 Section 0 of the Fair Maid of Perth or St. Valentine's Day. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org recording by Rita Butros. The Fair Maid of Perth or St. Valentine's Day by Sir Walter Scott. Introductory. The ashes here of murdered kings beneath my footsteps sleep and yonder lies the scene of death where Mary learned to weep. Captain Major Banks. Every quarter of Edinburgh has its own peculiar boast so that the city together combines within its precincts, if you take the word of the inhabitants on the subject, as much of historical interest as of natural beauty. Our claims in behalf of the cannon gate are not the slightest. The castle may excel us in extent of prospect and sublimity of sight. The Calton had always the superiority of its unrivaled panorama and has of late added that of its towers and triumphal arches and the pillars of its parthenon. The high street, we acknowledge, had the distinguished honour of being defended by fortifications, of which we can show no vestiges. We will not descend to notice the claims of more upstart districts called Old Newtown and New Newtown, not to mention the favourite More Place, which is the newest Newtown of all. We will not match ourselves except with our equals and with our equals in age only, for in dignity we admit of one. We boast being the court end of the town, possessing the palace and the sepulchre remains of monarchs, and that we have the power to excite in a degree unknown to the less honoured quarters of the city the dark and solemn recollections of ancient grandeur which occupied the precincts of our venerable avi from the time of St. David till her deserted halls were once more made glad and her long silent echoes awakened by the visit of our present gracious sovereign. My long habitation in the neighbourhood and the quiet respectability of my habits have given me a sort of intimacy with good Mrs. policy, the housekeeper in that most interesting part of the old building called Queen Mary's Apartments. But a circumstance which lately happened has conferred upon me greater privileges so that indeed I might I believe venture on the exploit of Châtelet who was executed for being found secreted at midnight in the very bed chamber of Scotland's mistress. It chanced that the good lady I have mentioned was in the discharge of her function showing the apartments to a cockney from London, not one of your quiet dull commonplace visitors who gape yawn and listen with an acquiescence to the information doled out by the provincial Ciceroan. No such thing. This was the brisk alert agent of a great house in the city who missed no opportunity of doing business as he termed it, that is, of putting off the goods of his employers and improving his own account of commission. He had fidgeted through the suite of apartments without finding the least opportunity to touch upon that which he considered as the principal end of his existence. Even the story of Rizio's assassination presented no ideas to this emissary of commerce until the housekeeper appealed in support of her narrative to the dusky stains of blood upon the floor. These are the stains, she said. Nothing will remove them from the place. There they have been for 250 years and there they will remain while the floor is left standing. Neither water nor anything else will ever remove them from that spot. Now our cockney amongst other articles sold scouring drops as they are called and a stain of 250 years standing was interesting to him, not because it had been caused by the blood of a queen's favorite slain in her apartment, but because it offered so admirable an opportunity to prove the efficacy of his unequaled detergent elixir. Down on his knees went our friend, but neither in horror nor devotion. 250 years, ma'am, and nothing take it away. Why, if it had been 500, I have something in my pocket will fetch it out in five minutes. Do you see this elixir, ma'am? I will show you the stain vanish in a moment. Accordingly, wetting one end of his handkerchief with the all-deterging specific, he began to rub away on the planks without heeding the remonstrances of Mrs. Policy. She, good soul, stood at first in astonishment like the abbess of St. Bridget's when a profane visitant drank up the vial of Brandy which had long past muster among the relics of the cloister for the tears of the blessed saint. The venerable guardian of St. Bridget probably expected the interference of her patroness. She of Holyrood might perhaps hope that David Ruzio Specter would arise to prevent the profanation. But Mrs. Policy stood not long in the silence of horror. She uplifted her voice and screamed as loudly as Queen Mary herself when the dreadful deed was in the act of perpetration. Harrow now out and walla-wa! She cried. I happened to be taking my morning walk in the adjoining gallery, pondering in my mind why the kings of Scotland who hung around me should be each and every one painted with a nose like the knocker of a door, when low the walls once more re-echoed with such shrieks as formerly were as often heard in the Scottish palaces as were sounds of revelry and music. Somewhat surprised at such an alarm in a place so solitary, I hastened to the spot and found the well-meaning traveller scrubbing the floor like a housemaid while Mrs. Policy dragging him by the skirts of the coat in vain endeavored to divert him from his sacrilegious purpose. It cost me some trouble to explain to the zealous purifier of silk stockings embroidered waistcoats, broadcloth and dill planks that there were such things in the world as stains which ought to remain indelible on account of the associations with which they are connected. Our good friend viewed everything of the kind only as the means of displaying the virtue of his vaunted commodity. He comprehended, however, that he would not be permitted to proceed to exemplify its powers on the present occasion as two or three inhabitants appeared who, like me, threatened to maintain the housekeeper's side of the question. He therefore took his leave, muttering that he had always heard the Scots were a nasty people but had no idea they carried it so far as to choose to have the floors of their palaces blood-boltered like Banquo's ghost when to remove them would have cost but a hundred drops of the infallible detergent elixir prepared and sold by Monsieur's scrub and rub in five-shelling and ten-shelling bottles each bottle being marked with the initials of the inventor to counterfeit which would be to incur the pains of forgery. Freed from the odious presence of this lover of cleanliness, my good friend, Mrs. Policy, was profuse in her expressions of thanks and yet her gratitude, instead of exhausting itself in these declarations according to the way of the world, continues as lively at this moment as if she had never thanked me at all. It is owing to her recollection of this piece of good service I have the permission of wandering like the ghost of some departed gentleman Usher through these deserted halls sometimes as the old Irish Diddy expresses it. Thinking upon things that are long enough ago and sometimes wishing I could with the good luck of most editors of romantic narrative light upon some hidden crypt or massive antique cabinet which should yield to my researches an almost illegible manuscript containing the authentic particulars of some of the strange deeds of those wild days of the unhappy Mary. My dear Mrs. Baleol used to sympathize with me when I regretted that all godsens of this nature had ceased to occur and that an author might chatter his teeth to pieces by the seaside without a wave ever wafting to him a casket containing such a history as that of automates. That he might break his shins in stumbling through a hundred vaults without finding anything but rats and mice and become the tenant of a dozen sets of shabby tenements without finding that they contained any manuscript but the weekly bill for board and lodging. A dairy maid of these degenerate days might as well wash and deck her dairy in hopes of finding the fairy tester in her shoe. It is a sad and too true a tale cousin said Mrs. Baleol I am sure we all have occasion to regret the want of these ready supplements to a failing invention but you most of all have right to complain that the fairest have not favored your researches you who have shown the world that the age of chivalry still exists you the knight of Croft-Angry who braved the fury of the London Prentice Bold in behalf of the fair Dame policy and the memorial of Rizio's slaughter is it not a pity cousin considering the feet of chivalry was otherwise so much according to rule is it not I say a great pity that the lady had not been a little younger and the legend a little older why as to the age at which a fair Dame loses the benefit of chivalry and is no longer entitled to crave boon of brave knight that I leave to the statutes of the order of errantry but for the blood of Rizio I take up the gauntlet and maintain all and sundry that I hold the stains to be of no modern date but to have been actually the consequence and the record of that terrible assassination as I cannot accept the challenge to the field because and I am contented to require proof the unaltered tradition of the palace and the correspondence of the existing state of things with that tradition explain if you please I will the universal tradition bears that when Rizio was dragged out of the chamber of the queen the heat and fury of the assassin who struggled which should deal him most wounds dispatched him at the door of the anti-room at the door of the apartment therefore the greater quantity of the ill-fated minion's blood was spilled and there the marks of it are still shown it is further reported by historians that Mary continued her entreaties for his life mingling her prayers with screams and exclamations until she knew that he was assuredly slain on which she wiped her eyes and said I will now study revenge all this is granted but the blood would it not wash out or waste out thank you in so many years I am coming to that presently the constant tradition of the palace says that Mary discharged any measures to be taken