All this I must do for bread, besides
calling myself a captain!"
"You think you are making a fine speech now," said Craigengelt, "and
showing much wit at my expense. Is starving or hanging better than the
life I am obliged to lead, because the present fortunes of the king
cannot sufficiently support his envoys?" "Starving is honester,
Craigengelt, and hanging is like to be the end on't. But what you mean
to make of this poor fellow Ravenswood, I know not. He has no money
left, any more than I; his lands are all pawned and pledged, and the
interest eats up the rents, and is not satisfied, and what do you hope
to make by meddling in his affairs?"
"Content yourself, Bucklaw; I know my business," replied Craigengelt.
"Besides that his name, and his father's services in 1689, will make
such an acquisition sound well both at Versailles and Saint Germains,
you will also please be informed that the Master of Ravenswood is a very
different kind of a young fellow from you. He has parts and address,
as well as courage and talents, and will present himself abroad like a
young man of head as well as heart, who knows something more than the
speed of a horse or the flight of a hawk.
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