The Fortunes of Nigel

Chapter 15

Lord Glenvarloch repaired thither to dispel the unpleasant reflections

which had been suggested by his parting with his trusty squire, Richie

Moniplies, in a manner which was agreeable neither to his pride nor

his feelings; and by the corroboration which the hints of his late

attendant had received from the anonymous letter mentioned in the end

of the last chapter.

There was a considerable number of company in the Park when he entered

it, but, his present state of mind inducing him to avoid society, he

kept aloof from the more frequented walks towards Westminster and

Whitehall, and drew to the north, or, as we should now say, the

Piccadilly verge of the enclosure, believing he might there enjoy, or

rather combat, his own thoughts unmolested.

In this, however, Lord Glenvarloch was mistaken; for, as he strolled

slowly along with his arms folded in his cloak, and his hat drawn over

his eyes, he was suddenly pounced upon by Sir Mungo Malagrowther, who,

either shunning or shunned, had retreated, or had been obliged to

retreat, to the same less frequented corner of the Park.

Nigel started when he heard the high, sharp, and querulous tones of

the knight's cracked voice, and was no less alarmed when he beheld his

tall thin figure hobbling towards him, wrapped in a thread-bare cloak,

on whose surface ten thousand varied stains eclipsed the original

scarlet, and having his head surmounted with a well-worn beaver,

bearing a black velvet band for a chain, and a capon's feather for an

ostrich plume.

Lord Glenvarloch would fain have made his escape, but, as our motto

intimates, a leveret had as little chance to free herself of an

experienced greyhound. Sir Mungo, to continue the simile, had long ago

learned to run cunning, and make sure of mouthing his game. So Nigel

found himself compelled to stand and answer the hackneyed question--

"What news to-day?"

"Nothing extraordinary, I believe," answered the young nobleman,

attempting to pass on.

"O, ye are ganging to the French ordinary belive," replied the knight;

"but it is early day yet--we will take a turn in the Park in the

meanwhile--it will sharpen your appetite."

So saying, he quietly slipped his arm under Lord Glenvarloch's, in

spite of all the decent reluctance which his victim could exhibit, by

keeping his elbow close to his side; and having fairly grappled the

prize, he proceeded to take it in tow.

Nigel was sullen and silent, in hopes to shake off his unpleasant

companion; but Sir Mungo was determined, that if he did not speak, he

should at least hear.

"Ye are bound for the ordinary, my lord?" said the cynic;--"weel, ye

canna do better--there is choice company there, and peculiarly

selected, as I am tauld, being, dootless, sic as it is desirable that

young noblemen should herd withal--and your noble father wad have been

blithe to see you keeping such worshipful society."

"I believe," said Lord Glenvarloch, thinking himself obliged to say

something, "that the society is as good as generally can be found in

such places, where the door can scarcely be shut against those who

come to spend their money."

"Right, my lord--vera right," said his tormentor, bursting out into a

chuckling, but most discordant laugh. "These citizen chuffs and clowns

will press in amongst us, when there is but an inch of a door open.

And what remedy?--Just e'en this, that as their cash gies them

confidence, we should strip them of it. Flay them, my lord--singe them

as the kitchen wench does the rats, and then they winna long to come

back again.--Ay, ay--pluck them, plume them--and then the larded

capons will not be for flying so high a wing, my lord, among the goss-

hawks and sparrow-hawks, and the like."

And, therewithal, Sir Mungo fixed on Nigel his quick, sharp, grey eye,

watching the effect of his sarcasm as keenly as the surgeon, in a

delicate operation, remarks the progress of his anatomical scalpel.

Nigel, however willing to conceal his sensations, could not avoid

gratifying his tormentor by wincing under the operation. He coloured

with vexation and anger; but a quarrel with Sir Mungo Malagrowther

would, he felt, be unutterably ridiculous; and he only muttered to

himself the words, "Impertinent coxcomb!" which, on this occasion, Sir

Mungo's imperfection of organ did not prevent him from hearing and

replying to.