to remove the marks of slaughter which she had resolved should remain as a memorial to quicken and confirm her purposed vengeance but it is added that satisfied with the knowledge that it existed and not desirous to have the ghastly evidence always under her eye she caused a traverse as it is called that is a temporary screen of boards to be drawn along the under part of the anti-room a few feet from the door so as to separate the place stained with the blood from the rest of the apartment and involve it in considerable obscurity now this temporary partition still exists and by running across and interrupting the plan of the roof and cornices plainly intimates that it has been intended to serve some temporary purpose since it disfigures the proportions of the room interferes with the ornaments of the ceiling and could only have been put there for some such purpose as hiding an object too disagreeable to be looked upon as to the objection that the blood stains would have disappeared in course of time I would comprehend that if measures to efface them were not taken immediately after the affair happened if the blood in other words were allowed to sink into the wood the stain would become almost indelible now not to mention that our Scottish palaces were not particularly well washed in those days and that there were no patent drops to assist the labors of the mop I think it very probable that these dark relics might subsist for a long course of time even if Mary had not desired or directed that they should be preserved but screened by the traverse from public site I know several instances of similar blood stains remaining for a great many years and I doubt whether after a certain time anything can remove them save the carpenter's plane if any seneschal by way of increasing the interest of the apartments had by means of paint or any other mode of imitation endeavour to palm upon posterity suppositious stigmata I conceived that the imposter would have chosen the queen's cabinet and the bedroom for the scene of his trick placing his bloody tracery where it could be distinctly seen by visitors instead of hiding it behind the traverse in this manner the existence of the said traverse or temporary partition is also extremely difficult to be accounted for if the common and ordinary tradition be rejected in short, all the rest of this striking locality is so true to the historical fact that I think it may well bear out the additional circumstance of the blood on the floor I profess to you, answered Mrs. Balliol that I am very willing to be converted to your faith we talk of a credulous vulgar without always recollecting that there is a vulgar incredulity in historical matters as well as in those of religion finds it easier to doubt than to examine and endeavours to assume the credit of an esprit fort by denying whatever happens to be a little beyond the very limited comprehension of the skeptic and so that point being settled and you possessing as we understand the open sesame into these secret apartments how, if we may ask, do you intend to avail yourself of your privilege do you propose to pass the night in the royal bed chamber for what purpose my dear lady if to improve the rheumatism this east wind may serve the purpose improve the rheumatism heaven forbid that would be worse than adding colours to the violet no, I mean to recommend a night on the couch of the nose of Scotland merely to improve the imagination who knows what dreams might be produced by a night spent in a mansion of so many memories for ought I know the iron door of the postern stair might open at the dead hour of midnight and as at the time of the conspiracy forth might sally the phantom assassins with stealthy step and ghastly look to renew the semblance of the deed there comes the fierce fanatic Ruth Vinn hardy hatred enabling him to bear the armour which would otherwise weigh down a form extenuated by wasting disease see how his writhing features show under the hollow helmet like those of a corpse attended by a demon whose vindictive purpose looks out at the flashing eyes while the visage has the stillness of death yonder appears the tall form of the boy darnly as goodly in person as vacillating in resolution yonder he advances with hesitating step and yet more hesitating purpose his childish fear having already overcome his childish passion he is in the plight of a mischievous lad who has fired a mine and who now expecting the explosion in remorse and terror would give his life to quench the train which his own hand lighted yonder yonder but I forget the rest of the worthy cutthroats help me if you can some an upset I the postulate George Douglas the most active of the gang let him arise at your call the claimant of wealth which he does not possess the partaker of the illustrious blood of Douglas but which in his veins is sullied with illegitimacy paint him the ruthless the daring the ambitious so nigh greatness yet debarred from it so near to wealth yet excluded from possessing it a political tantalus ready to do or dare anything to terminate his necessities and assert his imperfect claims admirable my dear craft angry but what is a postulate pooh my dear madam you disturb the current of my ideas the postulate was in Scottish phrase the candidate for some benefits which he had not yet attained George Douglas who stabbed Rizio was the postulate for the temporal possessions of the rich abbey of our broth I stand informed come proceed who comes next continued Mrs. Balliol who comes next young tall thin-made savage looking man with the patronelle in his hand must be Andrew Kerr of Faldenside a brother's son I believe of the celebrated Sir David Kerr of Cessford his look and bearing those of a border free-booter his disposition so savage that during the fray in the cabinet he presented his loaded piece at the bosom of the young and beautiful queen that queen also being within a few weeks of becoming a mother brave beau cousin well having raised your bevy of phantoms I hope you do not intend to send them back to their cold beds to warm them you will put them to some action and since you do threaten the canon gate with your desperate quill you surely mean to novelize or to dramatize if you will this most singular of all tragedies worse that is less interesting periods of history have been indeed shown up for furnishing amusement to the peaceable ages which have succeeded but dear lady the events are too well known in Mary's days to be used as vehicles of romantic fiction what can a better writer than myself add to the elegant and forcible narrative of Robertson so at due to my vision I awake like John Bunyan and behold it is a dream well enough that I awake without a sciatica which would have probably rewarded my slumbers had I profaned Queen Mary's bed by using it as a mechanical resource to awaken a torpid imagination this will never do cousin answered Mrs. Balliol you must get over all these scruples if you would thrive in the character of a romantic historian which you have determined to embrace what is the classic Robertson to you the light which he carried was that of a lamp to illuminate the dark events of antiquity yours is a magic lantern to raise up wonders which never existed no reader of sense wonders at your historical inaccuracies any more than he does to see punch in the show box seated on the same throne with King Solomon in his glory or to hear him hallowing out to the patriarch amid the deluge mighty hazy weather master Noah do not mistake me my dear madam said I I am quite conscious of my own immunities as a tale teller but even the mendacious Mr. Fagg and Sheridan's rivals assures us that though he never scruples to tell a lie at his master's command yet it hurts his conscience to be found out now this is the reason why I avoid in prudence all well-known paths of history where everyone can read the finger posts carefully set up to advise them of the right turning and the very boys and girls who learn the history of Britain by way of question and answer hoot at a poor author if he abandons the highway do not be discouraged however cousin crystal there are plenty of wildernesses in Scottish history through which unless I am greatly misinformed no certain paths have been laid down from actual survey but which are only described by imperfect tradition which fills up with wonders and with legends the periods in which no real events are recognized to have taken place even thus as Matt Pryor says geographers on pathless downs place elephants instead of towns if such be your advice my dear lady said I the course of my story shall take its rise upon this occasion at a remote period of history and in a province removed from my natural sphere of the canning gate it was under the influence of those feelings that I undertook the following historical romance which often suspended and flung aside is now arrived at a size too important to be altogether thrown away although there may be little prudence in sending it to the press I have not placed in the mouth of the characters the lowland scotch dialect now spoken because unquestionably the Scottish of that day resembled very closely the Anglo-Saxon with a sprinkling of French or Norman to enrich it those who wish to investigate the subject may consult the chronicles of Winton and the history of Bruce by Archdeek and Barber but supposing my own skill in the ancient Scottish were sufficient to invest the dialogue with its peculiarities a translation must have been necessary for the benefit of the general reader the Scottish dialect may be therefore considered as laid aside unless where the use of peculiar words may add emphasis or vivacity to the composition End of Section Zero Section One of the Fair Maid of Perth or St. Valentine's Day this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Elsie Sewan The Fair Maid of Perth or St. Valentine's Day by Sir Walter Scott Preface In continuing the lucubrations of Crystal Croft angry it occurred that although the press had of late years teamed with works of various descriptions concerning the Scottish Gate no attempt had hitherto been made to sketch their manners as these might be