CHAPTER IV
Ay, sir, the clouted shoe hath oft times craft in't, As says the rustic proverb; and your citizen, In's grogram suit, gold chain, and well-black'd shoes, Bears under his flat cap ofttimes a brain Wiser than burns beneath the cap and feather, Or seethes within the statesman's velvet nightcap. _Read me my Riddle._
The young Scottish nobleman received the citizen with distantpoliteness, expressing that sort of reserve by which those of the higherranks are sometimes willing to make a plebeian sensible that he is anintruder. But Master George seemed neither displeased nor disconcerted.He assumed the chair, which, in deference to his respectable appearance,Lord Nigel offered to him, and said, after a moment's pause, duringwhich he had looked attentively at the young man, with respect notunmingled with emotion--"You will forgive me for this rudeness, mylord; but I was endeavouring to trace in your youthful countenance thefeatures of my good old lord, your excellent father."
There was a moment's pause ere young Glenvarloch replied, still witha reserved manner,--"I have been reckoned like my father, sir; and amhappy to see any one that respects his memory. But the business whichcalls me to this city is of a hasty as well as a private nature, and--"
"I understand the hint, my lord," said Master George, "and would notbe guilty of long detaining you from business, or more agreeableconversation. My errand is almost done when I have said that my name isGeorge Heriot, warmly befriended, and introduced into the employmentof the Royal Family of Scotland, more than twenty years since, by yourexcellent father; and that, learning from a follower of yours that yourlordship was in this city in prosecution of some business of importance,it is my duty,--it is my pleasure,--to wait on the son of my respectedpatron; and, as I am somewhat known both at the Court, and in the city,to offer him such aid in the furthering of his affairs as my credit andexperience may be able to afford."
"I have no doubt of either, Master Heriot," said Lord Nigel, "and Ithank you heartily for the good-will with which you have placed them ata stranger's disposal; but my business at Court is done and ended, andI intend to leave London and, indeed, the island, for foreign traveland military service. I may add, that the suddenness of my departureoccasions my having little time at my disposal."
Master Heriot did not take the hint, but sat fast, with an embarrassedcountenance however, like one who had something to say that he knew notexactly how to make effectual. At length he said, with a dubious smile,"You are fortunate, my lord, in having so soon dispatched your businessat Court. Your talking landlady informs me you have been but a fortnightin this city. It is usually months and years ere the Court and a suitorshake hands and part."
"My business," said Lord Nigel, with a brevity which was intended tostop further discussion, "was summarily dispatched."
Still Master Heriot remained seated, and there was a cordial good-humouradded to the reverence of his appearance, which rendered it impossiblefor Lord Nigel to be more explicit in requesting his absence.
"Your lordship has not yet had time," said the citizen, still attemptingto sustain the conversation, "to visit the places of amusement,--theplayhouses, and other places to which youth resort. But I see in yourlordship's hand one of the new-invented plots of the piece, [Footnote:Meaning, probably, playbills.] which they hand about of late--May I askwhat play?"
"Oh! a well-known piece," said Lord Nigel, impatiently throwing downthe Proclamation, which he had hitherto been twisting to and fro inhis hand,--"an excellent and well-approved piece--_A New Way to Pay OldDebts._"
Master Heriot stooped down, saying, "Ah! my old acquaintance, PhilipMassinger;" but, having opened the paper and seen the purport, he lookedat Lord Nigel with surprise, saying, "I trust your lordship does notthink this prohibition can extend either to _your_ person or yourclaims?"
"I should scarce have thought so myself," said the young nobleman; "butso it proves. His Majesty, to close this discourse at once, has beenpleased to send me this Proclamation, in answer to a respectfulSupplication for the repayment of large loans advanced by my father forthe service of the State, in the king's utmost emergencies."
"It is impossible!" said the citizen--"it is absolutely impossible!--Ifthe king could forget what was due to your father's memory, stillhe would not have wished--would not, I may say, have dared--to be soflagrantly unjust to the memory of such a man as your father, who, deadin the body, will long live in the memory of the Scottish people."
"I should have been of your opinion," answered Lord Nigel, in the sametone as before; "but there is no fighting with facts."
