" respect humanity in others, if you have none your " A follower of the Earl of Murray, who bore selves. I pardon the lad having done some dis his will to your honour," answered Glendinning, credit to my gray hairs, when I see him take care " but here he comes to say it himself, I see the van of that helpless creature, which ye would have of his horsemen come over the hills. trampled upon as if ye had been littered of bitch- " Get into order, my masters," said Sir Jonn wolves, not born of women." Foster to his followers; "you that have broken While this passed, the leaders on either side met your spears, draw your swords. We are some- in the neutral space betwixt the forces of either, " thing unprovided for a second field, but 5f yonder and the Earl accosted the English Warden : IB dark cloud on the hill edge bring us foul weather, this fair or honest usage, Sir John, or for whom do we must bear as bravely as our broken cloaks will you hold the Eaii of Morton and myself, that you bide it. Meanwhile, Stawarth, we have got the ride in Seotland with arrayed banner, fight, slay, deer we liave hunted for here is Piercie Shafton and make prisoners at your own pleasure ? Is it hard and fast betwixt two troopers." well done, think you, to spoil our land and shed " " that lad I" is our after the we have to Who, said Bolton ; he no more blood, many proofs given r'iercie Shafton than I am. He hath his gay cloak your mistress of our devotion due to her will, saving indeed but Piercie Shafton is a round dozen of always the allegiance due to our own sovereign!" " " years older than that slip of roguery. I have known My Lord of Murray," answered Foster, all Ihim since he was thus high. Did you never see him the world knows you to be a man of quick ingine in the tilt-yard or in the presence V and deep wisdom, and these several weeks have you " To the devil with such vanities!''' said Sir John held me hi hand with promising to arrest my sover- '' Foster; when had I leisuie for them or any thing eign mistress's rebel, this Piercie Shafton of Wil- 532 WAVERLEY NOVELS. vertcn, and you have never kept your word, alleging service, not for involving her in quarrels with ne r turmoils in the west, and I wot not what other neighbours without any advantage. Sir Knight, 1 causes of hinderance. Now, since he has had the will speak frankly what I know to be true. Had insolence to return hither, and live openly within you seized the true Piercie Shafton by this ill- ten miles of I could no in inroad and deed England, longer, plain advised ; had your threatened, as duty to my mistress and queen, tarry upon your most likely it might, a breach betwixt the countries, successive delays, and therefore I have used her your politic princess and her politic council would force to take her rebel, by the strong hand, where- rather have disgraced Sir John Foster than entered ever I can find him." into war in his behalf. But now that you have " And is Piercie Shafton in your hands, then ?" stricken short of your aim, you may rely on it you " said the Earl of Murray. Be aware that I may will have little thanks for carrying the matter not, without my own great shame, suffer you to farther. I will work thus far en the Earl of remove him hence without doing battle." Murray, that he will undertake to dismiss Sir " Will you, Lord Earl, after all the advantages Piercie Shafton from the realm of Scotland. Be you have received at the hands of the Queen of well advised, and let the matter now pass off England, do battle in the cause of her rebel V said you will gain nothing by farther violence, for if Sir John Foster. we fight, you as the fewer and the weaker through " " Not so, Sir John," answered the Earl, but I. your former action, will needs have the worse." will fight to the death in defence of the liberties Sir John Foster listened with his head declining of our free kingdom of Scotland." on his breast-plate. " " " " By my faith," said Sir John Foster, I am It is a cursed chance," he said, and I shall well content my sword is not blunted with all it have little thanks for my day's work." has done yet this day." He then rode up to Murray, and said, that, in " By my honour, Sir John," said Sir George deference to his Lordship's presence and that of " Heron of Chipchase, there is but little reason we my Lord of Morton, he had come to the resolution should fight these Scottish Lords e'en now, for I of withdrawing himself, with his power, without hold opinion with old Stawarth Bolton, and believe farther proceedings. " " to be no than I yonder prisoner more Piercie Shafton Stop there, Sir John Foster," said Murray, he is the Earl of Northumberland and were cannot to retire in unless ; you permit you safety, you but ill advised to break the peace betwixt the leave some one who may be surety to Scotland, countries for a prisoner of less consequence than that the injuries you have at present done us may that gay mischief-maker." be fully accounted for you will reflect, that by " " Sir George," replied Foster, I have often permitting your retreat, I become accountable to heard you herons are afraid of hawks Nay, lay my Sovereign, who will demand a reckoning of me not hand on I did but and for for the blood of her if I suffer those sword, man jest ; subjects, who this prisoner, let him be brought up hither, that shed it to depart so easily." " we may see who or what he is always under It shall never be told in England," said the " assurance, my Lords," h continued, addressing the Warden, that John Foster gave pledges like a Scots. subdued man, and that on the very field on which " Upon our word and honour," said Morton, he stands victorious. But," he added, after a mo- " " we will offer no violence." ment's pause, if Stawarth Bolton wills to abide The laugh turned against Sir John Foster con- with you on his own free choice, I will say when the it as I bethink it were siderably, prisoner, being brought up, nothing against ; and, me, proved not only a different person from Sir Piercie better he should stay to see the dismissal of this Shafton, but a female in man's attire. same Piercie Shafton." " " Pluck the mantle from the quean's face, and I receive him as your hostage, nevertheless, her to the Foster " she has the of cast horse-boys," said ; and shall treat him as such," said Earl kept such company ere now, I warrant." Murray. But Foster, turning away as if to give Even Murray was moved to laughter, no com- directions to Bolton and his men, affected not to mon tiling with him, at the disappointment of the hear this observation. but he not " faithful of his English Warden ; would permit any There rides a servant most violence to be offered to the fair Molinara, who beautiful and Sovereign Lady," said Murray aside " had thus a second time rescued Sir Piercie Shafton to Morton. Happy man ! he knows not whether at her own personal risk. the execution of her commands may not cost him " You have done more mischief than his he is most certain that to leave already head ; and yet you can well answer," said the Earl to the English them unexecuted will bring disgrace and death " Warden, and it were dishonour to me should I without reprieve. Happy are they who are not permit you to harm a hair of this young woman's only subjected to the caprices of Dame Fortune, head." but held bound to account and be responsible for " "fMy lord," said Morton, if Sir John will ride them, and that to a sovereign as moody and fickle apart with me but for one moment, I will shew him as her humorous ladyship herself !" " such reasons as shall make him content to depart, We also have a female Sovereign, my lord,' and to refer this unhappy day's work to the judg- said Morton. " ment of the Commissoners nominated to try offences We have so, Douglas," said the Earl, with a " on the Border." but it remains to be seen how suppressed sigh ; He then led Sir John Foster aside, and spoke to a female hand can hold the reins of power in " long him in this manner: Sir John Foster, I much a realm so wild as ours. We win now go on to marvel that a man who knows your Queen Eliza- Sainf Mary's, and see ourselves after the state of beth as you do, should not know that, if you hope that House. Glendinning, look to that woman, aay thing from her, it must be for doing her useful and protect her. What the fiend, man, hast tliou THE MONASTERY. 533

