Похищенный
Chapter 1
”
Hegavemetheletter,whichwasaddressedinthesewords:“TothehandsofEbenezerBalfour,Esquire,ofShaws,inhishouseofShaws,thesewillbedeliveredbymyson,DavidBalfour.”Myheartwasbeatinghardatthisgreatprospectnowsuddenlyopeningbeforealadofseventeenyearsofage,thesonofapoorcountrydominieintheForestofEttrick.
“Mr.Campbell,”Istammered,“andifyouwereinmyshoes,wouldyougo?”
“Ofasurety,”saidtheminister,“thatwouldI,andwithoutpause.AprettyladlikeyoushouldgettoCramond(whichisnearinbyEdinburgh)intwodaysofwalk.Iftheworstcametotheworst,andyourhighrelations(asIcannotbutsupposethemtobesomewhatofyourblood)shouldputyoutothedoor,yecanbutwalkthetwodaysbackagainandrispatthemansedoor.ButIwouldratherhopethatyeshallbewellreceived,asyourpoorfatherforecastforyou,andforanythingthatIkencometobeagreatmanintime.Andhere,Davie,laddie,”heresumed,“itliesnearuponmyconsciencetoimprovethisparting,andsetyouontherightguardagainstthedangersoftheworld.”
Herehecastaboutforacomfortableseat,lightedonabigboulderunderabirchbythetrackside,satedownuponitwithaverylong,seriousupperlip,andthesunnowshininginuponusbetweentwopeaks,puthispocket-handkerchiefoverhiscockedhattoshelterhim.
