Page:Tales of my landlord (Volume 3).djvu/246

 "And considering the usage which he has received, and the suspicions under which he lies," said Lord Evandale, "what other course is open to him? For my own part, I should hardly know whether he deserved most blame or pity."

"Blame, my Lord?—Pity?" echoed the Major, astonished at hearing such sentiments, "he would deserve to be hanged, that's all; and, were he my own son, I should see him strung up with pleasure—Blame indeed! But your Lordship cannot think as you are pleased to speak."

"I give you my honour, Major Bellenden, that I have been for some time of opinion, that our politicians and prelates have driven matters to a painful extremity in this country, and have alienated, by violence of various kinds, not only the lower classes, but all those in the upper ranks, whom strong party-feeling, or a desire of court-interest, does not attach to their standard."

"I am no politician," answered the Ma-