Stand Fast, Craig-Royston! (Volume II)

ppy coincidence this was the very moment chosen by his father to make a disclosure which, for a startled second or so, seemed to recall and confirm the young man's wildest sus

, he meant to lunch at the Athen?um Club, and with a view to that solemn rite he had donned a black frock-coat which was tightly buttoned over his substantial form. A stiff upstanding collar and a satin tie added to

d encourage; and as for the amusements and pleasures natural to your years, I can trust you to remember your own self-respect. But in one direction I confess I am disappointed. My chief aim in your education has been that you should see and know the world; that you should understand men; and by

r he had expected an instant and indignant protest, which would have justified a little judicious warmth

-faced and preposterous. Did you ever ask yourself how he lived; what was his business or profession; where he got the money to go from one country to another?

oncerns me much," said

incredible simplicity of the people who allowed themselves to be imposed on. Why, in Canada he called himself Lord Bethune!-was there no second-hand copy of Burke anywhere about to show them there was no such peerage in existence? Lord Bethune haunting n

d took down a volume f

"there is Black's Guide to Scotland. Can you fi

arelessly Vincent

see it ther

morial bearings of your own invention! Cadzow-oh, yes, Cadzow you will find-Cadzow undoubtedly exists; but most people though

Vincent was bo

n if all you say is true, what then? You sent me out to see the world, and take people as I fo

antly divined wherein lay the secret of

. You are willing to let him go. You think you can dissociate him from his g

an grew som

is hand as if he would enjoin silence.

en he endeavoured to bring a little more fri

ined to trust your own judgment. But even if this girl were all you think she is, what madness it would be for you to contemplate marrying her! Look at her position-and at yours: look at her upbringing and present surroundings-and at yours; think of what is expected of you; what chances you have; what an alliance with a

es for a socialist and a c

ndon all this nonsense when you understand who and what this girl is; and you will thank God you have had your eyes opened in time. And indeed, if all

d: he did not put hi

for the ingenue by his side, with her innocent eyes and her sad look. When the writer of the begging-letter calls, his story might be inquired into: but no!-for here is this interesting young lady-and the hardest heart declines to cross-examine while she is standing there. And of course she must go to the newspaper-offices, to beguile the editor with her silent distress, while her grandfather is wheedling him out of a loan; or she accompanies him to

orn; but the laugh was a forced

e goes further than merely tolerating the old man's lies? Perhaps the glamour the girl has thrown over you would lead you to accept her just as she is, her hypocrisy, her craft, and all? Or perhaps you have planned out for yourself a still more bri

to his feet, h

t; but something must be forgiven to ignorance: the people who have supplied you with this guess-work rubbish are probably as ignorant as yourself about those two. Only-no more insults, if you please! I am your son; but-but there are limits to what you ask me to hear in patience. You talk of my madness and infatuation; it is your madness, your infatuation! What

mistaken in supposing that I have made no inquiry, and have received no proof. The inquiry has been made for me with great

d the young man accepted it. His

t, t

ey have a pretty knack of falling in with this or that rich young gentleman, and allowing him to pay for them on all occasions, isn't the mystery partly solved? I am informed that these two people and yourself have been

-why were you driving-with that stranger?'-and all the world grew black with a horror of doubt and despair. He thought of the young man driving along the King's Road in Brighton: was there another paying for those two now?-had they another fri

out that? That is nothing-a few shillings-I found it pleasanter not to have to settle bil

ve those people their dinner fo

what

to regard this story that had been told him as quite unworthy of

eigling soft-headed Scotchmen-I suppose there must be one here and there-into giving him a loan because of his sham patriotism? And these are the people you have chosen to consort with all this time; and this is the girl you would bring into your family-you would introduce to your friends as your wife! But you cannot be so mad! You may pretend i

tel-piece, and took

try and in America. I can show you here still further details; but before allowing you to examine t

ss at the kind of creature who would accept such a task, and

he

iness on which you sent for me

have been advised to keep your eyes open. You have been shown what kind of people they are who

d of your enquiries? Because, if not, I would advise your spy-your detective, or whatever he is-not to come prowling to any

it was serious and troubled; for there was much for him to ponder over. Not about Maisrie. He put Maisrie aside. For one thing, he was a little vexed and angry with her at the moment-quite unreasonably, as he strove to convince himself; nevertheless, he would rather not think about her just then; and, indeed, there was no occasion, for the idea that she

t believe him to be a mean and crafty trickster. Surely his love for Scotland was sincere. Surely his passionate admiration of the old Scotch ballads was genuine enough. Surely it was not to impose on any one that old George Bethune sang aloud the songs of his youth as he walked through the crowded streets of London. There was a grandeur in his very presence, a dignity in his demeanour, that was far from the artful complaisance of a schemer. Then his undaunted courage-his proud spirit-and above all, the tender and affectionate guardianship he bestowed on his granddaughter: Vincent could not forget all these things. No, nor could he forget how he had enjoy

nted in his father's library; and mechanically he glanced at the successive columns. But what was this?-why here was Craig-Royston! His eyes were not deceiving him; for he at once referred to the page indicated, and found Craig-Royston described as a district in the neighbourhood of Loch Lomond-though, to be sure, he could discover no trace of it on th

