Davie Ogilvie had got clear away after Culloden, and his sweet Ishbel,
though taken after the battle, had been permitted to join him there. It
was a great comfort to know they were safe, for there were sad relics of
my escapade in London--the row of ghastly, grinning heads over Temple Bar.
Soon after my arrival, Master Freake had sent for his lawyers and
delivered to me in full possession the Upper Hanyards and the huge tale of
guineas which the rascal old earl had disgorged as the price of the
letter. Master Freake kept a rigid silence over the contents of that
famous document "about lands," and I had no wish to know. It was worth a
thousand acres and near ten thousand guineas to the Earl. I was satisfied
if he was. I put my guineas in a bank of Master Freake's choosing. What a
dowry I could have given Kate if--
My Lord Brocton was in town. I saw him several times, in the street or at
the play, but took no notice of him. He was said to be eagerly hunting
after a lady of meagre attractions but enormous fortune. Twice when I saw
him he had with him the fellow I had bumped against the wall, a notorious
shark and swashbuckler, by name and rank Sir Patrick Gee.
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