Theboystoodawhilebrooding。”Well，Itakemyriskofit”hecried。”Ibelieveit”streasontomysovereign-Ibelievethereisaninfamouspunishmentforsuchacrime-andyetI”mhangedifIcangiveyouup”
Iwasasmuchmovedashe。”Icouldalmostbegyoutodootherwise”Isaid。”Iwasabrutetocometoyou，abruteandacoward。Youareanobleenemy；youwillmakeanoblesoldier。”
Andwithratherahappyideaofacomplimentforthiswarlikeyouth，Istoodupstraightandgavehimthesalute。
Hewasforamomentconfused；hisfaceflushed。”Well，well，I
mustbegettingyousomethingtoeat，butitwillnotbeforsix”
headded，withasmile：”onlywhatwecangetsmuggledout。Thereismyauntintheroad，yousee”andhelockedmeinagainwiththeindignanthens。
IalwayssmilewhenIrecallthatyoungfellow；andyet，ifthereaderweretosmilealso，Ishouldfeelashamed。Ifmysonshallbeonlylikehimwhenhecomestothatage，itwillbeabravedayformeandnotabadoneforhiscountry。
AtthesametimeIcannotpretendthatIwassorrywhenhissistersucceededinhisplace。Shebroughtmeafewcrustsofbreadandajugofmilk，whichshehadhandsomelylacedwithwhiskyaftertheScottishmanner。”Iamsosorry”shesaid：”Idarednotbringonanythingmore。Wearesosmallafamily，andmyauntkeepssuchaneyeupontheservants。Ihaveputsomewhiskyinthemilk-itismorewholesomeso-andwitheggsyouwillbeabletomakesomethingofameal。Howmanyeggswillyoubewantingtothatmilk？forImustbetakingtheotherstomyaunt-thatismyexcuseforbeinghere。
Ishouldthinkthreeorfour。Doyouknowhowtobeatthem？orshallIdoit？”
Willingtodetainherawhilelongerinthehen-house，Idisplayedmybleedingpalms；atwhichshecriedaloud。”MydearMissFlora，youcannotmakeanomelettewithoutbreakingeggs”saidI；”anditisnobagatelletoescapefromEdinburghCastle。Oneofus，Ithink，wasevenkilled。””Andyouareaswhiteasarag，too”sheexclaimed，”andcanhardlystand！Hereismyshawl，sitdownuponithereinthecorner，andIwillbeatyoureggs。See，Ihavebroughtaforktoo；
IshouldhavebeenagoodpersontotakecareofJacobitesorCovenantersinolddays！Youshallhavemoretoeatthisevening；
Ronaldistobringityoufromtown。Wehavemoneyenough，althoughnofoodthatwecancallourown。Ah，ifRonaldandI
kepthouse，youshouldnotbelyinginthisshed！Headmiresyousomuch。””Mydearfriend”saidI，”forGod”ssakedonotembarrassmewithmorealms。Ilovedtoreceivethemfromthathand，solongastheywereneeded；buttheyaresonomore，andwhateverelseImaylack-andIlackeverything-itisnotmoney。”Ipulledoutmysheafofnotesanddetachedthetopone：itwaswrittenfortenpounds，andsignedbythatveryfamousindividual，AbrahamNewlands。”Obligeme，asyouwouldlikemetoobligeyourbrotherifthepartswerereversed，andtakethisnotefortheexpenses。Ishallneednotonlyfood，butclothes。””Layitontheground”saidshe。”Imustnotstopmybeating。””Youarenotoffended？”Iexclaimed。
Sheansweredmebyalookthatwasarewardinitself，andseemedtoimplythemostheavenlyoffersforthefuture。Therewasinitashadowofreproach，andsuchwarmthofcommunicativecordialityasleftmespeechless。Iwatchedherinsteadtillherhens”milkwasready。”Now”saidshe，”tastethat。”
Ididso，andsworeitwasnectar。Shecollectedhereggsandcrouchedinfrontofmetowatchmeeat。Therewasaboutthistallyoungladyatthemomentanairofmotherlinessdelicioustobehold。IamliketheEnglishgeneral，andtothisdayIstillwonderatmymoderation。”Whatsortofclotheswillyoubewanting？”saidshe。”Theclothesofagentleman”saidI。”Rightorwrong，IthinkitisthepartIambestqualifiedtoplay。Mr。St。Ivesforthat”stobemynameuponthejourneyIconceiveasratheratheatricalfigure，andhismake-upshouldbetomatch。””Andyetthereisadifficulty”saidshe。”Ifyougotcoarseclothesthefitwouldhardlymatter。Buttheclothesofafinegentleman-O，itisabsolutelynecessarythattheseshouldfit！
Andaboveall，withyour”-shepausedamoment-”toourideassomewhatnoticeablemanners。””Alasformypoormanners！”saidI。”ButmydearfriendFlora，theselittlenoticeabilitiesarejustwhatmankindhastosufferunder。Yourself，yousee，you”reverynoticeableevenwhenyoucomeinacrowdtovisitpoorprisonersintheCastle。”
IwasafraidIshouldfrightenmygoodangelvisitantaway，andwithoutthesmallestbreathofpausewentontoaddafewdirectionsastostuffsandcolours。
Sheopenedbigeyesuponme。”O，Mr。St。Ives！”shecried-”ifthatistobeyourname-Idonotsaytheywouldnotbebecoming；
butforajourney，doyouthinktheywouldbewise？Iamafraid”-
shegaveaprettybreakoflaughter-”Iamafraidtheywouldbedaft-like！””Well，andamInotdaft？”Iaskedher。”Idobegintothinkyouare”saidshe。”Thereitis，then！”saidI。”Ihavebeenlongenoughafigureoffun。Canyounotfeelwithmethatperhapsthebitterestthinginthiscaptivityhasbeentheclothes？Makemeacaptive-bindmewithchainsifyoulike-butletmebestillmyself。Youdonotknowwhatitistobeawalkingtravesty-amongfoes”Iaddedbitterly。”O，butyouaretoounjust！”shecried。”Youspeakasthoughanyoneeverdreamedoflaughingatyou。Butnoonedid。Wewereallpainedtotheheart。Evenmyaunt-thoughsometimesIdothinkshewasnotquiteingoodtaste-youshouldhaveseenherandheardherathome！Shetooksomuchinterest。Everypatchinyourclothesmadeussorry；itshouldhavebeenasister”swork。””ThatiswhatIneverhad-asister”saidI。”ButsinceyousaythatIdidnotmakeyoulaugh-””O，Mr。St。Ives！never！”sheexclaimed。”Notforonemoment。Itwasalltoosad。Toseeagentleman-””Intheclothesofaharlequin，andbegging？”Isuggested。”Toseeagentlemanindistress，andnoblysupportingit”shesaid。”Anddoyounotunderstand，myfairfoe”saidI，”thatevenifallwereasyousay-evenifyouhadthoughtmytravestywerebecoming-Ishouldbeonlythemoreanxious，formysake，formycountry”ssake，andforthesakeofyourkindness，thatyoushouldseehimwhomyouhavehelpedasGodmeanthimtobeseen？thatyoushouldhavesomethingtorememberhimbyatleastmorecharacteristicthanamisfittingsulphur-yellowsuit，andhalfaweek”sbeard？””Youthinkagreatdealtoomuchofclothes”shesaid。”Iamnotthatkindofgirl。””AndIamafraidIamthatkindofman”saidI。”Butdonotthinkofmetooharshlyforthat。Italkedjustnowofsomethingtorememberby。Ihavemanyofthemmyself，ofthesebeautifulreminders，ofthesekeepsakes，thatIcannotbepartedfromuntilI
losememoryandlife。Manyofthemaregreatthings，manyofthemarehighvirtues-charity，mercy，faith。Butsomeofthemaretrivialenough。MissFlora，doyourememberthedaythatIfirstsawyou，thedayofthestrongeastwind？MissFlora，shallItellyouwhatyouwore？”
Wehadbothrisentoourfeet，andshehadherhandalreadyonthedoortogo。Perhapsthisattitudeemboldenedmetoprofitbythelastsecondsofourinterview；anditcertainlyrenderedherescapethemoreeasy。”O，youaretooromantic！”shesaid，laughing；andwiththatmysunwasblownout，myenchantresshadfledaway，andIwasagainleftaloneinthetwilightwiththeladyhens。
