human
Thou hast tarried long, Henry Morton, and hast not come to the vintage before the twelfth hour has struck. Art thou yet willing to take the right hand of fellowship, and be one with those who look not to thrones or dynasties, but to the rule of Scripture, for their directions?
gpt
I am surprised, said Morton, evading the direct answer to his question,
human
The features of those who ought to act with me are engraved on my heart, answered Burley;
gpt
he added, pointing to the prostrate oak-tree,--
human
Of such defences, said Morton,
gpt
I should have thought you would now have had little need.
human
Little need? said Burley impatiently.
gpt
What little need, when incarnate fiends are combined against me on earth, and Sathan himself--But it matters not, added he, checking himself.
human
Enough that I like my place of refuge, my cave of Adullam, and would not change its rude ribs of limestone rock for the fair chambers of the castle of the earls of Torwood, with their broad bounds and barony. Thou, unless the foolish fever-fit be over, mayst think differently.
gpt
It was of those very possessions I came to speak, said Morton;
human
Ay? said Burley;
gpt
In a word, then, said Morton,
human
Sayest thou?
gpt
I do say so, replied Morton;
human
And suppose I deny it not, said Balfour;
gpt
I have no such hope,
human
And for whom, then, hast thou ventured to do this great thing,--to seek to rend the prey from the valiant, to bring forth food from the den of the lion, and to extract sweetness from the maw of the devourer? For whose sake hast thou undertaken to read this riddle, more hard than Samson's?
gpt
For Lord Evandale's and that of his bride, replied Morton, firmly.
human
Think better of mankind, Mr. Balfour, and believe there are some who are willing to sacrifice their happiness to that of others.
gpt
Then, as my soul liveth, replied Balfour,
human
For my own feelings, said Morton, composedly,
gpt
I am answerable to none but Heaven; to you, Mr. Balfour, I should suppose it of little consequence whether Basil Olifant or Lord Evandale possess these estates.
human
Thou art deceived, said Burley;
gpt
This might have been all well some years since, replied Morton,
human
More! exclaimed Burley, again unsheathing his sword, with a vivacity which nearly made Morton start.
gpt
Look at the notches upon that weapon they are three in number, are they not?
human
It seems so, answered Morton;
gpt
The fragment of steel that parted from this first gap rested on the skull of the perjured traitor who first introduced Episcopacy into Scotland; this second notch was made in the rib-bone of an impious villain, the boldest and best soldier that upheld the prelatic cause at Drumclog; this third was broken on the steel head-piece of the captain who defended the Chapel of Holyrood when the people rose at the Revolution. I cleft him to the teeth, through steel and bone. It has done great deeds, this little weapon, and each of these blows was a deliverance to the Church. This sword, he said, again sheathing it,
human
You have neither men nor means, Mr. Balfour, to disturb the Government as now settled, argued Morton;
gpt
It is they, answered Burley,
human
he added, with a vindictive scowl,
gpt
He then proceeded in a calmer tone:
human
If thou, son of mine ancient comrade, were suitor for thyself to this Edith Bellenden, and wert willing to put thy hand to the great work with zeal equal to thy courage, think not I would prefer the friendship of Basil Olifant to thine; thou shouldst then have the means that this document [he produced a parchment] affords to place her in possession of the lands of her fathers. This have I longed to say to thee ever since I saw thee fight the good fight so strongly at the fatal Bridge. The maiden loved thee, and thou her.
gpt
I will not dissemble with you, Mr. Balfour, even to gain a good end. I came in hopes to persuade you to do a deed of justice to others, not to gain any selfish end of my own. I have failed; I grieve for your sake more than for the loss which others will sustain by your injustice.
human
You refuse my proffer, then?
gpt
I do, said Morton.
human
Would you be really, as you are desirous to be thought, a man of honour and conscience, you would, regardless of all other considerations, restore that parchment to Lord Evandale, to be used for the advantage of the lawful heir.
gpt
Sooner shall it perish!