Page:Blackwood's Magazine volume 001.djvu/167

1817.] both virtuous and wise, observing the king's passione, commanded two of Cambusnethen's daughters, and as many of her oune, being then girles about eleven years of age, in whom the king took likewayes delight to discourse with, never to leave the roume, unless Mistress Katherine Carmichaell came with them, the which they particularly observed. But to put this beyond all cavill, this same lady being efterward marryed upon young Cambusnethen, acknowledged to her mother-in-law, that it was neer a year efter she saw the king att Cowthally before his majestie obtained any favour from her, but what in civillitie she might have given to any persone of honour; and doubtlesse, if it had been otherways, the Lady Cambusnethen would have divulged quickly the same to the prejudice of my Lord Somerville's familie, to which she had no great lykeing, notwithstanding of ther late submissione to the king, and the civilitie they paid to each other, because of ther neer relatione.

"This marriage being over, the king went for Stirling, being waited upon by the Lord Somervill there some few dayes; and now being to retourne to his oune house, he comes to kisse his majestie's hand. The king told him, with a kynde and pleasant countenance, the great intertainement and fair company he left att Cowthally made him resolve ere long for another visit, hopeing he should be wellcome. Haveing said this, and raiseing him from his knee, the Lord Somervill replyed, what he had at present was by his majesties favour, and the bounty of his royall predecessors, conferred upon him, and his foerbearers, of which he was ever myndefull, and therfore was obleidged, as a duetifull subject, to attend his majesties pleasure in all tilings, haveing been soe highly honoured by his royall presence at his daughter's marriage, that was beyond all expressione of thankes. Upon this he retired, haveing receaved the particular thankes of all these noblemen and gentlemen that attended the king during his residence att Cowthally. Being returned, he lived at home until! the latter end of September. Upon Saturnes day, at night, the king lighted att his house with Robert Bartone, who was in speciall favour with him, and efterwards made thesaurer; James Hamilton of Finhard, who lykewayes before his death was thesaurer, and lykewayes master of the king's works; Oliver Sinclair, a brother of the house of Rosseline; Sir David Lindsay of the Mount; and John Tennant, (efterward Laird of Cairness) a domestick and wairdropper to the king, who personated (four years after this) his majestie, as he travelled incognito through France in suite of his queen. These, with other seven, wer only his majesties retinue when he came to Cowthally. This surprizeall might have startled any other albeit good housekeepers, but was all one to this lord, that keeped soe plentifull a table, and had soe provident a lady, that upon all occasiones gave evidence of an excellent house-wife. The Lord Somervill told the king, he was only sorry he had not advertisement of his majestie's comeing, that himself and his friends might have waited upon him; but he was soon made to understand the king's comeing incognito, and would admitt of noe more company save himself and other two besyde these that came with him. By this, and some other circumstances, he guessed some part of the king's earand, who, dureing supper, asked severall questions at the Lord Somervill (standing behind his chair) anent the Captaine of Crawfuird, his qualitie, condition, and what he might have in estate, and by his office. Wherein being resolved soe far as my lord knew, the king took occasione first to regrate the meannesse of his fortune, and the smallnesse of his sallary; and efter some spaces, began to praise his daughter's breeding and beautie with some transport, at lentil insinuate as much by his discourse that he would see to the bettering of the father's estate and advancement of the daughter. Eftir supper the king held a long discourse with the Lady Somervill in his oune bed-chamber, which was named efter him soe long as the house remained in its integrity What the import of ther discourse was these that wer present did but guesse, for they stood at some distance; however, it appeared that the king was very pressing to obtaine some promise of her, which, with much civilitie, she begged his majestie pardone; and at length, somewhat loud, of purpose to be heard, and to be free from the king's importunity, spoke thus, "Sir, her father's house is much fitter, where your majestie may expect kynde wellcome, being proprietar of the same, in honouring that familie with your royall presence." Upon which the king called the Lady Carmichaell that was next to them, and said, "Your neighbour here, the Lady Somervill, is the most courteous, or rather most scrupulous, persone under heaven for another concerne; but I will have my revenge in being often her guest, to eat up all the beef and pudding too of this (country).

"Airly upon the Sabbath the king caused the Lord Somervill send a horseman to Craufuird castle, to advertise the captaine he would be there against night; and withall, forbade to make any great provisione, seing his train would not exceed a duzone. This advertisement was soe unexpected and short, that the captaine knew not what to think of it; however, he caused putt all things in the best order that might be, and prepared for the king's coming. But ther was non soe much surprized with the news as the young lady, the captaine's daughter, who, suspecting the king's earrand from what she had mett with from him at the marriage in Cowthally, she could have wished herself not only out of her father's house but out of the world. Soe much terrour