pot in thine arms! an infant as I live! where for our most solemn festivals, and be ready, when couldst thou find such a charge, at such a place and the tolling of the largest bell announces the moment !" approach of the enemy, to march forth to meet Halbert Glendinning briefly told the story. The them in solemn procession. Let the church be Earl rode forward to the place where the body of opened to afford such refuge as may be to those of Julian Avenel lay, with his unhappy companion's our vassals, who, from their exertion in this day's arms wrapt around him, like the trunk of an up- unhappy battle, or other cause, are particularly rooted oak borne down by the tempest with all its apprehensive of the of the enemy. Tell Sir rage " ivy garlands. Both were cold dead. Murray was Piercie Shafton, if he has escaped the fight " Couched in an unwonted degree, remembering, I am here, most venerable Abbot," replied Sir " " birth. have to Piercie if it so to will perhaps, his own What they ; and seemeth meet you, I " answer for, Douglas," ne said, who thus abuse the presently assemble such of the men as have escaped sweetest gifts of affection 1" this escaramouche, and will renew the resistance, The Earl of Morton, unhappy in his marriage, even unto the death. Certes, you will learn from was a libertine in his amours. all, that I did my part in this unhappy matter. " You must ask that question of Henry War- Had it pleased Julian Avenel to have attended to den, my lord, or of John Knox I am but a my counsel, specially in somewhat withdrawing of wild counsellor in women's matters." his main battle, even as you may have marked the " Forward to Saint said the Earl " heron eschew the of the Mary's," ; pass stoop falcon, receiving him the word on Glendinning, give the infant to this rather upon his beak than upon his wing, affairs, ame female cavalier, and let it be taken charge of. as I do conceive, might have had a different face, Let no dishonour be done to the dead bodies, and and we might then, in a more bellicose manner, call on the country to bury or remove them. have maintained that affray. Nevertheless, I Forward, I say, my masters !" would not be understood to speak any thing in dis- regard of Julian Avenel, whom I saw fall fighting manfully with his face to his enemy, which hath banished from my memory the unseemly term of CHAPTER XXXVII. 'meddling coxcomb,' with which it pleased him something rashly to qualify my advice, and for had it Heaven and the saints to have Gone to be married? Gone to swear a peace ! which, pleased King John. prolonged the life of that excellent person, I had it bound upon my soul to have put him to death THE news of the lost battle, so quickly carried by with my own hand." " the fugitives to the village and convent, had spread Sir Piercie," said the Abbot, at length inter- " the greatest alarm among the inhabitants. The rupting him, our time allows brief leisure to speak Sacristan other counselled the what have been." and monks flight ; might " Treasurer recommended that the church plate You are right, most venerable Lord and " should be offered as a tribute to bribe the the the English Father," replied incorrigible Euphuist ; officer; the Abbot alone was unmoved and un- preterite, as grammarians have it, concerns frail daunted. mortality less than the future mood, and indeed our " " My brethren," he said, since God has not cogitations respect chiefly the present. In a word, given our people victory in the combat, it must be I am willing to head all who will follow me, and because he requires of us, his spiritual soldiers, to offer such opposition as manhood and mortality may fight the good fight of martyrdom, a conflict in permit, to the advance of the English, though they winch but our own faint-hearted cowardice be own and be Piercie nothing my countrymen ; assured, can make us fail of victory. Let us assume, then, Shafton will measure his length, being five feet ten the armour of faith, and prepare, if it be necessary, inches, on the ground as he stands, rather than to die under the ruin of these shrines, to the service give two yards hi retreat, according to the usual of which we have devoted ourselves. Highly motion in which we retrograde." " " honoured are we all in this distinguished summons, I thank you, Sir Knight," said the Abbot, and I that would words from our dear brother Nicholas, whose gray hairs doubt not you make your good ; have been preserved until they should be sur- but it is not the will of Heaven that carnal weapons rounded by the crown of martyrdom, down to my should rescue us. We are called to endure, not to beloved son Edward, who, arriving at the vineyard resist, and may not waste the blood of our inno at the latest hour of the day, is yet permitted to cent commons in vain Fruitless opposition be- share its toils of our have with those who have laboured from comes not men profession ; they my the morning. Be of good courage, my children. I commands to resign the sword and the spear, dare not, like my sainted predecessors, to God and Our Lady have not blessed our banner." promise " you that you shall be preserved by miracle I Bethink you, reverend lord," said Piercie " the defence and you are alike unworthy of that especial inter- Shafton, very eagerly, ere you resign position, which in earlier times, turned the sword tliat is in your power there are many posts near of sacrilege against the bosom of tyrants by whom the entry of this village, where brave men might it I this addi- was wielded, daunted the hardened hearts of live or die to the advantage ; and have heretics with prodigies, and called down hosts of tional motive to make defence, the safety, angels to defend the shrine of God and of the namely, of a fair friend, who, I hope, hath escaped Yirgin. Yet, by heavenly aid, shall tliis day the hands of the heretics." you " -^e that your Father and Abbot will not disgrace I understand you, Sir Piercie," said the Abbot " i ihe mitre which sits upon his brow. Go to your you mean the daughter of our Convent's cells, my children, and exercise your private devo- miller ]" " with- tions Array vourselves also in alb and cope, as Reverend my lord," said Sir Piercie, not 534 WAVEELEY NOVELS. out " the fair as be in and do 1 hesitation, Mysinda is, may especially condemn those ravages which some sort the of one who have been made the alleged, daughter by heady fury of the people, corn to be into into zeal mechanically prepareth manipulated stung against will-worship by bloody per- bread, without which we could not exist, and which secution. Against such wanton devastations I lift is therefore an employment in itself honourable, my testimony." a " ay, necessary. Nevertheless, if the purest senti- Idle distinguisher that thou art !" said the ments of a forth like generous mind, streaming the Abbot Eustace, interrupting him; "w^at signifies of the sun reflected the rays by a diamond, may pretext under which thou dost despoil the ennoble one, who is in some sort the daughter of house of God ? and at this " why present emergence a molendinary mechanic \\ilt thou insult the ma'^er of it ill-omened " by thy I have no time for all this, Sir Knight," said presence ?" " " the Abbot be it to that with our Thou art ; ! "Wn,,ain enough answer, unjust, Allan," said Warden ; " will we war no longer with carnal weapons. We but I am not the less settled in my resolution. of the spirituality will teach you of the tempo- Thou hast protected me some time since at the rality how to die in cold blood, our hands not hazard of thy rank, and what I know thou boldest clenched for resistance, but folded for prayer still dearer, at the risk of thy reputation with thine our minds not filled with jealous hatred, but with own sect. Or party is now uppermost, and, Christian not believe I 1 meekness and forgiveness our ears me, ive come down the valley, in which thou deafened, nor our senses confused, by the sound of didst qu tfter me for sequestration's sake, clamorous instruments of war on the with th 2 wish to ; but, contrary, simply keep my engagements to our voices composed to Halleluiah, Kyrie-Eleison, thee." " " and Salve our blood I answered the Regina, and temperate and Ay," Abbot, and it may be, cold, as those who think upon reconciling them- that my listening to that worldly and infirm com- selves with not of themselves of their which with God, avenging passion pleaded me for thy life, is now fellow-mortals." avenged by this impending Heaven " judgment. Lord Abbot," said Sir Piercie, . tins is nothing hath smitten, it may be, the erring shepherd, and to the fate of my Molinara, whom, I beseech you scattered the flock." " to observe, I will not abandon, while golden hilt and Think better of the Divine judgments," said " steel blade bide together on my falchion. I com- Warden. Not for thy sins, which are those of manded her not to follow us to the and blinded education and circumstances not for field, yet thy ; methought I saw her in her page's attire amongst thine own sins, William Allan, art thou stricken, the rear of the combatants." but for the accumulated which thy mis-named " guilt You must seek elsewhere for the person in church hath accumulated on her head, and those whose fate you are so deeply interested," said tht of her votaries, by the errors and corruptions of Abbot " at I will of ; and present pray your knight- age'.." " hood to inquire concerning her at the church, in Now, by my sure belief in the Rock of Peter," " which all our more defenceless vassals have taken said the Abbot, thou dost rekindle the last spark refuge. It is my advice to you, that you also abide of human indignation for which my bosom has by the horns of the altar; and, Sir Piercie Shafton," fuel I thought I might not again have felt the he added," be of one thing secure, that if you come impulse of earthly passion, and it is thy voice which I to harm, it will involve the whole of this brother- ionce more calls me to the expression of human 1 hood for I will the of ! it is voice that comest to insult ; never, trust, meanest us buy anger yes, thy me safety at the expense of surrendering a friend 01 a in my hour of sorrow, with these blasphemous guest. Leave us, my son, and may God be your accusations of that church which hath kept the aid !" light of Christianity alive from the times of the When Sir Piercie Shafton had departed, and Apostles till now." " the Abbot was about to betake himself to his own From the times of the Apostles ?" said the " cell, he was surprised by an unknown person preacher, eagerly. Negatur, Gulielme Allan anxiously requiring a conference, who, being the primitive church differed as much from that of admitted, proved to be no other than Henry Rome, as did light from darkness, which, did tune

Warden. The Abbot started as he entered, and ! permit, I should speedily prove. And worse dost " in exclaimed angrily, Ha ! are the few hours that thou judge, in saying, I come to insult thee thy fate allows him who may last wear the mitre of this hour of affliction, being here, God wot, with the house, not to be excused from the intrusion of Christian wish of fulfilling an engagement I had " heresy ? Dost thou come," he said, to enjoy the made to my host, and of rendering myself to thy hopes which fate holds out to thy demented and will while it had yet power to exercise aught upon accursed sect, to see the besom of destruction me, and if it might so be, to mitigate in thy behalf sweep away the pride of old religion to deface the rage of the victors whom God hath sent as a our shrines to mutilate and lay waste the bodies scourge to thy obstinacy." " of our benefactors, as well as their sepulchres to I will none of thy intercession," said the the " the to which the church destroy pinnacles and carved work of God's Abbot, sternly ; dignity flouse, and our Lady's !" has exalted me, never should have swelled my " Peace, William Allan !" said the Protestant bosom more proudly in the time of the highest with " for than it doth at this crisis I ask preacher, dignified composure ; none of prosperity, these purposes do I come. I would have these nothing of thee, but the assurance that my lenity to shrines of the idols thee hath been the means of no soul stately deprived which, no longer perverting to.^ of th/'' simply regarded as the effigies of the good and the Satan, that I have not given to the wolf any have become the of souls had wise, objects of foul idolatry. I stray lambs whom the Great Shepherd would otherwise have its ornaments unless intrusted to subsist, my charge." " as or a snare to the souls of " William answered the Protestant, I they are, may be, men ; Allan," THE MONASTERY. 535