CHAPTERIX-THREEISCOMPANY，ANDFOURNONE
THErestofthedayIsleptinthecornerofthehen-houseuponFlora”sshawl。NordidIawakeuntilalightshonesuddenlyinmyeyes，andstartingupwithagaspfor，indeed，atthemomentI
dreamedIwasstillswingingfromtheCastlebattlementsIfoundRonaldbendingovermewithalantern。Itappeareditwaspastmidnight，thatIhadsleptaboutsixteenhours，andthatFlorahadreturnedherpoultrytotheshedandIhadheardhernot。IcouldnotbutwonderifshehadstoopedtolookatmeasIslept。Thepuritanhensnowsleptirremediably；andbeingcheeredwiththepromiseofsupperIwishedthemanironicalgood-night，andwaslightedacrossthegardenandnoiselesslyadmittedtoabedroomonthegroundfloorofthecottage。ThereIfoundsoap，water，razors-offeredmediffidentlybymybeardlesshost-andanoutfitofnewclothes。Tobeshavedagainwithoutdependingonthebarberofthegaolwasasourceofadelicious，ifachildishjoy。Myhairwassadlytoolong，butIwasnonesounwiseastomakeanattemptonitmyself。And，indeed，Ithoughtitdidnotwhollymisbecomemeasitwas，beingbynaturecurly。TheclotheswereaboutasgoodasIexpected。Thewaistcoatwasoftoilenet，aprettypiece，thetrousersoffinekerseymere，andthecoatsatextraordinarilywell。Altogether，whenIbeheldthischangelingintheglass，I
kissedmyhandtohim。”Mydearfellow”saidI，”haveyounoscent？””GoodGod，no！”criedRonald。”Whatdoyouwantwithscent？””Capitalthingonacampaign”saidI。”ButIcandowithout。”
Iwasnowled，withthesameprecautionsagainstnoise，intothelittlebow-windoweddining-roomofthecottage。Theshutterswereup，thelampguiltilyturnedlow；thebeautifulFloragreetedmeinawhisper；andwhenIwassetdowntotable，thepairproceededtohelpmewithprecautionsthatmighthaveseemedexcessiveintheEarofDionysius。”Shesleepsupthere”observedtheboy，pointingtotheceiling；
andtheknowledgethatIwassoimminentlyneartotheresting-
placeofthatgoldeyeglasstouchedevenmyselfwithsomeuneasiness。
Ourexcellentyouthhadimportedfromthecityameatpie，andI
wasgladtofinditflankedwithadecanterofreallyadmirablewineofOporto。WhileIate，Ronaldentertainedmewiththenewsofthecity，whichhadnaturallyrungalldaywithourescape：
troopsandmountedmessengershadfollowedeachotherforthatallhoursandinalldirections；butaccordingtothelastintelligencenorecapturehadbeenmade。Opinionintownwasveryfavourabletous：ourcouragewasapplauded，andmanyprofessedregretthatourultimatechanceofescapeshouldbesosmall。ThemanwhohadfallenwasoneSombref，apeasant；hewasonewhosleptinadifferentpartoftheCastle；andIwasthusassuredthatthewholeofmyformercompanionshadattainedtheirliberty，andShedAwasuntenanted。
Fromthiswewanderedinsensiblyintoothertopics。ItisimpossibletoexaggeratethepleasureItooktobethussittingatthesametablewithFlora，intheclothesofagentleman，atlibertyandinthefullpossessionofmyspiritsandresources；ofallofwhichIhadneed，becauseitwasnecessarythatIshouldsupportatthesametimetwooppositecharacters，andatonceplaythecavalierandlivelysoldierfortheeyesofRonald，andtotheearsofFloramaintainthesameprofoundandsentimentalnotethatIhadalreadysounded。Certainlytherearedayswhenallgoeswellwithaman；whenhiswit，hisdigestion，hismistressareinaconspiracytospoilhim，andeventheweathersmilesuponhiswishes。IwillonlysayofmyselfuponthateveningthatI
surpassedmyexpectations，andwasprivilegedtodelightmyhosts。
LittlebylittletheyforgottheirterrorsandImycaution；untilatlastwewerebroughtbacktoearthbyacatastrophethatmightveryeasilyhavebeenforeseen，butwasnotthelessastonishingtouswhenitoccurred。
Ihadfilledalltheglasses。”Ihaveatoasttopropose”I
whispered，”orratherthree，butallsoinextricablyinterwoventhattheywillnotbeardividing。Iwishfirsttodrinktothehealthofabraveandthereforeagenerousenemy。Hefoundmedisarmed，afugitiveandhelpless。Likethelion，hedisdainedsopooratriumph；andwhenhemighthavevindicatedaneasyvalour，hepreferredtomakeafriend。Iwishthatweshouldnextdrinktoafairerandamoretenderfoe。Shefoundmeinprison；shecheeredmewithapricelesssympathy；whatshehasdonesince，I
knowshehasdoneinmercy，andIonlypray-Idarescarcehope-
hermercymayprovetohavebeenmerciful。AndIwishtoconjoinwiththese，forthefirst，andperhapsthelasttime，thehealth-
andIfearImayalreadysaythememory-ofonewhohasfought，notalwayswithoutsuccess，againstthesoldiersofyournation；
butwhocamehere，vanquishedalready，onlytobevanquishedagainbytheloyalhandoftheone，bytheunforgettableeyesoftheother。”
ItistobefearedImayhavelentattimesacertainresonancytomyvoice；itistobefearedthatRonald，whowasnonethebetterforhisownhospitality，mayhavesetdownhisglasswithsomethingofaclang。Whatevermayhavebeenthecause，atleast，Ihadscarcefinishedmycomplimentbeforewewereawareofathumpupontheceilingoverhead。Itwastobethoughtsomeverysolidbodyhaddescendedtothefloorfromthelevelpossiblyofabed。I
haveneverseenconsternationpaintedinmorelivelycoloursthanonthefacesofmyhosts。Itwasproposedtosmugglemeforthintothegarden，ortoconcealmyformunderahorsehairsofawhichstoodagainstthewall。Forthefirstexpedient，aswasnowplainbytheapproachingfootsteps，therewasnolongertime；fromthesecondIrecoiledwithindignation。”Mydearcreatures”saidI，”letusdie，butdonotletusberidiculous。”
Thewordswerestilluponmylipswhenthedooropenedandmyfriendofthegoldeyeglassappeared，amemorablefigure，onthethreshold。Inonehandsheboreabedroomcandlestick；intheother，withthesteadinessofadragoon，ahorse-pistol。Shewaswoundaboutinshawlswhichdidnotwhollyconcealthecandidfabricofhernightdress，andsurmountedbyanightcapofportentousarchitecture。Thusaccoutred，shemadeherentrance；
laiddownthecandleandpistol，asnolongercalledfor；lookedabouttheroomwithasilencemoreeloquentthanoaths；andthen，inathrillingvoice-”TowhomhaveIthepleasure？”shesaid，addressingmewithaghostofabow。”Madam，Iamcharmed，Iamsure”saidI。”Thestoryisalittlelong；andourmeeting，howeverwelcome，wasforthemomententirelyunexpectedbymyself。Iamsure-”buthereIfoundIwasquitesureofnothing，andtriedagain。”Ihavethehonour”Ibegan，andfoundIhadthehonourtobeonlyexceedinglyconfused。Withthat，Ithrewmyselfoutrightuponhermercy。”Madam，Imustbemorefrankwithyou”Iresumed。”YouhavealreadyprovedyourcharityandcompassionfortheFrenchprisoners，Iamoneofthese；
andifmyappearancebenottoomuchchanged，youmayevenyetrecogniseinmethatODDITYwhohadthegoodfortunemorethanoncetomakeyousmile。”
Stillgazinguponmethroughherglass，sheutteredanuncompromisinggrunt；andthen，turningtoherniece-”Flora”