"Ay, ay--vera true," exclaimed the caustic old courtier--"Impertinent

coxcombs they are, that thus intrude themselves on the society of

their betters; but your lordship kens how to gar them as gude--ye have

the trick on't.--They had a braw sport in the presence last Friday,

how ye suld have routed a young shopkeeper, horse and foot, ta'en his

_spolia ofima_, and a' the specie he had about him, down to the very

silver buttons of his cloak, and sent him to graze with

Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon. Muckle honour redounded to your

lordship thereby.--We were tauld the loon threw himsell into the

Thames in a fit of desperation. There's enow of them behind--there was

mair tint on Flodden-edge."

"You have been told a budget of lies, so far as I am concerned, Sir

Mungo," said Nigel, speaking loud and sternly.

"Vera likely--vera likely," said the unabashed and undismayed Sir

Mungo; "naething but lies are current in the circle.--So the chield is

not drowned, then?--the mair's the pity.--But I never believed that

part of the story--a London dealer has mair wit in his anger. I dare

swear the lad has a bonny broom-shank in his hand by this time, and is

scrubbing the kennels in quest after rusty nails, to help him to begin

his pack again.--He has three bairns, they say; they will help him

bravely to grope in the gutters. Your good lordship may have the

ruining of him again, my lord, if they have any luck in strand-

scouring."

"This is more than intolerable," said Nigel, uncertain whether to make

an angry vindication of his character, or to fling the old tormentor

from his arm. But an instant's recollection convinced him, that, to do

either, would only give an air of truth and consistency to the

scandals which he began to see were affecting his character, both in

the higher and lower circles. Hastily, therefore, he formed the wiser

resolution, to endure Sir Mungo's studied impertinence, under the hope

of ascertaining, if possible, from what source those reports arose

which were so prejudicial to his reputation.

Sir Mungo, in the meanwhile, caught up, as usual, Nigel's last words,

or rather the sound of them, and amplified and interpreted them in his

own way. "Tolerable luck!" he repeated; "yes, truly, my lord, I am

told that you have tolerable luck, and that ye ken weel how to use

that jilting quean, Dame Fortune, like a canny douce lad, willing to

warm yourself in her smiles, without exposing yourself to her frowns.

And that is what I ca' having luck in a bag."

"Sir Mungo Malagrowther," said Lord Glenvarloch, turning towards him

seriously, "have the goodness to hear me for a moment."

"As weel as I can, my lord--as weel as I can," said Sir Mungo, shaking

his head, and pointing the finger of his left hand to his ear.

"I will try to speak very distinctly," said Nigel, arming himself with

patience. "You take me for a noted gamester; I give you my word that

you have not been rightly informed--I am none such. You owe me some

explanation, at least, respecting the source from which you have

derived such false information."

"I never heard ye were a _great_ gamester, and never thought or said

ye were such, my lord," said Sir Mungo, who found it impossible to

avoid hearing what Nigel said with peculiarly deliberate and distinct

pronunciation." I repeat it--I never heard, said, or thought that you

were a ruffling gamester,--such as they call those of the first head.

--Look you, my lord, I call _him_ a gamester, that plays with equal

stakes and equal skill, and stands by the fortune of the game, good or

bad; and I call _him_ a ruffling gamester, or ane of the first head,

who ventures frankly and deeply upon such a wager. But he, my lord,

who has the patience and prudence never to venture beyond small game,

such as, at most, might crack the Christmas-box of a grocer's

'prentice, who vies with those that have little to hazard, and who

therefore, having the larger stock, can always rook them by waiting

for his good fortune, and by rising from the game when luck leaves

him--such a one as he, my lord, I do not call a _great_ gamester, to

whatever other name he may be entitled."

"And such a mean-spirited, sordid wretch, you would infer that I am,"

replied Lord Glenvarloch; "one who fears the skilful, and preys upon

the ignorant--who avoids playing with his equals, that he may make

sure of pillaging his inferiors?--Is this what I am to understand has

been reported of me?"

"Nay, my lord, you will gain nought by speaking big with me," said Sir

Mungo, who, besides that his sarcastic humour was really supported by

a good fund of animal courage, had also full reliance on the

immunities which he had derived from the broadsword of Sir Rullion

Rattray, and the baton of the satellites employed by the Lady Cockpen.