supposed to have existed at the period when the statute book as well as the page of the chronicler begins to present constant evidence of the difficulties to which the crown was exposed while the haughty house of Douglas all but overbalanced its authority on the southern border and the north was at the same time torn in pieces by the yet untamed savageness of the Highland races and the daring loftiness to which some of the remote achievestons still carried their pretensions The well authenticated fact of two powerful clans having deputed each 30 champions to fight out a quarrel of old standing in the presence of King Robert III his brother the Duke of Albany the whole court of Scotland at Perth in the year of Grace 1396 seemed to mark with equal distinctness the ranker of these mountain feuds an integrated condition of the general government of the country and it was fixed upon accordingly as the point on which the main incidence of a romantic narrative might be made to hinge the characters of Robert III his ambitious brother and his disloat son seemed to offer some opportunities of interesting contrast and the tragic fate of the heir of the throne with its immediate consequences might serve to complete the picture of cruelty and lawlessness Two features of the story of this barrier battle on the Inche of Perth the flight of one of the appointed champions and the reckless heroism of a townsman that voluntarily offered for a small piece of coin to supply his place and the mortal encounter suggested the imaginary persons on whom much of the novel is expended the fugitive Kelt might have been easily dealt with had a ludicrous style of coloring been adopted but it appeared to the author that there would be more of novelty as well as of serious interest if he could succeed in gaining for him something of that sympathy which is incompatible with the total absence of respect Miss Bailey had drawn a coward by nature capable of acting as a hero under the strong impulse of filial affection it seemed not impossible to concede the case of one constitutionally weak of nerve being supported by feelings of honor and of jealousy up to a certain point and then suddenly giving way under circumstances to which the bravest heart could hardly refuse compassion The controversy as to who really were the clans that figured in the barbarous conflict of the Inche has been revived since the publication The Fair Maid of Perth and treated in particular at great length by Mr. Robert McKay of Thurso and his very curious history of the house and clan of McKay without pretending to say that he has settled any part of the question in the affirmative this gentleman certainly seems to have quite succeeded in proving that his own worthy sept had no part in the transaction the McKays were in that age seated as they have since continued to be in the extreme north of the island and their chief at the time was a personage of such importance that his name and proper designation could not have been admitted in the early narratives of the occurrence he on one occasion brought four thousand of his clan to the aid of the royal banner against the lord of the Isles this historian is of the opinion that the clan Quihil of Wintoon were the Camerons who appear to have about that period been often designated as mace ones and to have gained much more recently the name of Cameron i.e. Rhinos from the blemish and the physiognomy of some heroic chief of the line of Losiel this view of the case is also adopted by Douglas in his baronage where he frequently mentions the bitter feuds between clan Chattin and clan Kay and identifies the latter sept in reference to the events of 1396 with the Camerons it is perhaps impossible to clear up thoroughly this controversy little interesting in itself at least to readers on the side of Inverness the names as we have them in Wintoon are clan Weihil and clan China the latter probably not correctly transcribed and the Scotty Chronican they are clan Quihil and clan Kay Hector Boessi writes clan Chattin and clan Kay and which he is followed by Leslie while Buchanan disdains to disfigure his page with their Gaelic designations at all and merely describes them as two powerful races in the wild and lawless regions beyond the Grampians out of this jumble what Sassanach can pretend Dari Luka their name clan Weihil appears so late as 1594 in an act of James the sixth is it not possible that it may be after all a mere corruption of clan Lachiel the reader may not be displeased to have Wintoon's original rhymes book 9 chapter 17 a thousand and three hundred year 90 insects to make all clear of their score wild Scottish men Threaty again Threaty then and felony bonnet of old fed boiled with the cruelty of an old feud and their Fodoris one slain to dead that their score were clan Isdwa clan Inquihil and clan China of their twackiness Wildamen Threaty again Threaty then I had then chieftains twars Gathairquassan was one of the the father Christy Johnson a skillful thing be that was done at scant Johnston we seek the friars all they entreat in batteries with bow and arrow nief and sword to deal among them their last bed that I laid on that time so fast quaha had the where there at the last not say a quaha best had he was but doobbeth moth and bad 50 amar was then that day so I'll see you with leaf then passed away the prior of log 11 makes no mention either the evasion of one of the Gaelic champions or the gallantry of the Perth artisan and offering to take a share in the conflict both incidents however were introduced no doubt from tradition by the and who in nature afford an hour whose narrative is in these words on a domino millesimo fricensisimo nonagessimo sexto magna pass bulliali scottae trans alpes inquetata fluids per dos pestiferos catteranos et aeoran sequases whiz seabeg et sus consanguinarios quiclanque et Christi Jonson axuos quiclanque dicabantor quinulu pacto welfractut paficare poterant nulacoate reges wel gubernatores poterant elomare cuorasque nobelis et inrus dosus dominus david de lince de crafford at dominus tomes comes mura wiae de ligentium et viris apus verat ac interparte sic tracta verat ut coram domino rege kertodie conguenierant aput peth et altul tar pas eligaret de hybrogne suet trigente personas adversas trigenta de parte contraria cunglari tantum et arcubus et sagitis de lince de crafford et arcubus et sagitis absque de ploidabus wel ameturus alis praeter bipenis et si concretentes finumleti ponerant et terra apake potierutur ut requae i githur parte sume placuit contractus et diae lunae proximo antefestum sancti micaeles apud nort insulum de peth coram regae et gubernantore et innumrabile multirine comparentes conflictum acerimum ingeront ubi deis exaginte interfecti sunt omnes exet uno exparte clankae et undecam exetis exparte altera hok etiam ibi acirit coromnes in procinto i constitui unos euron lokom de figi considerans interomnes in anemum et labetur et agom deethaea natando ranscredit amelenes in seguitur sednuscom aprehendutur sancti githur partes atonitae tantcom non ad conflictum progesuri ob defectum ewasi lolit innum part integrum avens numerum susiorum consentire ut unos deisuis defemitur nek putuit pas altera cocomque pretio alterum an suplandii wicum fugiendes in lucere stupendigitur onnes aerentes dedamno fugitii concarentes et contotum iliud opesessare futareetur eche in merio prorupit unus stipulosus venakulus statura modicus sed elthera estikens eche ego cuis me conducet in fraare co operaris estis ad hung lurum deatralum prodimidia in marca lurum expirar utra hoca petens uc si vivus de palaestra au vasero uitam ako cum vestrim rekepiam d'umwec seru cuya siget digitur magorum caritatum nemo abit coam ut animam suom honasuis pro amicis quali mercahede donnambor cui animum deam pro inimicis in repubicae et reikine po no hod peti et a rege et diversus magnitibus conkedetur cum hoq arkes ehus extendetur et primu sagitum in palatum contrarium trandmisit i unum interthiket confestum hink in de sagitai volintard bipenis librant gladius vibrant alterutro kertant et veluti canifikes boves in makelo sig incontenante ad inwickium se trukirant sed nek inter tantos repertos et vel unasui tan cum wecours an timidus siguen posterg alterios declinans sepsum atant caede pretenen excusare estetam tiros superveniens finalitur ilaisus exgivit de hink mortal tempore boraues quewewit nek ibedum fut upsupra kateranorum excuses the scene is heightened with many florid additions by bokse and lazly, and the contending savages in Buchanan utter speeches after the most approved pattern of livy. The devotion of the young chief of clan Quehils, Faustor Frather and Faustor Brethren in the novel is a trait of clanish fidelity of which Highland's story furnishes many examples. In the battle of Inver-Kinthen, between the royalists and Oliver Cromwell's troops a Faustor Frather and seven brave sons are known to have the sacrifice themselves for Sir Hector McLean of Dewart, the old man, whenever one of his boys fell, thrusting forward another to fill his place at the right hand with the beloved chief, with the very words adopted in the novel. Another for Hector. Nay, the feeling cut out lived generations, the late much lamented general Stuart of Garth and his account of the battle of Kilikranky and forms as that Loki-Ella was attended on the feud by the son of his Faustor brother. This faithful adherence followed him like his shadow, ready to assist him with his sword or cover him from the shot of the enemy. Suddenly the chief missed his friend from his side and turned round to look what had become of him, saw him lying on his back with his breast pierced by an arrow. He had hardly breathed before he expired that. Seeing an enemy, a Highlander and General McCay's army aiming at him with a bow and arrow, he sprung behind him and thus sheltered him from instant death. This, observes the gallant David Stuart, as a species of duty not often practiced perhaps by our aid the camp of the present day. Sketches of the Highlanders, volume one, page 65. I have only to add that the second series of Chronicles of the Conongate, with the chapter introductory which