“Can this be true?” said the king.
“It is even but too true, please your Majesty,” answered the citizen. “The Lady Hermione having advanced the money for the original creditor, I was obliged, in honour and honesty, to take the rights to her; and doubtless, they pass to her husband.”
“But the warrant, man,” said the king—“the warrant on our Exchequer—Couldna that supply the lad wi' the means of redemption?”
“Unhappily, my liege, he has lost it, or disposed of it—It is not to be found. He is the most unlucky youth!”
“This is a proper spot of work!” said the king, beginning to amble about and play with the points of his doublet and hose, in expression of dismay. “We cannot aid him without paying our debts twice over, and we have, in the present state of our Exchequer, scarce the means of paying them once.”
“You have told me news,” said Lord Dalgarno, “but I will take no advantage.”
“Do not,” said his father, “be a bold villain, since thou must be one, and seek revenge with arms, and not with the usurer's weapons.”
“Pardon me, my lord,” said Lord Dalgarno. “Pen and ink are now my surest means of vengeance; and more land is won by the lawyer with the ram-skin, than by the Andrea Ferrara with his sheepshead handle. But, as I said before, I will take no advantages. I will await in town to-morrow, near Covent Garden; if any one will pay the redemption-money to my scrivener, with whom the deeds lie, the better for Lord Glenvarloch; if not, I will go forward on the next day, and travel with all dispatch to the north, to take possession.”
“Take a father's malison with you, unhappy wretch!” said Lord Huntinglen.
“And a king's, who is pater patriae,” said James.