Page:Scott - Tales of my Landlord - 3rd series, vol. 2 - 1819.djvu/37

Rh past service and auld respect, my lord—it will be present service and immediate proofs of regard, which, in these sliddery times, will be expected by a man like the Marquis."

The Lord Keeper now saw the full drift of his friend's argument, but he was too cautious to return any positive answer.

"He knew not," he said, "the service which the Lord Marquis could expect from one of his limited abilities, that had not always stood at his command, still saving and reserving his duty to his king and country."

Having thus said nothing, while he seemed to say every thing, for the exception was calculated to cover whatever he might afterwards think proper to bring under it. Sir Wilham Ashton changed the conversation, nor did he again permit it to be introduced. His guest departed, without having brought the wily old statesman the length of committing himself, or of pledging