"And for the truth of the matter," he continued, "your lordship best

knows whether you ever lost more than five pieces at a time since you

frequented Beaujeu's--whether you have not most commonly risen a

winner--and whether the brave young gallants who frequent the

ordinary--I mean those of noble rank, and means conforming--are in use

to play upon those terms?"

"My father was right," said Lord Glenvarloch, in the bitterness of his

spirit; "and his curse justly followed me when I first entered that

place. There is contamination in the air, and he whose fortune avoids

ruin, shall be blighted in his honour and reputation."

Sir Mungo, who watched his victim with the delighted yet wary eye of

an experienced angler, became now aware, that if he strained the line

on him too tightly, there was every risk of his breaking hold. In

order to give him room, therefore, to play, he protested that Lord

Glenvarloch "should not take his free speech _in malam partem_. If you

were a trifle ower sicker in your amusement, my lord, it canna be

denied that it is the safest course to prevent farther endangerment of

your somewhat dilapidated fortunes; and if ye play with your

inferiors, ye are relieved of the pain of pouching the siller of your

friends and equals; forby, that the plebeian knaves have had the

advantage, _tecum certasse_, as Ajax Telamon sayeth, _apud

Metamorphoseos_; and for the like of them to have played with ane

Scottish nobleman is an honest and honourable consideration to

compensate the loss of their stake, whilk, I dare say, moreover, maist

of the churls can weel afford."

"Be that as it may, Sir Mungo," said Nigel, "I would fain know--"

"Ay, ay," interrupted Sir Mungo; "and, as you say, who cares whether

the fat bulls of Bashan can spare it or no? gentlemen are not to limit

their sport for the like of them."

"I wish to know, Sir Mungo," said Lord Glenvarloch, "in what company

you have learned these offensive particulars respecting me?"

"Dootless--dootless, my lord," said Sir Mungo; "I have ever heard, and

have ever reported, that your lordship kept the best of company in a

private way.--There is the fine Countess of Blackchester, but I think

she stirs not much abroad since her affair with his Grace of

Buckingham; and there is the gude auld-fashioned Scottish nobleman,

Lord Huntinglen, an undeniable man of quality--it is pity but he could

keep caup and can frae his head, whilk now and then doth'minish his

reputation. And there is the gay young Lord Dalgarno, that carries the

craft of gray hairs under his curled love-locks--a fair race they are,

father, daughter, and son, all of the same honourable family. I think

we needna speak of George Heriot, honest man, when we have nobility in

question. So that is the company I have heard of your keeping, my

lord, out-taken those of the ordinary."

"My company has not, indeed, been much more extended than amongst

those you mention," said Lord Glenvarloch; "but in short--"

"To Court?" said Sir Mungo, "that was just what I was going to say--

Lord Dalgarno says he cannot prevail on ye to come to Court, and that

does ye prejudice, my lord--the king hears of you by others, when he

should see you in person--I speak in serious friendship, my lord. His

Majesty, when you were named in the circle short while since, was

heard to say, _'Jacta est alea!_--Glenvarlochides is turned dicer and

drinker.'--My Lord Dalgarno took your part, and he was e'en borne down

by the popular voice of the courtiers, who spoke of you as one who had

betaken yourself to living a town life, and risking your baron's

coronet amongst the flatcaps of the city."

"And this was publicly spoken of me," said Nigel, "and in the king's

presence?"

"Spoken openly?" repeated Sir Mungo Malagrowther; "ay, by my troth was

it--that is to say, it was whispered privately--whilk is as open

promulgation as the thing permitted; for ye may think the Court is not

like a place where men are as sib as Simmie and his brother, and roar

out their minds as if they were at an ordinary."

"A curse on the Court and the ordinary both!" cried Nigel,

impatiently.

"With all my heart," said the knight; "I have got little by a knight's

service in the Court; and the last time I was at the ordinary, I lost

four angels."

"May I pray of you, Sir Mungo, to let me know," said Nigel, "the names

of those who thus make free with the character of one who can be but

little known to them, and who never injured any of them?"

"Have I not told you already," answered Sir Mungo, "that the king said

something to that effect--so did the Prince too;--and such being the

case, ye may take it on your corporal oath, that every man in the

circle who was not silent, sung the same song as they did."

