Ay, sir, the clouted shoe hath oft times craft in't,
As says the rustic proverb; and your citizen,
In's grogram suit, gold chain, and well-black'd shoes,
Bears under his flat cap ofttimes a brain
Wiser than burns beneath the cap and feather,
Or seethes within the statesman's velvet nightcap.
_Read me my Riddle._
The young Scottish nobleman received the citizen with distant
politeness, expressing that sort of reserve by which those of the higher
ranks are sometimes willing to make a plebeian sensible that he is an
intruder. But Master George seemed neither displeased nor disconcerted.
He assumed the chair, which, in deference to his respectable appearance,
Lord Nigel offered to him, and said, after a moment's pause, during
which he had looked attentively at the young man, with respect not
unmingled with emotion--"You will forgive me for this rudeness, my
lord; but I was endeavouring to trace in your youthful countenance the
features of my good old lord, your excellent father."
There was a moment's pause ere young Glenvarloch replied, still with
a reserved manner,--"I have been reckoned like my father, sir; and am
happy to see any one that respects his memory. But the business which
calls me to this city is of a hasty as well as a private nature, and--"
"I understand the hint, my lord," said Master George, "and would not
be guilty of long detaining you from business, or more agreeable
conversation. My errand is almost done when I have said that my name is
George Heriot, warmly befriended, and introduced into the employment
of the Royal Family of Scotland, more than twenty years since, by your
excellent father; and that, learning from a follower of yours that your
lordship was in this city in prosecution of some business of importance,
it is my duty,--it is my pleasure,--to wait on the son of my respected
patron; and, as I am somewhat known both at the Court, and in the city,
to offer him such aid in the furthering of his affairs as my credit and
experience may be able to afford."
"I have no doubt of either, Master Heriot," said Lord Nigel, "and I
thank you heartily for the good-will with which you have placed them at
a stranger's disposal; but my business at Court is done and ended, and
I intend to leave London and, indeed, the island, for foreign travel
and military service. I may add, that the suddenness of my departure
occasions my having little time at my disposal."
Master Heriot did not take the hint, but sat fast, with an embarrassed
countenance however, like one who had something to say that he knew not
exactly how to make effectual. At length he said, with a dubious smile,
"You are fortunate, my lord, in having so soon dispatched your business
at Court. Your talking landlady informs me you have been but a fortnight
in this city. It is usually months and years ere the Court and a suitor
shake hands and part."
"My business," said Lord Nigel, with a brevity which was intended to
stop further discussion, "was summarily dispatched."
Still Master Heriot remained seated, and there was a cordial good-humour
added to the reverence of his appearance, which rendered it impossible
for Lord Nigel to be more explicit in requesting his absence.
"Your lordship has not yet had time," said the citizen, still attempting
to sustain the conversation, "to visit the places of amusement,--the
playhouses, and other places to which youth resort. But I see in your
lordship's hand one of the new-invented plots of the piece, [Footnote:
Meaning, probably, playbills.] which they hand about of late--May I ask
what play?"
"Oh! a well-known piece," said Lord Nigel, impatiently throwing down
the Proclamation, which he had hitherto been twisting to and fro in
his hand,--"an excellent and well-approved piece--_A New Way to Pay Old
Debts._"
Master Heriot stooped down, saying, "Ah! my old acquaintance, Philip
Massinger;" but, having opened the paper and seen the purport, he looked
at Lord Nigel with surprise, saying, "I trust your lordship does not
think this prohibition can extend either to _your_ person or your
claims?"
"I should scarce have thought so myself," said the young nobleman; "but
so it proves. His Majesty, to close this discourse at once, has been
pleased to send me this Proclamation, in answer to a respectful
Supplication for the repayment of large loans advanced by my father for
the service of the State, in the king's utmost emergencies."
"It is impossible!" said the citizen--"it is absolutely impossible!--If
the king could forget what was due to your father's memory, still
he would not have wished--would not, I may say, have dared--to be so
flagrantly unjust to the memory of such a man as your father, who, dead
in the body, will long live in the memory of the Scottish people."
"I should have been of your opinion," answered Lord Nigel, in the same
tone as before; "but there is no fighting with facts."