" " wiu bo sincere with thee. What I promised I have Look at the banner," said the Abbot; tell me kept I have withheld my voice from speaking what are the blazonries ?" " " even good things. But it has pleased Heaven to The arms of Scotland," said Edward, the lion call the maiden Mary Avenel to a better sense of and its tressure, quartered, as I think, with three faith than thou and all the disciples of Rome can cushions Can it be the royal standard?" " " teach. Her I have aided with my humble power Alas ! no," said the Abbot, it is that of the I have extricated her from the machinations of Earl of Murray. He hath assumed with his new

and her house were ! the evil spirits, to which she conquest badge of the valiant Randolph, and exposed during the blindness of their Romish hath dropt from his hereditary coat the bend which be to I have indicates his superstition, and, praise my Master, own base birth would to God he in not reason to fear she will again be caught thy I may not have blotted it also from his memory, and snares." aim as well at possessing the name, as the power, " Wretched man !" said the Abbot, unable to of a king." " suppress his rising indignation, is it to the Abbot "At least, my father," said Edward, "he will that boast misled the secure us from the violence of of Saint Mary's you having 1 the Southron." of in Halidome into the " as the soul a dweller Our Lady's Ay, my son, shepherd secures a silly paths of foul error and damning heresy ? Thou lamb from the wolf, which he destines hi due time dost urge me, Wellwood, beyond what it becomes to his own banquet. Oh my son, evil days are on the me to bear, and movest me to employ few us 1 A breach has been made in the walls of our moments of power I may yet possess, in removing sanctuary thy brother hath fallen from the faith. from the face of the earth one, whose qualities giveu Such news brought my last secret intelligence have been so as thine to has of his services by God, utterly perverted I Murray already spoken rewarding the service of Satan." ; with the hand of Mary Avenel." " " " said the vain I Do thy pleasure," preacher ; thy Of Mary Avenel !" said the novice tottering wrath shall not prevent my doing my duty to ad- towards and grasping hold of one of the carved vantage thee, where it may be done without pmnacles which adorned the proud battlement. " neglecting my higher call. I go to the Earl of I Ay, of Mary Avenel, my son, who has also Murray." abjured the faith of her fathers. Weep not, my Their conference, which was advancing fast into Edward, weep not, my beloved son ! or weep for bitter disputation, was here interrupted by the deep their apostasy, and not for their union Bless and sullen toll of the largest and heaviest bell of God, who hath called thee to himself, out of the sound in the chronicles of tents of wickedness but for the of the Convent, a famous ; grace Our the Community, for dispelling of tempests, and Lady and Saint Benedict, thou also hadst been a putting to flight demons, but which now only castaway." " " announced danger, without affording any means of 1 I endeavour, my father," said Edward, I it his endeavour to but what I would now blot warding against Hastily repeating orders, forget ; that all the brethren should attend hi the choir, from my memory has been the thought of all my arrayed for solemn procession, the Abbot ascended former hfe Murray dare not forward a match so to the battlements of the lofty Monastery, by his unequal in birth." " own private staircase, and there met the Sacristan, He dares do what suits his purpose The lio had been in the act of directing the tolling of Castle of Avenel is strong, and needs a good castel- the which fell under his devoted to his service as for the difference of huge bell, charge. lan, ; " It is the last tune I shall discharge mine office, their birth, he will mind it no more than he would most venerable Father and Lord," said he to the mind defacing the natural regularity of the ground, "for come the Philistines but I were it he should erect it Abbot, yonder ; necessary upon military would not that the large bell of Saint Mary's should lines and intrenchments. But do not droop for sound for the last time, otherwise than in true and that awaken thy soul within thee, my son. Think full tone I have been a sinful man for one of our you part with a vain vision, an idle dream, nursed " holy profession," added he, looking upward, yet 'in solitude and inaction. I weep not, yet what am may I presume to say, not a bell hath sounded out I now like to lose ? Look at these towers, where of tune from the tower of the house, while Father saints dwelt, and where heroes have been buried Philip had the superintendence of the chime and Think that I, so briefly called to preside over the the belfry." pious flock, which has dwelt here since the first The Abbot, without reply, cast his eyes towards light of Christianity, may be this day written down the path, which, winding around the mountain, the last father of this holy community Come, let descends upon Kennaquliair, from the south-east. us descend, and meet our fate. 1 see them approach He beheld at a distance a cloud of dust, and heard near to the village." the neighing of many horses, while the occasional The Abbot descended, the novice cast a glance of the line around him the sense of the sparkle long of spears, as they came ; yet danger impending the downwards into the valley, announced that the band over stately structure, with which he was now came thither in arms. united, was unable to banish the recollection of Mary " Shame on my weakness !" said Abbot Eustace, Avenel. "His brother's bride!" he pulled the the tears from his " is too cowl over his and fouowed his dashing eyes ; my sight face, Superior. much dimmed to observe their motions look, my The whole bells of the Abbey now added their son Edward," for his favourite novice had again peal to the death-toll of the largest which had so " joined him, and tell me what they bear." i long sounded. The monks wept and prayed as they " ensigns They are Scottish men, when all is done," ex- got themselves into the order of then- procession for daimed Edward "I see the white crosses it the last tune, as seemed but too probable. " may be the Western Borderers, or Fernieherst and It is well our Father Boniface hath retired to " his clan." I the inland," said Father Philip ; he could never 536 WAVERLEY NOVELS. have put over this day it would have broken his with the ringing of armour. The horsemen soon heart !" appeared at the principal entrance which leads into " God be with the soul of Abbot Ingelram!" said the irregular square or market-place which forms old " Father Nicholas, there were no such doings the centre of the village. They entered two by two, in his days. They say we are to be put forth of slowly, and in the greatest order. The van continued the cloisters; and how I am to live any where else to move on, riding round the open space, until they than where I have lived for these seventy years. had attained the utmost point, and then turning I wot not the best that I have not to live their horses' to the stood fast is, long heads street, ; their any where." companions followed in the same order, until the A few moments after this the great gate of the whole market-place was closely surrounded with Abbey was flung open, and the procession moved soldiers; and the files who followed, making the slowly forward from beneath its huge and richly same manoeuvre, formed an inner line within those adorned gateway. Cross and banner, pix and who had first arrived, until the place was begirt chalice, shrines containing relics, and censers with a quadruple file of horsemen closely drawn up. steaming with incense, preceded and were inter- There was now a pause, of which the Abbot availed mingled with the long and solemn array of the himself, by commanding the brotherhood to raise brotherhood, in their long black gowns and cowls, the solemn chant Deprofundit damavi. He looked with their white scapularies hanging over them, the around the armed ranks, to see what impression the various officers of the convent each displaying his solemn sounds made on them. All were silent, but proper badge of office. In the centre of the proces- the brows of some had an expression of contempt, sion came the surrounded and and almost all the rest bore a look of indifference Abbot, supported by ; his chief assistants. He was dressed in his habit their course had been too long decided to permit of high solemnity, and appeared as much uncon- past feelings of enthusiasm to be anew awakened by cerned as if he had been taking his usual part in a procession or by a hymn. " some ordinary ceremony. After him came the in- TUeir hearts are hardened," said the Abbot to " ferior of the convent the novices in their but not in it persons ; himse/in dejection, despair; remains albs or white dresses, and the lay brethren distin- to see whether those of their leaders are equally guished by their beards, which were seldom worn obdurate." by the Fathers. Women and children, mixed with The leaders, in the meanwhile, were advancing a few men, came in the rear, bewailing the appre- slowly, and Murray, with Morton, rode in deep liended desolation of their ancient sanctuary. They conversation before a chosen band of their most moved, however, in order, and restrained the marks distinguished followers, amongst whom came Hal- of their sorrow to a low wailing sound, which rather bert Glendinning. But the preacher Henry War- mingled with than interrupted the measured chant den, who, upon leaving the Monastery, had instantly of the monks. joined them, was the only person admitted to their In this order the procession entered the market- conference. " place of the village of Kennaquhair, which was then, You are determined, then," said Morton to " as now, distinguished by an ancient cross of curious Murray, to give the heii'ess of Avenel, with all workmanship, the gift of some former monarch of her pretensions, to this nameless and obscure Scotland. Close by the cross, of much anti- young man I" greater " quity, and scarcely less honoured, was an immensely Hath not Warden told you," said Murray, "that large oak-tree, which perhaps had witnessed the they have been bred together, and are lovers from worship of the Druids, ere the stately Monastery to their youth upward 1" " " h'hich it adjoined had raised its spires in honour of And that they are both," said Warden, by the Christian faith. Like the Bentang-tree of the means which may be almost termed miraculous, African villages, or the Plaistow-oak mentioned in rescued from the delusions of Rome, and brought White's Natural History of Selborne, this tree was within the pale of the true church. My residence the rendezvous of the villagers, and regarded with at Glendearg hath made me well acquainted with veneration to these Ill it habit and peculiar ; a feeling common most things. would beseem my my nations, and which perhaps may be traced up to the calling, to thrust myself into match-making and remote period when the patriarch feasted the angels giving in marriage, but worse were it in me to see 1 under the oak at Mamre. your lordships do needless wrong to the feelings The monks formed themselves each in their due which are proper to our nature, and which, being place around the cross, while under the ruins of the indulged honestly and under the restraints of reli- aged tree crowded the old and the feeble, with others gion, become a pledge of domestic quiet here, and who felt the common alarm. When they had thus future happiness in a better world. I say, that you arranged themselves, there was a deep and solemn will do ill to rend those ties asunder, and to give pause. The monks stilled their chant, the lay this maiden to the kinsman of Lord Morton, though populace hushed their lamentations, and all awaited Lord Morton's kinsman he be." " in terror and silence the arrival of those heretical These are fair reasons, my Lord of Murray," " forces, whom they had been so long taught to regard said Morton, why you should refuse me so simple with fear and trembling. a boon as to bestow this silly damsel upon young A distant out lord trampling was at length heard, and Bennygask. Speak plainly, my ; say you the glance of spears was seen to shine through the would rather see the Castle of Avenel in the hands trees above the village. The sounds increased, and of one who owes his name and existence solely to became more thick, one close continuous rushing your favour, than in the power of a Douglas, and sound, in which the tread of hoofs was of my kinsman." mingled " " My Lord of Morton," said Murray, I have this i It is to done in matter which should aggrieve scarcely necessary say, that in Melrose, the pro- nothing totype of Kennaquhair, no such oak ever existed. you. This young man Glendinning has done me THE MONASTERY. 637