saidshe，”howcomeshehere？”
Theculpritspouredoutforawhileanantiphonyofexplanations，whichdiedoutatlastinamiserablesilence。”Ithinkatleastyoumighthavetoldyouraunt”shesnorted。”Madam”Iinterposed，”theywereabouttodoso。Itismyfaultifitbenotdonealready。ButImadeitmyprayerthatyourslumbersmightberespected，andthisnecessaryformulaofmypresentationshouldbedelayeduntilto-morrowinthemorning。”
Theoldladyregardedmewithundissembledincredulity，towhichI
wasabletofindnobetterreparteethanaprofoundandItrustgracefulreverence。”Frenchprisonersareverywellintheirplace”shesaid，”butI
cannotseethattheirplaceisinmyprivatedining-room。””Madam”saidI，”Ihopeitmaybesaidwithoutoffence，butexcepttheCastleofEdinburghIcannotthinkuponthespotfromwhichIwouldsoreadilybeabsent。”
Atthis，tomyrelief，IthoughtIcouldperceiveavestigeofasmiletostealuponthatironcountenanceandtobebittenimmediatelyin。”Andifitisafairquestion，whatdotheycallye？”sheasked。”Atyourservice，theVicomteAnnedeSt-Yves”saidI。”MoshatheViscount”saidshe，”Iamafraidyoudousplainpeopleagreatdealtoomuchhonour。””Mydearlady”saidI，”letusbeseriousforamoment。WhatwasItodo？WherewasItogo？Andhowcanyoubeangrywiththesebenevolentchildrenwhotookpityononesounfortunateasmyself？
Yourhumbleservantisnosuchterrificadventurerthatyoushouldcomeoutagainsthimwithhorse-pistoland”-smiling-”bedroomcandlesticks。Itisbutayounggentlemaninextremedistress，hunteduponeveryside，andaskingnomorethantoescapefromhispursuers。Iknowyourcharacter，Ireaditinyourface”-thehearttrembledinmybodyasIsaidthesedaringwords。”ThereareunhappyEnglishprisonersinFranceatthisday，perhapsatthishour。PerhapsatthishourtheykneelasIdo；theytakethehandofherwhomightconcealandassistthem；theypressittotheirlipsasIdo-””Here，here！”criedtheoldlady，breakingfrommysolicitations。”Behaveyourselfbeforefolk！Saweveranyonethematchofthat？
Andonearth，mydears，whatarewetodowithhim？””Packhimoff，mydearlady”saidI：”packofftheimpudentfellowdouble-quick！Andifitmaybe，andifyourgoodheartallowsit，helphimalittleonthewayhehastogo。””What”sthispie？”shecriedstridently。”Whereisthispiefrom，Flora？”
NoanswerwasvouchsafedbymyunfortunateandImaysayextinctaccomplices。”Isthatmyport？”shepursued。”Hough！Willsomebodygivemeaglassofmyportwine？”
Imadehastetoserveher。
Shelookedatmeovertherimwithanextraordinaryexpression。”I
hopeyelikedit？”saidshe。”Itisevenamagnificentwine”saidI。”Aweel，itwasmyfatherlaiditdown”saidshe。”Therewerefewknewmoreaboutportwinethanmyfather，Godresthim！”Shesettledherselfinachairwithanalarmingairofresolution。”Andsothereissomeparticulardirectionthatyouwishtogoin？”
saidshe。”O”saidI，followingherexample，”Iambynomeanssuchavagrantasyousuppose。Ihavegoodfriends，ifIcouldgettothem，forwhichallIwantistobeonceclearofScotland；andI
havemoneyfortheroad。”AndIproducedmybundle。”Englishbank-notes？”shesaid。”That”snotveryhandyforScotland。It”sbeensomefoolofanEnglishmanthat”sgivenyouthese，I”mthinking。Howmuchisit？””IdeclaretoheavenIneverthoughttocount！”Iexclaimed。”Butthatissoonremedied。”
AndIcountedouttennotesoftenpoundeach，allinthenameofAbrahamNewlands，andfivebillsofcountrybankersforasmanyguineas。”Onehundredandtwentysixpoundfive”criedtheoldlady。”Andyoucarrysuchasumaboutyou，andhavenotsomuchascountedit！
Ifyouarenotathief，youmustallowyouareverythief-like。””Andyet，madam，themoneyislegitimatelymine”saidI。
Shetookoneofthebillsandhelditup。”Isthereanyprobability，now，thatthiscouldbetraced？”sheasked。”None，Ishouldsuppose；andifitwere，itwouldbenomatter”
saidI。”Withyourusualpenetration，youguessedright。AnEnglishmanbroughtitme。Itreachedme，throughthehandsofhisEnglishsolicitor，frommygreat-uncle，theComtedeKeroualdeSaint-Yves，IbelievetherichestEMIGREinLondon。””Icandonomorethantakeyourwordforit”saidshe。”AndItrust，madam，notless”saidI。”Well”saidshe，”atthisratethemattermaybefeasible。Iwillcashoneofthesefive-guineabills，lesstheexchange，andgiveyousilverandScotsnotestobearyouasfarastheborder。
Beyondthat，MoshatheViscount，youwillhavetodependuponyourself。”
Icouldnotbutexpressacivilhesitationastowhethertheamountwouldsuffice，inmycase，forsolongajourney。”Ay”saidshe，”butyouhavenaeheardmeout。Forifyouarenottoofineagentlemantotravelwithapairofdrovers，IbelieveI
havefoundtheverything，andtheLordforgivemeforatreasonableoldwife！Thereareacouplestoppingupbywiththeshepherd-manatthefarm；to-morrowtheywilltaketheroadforEngland，probablybyskrieghofday-andinmyopinionyouhadbestbetravellingwiththestots”saidshe。”ForHeaven”ssakedonotsupposemetobesoeffeminateacharacter！”Icried。”AnoldsoldierofNapoleoniscertainlybeyondsuspicion。But，dearlady，towhatend？andhowisthesocietyoftheseexcellentgentlemensupposedtohelpme？””Mydearsir”saidshe，”youdonotatallunderstandyourownpredicament，andmustjustleaveyourmattersinthehandsofthosewhodo。Idaresayyouhaveneverevenheardtellofthedrove-
roadsorthedrovers；andIamcertainlynotgoingtositupallnighttoexplainittoyou。Sufficeit，thatitismewhoisarrangingthisaffair-themoreshametome！-andthatisthewayyehavetogo。Ronald”shecontinued，”awayup-bytotheshepherds；rowstthemoutoftheirbeds，andmakeitperfectlydistinctthatSimisnottoleavetillhehasseenme。”
Ronaldwasnothingloathtoescapefromhisaunt”sneighbourhood，andlefttheroomandthecottagewithasilentexpeditionthatwasmorelikeflightthanmereobedience。Meanwhiletheoldladyturnedtoherniece。”AndIwouldliketoknowwhatwearetodowithhimthenight！”
shecried。”RonaldandImeanttoputhiminthehen-house”saidtheencrimsonedFlora。”AndIcantellyouheistogotonosuchaplace”repliedtheaunt。”Hen-house，indeed！Ifaguestheistobe，heshallsleepinnomortalhen-house。Yourroomisthemostfit，Ithink，ifhewillconsenttooccupyitonsogreatasuddenty。Andasforyou，Flora，youshallsleepwithme。”
Icouldnothelpadmiringtheprudenceandtactofthisolddowager，andofcourseitwasnotformetomakeobjections。EreI
wellknewhow，Iwasalonewithaflatcandlestick，whichisnotthemostsympatheticofcompanions，andstoodstudyingthesnuffinaframeofmindbetweentriumphandchagrin。Allhadgonewellwithmyflight：themasterfulladywhohadarrogatedtoherselfthearrangementofthedetailsgavemeeveryconfidence；andIsawmyselfalreadyarrivingatmyuncle”sdoor。But，alas！itwasanotherstorywithmyloveaffair。Ihadseenandspokenwithheralone；Ihadventuredboldly；Ihadbeennotillreceived；Ihadseenherchangecolour，hadenjoyedtheundissembledkindnessofhereyes；andnow，inamoment，downcomesuponthescenethatapocalypticfigurewiththenightcapandthehorse-pistol，andwiththeverywindofhercomingbeholdmeseparatedfrommylove！