"What was the tenor of this Supplication?" said Heriot; "or by whom was
it presented? Something strange there must have been in the contents, or
else--"
"You may see my original draught," said the young lord, taking it out
of a small travelling strong-box; "the technical part is by my lawyer in
Scotland, a skilful and sensible man; the rest is my own, drawn, I hope,
with due deference and modesty."
Master Heriot hastly cast his eye over the draught. "Nothing," he said,
"can be more well-tempered and respectful. Is it possible the king can
have treated this petition with contempt?"
"He threw it down on the pavement," said the Lord of Glenvarloch, "and
sent me for answer that Proclamation, in which he classes me with the
paupers and mendicants from Scotland, who disgrace his Court in the eyes
of the proud English--that is all. Had not my father stood by him with
heart, sword, and fortune, he might never have seen the Court of England
himself."
"But by whom was this Supplication presented, my lord?" said Heriot;
"for the distaste taken at the messenger will sometimes extend itself to
the message."
"By my servant," said the Lord Nigel; "by the man you saw, and, I think,
were kind to."
"By your servant, my lord?" said the citizen; "he seems a shrewd fellow,
and doubtless a faithful; but surely--"
"You would say," said Lord Nigel, "he is no fit messenger to a king's
presence?--Surely he is not; but what could I do? Every attempt I had
made to lay my case before the king had miscarried, and my petitions
got no farther than the budgets of clerks and secretaries; this fellow
pretended he had a friend in the household that would bring him to the
king's presence,--and so--"
"I understand," said Heriot; "but, my lord, why should you not, in
right of your rank and birth, have appeared at Court, and required an
audience, which could not have been denied to you?"
The young lord blushed a little, and looked at his dress, which was very
plain; and, though in perfect good order, had the appearance of having
seen service.
"I know not why I should be ashamed of speaking the truth," he said,
after a momentary hesitation,--"I had no dress suitable for appearing
at Court. I am determined to incur no expenses which I cannot discharge;
and I think you, sir, would not advise me to stand at the palace-door,
in person, and deliver my petition, along with those who are in very
deed pleading their necessity, and begging an alms."
"That had been, indeed, unseemly," said the citizen; "but yet, my lord,
my mind runs strangely that there must be some mistake.--Can I speak
with your domestic?"
"I see little good it can do," answered the young lord, "but the
interest you take in my misfortunes seems sincere, and therefore----"
He stamped on the floor, and in a few seconds afterwards Moniplies
appeared, wiping from his beard and mustaches the crumbs of bread,
and the froth of the ale-pot, which plainly showed how he had been
employed.--"Will your lordship grant permission," said Heriot, "that I
ask your groom a few questions?"
"His lordship's page, Master George," answered Moniplies, with a nod of
acknowledgment, "if you are minded to speak according to the letter."
"Hold your saucy tongue," said his master, "and reply distinctly to the
questions you are to be asked."
"And _truly,_ if it like your pageship," said the citizen, "for you may
remember I have a gift to discover falset."
"Weel, weel, weel," replied the domestic, somewhat embarrassed, in spite
of his effrontery--"though I think that the sort of truth that serves my
master, may weel serve ony ane else."
"Pages lie to their masters by right of custom," said the citizen; "and
you write yourself in that band, though I think you be among the oldest
of such springalds; but to me you must speak truth, if you would not
have it end in the whipping-post."
"And that's e'en a bad resting-place," said the well-grown page; "so
come away with your questions, Master George."
"Well, then," demanded the citizen, "I am given to understand that you
yesterday presented to his Majesty's hand a Supplication, or petition,
from this honourable lord, your master."
"Troth, there's nae gainsaying that, sir," replied Moniplies; "there
were enow to see it besides me."
"And you pretend that his Majesty flung it from him with contempt?" said
the citizen. "Take heed, for I have means of knowing the truth; and you
were better up to the neck in the Nor-Loch, which you like so well, than
tell a leasing where his Majesty's name is concerned."
"There is nae occasion for leasing-making about the matter," answered
Moniplies, firmly; "his Majesty e'en flung it frae him as if it had
dirtied his fingers."