and do a miserable I will at least if 1 guoa service, may me more. My promise many family ; try may was in some degree passed to him, and that while not make one happy. There are maids and manors Julian Avenel was alive, when aught beside the enow in Scotland. I promise you, my noble ally, to shall be wived." maiden's lily hand would have been hard come that young Bennygask richly " " by; whereas you never thought of such an alliance My lord," said Warden, you speak nobly, and for your kinsman, till you saw Julian lie dead like a Christian. Alas! this is a land of hatred and to the yonder on the field, and knew his land be a waif bloodshed let us not chase from thence few free to the first who could seize it. Come, come, my traces that remain of gentle and domestic love. lord, you do less than justice to your gallant kins- And be not too eager for wealth to thy noble kins- man, in wishing him a bride bred up under the man, my Lord of Morton, seeing contentment in the for this is a wench in all state no on it." milk-pail ; girl peasant marriage way depends " but the accident of birth. I thought you had more If you allude to my family misfortune," said deep respect for the honour of the Douglasses." Morton, whose Countess, wedded by him for her " " The honour of the Douglasses is safe in my estate and honours, was insane in her mind, the " that of habit and the or rather keeping," answered Morton, haughtily ; you wear, liberty, license, other ancient families may suffer as well as the name of your profession, protect you from my resent of Avenel, if rustics are to be matched with the ment." " " blood of our ancient barons." Alas ! my lord," replied Warden, how quick " This is but idle talking," answered Lord Mur- and sensitive is our self-love ! When, pressing for- " in times like these look to in our we out the errors of ray ; we must men, and ward high calling, point not to pedigrees. Hay was but a rustic before the the Sovereign, who praises our boldness more than battle of Loncarty the bloodyyoke actually dragged the noble Morton ? But touch we upon his own sore, the plough ere it was blazoned on a crest by the which most needs lancing, and he shrinks from the '" herald. Times of action make princes into peasants, faithful chirurgeon in fear and impatient anger " and boors into barons. All families have sprung Enough of this, good and reverend sir," saia " from one and it is well if have the mean man ; they Murray j you transgress prudence yourself never degenerated from his virtue who raised them recommended even now. We are now close upon first from obscurity." the village, and the proud Abbot is come forth at the " My Lord of Murray will please to except the head of his hive. Thou hast pleaded well for him, house of said " otherwise I had taken this occasion to Douglas," Morton, haughtily ; men Warden, pul. have sen it in the tree, but never in the sapling down the nest, and chase away the rooks." 1 " " seen it in the but in the fountain. but do not said this have stream, never Nay, so," Warden ; In the earliest of our Scottish annals, the Black William Allan, whom they call the Abbot Eustatius, Douglas was powerful and distinguished as now." is a man whose misfortunes would more prejudice " I bend to the honours of the house of Douglas," our cause than his prosperity. You cannot inflict said " I he will endure and the more that he is Murray, somewhat ironically; am conscious more than ; we of the Royal House have little right to compete made to bear, the higher will be the influence of his with them in dignity What though we have worn talents and his courage. In his conventual throne, crowns and carried sceptres for a few generations, he will be but coldly looked on disliked, it may be, if our genealogy moves no farther back than to the and envied. But turn his crucifix of gold into a humble Alanus Dapiferf" crucifix of wood let him travel through the land, Morton's cheek reddened as he was about to an and and his reply ; oppressed impoverished man, will win but Henry Warden availed himself of the liberty patience, his eloquence, and learningr more which the Protestant clergy long possessed, and hearts from the good cause, than all the mitred exerted it to interrupt a discussion which was abbots of Scotland have been able to make prey of becoming too eager and personal to be friendly. during the last hundred years." " " " " revenues My lords," he said, I must be bold in dis- Tush! tush! man," said Morton, the cliarging the duty of my Master. It is a shame of the Halidome will bring more men, spears, and and scandal to hear two nobles, whose hands have horses, into the field in one day, than his preaching been so forward in the work of reformation, fall in a whole lifetime. These are not the days of Peter into discord about such vain follies as now occupy the Hermit, when monks could march armies from your thoughts. Bethink you how long you have England to Jerusalem; but gold and good deeds will thought with one mind, seer with one eye, heard still do as much or more than ever. Had Julian with one ear, confirmed by your union the congre- Avenel had but a score or two more men this missed a werse gation of the Church, appalled by your joint autho- morning, Sir John Foster had not the of will welcome. I the monk's revenues rity congregation Anti-Christ ; and you say, confiscating now fall into discord, about an old decayed castle is drawing his fang-teeth." " and a few barren hills, about the loves and likings We will surely lay him under contribution," " of an humble in the said if lie desires to spearman, and a damsel bred Murray ; and, moreover, same obscurity, or about the still vainer questions remain in his Abbey, he will do well to produce of idle genealogy ?" Piercie Shafton." " The good man hatn spoken right, noble Douglas," As he thus spoke, they entered the market-place, " said Murray, reaching liim his hand, our union is distinguished by their complete armour and their followers too essential to the good cause to be broken off upon lofty plumes, as well as by the number of these such idle terms of dissention. I am fixed to gratify bearing their colours and badges. Both sc Glendinning in this matter my promise is passed. powerful nobles, but more especially Murray,

. a retinue The wars, in which I have had my share, have made nearly allied to the crown, had at that time and household not much inferior to that of Scottish royalty. As advanced into the market-place, See Note N. Pedigree of the Doiif/las Family. they their See Note O. Pediyrc( tfihc Stewart Family. a pursuivant, pressing forward from train, 338 WAVERLEY NOVELS.

" " addressed the monks in these words: The Abbot men," he said, pointing to the soldiers, will make of Saint Mary's is commanded to appear before the wild work among shrines and cells, if we are com- Earl of Murray." pelled to undertake a search for this Englishman." " " " The Abbot of Saint Mary's," said Eustace, is, Ye shall not need,'' said a voice from the in the of his to crowd before the patrimony Convent, superior every ; and, advancing gracefully Earls, temporal lord. Let the Earl of Murray, if he seeks the Euphuist flung from him the mantle in which " him, come himself to his presence." he was muffled. Via the cloud that shadowed " this scorn- Shafton !" said he the On receiving answer, Murray smiled ; behold, my lords, Knight fully, and, dismounting from his lofty saddle, IIP of Wilverton, who spares you the guilt of violence advanced, accompanied by Morton, and followed by and sacrilege." " others, to the body of monks assembled around the I protest before God and man against any cross. There was an appearance of infraction of the of this house," said the shrinking among " privileges them at the approach of the heretic lord, so dreaded Abbot, by an attempt to impose violent hands and so powerful. But the Abbot, casting on them upon the person of this noble knight. If there be a glance of rebuke and encouragement, stepped yet spirit in a Scottish Parliament, we will make forth from their ranks like a courageous leader, you hear of this elsewhere, my lords !" " " when he sees that his personal valour must be dis- Spare your threats," said Murray; it may be, played to revive the drooping courage of his fol- my purpose with Sir Piercie Shafton is not such " " lowers. Lord James Stewart," he said, or Earl as thou dost suppose Attach him, pursuivant, as our rescue or of Murray, if that be thy title, I, Eustatius, Abbot prisoner, no rescue." " " of Saint Mary's, demand by what right you have I yield myself," said the Euphuist, reserving filled our peaceful village, and surrounded our my right to defy my Lord of Murray and my Lord brethren, with these bands of armed men 2 If of Morton to single duel, even as one gentlemar is we have never refused it to may demand satisfaction of another." hospitality sought, " courteous asking if violence be meant against You shall not want those who will answer peaceful churchmen, let us know at once the pre- your challenge, Sir Knight," replied Morton, "with- text and the object ?" out aspiring to men above thine own degree." " " "Sir Abbot," said Murray, your language would And where am I to find these superlative " better have become another age, and a presence in- champions," said the English knight, whose blood ferior to ours. We come not here to reply to your runs more pure than that of Piercie Shafton 1" " interrogations, but to demand of you why you have Here is a flight for you, my lord !" said broken the peace, collecting your vassals in arms, Murray. " and convocating the Queen's lieges, whereby many As ever was flown by a wild-goose," said men have been slain, and much trouble, perchance Stawarth Bolton, who had now approached to the breach of amity with England, is likely to arise I" front of the party. " " Lupus in fabula," answered the Abbot, scorn- Who dared to say that word 2" said the " his fully. The wolf accused the sheep of muddying Euphuist, face crimson with rage. " " the stream when he drank in it above her but it Tut ! man," said Bolton, make the best of served as a pretext for devouring her. Convocate it, thy mother's father was but a tailor, old Over-

