Lochinvar: A Novel

FROM LIKING TO LOVEIt was graying to the edge of dark upon one of the evenings towards the end of April, in the year 1688, when Walter Gordon, of Lochinvar in Galloway, and now for some time private in the Prince of Orange\'s Douglas regiment of dragoons, strode up the stairs of his cousin Will\'s lodging in the ancient Dutch city of Amersfort. The young man had come straight from duty at the palace, and his humor was not exactly gracious.But Wat Gordon could not long remain vexed in spirit in the presence of his cousin Will\'s wife, Maisie Lennox. Her still, sweet smile killed enmity, even as spring sunshine kills the bite of frost. The little, low-roofed Dutch room, panelled with oak, had its windows open towards the sun-setting, and there in the glow of the west two girls were sitting. At sight of them Walter Gordon stopped suddenly in the doorway as he came bursting in. He had been expecting to see but one—his cousin\'s young wife, into whose pretty ear of patientest sympathy he might pour his fretful boyish disappointments and much-baffled aspirations.Mistress Maisie Lennox, now for half a year Will Gordon of Earlstoun\'s wife (for by her maiden name she was still used to be called, and so she signed herself, since it had not yet become the custom for a women to take among her intimates the style of her husband\'s surname), sat on a high-backed chair by the oriel window. She had the kind of sunny hair which it is a pleasure to look upon, and the ripples of it made crisp tendrils about her brow. Her face underneath was already sweetening and gaining in reposefulness, with that look of matronhood which comes early to patient, gracious women, who would yet venture much for the man they love. And not once nor yet twice had Maisie Lennox dared all for those whom she loved—as has, indeed, elsewhere been told.CONTENTSForeword to the TaleFrom Liking to LoveWhy Kate Hated LochinvarThe Bull, the Calf, and the KillerThe Duel at the Inn of BrederodeHaxo the Bull InterferesThe Prince of OrangeMistress Maisie Lennox, DiplomatistThe Street of the ButcheryMy Lord of BarraThe Descent of AvernusThe Hearts of WomenThe Prison of AmersfortMy Lord of Barra\'s VowMaisie\'s Night QuestA Night of StormThe Breaking of the PrisonJack Scarlett Calls Himself a FoolA Perilous MeetingThe Battle of the DunesCaptain, My CaptainThe Good Ship Sea UnicornWise Jan PettigrewWise Jan Waxes WiserMadcap MehitabelTrue Love and PignutsA Boat in Sight at SuliscannaThe Tide-race of SuliscannaJohn Scarlett Comes AshoreWat\'s Isle of RefugeWat Swims the Water CavernBess Landsborough\'s CatechismThe Surrender of the BelovedAn Ancient Love AffairCaptor and CaptiveSkirting the BreakersPassage PerilousThe Isle of BlissMisfortunate ColinSatan Spies out ParadiseSerpent\'s EggsLove that Thinketh no EvilThe Fiery CrossColl o\' the CowsGreat DundeeKilliekrankieThe Leaguer of DunkeldThe Golden HeartThe Master Comes HomeThe Curate of DalryLochinvar Keeps TrystThe Bride\'s Loving-cupCatch Them Who Can!Within the King\'s MercyEpilogue of SupererogationILLUSTRATIONSWAT\'S HAND MOSTLY ON HIS SWEETHEART\'S SHOULDER\'I WILL TAKE MY OWN LOVE-TOKEN\'SCARLETT THUNDERED ON THE PANELS WITH THE HILT OF HIS SWORDTHE GENTLEMAN INSTANTLY ATTACKED THEM FURIOUSLYTHE MAN CARRIED HER EASILY THROUGH THE SURFA COUPLE OF PISTOL-SHOTS RANG OUT LOUDLYTHE SELF-SATISFACTION FLICKERED OUT OF HIS FACETHEN THE SWIRLING TIDE-RACE TOOK HOLD OF HERA GIGANTIC HIGHLANDER WITH A NAKED CLAYMORE BY HIS SIDEWAT PUSHED OFF IN THE SMALLER BOATSTRIDING FORWARD FRANKLY AND GIVING A HAND TO EACHHE FELL INWARD AMONG THE WOUNDEDWITH HIS LOVE BETWEEN HIS ARMS