按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
dozen； when he drew up at last before a young man and a young lady
whose tall persons and gallant carriage I thought I recognised。
It was impossible at such a distance that I could be sure； but the
thought was sufficient； and I craned out of the embrasure to follow
them as long as possible。 To think that such emotions； that such a
concussion of the blood； may have been inspired by a chance
resemblance； and that I may have stood and thrilled there for a
total stranger！ This distant view； at least； whether of Flora or
of some one else； changed in a moment the course of my reflections。
It was all very well； and it was highly needful； I should see my
uncle； but an uncle； a great…uncle at that； and one whom I had
never seen； leaves the imagination cold； and if I were to leave the
castle； I might never again have the opportunity of finding Flora。
The little impression I had made； even supposing I had made any；
how soon it would die out！ how soon I should sink to be a phantom
memory； with which （in after days） she might amuse a husband and
children！ No； the impression must be clenched； the wax impressed
with the seal； ere I left Edinburgh。 And at this the two interests
that were now contending in my bosom came together and became one。
I wished to see Flora again； and I wanted some one to further me in
my flight and to get me new clothes。 The conclusion was apparent。
Except for persons in the garrison itself； with whom it was a point
of honour and military duty to retain me captive； I knew； in the
whole country of Scotland； these two alone。 If it were to be done
at all； they must be my helpers。 To tell them of my designed
escape while I was still in bonds； would be to lay before them a
most difficult choice。 What they might do in such a case； I could
not in the least be sure of； for （the same case arising） I was far
from sure what I should do myself。 It was plain I must escape
first。 When the harm was done； when I was no more than a poor
wayside fugitive； I might apply to them with less offence and more
security。 To this end it became necessary that I should find out
where they lived and how to reach it； and feeling a strong
confidence that they would soon return to visit me； I prepared a
series of baits with which to angle for my information。 It will be
seen the first was good enough。
Perhaps two days after； Master Ronald put in an appearance by
himself。 I had no hold upon the boy； and pretermitted my design
till I should have laid court to him and engaged his interest。 He
was prodigiously embarrassed； not having previously addressed me
otherwise than by a bow and blushes； and he advanced to me with an
air of one stubbornly performing a duty； like a raw soldier under
fire。 I laid down my carving； greeted him with a good deal of
formality； such as I thought he would enjoy； and finding him to
remain silent； branched off into narratives of my campaigns such as
Goguelat himself might have scrupled to endorse。 He visibly thawed
and brightened； drew more near to where I sat； forgot his timidity
so far as to put many questions； and at last； with another blush；
informed me he was himself expecting a commission。
'Well；' said I； 'they are fine troops； your British troops in the
Peninsula。 A young gentleman of spirit may well be proud to be
engaged at the head of such soldiers。'
'I know that；' he said； 'I think of nothing else。 I think shame to
be dangling here at home and going through with this foolery of
education； while others； no older than myself； are in the field。'
'I cannot blame you；' said I。 'I have felt the same myself。'
'There are … there are no troops； are there； quite so good as
ours？' he asked。
'Well；' said I； 'there is a point about them： they have a defect； …
they are not to be trusted in a retreat。 I have seen them behave
very ill in a retreat。'
'I believe that is our national character；' he said … God forgive
him！ … with an air of pride。
'I have seen your national character running away at least； and had
the honour to run after it！' rose to my lips； but I was not so ill
advised as to give it utterance。 Every one should be flattered；
but boys and women without stint； and I put in the rest of the
afternoon narrating to him tales of British heroism； for which I
should not like to engage that they were all true。
'I am quite surprised；' he said at last。 'People tell you the
French are insincere。 Now； I think your sincerity is beautiful。 I
think you have a noble character。 I admire you very much。 I am
very grateful for your kindness to … to one so young；' and he
offered me his hand。
'I shall see you again soon？' said I。
'Oh； now！ Yes； very soon；' said he。 'I … I wish to tell you。 I
would not let Flora … Miss Gilchrist； I mean … come to…day。 I
wished to see more of you myself。 I trust you are not offended：
you know； one should be careful about strangers。'
I approved his caution； and he took himself away： leaving me in a
mixture of contrarious feelings； part ashamed to have played on one
so gullible； part raging that I should have burned so much incense
before the vanity of England； yet； in the bottom of my soul；
delighted to think I had made a friend … or； at least； begun to
make a friend … of Flora's brother。
As I had half expected； both made their appearance the next day。 I
struck so fine a shade betwixt the pride that is allowed to
soldiers and the sorrowful humility that befits a captive； that I
declare； as I went to meet them； I might have afforded a subject
for a painter。 So much was high comedy； I must confess； but so
soon as my eyes lighted full on her dark face and eloquent eyes；
the blood leaped into my cheeks … and that was nature！ I thanked
them； but not the least with exultation； it was my cue to be
mournful； and to take the pair of them as one。
'I have been thinking；' I said； 'you have been so good to me； both
of you； stranger and prisoner as I am； that I have been thinking
how I could testify to my gratitude。 It may seem a strange subject
for a confidence； but there is actually no one here； even of my
comrades； that knows me by my name and title。 By these I am called
plain Champdivers； a name to which I have a right； but not the name
which I should bear； and which （but a little while ago） I must hide
like a crime。 Miss Flora； suffer me to present to you the Vicomte
Anne de Keroual de Saint…Yves； a private soldier。'
'I knew it！' cried the boy； 'I knew he was a noble！'
And I thought the eyes of Miss Flora said the same； but more
persuasively。 All through this interview she kept them on the
ground； or only gave them to me for a moment at a time； and with a
serious sweetness。
'You may conceive； my friends； that this is rather a painful
confession；' I continued。 'To stand here before you； vanquished； a