stitch of ! the Queen's h'eges ! I did so to defend the Queen's Holderness Why, what because thou land against foreigners. I did but my duty; and I art a misproud bird, and despisest thine own natural regret I had not the means to do it more effec- lineage, and rufflest in unpaid silks and velvets, and tually." keepest company with gallants and cutters, must " And was it also a part of your duty to receive we lose our memory for that ? Thy mother, Moll and harbour the Queen of England's rebel and Overstitch, was the prettiest wench in those parts traitor and to inflame war betwixt she was wedded wild Shafton of ; a England and by Wilverton, Scotland V said Murray. who, men say, was a-kin to the Piercie on the " In my younger days, my lord," answered the wrong side of the blanket." " " Abbot, with the same intrepidity, a war with Help the knight to some strong waters," said " no such dreaded matter Morton he hath fallen from such a that England was ; and not ; height, merely a mitred abbot, bound by his rule to shew he is stunned with the tumble." In like hospitality and afford sanctuary to all, but the fact, Sir Piercie Sliafton looked a man poorest Scottish peasant, would have been ashamed stricken by a thunderbolt, while, notwithstanding to have pleaded fear of England as the reason for the seriousness of the scene hitherto, no one of shutting his door against a persecuted exile. But those present, not even the Abbot himself, could in those olden days, the English seldom saw the refrain from laughing at the rueful and mortified face of a Scottish nobleman, save through the bars expression of his face. " " of his visor." Laugh on," he said at length, laugh on, my " " Monk !" said the " his shoulders it is not for Earl of Morton, sternly, this masters, shrugging ; insolence will little avail thee the are me to be offended would I know full fain ; days gone yet by when Rome's priests were permitted to brave ft'om that squire who is laughing with the loudest, noblemen with impunity. Give us up this Piercie how he had discovered this unhappy blot in an Shafton, or by my father's crest I will set thy Abbey otherwise spotless lineage, and for what purpose in a bright flame !" he hath made it known ?" " " And if thou dost, Lord of Morton, its ruins will I make it known ?" said Halbert Glendinning, in tumble above the tombs of thine own ancestors. Be astonishment, for to him this pathetic appeal the issue as God wills, the Abbot of Saint Mary's was made, "I never heard the tiling till this * gives up no one whom lie hath promised to protect." moment." " " Abbot !" said Murray, bethink thee ere we arc driven to deal roughly the hands of these i See Note T. The WhitvSpirit. THE MONASTERY. 539

u 1 " Why, did not that old rude soldier learn it from great solemnity, make way for the Lady of Piercie tliee 1" said the in amazement. Shafton a secret which I listed not to make increasing j " knight, " Not !" said I never saw till which hath wliat I I, by Heaven Bolton ; known, fate, betrayed vainly the youth in life before." strove to conceal, makes me less desirous to lu'de that " my But you hate seen him ere now, my worthy which I now announce to you." " master," said Dame Glendinning, bursting in her It is Mysie Happer, the Miller's daughter, on " " turn from the crowd. My son, this is Stawartli my life !" said Tibb Tacket I thought the pride Bolton, he to whom we owe life, and the means of these Piercies would have a fa'." " of it if he be as seems most It is indeed the lovely Mysinda," said the preserving prisoner, " likely, use thine interest with these noble lords to knight, whose merits towards her devoted servant be kind to the widow's friend." deserved higher rank than he had to bestow." " " " What, my Dame of the Glen !" said Bolton, I suspect, though," said Murray, that we " thy brow is more withered, as well as mine, since should not have heard of the Miller's daughter being we met last, but thy tongue holds the touch better made a lady, had not the knight proved to be the than my arm. This boy of thine gave me the foil grandson of a tailor." " " sorely this morning. The Brown Varlet has turned My lord," said Piercie Shaftou, it is poor as stout as I is valour to strike him that cannot smite I a trooper prophesied ; and where again ; and " White Head i hope you will consider what is due to a prisoner by " " Alas !" said the mother, looking down, Edward the law of arms, and say nothing more on this odious has taken orders, and become a monk of this subject. When I am once more mine own man, Abbey." I will find a new road to dignity." "A monk and a soldier! Evil trades both, "Shape one, I presume," said the Earl ol my good dame. Better have made one a good Morton. master fashioner, like old Overstitch, of Holderness. "Nay, Douglas, you will drive him mad," said I when I envied the two we have other matter in hand sighed you bonny children, Murray ; "besides, but I sigh not now to call either the monk or the I must see Warden wed Glendinning with Mary soldier mine own. The soldier dies in the field, the Avenel, and put him in possession of his wife's monk scarce lives in the cloister." castle without delay. It will be best done ere our " " My dearest mother," said Halbert, where is forces leave these parts." " " Edward can I not with him ?" And I," said the Miller, have the like to " speak grist left for the said for I one of the fathers He has just us present," Father grind ; hope some good " Philip, upon a message from the Lord Abbot" will wed my wench with her gay bridegroom." " I" " " the And Mary, my dearest mother said Halbert. It needs not," said Shafton ; ceremonial Mary Avenel was not far distant, and the tliree hath been solemnly performed." " were soon withdrawn from the crowd, to hear and It will not be the worse of another bolting," " relate their it is best to as various chances of fortune. said the Miller ; always be sure, While the subordinate personages thus disposed I say when I chance to take multure twice from of themselves, the Abbot held serious discussion the same meal-sack." " " with the two Earls, and, partly yielding to their Stave the miller off him," said Murray, or demands, partly defending himself with skill and he will worry him dead. The Abbot, my lord, enabled to offers the of the Convent I move eloquence, was make a composition for us hospitality ; his Convent, which left it provisionally in no worse we should repair hither, Sir Piercie and all of us. situation than before. The Earls were the more I must learn to know the Maid of Avenel to- reluctant to drive matters to extremity, since he morrow I must act as her father All Scotland protested, that if urged beyond what his conscience shall see how Murray can reward a faithful would comply with, he would throw the whole servant." lands of the Monastery into the Queen of Scotland's Mary Avenel and her lover avoided meeting hands, to be disposed of at her pleasure. This the Abbot, and took up their temporary abode in would not have answered the views of the Earls, a house of the village, where next day then: hands who were contented, for the time, with a moderate were united by the Protestant preacher in presence sacrifice of money and lands. Matters being so of the two Earls. On the same day Piercie Shafton far settled, the Abbot became anxious for the fate and his bride departed, under an escort which was of Sir Piercie Shafton, and implored mercy in his to conduct him to the sea-side, and see him embark behalf. for the Low Countries. Early on the following " " He is a coxcomb," he said, my lords, but he morning the bands of the Earls were under march is a generous, though a vain fool; and it is my to the Castle of Avenel, to invest the young bride- firm belief you have this day done him more pain groom with the property of his wife, which was than if you had run a into him." surrendered to them without opposition. " poniard Run a needle into him you mean, Abbot," said But not without those omens which seemed to " the Earl of Morton mine I remarkable event which befell the ; by honour, thought mark every this grandson of a fashioner of doublets was de- fated family, did Mary take possession of the ancient scended from a crowned head at least !" castle of her forefathers. The same warlike form " I hold with the said " there which had more than once at Abbot," Murray ; appeared Glendearg, were little honour hi surrendering him to Eliza- was seen by Tibb Tacket and Martin, who returned 1 beth, but he shah be sent where he can do her no with their young mistress to partake her altered injury. Our pursuivant and Bolton sliall escort him fortunes. It glided before the cavalcade as they to Dunbar, and ship him off for Flanders. But advanced upon the long causeway, paused at each soft, here he comes, and leading a female, as I drawbridge, and flourished its hand, as in triumph think." as it under the gloomy archway, " disappeared Lords and others," said the English knight with which was surmounted by the insignia of the house 540 WAVERLEY NOVELS.

" Fare thee thou of Avend. The two trusty servants made tneir well, Holly gre&n * Thou shall seldom now be vision known to Dame with seen, only Glendinning, who, With all thy glittering garlands bending. much pride of heart, had accompanied her son to As to greet my slow descending, see him take his rank among the barons of the Startling the bewilder'd hind, " Who sees thee wave without a wind. land. dear bairn !" she when " Oh, my exclaimed, Fountain ! now not " Farewell, long she heard the tale, the castle is a grand place Shalt thou murmur to my song, While bubbles to be sure, but I wish ye dinna a' desire to be back thy crystal glancing, Keep the'time in mystic dancing, in the braes of before the quiet Glendearg play Rise and swell, are burst and lost, be out." But this Like mortal schemes fortune crost. played natural reflection, spring- " by The knot of fate at length is tied, ing from maternal anxiety, was soon amid forgotten The Churl is Lord, the Maid is bride. the and task of busy pleasing examining and admir- Vaimy did my magic sleight Send the lover from her ing the new habitation of her son. sight ; Wither bush, and well While these affairs were Edward had perish passing, FaU'n is lofty Avenel!" hidden himself and his sorrows in the paternal Tower of where was full of The Vision seemod to while she Glendearg, every object weep sung ; and matter for bitter reflection. The Abbot's kindness the words impressed on Edward a melancholy belief, had despatched him thither upon pretence of placing that the alliance of Mary with his brother might some papers belonging to the Abbey hi safety and be fatal to them both. secrecy; but in reality to prevent his witnessing the triumph of his brother. Through the deserted apartments, the scene of so many bitter reflections, the unhappy youth stalked like a discontented Here terminates the First Part of the Benedic- ghost, conjuring up around him at every step new tine's Manuscript. I have in vain endeavoured to subjects for sorrow and for self-torment. Impa- ascertain the precise period of the story, as the dates tient, at length, of the state of irritation and cannot be exactly reconciled with those of the most agonized recollection in which he found himself, accredited histories. But it is astonishing how he rushed out and walked hastily up the glen, as if careless the writers of Utopia are upon these im- to shake off the load which hung upon his mind. portant subjects. 1 observe that the learned Mi The sun was setting when he reached the entrance Laurence Templeton, in his late publication entitled of Corri-nan-shian, and the recollection of what he IVANHOE, has not only blessed the bed of Edward had seen when he last visited that haunted ravine, the Confessor with an offspring unknown to his* burst on his mind. He was in a humour, however, tory, with sundry other solecisms of the same kind, rather to seek out than to avoid it. but has inverted the order of nature, and feasted " danger I will face this said " his in of mystic being," he ; she swine with acorns the midst summer. All foretold the fate which has wrapt me in this dress, that can be alleged by the warmest admirer of this I will know whether she has aught else to tell author amounts to this, that the circumstances me of a life which cannot but be miserable." objected to are just as true as the rest of the story; He failed not to see the White Spirit seated by which appears to me (more especially in the matter her accustomed haunt, and singing hi her usual low of the adorns) to be a very imperfect defence, and and sweet tone. While she sung she seemed to that the author will do well to profit by Captain look with sorrow on her golden zone, which was Absolute's advice to his servant, and never tell him now diminished to the fineness of a silken thread. more lies than are indispensably necessary.