of historical interest, are seldom mentioned in guide-books. And then again he bethought him: why, the old ballad!-the 'bonnie mill-dams o' Ballor

wa sisters li

y, O Ba

o' them, O sh

e mill-dams

squire frae

y, O Ba

baith, but the

e mill-dams

the property of the Duke of Hamilton. But might there not be some other property of the same name, as a sort of appanage of Balloray? It was no unusual thing, in Scotland or anywhere else, for two places to have the same name; and in this instance

s books for the time being; and he and Maisrie would be ready to go out by half-past ten or eleven. Would their new friend call for them, or would there be some place of appointment down in the King's-road? He could see them walk out the West Pier. The old man with the firm-set figure and the flowing white locks would probably be thinking but little of what was going on around him; as likely as not he would be singing gaily to himself about the Pier o' Leith and Berwick Law, and 'leaving thee, my bonnie Mary.' Yes, and so far those two others would be left to themselves; they could talk as they chose-eyes meeting eyes. And what ha

he same he felt himself irresistibly drawn thither again; whatever was happening down there by the sea-side, he wanted to know; his imaginings were a more cruel torture than anything his eyes could tell him. And p

sselburgh was staying; he went to the Bristol, so as to keep himself a little out of observation. He was lucky enough to get a bedroom; and that was all he required; he

beyond a vague recollection that they had spoken of some hill behind the town. However, Brighton, though now grown a big place, has a few leading thoroughfares in whic

e under the glare of a gas-lamp, and these he instantly recognised. Occasionally as they went on they became indistinguishable in the dusk; then again a gas-lamp would bring them into vivid relief-the

r about the rocks and dales of Scotland-about the ballads and songs-perhaps he has subscribed for the new book. Then they will ask him to go home with them again; and Maisrie will take out her violin; and perhaps-pe

fixed on those three, but most of all on the youn

riend as good as another; let the absent expect to be forgotten, when it is a woman who is asked to remember. La Claire Fontaine?-why not La Claire Fontaine, for him as well as anyone else? All that

nd again Vincent was on the point of going up to his enemy, and saying "Well, why don't you buy her something? If you haven't got money, I will lend it to you!" Surely this would suffice to provoke a quarrel?-to be settled next morning, out on the downs, and not by any pistol

not slink, he walked resolutely, to a small unoccupied table at the further end; but he was some way from them; perchance he might be able to observe without being noticed. The waiter came to him. "Anything!" was his order: gall and wormwood there were likely to be in any dish that might be brought. Wine?-oh yes,

laying the part of host. And what was she saying to him in return? What form did her thanks take? Je ne puis rien donner-qu' mon coeur en mariage: that was eas

en he knew-he did not see-that someone was coming down the long room. He breathed hard, with a sort of fear

nce

s Maisrie Bethune regarding him-regarding him with those

e us? Why shoul

s very heart; but still-but still-ther

wise engaged," said he. "

are u

wn a long room to address a young man, knowing that more than one pair of eyes would

r table, Vincent?" sh

felt he would be a craven hound not to come to

o sort of gladness in his consent; and the

o had not caught the other's name-bowed stiffly, and took the seat that had been brought for him. And then, seeing that it was on Maisrie that all the responsibility of this new arrangement had fallen, he forced

he observed Maisrie's small kindnesses; and eventually turned to resume his conversation with Mr. Bethune, which had been interrupted. Vincent, who had been ready, on the smallest provocation, to break f

rie?" said he, and yet stil

the number in

thing near it," he said. "I am a

ght you had an aunt living in Brighton

did not think a woman's memory could go so far back as that. A we

the same there was that other sitting at the table-there was an alien presence-and all things were somehow awry. And yet why should he despise that stranger? In the bucolic dandy he could see himself, as he himself was seen by certain of his friends. This other dupe, his successor, had a countrified complexion and a steely blue eye, he wore a horse-shoe pin in diamonds, and had

invitation had been a mistake. She strove her best to remove this embarrassment; she tried to make the conversation general; and in some slight measure she succeeded; but always there was an obvious restra

itation that the generous host of the evening should go along to the rooms in German Place? There would be tobacco, and Scotch whiskey, and reminiscences of travel, and dissertations on literary and philosophical subjects-an

nd at the door of the restaurant, the new acquaintance did recei

stay indoors while the weather is so fine; you must leave your work until the wet comes. So I dare say I shall find you somewhere along the front about eleven to-morrow; and if I don't, why, then, I'll come along to German Place, and drag you out. For who ever knew such a glorious December?-quite warm in the sun-

way, Vincent?" Ma

e answer, as they

nto the Marine Parade, the moon came into view, away over there in the east; it was at the fu

on was last night?" she said, to

g about a good deal last night. The

ighton last night?" she

es

he did not choose to invent an excuse. Again they walked on for a l

his hand. "Quite a surprise to meet you-quite a surpr

was Maisr

he said, with her eyes s

he did not respond to tha

hisper or murmur along these lofty and solitary cliffs. A cold wind blew from the north, coming over the bare uplands; but it brought no sound of any bird or beast. His shadow was his sole companion-vague and indefinite on the grass, but sharper and blacker on the grey and frosted road. He was alone, and he wished to be alone; and if certain phrases from the Claire Fontaine would come following and haunting him-jai perdu ma ma?tresse