Pleydell. "The counsellor, who, with his large silk handkerchief in his hand, was expatiating away to Julia upon some subject which he thought was interesting, obeyed, however, the summons, first, wrapping the handkerchief round his neck by way of precaution against the cold air. The sound of wheels became now very perceptible, and Pleydell, as if he had reserved all his curiosity till that moment, ran out to the hall. The Colonel rung for Barnes to desire that the persons who came in the carriage might be shown into a separate room, being altogether uncertain whom it might contain. It, stopped, however, at the door, before his purpose could he fully explained. A moment after, Mr. Pleydell called out, "Here's our Liddesdale friend, I protest, with a strapping young fellow of the same calibre. "His voice arrested Dinmont, who recognised him with equal surprise And pleasure. "Odd, if it's your honour, we'll a' be as right and tight as thack and rape can make us." [*When a farmer's crop is got safety into the barn-yard, it is said to be made fast with thack and rape--Anglic, straw and rope.]
But while the farmer stopped to make his bow, Bertram, dizzied with the sudden glare of light, and bewildered with the circumstances of his situation, almost unconsciously entered the open door of the parlour, and confronted the Colonel, who was just advancing towards it. The strong light of the apartment left no doubt of his identity, and he himself was as much confounded with the appearance of those to whom he so unexpectedly presented himself, as they were by the sight of so utterly unlooked-for an object. It must be remembered that each individual present had their own peculiar reasons for looking with terror upon what seemed at first sight a spectral apparition. Mannering saw before him the man whom he supposed he had killed in India; Julia beheld her lover in a most peculiar and hazardous situation; and Lucy Bertram at once knew the person who had fired upon young Hazlewood. Bertram, who interpreted the fixed and motionless astonishment of the Colonel into displeasure at his intrusion, hastened to say that it was involuntary, since he had been hurried hither without even knowing whither he was to be transported.
"Mr. Brown, I believe!" said Colonel Mannering.
"Yes, sir," replied the young man modestly, but with firmness, "the same you knew in India; and who ventures to hope, that what you did then know of him is not such as should prevent his requesting you would favour him with your attestation to his character, as a gentleman and man of honour.""Mr. Brown--I have been seldom--never--so much surprised--certainly, sir, in whatever passed between us, you have a right to command my favourable testimony."At this critical moment entered the counsellor and Dinmont. The former beheld, to his astonishment, the Colonel but just recovering from his first surprise, Lucy Bertram ready to faint with terror, and Miss Mannering in an agony of doubt and apprehension, which she in vain endeavoured to disguise or suppress. "What is the meaning of all this?" said he; "has this young fellow brought the Gorgon's head in his hand?-let me look at him.--By Heaven!" he muttered to himself, "the very image of old Ellangowan!--Yes, the same manly form and handsome features, but with a world of more intelligence in the face--Yes!--the witch has kept her word." Then instantly passing to Lucy, "Look at that man, Miss Bertram, my dear; have you never seen any one like him?"Lucy had only ventured one glance at this object of terror, by which, however, from his remarkable height and appearance, she at once recognised the supposed assassin of young Hazlewood; a conviction which excluded, of course, the more favourable association of ideas which might have occurred on a closer view.--"Don't ask me about him, sir," said she, turning away her eyes; "send him away, for Heaven's sake! we shall all be murdered!""Murdered! where's the poker?" said the advocate in some alarm;"but nonsense! we are three men besides the servants, and there is honest Liddesdale worth half a dozen to boot--we have the major vis upon our side--however, here, my friend Dandie--Davie--what do they call You?--keep between that fellow and us for the protection of the ladies.""Lord! Mr. Pleydell," said the astonished farmer, "that's Captain Brown; d'ye no ken the Captain?""Nay, if he's a friend of yours, we may be safe enough," answered Pleydell; "but keep near him."All this passed with such rapidity, that it was over before the Dominie had recovered himself from a fit of absence, shut the book which he had been studying in a corner, and advancing to obtain a sight of the strangers, exclaimed at once, upon beholding Bertram, "If the grave can give up the dead, that is my dear and honoured master!""We're right after all, by Heaven! I was sure I was right," said the lawyer; "he is the very image of his father.--Come, Colonel, what do you think of, that you do not bid your guest welcome? Ithink--I believe--I trust we're right--never saw such a likeness!--But patience--Dominie, say not a word.--Sit down, young gentleman.""I beg pardon, sir; if I am, as I understand, in Colonel Mannering's house, I should wish first to know if my accidental appearance here gives offence, or if I am welcome?"Mannering instantly made an effort. "Welcome? most certainly, especially if you can point out how I can serve you. I believe Imay have some wrongs to repair towards you--I have often suspected so; but your sudden and unexpected appearance, connected with painful recollections, prevented my saying at first, as I now say, that whatever has procured me the honour of this visit, it is an acceptable one."Bertram bowed with an air of distant, yet civil acknowledgment, to the grave courtesy of Mannering.
