第88章 A LEGEND OF MONTROSE.(81)

Angus answered somewhat sulkily,that "he was no makebate,or stirrer-up of quarrels;he would rather be a peacemaker.His brother knew as well as most men how to resent his own quarrels --as for Allan's mode of receiving information,it was generally believed he had other sources than those of ordinary couriers.

He should not be surprised if they saw him sooner than they expected."

A promise that he would not interfere,was the farthest to which Montrose could bring this man,thoroughly good-tempered as he was on all occasions,save when his pride,interest,or prejudices,were interfered with.And at this point the Marquis was fain to leave the matter for the present.

A more willing guest at the bridal ceremony,certainly a more willing attendant at the marriage feast,was to be expected in Sir Dugald Dalgetty,whom Montrose resolved to invite,as having been a confidant to the circumstances which preceded it.But even Sir Dugald hesitated,looked on the elbows of his doublet,and the knees of his leather breeches,and mumbled out a sort of reluctant acquiescence in the invitation,providing he should find it possible,after consulting with the noble bridegroom.

Montrose was somewhat surprised,but scorning to testify displeasure,he left Sir Dugald to pursue his own course.

This carried him instantly to the chamber of the bride-groom,who,amidst the scanty wardrobe which his camp-equipage afforded,was seeking for such articles as might appear to the best advantage upon the approaching occasion.Sir Dugald entered,and paid his compliments,with a very grave face,upon his approaching happiness,which,he said,"he was very sorry he was prevented from witnessing."

"In plain truth,"said he,"I should but disgrace the ceremony,seeing that I lack a bridal garment.Rents,and open seams,and tatters at elbows in the apparel of the assistants,might presage a similar solution of continuity in your matrimonial happiness --and to say truth,my lord,you yourself must partly have the blame of this disappointment,in respect you sent me upon a fool's errand to get a buff-coat out of the booty taken by the Camerons,whereas you might as well have sent me to fetch a pound of fresh butter out of a black dog's throat.I had no answer,my lord,but brandished dirks and broadswords,and a sort of growling and jabbering in what they call their language.For my part,I believe these Highlanders to be no better than absolute pagans,and have been much scandalized by the manner in which my acquaintance,Ranald MacEagh,was pleased to beat his final march,a little while since."

In Menteith's state of mind,disposed to be pleased with everything,and everybody,the grave complaint of Sir Dugald furnished additional amusement.He requested his acceptance of a very handsome buff-dress which was lying on the floor."I had intended it,"he said,"for my own bridal-garment,as being the least formidable of my warlike equipments,and I have here no peaceful dress."

Sir Dugald made the necessary apologies--would not by any means deprive--and so forth,until it happily occurred to him that it was much more according to military rule that the Earl should be married in his back and breast pieces,which dress he had seen the bridegroom wear at the union of Prince Leo of Wittlesbach with the youngest daughter of old George Frederick,of Saxony,under the auspices of the gallant Gustavus Adolphus,the Lion of the North,and so forth.The good-natured young Earl laughed,and acquiesced;and thus having secured at least one merry face at his bridal,he put on a light and ornamented cuirass,concealed partly by a velvet coat,and partly by a broad blue silk scarf,which he wore over his shoulder,agreeably to his rank,and the fashion of the times.

Everything was now arranged;and it had been settled that,according to the custom of the country,the bride and bridegroom should not again meet until they were before the altar.The hour had already struck that summoned the bridegroom thither,and he only waited in a small anteroom adjacent to the chapel,for the Marquis,who condescended to act as bride's-man upon the occasion.Business relating to the army having suddenly required the Marquis's instant attention,Menteith waited his return,it may be supposed,in some impatience;and when he heard the door of the apartment open,he said,laughing,"You are late upon parade."

"You will find I am too early,"said Allan M'Aulay,who burst into the apartment."Draw,Menteith,and defend yourself like a man,or die like a dog!"

"You are mad,Allan!"answered Menteith,astonished alike at his sudden appearance,and at the unutterable fury of his demeanour.

His cheeks were livid--his eyes started from their sockets--his lips were covered with foam,and his gestures were those of a demoniac.

"You lie,traitor!"was his frantic reply--"you lie in that,as you lie in all you have said to me.Your life is a lie!"

"Did I not speak my thoughts when I called you mad,"said Menteith,indignantly,"your own life were a brief one.In what do you charge me with deceiving you?"

"You told me,"answered M'Aulay,"that you would not marry Annot Lyle!--False traitor!--she now waits you at the altar."

"It is you who speak false,"retorted Menteith."I told you the obscurity of her birth was the only bar to our union--that is now removed;and whom do you think yourself,that I should yield up my pretensions in your favour?"

"Draw then,"said M'Aulay;"we understand each other."

"Not now,"said Menteith,"and not here.Allan,you know me well--wait till to-morrow,and you shall have fighting enough."

"This hour--this instant--or never,"answered M'Aulay.