Page:Scott - Tales of my Landlord - 3rd series - 1819.djvu/329

Rh yielding to the artful representation of ambitious hypocrites, I shall be pardoned for the crimes with which you taunt me. I am here, with my sword in my hand, willing to spend the best blood of my body to make amends for my error, and mortal man can do no more."

"Well, my lord," said Sir Duncan, "I shall be sorry to carry back this language to the Marquis of Argyle. I had it in farther charge from the Marquis, that, to prevent the bloody feuds which must necessarily follow a Highland war, his lordship will be contented if terms of truce could be arranged to the north of the Highland line, as there is ground enough in Scotland to fight upon without neighbours destroying each other's families and inheritances."

"It is a peaceful proposal," said Montrose, smiling, "such as it should be, coming from one whose actions have always been more peaceful than his measures. Yet, if the terms of such a truce could be equally fixed, and if we can obtain security,—for