Gratitudeandadmirationcontendedinmybreastwiththeextremeofnaturalrancour。MyappearanceinherhouseatpastmidnighthadanairIcouldnotdisguiseitfrommyselfthatwasinsolentandunderhand，andcouldnotbutministertotheworstsuspicions。Andtheoldladyhadtakenitwell。Hergenerositywasnomoretobecalledinquestionthanhercourage，andIwasafraidthatherintelligencewouldbefoundtomatch。Certainly，MissFlorahadtosupportsomeshrewdlooks，andcertainlyshehadbeentroubled。I
couldseebuttheonewaybeforeme：toprofitbyanexcellentbed，totrytosleepsoon，tobestirringearly，andtohopeforsomerenewedoccasioninthemorning。Tohavesaidsomuchandyettosaynomore，togooutintotheworlduponsohalf-heartedaparting，wasmorethanIcouldaccept。
Itismybeliefthatthebenevolentfiendsatupallnighttobaulkme。Shewasatmybedsidewithacandlelongereday，rousedme，laidoutformeadamnablemisfitofclothes，andbademepackmyownwhichwerewhollyunsuitedtothejourneyinabundle。Soregrudging，Iarrayedmyselfinasuitofsomecountryfabric，asdelicateassackclothandaboutasbecomingasashroud；and，oncomingforth，foundthedragonhadpreparedformeaheartybreakfast。Shetooktheheadofthetable，pouredoutthetea，andentertainedmeasIatewithagreatdealofgoodsenseandaconspicuouslackofcharm。HowoftendidInotregretthechange！-
howoftencompareher，andcondemnherinthecomparison，withhercharmingniece！Butifmyentertainerwasnotbeautiful，shehadcertainlybeenbusyinmyinterest。Alreadyshewasincommunicationwithmydestinedfellow-travellers；andthedeviceonwhichshehadstruckappearedentirelysuitable。IwasayoungEnglishmanwhohadoutruntheconstable；warrantswereoutagainstmeinScotland，andithadbecomeneedfulIshouldpasstheborderwithoutlossoftime，andprivately。”Ihavegivenaverygoodaccountofyou”saidshe，”whichIhopeyoumayjustify。Itoldthemtherewasnothingagainstyoubeyondthefactthatyouwereputtothehawifthatistherightword
fordebt。””IprayGodyouhavetheexpressionincorrectly，ma”am”saidI。”Idonotgivemyselfoutforapersoneasilyalarmed；butyoumustadmitthereissomethingbarbarousandmediaevalinthesoundwellqualifiedtostartleapoorforeigner。””ItisthenameofaprocessinScotsLaw，andneedalarmnohonestman”saidshe。”Butyouareaveryidle-mindedyounggentleman；
youmuststillhaveyourjoke，Isee：Ionlyhopeyouwillhavenocausetoregretit。””Iprayyounottosuppose，becauseIspeaklightly，thatIdonotfeeldeeply”saidI。”Yourkindnesshasquiteconqueredme；Ilaymyselfatyourdisposition，Ibegyoutobelieve，withrealtenderness；Iprayyoutoconsidermefromhenceforthasthemostdevotedofyourfriends。””Well，well”shesaid，”herecomesyourdevotedfriendthedrover。
I”mthinkinghewillbeeagerfortheroad；andIwillnotbeeasymyselftillIseeyouwelloffthepremises，andthedisheswashed，beforemyservant-womanwakes。PraiseGod，wehavegottenonethatisatreasureatthesleeping！”
Themorningwasalreadybeginningtobeblueinthetreesofthegarden，andtoputtoshamethecandlebywhichIhadbreakfasted。
Theladyrosefromtable，andIhadnochoicebuttofollowherexample。AllthetimeIwasbeatingmybrainsforanymeansbywhichIshouldbeabletogetawordapartwithFlora，orfindthetimetowriteherabillet。ThewindowshadbeenopenwhileI
breakfasted，Isupposetoventilatetheroomfromanytracesofmypassagethere；and，MasterRonaldappearingonthefrontlawn，myogreleanedforthtoaddresshim。”Ronald”shesaid，”wasn”tthatSimthatwentbythewall？”
Isnatchedmyadvantage。Rightatherbacktherewaspen，ink，andpaperlaidout。Iwrote：”Iloveyou”；andbeforeIhadtimetowritemore，orsomuchastoblotwhatIhadwritten，Iwasagainunderthegunsofthegoldeyeglasses。”It”stime”shebegan；andthen，assheobservedmyoccupation，”Umph！”shebrokeoff。”Yehavesomethingtowrite？”shedemanded。”Somenotes，madam”saidI，bowingwithalacrity。”Notes”shesaid；”oranote？””ThereisdoubtlesssomeFINESSEoftheEnglishlanguagethatIdonotcomprehend”saidI。”I”llcontrive，however，tomakemymeaningveryplaintoye，MoshaleViscount”shecontinued。”Isupposeyoudesiretobeconsideredagentleman？””Canyoudoubtit，madam？”saidI。”Idoubtverymuch，atleast，whetheryougototherightwayaboutit”shesaid。”Youhavecomeheretome，Icannotverywellsayhow；Ithinkyouwilladmityouowemesomethanks，ifitwasonlyforthebreakfastImadeye。Butwhatareyoutome？Awaifyoungman，notsofartoseekforlooksandmanners，withsomeEnglishnotesinyourpocketandapriceuponyourhead。Iamalady；I
havebeenyourhostess，withhoweverlittlewill；andIdesirethatthisrandomacquaintanceofyourswithmyfamilywillceaseanddetermine。”
IbelieveImusthavecoloured。”Madam”saidI，”thenotesareofnoimportance；andyourleastpleasureoughtcertainlytobemylaw。Youhavefelt，andyouhavebeenpleasedtoexpress，adoubtofme。Itearthemup。”WhichyoumaybesureIdidthoroughly。”There”sagoodlad！”saidthedragon，andimmediatelyledthewaytothefrontlawn。
Thebrotherandsisterwerebothwaitingushere，and，aswellasI
couldmakeoutintheimperfectlight，boreeveryappearanceofhavingpassedthrougharathercruelexperience。Ronaldseemedashamedtosomuchascatchmyeyeinthepresenceofhisaunt，andwasthepictureofembarrassment。AsforFlora，shehadscarcethetimetocastmeonelookbeforethedragontookherbythearm，andbegantomarchacrossthegardenintheextremefirstglimmerofthedawnwithoutexchangingspeech。RonaldandIfollowedinequalsilence。
TherewasadoorinthatsamehighwallonthetopofwhichIhadsatperchednolongergonethanyesterdaymorning。Thistheoldladysetopenwithakey；andontheothersidewewereawareofarough-looking，thick-setman，leaningwithhisarmsthroughwhichwaspassedaformidablestaffonadry-stonedyke。Himtheoldladyimmediatelyaddressed。”Sim”saidshe，”thisistheyounggentleman。”
Simrepliedwithaninarticulategrumbleofsound，andamovementofonearmandhishead，whichdiddutyforasalutation。”Now，Mr。St。Ives”saidtheoldlady，”it”shightimeforyoutobetakingtheroad。Butfirstofallletmegivethechangeofyourfive-guineabill。HerearefourpoundsofitinBritishLinennotes，andthebalanceinsmallsilver，lesssixpence。Somechargeashilling，Ibelieve，butIhavegivenyouthebenefitofthedoubt。Seeandguideitwithallthesensethatyoupossess。””Andhere，Mr。St。Ives”saidFlora，speakingforthefirsttime，”isaplaidwhichyouwillfindquitenecessaryonsoroughajourney。IhopeyouwilltakeitfromthehandsofaScotchfriend”sheadded，andhervoicetrembled。”Genuineholly：Icutitmyself”saidRonald，andgavemeasgoodacudgelasamancouldwishforinarow。
