by Walter Scott
CHAPTER XXXV
You are one of those that will not serve God if the devil bids you. Because we come to do you service, you think we are ruffians.
--Othello.
When Glossin returned home he found, among other letters and paperssent to him, one of considerable importance. It was signed by Mr.Protocol, an attorney in Edinburgh, and, addressing him as the agentfor Godfrey Bertram, Esq., late of Ellangowan, and his representatives,acquainted him with the sudden death of Mrs. Margaret Bertram ofSingleside, requesting him to inform his clients thereof, in case theyshould judge it proper to have any person present for their interest atopening the repositories of the deceased. Mr. Glossin perceived at oncethat the letter-writer was unacquainted with the breach which had takenplace between him and his late patron. The estate of the deceased ladyshould by rights, as he well knew, descend to Lucy Bertram; but it wasa thousand to one that the caprice of the old lady might have alteredits destination. After running over contingencies and probabilities inhis fertile mind, to ascertain what sort of personal advantage mightaccrue to him from this incident, he could not perceive any mode ofavailing himself of it, except in so far as it might go to assist hisplan of recovering, or rather creating, a character, the want of whichhe had already experienced, and was likely to feel yet more deeply. 'Imust place myself,' he thought, 'on strong ground, that, if anythinggoes wrong with Dirk Hatteraick's project, I may have prepossessions inmy favour at least.' Besides, to do Glossin justice, bad as he was, hemight feel some desire to compensate to Miss Bertram in a small degree,and in a case in which his own interest did not interfere with hers,the infinite mischief which he had occasioned to her family. Hetherefore resolved early the next morning to ride over to Woodbourne.
It was not without hesitation that he took this step, having thenatural reluctance to face Colonel Mannering which fraud and villainyhave to encounter honour and probity. But he had great confidence inhis own savoir faire. His talents were naturally acute, and by no meansconfined to the line of his profession. He had at different timesresided a good deal in England, and his address was free both fromcountry rusticity and professional pedantry; so that he hadconsiderable powers both of address and persuasion, joined to anunshaken effrontery, which he affected to disguise under plainness ofmanner. Confident, therefore, in himself, he appeared at Woodbourneabout ten in the morning, and was admitted as a gentleman come to waitupon Miss Bertram.
He did not announce himself until he was at the door of thebreakfast-parlour, when the servant, by his desire, said aloud--'Mr.Glossin, to wait upon Miss Bertram.' Lucy, remembering the last sceneof her father's existence, turned as pale as death, and had well-nighfallen from her chair. Julia Mannering flew to her assistance, and theyleft the room together. There remained Colonel Mannering, CharlesHazlewood, with his arm in a sling, and the Dominie, whose gaunt visageand wall-eyes assumed a most hostile aspect on recognising Glossin.
That honest gentleman, though somewhat abashed by the effect of hisfirst introduction, advanced with confidence, and hoped he did notintrude upon the ladies. Colonel Mannering, in a very upright andstately manner, observed, that he did not know to what he was to imputethe honour of a visit from Mr. Glossin.
'Hem! hem! I took the liberty to wait upon Miss Bertram, ColonelMannering, on account of a matter of business.'
'If it can be communicated to Mr. Mac-Morlan, her agent, sir, I believeit will be more agreeable to Miss Bertram.'
'I beg pardon, Colonel Mannering,' said Glossin, making a wretchedattempt at an easy demeanour; 'you are a man of the world; there aresome cases in which it is most prudent for all parties to treat withprincipals.'
'Then,' replied Mannering, with a repulsive air, 'if Mr. Glossin willtake the trouble to state his object in a letter, I will answer thatMiss Bertram pays proper attention to it.'
'Certainly,' stammered Glossin; 'but there are cases in which a vivavoce conference--Hem! I perceive--I know--Colonel Mannering has adoptedsome prejudices which may make my visit appear intrusive; but I submitto his good sense, whether he ought to exclude me from a hearingwithout knowing the purpose of my visit, or of how much consequence itmay be to the young lady whom he honours with his protection.'
'Certainly, sir, I have not the least intention to do so,' replied theColonel. 'I will learn Miss Bertram's pleasure on the subject, andacquaint Mr. Glossin, if he can spare time to wait for her answer.' Sosaying, he left the room.
Glossin had still remained standing in the midst of the apartment.Colonel Mannering had made not the slightest motion to invite him tosit, and indeed had remained standing himself during their shortinterview. When he left the room, however, Glossin seized upon a chair,and threw himself into it with an air between embarrassment andeffrontery. He felt the silence of his companions disconcerting andoppressive, and resolved to interrupt it.
'A fine day, Mr. Sampson.'
The Dominie answered with something between an acquiescent grunt and anindignant groan.
'You never come down to see your old acquaintance on the Ellangowanproperty, Mr. Sampson. You would find most of the old stagers stillstationary there. I have too much respect for the late family todisturb old residenters, even under pretence of improvement. Besides,it's not my way, I don't like it; I believe, Mr. Sampson, Scriptureparticularly condemns those who oppress the poor, and remove landmarks.'