END OF THE MONASTERY. NOTES TO THE MONASTERY.

NOTES

ID

STfjc

Sheriff. Come, come sir! I ask did Note A. STAWARTH BOLTOX. you distinctly, jwi think they were the fairies you saw ? Staiatrth Bo/ton took hit embroidered rtd cross from hit Shepherd. Indeed, sir, and I winna say but I might thfok it was the Good barret-cap, and putting it into the loop of the boy's bonnet, Neighbours. " Thus was he to laid, By this token, ichich all my people icill respect, you unwillingly brought allude to the Ciritabla and witt be freed from any importunity on the part of our captious inhabitants of fairy land. forayen." Note C. DRAWBRIDGE AT BRIDGE-END. As gallantry of all times and nations has the same mode sf and so it often itself the same thinking acting, expresses by A bridge of the very peculiar construction described in the In the civil war a of under jrabols. 1745-6, party Highlanders, text, actually existed at a small hamlet about a mile and a half : Chieftain of rank, came to Rose Castle, the seat of the Bishop above Melrose, called from the circumstance Bridgt-end. It is af Carlisle, but then occupied by the family of Squire Caere of thus noticed in Gordon's Iter Septentrionale : Cumberland. They demanded quarters, which of course were " In another journey through the south parts of Scotland, not to be refused to armed men of a attire and unknown strange about a mile and a half from Melrose, in the shire of Teviot- language. But the domestic to the of the represented captain dale, I saw the remains of a curious bridge over the river mountaineers, that the of the mansion had been deli- lady just Tweed, consisting of three octangular or rather of pillars, towers, vered a daughter, and expressed her hope, that, under tliese i standing within the water, without any arches to join them. circumstances, his party would give as little trouble as " " possible. The middle one, which is the most entire, has a door to- God forbid," said the gallant chief, that I or mine should wards the north, and I suppose, another opposite one toward DC the means of adding to a lady's inconvenience at such a time. | the south, which I could not see without crossing the water. May I request to see the infant ?" The child was and brought, In the middle of this tower is a projection or cornice surround- the Highlander, taking his cockade out of his bonnet, and " ing it : the whole is hollow from the door upwards, and now it on the child's breast, That will be a token," he pinning" open at the top, near which is a small window. I was informed said, to of our who come that Donald any people may hither, that not a and his lived in thii ' long ago countryman family M'Donald of Kinloch-Moitiart, lias taken the family of Rose tower and got his livelihood by laying out planki from pillar Castle under his The who received in in- protection." lady ] to pillar, and conveying passengers over the river. Whether this of is now fancy gage Highland protection, Mary, Lady this be ancient or I it modern, know not ; but as is singular in Clerk of and on the 10th of still June wears the 1 Pennycuik ; its kind, I have thought fit to exhibit it." cockade which was pinned on her breast, with a white rose as j The vestiges of this uncommon species of bridge still exist, kindred decoration. and the author has often seen the foundations of the columns when down the Tweed at for the of Note B. THE FAIRIES. drifting night, purpose killing salmon by torch-light. Mr John Mercer of Bridge-end that about the ': tnay were. geese pursuing eacl) other on tne Loch. But, when one which I must direct answer who did was to table, was found to be and ill fed, James Shcrif. Come, lad, have a brought " tough you think thev were ? obsenred, that MacFarlane's geese likea their play better hat been current ever Shfphevd. Ou, sir, troth I am no that free to say that 1 than their meat," a proverb which mind wha I miyht think they wsre. rince. 542 WAVEKLEY NOVELS.

he had pleased, and did it not, which of all things grieves m most in conscience. Also, in a I a for Note P. < EPITHETS. rage, hanged poor man a horse with other wicked for ; many deeds, whilk I ask my There are many instances to be met with in the ancient dramas God mercy. It is not marvel I have been wicked, considering of this whimsical and conceited custom of persons who formed the wicked company that ever I have been in, but specially an intimacy, distinguishing each other by some quaint epithet. within the seven years by-past, in which I never saw two good there is a humorous men or one but all kind of In Every Man out of his Humour, good deed, wickedness, and yet debate upon names most fit to bind the relation betwixt So- God would not suffer me to be lost." See the whole confession gliardo and Cavaliero Shift, which ends by adopting those of in the State Trials. Countenance and Resolution. What is more to the poinj is Another worthy of the Borders, called Geordy Bourne, ol in the of Hedon, a and a courtier in Cynthia's somewhat subordinate rank, was a similar of speech" voluptuary picture profligacy. Revels. You know that I call Madam Philaiitia my He had fallen into the hands of Sir Robert Carey, then War- HONOUR, and she calls me her AMBITION. Now, when I meet i den of the English East Marches, who gives the following ' in I will come to her and Sweet ; account of his : her the presence, anon, say, " prisoner's confession Honour, I have hitherto contented my sense with the lilies of 1 When all things were quiet, and the watch set at night, your hand, and now I will taste the roses of your lip.' To which after supper, about ten of the clock, I took one of my men's she cannot but blushing answer, ' Nay, now you are too ambi- liveries and put it about me, and took two other of my servants be too ambitious of with me in their liveries tious ;' and then do I reply, "I cannot ; and we three, as the Warden's men, Honour, sweet lady. Wilt not be good?'" I think there came to the Provost Marshal's where Bourne was, and were is some remnant of this foppery preserved in masonic lodges, let into his chamber. We sate down by him, and told hiir where each brother is distinguished by a name in the Lodge, that we were desirous to see him, because we heard he was stout signifying some abstract quality, as Discretion, or the like. and valiant, and true to his friend, and that we were sorry our See the poems of Gavin Wilson. master could not be moved to save his life. He voluntarily of himself said, that he had lived long enough to do so many villainies as he had done and Note G. ROWLAND YORKE, AND STUKELY. j withal told us, that he had lain with above forty men's wives, what in England what in Scot- " " land Yorke," says Camden, was a Londoner, a man of loose ; and that he had killed seven Englishmen with his own famous and dissolute behaviour, and desperately audacious hands, cruelly murdering them ; and that he had spent hit in his time amongst the 'common bullies and swaggerers, 'as whole time in whoring, drinking, stealing, and taking deep his being the first that, to the great admiration of many at revenge for slight offences. He seemed to be very penitent, boldness, brought into England the bold and dangerous way and much desired a minister for the comfort of his soul. We of fencing with the rapier in ^duelling. Whereas, till that promised him to let our master know his desire, who, we knew, used to swords and it. took time, the English fight*with long bucklers, would promptly grant We leave of him ; and presently striking with the edge, and thought it no part of man either to I took order that Mr Selby, a very honest preacher, should go push or strike beneath the girdle. to him, and not stir from him till his execution the next morn- in revolted Having a command the Low Countries, Yorke ing ; for after I had heard his own confession, I was resolved to the Spaniards, and died miserably, poisoned, as was sup- no conditions should save his life, and so took order, that at posed, by his new allies. Three years afterwards, his bones the gates opening the next morning, he should be carried to were dug up and gibbeted by the command of the States of execution, which accordingly was performed." Memoirs of Holland. Sir Robert Carey Earl o/Monmouth. Thomas Stukely, another distinguished gallant of the time, was bred a merchant, being the son of a rich clothier in the west. He wedded the daughter and heiress of a wealthy alder- Note K. FOPPERY OK THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY. man of London, named Curtis, after whose death he squan- dered the riches he thus acquired in all manner of extravagance. Sir Piercie Sbafton's extreme love of dress was an attribute His wife, whose fortune supplied his waste, represented to him of the coxcombs of this period. The display made by tlieii in that he ought to make more of her. Stukely replied, "I will forefathers was the numbers of their retinue ; but as tha make as much of thee, believe me, as it is possible for any actual influence of the nobility began to be restrained both iu to do;" and he kept his word in one sense, having stripped France and England by the increasing power of the crown, her even of her wearing apparel, before he finally ran away the indulgence of vanity in personal display became more inor- from her. dinate. There are many allusions to this change of custom in Having fled to Italy, he contrived to impose upon the Pope, Sliakspeare and other dramatic writers, where the reader may with a plan of invading Ireland, for which he levied soldiers, find mention made of and made some but himself preparations ; ended by engaging " Bonds entered into and his in the service of Sebastian of troops King Portugal. For gay apparel against the triumph day." He sailed with that prince on his fatal voyage to Barbary, fell with at the battle and him of Alcazar. /onson informs us, that for the first entrance of a gallant, first " Stukely, as one of the gallants of the timOf has had 'twere good you turned four or five hundred acres of youJ honour be in the to chronicled song, in Evans' Old Ballads, best land into two or three trunks of apparel." Every Man vol. iii. edition 1810. His fate is also introduced in a tragedy, out of his Humour. by George Peel, as has been supposed, called the Battle of In the Memorie of the Somerville family, a curious instance Alcazar, from which play Dryden is alleged to have taken occurs of this fashionable species of extravagance. In the the idea of Don Sebastian if it is he omitted ; so, surprising year 1537, when James V. brought over his shortlived bride a character so congenial to King Charles the Second's time, from France, the Lord Somerville of the day was so profuse as the witty, brave, and profligate Thomas Stukely. in the expense of bis apparel, that the money which he bor- rowed on the occasion was compensated by a perpetual annuity Note H. AVENEL CASTLE. of threescore pounds Scottish, payable out of the barony ol Carnwarth till doomsday, which was assigned by the creditor It is in vain to search near Melrose for any such castle as is to Saint Magdalen's Chapel. By this deep expense the Lord nere described. The lakes at the head of the Yarrow and Somerville had rendered himself so glorious in apparel, that those at the rise of the water of Ale, present no object o! the the King, who saw so brave a gallant enter the gate of Holy- kind. But in Yetholm Loch, (a romantic sheet of water, in rood, followed by only two pages, called upon several of thi the dry march, as it is called,) there are the remains of a courtiers to ascertain who it could be who was so richly fortress called Lochside like the Castle and so and he was not Tower, which, supposed dressed slightly attended, " recognized of Avenel, is built upon an island, and connected with the land until he entered the presence chamber. You are very brave, by a causeway. It is much smaller than the Castle of Avenel my lord," said the King, as he received nis homage; "but it of a ruinous tower. where are all men and attendants?" The Lord Somer- described, consisting only single your " ville readily answered, If it please your Majesty, here they that was on his own and hig Note I. JULIAN AVENEL. are," pointing to the lace pages* whereat and sur- clothes ; the King laughed heartily, haying bade him have with it If it were necessary to name a prototype for this brutal, veyed the finery more nearly, away all, him have his stout band of licentious, and cruel Border chief, in an age which shewed and let spears" again. but too many such, the Laird of Black Ormiston might be There is a scene in Jonson's Every Man out of his selected for that purpose. He was a friend and confident of Humour," (Act IV. Scene 6,) in which a Euphuist of the time Bothwell, and an agent in Henry Darnley's murder. At gives an account of the effects of a duel on the clothes of and from his last stage, he was, like other great offenders, a seeming himself and his opponent, never departs a syllable the of his wardrobe. We shall insert it in evidence penitent ; and, as his confession bears, divers gentlemen and catalogue " that of GUI servants being in the chamber, he said, For God's sake, sit that the foppery of our ancestors was not inferior to 9wn time.

