Fortune, you say, flies from us--She but circles, Like the fleet sea-bird round the fowler's skiff,--Lost in the mist one moment, and the next Brushing the white sail with her whiter wing, As if to court the aim.--Experience watches, And has her on the wheel--Old Play.
The shout of triumph in Hector's warlike tones was not easily distinguished from that of battle.But as he rushed up stairs with a packet in his hand, exclaiming, ``Long life to an old soldier! here comes Edie with a whole budget of good news!''
it became obvious that his present cause of clamour was of an agreeable nature.He delivered the letter to Oldbuck, shook Sir Arthur heartily by the hand, and wished Miss Wardour joy, with all the frankness of Highland congratulation.The messenger, who had a kind of instinctive terror for Captain M`Intyre, drew towards his prisoner, keeping an eye of caution on the soldier's motions.
``Don't suppose I shall trouble myself about you, you dirty fellow,'' said the soldier; ``there's a guinea for the fright I have given you; and here comes an old _forty-two_ man, who is a fitter match for you than I am.''
The messenger (one of those dogs who are not too scornful to eat dirty puddings) caught in his hand the guinea which Hector chucked at his face; and abode warily and carefully the turn which matters were now to take.All voices meanwhile were loud in inquiries, which no one was in a hurry to answer.
``What is the matter, Captain M`Intyre?'' said Sir Arthur.
``Ask old Edie,'' said Hector;--``I only know all's safe and well.''
``What is all this, Edie?'' said Miss Wardour to the mendicant.
``Your leddyship maun ask Monkbarns, for he has gotten the yepistolary correspondensh.''
``God save the king!'' exclaimed the Antiquary at the first glance at the contents of his packet, and, surprised at once out of decorum, philosophy, and phlegm, he skimmed his cocked hat in the air, from which it descended not again, being caught in its fall by a branch of the chandelier.He next, looking joyously round, laid a grasp on his wig, which he perhaps would have sent after the beaver, had not Edie stopped his hand, exclaiming ``Lordsake! he's gaun gyte!--mind Caxon's no here to repair the damage.''
Every person now assailed the Antiquary, clamouring to know the cause of so sudden a transport, when, somewhat ashamed of his rapture, he fairly turned tail, like a fox at the cry of a pack of hounds, and ascending the stair by two steps at a time, gained the upper landing-place, where, turning round, he addressed the astonished audience as follows:--``My good friends, _favete linguis_--To give you information, I must first, according to logicians, be possessed of it myself;and, therefore, with your leaves, I will retire into the library to examine these papers--Sir Arthur and Miss Wardour will have the goodness to step into the parlour--Mr.Sweepclean, _secede paulisper,_ or, in your own language, grant us a supersedere of diligence for five minutes--Hector, draw off your forces, and make your bear-garden flourish elsewhere--and, finally, be all of good cheer till my return, which will be _instanter._''
The contents of the packet were indeed so little expected, that the Antiquary might be pardoned, first his ecstasy, and next his desire of delaying to communicate the intelligence they conveyed, until it was arranged and digested in his own mind.
Within the envelope was a letter addressed to Jonathan Oldbuck, Esq.of Monkbarns, of the following purport:--``Dear Sir,--To you, as my father's proved and valued friend, I venture to address myself, being detained here by military duty of a very pressing nature.You must by this time be acquainted with the entangled state of our affairs; and I know it will give you great pleasure to learn, that I am as fortunately as unexpectedly placed in a situation to give effectual assistance for extricating them.I understand Sir Arthur is threatened with severe measures by persons who acted formerly as his agents; and, by advice of a creditable man of business here, Ihave procured the enclosed writing, which I understand will stop their proceedings until their claim shall be legally discussed, and brought down to its proper amount.I also enclose bills to the amount of one thousand pounds to pay any other pressing demands, and request of your friendship to apply them according to your discretion.You will be surprised I give you this trouble, when it would seem more natural to address my father directly in his own affairs.But I have yet had no assurance that his eyes are opened to the character of a person against whom you have often, I know, warned him, and whose baneful influence has been the occasion of these distresses.And as Iowe the means of relieving Sir Arthur to the generosity of a matchless friend, it is my duty to take the most certain measures for the supplies being devoted to the purpose for which they were destined,--and I know your wisdom and kindness will see that it is done.My friend, as he claims an interest in your regard, will explain some views of his own in the enclosed letter.The state of the post-office at Fairport being rather notorious, I must send this letter to Tannonburgh; but the old man Ochiltree, whom particular circumstances have recommended as trustworthy, has information when the packet is likely to reach that place, and will take care to forward it.Iexpect to have soon an opportunity to apologize in person for the trouble I now give, and have the honour to be your very faithful servant, ``Reginald Gamelyn Wardour.''
``Edinburgh, 6th August, 179--.''
