Arwed sat by his uncle's sick bed, and, not without some embarrassment
and hesitation, gave an account of Christine's artifice, his weakness,
and her final resolution. The old man exhibited no sign of anger, as
Arwed had anticipated, but on the contrary nodded his assent to the
arrangement. 'She knows what is proper for her,' he at length said in a
trembling voice. 'Her honor is lost beyond redemption, and I therefore
consider it but reasonable and proper that she should hide herself in a
place so little different from the grave. Direct my steward to send a
hundred ducats to Oesterby yearly, for her use, that she may not suffer
from want, and henceforth name her to me no more. With her child you
will do what you think proper; you have an open treasury here, but
never let it come into my presence. I cannot acknowledge a child of Mac
Donalbain as my grandson.'
'Is Megret still here?' asked Arwed, for the purpose of changing the
subject.
'He is,' answered the governor, 'and I wish to have some conversation
with you respecting him. A great change has come over him since the
Ravensten expedition, and he has daily become more and more seriously
misanthropic. Since he clearly ascertained that the----person was
determined at all events to accompany her husband to Danemora, it seems
as if an evil spirit had entered him, and obtained entire possession of
his heart. I really believe the fool did not, until then, give up all
hope of gaining her hand. His presence here has become disagreeable to
me. He daily harasses his poor hounds, who howl about the castle like
damned spirits,--shamefully over-rides his noble horses from mere
caprice, and I have frequently caught him in smiling and pleased
contemplation of his bloody spurs. His groom leads a miserable life
with him, and I have on that account already once or twice upbraided
him severely for his eccentric and irregular course. His plan of
purchasing and settling himself in this vicinity seems to be wholly
given up, and he has become burdensome to every living creature at the
castle, but most of all to himself. I feel that my days are numbered,
and would willingly die in peace. I must therefore beg of you, Arwed,
in my name and in a courteous manner, to dismiss him from the castle.
Should he take it ill, a duel may indeed be the consequence; but you
would not hesitate to exchange a few passes for the love of your old
uncle,--would you?'
'I will set about it immediately,' said Arwed, leaving the room,
rejoiced to have an opportunity of forever ridding himself of the hated
Frenchman.