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first uplifted the psalm in presence of those persons of high worship； the
wise Mr。 Justice Freeman； the good Lady Jones； and the great Sir Thomas
Truby。 This ceremonious frost； however； soon gave way before the
incentives to merriment； which were liberally supplied； and as liberally
consumed by the guests of the lower description。 They became talkative；
loud； and even clamorous in their mirth。
But it was not in the power of wine or brandy to elevate the spirits of
those who held the higher places at the banquet。 They experienced the
chilling revulsion of spirits which often takes place； when men are called
upon to take a desperate resolution； after having placed themselves in
circumstances where it is alike difficult to advance or to recede。 The
precipice looked deeper and more dangerous as they approached the brink；
and each waited with an inward emotion of awe； expecting which of his
confederates would set the example by plunging himself down。 This
inward sensation of fear and reluctance acted differently； according to the
various habits and characters of the company。 One looked grave； another
looked silly； a third gazed with apprehension on the empty seats at the
higher end of the table； designed for members of the conspiracy whose
prudence had prevailed over their political zeal； and who had absented
themselves from their consultations at this critical period； and some
seemed to be reckoning up in their minds the comparative rank and
prospects of those who were present and absent。 Sir Frederick Langley
was reserved； moody； and discontented。 Ellieslaw himself made such
forced efforts to raise the spirits of the company； as plainly marked the
flagging of his own。 Ratcliffe watched the scene with the composure of a
vigilant but uninterested spectator。 Mareschal alone； true to the
thoughtless vivacity of his character； ate and drank； laughed and jested；
and seemed even to find amusement in the embarrassment of the company。
〃What has damped our noble courage this morning？〃 he exclaimed。
〃We seem to be met at a funeral； where the chief mourners must not speak
above their breath； while the mutes and the saulies （looking to the lower
end of the table） are carousing below。 Ellieslaw； when will you LIFT？
＇To LIFT； meaning to lift the coffin； is the common expression for
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commencing a funeral。＇ where sleeps your spirit； man？ and what has
quelled the high hope of the Knight of Langley…dale？〃
〃You speak like a madman；〃 said Ellieslaw； 〃do you not see how many
are absent？〃
〃And what of that？〃 said Mareschal。 〃Did you not know before；
that one…half of the world are better talkers than doers？ For my part； I am
much encouraged by seeing at least two…thirds of our friends true to the
rendezvous； though I suspect one…half of these came to secure the dinner
in case of the worst。〃
〃There is no news from the coast which can amount to certainty of the
King's arrival；〃 said another of the company； in that tone of subdued and
tremulous whisper which implies a failure of resolution。
〃Not a line from the Earl of D； nor a single gentleman from the
southern side of the Border；〃 said a third。
〃Who is he that wishes for more men from England；〃 exclaimed
Mareschal； in a theatrical tone of affected heroism；
〃My cousin Ellieslaw？ No； my fair cousin； If we are doom'd to
die〃
〃For God's sake；〃 said Ellieslaw； 〃spare us your folly at present；
Mareschal。〃
〃Well； then；〃 said his kinsman； 〃I'll bestow my wisdom upon you
instead； such as it is。 If we have gone forward like fools； do not let us go
back like cowards。 We have done enough to draw upon us both the
suspicion and vengeance of the government； do not let us give up before
we have done something to deserve it。 What； will no one speak？ Then
I'll leap the ditch the first。〃 And； starting up； he filled a beer…glass to the
brim with claret； and waving his hand； commanded all to follow his
example； and to rise up from their seats。 All obeyed…the more qualified
guests as if passively； the others with enthusiasm 〃Then； my friends； I give
you the pledge of the dayThe independence of Scotland； and the health
of our lawful sovereign； King James the Eighth； now landed in Lothian；
and； as I trust and believe； in full possession of his ancient capital！〃
He quaffed off the wine； and threw the glass over his head。
〃It should never；〃 he said； 〃be profaned by a meaner toast。〃
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All followed his example； and； amid the crash of glasses and the
shouts of the company； pledged themselves to stand or fall with the
principles and political interest which their toast expressed。
〃You have leaped the ditch with a witness；〃 said Ellieslaw； apart to
Mareschal； 〃but I believe it is all for the best； at all events； we cannot now
retreat from our undertaking。 One man alone〃 （looking at Ratcliffe） 〃has
refused the pledge； but of that by and by。〃
Then； rising up； he addressed the company in a style of inflammatory
invective against the government and its measures； but especially the
Union； a treaty； by means of which； he affirmed； Scotland had been at
once cheated of her independence； her commerce； and her honour； and laid
as a fettered slave at the foot of the rival against whom； through such a
length of ages； through so many dangers； and by so much blood； she had
honourably defended her rights。 This was touching a theme which found
a responsive chord in the bosom of every man present。
〃Our commerce is destroyed；〃 hollowed old John Rewcastle； a
Jedburgh smuggler； from the lower end of the table。
〃Our agriculture is ruined；〃 said the Laird of Broken…girth…flow； a
territory which； since the days of Adam； had borne nothing but ling and
whortle…berries。