human
Dinna curse him, sir, said the old woman;
gpt
I have heard a good man say that a curse was like a stone flung up to the heavens, and maist like to return on the head that sent it. But if ye ken Lord Evandale, bid him look to himsell, for I hear strange words pass atween the sodgers that are lying here, and his name is often mentioned; and the tane o' them has been twice up at Tillietudlem. He's a kind of favourite wi' the laird, though he was in former times ane o' the maist cruel oppressors ever rade through a country (out-taken Sergeant Bothwell),--they ca' him Inglis.
human
I have the deepest interest in Lord Evandale's safety, said Morton,
gpt
Do I know whom?
human
Quintin Mackell of Irongray, repeated Morton.
gpt
Is there anything so alarming in the sound of that name?
human
Na, na, answered the woman, with hesitation;
gpt
None by my means, I assure you, said Morton;
human
Do not mention his name, said the widow, pressing his lips with her fingers.
gpt
I see you have his secret and his pass-word, and I'll be free wi' you. But, for God's sake, speak lound and low. In the name of Heaven, I trust ye seek him not to his hurt! Ye said ye were a sodger?
human
I said truly; but one he has nothing to fear from. I commanded a party at Bothwell Bridge.
gpt
Indeed? said the woman.
human
And verily there is something in your voice I can trust. Ye speak prompt and readily, and like an honest man.
gpt
I trust I am so,
human
But nae displeasure to you, sir, in thae waefu' times, continued Mrs. Maclure,
gpt
I'll tell ye, said the blind woman, first assuming an attitude of listening that showed how effectually her powers of collecting intelligence had been transferred from the eye to the ear; for, instead of casting a glance of circumspection around, she stooped her face, and turned her head slowly around, in such a manner as to insure that there was not the slightest sound stirring in the neighbourhood, and then continued,--
human
I'll tell ye. Ye ken how he has laboured to raise up again the Covenant, burned, broken, and buried in the hard hearts and selfish devices of this stubborn people. Now, when he went to Holland, far from the countenance and thanks of the great, and the comfortable fellowship of the godly, both whilk he was in right to expect, the Prince of Orange wad show him no favour, and the ministers no godly communion. This was hard to bide for ane that had suffered and done mickle,--ower mickle, it may be; but why suld I be a judge? He came back to me and to the auld place o' refuge that had often received him in his distresses, mair especially before the great day of victory at Drumclog, for I sail ne'er forget how he was bending hither of a' nights in the year on that e'ening after the play when young Milnwood wan the popinjay; but I warned him off for that time.
gpt
What! exclaimed Morton,
human
In the name of Heaven! wha are ye? said the old woman, breaking off her narrative in astonishment.
gpt
But be wha ye may, she continued, resuming it with tranquillity,
human
I know no ill of you, Mrs. Maclure, and I mean no ill by you; I only wished to show you that I know so much of this person's affairs that I might be safely intrusted with the rest. Proceed, if you please, in your narrative.
gpt
There is a strange command in your voice, said the blind woman,
human
In short, said Morton, desirous to stop a discussion which the good old woman, as enthusiastically attached to her religious profession as to the duties of humanity, might probably have indulged longer,--
gpt
In short, you are not disposed to acquiesce in this new government, and Burley is of the same opinion?
human
Many of our brethren, sir, are of belief we fought for the Covenant, and fasted and prayed and suffered for that grand national league, and now we are like neither to see nor hear tell of that which we suffered and fought and fasted and prayed for. And anes it was thought something might be made by bringing back the auld family on a new bargain and a new bottom, as, after a', when King James went awa, I understand the great quarrel of the English against him was in behalf of seven unhallowed prelates; and sae, though ae part of our people were free to join wi' the present model, and levied an armed regiment under the Yerl of Angus, yet our honest friend, and others that stude up for purity of doctrine and freedom of conscience, were determined to hear the breath o' the Jacobites before they took part again them, fearing to fa' to the ground like a wall built with unslaked mortar, or from sitting between twa stools.
gpt
They chose an odd quarter, said Morton,
human
Oh, dear sir! said the landlady,
gpt
And Burley went to the north to seek it?
human
Truly ay, sir; and he saw Claver'se himsell, that they ca' Dundee now.
gpt
What! exclaimed Morton, in amazement;
human
I would have sworn that meeting would have been the last of one of their lives.
gpt
Na, na, sir; in troubled times, as I understand, said Mrs. Maclure,
human
The enemy? said Morton;
gpt
What enemy?
human
What enemy? Are ye acquainted familiarly wi' John Balfour o' Burley, and dinna ken that he has had sair and frequent combats to sustain against the Evil One? Did ye ever see him alone but the Bible was in his hand, and the drawn sword on his knee? Did ye never sleep in the same room wi' him, and hear him strive in his dreams with the delusions of Satan? Oh, ye ken little o' him if ye have seen him only in fair daylight; for nae man can put the face upon his doleful visits and strifes that he can do. I hae seen him, after sic a strife of agony, tremble that an infant might hae held him, while the hair on his brow was drapping as fast as ever my puir thatched roof did in a heavy rain.