There had now
been left trade in excelsis and host and guests were upon the state of
the country, an unpopular war, and fall of ministers. Came in phrases
compounded to meet Jacobite complications and dangers. The
Pretender--the Pretender and his son--French aid--French army that
might be sent to Scotland--position of defense--rumors everywhere you
go--disaffected and Stewart-mad--. Munro Touris had a biting word to
say upon the Highland chiefs. The lawyer talked of certain Lowland
lords and gentlemen. Mr. Touris vented a bitter gibe. He had a black
look in his small, sunken eyes. Alexander, reading him, knew that he
thought of Ian. In a moment the whole conversation had dragged that
way. Mrs. Goodworth spoke with vivacity.
"Lord, sir! I hope that your nephew, now that he wears the King's
coat, has left off talking as he did when he was a boy! He showed his
Highland strain with a warrant! You would have thought that he had
been _out_ himself thirty years ago!"
Her husband checked her. "You have not seen him since he was sixteen.
Boys like that have wild notions of romance and devotion. They change
when they're older."
The lawyer took the word. "Captain Rullock doubtless buried all that
years ago. His wearing the King's coat hauds for proof."
Munro Touris had been college-mate in Edinburgh. "He watered all that
gunpowder in him years ago, did he not, Glenfernie?"
"'To water gunpowder--to shut off danger.
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