"What was the tenor of this Supplication?" said Heriot; "or by whom wasit presented? Something strange there must have been in the contents, orelse--"
"You may see my original draught," said the young lord, taking it outof a small travelling strong-box; "the technical part is by my lawyer inScotland, a skilful and sensible man; the rest is my own, drawn, I hope,with due deference and modesty."
Master Heriot hastly cast his eye over the draught. "Nothing," he said,"can be more well-tempered and respectful. Is it possible the king canhave treated this petition with contempt?"
"He threw it down on the pavement," said the Lord of Glenvarloch, "andsent me for answer that Proclamation, in which he classes me with thepaupers and mendicants from Scotland, who disgrace his Court in the eyesof the proud English--that is all. Had not my father stood by him withheart, sword, and fortune, he might never have seen the Court of Englandhimself."
"But by whom was this Supplication presented, my lord?" said Heriot;"for the distaste taken at the messenger will sometimes extend itself tothe message."
"By my servant," said the Lord Nigel; "by the man you saw, and, I think,were kind to."
"By your servant, my lord?" said the citizen; "he seems a shrewd fellow,and doubtless a faithful; but surely--"
"You would say," said Lord Nigel, "he is no fit messenger to a king'spresence?--Surely he is not; but what could I do? Every attempt I hadmade to lay my case before the king had miscarried, and my petitionsgot no farther than the budgets of clerks and secretaries; this fellowpretended he had a friend in the household that would bring him to theking's presence,--and so--"
"I understand," said Heriot; "but, my lord, why should you not, inright of your rank and birth, have appeared at Court, and required anaudience, which could not have been denied to you?"
The young lord blushed a little, and looked at his dress, which was veryplain; and, though in perfect good order, had the appearance of havingseen service.
"I know not why I should be ashamed of speaking the truth," he said,after a momentary hesitation,--"I had no dress suitable for appearingat Court. I am determined to incur no expenses which I cannot discharge;and I think you, sir, would not advise me to stand at the palace-door,in person, and deliver my petition, along with those who are in verydeed pleading their necessity, and begging an alms."
"That had been, indeed, unseemly," said the citizen; "but yet, my lord,my mind runs strangely that there must be some mistake.--Can I speakwith your domestic?"
"I see little good it can do," answered the young lord, "but theinterest you take in my misfortunes seems sincere, and therefore----"He stamped on the floor, and in a few seconds afterwards Monipliesappeared, wiping from his beard and mustaches the crumbs of bread,and the froth of the ale-pot, which plainly showed how he had beenemployed.--"Will your lordship grant permission," said Heriot, "that Iask your groom a few questions?"
"His lordship's page, Master George," answered Moniplies, with a nod ofacknowledgment, "if you are minded to speak according to the letter."
"Hold your saucy tongue," said his master, "and reply distinctly to thequestions you are to be asked."
"And _truly,_ if it like your pageship," said the citizen, "for you mayremember I have a gift to discover falset."
"Weel, weel, weel," replied the domestic, somewhat embarrassed, in spiteof his effrontery--"though I think that the sort of truth that serves mymaster, may we
el serve ony ane else."
"Pages lie to their masters by right of custom," said the citizen; "andyou write yourself in that band, though I think you be among the oldestof such springalds; but to me you must speak truth, if you would nothave it end in the whipping-post."
"And that's e'en a bad resting-place," said the well-grown page; "socome away with your questions, Master George."
"Well, then," demanded the citizen, "I am given to understand that youyesterday presented to his Majesty's hand a Supplication, or petition,from this honourable lord, your master."
"Troth, there's nae gainsaying that, sir," replied Moniplies; "therewere enow to see it besides me."
"And you pretend that his Majesty flung it from him with contempt?" saidthe citizen. "Take heed, for I have means of knowing the truth; and youwere better up to the neck in the Nor-Loch, which you like so well, thantell a leasing where his Majesty's name is concerned."
"There is nae occasion for leasing-making about the matter," answeredMoniplies, firmly; "his Majesty e'en flung it frae him as if it haddirtied his fingers."
