Page:Lady Barbarity; a romance (IA ladybarbarityrom00snai).pdf/139

 "twice to the pillory, twice to Edinburgh Tolbooth, and once a broken leg, and various embroilments, and strange accidents by sea and land."

"Oh! my lad," says I, "if we had but time, what would I not give to hear your life recited? But the whipping-post? What's it like? Do you know, I've been nearly tempted there myself, for it must be a very unique sensation."

"It is something like kissing you, madam, only nothing like so painful."

This incorrigible rogue said this with the sobriety of a cardinal.

"And now," says he, "I won't tell you one other solitary thing till you have appeased my hunger. I am famishing."

"What!" says I, "you who are to die in half an hour requiring a meal!"

I was astonished that the imminence of death did not affect him. But then I had no need to be, for there was scarce a trait in his strange character they did not pass quite outside of my experience.

"Now tell me more about your life," says I, "you charming young adventurer."

His answer was a droll expression; and he shook his head and placed a finger on his lips to remind me of his vow of silence. And he would not speak another word of any kind until I had sent Emblem to smuggle up some food and to enquire whether the soldiers had yet begun their search.

When she had gone, I said: "Suppose, my lad, you proved, after all, to be a person of high con