Theformalityofthesegifts，andthewaitingfigureofthedriver，toldmeloudlythatImustbegone。Idroppedononekneeandbadefarewelltotheaunt，kissingherhand。Ididthelike-butwithhowdifferentapassion！-toherniece；asfortheboy，Itookhimtomyarmsandembracedhimwithacordialitythatseemedtostrikehimspeechless。”Farewell！”and”Farewell！”Isaid。”Ishallneverforgetmyfriends。Keepmesometimesinmemory。Farewell！”
WiththatIturnedmybackandbegantowalkaway；andhadscarcedoneso，whenIheardthedoorinthehighwallclosebehindme。
Ofcoursethiswastheaunt”sdoing；andofcourse，ifIknowanythingofhumancharacter，shewouldnotletmegowithoutsometartexpressions。Ideclare，evenifIhadheardthem，Ishouldnothavemindedintheleast，forIwasquitepersuadedthat，whateveradmirersImightbeleavingbehindmeinSwanstonCottage，theauntwasnottheleastsincere。
CHAPTERX-THEDROVERS
ITtookmealittleefforttocomeabreastofmynewcompanion；forthoughhewalkedwithanuglyrollandnogreatappearanceofspeed，hecouldcoverthearoundatagoodratewhenhewantedto。
Eachlookedattheother：Iwithnaturalcuriosity，hewithagreatappearanceofdistaste。Ihaveheardsincethathisheartwasentirelysetagainstme；hehadseenmekneeltotheladies，anddiagnosedmefora”gesterin”eediot。””So，ye”reforEngland，areye？”saidhe。
Itoldhimyes。”Weel，there”swaurplaces，Ibelieve”washisreply；andherelapsedintoasilencewhichwasnotbrokenduringaquarterofanhourofsteadywalking。
Thisintervalbroughtustothefootofabaregreenvalley，whichwoundupwardsandbackwardsamongthehills。Alittlestreamcamedownthemidstandmadeasuccessionofclearpools；nearbythelowestofwhichIwasawareofadroveofshaggycattle，andamanwhoseemedtheverycounterpartofMr。Simmakingabreakfastuponbreadandcheese。ThisseconddroverwhosenameprovedtobeCandlishroseonourapproach。”Here”samanniethat”stogangthroughwithus”saidSim。”Itwastheauldwife，Gilchrist，wantedit。””Aweel，aweel”saidtheother；andpresently，rememberinghismanners，andlookingonmewithasolemngrin，”Afineday！”sayshe。
Iagreedwithhim，andaskedhimhowhedid。”Brawly”wasthereply；andwithoutfurthercivilities，thepairproceededtogetthecattleunderway。This，aswellasalmostalltheherding，wastheworkofapairofcomelyandintelligentdogs，directedbySimorCandlishinlittlemorethanmonosyllables。
Presentlywewereascendingthesideofthemountainbyarudegreentrack，whosepresenceIhadnothithertoobserved。A
continualsoundofmunchingandthecryingofagreatquantityofmoorbirdsaccompaniedourprogress，whichthedeliberatepaceandperennialappetiteofthecattlerenderedwearisomelyslow。InthemidstmytwoconductorsmarchedinacontentedsilencethatIcouldnotbutadmire。ThemoreIlookedatthem，themoreIwasimpressedbytheirabsurdresemblancetoeachother。Theyweredressedinthesamecoarsehomespun，carriedsimilarsticks，wereequallybegrimedaboutthenosewithsnuff，andeachwoundinanidenticalplaidofwhatiscalledtheshepherd”startan。Inabackviewtheymightbedescribedasindistinguishable；andevenfromthefronttheyweremuchalike。Anincrediblecoincidenceofhumoursaugmentedtheimpression。ThriceandfourtimesI
attemptedtopavethewayforsomeexchangeofthought，sentiment，or-attheleastofit-humanwords。AnAYoranNHMwasthesolereturn，andthetopicdiedonthehill-sidewithoutecho。I
canneverdenythatIwaschagrined；andwhen，afteralittlemorewalking，Simturnedtowardsmeandofferedmearam”shornofsnuff，withthequestion”Doyeuseit？”Ianswered，withsomeanimation，”Faith，sir，Iwouldusepeppertointroducealittlecordiality。”Buteventhissallyfailedtoreach，oratleastfailedtosoften，mycompanions。
Atthisratewecametothesummitofaridge，andsawthetrackdescendinfrontofusabruptlyintoadesertvale，aboutaleagueinlength，andclosedatthefartherendbynolessbarrenhilltops。UponthispointofvantageSimcametoahalt，tookoffhishat，andmoppedhisbrow。”Weel”hesaid，”herewe”reatthetopo”Howden。””Thetopo”Howden，sureeneuch”saidCandlish。”Mr。St。Ivey，areyedry？”saidthefirst。”Now，really”saidI，”isnotthisSatanreprovingsin？””Whatailsye，man？”saidhe。”I”mofferin”yeadram。””Oh，ifitbeanythingtodrink”saidI，”Iamasdryasmyneighbours。”
WhereuponSimproducedfromthecornerofhisplaidablackbottle，andwealldrankandpledgedeachother。Ifoundthesegentlemenfolloweduponsuchoccasionsaninvariableetiquette，whichyoumaybecertainImadehastetoimitate。Eachwipedhismouthwiththebackofhislefthand，heldupthebottleinhisright，remarkedwithemphasis，”Here”stoye！”andswallowedasmuchofthespiritashisfancyprompted。Thislittleceremony，whichwasthenearestthingtomannersIcouldperceiveineitherofmycompanions，wasrepeatedatbecomingintervals，generallyafteranascent。
Occasionallywesharedamouthfulofewe-milkcheeseandaningloriousformofbread，whichIunderstoodbutamfarfromengagingmyhonouronthepointtobecalled”shearer”sbannock。”
Andthatmaybesaidtohaveconcludedourwholeactiveintercourseforthefirstday。
Ihadthemoreoccasiontoremarktheextraordinarilydesolatenatureofthatcountry，throughwhichthedroveroadcontinued，hourafterhourandevendayafterday，towind。Acontinualsuccessionofinsignificantshaggyhills，dividedbythecourseoftenthousandbrooks，throughwhichwehadtowade，orbythesideofwhichweencampedatnight；infiniteperspectivesofheather，infinitequantitiesofmoorfowl；hereandthere，byastreamside，smallandprettyclumpsofwillowsorthesilverbirch；hereandthere，theruinsofancientandinconsiderablefortresses-madetheunchangingcharactersofthescene。Occasionally，butonlyinthedistance，wecouldperceivethesmokeofasmalltownorofanisolatedfarmhouseorcottageonthemoors；moreoften，aflockofsheepanditsattendantshepherd，orarudefieldofagricultureperhapsnotyetharvested。Withthesealleviations，wemightalmostbesaidtopassthroughanunbrokendesert-sure，oneofthemostimpoverishedinEurope；andwhenIrecalledtomindthatwewereyetbutafewleaguesfromthechiefcitywherethelawcourtssateverydaywithapressofbusiness，soldiersgarrisonedthecastle，andmenofadmittedpartswerecarryingonthepracticeoflettersandtheinvestigationsofscience，itgavemeasingularviewofthatpoor，barren，andyetillustriouscountrythroughwhichItravelled。Stillmore，perhaps，diditcommendthewisdomofMissGilchristinsendingmewiththeseuncouthcompanionsandbythisunfrequentedpath。
Myitineraryisbynomeanscleartome；thenamesanddistancesI
neverclearlyknew，andhavenowwhollyforgotten；andthisisthemoretoberegrettedasthereisnodoubtthat，inthecourseofthosedays，ImusthavepassedandcampedamongsiteswhichhavebeenrenderedillustriousbythepenofWalterScott。Nay，more，I