"You hear, sir," said Olifaunt, addressing Heriot.
"Hush!" said the sagacious citizen; "this fellow is not ill named--hehas more plies than one in his cloak. Stay, fellow," for Moniplies,muttering somewhat about finishing his breakfast, was beginning toshamble towards the door, "answer me this farther question--When yougave your master's petition to his Majesty, gave you nothing with it?"
"Ou, what should I give wi' it, ye ken, Master George?"
"That is what I desire and insist to know," replied his interrogator.
"Weel, then--I am not free to say, that maybe I might not just slipinto the king's hand a wee bit Sifflication of mine ain, along with mylord's--just to save his Majesty trouble--and that he might considerthem baith at ance."
"A supplication of your own, you varlet!" said his master.
"Ou dear, ay, my lord," said Richie--"puir bodies hae their bits ofsifflications as weel as their betters."
"And pray, what might your worshipful petition import?" said MasterHeriot.--"Nay, for Heaven's sake, my lord, keep your patience, or weshall never learn the truth of this strange matter.--Speak out, sirrah,and I will stand your friend with my lord."
"It's a lang story to tell--but the upshot is, that it's a scrape of anauld accompt due to my father's yestate by her Majesty the king's maistgracious mother, when she lived in the Castle, and had sundry providingsand furnishings forth of our booth, whilk nae doubt was an honour tomy father to supply, and whilk, doubtless, it will be a credit to hisMajesty to satisfy, as it will be grit convenience to me to receive thesaam."
"What string of impertinence is this?" said his master.
"Every word as true as e'er John Knox spoke," said Richie; "here's thebit double of the Sifflication."
Master George took a crumpled paper from the fellow's hand, and said,muttering betwixt his teeth--"'Humbly showeth--um--um--his Majesty'smaist gracious mother--um--um--justly addebted and owing the sum offifteen merks--the compt whereof followeth--Twelve nowte's feet forjellies--ane lamb, being Christmas--ane roasted capin in grease forthe privy chalmer, when my Lord of Bothwell suppit with her Grace.'--Ithink, my lord, you can hardly be surprised that the king gave thispetition a brisk reception; and I conclude, Master Page, that you tookcare to present your own Supplication before your master's?"
"Troth did I not," answered Moniplies. "I thought to have given mylord's first, as was reason gude; and besides that, it wad have redd thegate for my ain little bill. But what wi' the dirdum an' confusion, an'the loupin here and there of the skeigh brute of a horse, I believe Icrammed them baith into his hand cheek-by-jowl, and maybe my ain wasbunemost; and say there was aught wrang, I am sure I had a' the frightand a' the risk--"
"And shall have all the beating, you rascal knave," said Nigel; "am I tobe insulted and dishonoured by your pragmatical insolence, in blendingyour base concerns with mine?"
"Nay, nay, nay, my lord," said the good-humoured citizen, interposing,"I have been the means of bringing the fellow's blunder to light--allowme interest enough with your lordship to be bail for his bones. Youhave cause to be angry, but still I think the knave mistook more out ofconceit than of purpose; and I judge you will have the better service ofhim another time, if you overlook this fault--Get you gone, sirrah--I'llmake your peace."
"Na, na," said Moniplies, keeping his ground firmly, "if he likes tostrike a lad that has followed him for pure love, for I think there hasbeen little servant's fee between us, a' the way frae Scotland, justlet my lord be doing, and see the credit he will get by it--and I wouldrather (mony thanks to you though, Master George) stand by a lick of hisbaton, than it suld e'er be said a stranger came between us."
"Go, then," said his master, "and get out of my sight."
"Aweel I wot that is sune done," said Moniplies, retiring slowly; "I didnot come without I had been ca'd for--and I wad have been away half anhour since with my gude will, only Maister George keepit me to answerhis interrogation, forsooth, and that has made a' this stir."
And so he made his grumbling exit, with the tone much rather of one whohas sustained an injury, than who has done wrong.
"There never was a man so plagued as I am with a malapert knave!--Thefellow is shrewd, and I have found him faithful--I believe he loves me,too, and he has given proofs of it--but then he is so uplifted in hisown conceit, so self-willed, and so self-opinioned, that he seems tobecome the master and I the man; and whatever blunder he commits, he issure to make as loud complaints, as if the whole error lay with me, andin no degree with himself."