" of 13 iiiia now a . wuivu \jruu uiijt puumiiug ww , IOT ui nil muu uu mo Fastidlus. Good faith, signior, you speak I of the I'll with a difference that happened earth, have been one proudest, and most high-minded, quarrel, acquaint you j know him and most unclean of my body. But specially I have shed the between a gallant and myself, Sir Puntarvolo. You innocent blood of one Michael Hunter with my own hands. if I should name him Signior Luculento. " ! chanie Alas, therefore 1 because the said Michael, having me lying on Punt. Luculento What inauspicious interposed my back, having a fork in his hand, might have siain me if itself to your two loves 1 NOTES TO THE MONASTERY. 543

" from flit. Faith, sir, the same that sundered Agamemnor, some honest apology, want appetite or inclination HI eat of the his tod great Thetis' son ; but let the cause escape, sir. lie sent king's mess, share should, nevertheless, be placed on me a challenge, niixt with some few braves, which I restored : the table with those of his brethren, and afterwards carried to the " and, in fine, we met. Now indeed, sir, I must tell you, he ipte and Riven to the poor. Neither is it our pleasure," for continues the bountiful " did offer at first very desperately, out without judgment ; sovereign, that the dinner, which (s or to be served to the said look you, sir, I cast myself into this figure ; now he came ought up monks according to their violently on, and withal advancing his rapier to strike, I ancient rule, should be diminished in quantity, or rendered thought to have took his arm, for he had left his body to my inferior in quality, on account of this our mess, so furnished as election, and 1 was sure he coul* not recover his guard. Sir, aforesaid." It is, moreover, provided, that the abbot, with the I mist my purpose in his arm, rashed his doublet sleeves, ran consent of the most sage of his brethren, shall name a prudent him close by the loft cheek and through his hair. lie, again, and decent monk for receiving, directing, and expending, all light me here I had on a gold cable hat-band, then new matters concerning this annuity for the benefit of the com- I cuts to the desire and come up, about a murrey French hat had ; my hat-band, munity, agreeably royal intention, rendering and yet it was massy goldsmith's work, cuts my brim, which, a faithful account thereof to the abbot and superiors of the same by good fortune, being thick embroidered with gold twist and convent. And the same charter declares the king's farther spangles, disappointed the force of the blow; nevertheless it pleasure, that the said men of religion should be bound yearly grazed on my shoulder, takes me away six purls of an Italian and for ever, in acknowledgment of the above donation, to cut-work band I wore, cost me three pounds in the Exchange clothe fifteen poor men at the feast of Saint Martin in winter, but three before and to feed them on the same to each of them " days day, delivering Punt. This was a strange encounter. four ells of large or broad, or six ells of narrow cloth, and to "Fart. Nay, you shall hear, sir. With this, we both fell each also a new pair of shoes or sandals, according to their order if said shall fail in out and breathed. Now, upon the second sign of his assault, ; and the monks their engagements, or I of it is the will that the betook me to my former manner of defence ; he, on the other any them, king's fault shall be redeemed side, abandoned his body to the some danger as before, and fol- by a double performance of what has been omitted, to be exe- cuted at the forester lows me still with blows ; but I, being loath to take the deadly sight of the chief of Ettrick for the time advantage that lay before me of bis left side, made a kind of being, and before the return of Saint Martin's day succeeding stramazoun, ran him up to the hilt through the doublet, that on which the omission has taken place. through the shirt, and yet missed the skin. He, making a Of this charter, respecting the pittance of L.100 assigned to reverse blow, falls upon my embossed girdle, I had thrown off furnish the monks of Melrose with a daily mess of boiled rice, the hangers a little before, strikes off a skirt of a thick -laced almonds, or other pulse, to mend their commons, the anti- satin doublet I had, lined with four taffetas, cuts off two panes quarian reader will be pleased, doubtless, to see the original. embroidered with pearl, rerds through the drawings-out of enters the and flesh. tissue, linings, skips the CARTA REGIS ROBZRTI I. ABBATI BT COJTVEHTUJ DB " Car. I wonder he not of his shirt. " speaks wrought MELROSS. Fatt. Here, in the opinion of mutual damage, we paused. But, ere I proceed, I must tell you, signior, that in Carta de Pitancia Centum Librarwn. ;he last encounter, not having leisure to put off my silver "Robertus Dei gracia Rex Scottorum omnibus homl- spurs, one of the rowels catched hold of the ruffles of my probis nibus tocius terre sue Salutem. Sciatis nos salute anime boot, and, being Spanish leather and subject to tear, overthrows pro nostre et salute animarum antecessorum et successorum me, rends me two pair of silk stockings that I put on, being pro nostrorum Scocie Dedisse Concessisse et hac somewhat of a raw morning, a peach colour and another, and Regum presenti Carta nostra confirmasse Deo et Beate Marie et Reli- strikes me some half-inch deep into the side of the calf: He, virgini giosis viris Abbati et Conventui de Melross et eorum succes- seeing the blood come, presently takes horse and away : I hav- soribus in Centum Libras Anr.ui ing bound up my wound with a piece of my wrought shirt perpetuum Sterlingorum " Redditus annis de firmis Car. O, comes it in there ? singulis percipiendas npstris Burgi " Berwici Twedam ad terminos Pentecostis et Sancti Fatt. Ride after him, and, lighting at the court-gate both super Martini in vel de nova Custuma together, embraced, and marched hand in hand up into the hyemeprp equal! portione nostra si firme nostre ad dictam summam presence. Was not this business well carried ? Burgi predict! predicte " pecunie sumcere non poterunt vel de nova Custuma nostra Maei. Well ! yes ; and by this we can guess what appa: si nostrorum de et de Si firme the gentleman wore. Burgorum Edenburg Hadington nostre et Custuma nostra ville Berwici casu "Punt. 'Fore valour! it was a designment begun with aliquo contingents ad hoc forte non sufficiant. Ita dicta summa much resolution, maintained with as much prowess, and ended quod pecunie Centum Librarum eis annuatim et contradictions with more humanity." integre absque aliqua plenarie persolvatur pre cunctis aliis quibuscunque assig- nacionibus per nos factis seu faciendis ad inveniendum in per- diebus cuilibet nionacho raonasterii Note L. GOOD FAITH or THE BORDERERS. petuum singulis predict! comedenti in Refectorio unum sumciens ferculum risarum factarum cum lacte, vel alionun As some atonement for their laxity of morals on most occa- amigdalarum pisarum siye ciborum consimilis inventorum in et illud tions, the Borderers were severe observers of the faith which concjicionis patria ferculum ferculum vocabitur in eternum. Et si they had pledged, even to an enemy. If any person broke his Regis aliquia monaclms ex causa honesta de dicto comedere word so plighted, the individual to whom faith had not been aliqua ferculp noluerit vel refici non r.on minus attamen sibi de dicta observed, used to bring to the next Border-meeting a glove poterit terculo ministretur et ad hung on the point of a spear, and proclaim to Scots and portam pro pauperibus deportetur. Nee volumus occasione ferculi nostri English the name of the defaulter. This was accounted so quod predict! prandium diet! Conventus de communiter eis deserviri sive great a disgrace to all connected with him, that his own clans- quo antiquitus ministrari solebat in seu diminuatur. Volumus men sometimes destroyed him, to escape the infamy he had aliquo pejoretur et ordinamus Abbas monasterii brought on them. insuper quod ejusdem qui pro merit de consensu de Conventu Constable, a spy engaged by Sir Ralph Sadler, talks of two tempore saniprum specialiter " constituat unum monachum et discretum ad Border thieves, whom he used as bis guides, That they providum recipien- dum ordinandum et totam summam would not care to steal, and yet that they would not betray any expendendum pecunie memorate utilitate conventus sccundum votum et inten- man that trusts in them, for all the gold in Scotland or in pro cionem mentis nostre annotatum et ad reddendum fidele France. They are my guides and outlaws. If they would superius coram Abbate et Maioribus de Conventu betray me they might get their pardons, and cause me to be compotum singulis sic Et volumus dicti hanged; but I have tried them ere this." Sadler'* Letter* annis de pecunia recepta. quod religiosi annuatim in nostra during the EorQurn Inturrection. teneantur perpetuum pro predicta dpnacione ad perpetuam nostri memoriam vestire quindecim pauperes ad festum Sancti Martini in hieme et eosdem cibare eodem die Note M. iHDULOKitCKS OF THE MONKS. liberando eorum cuilibet quatuor ulnas panni grossi et lati vel stricti et eorum sex ulnas panni cuilibet unum novum par sptu- larium de ordine suo. Et si dicti in vel The bibere*, caritat, and boiled almonds, of which Abbot religiosi premissis aliquo Honiface occasions for premissorum aliquo anno defecerint volumus quod illud quod I speaks, were special enjoying luxuries, fuerit diebus necessariis nfforded to the monks by grants from different sovereigns, or minus perimpletum dupplicetur inagis visum forestarii nostri de I from other benefactors to the convent. There is one of these per capitalis Selkirk, qui pro tempore dicta fiat domini :ers called De Pitancia Centum Librarum. By this char- fuerit. Et quod dupplicatio ante natale proxi- mo festum Sancti Martini In rei tesii- ter, which is very curious, our Robert Bruce, on the 10th sequens predictum. cujus rnonium Carte nostre nostrum January, and in the twelfth year of his reign, assigns, out of the presenti sigillum precipimus Testibus venerabilibus in Christo customs of Berwick, and failing them, out of the customs of apponi. patribus Wilhelmo, j .David Dun- or the sum of one hundred pounds, at Johanne, Willielmoet Sancti Andree, Glasguensis, j Kdinburgb Haddington, ki-ldensis et Moraviensis ecclesiarum dei Bernardo the half-yearly terms of Peiitecost and Saint Martin's in winter, gracia episcopis de Abirbrothock et [ to the abbot and community of the monks of Melrose. The Abbate Cancellario, Duncano, Malisio, de de Strathin et de Comitibus Waltera precise purpose of this annuity is to furnish to each of the monies Hugone Fyf Ross, * Scocie. Jacobo domjni de et Alexandra of the said monastery, while placed at food in the refectory, an Seiicscallo Duglas Socie extra mess of rice boiled with milk, or of almonds, or peas, or Fraser Camerario nostro multibus. Apud Abirbrotbock, die Anno noari vicesimo. other pulse of that kind which could be procured in the country. decimo Januarg. Regni This addition to their commons is to be entitled the King's Mess. And it is declared, tha,t although any monk should, 544 WAVERLEY NOVELS.

