Merton prevented himself, by an effort, from gasping. He kept a countenance of cold attention. But the marquis was coming to the point.
‘I have left all to the name, lands and rents, and mines, and money. But, unless the lad marries in his own rank, I’ll change my will. It’s in the hidie hole at Kirkburn, that Logan built to keep King Jamie in, when he caught him. But the fool Ruthvens marred that job, and got their kail through the reek. I’m wandering.’ He helped himself to another dram, and went on, ‘Ye see what I want, ye must stop that marriage.’
‘But,’ said Merton, ‘as you are so kindly disposed towards your kinsman, this Mr. Logan, may I ask whether it would not be wise to address him yourself, as the head of his house? He may, surely he will, listen to your objections.’
‘Ye do not know the Logans.’
Merton concealed his smile.
‘Camstairy deevils! It’s in the blood. Never once has he asked me for a pound, never noticed me by word or letter. Faith, I wish all the world had been as considerate to auld Restalrig! For me to say a word, let be to make an offer, would just tie him faster to the lass. “Tyne troth, tyne a’,” that is the old bye-word.’
Merton recognised his friend in this description, but he merely shook a sympathetic head. ‘Very unusual,’ he remarked. ‘You really have no hope by this method?’
‘None at all, or I would not be here on this daft ploy. There’s no fool like an auld fool, and, faith, I hardly know the man I was. But they cannot dispute the will. I drew doctors to witness that I was of sound and disponing mind, and I’ve since been
thrice to kirk and market. Lord, how they stared to see auld Restalrig in his pew, that had not smelt appleringie these forty years.’
Merton noted these words, which he thought curious and obscure. ‘Your case interests me deeply,’ he said, ‘and shall receive my very best attention. You perceive, of course, that it is a difficult case, Mr. Logan’s character and tenacity being what you describe. I must make careful inquiries, and shall inform you of progress. You wish to see this engagement ended?’