'Or who devour the substance of orphans,' subjoined the Dominie.'Anathema, Maranatha!' So saying, he rose, shouldered the folio whichhe had been perusing, faced to the right about, and marched out of theroom with the strides of a grenadier.
Mr. Glossin, no way disconcerted, or at least feeling it necessary notto appear so, turned to young Hazlewood, who was apparently busy withthe newspaper.--' Any news, sir?' Hazlewood raised his eyes, looked athim, and pushed the paper towards him, as if to a stranger in acoffee-house, then rose, and was about to leave the room. 'I begpardon, Mr. Hazlewood, but I can't help wishing you joy of getting soeasily over that infernal accident.' This was answered by a sort ofinclination of the head, as slight and stiff as could well be imagined.Yet it encouraged our man of law to proceed.--' I can promise you, Mr.Hazlewood, few people have taken the interest in that matter which Ihave done, both for the sake of the country and on account of myparticular respect for your family, which has so high a stake in it;indeed, so very high a stake that, as Mr. Featherhead is 'turning oldnow, and as there's a talk, since his last stroke, of his taking theChiltern Hundreds, it might be worth your while to look about you. Ispeak as a friend, Mr. Hazlewood, and as one who understands the roll;and if in going over it together--'
'I beg pardon, sir, but I have no views in which your assistance couldbe useful.'
'O, very well, perhaps you are right; it's quite time enough, and Ilove to see a young gentleman cautious. But I was talking of yourwound. I think I have got a clue to that business--I think I have, andif I don't bring the fellow to condign punishment--!'
'I beg your pardon, sir, once more; but your zeal outruns my wishes. Ihave every reason to think the wound was accidental; certainly it wasnot premeditated. Against ingratitude and premeditated treachery,should you find any one guilty of them, my resentment will be as warmas your own.' This was Hazlewood's answer.
'Another rebuff,' thought Glossin; 'I must try him upon the othertack.' 'Right, sir; very nobly said! I would have no more mercy on anungrateful man than I would on a woodcock. And now we talk of sport(this was a sort of diverting of the conversation which Glossin hadlearned from his former patron), I see you often carry a gun, and Ihope you will be soon able to take the field again. I observe youconfine yourself always to your own side of the Hazleshaws burn. Ihope, my dear sir, you will make no scruple of following your game tothe Ellangowan bank; I believe it is rather the best exposure of thetwo for woodcocks, although both are capital.'
As this offer only excited a cold and constrained bow, Glossin wasobliged to remain silent, and was presently afterwards somewhatrelieved by the entranc
e of Colonel Mannering.
'I have detained you some time, I fear, sir,' said he, addressingGlossin; 'I wished to prevail upon Miss Bertram to see you, as, in myopinion, her objections ought to give way to the necessity of hearingin her own person what is stated to be of importance that she shouldknow. But I find that circumstances of recent occurrence, and noteasily to be forgotten, have rendered her so utterly repugnant to apersonal interview with Mr. Glossin that it would be cruelty to insistupon it; and she has deputed me to receive his commands, or proposal,or, in short, whatever he may wish to say to her.'
'Hem, hem! I am sorry, sir--I am very sorry, Colonel Mannering, thatMiss Bertram should suppose--that any prejudice, in short--or idea thatanything on my part--'
'Sir,' said the inflexible Colonel, 'where no accusation is made,excuses or explanations are unnecessary. Have you any objection tocommunicate to me, as Miss Bertram's temporary guardian, thecircumstances which you conceive to interest her?'
'None, Colonel Mannering; she could not choose a more respectablefriend, or one with whom I, in particular, would more anxiously wish tocommunicate frankly.'
'Have the goodness to speak to the point, sir, if you please.'
'Why, sir, it is not so easy all at once--but Mr. Hazlewood need notleave the room,--I mean so well to Miss Bertram that I could wish thewhole world to hear my part of the conference.'
'My friend Mr. Charles Hazlewood will not probably be anxious, Mr.Glossin, to listen to what cannot concern him. And now, when he hasleft us alone, let me pray you to be short and explicit in what youhave to say. I am a soldier, sir, somewhat impatient of forms andintroductions.' So saying, he drew himself up in his chair and waitedfor Mr. Glossin's communication.
'Be pleased to look at that letter,' said Glossin, putting Protocol'sepistle into Mannering's hand, as the shortest way of stating hisbusiness.
The Colonel read it and returned it, after pencilling the name of thewriter in his memorandum-book. 'This, sir, does not seem to requiremuch discussion. I will see that Miss Bertram's interest is attendedto.'