"Cherish him, and maintain him, nevertheless," said the citizen;"for believe my grey hairs, that affection and fidelity are now rarerqualities in a servitor, than when the world was younger. Yet, trusthim, my good lord, with no commission above his birth or breeding, foryou see yourself how it may chance to fall."
"It is but too evident, Master Heriot," said the young nobleman; "and Iam sorry I have done injustice to my sovereign, and your master. But Iam, like a true Scotsman, wise behind hand--the mistake has happened--mySupplication has been refused, and my only resource is to employ therest of my means to carry Moniplies and myself to some counter-scarp,and die in the battle-front like my ancestors."
"It were better to live and serve your country like your noble father,my lord," replied Master George. "Nay, nay, never look down or shakeyour head--the king has not refused your Supplication, for he has notseen it--you ask but justice, and that his place obliges him to give tohis subjects--ay, my lord, and I will say that his natural temper dothin this hold bias with his duty."
"I were well pleased to think so, and yet----" said Nigel Olifaunt,--"Ispeak not of my own wrongs, but my country hath many that areunredressed."
"My lord," said Master Heriot, "I speak of my royal master, not onlywith the respect due from a subject--the gratitude to be paid by afavoured servant, but also with the frankness of a free and loyalScotsman. The king is himself well disposed to hold the scales ofjustice even; but there are those around him who can throw withoutdetection their own selfish wishes and base interests into the scale.You are already a sufferer by this, and without your knowing it."
"I am surprised, Master Heriot," said the young lord, "to hear you, uponso short an acquaintance, talk as if you were familiarly acquainted withmy affairs."
"My lord," replied the goldsmith, "the nature of my employment affordsme direct access to the interior of the palace; I am well known to be nomeddler in intrigues or party affairs, so that no favourite has as yetendeavoured to shut against me the door of the royal closet; on thecontrary, I have stood well with each while he was in power, and I havenot shared the fall of any. But I cannot be thus connected with theCourt, without hearing, even against my will, what wheels are in motion,and how they are checked or forwarded. Of course, when I choose to seeksuch intelligence, I know the sources in which it is to be traced. Ihave told you why I was interested in your lordship's fortunes. It waslast
night only that I knew you were in this city, yet I have beenable, in coming hither this morning, to gain for you some informationrespecting the impediments to your suit."
"Sir, I am obliged by your zeal, however little it may be merited,"answered Nigel, still with some reserve; "yet I hardly know how I havedeserved this interest."
"First let me satisfy you that it is real," said the citizen; "I blameyou not for being unwilling to credit the fair professions of a strangerin my inferior class of society, when you have met so little friendshipfrom relations, and those of your own rank, bound to have assistedyou by so many ties. But mark the cause. There is a mortgage over yourfather's extensive estate, to the amount of 40,000 merks, due ostensiblyto Peregrine Peterson, the Conservator of Scottish Privileges atCampvere."
"I know nothing of a mortgage," said the young lord; "but there isa wadset for such a sum, which, if unredeemed, will occasion theforfeiture of my whole paternal estate, for a sum not above a fourthof its value--and it is for that very reason that I press the king'sgovernment for a settlement of the debts due to my father, that I may beable to redeem my land from this rapacious creditor."
"A wadset in Scotland," said Heriot, "is the same with a mortgageon this side of the Tweed; but you are not acquainted with your realcreditor. The Conservator Peterson only lends his name to shroud no lessa man than the Lord Chancellor of Scotland, who hopes, under coverof this debt, to gain possession of the estate himself, or perhaps togratify a yet more powerful third party. He will probably sufferhis creature Peterson to take possession, and when the odium of thetransaction shall be forgotten, the property and lordship of Glenvarlochwill be conveyed to the great man by his obsequious instrument, undercover of a sale, or some similar device."
