Page:Scott - Tales of my Landlord - 3rd series, vol. 4 - 1819.djvu/280

 reasonable person." Montrose shrugged his shoulders.

"And like true champions in romance," he said, "you have agreed, that you are both to worship the same mistress, as idolators do the same image, and that neither shall extend his pretensions further."

"I did not go so far, my lord," answered Menteith—"I only said in the present circumstances,—and there is no prospect of their being changed,—I could, in duty to myself and family, stand in no relation to Annot Lyle, but as that of friend or brother—but your lordship must excuse me; I have," said he, looking at his arm, round which he had tied his handkerchief, "a slight hurt to attend to."

"A wound," said Montrose, anxiously; "let me see it.—Alas!" he said, "I should have heard nothing of this, had I not ventured to tent and sound another more secret and more rankling one. Menteith, I am sorry for you—I too have known—but what avails it to awake sorrows which have long slumbered?"