第29章

Out of the parlour door flounced the incensed Sir Arthur, as if the spirit of the whole Round Table inflamed his single bosom, and traversed with long strides the labyrinth of passages which conducted to the drawing-room.

``Did you ever hear such an old tup-headed ass?'' said Oldbuck, briefly apostrophizing Lovel.``But I must not let him go in this mad-like way neither.''

So saying, he pushed off after the retreating Baronet, whom he traced by the clang of several doors which he opened in search of the apartment for tea, and slammed with force behind him at every disappointment.``You'll do yourself a mischief,''

roared the Antiquary; ``_Qui ambulat in tenebris, nescit quo vadit_--You'll tumble down the back-stair.''

Sir Arthur had now got involved in darkness, of which the sedative effect is well known to nurses and governesses who have to deal with pettish children.It retarded the pace of the irritated Baronet, if it did not abate his resentment, and Mr.

Oldbuck, better acquainted with the _locale,_ got up with him as he had got his grasp upon the handle of the drawing-room door.

``Stay a minute, Sir Arthur,'' said Oldbuck, opposing his abrupt entrance; ``don't be quite so hasty, my good old friend.

I was a little too rude with you about Sir Gamelyn--why, he is an old acquaintance of mine, man, and a favourite; he kept company with Bruce and Wallace--and, I'll be sworn on a black-letter Bible, only subscribed the Ragman-roll with the legitimate and justifiable intention of circumventing the false Southern--'twas right Scottish craft, my good knight--hundreds did it.Come, come, forget and forgive--confess we have given the young fellow here a right to think us two testy old fools.''

``Speak for yourself, Mr.Jonathan Oldbuck,'' said Sir Arthur with much majesty.

``A-well, a-well--a wilful man must have his way.''

With that the door opened, and into the drawing-room marched the tall gaunt form of Sir Arthur, followed by Lovel and Mr.Oldbuck, the countenances of all the three a little discomposed.

``I have been waiting for you, sir,'' said Miss Wardour, ``to propose we should walk forward to meet the carriage, as the evening is so fine.''

Sir Arthur readily assented to this proposal, which suited the angry mood in which he found himself; and.having, agreeable to the established custom in cases of pet, refused the refreshment of tea and coffee, he tucked his daughter under his arm;and after taking a ceremonious leave of the ladies, and a very dry one of Oldbuck--off he marched.

``I think Sir Arthur has got the black dog on his back again,''

said Miss Oldbuck.

``Black dog!--black devil!--he's more absurd than womankind --What say you, Lovel?--Why, the lad's gone too.''

``He took his leave, uncle, while Miss Wardour was putting on her things; but I don't think you observed him.''

``The devil's in the people! This is all one gets by fussing and bustling, and putting one's self out of one's way in order to give dinners, besides all the charges they are put to!--OSeged, Emperor of Ethiopia!'' said he, taking up a cup of tea in the one hand, and a volume of the Rambler in the other,--for it was his regular custom to read while he was eating or drinking in presence of his sister, being a practice which served at once to evince his contempt for the society of womankind, and his resolution to lose no moment of instruction,--``O Seged, Emperor of Ethiopia! well hast thou spoken--No man should presume to say, This shall be a day of happiness.''

Oldbuck proceeded in his studies for the best part of an hour, uninterrupted by the ladies, who each, in profound silence, pursued some female employment.At length, a light and modest tap was heard at the parlour door.``Is that you, Caxon?--come in, come in, man.''

The old man opened the door, and thrusting in his meagre face, thatched with thin grey locks, and one sleeve of his white coat, said in a subdued and mysterious tone of voice, ``I was wanting to speak to you, sir.''

``Come in then, you old fool, and say what you have got to say.''

``I'll maybe frighten the ladies,'' said the ex-friseur.

``Frighten!'' answered the Antiquary,--``what do you mean?

--never mind the ladies.Have you seen another ghaist at the Humlock-knowe?''

``Na, sir--it's no a ghaist this turn,'' replied Caxton;--``but I'm no easy in my mind.''

``Did you ever hear of any body that was?'' answered Oldbuck;--``what reason has an old battered powder-puff like you to be easy in your mind, more than all the rest of the world besides?''

``It's no for mysell, sir; but it threatens an awfu' night; and Sir Arthur, and Miss Wardour, poor thing''--``Why, man, they must have met the carriage at the head of the loaning, or thereabouts; they must be home long ago.''

``Na, sir; they didna gang the road by the turnpike to meet the carriage, they gaed by the sands.''

The word operated like electricity on Oldbuck.``The sands!''

he exclaimed; ``impossible!''

``Ou, sir, that's what I said to the gardener; but he says he saw them turn down by the Mussel-craig.In troth, says I to him, an that be the case, Davie, I am misdoubting''--``An almanac! an almanac!'' said Oldbuck, starting up in great alarm--``not that bauble!'' flinging away a little pocket almanac which his niece offered him.--``Great God! my poor dear Miss Isabella!--Fetch me instantly the Fairport Almanac.''

--It was brought, consulted, and added greatly to his agitation.

``I'll go myself--call the gardener and ploughman--bid them bring ropes and ladders--bid them raise more help as they come along--keep the top of the cliffs, and halloo down to them--I'll go myself.''

``What is the matter?'' inquired Miss Oldbuck and Miss M`Intyre.

``The tide!--the tide!'' answered the alarmed Antiquary.

``Had not Jenny better--but no, I'll run myself,'' said the younger lady, partaking in all her uncle's terrors--``I'll run myself to Saunders Mucklebackit, and make him get out his boat.''

``Thank you, my dear, that's the wisest word that has been spoken yet--Run! run!--To go by the sands!'' seizing his hat and cane; ``was there ever such madness heard of!''