THE BRIDE'S LOVING-CUP
But just at the weary traverse across the moor of the Bennan, after
the shining levels of Loch Ken were left behind, and before the sylvan
quietnesses of the Lane of Grenoch had been encountered, Wat Gordon
came suddenly on a troop of cavalry that rode northward, tinkling spur
and jingling bit. So long had the country folk of Galloway been in the
habit of fleeing at the sound, that, as the troop advanced, riding
easily, heads were hastily popped out of the whitewashed cottages of
Mossdale, where it sits blithely on the brae. There came a rush of
white-headed bairns; then a good-wife who took the heather rather more
reluctantly, like a motherly hen disturbed from off her comfortable
nest; and then, last of all, followed the good-man, keeping well behind
the yard dike, and driving the family pig before him. For this picture,
in sixteen hundred and eighty-nine, affords the exact estimate of the
character and conduct of his Majesty's dragoons, which the experience
of thirty years had taught the moorland folk of Galloway.
Yet, in the present pacified state of the country, these were doubtless
troopers in the service of King William, and the old bad, days gone
forever--that is, from the point of view of the good-man of Mossdale.
Nevertheless, with such a pig, that worthy man considered that it was
well to run no risks.
But it was otherwise with Wat Gordon of Lochinvar. He had fought at
Killiekrankie, and had twice been outlawed by the government of King
William.
"Halt!" cried the officer in command to him; "whither away, riding so
gayly, young sir?"
"To the wedding at Balmaghie," Wat replied, tossing his lace kerchief,
as if he had been a gallant shedding perfume over the Mall under the
eyes of the maids-in-waiting.
"Your name and possessions?" continued the officer, noways inclined to
be impressed by butterfly graces.
"I am Gordon of Gordonstoun--a kinsman of Alexander Gordon of
Earlstoun, to whose house I presume you are going," replied Wat,
subtly. "This is, indeed, my cousin's war-horse on which I ride, if so
be any of you are acquainted with him."
"Aye, by my faith, that do I all too well," said one of the troopers;
"the uncanny devil came nigh to taking my arm off the other morning
between his teeth, when I would have shifted him out of his stall to
make room for the horse of your honor."
"Well done, Drumclog!" said Wat, leaning over and patting his neck, as
easily as if he had been a councillor of the king himself, instead of a
rebel twice attainted and mansworn.
"A good Cameronian horse," smiled the officer. "I thank you, laird of
Gordonstoun, for your courteous answers. I would not keep you a moment
from the bridal to which you go. Gay footing to you! I would it were
mine to lead the dance this night with the maids of Balmaghie, and to
drink the bride's stirrup-cup this morning."
"Aye," said Wat, "it is indeed good to drink the loving-cup from the
bride's fair hands. 'Tis to taste it that I go. I have risen from a
sick bed to do it."
"So my eyes tell me, brave lad," said the officer. "I trust your
illness has not been grievous?"
"Nothing but what the bright eyes of a maid have power to cure!" cried
Wat, looking back and waving his hand.
"Faith, right gallantly said," replied the officer; "with a tongue so
attuned to compliment I will not detain thee a moment. 'Twere a pity
such speeches should be wasted on a troop of his Majesty's dragoons."
So with a courteous wave of his hand the young captain swept northward,
followed by his clanking troopers. And as he went little did he know
his own escape from death, or guess that Wat Gordon, fingering at his
sword and pistols so daintily and featly as he sat his horse, had in
his mind the exact spot where the bullet would strike if it had chanced
that any in the troop knew him for a rebel. For that light grip and
easy swing of the sword indicated nothing less than a desperate resolve
to cut his way singly through a whole command, rather than be stopped
on his way to the bridal of Kate McGhie and my Lord of Barra.
A group of retainers stood irregularly about the outer gate of
Balmaghie when Wat rode up. They greeted him with honor, one after
another sweeping the ground with their plumed hats as they swerved
aside to let him pass. But the ancient gardener stood open-mouthed, as
if trying to recall a memory or fix a puzzling resemblance.
As Lochinvar rode through the glinting dewy woodlands he saw youths and
damsels parading the glades in couples--keeping, however, their faces
carefully towards the house for the signal that the bride was coming.
Already the bridegroom had arrived with his company, and, indeed, most
of them were even now in the hall drinking prosperity and posterity to
the wedding.
