My grand-aunt, Lady Girnington, has
taen a new tack of life, I think, and I could only hope to get something
by a change of government. Craigie was a sort of gambling acquaintance;
he saw my condition, and, as the devil is always at one's elbow, told
me fifty lies about his credentials from Versailles, and his interest at
Saint Germains, promised me a captain's commission at Paris, and I have
been ass enough to put my thumb under his belt. I dare say, by this
time, he has told a dozen pretty stories of me to the government. And
this is what I have got by wine, women, and dice, cocks, dogs, and
horses."
"Yes, Bucklaw," said the Master, "you have indeed nourished in your
bosom the snakes that are now stinging you."
"That's home as well as true, Master," replied his companion; "but, by
your leave, you have nursed in your bosom one great goodly snake
that has swallowed all the rest, and is as sure to devour you as my
half-dozen are to make a meal on all that's left of Bucklaw, which is
but what lies between bonnet and boot-heel."
"I must not," answered the Master of Ravenswood, "challenge the
freedom of speech in which I have set example.
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