"Can this be possible?" said Lord Nigel; "the Chancellor wept when Itook leave of him--called me his cousin--even his son--furnished me withletters, and, though I asked him for no pecuniary assistance, excusedhimself unnecessarily for not pressing it on me, alleging the expensesof his rank and his large family. No, I cannot believe a nobleman wouldcarry deceit so far."
"I am not, it is true, of noble blood," said the citizen; "but once moreI bid you look on my grey hairs, and think what can be my interest indishonouring them with falsehood in affairs in which I have no interest,save as they regard the son of my benefactor. Reflect also, have you hadany advantage from the Lord Chancellor's letters?"
"None," said Nigel Olifaunt, "except cold deeds and fair words. I havethought for some time, their only object was to get rid of me--oneyesterday pressed money on me when I talked of going abroad, in orderthat I might not want the means of exiling myself."
"Right," said Heriot; "rather than you fled not, they would themselvesfurnish wings for you to fly withal."
"I will to him this instant," said the incensed youth, "and tell him mymind of his baseness."
"Under your favour," said Heriot, detaining him, "you shall not do so.By a quarrel you would become the ruin of me your informer; and thoughI would venture half my shop to do your lordship a service, I think youwould hardly wish me to come by damage, when it can be of no service toyou."
The word _shop_ sounded harshly in the ear of the young nobleman, whoreplied hastily--"Damage, sir?--so far am I from wishing you to incurdamage, that I would to Heaven you would cease your fruitless offers ofserving one whom there is no chance of ultimately assisting!"
"Leave me alone for that," said the citizen: "you have now erred as faron the bow-hand. Permit me to take this Supplication--I will have itsuitably engrossed, and take my own time (and it shall be an early one)for placing it, with more prudence, I trust, than that used by yourfollower, in the king's hand--I will almost answer for his taking up thematter as you would have him--but should he fail to do so, even then Iwill not give up the good cause."
"Sir," said the young nobleman, "your speech is so friendly, and my ownstate so helpless, that I know not how to refuse your kind proffer, evenwhile I blush to accept it at the hands of a stranger."
"We are, I trust, no longer such," said the goldsmith; "and for myguerdon, when my mediation proves successful, and your fortunes arere-established, you shall order your first cupboard of plate from GeorgeHeriot."
"You would have a bad paymaster, Master Heriot," said Lord Nigel.
"I do not fear that," replied the goldsmith; "and I am glad to see yousmile, my lord--methinks it makes you look still more like the good oldlord your father; and it emboldens me, besides, to bring out a smallrequest--that you would take a homely dinner with me to-morrow. I lodgehard by in Lombard Street. For the cheer, my lord, a mess of whitebroth, a fat capon well larded, a dish of beef collops for auldScotland's sake, and it may be a cup of right old wine, that wasbarrelled before Scotland and England were one nation--Then for company,one or two of our own loving countrymen--and maybe my housewife may findout a bonny Scots lass or so."
"I would accept your courtesy, Master Heriot," said Nigel, "but I hearthe city ladies of London like to see a man gallant--I would not like tolet down a Scottish nobleman in their ideas, as doubtless you have saidthe best of our poor country, and I rather lack the means of bravery forthe present."
"My lord, your frankness leads me a step farther," said Master George."I--I owed your father some monies; and--nay, if your lordship looks atme so fixedly, I shall never tell my story--and, to speak plainly, forI never could carry a lie well through in my life--it is most fitting,that, to solicit this matter properly, your lordship should go toCourt in a manner beseeming your quality. I am a goldsmith, and liveby lending money as well as by selling plate. I am ambitious to put anhundred pounds to be at interest in your hands, till your affairs aresettled."
"And if they are never favourably settled?" said Nigel.
"Then, my lord," returned the citizen, "the miscarriage of such a sumwill be of little consequence to me, compared with other subjects ofregret."
"Master Heriot," said the Lord Nigel, "your favour is generouslyoffered, and shall be frankly accepted. I must presume that you see yourway through this business, though I hardly do; for I think you would begrieved to add any fresh burden to me, by persuading me to incur debtswhich I am not likely to discharge. I will therefore take yourmoney, under the hope and trust that you will enable me to repay youpunctually."