"You hear, sir," said Olifaunt, addressing Heriot.
"Hush!" said the sagacious citizen; "this fellow is not ill named--he
has more plies than one in his cloak. Stay, fellow," for Moniplies,
muttering somewhat about finishing his breakfast, was beginning to
shamble towards the door, "answer me this farther question--When you
gave your master's petition to his Majesty, gave you nothing with it?"
"Ou, what should I give wi' it, ye ken, Master George?"
"That is what I desire and insist to know," replied his interrogator.
"Weel, then--I am not free to say, that maybe I might not just slip
into the king's hand a wee bit Sifflication of mine ain, along with my
lord's--just to save his Majesty trouble--and that he might consider
them baith at ance."
"A supplication of your own, you varlet!" said his master.
"Ou dear, ay, my lord," said Richie--"puir bodies hae their bits of
sifflications as weel as their betters."
"And pray, what might your worshipful petition import?" said Master
Heriot.--"Nay, for Heaven's sake, my lord, keep your patience, or we
shall never learn the truth of this strange matter.--Speak out, sirrah,
and I will stand your friend with my lord."
"It's a lang story to tell--but the upshot is, that it's a scrape of an
auld accompt due to my father's yestate by her Majesty the king's maist
gracious mother, when she lived in the Castle, and had sundry providings
and furnishings forth of our booth, whilk nae doubt was an honour to
my father to supply, and whilk, doubtless, it will be a credit to his
Majesty to satisfy, as it will be grit convenience to me to receive the
saam."
"What string of impertinence is this?" said his master.
"Every word as true as e'er John Knox spoke," said Richie; "here's the
bit double of the Sifflication."
Master George took a crumpled paper from the fellow's hand, and said,
muttering betwixt his teeth--"'Humbly showeth--um--um--his Majesty's
maist gracious mother--um--um--justly addebted and owing the sum of
fifteen merks--the compt whereof followeth--Twelve nowte's feet for
jellies--ane lamb, being Christmas--ane roasted capin in grease for
the privy chalmer, when my Lord of Bothwell suppit with her Grace.'--I
think, my lord, you can hardly be surprised that the king gave this
petition a brisk reception; and I conclude, Master Page, that you took
care to present your own Supplication before your master's?"
"Troth did I not," answered Moniplies. "I thought to have given my
lord's first, as was reason gude; and besides that, it wad have redd the
gate for my ain little bill. But what wi' the dirdum an' confusion, an'
the loupin here and there of the skeigh brute of a horse, I believe I
crammed them baith into his hand cheek-by-jowl, and maybe my ain was
bunemost; and say there was aught wrang, I am sure I had a' the fright
and a' the risk--"
"And shall have all the beating, you rascal knave," said Nigel; "am I to
be insulted and dishonoured by your pragmatical insolence, in blending
your base concerns with mine?"
"Nay, nay, nay, my lord," said the good-humoured citizen, interposing,
"I have been the means of bringing the fellow's blunder to light--allow
me interest enough with your lordship to be bail for his bones. You
have cause to be angry, but still I think the knave mistook more out of
conceit than of purpose; and I judge you will have the better service of
him another time, if you overlook this fault--Get you gone, sirrah--I'll
make your peace."
"Na, na," said Moniplies, keeping his ground firmly, "if he likes to
strike a lad that has followed him for pure love, for I think there has
been little servant's fee between us, a' the way frae Scotland, just
let my lord be doing, and see the credit he will get by it--and I would
rather (mony thanks to you though, Master George) stand by a lick of his
baton, than it suld e'er be said a stranger came between us."
"Go, then," said his master, "and get out of my sight."
"Aweel I wot that is sune done," said Moniplies, retiring slowly; "I did
not come without I had been ca'd for--and I wad have been away half an
hour since with my gude will, only Maister George keepit me to answer
his interrogation, forsooth, and that has made a' this stir."
And so he made his grumbling exit, with the tone much rather of one who
has sustained an injury, than who has done wrong.
"There never was a man so plagued as I am with a malapert knave!--The
fellow is shrewd, and I have found him faithful--I believe he loves me,
too, and he has given proofs of it--but then he is so uplifted in his
own conceit, so self-willed, and so self-opinioned, that he seems to
become the master and I the man; and whatever blunder he commits, he is
sure to make as loud complaints, as if the whole error lay with me, and
in no degree with himself."