amofopinionthatIwasstillmorefavouredbyfortune，andhaveactuallymetandspokenwiththatinimitableauthor。Ourencounterwasofatall，stoutish，elderlygentleman，alittlegrizzled，andofaruggedbutcheerfulandengagingcountenance。Hesatonahillpony，wrappedinaplaidoverhisgreencoat，andwasaccompaniedbyahorse-woman，hisdaughter，ayoungladyofthemostcharmingappearance。Theyovertookusonastretchofheath，reinedupastheycamealongside，andaccompaniedusforperhapsaquarterofanhourbeforetheygallopedoffagainacrossthehillsidestoourleft。GreatwasmyamazementtofindtheunconquerableMr。Simthawimmediatelyontheaccostofthisstrangegentleman，whohailedhimwithareadyfamiliarity，proceededatoncetodiscusswithhimthetradeofdrovingandthepricesofcattle，anddidnotdisdaintotakeapinchfromtheinevitableram”shorn。PresentlyIwasawarethatthestranger”seyewasdirectedonmyself；andthereensuedaconversation，someofwhichIcouldnothelpoverhearingatthetime，andtheresthavepiecedtogethermoreorlessplausiblyfromthereportofSim。”SurelythatmustbeanAMATEURDROVERyehavegottenthere？”thegentlemanseemstohaveasked。
Simreplied，Iwasayounggentlemanthathadareasonofhisowntotravelprivately。”Well，well，yemusttellmenothingofthat。Iaminthelaw，youknow，andTACEistheLatinforacandle”answeredthegentleman。”ButIhopeit”snothingbad。”
Simtoldhimitwasnomorethandebt。”Oh，Lord，ifthatbeall！”criedthegentleman；andturningtomyself，”Well，sir”headded，”Iunderstandyouaretakingatrampthroughourforesthereforthepleasureofthething？””Why，yes，sir”saidI；”andImustsayIamverywellentertained。””Ienvyyou”saidhe。”IhavejoggedmanymilesofitmyselfwhenIwasyounger。Myyouthliesburiedabouthereundereveryheather-bush，likethesoulofthelicentiateLucius。Butyoushouldhaveaguide。Thepleasureofthiscountryismuchinthelegends，whichgrowasplentifulasblackberries。”Anddirectingmyattentiontoalittlefragmentofabrokenwallnogreaterthanatombstone，hetoldmeforanexampleastoryofitsearlierinhabitants。YearsafteritchancedthatIwasonedaydivertingmyselfwithaWaverleyNovel，whenwhatshouldIcomeuponbuttheidenticalnarrativeofmygreen-coatedgentlemanuponthemoors！
Inamomentthescene，thetonesofhisvoice，hisnorthernaccent，andtheveryaspectoftheearthandskyandtemperatureoftheweather，flashedbackintomymindwiththerealityofdreams。Theunknowninthegreen-coathadbeentheGreatUnknown！IhadmetScott；Ihadheardastoryfromhislips；Ishouldhavebeenabletowrite，toclaimacquaintance，totellhimthathislegendstilltingledinmyears。Butthediscoverycametoolate，andthegreatmanhadalreadysuccumbedundertheloadofhishonoursandmisfortunes。
Presently，aftergivingusacigarapiece，Scottbadeusfarewellanddisappearedwithhisdaughteroverthehills。AndwhenI
appliedtoSimforinformation，hisanswerof”TheShirra，man！
A”bodykenstheShirra！”toldme，unfortunately，nothing。
Amoreconsiderableadventurefallstoberelated。Wewerenowneartheborder。Wehadtravelledforlonguponthetrackbeatenandbrowsedbyamillionherds，ourpredecessors，andhadseennovestigeofthattrafficwhichhadcreatedit。Itwasearlyinthemorningwhenweatlastperceived，drawingneartothedroveroad，butstillatadistanceofabouthalfaleague，asecondcaravan，similartobutlargerthanourown。Theliveliestexcitementwasatonceexhibitedbybothmycomrades。Theyclimbedhillocks，theystudiedtheapproachingdrovefromundertheirhand，theyconsultedeachotherwithanappearanceofalarmthatseemedtomeextraordinary。Ihadlearnedbythistimethattheirstand-oftmannersimplied，atleast，noactiveenmity；andImadeboldtoaskthemwhatwaswrong。”Badyins”wasSim”semphaticanswer。
Alldaythedogswerekeptunsparinglyonthealert，andthedrovepushedforwardataveryunusualandseeminglyunwelcomespeed。
AlldaySimandCandlish，withamorethanordinaryexpenditurebothofsnuffandofwords，continuedtodebatetheposition。Itseemsthattheyhadrecognisedtwoofourneighboursontheroad-
oneFaa，andanotherbythenameofGillies。WhethertherewasanoldfeudbetweenthemstillunsettledIcouldneverlearn；butSimandCandlishwerepreparedforeverydegreeoffraudorviolenceattheirhands。Candlishrepeatedlycongratulatedhimselfonhavingleft”thewatchathomewiththemistress”；andSimperpetuallybrandishedhiscudgel，andcursedhisill-fortunethatitshouldbesprung。”Iwillnacareadamntogiethedaashedscoon”relafaircloutwi”
it”hesaid。”Thedaashedthingmichtcomesindryinmahand。””Well，gentlemen”saidI，”supposetheydocomeon，Ithinkwecangiveaverygoodaccountofthem。”AndImademypieceofholly，Ronald”sgift，thevalueofwhichInowappreciated，singaboutmyhead。”Ay，man？Areyestench？”inquiredSim，withagleamofapprovalinhiswoodencountenance。
Thesameevening，somewhatweariedwithourday-longexpedition，weencampedonalittleverdantmound，fromthemidstofwhichtherewelledaspringofclearwaterscarcegreatenoughtowashthehandsin。Wehadmadeourmealandlaindown，butwerenotyetasleep，whenagrowlfromoneofthecolliessetusonthealert。
Allthreesatup，andonasecondimpulsealllaydownagain，butnowwithourcudgelsready。Amanmustbeanalienandanoutlaw，anoldsoldierandayoungmaninthebargain，totakeadventureeasily。Withnoideaastotherightsofthequarrelortheprobableconsequencesoftheencounter，Iwasasreadytotakepartwithmytwodrovers，asevertofallinlineonthemorningofabattle。Presentlythereleapedthreemenoutoftheheather；wehadscarcetimetogettoourfeetbeforewewereassailed；andinamomenteachoneofuswasengagedwithanadversarywhomthedeepeningtwilightscarcepermittedhimtosee。HowthebattlespedinotherquartersIaminnopositiontodescribe。Theroguethatfelltomysharewasexceedinglyagileandexpertwithhisweapon；hadandheldmeatadisadvantagefromthefirstassault；
forcedmetogivegroundcontinually，andatlast，inmereself-
defence，tolethimhavethepoint。Itstruckhiminthethroat，andhewentdownlikeaninepinandmovednomore。
Itseemedthiswasthesignalfortheengagementtobediscontinued。Theothercombatantsseparatedatonce；ourfoesweresuffered，withoutmolestation，toliftupandbearawaytheirfallencomrade；sothatIperceivedthissortofwartobenotwhollywithoutlawsofchivalry，andperhapsrathertopartakeofthecharacterofatournamentthanofabattleAOUTRANCE。Therewasnodoubt，atleast，thatIwassupposedtohavepushedtheaffairtooseriously。Ourfriendstheenemyremovedtheirwoundedcompanionwithundisguisedconsternation；andtheywerenosooneroverthetopofthebrae，thanSimandCandlishrouseduptheirwearieddroveandsetforthonanightmarch。”I”mthinkingFaa”suncobad”saidtheone。”Ay”saidtheother，”helookitdoomsgash。””Hedidthat”saidthefirst。