in the succeeding generation. But if William de Douglas Aic. Note N. OF THE DOUGLAS FAMILY. not succeed Theobaldus Flammaticus, there is no more reason for holding these two persons to be father and son than if thej had lived in different The late excellent and laborious antiquary, Mr George Chal- provinces ; and we are still as far from oicrs, lias rebuked the vaunt of the House of Douglas, or rather having discovered the first mean man of the Douglas family ai of Hume of Godscroft, their historian, but with less than his Hume of Godscroft was in the 16th century. We leave the wonted accuracy. In the first volume of his Caledonia, he question to antiquaries and genealogists. the in Godscroft for the of it. quotes passage purpose "confutinz The historian (of the Douglasses) cries out, We do not Note O. PEDIGREE OF THE STEWART FAMILI. in in know them the fountain, but the stream ; not in the root, To atone to the of the learned and but in the stem ; for we know not which is the mean man that memory indefatigable did rise above the vulgar." This assumption Mr Chalmers Chalmers for having ventured to impeach his genealogical pro- conceivesill-timed, and alleges, that if the historian had attended position concerning the descent of the Douglasses, we are bound to render him our thanks for more to research than to declamation, he might easily have sren grateful the felicitous light which he has thrown on that of the the first mean man of this renowned family. This he alleges to House of Stewart, still more have been one Theobaldus Flammaticus, or Theobald the Fle- important to Scottish Ijistory. The acute ming, to whom Arnold, Abbot of Kelso, between the year 114" pen of Lord Hailes, which, like the spear of and 11 GO, granted certain lands on Douglas water, by a deed Ithuriel, conjured so many shadows from Scottish history, had which Mr Chalmers conceives to be the first link of the chain of dismissed among the rest those of Banquo and Fleance, the of which fables left the title-deeds to Douglaadale. Hence, he says, the family must rejection illustrious family of Stewart without renounce their family domain, or acknowledge this obscure an ancestor beyond Walter the son of Allan, who is alluded to in the Fleming as their ancestor. Theobald the Fleming, it is acknow- text. The researches of our late learned did " detected in this the descendant ledged, not himself assume the name of Douglas ; but," antiquary Walter, of Allan, the son of Bays the antiquary, "his son AVilliam, who inherited his estate, Flaald, who obtained from William the Conqueror the of called himself, and was named by others, De Duglas ;" and he Castle Oswestry in Shropshire, and was the father of an illustrious line of refers to the deeds in which he is so designed. Mr Chalmers's English nobles, by his first son, William, anJ his second full argument may be found in the first volume of his Cale- by son, Walter, the progenitor of the royal family ot Stewart. donia, p, 679. This proposition is one which a Scotsman will admit unwil- lingly, and only upon undeniable testimony : and as it is liable Note P. THE WHITE SPIRIT. to strong grounds of challenge, the present author, with all the respect to Mr Chalmers which his zealous and effectual The contrivance of provoking the irritable vanity of Sir Piercie researches merit, is not unwilling to take this opportunity to Shafton, by presenting him with a bodkin, indicative of his descent from a is state some plausible grounds for doubting that Theobaldus tailor, borrowed from a German romance, Flammaticus was either the father of the first William de by the celebrated Tieck, called Das Peter Manchen, t. e. The Dwarf Peter. The Douglas, or in the slightest degree connected with the Douglas being who gives name to the tale, is the or family. Burg-geist, castle spectre, of a German family, whom he- aids his It must first be observed, that there is no reason whatever with counsel, as he defends their castle by his super- for concluding Theobaldus Flammaticus to be the father of natural power. But the Dwarf Peter is so unfortunate an William de Douglas, except that they both held lands upon the adviser, that all his counsels, though producing success in the small river of immediate results, are in the issue attended with and Douglas ; and that there are two strong presump- mishap with The the of tions to the contrary. Bor, first, the father being named Fleming, guilt. youthful baron, owner the haunted there seems no good reason why the son should have assumed a castle, falls in love with a maiden, the daughter of a neigh- different count, a man of refuses him designation ; secondly, there does not occur a single bouring great pride, who the hand of the instance of the name of Theobald during the long line of the young lady, on account of his own superiority of descent. The and Douglas pedigree, an omission very unlikely to take place had lover, repulsed affronted, returns to take counsel with the Dwarf the original father of the race been so called. These are secondary Peter, how he may silence the count, and obtain considerations the in the the next time enter indeed ; but they are important, in so far as they victory argument, they on the exclude any support of Mr Chalmers's system, except from the topic of pedigree. The dwarf gives his patron or pupil a horse- point which he has rather assumed than proved, namely, that shoe, instructing him to give it to the count when he is next the lands granted to Theobald the Fleming were the same" which giving himself superior airs on the subject of his family. It were granted to William de Douglas, and which constituted has the effect accordingly. The count, understanding it as an allusion the original domain of which we find this powerful family lords. to a misalliance of one of his ancestors with the daughtei of Now, it happens, singularly enough, that the lands granted a blacksmith, is thrown into a dreadful passion with the by the Abbot of Kelso to Theobaldus Flammaticus are not the young lover, the consequences of which are the seduction of tlit and the same of which William de Douglas was in possession. Nay, it young lady, slaughter of her father. would appear, from comparing the charter granted to Theobaldus If we'suppose the dwarf to represent the corrupt part of human that Flammaticus, that, though situated on the water of Douglas, nature, "law in our members which wars against th they never made a part of the barony of that name, and there- law of our minds," the work forms an ingenious alksgory. fore cannot be the same with those held by William d* Douglas

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