Doubtless, you are surprised I should take the trouble; but,
I cannot tell, great men and little men think differently. She has
lain in my bosom, and drunk of my cup; and, such as she is, I cannot
forget that--though I will never see her again--she must not starve,
my lord, or do worse, to gain bread, though I reckon your lordship may
think I am robbing the public in trying to change her courses."
"By my faith as a Christian, by my honour as a gentleman," said Lord
Glenvarloch, "if aught amiss has chanced with your wife, I know
nothing of it. I trust in Heaven you are as much mistaken in imputing
guilt to her, as in supposing me her partner in it."
"Fie! fie! my lord," said Christie, "why will you make it so tough?
She is but the wife of a clod-pated old chandler, who was idiot enough
to marry a wench twenty years younger than himself. Your lordship
cannot have more glory by it than you have had already; and, as for
advantage and solace, I take it Dame Nelly is now unnecessary to your
gratification. I should be sorry to interrupt the course of your
pleasure; an old wittol should have more consideration of his
condition. But, your precious lordship being mewed up here among other
choice jewels of the kingdom, Dame Nelly cannot, I take it, be
admitted to share the hours of dalliance which--"Here the incensed
husband stammered, broke off his tone of irony, and proceeded,
striking his staff against the ground--"O that these false limbs of
yours, which I wish had been hamstrung when they first crossed my
honest threshold, were free from the fetters they have well deserved!
I would give you the odds of your youth, and your weapon, and would
bequeath my soul to the foul fiend if I, with this piece of oak, did
not make you such an example to all ungrateful, pick-thank courtiers,
that it should be a proverb to the end of time, how John Christie
swaddled his wife's fine leman!"
"I understand not your insolence," said Nigel, "but I forgive it,
because you labour under some strange delusion.
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