proceeds, appeared in May 1828 and had a favorable reception. Abbotsford, August 15th, 1831. End of section one. Recording by Elsie Selwyn. The Fair Maid of Perth or St. Valentine's Day by Sir Walter Scott. Chapter 25 The course of true love never did run smooth. Shakespeare The ominous anxiety of our armorer had not played him false when the good Glover parted with his intended son-in-law after the judicial combat had been decided. He found what he indeed had expected that his fair daughter was in no favorable disposition towards her lover. But, although he perceived that Catherine was cold, restrained, collected, had cast away the appearance of mortal passion and listened with a reserve implying contempt to the most splendid description he could give her of the combat in the Skinner's Yards. He was determined not to take notice of her altered manner, but to speak of her marriage with his son Henry as a thing which must, of course, take place. At length, when she began, as on a former occasion, to intimate that her attachment to the armorer did not exceed the bounds of friendship, that she was resolved never to marry, that the pretended judicial combat was a mockery of the divine will and of human laws, and that she was utterly grew angry. I cannot read thy thoughts, Wench, nor can I pretend to guess under what wicked delusion it is that you kiss a declared lover, suffer him to kiss you, run to his house when a report is spread of his death, and fling yourself into his arms when you find him alone, alive. All this shows very well in a girl prepared to obey her parents in a match sanctioned by her father. But such tokens of intimacy bestowed on one whom a young woman cannot esteem and is determined not to marry are uncomely and unmaidingly. You have already been more bounteous of your favors to Henry Smith than your mother, whom God Eswazi ever was to me before I married her. I tell thee, Catherine, this trifling with the love of an honest man is what I neither can, will, nor ought to endure. I have given my consent to the match, and I insist it shall take place without delay, and that you receive Henry Wind tomorrow as a man whose bride you are to be with all dispatch. A power more potent than your father will say no, replied Catherine. I will risk it. My power is a lawful one. That of a father over a child and an erring child, answered her father. God and man allow of my influence. Then may heaven help us, said Catherine, for if you are obstinate in your purpose we are all lost. We can expect no help from heaven, said the Glover, when we act with indiscretion. I am clerk enough myself to know that, and that your causeless resistance to my will is sinful. Every priest will inform you. I, and more than that, you have spoken degradingly of the blessed appeal to God in the combat of ordeal. Take heed, for the holy church is awakened to watch her sheepfold, and to extirpate heresy by fire and steel, so much I warn thee of. Catherine uttered a suppressed exclamation, and with difficulty compelling herself to assume an appearance of composure, promised her father that if he would spare her any father discussion of the subject till tomorrow morning, she would then meet him, determined to make a full discovery of her sentiments. With this promise Simon Glover was obliged to remain contented, though extremely anxious for the postponed explanation. It could not be levity or fickleness of character which induced his daughter to act with so much apparent inconsistency towards the man of his choice and whom she had so lately unequivocally owned to be also the man of her own. What external force there could exist of a kind powerful enough to change the resolutions she had so decidedly expressed within twenty-four hours was a matter of complete mystery. But I will be as obstinant as she can be, thought the Glover, and she shall either marry Henry Smith without further delay, or old Simon Glover will know an excellent reason to the contrary. The subject was not renewed during the evening, but early on the next morning, just at sun-rising, Catherine knelt before the bed in which her parents still slumbered. Her heart sobbed as if it would burst, and her tears fell thick upon her father's face. The good old man awoke, looked up, crossed his child's forehead and kissed her affectionately. I understand thee, Kate, he said, but my trust are desirous to escape a heavy penance by being sincere. Catherine was silent for an instant. I need not ask, my father, if you remember the Carthusian monk Clement, and his preachings and lessons, at which indeed you assisted so often, that you cannot be ignorant men called you one of his converts, and with greater justice termed me so likewise. I am aware of both, said the Pope, praising himself on his elbow, but I defy foul fame to show that I ever owned him in any heretical proposition, though I loved to hear him talk of the corruptions of the church, the misgovernment of the nobles, and the wild ignorance of the poor, proving, as it seemed to me, that the sole virtue of our common will, its strength and its estimation lay among the burger craft of the better class, which received as comfortable doctrine and creditable to the town. And, if he preached other than right doctrine, wherefore did his superiors in the Carthusian convent permit it? If the shepherds turn a wolf in sheep's clothing into the flock, they should not blame the sheep for being worried. They endured his preaching. Nay, they encouraged it, said Catherine, while the vices of the laity, the contentions of the nobles, and the oppression of the poor were the subject of his censure. And they rejoiced in the crowds who, attracted to the Carthusian church, forsook those of the other convent. But the hypocrites, for such they are, joined with the other fraternities in accusing their preacher Clement. When passing from censuring the crimes of the state, he began to display the pride, ignorance, and luxury of the churchmen themselves, their thirst of power, their usurpation over men's consciences, and their desire to augment their worldly wealth. For God's sake, Catherine, said her father, speak within doors, your voice rises in tone, and your speech in bitterness, your eyes sparkle. It is owing to this zeal in what concerns you no more than others that malicious persons fix upon you the odious and heretic. You know I speak no more than what is truth, said Catherine, and which you yourself have avouched often. By needle and buckskin know, answered the Glover hastily, which thou have me avouched, what might cost me life and limb, land and goods. For a full commission hath been granted for taking and trying heretics, upon whom is laid the cause of all war, few words are best wench. I am ever of mind with the old maker, since word is thrall and thought is free, keep well thy tongue, I counsel thee. The counsel comes too late, father, answered Catherine, sinking down on a chair by her father's bedside. The words have been spoken and heard, and it is indicted against Simon Glover, Burgess and Perth, that he hath possesses of the doctrines of Holy Church. As I live by knife and needle, interrupted Simon, it is a lie, I never was so silliest to speak of what I understood not, and hath slandered the anointed of the church, both regular and secular, continued Catherine. Nay, I will never deny the truth, said the Glover, an idle word I may have spoken at the ale bench, or over a pattle shrine, or in right shore company, but else my tongue is not one to run my head into peril. So you think, my dearest father, but your slightest language has been espied, your best meaning phrases have been perverted, and you are in dite as a gross railer against church and churchmen, and for holding discourse against them with loose and profligate persons, such as Oliver Proudfoot, the Smith, Henry of the Wind, and others set forth as commending the doctrines of Father Clement, whom they charge with seven rank heresies, and seek for with staff and spear to try him to the death. But that, said Catherine kneeling, and looking upwards with the aspect of one of those beautyous saints whom the Catholics have given to the fine arts, that they shall never do. The earth escaped from the net of the fowler, and I thank heaven it was by my means. Thy means, girl, art thou mad? said the amazed Glover. I will not deny what I glory in, answered Catherine. It was by my means that Conachar was led to come hither with a party of men and carry off the old man who is now far beyond the Highland line. Thou, my rash, my child, said the Glover, has dared to aid the escape of one accused of heresy, and to invite Highlanders in arms to interfere with the administration of justice within Berg. Alas! Thou hast offended both against the loss of the church and those of the realm. What! What would become of us worth this known? It is known, my dear father said the maiden firmly, known even to those who would be the most fulfilling avengers of the deed. This must be some idle notion, Catherine, or some trick of those cogging priests and nuns it accords not with thy late cheerful willingness to wed Henry Smith. Alas! dearest father, remember the dismal surprise occasioned by his reported death and the joyful amazement at finding him alive, and deem it not wonder if I permitted myself under your protection to say my reflection justified. But then I knew not the worst and thought the danger exaggerated. Alas! I was yesterday fearfully undeceived when the abyss herself came hither and with her the Dominican. They showed me the commission under the broad seal of Scotland for inquiring into and punishing heresy. They showed me your name and my own in a list of suspected persons, and it was with tears, real tears, that the abyss conjured me to avert a dreadful fate by a speedy retreat into the cloister, and that the monk pledged his word that you should not be molested if I complied. The foul fiend take them both for weeping crocodiles, said the Glover. Alas! replied Catherine, complaint or anger will little help us, but you see I have had real cause for this present alarm. Alarm! call it utter ruin! Alas! my reckless child! Where was