第48章

But it was not in the power of wine or brandy to elevate the spirits of those who held the higher places at the banquet.They experienced the chilling revulsion of spirits which often takes place, when men are called upon to take a desperate resolution, after having placed themselves in circumstances where it is alike difficult to advance or to recede.The precipice looked deeper and more dangerous as they approached the brink, and each waited with an inward emotion of awe, expecting which of his confederates would set the example by plunging himself down.This inward sensation of fear and reluctance acted differently, according to the various habits and characters of the company.One looked grave; another looked silly; a third gazed with apprehension on the empty seats at the higher end of the table, designed for members of the conspiracy whose prudence had prevailed over their political zeal, and who had absented themselves from their consultations at this critical period; and some seemed to be reckoning up in their minds the comparative rank and prospects of those who were present and absent.Sir Frederick Langley was reserved, moody, and discontented.Ellieslaw himself made such forced efforts to raise the spirits of the company, as plainly marked the flagging of his own.Ratcliffe watched the scene with the composure of a vigilantbutuninterestedspectator.Mareschalalone,truetothe thoughtless vivacity of his character, ate and drank, laughed and jested, and seemed even to find amusement in the embarrassment of the company."What has damped our noble courage this morning?"he exclaimed."We seem to be met at a funeral, where the chief mourners must not speak above their breath, while the mutes and the saulies (looking to the lower end of the table) are carousing below.Ellieslaw, when will you LIFT? [To LIFT, meaning to lift the coffin, is the common expression forcommencing a funeral.] where sleeps your spirit, man?and what has quelled the high hope of the Knight of Langley-dale?""You speak like a madman," said Ellieslaw; "do you not see how many are absent?""And what of that?" said Mareschal."Did you not know before, that one-half of the world are better talkers than doers? For my part, I am much encouraged by seeing at least two-thirds of our friends true to the rendezvous, though I suspect one-half of these came to secure the dinner in case of the worst.""There is no news from the coast which can amount to certainty of the King's arrival," said another of the company, in that tone of subdued and tremulous whisper which implies a failure of resolution.

"Not a line from the Earl of D--, nor a single gentleman from the southern side of the Border," said a third.

"Who is he that wishes for more men from England," exclaimed Mareschal, in a theatrical tone of affected heroism,"My cousin Ellieslaw?No, my fair cousin,If we are doom'd to die--""For God's sake," said Ellieslaw, "spare us your folly at present, Mareschal.""Well, then," said his kinsman, "I'll bestow my wisdom upon you instead, such as it is.If we have gone forward like fools, do not let us go back like cowards.We have done enough to draw upon us both the suspicion and vengeance of the government; do not let us give up before we have done something to deserve it.--What, will no one speak? Then I'll leap the ditch the first." And, starting up, he filled a beer-glass to the brim with claret, and waving his hand, commanded all to follow his example, and to rise up from their seats.All obeyed-the more qualified guests as if passively, the others with enthusiasm "Then, my friends, I give you the pledge of the day--The independence of Scotland, and the health of our lawful sovereign, King James the Eighth, now landed in Lothian, and, as I trust and believe, in full possession of his ancient capital!"He quaffed off the wine, and threw the glass over his head."It should never," he said, "be profaned by a meaner toast."All followed his example, and, amid the crash of glasses and the shouts of the company, pledged themselves to stand or fall with the principles and political interest which their toast expressed.

"You have leaped the ditch with a witness," said Ellieslaw, apart to Mareschal; "but I believe it is all for the best; at all events, we cannot now retreat from our undertaking.One man alone" (looking at Ratcliffe) "has refused the pledge; but of that by and by."Then, rising up, he addressed the company in a style of inflammatory invective against the government and its measures, but especially the Union; a treaty, by means of which, he affirmed, Scotland had been at once cheated of her independence, her commerce, and her honour, and laid as a fettered slave at the foot of the rival against whom, through such a length of ages, through so many dangers, and by so much blood, she had honourably defended her rights.This was touching a theme which found a responsive chord in the bosom of every man present.

"Our commerce is destroyed," hollowed old John Rewcastle, a Jedburgh smuggler, from the lower end of the table.

"Our agriculture is ruined," said the Laird of Broken-girth-flow, a territory which, since the days of Adam, had borne nothing but ling and whortle-berries.

"Our religion is cut up, root and branch," said the pimple-nosed pastor of the Episcopal meeting-house at Kirkwhistle.

"We shall shortly neither dare shoot a deer nor kiss a wench, without a certificate from the presbytery and kirk-treasurer," said Mareschal-Wells.

"Or make a brandy jeroboam in a frosty morning, without license from a commissioner of excise," said the smuggler.