"Cherish him, and maintain him, nevertheless," said the citizen;
"for believe my grey hairs, that affection and fidelity are now rarer
qualities in a servitor, than when the world was younger. Yet, trust
him, my good lord, with no commission above his birth or breeding, for
you see yourself how it may chance to fall."
"It is but too evident, Master Heriot," said the young nobleman; "and I
am sorry I have done injustice to my sovereign, and your master. But I
am, like a true Scotsman, wise behind hand--the mistake has happened--my
Supplication has been refused, and my only resource is to employ the
rest of my means to carry Moniplies and myself to some counter-scarp,
and die in the battle-front like my ancestors."
"It were better to live and serve your country like your noble father,
my lord," replied Master George. "Nay, nay, never look down or shake
your head--the king has not refused your Supplication, for he has not
seen it--you ask but justice, and that his place obliges him to give to
his subjects--ay, my lord, and I will say that his natural temper doth
in this hold bias with his duty."
"I were well pleased to think so, and yet----" said Nigel Olifaunt,--"I
speak not of my own wrongs, but my country hath many that are
unredressed."
"My lord," said Master Heriot, "I speak of my royal master, not only
with the respect due from a subject--the gratitude to be paid by a
favoured servant, but also with the frankness of a free and loyal
Scotsman. The king is himself well disposed to hold the scales of
justice even; but there are those around him who can throw without
detection their own selfish wishes and base interests into the scale.
You are already a sufferer by this, and without your knowing it."
"I am surprised, Master Heriot," said the young lord, "to hear you, upon
so short an acquaintance, talk as if you were familiarly acquainted with
my affairs."
"My lord," replied the goldsmith, "the nature of my employment affords
me direct access to the interior of the palace; I am well known to be no
meddler in intrigues or party affairs, so that no favourite has as yet
endeavoured to shut against me the door of the royal closet; on the
contrary, I have stood well with each while he was in power, and I have
not shared the fall of any. But I cannot be thus connected with the
Court, without hearing, even against my will, what wheels are in motion,
and how they are checked or forwarded. Of course, when I choose to seek
such intelligence, I know the sources in which it is to be traced. I
have told you why I was interested in your lordship's fortunes. It was
last night only that I knew you were in this city, yet I have been
able, in coming hither this morning, to gain for you some information
respecting the impediments to your suit."
"Sir, I am obliged by your zeal, however little it may be merited,"
answered Nigel, still with some reserve; "yet I hardly know how I have
deserved this interest."
"First let me satisfy you that it is real," said the citizen; "I blame
you not for being unwilling to credit the fair professions of a stranger
in my inferior class of society, when you have met so little friendship
from relations, and those of your own rank, bound to have assisted
you by so many ties. But mark the cause. There is a mortgage over your
father's extensive estate, to the amount of 40,000 merks, due ostensibly
to Peregrine Peterson, the Conservator of Scottish Privileges at
Campvere."
"I know nothing of a mortgage," said the young lord; "but there is
a wadset for such a sum, which, if unredeemed, will occasion the
forfeiture of my whole paternal estate, for a sum not above a fourth
of its value--and it is for that very reason that I press the king's
government for a settlement of the debts due to my father, that I may be
able to redeem my land from this rapacious creditor."
"A wadset in Scotland," said Heriot, "is the same with a mortgage
on this side of the Tweed; but you are not acquainted with your real
creditor. The Conservator Peterson only lends his name to shroud no less
a man than the Lord Chancellor of Scotland, who hopes, under cover
of this debt, to gain possession of the estate himself, or perhaps to
gratify a yet more powerful third party. He will probably suffer
his creature Peterson to take possession, and when the odium of the
transaction shall be forgotten, the property and lordship of Glenvarloch
will be conveyed to the great man by his obsequious instrument, under
cover of a sale, or some similar device."