your prudence when you ran headlong into such a snare? Hear me father, said Catherine, there is still one mode of safety held out. It is one which I have often proposed and for which I have in vain supplicated your permission. I understand you, the convent said her father, but Catherine what abyss or prioris would dare that I will explain to you father and it will also show the circumstances which have made me seem unsteady of resolution to a degree which has brought censure upon me from yourself and others. Our confessor old father Francis whom I chose from the Dominican convent at your command I truly interrupted the Glover and I so counseled and commanded thee in order to take off the report that thy conscience was altogether under the direction of father Clement. Well, this father Francis has at different times urged and provoked me to converse on such matters as he judged I was likely to learn something of from the Carthusian preacher, heaven forgive my blindness. I fell into the snare, spoke freely and as he argued gently as one who would feign be convinced I even spoke warmly in defense of what I believed devoutly. The confessor assumed not his real aspect and betrayed not his secret purpose until he had learned all that I had to tell him. It was then that he threatened me with temporal punishment and with eternal condemnation. Had his threats reached me alone I could have stood firm, for their cruelty on earth I could have endured and their power beyond this life I have no belief in. For heaven's sake said the Glover who was well nigh beside himself at perceiving at every new word the increasing extremity of his daughter's danger beware of blaspheming the holy church whose arms are as prompt to strike as her ears are sharp to hear. To me said the mate of Perth again looking up the terrors of the threatened denunciations would have been of little avail but when they spoke of involving thee my father in the charges against me I own I trembled and desired to compromise. The Abbas Martha of El Conunary being my mother's kinswoman I told her my distresses and obtained her promise that she would receive me if renouncing worldly love and thoughts of wedlock I would take the veil of my sisterhood. She had conversation on the topic I doubt not with the Dominican Francis and both joined in singing the same song. Remain in the world said they and thy father in thou shall be brought to trial as heretics assume the veil and the errors of both shall be forgiven and cancelled. They spoke not even of recantation of errors of doctrine all should be peace if I would hear the convent. I doubt not I doubt not said Simon the old Glover is thought rich and his wealth would follow his daughter to the convent of Elco unless what the Dominicans might claim as their own share so this was thy call to the veil these thy objections to Henry wind. Indeed father the course was urged on all hands nor did my own mind recoil from it. Sir Cameron Mourney threatened me with the powerful vengeance of the young Prince if I continued to repel his wicked suit and as for poor Henry it is but of late that I have discovered to my own surprise that I love his virtues more than I dislike his faults. Alas the discovery has only been made to render my quitting the world more difficult than when I thought I had thee only to regret. She rested her head on her hand and wept bitterly. All this is folly said the Glover, never was there an extremity so pinching but what a wise man might find counsel if he was daring enough to act upon it. This has never been the land or the people over whom priests could rule in the name of Rome without their usurpation being controlled if they are to punish each honest burger who says they love gold and that the lives of some of them cry shame upon the doctrines they teach why truly Steven Smotherwell will not lack employment and if all foolish maidens are to be secluded from the world because they follow the erring doctrines of a popular preaching friar they must enlarge the nunneries and receive their inmates on slider composition. Our privileges have been often against the Pope himself by our good monarchs of yore and when he pretended to interfere with the temporal government of the kingdom there wanted not a Scottish parliament who told him his duty in a letter that should have been written in letters of gold. I have seen the epistle myself and though I could not read it the very sight of the seals of the right reverend prelates and noble and true barons which hung at it made my heart leap for joy thou shouldest not have kept this secret my child but it is no time to tax thee with thy fault. Go down get me some food I will mount instantly and go to our lord provost and have his advice and as I trust his protection and that of the other true hearted Scottish nobles who will not see a true man trotting down for an idle word. Yes my father said Catherine it was even this impetuosity which I dreaded I knew if I made my plane to you there would soon be fire and feud as if religion though sent to us by the father of peace were fit only to be the mother of discord and hence I could now even now give up the world and retire with my sorrow among the sisters of Elko would you but let me be the sacrifice only father comfort poor Henry when we are parted forever and do not do not let him think of me too harshly say Catherine will never vex him more by her remonstrances but that she will never forget him in her prayers the girl hath a tongue that would make a Saracen weep said her father his own eyes sympathizing with those of his daughter but I will not yield way to this separation between the nun and the priest to rob me of my only child away with you girl and let me don my clothes and prepare yourself to obey me in what I may have to recommend for your safety get a few clothes together and what valuables thou hast also take the keys of my iron box which poor Henry Smith gave me and divide what gold you find into two portions put the one into a purse for and the other into the quilted girdle which I made on purpose to wear on journeys thus both shall be provided in case fate should sunder us in which event God send the whirlwind may take the withered leaf and spare the green one let them make ready my horse instantly and the white genet that I bought for thee but a day since hoping to see thee ride to St. John's Kirk with maids and matrons and light the bride as ever crossed the holy threshold but its skills not talking away and remember that the saints help those who are willing to help themselves not a word and answer be gone I say no willfulness now the pilot in calm weather will let a sea boy trifle with the rudder but by my soul when winds howl and waves arise he stands by the helm himself I say no reply Catherine left the room to execute as well as she might the commands of her father who, gentle in disposition and devotedly attached to his child suffered her often as it seemed to guide and rule both herself and him yet who, as she knew was want to claim filial obedience and exercise parental authority with sufficient strictness when the occasion seemed to require an enforcement of domestic discipline while the fair Catherine was engaged in executing her father's behest and the good old glover was hastily attiring himself as one who was about to take a journey a horse's tramp was heard in the narrow street the horseman was wrapped in his riding cloak having the cape of it drawn up as if to hide the under part of his face while his bonnet was pulled over his brows and a broad plume obscured his upper features he sprung from the saddle and Dorothy had scarce time to reply to his inquiries that the glover was in his bedroom ere the stranger had ascended the stair and entered the sleeping apartment Simon astonished and alarmed and disposed to see in this early visitant an apparitor or summoner come to attach him and his daughter was much relieved when as the stranger doffed the bonnet and threw the skirt of the mantle from his face he recognized the nightly provost of the fair city a visit from whom at any time was a favor of no ordinary degree but being made at such an hour had something marvelous and connected with the circumstances of the times even alarming Sir Patrick Charteris said the glover this high the stranger done to your poor beadsman hush said the night there is no time for idle civilities I came hither because a man is in trying occasions his own safest page and I can remain no longer than to bid thee fly good glover since warrants are to be granted this day in council for the arrest of thy daughter and thee under charge of heresy and delay will cost you both your liberty for certain perhaps your lives I have heard something of such a matter said the glover and was this instant setting forth to confounds to plead my innocence of this scandalous charge to ask your lordship's council and to implore your protection thy innocence friend Simon will avail thee but little before prejudice judges my advice is in one word to fly and wait for happier times as for my protection we must tarry till the tide turns air at will in any sort avail thee but if thou canst lie concealed for a few days or weeks I have little doubt that the churchman who by siding with the Duke of Albany in court intrigue and by alleging the decay of the purity of Catholic doctrine as the sole cause of the present national misfortunes have at least for the present hour an irresistible authority over the king will receive a check. In the meanwhile however know that King Robert hath not only given way to this general warrant for inquisition after heresy but hath confirmed the pope's nomination of Henry Wardlaw to be Archbishop of St. Andrews and Primate of Scotland thus yielding to Rome those freedoms and immunities of the Scottish church which his ancestors from the time of Malcolm Canmore have so boldly defended his brave fathers would have rather subscribed a covenant with the devil than yielded in such a matter to the pretensions of Rome alas and what remedy none old man save in some sudden court change said Sir Patrick the king is but like a mirror which having no light itself