"You said but now," replied Glenvarloch, "that Lord Dalgarno

interfered in my behalf."

"In good troth did he," answered Sir Mungo, with a sneer; "but the

young nobleman was soon borne down--by token, he had something of a

catarrh, and spoke as hoarse as a roopit raven. Poor gentleman, if he

had had his full extent of voice, he would have been as well listened

to, dootless, as in a cause of his ain, whilk no man kens better how

to plead to purpose.--And let me ask you, by the way," continued Sir

Mungo, "whether Lord Dalgarno has ever introduced your lordship to the

Prince, or the Duke of Buckingham, either of whom might soon carry

through your suit?"

"I have no claim on the favour of either the Prince or the Duke of

Buckingham," said Lord Glenvarloch.--"As you seem to have made my

affairs your study, Sir Mungo, although perhaps something

unnecessarily, you may have heard that I have petitioned my Sovereign

for p*****t of a debt due to my family. I cannot doubt the king's

desire to do justice, nor can I in decency employ the solicitation of

his Highness the Prince, or his Grace the Duke of Buckingham, to

obtain from his Majesty what either should be granted me as a right,

or refused altogether."

Sir Mungo twisted his whimsical features into one of his most

grotesque sneers, as he replied--

"It is a vera clear and parspicuous position of the case, my lord; and

in relying thereupon, you show an absolute and unimprovable

acquaintance with the King, Court, and mankind in general.-But whom

have we got here?--Stand up, my lord, and make way--by my word of

honour, they are the very men we spoke of--talk of the devil, and--

humph!"

It must be here premised, that, during the conversation, Lord

Glenvarloch, perhaps in the hope of shaking himself free of Sir Mungo,

had directed their walk towards the more frequented part of the Park;

while the good knight had stuck to him, being totally indifferent

which way they went, provided he could keep his talons clutched upon

his companion. They were still, however, at some distance from the

livelier part of the scene, when Sir Mungo's experienced eye noticed

the appearances which occasioned the latter part of his speech to Lord

Glenvarloch. A low respectful murmur arose among the numerous groups

of persons which occupied the lower part of the Park. They first

clustered together, with their faces turned towards Whitehall, then

fell back on either hand to give place to a splendid party of

gallants, who, advancing from the Palace, came onward through the

Park; all the other company drawing off the pathway, and standing

uncovered as they passed.

Most of these courtly gallants were dressed in the garb which the

pencil of Vandyke has made familiar even at the distance of nearly two

centuries; and which was just at this period beginning to supersede

the more fluttering and frivolous dress which had been adopted from

the French Court of Henri Quatre.

The whole train were uncovered excepting the Prince of Wales,

afterwards the most unfortunate of British monarchs, who came onward,

having his long curled auburn tresses, and his countenance, which,

even in early youth, bore a shade of anticipated melancholy, shaded by

the Spanish hat and the single ostrich feather which drooped from it.

On his right hand was Buckingham, whose commanding, and at the same

time graceful, deportment, threw almost into shade the personal

demeanour and majesty of the Prince on whom he attended. The eye,

movements, and gestures of the great courtier were so composed, so

regularly observant of all etiquette belonging to his situation, as to

form a marked and strong contrast with the forward gaiety and

frivolity by which he recommended himself to the favour of his "dear

dad and gossip," King James. A singular fate attended this

accomplished courtier, in being at once the reigning favourite of a

father and son so very opposite in manners, that, to ingratiate

himself with the youthful Prince, he was obliged to compress within

the strictest limits of respectful observance the frolicsome and free

humour which captivated his aged father.

It is true, Buckingham well knew the different dispositions both of

James and Charles, and had no difficulty in so conducting himself as

to maintain the highest post in the favour of both. It has indeed been

supposed, as we before hinted, that the duke, when he had completely

possessed himself of the affections of Charles, retained his hold in

those of the father only by the tyranny of custom; and that James,

could he have brought himself to form a vigorous resolution, was, in

the latter years of his life especially, not unlikely to have

discarded Buckingham from his counsels and favour. But if ever the

king indeed meditated such a change, he was too timid, and too much

accustomed to the influence which the duke had long exercised over

him, to summon up resolution enough for effecting such a purpose; and

at all events it is certain, that Buckingham, though surviving the

master by whom he was raised, had the rare chance to experience no

wane of the most splendid court-favour during two reigns, until it was

at once eclipsed in his blood by the dagger of his assassin Felton.