"Can this be possible?" said Lord Nigel; "the Chancellor wept when I
took leave of him--called me his cousin--even his son--furnished me with
letters, and, though I asked him for no pecuniary assistance, excused
himself unnecessarily for not pressing it on me, alleging the expenses
of his rank and his large family. No, I cannot believe a nobleman would
carry deceit so far."
"I am not, it is true, of noble blood," said the citizen; "but once more
I bid you look on my grey hairs, and think what can be my interest in
dishonouring them with falsehood in affairs in which I have no interest,
save as they regard the son of my benefactor. Reflect also, have you had
any advantage from the Lord Chancellor's letters?"
"None," said Nigel Olifaunt, "except cold deeds and fair words. I have
thought for some time, their only object was to get rid of me--one
yesterday pressed money on me when I talked of going abroad, in order
that I might not want the means of exiling myself."
"Right," said Heriot; "rather than you fled not, they would themselves
furnish wings for you to fly withal."
"I will to him this instant," said the incensed youth, "and tell him my
mind of his baseness."
"Under your favour," said Heriot, detaining him, "you shall not do so.
By a quarrel you would become the ruin of me your informer; and though
I would venture half my shop to do your lordship a service, I think you
would hardly wish me to come by damage, when it can be of no service to
you."
The word _shop_ sounded harshly in the ear of the young nobleman, who
replied hastily--"Damage, sir?--so far am I from wishing you to incur
damage, that I would to Heaven you would cease your fruitless offers of
serving one whom there is no chance of ultimately assisting!"
"Leave me alone for that," said the citizen: "you have now erred as far
on the bow-hand. Permit me to take this Supplication--I will have it
suitably engrossed, and take my own time (and it shall be an early one)
for placing it, with more prudence, I trust, than that used by your
follower, in the king's hand--I will almost answer for his taking up the
matter as you would have him--but should he fail to do so, even then I
will not give up the good cause."
"Sir," said the young nobleman, "your speech is so friendly, and my own
state so helpless, that I know not how to refuse your kind proffer, even
while I blush to accept it at the hands of a stranger."
"We are, I trust, no longer such," said the goldsmith; "and for my
guerdon, when my mediation proves successful, and your fortunes are
re-established, you shall order your first cupboard of plate from George
Heriot."
"You would have a bad paymaster, Master Heriot," said Lord Nigel.
"I do not fear that," replied the goldsmith; "and I am glad to see you
smile, my lord--methinks it makes you look still more like the good old
lord your father; and it emboldens me, besides, to bring out a small
request--that you would take a homely dinner with me to-morrow. I lodge
hard by in Lombard Street. For the cheer, my lord, a mess of white
broth, a fat capon well larded, a dish of beef collops for auld
Scotland's sake, and it may be a cup of right old wine, that was
barrelled before Scotland and England were one nation--Then for company,
one or two of our own loving countrymen--and maybe my housewife may find
out a bonny Scots lass or so."
"I would accept your courtesy, Master Heriot," said Nigel, "but I hear
the city ladies of London like to see a man gallant--I would not like to
let down a Scottish nobleman in their ideas, as doubtless you have said
the best of our poor country, and I rather lack the means of bravery for
the present."
"My lord, your frankness leads me a step farther," said Master George.
"I--I owed your father some monies; and--nay, if your lordship looks at
me so fixedly, I shall never tell my story--and, to speak plainly, for
I never could carry a lie well through in my life--it is most fitting,
that, to solicit this matter properly, your lordship should go to
Court in a manner beseeming your quality. I am a goldsmith, and live
by lending money as well as by selling plate. I am ambitious to put an
hundred pounds to be at interest in your hands, till your affairs are
settled."
"And if they are never favourably settled?" said Nigel.
"Then, my lord," returned the citizen, "the miscarriage of such a sum
will be of little consequence to me, compared with other subjects of
regret."
"Master Heriot," said the Lord Nigel, "your favour is generously
offered, and shall be frankly accepted. I must presume that you see your
way through this business, though I hardly do; for I think you would be
grieved to add any fresh burden to me, by persuading me to incur debts
which I am not likely to discharge. I will therefore take your
money, under the hope and trust that you will enable me to repay you
punctually."