reflects back with equal readiness any which is placed near to it for the time now although the Douglas is banded with Albany yet the Earl is unfavorable to the high claims of those domineering priests having quarreled with them about the exactions which his retinue hath raised on the Abbot of Arbroth he will come back again with a high hand for reports says the Earl of March hath fled before him when he returns we shall have a changed world for his presence will control Albany especially as many nobles and I myself as I tell you in confidence are resolved to league with him to defend the general right thy exile therefore will end with his return to our court thou hast but to seek thee some temporary hiding place for that my lord said the Glover I can be at no loss since I have just titled to the protection of the High Highland chief Gilchrist Mckian chief of the clan Quaheli nay if thou can't take hold of his mantle thou needs no help of anyone else neither lowland churchmen nor laymen finds a free course of justice beyond the Highland frontier but then my child noble sir my Catherine said the Glover let her go with thee man the gratin cake will keep her white teeth in order the goat's way will make the blood spring seek again which these alarms have banished and even the fair maiden of Perth may sleep soft enough on a bed of Highland Brecken it is not from such idle respects my lord that I hesitate said the Glover Catherine is the daughter of a plain burger and knows not nicety of food or lodging but the son of Mckian hath been for many years a guest in my house and I am obliged to say that I have observed him my daughter who is as good as a betrothed bride in a manner that though I cared not for it in this lodging in curfew street would give me some fear of consequences in a Highland Glen where I have no friend and conich are many the nightly provost replied by a long whistle whoo whoo nay in that case I advise thee to send her to the nunnery at Elco where the abyss if I forget not is some relation of yours indeed she said so herself adding that she loved her kin's woman well together with all that belongs to thee Simon truly my lord I do believe that the abyss hath so much regard for me that she would willingly receive the trust of my daughter and my whole goods and gear into her sisterhood Mary her affection is something of a tenacious character and would be lost to unloose its hold either upon the wench or her talker whoo whoo again whistled the night of kinfounds by the thane's cross man but this is an ill-favored pern to wind yet it shall never be said the fairest maid in the fair city was cooped up in a convent like a cane hen in a cavey and she about to be married to the bold Burgess Henry Wind that tale shall not be told while Belton spurs and am called provost of Perth but what remeed my lord as the Glover we must all take our share of the risk come get you and your daughter presently to horse you shall ride with me and we'll see who dare gloom at you the summons is not yet served on thee and if they send an apparitor to kinfounds without a warrant under the king's own hand I make mine avow by the red rovers soul that he shall eat his writ both wax and weather skin to horse to horse and addressing Catherine as she entered at the moment you too my pretty maid to horse and fear not for your quarters they thrive in law that trust in charters in a minute or two the father and daughter were on horseback both keeping an arrows flight before the provost by his direction that they might not seem to be of the same company they passed the eastern gate in some haste and rode forward roundly until they were out of sight sir Patrick followed leisurely but when he was lost to the view of the warders he spurred his meddled horse and soon came up with the Glover and Catherine when a conversation ensued which throws light upon some previous passages of this history end of section 28 section 32 the fair maid of Perth or St. Valentine's Day this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Rita Butros the fair maid of Perth or St. Valentine's Day by Sir Walter Scott Chapter 29 Part 1 still harping on my daughter Hamlet two hours before the black cock crew Simon Glover was wakened by a well-known voice which called him by name what conich are he replied as he started from sleep is the morning so far advanced and raising his eyes the person of whom he was dreaming stood before him and at the same moment the events of yesterday rushing on his recollection he saw with surprise that the vision retained the form which sleep had assigned it and it was not the male clad Highland chief with Claymore in hand as he had seen him the preceding night but conich are of curfew street in his humble apprentice garb holding in his hand a switch of oak an apparition would not more have surprised our Perth wonder the youth turned upon him a piece of lighted bog wood which he carried in a lantern and to his waking exclamation replied even so father Simon it is conich are come to renew our old acquaintance when our intercourse will attract least notice so saying he sat down on a trestle which answered the purpose of a chair and placing the lantern beside him proceeded in the most friendly tone I have tasted of that good cheer many a day father Simon I trust thou hast found no lack in my family none whatever Akin McKayen answered the Glover for the simplicity of the Celtic language and manners rejects all honorary titles it was even too good for this fasting season and much too good for me since I must be ashamed to think how hard you fared in curfew street even too well to use your own word said conich are for the deserts of an idle apprentice and for the wants of a young Highlander but yesterday if there was as I trust enough of food found you not good Glover some lack of courteous welcome excuse it not I know you did so but I am young in authority with my people and I must not too early draw their attention to the period of my residence in the lowlands however I can never forget I understand the cause entirely said Simon and therefore it is unwillingly and as it were by force that I have made so early a visit hither hush father hush it is well you are come to see some of my Highlander while it yet sparkles return after Palm Sunday and who knows whom or what you may find in the territories we now possess may have made his lodge where the banqueting bower of Machian now stands the young chief was silent and pressed the top of the rod to his lips as if to guard against uttering more there is no fear of that Eakin said Simon in that vague way in which lukewarm comforters endeavor to turn the reflections of their friends from the consideration of inevitable danger there is fear and there is peril utter ruin answered Eakin and there is positive certainty of great loss I marvel my father consented to this wily proposal of Albany I would McGillie check and act would agree with me and then instead of wasting our best blood against each other we would go down together to Strathmore and kill and take possession I would rule at Perth and he at Dundee and all the great strath should be our own banks of the Firth of Tay such is the policy I have caught from your old grey head father Simon when holding a trencher at thy back and listening to thy evening talk with Bailey Craig Daly the tongue is well called an unruly member thought the glover here have I been holding a candle to the devil to show him the way to mischief but he only said aloud these plans come too late indeed answered Eakin the indentures of battle are signed by our marks and seals the burning hate of the clan Quaheli and clan Chetan is blown up to an inextinguishable flame by mutual insults and bows yes the time is passed by but to thine own affairs father Glover it is religion that has brought thee hither as I learn from Niel Boushala surely my experience of prudence did not lead me to suspect thee of any quarrel with mother Church as for my old acquaintance father Clement he is one of those who hunt after the crown of martyrdom and think a stake surrounded with blazing faggots better worth embracing than a willing bride he is a very nighterrant in defense of his religious notions and does battle wherever he comes he have already a quarrel with the monks of Sybil's Yander about some point of doctrine has seen him I have answered Simon but we spoke little together the time being pressing he may have said that there is a third person one more likely I think to be a true fugitive for religion than either you a shrewd citizen or he a wrangling preacher who would be right heartily welcome to share our protection thou art dull man and I will not guess my meaning thy daughter Catherine these last words the young chief spoke in English and he continued the conversation in that language as if apprehensive of being overheard and indeed as if under the sense of some involuntary hesitation my daughter Catherine said the Glover remembering what the Carthusian had told him is well and safe but where or with whom and wherefore came she not with you think you the clan Quaheli have know Calyx as active as old Dorothy whose hand has warmed my habits before now to wait upon the daughter of their chieftains master again I thank you said the Glover and doubt neither your power nor your will to protect my daughter as well as myself but an honorable lady the friend of Sir Patrick Charteris hath offered her a safe place of refuge without the risk of a toilsome journey through a desolate and distracted country oh I Sir Patrick Charteris said Eakin in a more reserved and distant tone he must be preferred to all men without doubt he is your friend I think Simon Glover longed to punish this affectation of a boy who had been scolded four times a day for running into the street to see Sir Patrick Charteris who had passed but he checked his spirit of repartee and simply said Sir Patrick Charteris has been provost of Perth for seven years and it is likely is so still since the magistrates are elected not in Lent but at St. Martin Mass ah Father Glover said the youth in his kinder and more familiar mode of address you are so used to see the