before and intercepted him, while all his long pent up indignation broke
forth uncontrollably; "halt, sir! You shall not stir one pace from the
spot until I have spoken with you. We must come to an explanation; my
own honour demands it. Whence is it, that you treat me in this studied,
cold, and insolent manner, and have ever done so since that hour in
which we met on the plain at La Nava?"
"Recall to mind your conduct on that occasion, and I presume you are
sufficiently answered," was the cold reply.
"Lisle--Lisle!" exclaimed Ronald bitterly, "when children, when youths
at home in our own country among the woods of Inchavon and Lochisla, we
were constant companions and friends,--brothers in all but blood. Oh!
why should it be otherwise now?'
"Ask that question of yourself, sir,--ask of your own false heart!'
replied Louis, proudly and indignantly.
"Fury! Were you not the brother--"
"Stay, Mr. Stuart; I am not accustomed to be addressed in these
thundering tones."
"Diaoul, Mr. Lisle! I am at a loss to understand what you mean,"
exclaimed Ronald, his wrath increasing. "Did you not, during the
retreat into Portugal, and the advance again from Castello Branca into
Spanish Estremadura, treat me with singular hauteur and coldness? so
much so, that it has been remarked by the whole regiment,--ay, even the
brigade?'"
"I acknowledge that _I have_, Mr. Stuart," said Lisle, drawing himself
up to his full height, and setting his bonnet haughtily on one side.
"Death and fury, Louis!" exclaimed Stuart, regardless of awakening a
thousand echoes; "and for what has this been the cause?"
"I repeat to you again--search your own heart; the cause lies there."
"Blasted be my heart if I ask it of any but yourself!" replied Ronald,
his hot Highland blood fully roused. "As I hope to live, but _one_
consideration--_one_ remembrance alone stays my hand from seeking the
usual satisfaction ay, even in this cathedral. Ha! surely this marked
change of conduct and manner towards an old companion and
brother-soldier, cannot be in consequence of Sir Allan Lisle's obtaining
the peerage, so long dormant?"
"Ronald Stuart," exclaimed the other, with a scornful smile, "you might
know me better than to imagine I could be swayed by ideas so very
childish and extremely silly. I have been forbearing towards you as
mortal man could be; but permit me now to tell you, that you, Ronald
Stuart, have behaved most cruelly, faithlessly, and basely to one, whose
name my lips shall never utter in your presence and hearing."
"Basely! Louis--Louis--"
"Well do you know whom I mean!" interrupted the other with increasing
vehemence; "she is inseparably connected with the memory of your native
place. Her you have falsely forgotten, and why, Heaven only
knows,--forming attachments here among Spaniards and strangers, while
her heart has never wandered from you."
"Lisle! what is this you tell me now?"
"Truth, and the feelings of an enraged yet sorrowing heart! for I have
long mourned in secret your fickleness and inconstancy--as God is my
hearer, Ronald, I have! I deemed that your hearts were entwined
together in such wise that nought but death could sever them; but I have
been mistaken. I believe the predictions of old Cavers, our nurse, when
she warned the poor girl to beware of you, are now fulfilled. Your
mother was one of the Monteiths of Cairntowis, and the perfidy of the
race appears to be renewed in yourself,--even at this late period."
"You speak strangely, Lisle, and in riddles. You cannot mean to insult
me openly, by this allusion to my mother's honourable and ancient
family? I can forget and forgive--"
"Pshaw! I supposed so."
"How, Mr. Lisle!" exclaimed Ronald, with renewed fury. "You cannot
suppose for an instant that I am--heavens! must I name it--a coward?"
"No, Stuart; a coward never came of your race, as my ancestors have
often known to their cost. The cross which at this moment glitters on
your breast reminds me that you would not shrink from any earthly
danger; therefore do not suppose that my indignation will lead me to be
unjust."
"Your sister--Alice; of her I would speak."
"Never let her name pass your lips!" exclaimed the other, as if the very
sound of it roused him to frenzy. "You have destroyed her, and almost
broken her too sensitive too gentle and too confiding heart; but I will
revenge her, Stuart, by the powers of Heaven I will! and you shall hear
from me by day-break. For this night, I defy and spit upon you!"
He rushed from the cathedral, leaving Ronald transfixed with rage and
amazement.
END OF VOL. II.
LONDON:
Maurice and Co., Howford Buildings, Fenchurch Street.