CHAP. VIII.
JOHN LOM'S FAREWELL TO HIS FATHER'S COTTERS.
Little did Bella McKay know the diplomacy and vile calumnies which were carried on by Lord Lundy at the castle in order to poison her father's mind against her lover, and how successfully that unprincipled nobleman had effected his purpose in gaining his end, so far, to separate herself and Charlie Stuart.
Before her father had returned from this secret council, Bella received the following affectionate and cheering epistle from George, her brother:—
"My Dear Little Sister,—Do you know that I am in the highest pitch of ecstacy on hearing the gallant manner in which my neighbour, Charlie Stuart, has eclipsed, or, in cockney parlance, taken the shine out of our proud English aristocratic sportsmen. I have just seen a letter sent by the Honorable Captain Somerville to a friend of his here, and must give the writer credit for the impartial and candid manner in which he has acknowledged the defeat. In short, I was surprised at the eulogy with which he characterised Charlie's excellence in all gentlemanly sports and personal attractions; nor does it seem, according to the gallant writer's account, that my little sister has made less progress towards feminine charms, as she is set down as the heroine or belle of the occasion; and, moreover, that she was the cause of such rivalry and competition. You little rogue; who would imagine that my shy and quiet sister would create such sensation among noblemen who are used to the attractions and brilliancy of an English court.
"What makes me more proud of Charlie's triumphs is, to show these English that our countrymen are not the ignorant set they imagine, for you could not believe how they tease me about our national deficiences; but now I can prove to them that one of our Highland striplings discomfited their noblest and most accomplished sportsmen. With kind love to father, Mr. Stuart, and, above all, to our hero.—Your affectionate Brother, George."
The happy and pleasant thoughts which the foregoing statements convoyed to Bella's mind were soon clouded on the return of her father from the castle, with a mixture of authority and sternness in his words and manner towards her he had never before shown. He told her it was his intention to leave next morning for London, with Lord Lundy and his retinue, and directed her to prepare herself, as she was to accompany them. Her heart sank within her on hearing this unexpected and unpleasant intelligence. Her pleasant dreams were at once scattered, and the hope of enjoying more happy hours in Charlie Stuart's company gave place to a dread and horror of being subjected to the annoyance and persecutions of Lord Lundy's addresses, as she had no doubt that he had deceived her father by some gross misrepresentations in his own favor.
Her first resolve was to inform Charlie Stuart of this sudden alteration in, and determination of her father; but even this hope and comfort was denied her, by her maid, Mary, informing her that Mr. McKay had given strict orders to all the servants that none of them were to leave the premises on any consideration whatever.
This mode of communication having been stopped, she turned her attention to another expedient, which had been resorted to by herself and Charlie in order to communicate any intelligence, as they had of late visited each other less frequently. This was done by using a black board, on which was written with chalk a few words; the board was then placed beneath the uplifted window, and by the aid of an eye-glass the messages could be read. Bella, on this evening, opened her window, and introduced the board, with the words "Come over" written upon it; but, alas! she received no answer to her invitation. The opposite window remained closed, and even Donald Munro failed to play his accustomed round of pibroch on the lawn. Heavy gusts of wind came from the direction of Ben Mor, raising clouds of spray on the head of Lochlinn, as if nature herself was wrath at the prospect of losing the flower of Kinlochlinn.
The despairing girl stood at her post until darkness reminded her of her duty. She then went to serve her father with his usual evening beverage. As misfortune would have it, Charlie Stuart and Donald had gone for a sail that day to the islets of Lochlinn, and before they returned a gale of wind blew out of the loch, which prevented their reaching home before dark. Charlie was greatly disappointed at not having his usual telegraphic communication with Bella. He, however, resolved upon being early at his post the next morning.
When the appointed time arrived he took his station at the window, but was surprised at seeing no signs of response to his inquiries. He commanded Donald to play his pibroch, and, as an additional favor, to play the now popular air, "Prince Charlie Salute;" but, alas! this failed, and, to his amazement, he now saw that the window was covered inside with blinds. A terrible suspicion seized him. Fearing that Bella was indisposed, he sent Donald to ascertain the truth.
Mr. Stuart and his son were at breakfast when Donald returned. Charlie, during the meal, had not taken anything, nor did he even give a correct answer to his father's inquiries.
Donald, on his return, entered the room with a mournful countenance, and handed Mr. Stuart a letter, who, having perused it with surprise, handed it to Charlie, saying, "What can you make of that?" Charlie perused it mechanically, when the following lines met his anxious gaze.
"Mr. Stuart,—Sir,—Being about leaving for London with my daughter, in company with Lord Lundy and his suite, his Lordship has directed me to inform your son, that the liberty he held from the former proprietor to shoot and fish on this estate, is now suspended—McKay."
Father and son gazed on each other, each looking for an explanation in the other's countenance. Charlie had for some time expected his Lordship's restrictions; but, how could he account for his neighbour's coolness, and the unmistakable tone of his note. Leaving without even a hint to those to whom he had always made known his intended movements, if only leaving for a short journey.