'But, sir,--but, Colonel Mannering,' added Glossin, 'there is anothermatter which no one can explain but myself. This lady--this Mrs.Margaret Bertram, to my certain knowledge, made a general settlement ofher affairs in Miss Lucy Bertram's favour while she lived with my oldfriend Mr. Bertram at Ellangowan. The Dominie--that was the name bywhich my deceased friend always called that very respectable man Mr.Sampson--he and I witnessed the deed. And she had full power at thattime to make such a settlement, for she was in fee of the estate ofSingleside even then, although it was life rented by an elder sister.It was a whimsical settlement of old Singleside's, sir; he pitted thetwo cats his daughters against each other, ha, ha, ha!'
'Well, sir,' said Mannering, without the slightest smile of sympathy,'but to the purpose. You say that this lady had power to settle herestate on Miss Bertram, and that she did so?'
'Even so, Colonel,' replied Glossin. 'I think I should understand thelaw, I have followed it for many years; and, though I have given it upto retire upon a handsome competence, I did not throw away thatknowledge which is pronounced better than house and land, and which Itake to be the knowledge of the law, since, as our common rhyme has it,
'Tis most excellent, To win the land that's gone and spent.
No, no, I love the smack of the whip: I have a little, a very littlelaw yet, at the service of my friends.'
Glossin ran on in this manner, thinking he had made a favourableimpression on Mannering. The Colonel, indeed, reflected that this mightbe a most important crisis for Miss Bertram's interest, and resolvedthat his strong inclination to throw Glossin out at window or at doorshould not interfere with it. He put a strong curb on his temper, andresolved to listen with patience at least, if without complacency. Hetherefore let Mr. Glossin get to the end of his self-congratulations,and then asked him if he knew where the deed was.
'I know--that is, I think--I believe I can recover it. In such casescustodiers have sometimes made a charge.'
'We won't differ as to that, sir,' said the Colonel, taking out hispocket-book.
'But, my dear sir, you take me so very short. I said SOME PERSONS MIGHTmake such a claim, I mean for payment of the expenses of the deed,trouble in the affair, etc. But I, for my own part, only wish MissBertram and her friends to be satisfied that I am acting towards herwith honour. There's the paper, sir! It would have been a satisfactionto me to have delivered it into Miss Bertram's own hands, and to havewished her joy of the prospects which it opens. But, since herprejudices on the subject are invincible, it only remains for me totransmit her my best wishes through you, Colonel Mannering, and toexpress that I shall willingly give my testimony in support of thatdeed when I shall be called upon. I have the honour to wish you a goodmorning, sir.'
This parting speech was so well got up, and had so much the tone ofconscious integrity unjustly suspected, that even Colonel Mannering wasstaggered in his bad opinion. He followed him two or three steps, andtook leave of him with more politeness (though still cold and formal)than he had paid during his visit. Glossin left the house half pleasedwith the impression he had made, half mortified by the stern cautionand proud reluctance with which he had been received. 'ColonelMannering might have had more politeness,' he said to himself. 'It isnot every man that can bring a good chance of 400 Pounds a year to apenniless girl. Singleside must be up to 400 Pounds a year now; there'sReilageganbeg, Gillifidget, Loverless, Liealone, and the Spinster'sKnowe--good 400 Pounds a year. Some people might have made their own ofit in my place; and yet, to own the truth, after much consideration, Idon't see how that is possible.'
Glossin was no sooner mounted and gone than the Colonel despatched agroom for Mr. Mac-Morlan, and, putting the deed into his hand,requested to know if it was likely to be available to his friend LucyBertram. Mac-Morlan perused it with eyes that sparkled with delight,snapped his fingers repeatedly, and at length exclaimed, 'Available!it's as tight as a glove; naebody could make better wark than Glossin,when he didna let down a steek on purpose. But (his countenancefalling) the auld b---, that I should say so, might alter at pleasure!'
'Ah! And how shall we know whether she has done so?'
'Somebody must attend on Miss Bertram's part when the repositories ofthe deceased are opened.'
'Can you go?' said the Colonel.
'I fear I cannot,' replied Mac-Morlan; 'I must attend a jury trialbefore our court.'
'Then I will go myself,' said the Colonel; 'I'll set out to-morrow.Sampson shall go with me; he is witness to this settlement. But I shallwant a legal adviser.'
'The gentleman that was lately sheriff of this county is high inreputation as a barrister; I will give you a card of introduction tohim.'
'What I like about you, Mr. Mac-Morlan,' said the Colonel, 'is that youalways come straight to the point. Let me have it instantly. Shall wetell Miss Lucy her chance of becoming an heiress?'
'Surely, because you must have some powers from her, which I willinstantly draw out. Besides, I will be caution for her prudence, andthat she will consider it only in the light of a chance.'
Mac-Morlan judged well. It could not be discerned from Miss Bertram'smanner that she founded exulting hopes upon the prospect thusunexpectedly opening before her. She did, indeed, in the course of theevening ask Mr. Mac-Morlan, as if by accident, what might be the annualincome of the Hazlewood property; but shall we therefore aver forcertain that she was considering whether an heiress of four hundred ayear might be a suitable match for the young Laird?
