Chapter 24

           AlanandIwereputacrossLochErrochtundercloudofnight,andwentdownitseasternshoretoanotherhiding-placeneartheheadofLochRannoch,whitherwewereledbyoneofthegilliesfromtheCage.ThisfellowcarriedallourluggageandAlan’sgreat-coatinthebargain,trottingalongundertheburthen,farlessthanthehalfofwhichusedtoweighmetotheground,likeastouthillponywithafeather;yethewasamanthat,inplaincontest,Icouldhavebrokenonmyknee.

           Doubtlessitwasagreatrelieftowalkdisencumbered;andperhapswithoutthatrelief,andtheconsequentsenseoflibertyandlightness,Icouldnothavewalkedatall.Iwasbutnewrisenfromabedofsickness;andtherewasnothinginthestateofouraffairstoheartenmeformuchexertion;travelling,aswedid,overthemostdismaldesertsinScotland,underacloudyheaven,andwithdividedheartsamongthetravellers.

           Forlong,wesaidnothing;marchingalongsideoronebehindtheother,eachwithasetcountenance:I,angryandproud,anddrawingwhatstrengthIhadfromthesetwoviolentandsinfulfeelings;Alanangryandashamed,ashamedthathehadlostmymoney,angrythatIshouldtakeitsoill.

           Thethoughtofaseparationranalwaysthestrongerinmymind;andthemoreIapprovedofit,themoreashamedIgrewofmyapproval.Itwouldbeafine,handsome,generousthing,indeed,forAlantoturnroundandsaytome:“Go,Iaminthemostdanger,andmycompanyonlyincreasesyours.