“Thou hast done wrong, young man; yet thy father, thy youth, thine inexperience, all—all plead with me for thee.”
“Heaven bless you, my lord, for the word,” said Isaac Rolland. “My life for it, he is innocent!”
“Believe me,” said Montrose, “I would fain that he were so. There is not in his eye the alarmed glance of conscious guiltiness. Answer me again, didst thou not join the camp with traitorous intent? Didst thou not, last night, under cloud of darkness, betake thee to the camp of the enemy to tell the Viscount of Aboyne what thou knewest about the strength and intentions of the host?”
The truth and falsehood were here so blended together, that Basil betrayed signs of the greatest confusion, and was silent.
“Nay, now,” said Montrose, “he denies it not; his confusion betrays him. One of the sentinels discovered him,—the very man against whom he this day drew the sword for a prelatemonging maiden. Young man, this hath destroyed my aversion to sacrifice thee; and the good cause demands that such treachery pass not unpunished. If thou hast any unrepented sin, prepare thyself; for yet two days, and thou art with the dead. Bind him, soldiers; and on the second day hence let him suffer the punishment due to his crimes.”
“Stop, my lord,” said Isaac Rolland, “and shed not innocent blood. O cut not down the flower in the bud! Exhaust your vengeance on me; but spare, oh, spare my son!”
“Entreaty avails not. My duty to the host demands it. And know, I do nothing but what I wish may be my own lot if I betray the good cause. If I betray it, may my best blood be spilled on the scaffold, and may the hangmen put on my shroud!”
This was spoken in an inflexible and enthusiastic tone; but he knew not that he was condemning himself. His wish was accomplished; for they who had that day witnessed his proud desire, ere many years, saw one of his mangled limbs bleaching over the city gates. Basil was led off by the guards; while his father, unable to follow, stood speechless and motionless as a statue.
Chapter V.
Farewell, ye dungeons, dark and strong,