Redgauntlet [209]
so determined as his uncle, was no agreeable consideration, when he was calculating how he might best dispute his pleasure and refuse to join him in the perilous enterprise which he seemed to meditate. Outlawed and desperate himself, Darsie could not doubt that his uncle was surrounded by men capable of anything--that he was restrained by no personal considerations--and therefore what degree of compulsion he might apply to his brother's son, or in what manner he might feel at liberty to punish his contumacy, should he disavow the Jacobite cause, must depend entirely upon the limits of his own conscience; and who was to answer for the conscience of a heated enthusiast who considers opposition to the party he has espoused, as treason to the welfare of his country? After a short interval, Cristal Nixon was pleased to throw some light upon the subject which agitated him.
When that grim satellite rode up without ceremony close to Darsie's side, the latter felt his very flesh creep with abhorrence, so little was he able to endure his presence, since the story of Lilias had added to his instinctive hatred of the man.
His voice, too, sounded like that of a screech-owl, as he said, 'So, my young cock of the north, you now know it all, and no doubt are blessing your uncle for stirring you up to such an honourable action.'
'I will acquaint my uncle with my sentiments on the subject, before I make them known to any one else,' said Darsie, scarcely prevailing on his tongue to utter even these few words in a civil manner.
'Umph,' murmured Cristal betwixt his teeth. 'Close as wax, I see; and perhaps not quite so pliable. But take care, my pretty youth,' he added, scornfully; 'Hugh Redgauntlet will prove a rough colt-breaker--he will neither spare whipcord nor spur- rowel, I promise you.'
'I have already said, Mr. Nixon, answered Darsie, 'that I will canvass those matters of which my sister has informed me, with my uncle himself, and with no other person.'
'Nay, but a word of friendly advice would do you no harm, young master,' replied Nixon. 'Old Redgauntlet is apter at a blow than a word--likely to bite before he barks--the true man for giving Scarborough warning, first knock you down, then bid you stand. So, methinks, a little kind warning as to consequences were not amiss, lest they come upon you unawares.'
'If the warning is really kind, Mr. Nixon,' said the young man, 'I will hear it thankfully; and indeed, if otherwise, I must listen to it whether I will or no, since I have at present no choice of company or of conversation.'
'Nay, I have but little to say,' said Nixon, affecting to give to his sullen and dogged manner the appearance of an honest bluntness; 'I am as little apt to throw away words as any one. But here is the question--Will you join heart and hand with your uncle, or no?'
'What if I should say Aye?' said Darsie, determined, if possible, to conceal his resolution from this man.
'Why, then,' said Nixon, somewhat surprised at the readiness of his answer, 'all will go smooth, of course--you will take share in this noble undertaking, and, when it succeeds, you will exchange your open helmet for an earl's coronet perhaps.'
'And how if it fails?' said Darsie.
'Thereafter as it may be,' said Nixon; 'they who play at bowls must meet with rubbers.'
'Well, but suppose, then, I have some foolish tenderness for my windpipe, and that when my uncle proposes the adventure to me I should say No--how then, Mr. Nixon?'
'Why, then, I would have you look to yourself, young master. There are sharp laws in France against refractory pupils--LETTRES DE CACHET are easily come by when such men as we are concerned with interest themselves in the matter.'
'But we are not in France,' said poor Darsie, through whose blood ran a cold shivering at the idea of a French prison.
'A fast-sailing lugger will soon bring you there though, snug stowed under hatches, like a cask of moonlight.'
'But the French are at peace with us,' said Darsie, 'and would not dare'--
'Why, who would ever hear of
When that grim satellite rode up without ceremony close to Darsie's side, the latter felt his very flesh creep with abhorrence, so little was he able to endure his presence, since the story of Lilias had added to his instinctive hatred of the man.
His voice, too, sounded like that of a screech-owl, as he said, 'So, my young cock of the north, you now know it all, and no doubt are blessing your uncle for stirring you up to such an honourable action.'
'I will acquaint my uncle with my sentiments on the subject, before I make them known to any one else,' said Darsie, scarcely prevailing on his tongue to utter even these few words in a civil manner.
'Umph,' murmured Cristal betwixt his teeth. 'Close as wax, I see; and perhaps not quite so pliable. But take care, my pretty youth,' he added, scornfully; 'Hugh Redgauntlet will prove a rough colt-breaker--he will neither spare whipcord nor spur- rowel, I promise you.'
'I have already said, Mr. Nixon, answered Darsie, 'that I will canvass those matters of which my sister has informed me, with my uncle himself, and with no other person.'
'Nay, but a word of friendly advice would do you no harm, young master,' replied Nixon. 'Old Redgauntlet is apter at a blow than a word--likely to bite before he barks--the true man for giving Scarborough warning, first knock you down, then bid you stand. So, methinks, a little kind warning as to consequences were not amiss, lest they come upon you unawares.'
'If the warning is really kind, Mr. Nixon,' said the young man, 'I will hear it thankfully; and indeed, if otherwise, I must listen to it whether I will or no, since I have at present no choice of company or of conversation.'
'Nay, I have but little to say,' said Nixon, affecting to give to his sullen and dogged manner the appearance of an honest bluntness; 'I am as little apt to throw away words as any one. But here is the question--Will you join heart and hand with your uncle, or no?'
'What if I should say Aye?' said Darsie, determined, if possible, to conceal his resolution from this man.
'Why, then,' said Nixon, somewhat surprised at the readiness of his answer, 'all will go smooth, of course--you will take share in this noble undertaking, and, when it succeeds, you will exchange your open helmet for an earl's coronet perhaps.'
'And how if it fails?' said Darsie.
'Thereafter as it may be,' said Nixon; 'they who play at bowls must meet with rubbers.'
'Well, but suppose, then, I have some foolish tenderness for my windpipe, and that when my uncle proposes the adventure to me I should say No--how then, Mr. Nixon?'
'Why, then, I would have you look to yourself, young master. There are sharp laws in France against refractory pupils--LETTRES DE CACHET are easily come by when such men as we are concerned with interest themselves in the matter.'
'But we are not in France,' said poor Darsie, through whose blood ran a cold shivering at the idea of a French prison.
'A fast-sailing lugger will soon bring you there though, snug stowed under hatches, like a cask of moonlight.'
'But the French are at peace with us,' said Darsie, 'and would not dare'--
'Why, who would ever hear of