And Bella? What could he think of her? Was she also influenced by the same ambition as her father? Leaving without even a word or note for him. Yes, he thought, Lord Lundy had accomplished his purpose; the worldly McKay and his beautiful daughter were allured by the wealth and grandeur of nobility. What a blow to his hopes! the only being he loved was now to become the bride of his most inveterate enemy. His father, who perceived his changing countenance, read the struggle which was taking place in his noble heart, remarked mournfully, "I fear our neighbour has been allured by the display and grandeur of the wealthy Saxon; I expected as much when our rightful chief had unfortunately, lost his inheritance! Our name is doomed to be removed from its former exalted position and eventually take its place among inferior clans! Fate is against us, and our dearest friends are daily deserting us."
His father's touching remarks added to the distress of his mind; the world was nothing to him now, when his dear Bella was almost in the power of his hated rival without the aid of his own protection: but what! if she had become a passive auxiliary to her father's ambition. Harassed by these thoughts, he sought an interview with Donald, whom he thought would be able to throw some light on this extraordinary flitting, but he had too many distressing thoughts of his own to be able to attend to his young master's. Mary Grant was now thrown into the company of the gay and insinuating Brown, without his presence to remind her of her vows of constancy; London's attractions, he thought, would obliterate from her lively mind the rustic and simple customs of her Highland home and acquaintances.
The only information Charlie could obtain from the disconsolate Munro was, that the old housekeeper who gave him the note had told him that, the day before, her master, on coming from the Castle, held a private interview with his daughter, and that Bella and Mary Grant were busy preparing for a journey, and, by their tears, were evidently loath to leave; and, further, that Mr. M'Kay had ordered that no person was to leave the premises until after his departure, which took place at daylight that morning, leaving the note for Mr. Stuart, and saying that he should be absent for some time.
Charlie, as a last resource, sent Donald to the Post-Office to see whether any information could be procured there; but, alas! the only letters there were a few from his fellow-collegians, who were returning to the University, and one from his friend John Lom, which brought a smile to his countenance; and which, with the reader's permission, we will insert. It ran thus:—
"Dear Prince Charlie,—
"My campaign in the Highlands came to a termination this evening, and a grand finale it was; the enemy were entirely routed by a display of Popgun's artillery.
"To come to the point at once, I must inform you that I have been for some time collecting my forces for my farewell to our Cotters; in the shape of squibs, crackers, blue lights, &c., combustibles which are quite unknown to those people, and excellent inventions to represent fairy artillery.
"I duly initiated Popgun into the use of these articles, and to favor my plans, an occurrence took place this morning of which I took advantage. This was a mound, or, as it is called, a fairy fort, which is situated in the middle of a field in front of the Cotters' boothies, and which no one ever ploughed, or cut hay from, for fear of retaliation from its dreaded occupants. However, on this occasion its luxuriant crop tempted one of the Cotters, who deprived it of its coat with his sickle, to which all the others strongly protested, dreading that all would suffer from the vengeance of the fairies. Many complaints were made to the Governor of the unluckly offender, which were only smiled at, at the same time trying to dissuade them from their superstitious belief; however I always found an opportunity to strengthen them in their own fancy at parting. At dark, I proceeded to the scene of action with Popgun, taking an iron pot, a plaibeau, a kind of torch used sometimes in fishing at night, made of dried hay, besmeared with pitch or tar. This was lit and placed inside the pot, which was set on the mound. Popgun, who was dressed for the occasion in a red cap and a green glazed cotton dress, performed grotesque and strange antics in the gloomy and flickering light which escaped now and then from the pot. Indeed, the whole was produced in so perfect a manner, that, had I not been in the secret, my own faith would probably have been shaken. Having taken my station within hearing of the Cotters, what followed amply rewarded my pains. A commotion soon took place, and each boothy door was crammed with terrified spectators (the majority of whom, of course, expected such a visitation) giving vent to innumerable imprecations on the head of the unfortunate trespasser. But the best part was yet to come. When the light became nearly exhausted, Popgun, according to instructions, commenced to use the fireworks, which he let off in beautiful style. The result to me was truly gratifying. Women fainted, children screeched, old and young men prayed and moaned while they removed, as they thought, the dead and wounded to their beds.
"I was soon left alone and in my glory, at liberty to retire to my quarters, where I now sit penning my despatches. Early tomorrow morning, before the Governor becomes possessed of an account of my exploits, I shall have set out for Old Reekie, where I expect to meet you forthwith. "John Lom."
Every avenue which could have afforded Charlie Stuart amusement at his home was now closed; he therefore determined upon returning to the University, to resume his studies with renewed diligence, and drown his afflicting thoughts in the perusal of law books, a profession which his father wished him to follow, as the army held out no favourable prospects.
Charlie himself would have preferred the army, as his friend John Lom was about joining a regiment on his return to Edinburgh, but he had no influential patron to assist him; whereas one Mr. Forbes, an eminent lawyer, and friend of his father, promised to support him in that profession. He therefore took leave of his father, and his faithful servant, who, on this occasion, manifested more than ordinary sorrow at parting with his young master.