The Heart of Mid-Lothian - Penn State University

There was something in this exquisitely provoking, but
there was also something darkly alarming. To be imprisoned,
even on a false accusation, has something in it
disagreeable and menacing even to men of more constitutional
courage than Butler had to boast; for although
he had much of that resolution which arises from a sense
of duty and an honourable desire to discharge it, yet, as
his imagination was lively, and his frame of body delicate,
he was far from possessing that cool insensibility
to danger which is the happy portion of men of stronger
health, more firm nerves, and less acute sensibility.
An indistinct idea of peril, which he could neither understand
nor ward off, seemed to float before his eyes.
He tried to think over the events of the preceding night,
in hopes of discovering some means of explaining or
vindicating his conduct for appearing among the mob,
since it immediately occurred to him that his detention
must be founded on that circumstance. And it was with
anxiety that he found he could not recollect to have been
under the observation of any disinterested witness in
the attempts that he made from time to time to expos-
Sir Walter Scott
177
tulate with the rioters, and to prevail on them to release
him. The distress of Deans’s family, the dangerous rendezvous
which Jeanie had formed, and which he could
not now hope to interrupt, had also their share in his
unpleasant reflections. Yet, impatient as he was to receive
an e’claircissement upon the cause of his confinement,
and if possible to obtain his liberty, he was affected
with a trepidation which seemed no good omen;
when, after remaining an hour in this solitary apartment,
he received a summons to attend the sitting magistrate.
He was conducted from prison strongly guarded
by a party of soldiers, with a parade of precaution, that,
however ill-timed and unnecessary, is generally displayed
after an event, which such precaution, if used in time,
might have prevented.
He was introduced into the Council Chamber, as the
place is called where the magistrates hold their sittings,
and which was then at a little distance from the prison.
One or two of the senators of the city were present, and
seemed about to engage in the examination of an individual
who was brought forward to the foot of the long