"Haste you, my lord!" cried one malapert damsel to Wat, as he rode past
a group of chattering minxes, "or you will be too late to win your
loving-cup of luck from the hands of the bride, ere she goes to don her
veil."
To her Wat Gorden bowed with his gayest air, and so passed by. The
company was just coming out of the hall as he rode up. There, first of
all, was my lady. Behind her came Roger McGhie, looking wan and frail,
but carrying himself with his old dignity and gentle courtesy. And
there, talking gayly to my lady, was Murdo, Lord of Barra, now proud
and elate, having come to the height of his estate and with the cup of
desire at his lip.
These three stopped dead when they saw the gay rider on the black
horse, reining his steed at the foot of the steps of the house of
Balmaghie. For a space they stood speechless. But the master of the
house, Roger McGhie, it was who spoke first.
"'Tis a marvel and a pleasure to see you here, my Lord Lochinvar, on
this our bridal day--a welcome guest, indeed, if you come in peace to
the house which once gave you shelter in time of need."
"Or come you to visit your ancient friends, who have not wholly cast
you off, Lochinvar, though you have forgotten them?" added my lady,
dimpling with a pleasure more than half malicious, on the broad terrace
above him.
But Murdo of Barra said no word, as he stood on the upper steps gnawing
his thin mustache, and talking aside to his groomsman as though that
which was happening below were but some trifling matter which concerned
him not.
"Light down and lead the dance, my lord," said Roger McGhie,
courteously. "None like you, they say, can tread a measure, none so
readily win a lady's favor--so runs the repute of you."
"I thank you, Balmaghie," answered Wat, courteously; "but I came
without invitation, without summons, to ask but that last favor--the
loving-cup of good luck from the bride's fair hands ere I ride to meet
my fate. For I must needs ride fast and far this day."
"It is well and knightly asked, and shall be granted," said Roger
McGhie. "Bid Kate bring hither a loving-cup of wine for my Lord of
Lochinvar, who bides her coming at the hall-door."
Black Murdo of Barra moved his hand impatiently.
"Let a bridesmaid fetch it," he said. "The bride is doubtless at her
dressing and brooks not to be disturbed."
"Give me but the moment, and to you I leave the rest," said Walter
Gordon, looking up at him with the light of a desperate challenge
shining clear in his eye.
Then the maidens of the bridal standing about whispered eagerly to each
other.
"Ah, that were a bridegroom, indeed! See him sit in the saddle like a
god--fitter for our bonny Kate than yon black, scowling Murdo."
Then out through the open doorway of the hall there came a vision of
delight. The young bride came forth, clad in white, daintily slender,
divinely fair. Not yet had she assumed her bridal veil. In simple white
she moved, her hair rippling in sunlit curls to her neck, her maiden
snood still for the last time binding it up. A silver beaker brimmed
with the red claret wine in her hand. And as she came bearing it in,
the wedding guests opened a way for her to pass, murmuring content and
admiration. Barra stepped forward as if to relieve her of the burden,
but she passed him by as though she had not seen him.
Presently she stood at the side of Wat Gordon's charger, which looked
back at her over his shoulder as though he, too, marvelled at her
beauty.
The true-lovers were met for the last time.
"Would that they need never part!" said a wise bridesmaid, leaning over
and whispering to her mate. For their story was known, and all the
young were very pitiful.
"Amen to that! Look at Murdo, how black and gash he glowers at them!"
said her companion.
Wat Gordon took the cup and held it high in one brown gauntlet, still
keeping the hand that gave it in his other.
"I pledge the bride--the bride and her own true-love!" he said, loud
enough for all to hear.
Then he drank and leaned towards Kate as though to return the cup with
courteous salutation.
None heard the word he whispered. None save she who loved him can ever
know, for Kate has not revealed it. But the word was spoken. The word
was heard. A moment only the bride's eyes sought her lover's. The next
his arm was about her waist, and her foot left the gravel with a spring
airy as a bird's first morning flight. The reins were gathered in Wat's
hand, his love was safe on the saddle before him. The spurs were set in
Drumclog's dark flanks, the brave horse sprang forward, and before ever
so much as a cry could go up from that watching assembly, Wat Gordon
was riding straight for Dee water with his love between his arms.