This luck or dexterity got him several ill-wishers, but with the rest of
the country enhanced his reputation; so that great things were looked
for in his future, when he should have gained more gravity. One very
black mark he had to his name; but the matter was hushed up at the time,
and so defaced by legends before I came into these parts that I scruple
to set it down. If it was true, it was a horrid fact in one so young;
and if false, it was a horrid calumny. I think it notable that he had
always vaunted himself quite implacable, and was taken at his word; so
that he had the addition, among his neighbours of "an ill man to cross."
Here was altogether a young nobleman (not yet twenty-four in the year
'Forty-five) who had made a figure in the country beyond his time of
life. The less marvel if there were little heard of the second son, Mr.
Henry (my late Lord Durrisdeer), who was neither very bad nor yet very
able, but an honest, solid sort of lad, like many of his neighbours.
Little heard, I say; but indeed it was a case of little spoken. He was
known among the salmon fishers in the firth, for that was a sport that
he assiduously followed; he was an excellent good horse-doctor besides;
and took a chief hand, almost from a boy, in the management of the
estates. How hard a part that was, in the situation of that family, none
knows better than myself; nor yet with how little colour of justice a
man may there acquire the reputation of a tyrant and a miser. The fourth
person in the house was Miss Alison Graeme, a near kinswoman, an orphan,
and the heir to a considerable fortune which her father had acquired in
trade. This money was loudly called for by my lord's necessities;
indeed, the land was deeply mortgaged; and Miss Alison was designed
accordingly to be the Master's wife, gladly enough on her side; with how
much good-will on his is another matter. She was a comely girl, and in
those days very spirited and self-willed; for the old lord having no
daughter of his own, and my lady being long dead, she had grown up as
best she might.

To these four came the news of Prince Charlie's landing, and set them
presently by the ears. My lord, like the chimney-keeper that he was, was
all for temporising. Miss Alison held the other side, because it
appeared romantical; and the Master (though I have heard they did not
agree often) was for this once of her opinion. The adventure tempted
him, as I conceive; he was tempted by the oppor