"I will convince you, my lord," said the goldsmith, "that I mean to deal
with you as a creditor from whom I expect payment; and therefore, you
shall, with your own good pleasure, sign an acknowledgment for these
monies, and an obligation to content and repay me."
He then took from his girdle his writing materials, and, writing a few
lines to the purport he expressed, pulled out a small bag of gold from
a side-pouch under his cloak, and, observing that it should contain an
hundred pounds, proceeded to tell out the contents very methodically
upon the table. Nigel Olifaunt could not help intimating that this was
an unnecessary ceremonial, and that he would take the bag of gold on the
word of his obliging creditor; but this was repugnant to the old man's
forms of transacting business.
"Bear with me," he said, "my good lord,--we citizens are a wary and
thrifty generation; and I should lose my good name for ever within
the toll of Paul's, were I to grant quittance, or take acknowledgment,
without bringing the money to actual tale. I think it be right now--and,
body of me," he said, looking out at the window, "yonder come my boys
with my mule; for I must Westward Hoe. Put your monies aside, my lord;
it is not well to be seen with such goldfinches chirping about one in
the lodgings of London. I think the lock of your casket be indifferent
good; if not, I can serve you at an easy rate with one that has held
thousands;--it was the good old Sir Faithful Frugal's;--his spendthrift
son sold the shell when he had eaten the kernel--and there is the end of
a city-fortune."
"I hope yours will make a better termination, Master Heriot," said the
Lord Nigel.
"I hope it will, my lord," said the old man, with a smile; "but," to use
honest John Bunyan's phrase--'therewithal the water stood in his eyes,'
"it has pleased God to try me with the loss of two children; and for one
adopted shild who lives--Ah! woe is me! and well-a-day!--But I am patient
and thankful; and for the wealth God has sent me, it shall not want
inheritors while there are orphan lads in Auld Reekie.--I wish you
good-morrow, my lord."
"One orphan has cause to thank you already," said Nigel, as he attended
him to the door of his chamber, where, resisting further escort, the old
citizen made his escape.
As, in going downstairs, he passed the shop where Dame Christie stood
becking, he made civil inquiries after her husband. The dame of course
regretted his absence; but he was down, she said, at Deptford, to settle
with a Dutch ship-master.
"Our way of business, sir," she said, "takes him much from home, and my
husband must be the slave of every tarry jacket that wants but a pound
of oakum."
"All business must be minded, dame," said the goldsmith. "Make my
remembrances--George Heriot, of Lombard Street's remembrances--to your
goodman. I have dealt with him--he is just and punctual--true to time
and engagements;--be kind to your noble guest, and see he wants nothing.
Though it be his pleasure at present to lie private and retired, there
be those that care for him, and I have a charge to see him supplied; so
that you may let me know by your husband, my good dame, how my lord is,
and whether he wants aught."
"And so he _is_ a real lord after all?" said the good dame. "I am sure I
always thought he looked like one. But why does he not go to Parliament,
then?"
"He will, dame," answered Heriot, "to the Parliament of Scotland, which
is his own country."
"Oh! he is but a Scots lord, then," said the good dame; "and that's the
thing makes him ashamed to take the title, as they say."
"Let him not hear _you_ say so, dame," replied the citizen.
"Who, I, sir?" answered she; "no such matter in my thought, sir. Scot
or English, he is at any rate a likely man, and a civil man; and rather
than he should want any thing, I would wait upon him myself, and come as
far as Lombard Street to wait upon your worship too."
"Let your husband come to me, good dame," said the goldsmith, who,
with all his experience and worth, was somewhat of a formalist and
disciplinarian. "The proverb says, 'House goes mad when women gad;' and
let his lordship's own man wait upon his master in his chamber--it is
more seemly. God give ye good-morrow."
"Good-morrow to your worship," said the dame, somewhat coldly; and, so
soon as the adviser was out of hearing, was ungracious enough to mutter,
in contempt of his council, "Marry quep of your advice, for an old
Scotch tinsmith, as you are! My husband is as wise, and very near as
old, as yourself; and if I please him, it is well enough; and though he
is not just so rich just now as some folks, yet I hope to see him ride
upon his moyle, with a foot-cloth, and have his two blue-coats after
him, as well as they do."