"Good—you save the trouble of examining witnesses."
"A bonnie piece o' wark, young Springald!" said General Dalyel scornfully; "a braw beginning for a soldier—but ken ye the price o't?"
"My life, perhaps, Sir Thomas," replied Walter, gently; "yet may it please you and their Lordships to pardon this, my first offence, in consideration of my three years' faithful and, as yet, unrequited service. Heaven be my witness, noble sirs, I could not help it!"
"By all the devils! Help what, thou fause loon!"
"Permitting the escape of Lady Bruntisfield and her kinswoman, the young lady."
"Aha! the young lady!" laughed Claverhouse and Balcarris.
"I was overcome by their terror and entreaties. Oh, my Lords, I seek not to extenuate my offence."
"Plague choke thee!" said Dalyel, with a grim look; "a braw birkie ye are, and a bonnie to wear a steel doublet—a fine chield to march to battle and leaguer, if ye canna hear a haveral woman greet, but your heart maun melt like snaw in the sunshine. By the head of the king, ye shall smart for this! Sic kittle times thole nae trifling."
"I doubt not the young fellow was well paid for his untimely gallantry," said Clermistonlee, with a provoking sneer.
"Any man who would insinuate so much, I deem a liar and coward!" said Walter, fearlessly: the eyes of the Privy Councillor shot fire; he started, but restrained himself, and the young man continued. "No, my Lord Clermistonlee! though poor, I have a soul above bribery, and would not for the most splendid coronet in Scotland change sides, as some among us have done, and may do again."