sumptuous shows and pageants that you would but little relish our barbarous festival in comparison what didst thou think of our ceremonial of yesterday it was noble and touching said the Glover and to me who knew your Father most especially so when you rested on the sword and looked around you me thought I saw my old friend Gilchrist McKeon arisen from the dead and renewed in years and in strength I played my part there boldly dressed and showed little of that paltry apprentice boy whom you used to use just as he deserved Akin resembles Conachar said the Glover no more than a salmon resembles a gar though men say they are the same fish in a different state or that a butterfly resembles a grub thinkest thou that while I was taking upon me the power which all women love I would have been myself an object for a I to rest upon to speak plain what would Catherine have thought of me in the ceremonial we approach the shallows now thought Simon Glover and without nice pilotage we drive right on shore most women like show Egan but I think my daughter Catherine be an exception she would rejoice in the good fortune of her household friend and playmate but she would not value the splendid McKeon captain of clan Quaheli more than the orphan Conachar she is ever generous and disinterested replied the young chief but your self father have seen the world for many more years than she has done and can better form a judgment what power and wealth do for those who enjoy them think and speak sincerely what would be your own thoughts if you saw your Catherine standing under yonder canopy with the command over 300 hills and the devoted obedience of 10,000 vassals and as the price of these advantages her hand and that of the man who loves her the best in the world meaning in your own Conachar said Simon I Conachar call me I love the name since it was by that I have been known to Catherine sincerely then said the Glover endeavoring to give the least offensive turn to his reply my in most thought would be the earnest wish that Catherine and I were safe in our humble booth in curfew street with Dorothy for our only vessel and with poor Conachar also I trust you would not leave him to pine away in solitary grandeur I would not enter the Glover wish so ill to the clan Quaheli mine ancient friends as to deprive them at the moment of brave young chief and that chief of the fame which he is about to acquire at their head in the approaching conflict he can bit his lip to suppress his irritated feelings as he replied words words empty words father Simon you fear the clan Quaheli more than you love them and you suppose their indignation would be formidable should their chief marry the daughter of a Burgess of Perth if I do fear such an issue Hector Mackeon have I not reason how have ill assorted marriages had issue in the house of McCallanmore in that of the powerful McLean's nay of the lords of the Isles themselves what has ever come of them but divorce and ex heredation sometimes worse fate to the ambitious intruder you could not marry my child before a priest and you could only wed her with a hand and I he checked the strain of impetuosity which the subject inspired and concluded and I am an honest though humble burger of Perth who would rather my child were the lawful and undoubted spouse of a citizen in my own rank than the licensed concubine of a monarch I will wed Catherine before the priest and before the world before the altar and the virtuous young man she is the love of my youth and there is not a tie in religion or honor but I will bind myself by them I have sounded my people if we do but win this combat and with the hope of gaining Catherine we shall win it my heart tells me so I shall be so much lord over their affections that were I to take a bride from the alms house so it were my daughter of McCallanmore but you reject my suit said Eakin sternly you put words of offense in my mouth said the old man and may next punish me for them since I am holy in your power but with my consent my daughter shall never wed save in her own degree her heart would break amid the constant wars and scenes of bloodshed which connect themselves with your lot I really love her and recollect her dread of strife and combat you would not wish her to be subjected to the train of military horrors in which you like your father must needs be inevitably and eternally engaged choose a bride amongst the daughters of the mountain chiefs my son or fiery lowland nobles you are fair young rich high born and powerful and will not win you will readily find one who will rejoice in your conquest and cheer you under defeat to Catherine the one would be as frightful as the other a warrior must wear a steel gauntlet a glove of kidskin would be torn to pieces in an hour a dark cloud passed over the face of the young chief lately animated with so much fire farewell he said the only hope which could have any more victory he remained for a space silent and intensely thoughtful with downcast eyes a lowering brow and folded arms at length he raised his hands and said father for such you have been to me I am about to tell you a secret reason and pride both advise me to be silent but fate urges me and must be obeyed I am about to lodge in you the deepest and dearest that man ever confided to man but beware and this conference how it will beware how you ever breathe a syllable of what I am now to trust to you for know that were you to do so in the most remote corner of Scotland I have ears to hear it even there and a hand and pawnyard to reach a trader's bosom I am but the word will not out do not speak it then said the prudent Glover a secret is no longer safe when it crosses the lips of him who owns it and I desire not a confidence so dangerous as you menace me with I but I must speak and you must hear said the youth in this age of battle father you have yourself been a combatant once only replied Simon when the Southeren assaulted the fair city I was summoned to take my part in the defense as my tenure required like that of other craftsmen who are bound to keep watch and ward and how felt you upon that matter inquired the young chief what can that import to the present business said Simon in some surprise much else I had not asked the question answered Eakin in the tone of haughtiness which from time to time he assumed an old man is easily brought to speak the olden times said Simon not unwilling on an instance reflection to lead the conversation away from the subject of his daughter and I must needs confess my feelings were much short of the high cheerful confidence nay the pleasure with which I have seen other men go to battle my life and profession were peaceful and though I have not wanted the spirit of a man when the time demanded it yet I have seldom slept worse than the night before that onslaught my ideas were harrowed by the tales we were told nothing short of the truth about the Saxon archers how they drew shafts of a cloth yard length and used bows a third longer than ours when I fell into a broken slumber if but a straw in the mattress pricked my side I started and waked thinking an English arrow was quivering in my body in the morning as I began for very weariness to sink into some repose I was waked by the tolling of the common bell which called us burgers to the walls I never heard it sound peels so like a passing knell before or since go on what further chance demanded Eken I did on my harness said Simon such as it was took my mother's blessing a high spirited woman who spoke of my father's blessings for the honor of the fair town this heartened me and I felt still bolder when I found myself ranked among the other crafts all bowmen for thou knowest the Perth citizens have good skill in archery we were dispersed on the walls several knights and squires in armor of proof being mingled amongst us who kept a bold countenance confident perhaps in their harness and informed us for our encouragement that they would cut down with their swords and axes any of those who should attempt to quit their post I was kindly assured of this myself by the old camp of kin founts as he was called this good Sir Patrick's father then our provost he was a grandson of the red rover Tom of Longville and a likely man to keep his word which he addressed to me in a special because a night of much discomfort may have made me look paler than usual and besides I was but a lad and did his exhortation add to your fear or your resolution said Eakin who seemed very attentive to my resolution answered Simon for I think nothing can make a man so bold to face one danger at some distance in his front as the knowledge of another close behind him to push him forward well I mounted the walls intolerable heart and was placed with others on the spay tower being accounted a good bowman but a very cold fit seized me as I saw the English in great order with their archers in front and their men at arms behind marching forward to the attack in strong columns three in number they came on steadily and some of us would feign have shot at them but it was strictly forbidden and we were obliged to remain motionless sheltering ourselves behind the battlement as we best might as the south run formed their long ranks into lines each man occupying his place as by magic and preparing to cover themselves by large shields called pavesses which they planted before them I again felt a strange breathlessness and some desire to go home for a glass of distilled waters but as I looked aside I saw the worthy camp of kin founds bending a large crossbow and I thought it pity he should waste the bolt on a true hearted Scotsman when so many English were in presence so I even stayed where I was being in a comfortable angle formed by two battlements the English then strode forward and drew their bow strings not to the breast as your silent current do but to the ear and sent off their volleys of swallow tails before we could call on St. Andrew I winked when I saw them haul up their tackle and I believe I started as the shafts began to rattle against the parapet but looking round me and seeing none hurt but John Squallot the town crier whose jaws were pierced through with