Fiction > Book editions > London, 1889 - Master of Ballantrae

34 THE MASTER OF BALLANTRAE.
very suitable one in tliis country of Scotland. With a
gentleman like you^ my dear man^ I would have no con-
cealments of course ; and by your leave I''ll just breathe
it in your ear. They call me Francis Burke — Colonel
Francis Burke ; and I am here^ at a most damnable risk
to myself; to see your masters — if you^U excuse me^ my
good man, for giving them the name, for I^m sure it's
a circumstance I would never have guessed from your
appearance. A^^tl if yo^^ would just be so very obliging
as to take my name to them, you might say that I come
bearing letters which I am sure they will be very rejoiced
to have the reading of.''
Colonel Francis Burke was one of the Prince's Irish-
men, that did his cause such an infinity of hurt, and
were so much distasted of the Scots at the time of the
rebellion ; and it came at once into my mind, how the
Master of Ballantrae had astonished all men by going
with that party. In the same moment a strong fore-
boding of the truth possessed my soul.
" If you wall step in here," said I, opening a chamber
door, " I will let my lord know."
" And I am sure it's very good of you, Mr. What-is-
your-name," says the Colonel.
Up to the hall I went, slow-footed. There they were,
ail three — my old lord in his place, Mrs. Henry at Avork
by the window, Mr. Henry (as was much his custom)
pacing the low end. In the midst was the table laid
for supper. I told them briefly what 1 had to say. My