To return from this digression: The Prince, with his train, advanced,

and were near the place where Lord Glenvarloch and Sir Mungo had stood

aside, according to form, in order to give the Prince passage, and to

pay the usual marks of respect. Nigel could now remark that Lord

Dalgarno walked close behind the Duke of Buckingham, and, as he

thought, whispered something in his ear as they came onward. At any

rate, both the Prince's and Duke of Buckingham's attention seemed to

be directed by such circumstance towards Nigel, for they turned their

heads in that direction and looked at him attentively--the Prince with

a countenance, the grave, melancholy expression of which was blended

with severity; while Buckingham's looks evinced some degree of

scornful triumph. Lord Dalgarno did not seem to observe his friend,

perhaps because the sunbeams fell from the side of the walk on which

Nigel stood, obliging Malcolm to hold up his hat to screen his eyes.

As the Prince passed, Lord Glenvarloch and Sir Mungo bowed, as respect

required; and the Prince, returning their obeisance with that grave

ceremony which paid to every rank its due, but not a tittle beyond it,

signed to Sir Mungo to come forward. Commencing an apology for his

lameness as he started, which he had just completed as his hobbling

gait brought him up to the Prince, Sir Mungo lent an attentive, and,

as it seemed, an intelligent ear, to questions, asked in a tone so

low, that the knight would certainly have been deaf to them had they

been put to him by any one under the rank of Prince of Wales. After

about a minute's conversation, the Prince bestowed on Nigel the

embarrassing notice of another fixed look, touched his hat slightly to

Sir Mungo, and walked on.

"It is even as I suspected, my lord," said Sir Mungo, with an air

which he designed to be melancholy and sympathetic, but which, in

fact, resembled the grin of an ape when he has mouthed a scalding

chestnut--"Ye have back-friends, my lord, that is, unfriends--or, to

be plain, enemies--about the person of the Prince."

"I am sorry to hear it," said Nigel; "but I would I knew what they

accuse me of."

"Ye shall hear, my lord," said Sir Mungo, "the Prince's vera words--

'Sir Mungo,' said he, 'I rejoice to see you, and am glad your

rheumatic troubles permit you to come hither for exercise.'--I bowed,

as in duty bound--ye might remark, my lord, that I did so, whilk

formed the first branch of our conversation.--His Highness then

demanded of me, 'if he with whom I stood, was the young Lord

Glenvarloch.' I answered, 'that you were such, for his Highness's

service;' whilk was the second branch.--Thirdly, his Highness,

resuming the argument, said, that 'truly he had been told so,'

(meaning that he had been told you were that personage,) 'but that he

could not believe, that the heir of that noble and decayed house could

be leading an idle, scandalous, and precarious life, in the eating-

houses and taverns of London, while the king's drums were beating, and

colours flying in Germany in the cause of the Palatine, his son-in-

law.'--I could, your lordship is aware, do nothing but make an

obeisance; and a gracious 'Give ye good-day, Sir Mungo Malagrowther,'

licensed me to fall back to your lordship. And now, my lord, if your

business or pleasure calls you to the ordinary, or anywhere in the

direction of the city--why, have with you; for, dootless, ye will

think ye have tarried lang enough in the Park, as they will likely

turn at the head of the walk, and return this way--and you have a

broad hint, I think, not to cross the Prince's presence in a hurry."

"_You_ may stay or go as you please, Sir Mungo," said Nigel, with an

expression of calm, but deep resentment; "but, for my own part, my

resolution is taken. I will quit this public walk for pleasure of no

man--still less will I quit it like one unworthy to be seen in places

of public resort. I trust that the Prince and his retinue will return

this way as you expect; for I will abide, Sir Mungo, and beard them."