"I will convince you, my lord," said the goldsmith, "that I mean to dealwith you as a creditor from whom I expect payment; and therefore, youshall, with your own good pleasure, sign an acknowledgment for thesemonies, and an obligation to content and repay me."
He then took from his girdle his writing materials, and, writing a fewlines to the purport he expressed, pulled out a small bag of gold froma side-pouch under his cloak, and, observing that it should contain anhundred pounds, proceeded to tell out the contents very methodicallyupon the table. Nigel Olifaunt could not help intimating that this wasan unnecessary ceremonial, and that he would take the bag of gold on theword of his obliging creditor; but this was repugnant to the old man'sforms of transacting business.
"Bear with me," he said, "my good lord,--we citizens are a wary andthrifty generation; and I should lose my good name for ever withinthe toll of Paul's, were I to grant quittance, or take acknowledgment,without bringing the money to actual tale. I think it be right now--and,body of me," he said, looking out at the window, "yonder come my boyswith my mule; for I must Westward Hoe. Put your monies aside, my lord;it is not well to be seen with such goldfinches chirping about one inthe lodgings of London. I think the lock of your casket be indifferentgood; if not, I can serve you at an easy rate with one that has heldthousands;--it was the good old Sir Faithful Frugal's;--his spendthriftson sold the shell when he had eaten the kernel--and there is the end ofa city-fortune."
"I hope yours will make a better termination, Master Heriot," said theLord Nigel.
"I hope it will, my lord," said the old man, with a smile; "but," to usehonest John Bunyan's phrase--'therewithal the water stood in his eyes,'"it has pleased God to try me with the loss of two
children; and for oneadopted shild who ives--Ah! woe is me! and well-a-day!--But I am patientand thankful; and for the wealth God has sent me, it shall not wantinheritors while there are orphan lads in Auld Reekie.--I wish yougood-morrow, my lord."
"One orphan has cause to thank you already," said Nigel, as he attendedhim to the door of his chamber, where, resisting further escort, the oldcitizen made his escape.
As, in going downstairs, he passed the shop where Dame Christie stoodbecking, he made civil inquiries after her husband. The dame of courseregretted his absence; but he was down, she said, at Deptford, to settlewith a Dutch ship-master.
"Our way of business, sir," she said, "takes him much from home, and myhusband must be the slave of every tarry jacket that wants but a poundof oakum."
"All business must be minded, dame," said the goldsmith. "Make myremembrances--George Heriot, of Lombard Street's remembrances--to yourgoodman. I have dealt with him--he is just and punctual--true to timeand engagements;--be kind to your noble guest, and see he wants nothing.Though it be his pleasure at present to lie private and retired, therebe those that care for him, and I have a charge to see him supplied; sothat you may let me know by your husband, my good dame, how my lord is,and whether he wants aught."
"And so he _is_ a real lord after all?" said the good dame. "I am sure Ialways thought he looked like one. But why does he not go to Parliament,then?"
"He will, dame," answered Heriot, "to the Parliament of Scotland, whichis his own country."
"Oh! he is but a Scots lord, then," said the good dame; "and that's thething makes him ashamed to take the title, as they say."
"Let him not hear _you_ say so, dame," replied the citizen.
"Who, I, sir?" answered she; "no such matter in my thought, sir. Scotor English, he is at any rate a likely man, and a civil man; and ratherthan he should want any thing, I would wait upon him myself, and come asfar as Lombard Street to wait upon your worship too."
"Let your husband come to me, good dame," said the goldsmith, who,with all his experience and worth, was somewhat of a formalist anddisciplinarian. "The proverb says, 'House goes mad when women gad;' andlet his lordship's own man wait upon his master in his chamber--it ismore seemly. God give ye good-morrow."
"Good-morrow to your worship," said the dame, somewhat coldly; and, sosoon as the adviser was out of hearing, was ungracious enough to mutter,in contempt of his council, "Marry quep of your advice, for an oldScotch tinsmith, as you are! My husband is as wise, and very near asold, as yourself; and if I please him, it is well enough; and though heis not just so rich just now as some folks, yet I hope to see him rideupon his moyle, with a foot-cloth, and have his two blue-coats afterhim, as well as they do."