a cloth yard shaft I took heart of grace and shot in my turn with good will and good aim a little man I shot at who had just peeped out from behind his target dropped with a shaft through his shoulder the provost cried well stitched Simon Glover St. John for his old town my fellow craftsman shouted I though I was then but an apprentice and if you will believe me in the rest of the skirmish which was ended by the foes I drew bowstring and loosed shaft as calmly as if I had been shooting at butts instead of men's breasts I gained some credit and I have ever afterwards thought that in case of necessity for with me it had never been matter of choice I should not have lost it again and this is all I can tell of war like experience in battle other dangers I have had which I have endeavored to avoid like a wise man or when they were inevitable I have faced them like a true one upon other terms a man cannot live or hold up his head in Scotland I understand your tale said Eakin but I shall find it difficult to make you credit mine knowing the race of which I am descended and especially that I am the son of him whom we have this day laid in the tomb well that he lies where he will never learn what you are now to hear look the light which I bear grows short and pale a few minutes will extinguish it but before it expires the hideous tale will be told father I am a coward it is said at last and the secret of my disgrace is in keeping of another end of section 32 section 34 of the fair made of Perth or Saint Valentine's day this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Campbell Shelp the fair made of Perth or Saint Valentine's day by Sir Walter Scott Chapter 30 we must return to the characters of our dramatic narrative whom we left at Perth when we accompanied the Glover and his fair daughter to Convance and from that hospitable mansion traced the course of Simon to Loctë and the Prince as the highest personage claims our immediate attention this rash and inconsiderate young man endured with some impatience his sequestered residence with the Lord High Constable with whose company otherwise in every respect satisfactory he became dissatisfied from no reason than that he held in some degree the character of his water incensed against his uncle and displeased with his father he longed not unnaturally for the society of Sir John Ramone on whom he had been so long accustomed to throw himself for amusement and though he would have resented the imputation as an insult for guidance and direction he therefore sent him a summons to attend him providing his health permitted and directed him to come by water to a little pavilion in the High Constable's garden which like that of Sir John's own lodgings ran down to the Tay and renewing an intimacy so dangerous Roth say only remembered that he had been Sir John Ramone's munificent friend while Sir John on receiving the invitation only recollected on his part the capricious insults he had sustained from his patron the love his hand and the lightness with which he had treated the subject and the readiness with which Roth say had abandoned his cause in the matter of the bonnet maker's slaughter he laughed bitterly when he read the Prince's billet heavy it he said mannessed out boat with six trusty men trusty men mark me lose not a moment and bid dwining instantly come hither heaven smiles on us trusty friend he said to the mediciner I was but beating my brains how to get access to this fickle boy and here he sends to invite me him I see the matter very clearly said dwining heaven smiles on some untoward consequences he he he no matter the trap is ready and it is baited to my friend with what would lure the boy from a sanctuary though a troop with drawn weapons weighted him in the churchyard yet it is scarce necessary his own wariness of himself would have done the job get thy matters ready thou ghost with us right to him as I cannot that we come instantly to attend his commands and do it clerkly he reads well and that he owes to me he will be your valiancies debtor for more knowledge before he dies he he he but is your bargain sure with the Duke of Albany enough to gratify my ambition thy avarice and the revenge of both abort abort and speedily let aviot throw in a few flasks of the choicest wine and some cold baked meats but your arm my lord sir John does it not pain you the throbbing of my heart silences the pain of my wound it beats as it would burst it was um heaven forbid said dwining adding and a low voice it would be a strange sight if it should I should like to dissect it save that its stony case would spoil my best instruments in a few minutes they were in the boat while a speedy messenger carried the note to the prince Rothsay was seated with the constable after their noontide repast he was swollen and silent Earl had just asked whether it was his pleasure that the table should be cleared when a note delivered to the prince changed at once his aspect as you will he said I go to the pavilion in the garden always with permission of my lord constable to receive my late master of the horse my lord said lord Earl I my lord must I ask permission twice no surely my lord answered the constable but has your royal highness recollected that Sir John Ramourney has not the plague I hope replied the Duke of Rothsay calm Earl you would play the surly turnkey but it is not in your nature farewell for half an hour a new folly said Earl as the prince flinging open a lattice of the ground parlor in which they sat stepped out into the garden a new folly to call back that villain to his councils but he is infatuated the prince in the meantime looked back and said hastily your lordship's good housekeeping will afford us a flask or two of wine and a slight collation in the pavilion I love the alfresco of the river the constable bowed and gave the necessary orders so that Sir John found the materials of good cheer ready displayed when landing from his barge he entered the pavilion it grieves my heart to see your highness under restrained said Ramourney with a well executed appearance of sympathy that grief of thine will grieve mine said the prince I am sure here has Earl and a right true hearted lord he is so tired me with grave looks and something like grave lessons that he has driven me back to thee thou reprobate from whom as I expect nothing good I may perhaps obtain something entertaining yet ere we say more it was foul work that upon the fast turns even Ramourney I well hope thou gavest not aim to it on my honor my lord a simple mistake of the brute Bonthrin I did hint to him that a dry beating would be due to the fellow by whom I had lost a hand and lo you my name makes a double mistake he takes one man for another and instead of the baton he uses the axe it is well that it went no farther small matter for the bonnet maker but I had never forgiven you had the armourer fallen there is not his match in Britain but I hope they hanged the villain high enough if thirty feet might serve replied Ramourney no more of him his wretched name makes the good wine taste of blood and what are the news in Perth Ramourney how stands it with the bonerobas and the Galiards little Galiardis stirring my lord answered the night all eyes are turned to the motions of the black Douglas who comes with five thousand chosen men to put us all to rights as if he were bound for another otter burn it is said he is to be lieutenant again it is certain many have declared for his faction it is time then my feet were free said Rothsay otherwise I may find a worse warder than Errol aye my lord where you once away from this place you might make as bold ahead as Douglas Ramourney said the prince gravely I have but a confused remembrance of your once having proposed something horrible to me beware of such council I would be free I would have my person at my own disposal but I will never levy arms against my father nor those it pleases him to trust it was only for your royal highness's personal freedom that I was presuming to speak answered Ramourney where I in your grace's place I would get me into that good boat which hovers on the Tay and drop quietly down to Fife where you have many friends and make free to take possession of Falkland it is a royal castle and though the king has bestowed it in gift on your uncle yet surely even if the grant were not subject to challenge your grace might make free with the residents of so near a relative she hath made free with mine said the Duke as the steward of Renfrew can tell but stay Ramourney hold did I not hear Errol say that the lady majority Douglas whom they call Duchess of Rothsay is at Falkland I would neither dwell with that lady nor insult her by dislodging her the lady was there my lord replied Ramourney I have sure evidence that she has gone to meet her father ha to animate the Douglas against me or perhaps to beg him to spare me providing I come on my knees to her bed as pilgrims say the emmers and emeralds upon whom a serrated soldier bestows a daughter in marriage are bound to do Ramourney I will act by the Douglas's own saying it is better to hear the lark sing than the mouse squeak I will keep both foot and hand from fetters no place fitter than Falkland replied Ramourney I have enough of good yeomen to keep the place and should your highness wish to leave it a brief ride reaches the sea in three directions you speak well but we shall die of gloom yonder neither mirth music nor maidens ha said the heedless prince pardon me noble Duke but though the lady Margery Douglas be departed like an errant daemon romance to implore sucker of her dowdy sire there is I may say a lovelier I am sure a younger maiden either presently at Falkland or who will soon be on the road thither your highness has not forgotten the fair maid of Perth forget the prettiest wench in Scotland no any more than thou hast forgotten the hand that thou hats in the curfew street onslaught on Saint Valentine's Eve the hand that I had your highness would say the hand that I lost as certain as I shall never regain it Catherine Glover is or will soon be at Falkland I will not flatter your highness by saying she expects to meet you in truth