Andtheirwearysilencefelluponthemagain。
PresentlySimturnedtome。”Ye”reuncoreadywiththestick”
saidhe。”Tooready，I”mafraid”saidI。”IamafraidMr。Faaifthatbehisnamehasgothisgruel。””Weel，Iwouldnaewonder”repliedSim。”Andwhatislikelytohappen？”Iinquired。”Aweel”saidSim，snuffingprofoundly，”ifIweretoofferanopeenion，itwouldnotbeconscientious。Fortheplainfac”is，Mr。St。Ivy，thatIdivnotken。Wehavehadcrackitheids-androwthofthem-erenow；andwehavehadabrokenlegormaybetwa；
andthelikeofthatwedroverbodiesmakeakindofapracticeliketokeepamongoursel”s。Butacorpwehavenoneofuseverhadtodealwith，andIcouldsetnaeleemittowhatGilliesmichtconsiderproperintheaffair。Forbyethat，hewouldbeinraitherahobblehimsel”，ifhewastoganghamewantin”Faa。Folkareawfu”throngwiththeirquestions，andparteecularlywhenthey”renowantit。””That”safac””saidCandlish。
Iconsideredthisprospectruefully；andthenmakingthebestofit，”Uponallwhichaccounts”saidI，”thebestwillbetogetacrosstheborderandthereseparate。Ifyouaretroubled，youcanverytrulyputtheblameuponyourlatecompanion；andifIampursued，Imustjusttrytokeepoutoftheway。””Mr。St。Ivy”saidSim，withsomethingresemblingenthusiasm，”no”
awordmair！Ihavemetinwi”monykindso”gentryerenow；Ihaeseeno”themthatwasthetaething，andIhaeseeno”themthatwasthetither；butthewaleofagentlemanlikeyouIhavenosaeveryfrequentlyseenthebateof。”
Ournightmarchwasaccordinglypursuedwithunremittingdiligence。
Thestarspaled，theeastwhitened，andwewerestill，bothdogsandmen，toilingaftertheweariedcattle。AgainandagainSimandCandlishlamentedthenecessity：itwas”fairruinonthebestial”
theydeclared；butthethoughtofajudgeandascaffoldhuntedthemeverforward。Imyselfwasnotsomuchtobepitied。Allthatnight，andduringthewholeofthelittlethatremainedbeforeusofourconjunctjourney，Ienjoyedanewpleasure，therewardofmyprowess，inthenowloosenedtongueofMr。Sim。Candlishwasstillobduratelytaciturn：itwastheman”snature；butSim，havingfinallyappraisedandapprovedme，displayedwithoutreticencearathergarruloushabitofmindandaprettytalentfornarration。
Thepairwereoldandclosecompanions，co-existingintheseendlessmoorsinabrotherhoodofsilencesuchasIhaveheardattributedtothetrappersofthewest。Itseemsabsurdtomentionloveinconnectionwithsouglyandsnuffyacouple；atleast，theirtrustwasabsolute；andtheyentertainedasurprisingadmirationforeachother”squalities；CandlishexclaimingthatSimwas”grandcompany！”andSimfrequentlyassuringmeinanasidethatfor”arale，auld，stenchbitch，therewasnaethebateofCandlishinbraidScotland。”Thetwodogsappearedtobeentirelyincludedinthisfamilycompact，andIremarkedthattheirexploitsandtraitsofcharacterwereconstantlyandminutelyobservedbythetwomasters。Dogstoriesparticularlyaboundedwiththem；andnotonlythedogsofthepresentbutthoseofthepastcontributedtheirquota。”Butthatwasnaething”Simwouldbegin：”therewasaherdinManar，theyca”dhimTweedie-ye”llmindTweedie，Can”lish？””Fine，that！”saidCandlish。”Aweel，Tweediehadadog-”ThestoryIhaveforgotten；Idaresayitwasdull，andI
suspectitwasnottrue；butindeed，mytravelswiththedroverenderedmeindulgent，andperhapsevencredulous，inthematterofdogstories。Beautiful，indefatigablebeings！asIsawthemattheendofalongday”sjourneyfrisking，barking，bounding，strikingattitudes，slantingabushytail，manifestlyplayingtothespectator”seye，manifestlyrejoicingintheirgraceandbeauty-
andturnedtoobserveSimandCandlishunornamentallyploddingintherearwiththeplaidsabouttheirbowedshouldersandthedropattheirsnuffynose-IthoughtIwouldratherclaimkinshipwiththedogsthanwiththemen！Mysympathywasunreturned；intheireyesIwasacreaturelightasair；andtheywouldscarcesparemethetimeforaperfunctorycaressorperhapsahastylapofthewettongue，eretheywerebackagaininsedulousattendanceonthosedingydeities，theirmasters-andtheirmasters，aslikeasnot，damningtheirstupidity。
Altogetherthelasthoursofourtrampwereinfinitelythemostagreeabletome，andIbelievetoallofus；andbythetimewecametoseparate，therehadgrownupacertainfamiliarityandmutualesteemthatmadethepartingharder。IttookplaceaboutfouroftheafternoononabarehillsidefromwhichIcouldseetheribbonofthegreatnorthroad，henceforthtobemyconductor。I
askedwhatwastopay。”Naething”repliedSim。”Whatinthenameoffollyisthis？”Iexclaimed。”Youhaveledme，youhavefedme，youhavefilledmefullofwhisky，andnowyouwilltakenothing！””Yeseeweindentitforthat”repliedSim。”Indented？”Irepeated；”whatdoesthemanmean？””Mr。St。Ivy”saidSim，”thisisamaitterentirelybetweenCandlishandmeandtheauldwife，Gilchrist。Youhadnaethingtosaytoit；weel，yecanhavenaethingtodowithit，then。””Mygoodman”saidI，”Icanallowmyselftobeplacedinnosuchridiculousposition。Mrs。Gilchristisnothingtome，andIrefusetobeherdebtor。””Idinnaexac”lyseewhatwayye”regauntohelpit”observedmydrover。”Bypayingyouhereandnow”saidI。”There”sayetwatoabargain，Mr。St。Ives”saidhe。”Youmeanthatyouwillnottakeit？”saidI。”Thereorthereabout”saidhe。”Forbye，thatitwouldsetyeaheapbettertokeepyoursillerforthemyouaweitto。Ye”reyoung，Mr。St。Ivy，andthoughtless；butit”smybeliefthat，wi”
careandcircumspection，yemayyetdocredittoyoursel”。Butjustyoubearthisinmind：thathimthatAWESsillershouldneverGIEsiller。”
Well，whatwastheretosay？Iacceptedhisrebuke，andbiddingthepairfarewell，setoffaloneuponmysouthwardway。”Mr。St。Ivy”wasthelastwordofSim，”Iwasnevermuckleta”enupinEnglishry；butIthinkthatIreallyoughttosaythatyeseemtometohavethemakingsofquiteadecentlad。”
CHAPTERXI-THEGREATNORTHROAD
ITchancedthatasIwentdownthehilltheselastwordsofmyfriendthedroverechoednotunfruitfullyinmyhead。Ihadnevertoldthesementheleastparticularsastomyraceorfortune，asitwasapart，andthebestpart，oftheircivilitytoasknoquestions：yettheyhaddubbedmewithouthesitationEnglish。Somestrangenessintheaccenttheyhaddoubtlessthusexplained。Anditoccurredtome，thatifIcouldpassinScotlandforanEnglishman，ImightbeabletoreversetheprocessandpassinEnglandforaScot。Ithought，ifIwaspushedtoit，Icouldmakeastruggletoimitatethebrogue；aftermyexperiencewithCandlishandSim，Ihadarichprovisionofoutlandishwordsatmycommand；
andIfeltIcouldtellthetaleofTweedie”sdogsoastodeceiveanative。Atthesametime，IwasafraidmynameofSt。Iveswasscarcelysuitable；tillIrememberedtherewasatownsocalledintheprovinceofCornwall，thoughtImightyetbegladtoclaimitformyplaceoforigin，anddecidedforaCornishfamilyandaScotseducation。Foratrade，asIwasequallyignorantofall，andasthemostinnocentmightatanymomentbethemeansofmyexposure，itwasbesttopretendtonone。AndIdubbedmyselfayounggentlemanofasufficientfortuneandanidle，curioushabitofmind，ramblingthecountryatmyowncharges，inquestofhealth，information，andmerryadventures。
