Fiction > Serialisations > London, 1893 - David Balfour

DA V I D B ALFO U R.
605
Drummond, alias Macgregor, alias James More,
late tenant in Inveronachile"; and his precognition
had been talcen, as the manner is, in writing. He
had remembered or invented (God help him)
matter which was lead in James Stewart's shoes,
and I saw was like to prove wings to his own.
This testimon) it was highly desirable to bring to
the notice of the jur\-, without exposing the man
himself to the perils of cross-examination, and the
way it was brought about was a matter of surprise
to all. For the paper was handed round (like a
curiosity) in court ; passed through the jury-box,
where it did its work ; and disappeared again (as
though by accident) before it reached the counsel
for the prisoner. This was counted a most insidious
device : and that the name of James More should
be mingled up with it filled me with shame for
Catriona and concern for myself.
The following day, Prestongrange and I, with a
considerable company, set out for Glasgow, where
(to my impatience) we continued to linger some
time in a mixture of pleasure and affairs. I lodged
with my laird, with whom I was encouraged to
familiarity ; had my place at entertainments ; was
Dresented to the chief guests; and altogether made
more of than I thought accorded either with my
)arts or station ; so that, on strangers being
)resent, I would often blush for Prestongrange.
'x must be owned the view I had taken of the
vorld in these last months was fit to cast a gloom
ipon my character. I had met many men, some
if them leaders in Israel whether by their birth
T talents ; and who among them all had shown
lean hands? As for the Browns and Millers, I
ad seen their self-seeking, I could never again
espect them. Prestongrange was the best yet ;
e had saved me, had spared me rather, when
thers had it in their minds to murder me
utright ; but the blood of James lay at his door ;
nd I thought his present dissimulation with
lyself a thing below pardon. That he should
Tect to find pleasure in my discourse almost
irprised me out of patience. I would sit and
atch him with a kind of a slow fire of anger in
y bowels. " Ah, friend, friend," I would think to
yself, " if you were but thorough in this affair of
le memorial, would you not kick me in the
reets ? " Here I did him, as events have proved,
e most foul injustice ; and I think he was at
ice far more sincere, and a far more artful
performer than I supposed. But I had some
warrant for m\' incredulity in the beha\iour of that
court of young advocates that hung about him
in the hope of patronage. The sudden favour of
a lad not previously heard of troubled them at
first out of measure ; but two days were not gone
by before I found myself surrounded with flattery
and attention. I was the same young man, and
neither better nor bonnier, that they had rejected
a month before ; and now there was no civility too
fine for me ! The same, do I say ? It was not
so ; and the by-name by which I went behind my
back confirmed it. Seeing me so firm with the
Advocate, and persuaded that I was to fly high
and far, they had taken a word from the golfing
green, and called me the Tee'd Ballr' I was told
I was now " one of themselves " ; I was to taste
of their soft living, who had already made my own
experience of the roughness of the outer husk ;
and one, to whom I had been presented in Hope
Park, was so assured as even to remind me of
that meeting. I told him I had not the pleasure
of remembering it.
" Why," says he, " it was Miss Grant herself
presented me I My name is so-and-so."
" It may very well be, sir," said I, " but I have
kept no mind of it."
At which he desisted ; and, in the midst of the
disgust that commonly overflowed my spirits, I
had a glink of pleasure.
But I have not patience to dwell upon that time
at length. \Mien I was in company with these
young politics I was borne down with shame for
myself and my own plain ways, and scorn for
them and their duplicity. Of the two evils I
thought Prestongrange to be the least ; and while
I was always as stiff as buckram to the young
bloods, I made rather a dissimulation of my hard
feelings towards the Advocate, and was (in old
Mr. Campbell's word) "soople to the laird." Him-
self commented on the difference, and bid me be
more of my age, and make friends with my young
comrades.
I told him I was slow of making friends.
" I will take the word back," said he. " But
there is such a thing as Fair gude e'en and
fair gude day, Mr. David. These are the same
young men with whom you are to pass your days
and get through life : your backwardness has a
* A ball placed upon a little mound for convenience of striking.