"Beard them!" exclaimed Sir Mungo, in the extremity of surprise,--

"Beard the Prince of Wales--the heir-apparent of the kingdoms!--By my

saul, you shall beard him yourself then."

Accordingly, he was about to leave Nigel very hastily, when some

unwonted touch of good-natured interest in his youth and experience,

seemed suddenly to soften his habitual cynicism.

"The devil is in me for an auld fule!" said Sir Mungo; "but I must

needs concern mysell--I that owe so little either to fortune or my

fellow-creatures, must, I say, needs concern mysell--with this

springald, whom I will warrant to be as obstinate as a pig possessed

with a devil, for it's the cast of his family; and yet I maun e'en

fling away some sound advice on him.--My dainty young Lord

Glenvarloch, understand me distinctly, for this is no bairn's-play.

When the Prince said sae much to me as I have repeated to you, it was

equivalent to a command not to appear in his presence; wherefore take

an auld man's advice that wishes you weel, and maybe a wee thing

better than he has reason to wish ony body. Jouk, and let the jaw gae

by, like a canny bairn--gang hame to your lodgings, keep your foot

frae taverns, and your fingers frae the dice-box; compound your

affairs quietly wi' some ane that has better favour than yours about

Court, and you will get a round spell of money to carry you to

Germany, or elsewhere, to push your fortune. It was a fortunate

soldier that made your family four or five hundred years syne, and, if

you are brave and fortunate, you may find the way to repair it. But,

take my word for it, that in this Court you will never thrive."

When Sir Mungo had completed his exhortation, in which there was more

of sincere sympathy with another's situation, than he had been

heretofore known to express in behalf of any one, Lord Glenvarloch

replied, "I am obliged to you, Sir Mungo--you have spoken, I think,

with sincerity, and I thank you. But in return for your good advice, I

heartily entreat you to leave me; I observe the Prince and his train

are returning down the walk, and you may prejudice yourself, but

cannot help me, by remaining with me."

"And that is true,"--said Sir Mungo; "yet, were I ten years younger, I

would be tempted to stand by you, and gie them the meeting. But at

threescore and upward, men's courage turns cauldrife; and they that

canna win a living, must not endanger the small sustenance of their

age. I wish you weel through, my lord, but it is an unequal fight." So

saying, he turned and limped away; often looking back, however, as if

his natural spirit, even in its present subdued state, aided by his

love of contradiction and of debate, rendered him unwilling to adopt

the course necessary for his own security.

Thus abandoned by his companion, whose departure he graced with better

thoughts of him than those which he bestowed on his appearance, Nigel

remained with his arms folded, and reclining against a solitary tree

which overhung the path, making up his mind to encounter a moment

which he expected to be critical of his fate. But he was mistaken in

supposing that the Prince of Wales would either address him, or admit

him to expostulation, in such a public place as the Park. He did not

remain unnoticed, however, for, when he made a respectful but haughty

obeisance, intimating in look and manner that he was possessed of, and

undaunted by, the unfavourable opinion which the Prince had so lately

expressed, Charles returned his reverence with such a frown, as is

only given by those whose frown is authority and decision. The train

passed on, the Duke of Buckingham not even appearing to see Lord

Glenvarloch; while Lord Dalgarno, though no longer incommoded by the

sunbeams, kept his eyes, which had perhaps been dazzled by their

former splendour, bent upon the ground.

Lord Glenvarloch had difficulty to restrain an indignation, to which,

in the circumstances, it would have been madness to have given vent.

He started from his reclining posture, and followed the Prince's train

so as to keep them distinctly in sight; which was very easy, as they

walked slowly. Nigel observed them keep their road towards the Palace,

where the Prince turned at the gate and bowed to the noblemen in

attendance, in token of dismissing them, and entered the Palace,

accompanied only by the Duke of Buckingham, and one or two of his

equerries. The rest of the train, having returned in

all dutiful humility the farewell of the Prince, began to disperse

themselves through the Park.

All this was carefully noticed by Lord Glenvarloch, who, as he

adjusted his cloak, and drew his sword-belt round so as to bring the

hilt closer to his hand, muttered--"Dalgarno shall explain all this to

me, for it is evident that he is in the secret!"