AtNewcastle，whichwasthefirsttownIreached，Icompletedmypreparationsforthepart，beforegoingtotheinn，bythepurchaseofaknapsackandapairofleatherngaiters。MyplaidIcontinuedtowearfromsentiment。Itwaswarm，usefultosleepinifIwereagainbenighted，andIhaddiscoveredittobenotunbecomingforamanofgallantcarriage。Thusequipped，Isupportedmycharacterofthelight-heartedpedestriannotamiss。SurprisewasindeedexpressedthatIshouldhaveselectedsuchaseasonoftheyear；
butIpleadedsomedelaysofbusiness，andsmilinglyclaimedtobeaneccentric。Thedevilwasinit，Iwouldsay，ifanyseasonoftheyearwasnotgoodenoughforme；Iwasnotmadeofsugar，Iwasnomollycoddletobeafraidofanill-airedbedorasprinkleofsnow；andIwouldknockuponthetablewithmyfistandcallfort”otherbottle，likethenoisyandfree-heartedyounggentlemanI
was。ItwasmypolicyifImaysoexpressmyselftotalkmuchandsaylittle。Attheinntables，thecountry，thestateoftheroads，thebusinessinterestofthosewhosatdownwithme，andthecourseofpublicevents，affordedmeaconsiderablefieldinwhichImightdiscourseatlargeandstillcommunicatenoinformationaboutmyself。Therewasnoonewithlessairofreticence；I
plungedintomycompanyuptotheneck；andIhadalongcock-and-
bullstoryofanauntofminewhichmusthaveconvincedthemostsuspiciousofmyinnocence。”What！”theywouldhavesaid，”thatyoungasstobeconcealinganything！Why，hehasdeafenedmewithanauntofhisuntilmyheadaches。Heonlywantsyoushouldgivehimaline，andhewouldtellyouhiswholedescentfromAdamdownward，andhiswholeprivatefortunetothelastshilling。”A
responsiblesolidfellowwasevensomuchmovedbypityformyinexperienceastogivemeawordortwoofgoodadvice：thatIwasbutayoungmanafterall-Ihadatthistimeadeceptiveairofyouththatmademeeasilypassforone-and-twenty，andwas，inthecircumstances，worthafortune-thatthecompanyatinnswasverymingled，thatIshoulddowelltobemorecareful，andthelike；toallwhichImadeanswerthatImeantnoharmmyselfandexpectednonefromothers，orthedevilwasinit。”Youareoneofthosed-
dprudentfellowsthatIcouldneverabidewith”saidI。”Youarethekindofmanthathasalonghead。That”salltheworld，mydearsir：thelong-headsandtheshort-horns！Now，Iamashort-
horn。””Idoubt”sayshe，”thatyouwillnotgoveryfarwithoutgettingsheared。”Iofferedtobetwithhimonthat，andhemadeoff，shakinghishead。
Butmyparticulardelightwastoenlargeonpoliticsandthewar。
NonedamnedtheFrenchlikeme；nonewasmorebitteragainsttheAmericans。Andwhenthenorth-boundmailarrived，crownedwithholly，andthecoachmanandguardhoarsewithshoutingvictory，I
wentevensofarastoentertainthecompanytoabowlofpunch，whichIcompoundedmyselfwithnoilliberalhand，anddoledouttosuchsentimentsasthefollowing：-”OurgloriousvictoryontheNivelle”！”LordWellington，Godblesshim！andmayvictoryeverattenduponhisarms！”and，”Soult，poordevil！andmayhecatchitagaintothesametune！”
Neverwasoratorymoreapplaudedtotheecho-neveranyonewasmoreofthepopularmanthanI。Ipromiseyou，wemadeanightofit。Someofthecompanysupportedeachother，withtheassistanceofboots，totheirrespectivebedchambers，whiletherestsleptonthefieldofglorywherewehadleftthem；andatthebreakfasttablethenextmorningtherewasanextraordinaryassemblageofredeyesandshakingfists。Iobservedpatriotismtoburnmuchlowerbydaylight。LetnooneblamemeforinsensibilitytothereversesofFrance！Godknowshowmyheartraged。HowIlongedtofallonthatherdofswineandknocktheirheadstogetherinthemomentoftheirrevelry！Butyouaretoconsidermyownsituationanditsnecessities；alsoacertainlightheartedness，eminentlyGallic，whichformsaleadingtraitinmycharacter，andleadsmetothrowmyselfintonewcircumstanceswiththespiritofaschoolboy。ItispossiblethatIsometimesallowedthisimpishhumourtocarrymefurtherthangoodtasteapproves：andIwascertainlypunishedforitonce。
ThiswasintheepiscopalcityofDurham。Wesatdown，aconsiderablecompany，todinner，mostofusfineoldvattedEnglishtoriesofthatclasswhichisoftensoenthusiasticastobeinarticulate。Itookandheldtheleadfromthebeginning；and，thetalkhavingturnedontheFrenchinthePeninsula，Igavethemauthenticdetailsontheauthorityofacousinofmine，anensign
ofcertaincannibalorgiesinGalicia，inwhichnolessapersonthanGeneralCaffarellihadtakenapart。Ialwaysdislikedthatcommander，whoonceorderedmeunderarrestforinsubordination；
anditispossiblethataspiceofvengeanceaddedtotherigourofmypicture。Ihaveforgottenthedetails；nodoubttheywerehigh-
coloured。NodoubtIrejoicedtofoolthesejolter-heads；andnodoubtthesenseofsecuritythatIdrankfromtheirdull，gaspingfacesencouragedmetoproceedextremelyfar。Andformysins，therewasonesilentlittlemanattablewhotookmystoryatthetruevalue。Itwasfromnosenseofhumour，towhichhewasquitedead。Itwasfromnoparticularintelligence，forhehadnotany。
Thebondofsympathy，ofallthingsintheworld，hadrenderedhimclairvoyant。
DinnerwasnosoonerdonethanIstrolledforthintothestreetswithsomedesignofviewingthecathedral；andthelittlemanwassilentlyatmyheels。Afewdoorsfromtheinn，inadarkplaceofthestreet，Iwasawareofatouchonmyarm，turnedsuddenly，andfoundhimlookingupatmewitheyespatheticallybright。”Ibegyourpardon，sir；butthatstoryofyourswasparticularlyrich。He-he！Particularlyracy”saidhe。”Itellyou，sir，I
tookyouwholly！ISMOKEDyou！IbelieveyouandI，sir，ifwehadachancetotalk，wouldfindwehadagoodmanyopinionsincommon。Hereisthe“BlueBell，“averycomfortableplace。Theydrawgoodale，sir。Wouldyoubesocondescendingastoshareapotwithme？”
Therewassomethingsoambiguousandsecretinthelittleman”sperpetualsignalling，thatIconfessmycuriositywasmucharoused。
Blamingmyself，evenasIdidso，fortheindiscretion，Iembracedhisproposal，andweweresoonfacetofaceoveratankardofmulledale。Heloweredhisvoicetotheleastattenuationofawhisper。”Here，sir”saidhe，”istotheGreatMan。Ithinkyoutakeme？
No？”Heleanedforwardtillournosestouched。”HereistotheEmperor！”saidhe。
Iwasextremelyembarrassed，and，inspiteofthecreature”sinnocentappearance，morethanhalfalarmed。Ithoughthimtooingenious，and，indeed，toodaringforaspy。Yetifhewerehonesthemustbeamanofextraordinaryindiscretion，andthereforeveryunfittobeencouragedbyanescapedprisoner。I
tookahalfcourse，accordingly-acceptedhistoastinsilence，anddrankitwithoutenthusiasm。