The condition in which captain Willoughby was now placed, might have been traced to causes connected with the feelings and habits above alluded to.  It was distasteful to Joel Strides, and one or two of his associates, to see a social chasm as wide as that which actually existed between the family of the proprietor of the Knoll and his own, growing no narrower; and an active cupidity, with the hopes of confiscations, or an abandonment of the estate, came in aid of this rankling jealousy of station; the most uneasy, as it is the meanest of all our vices.  Utterly incapable of appreciating the width of that void which separates the gentleman from the man of coarse feelings and illiterate vulgarity, he began to preach that doctrine of exaggerated and mistaken equality which says “one man is as good as another,” a doctrine that is nowhere engrafted even on the most democratic of our institutions to-day, since it would totally supersede the elections, and leave us to draw lots for public trusts, as men are drawn for juries.  On ordinary occasions, the malignant machinations of Strides would probably have led to no results; but, aided by the opinions and temper of the times, he had no great difficulty in undermining his master’s popularity, by incessant and well-digested appeals to the envy and cupidity of his companions.  The probity, liberality, and manly sincerity of captain Willoughby, often counteracted his schemes, it is true; but, as even the stone yields to constant attrition, so did Joel finally succeed in overcoming the influence of these high qualities, by dint of perseverance, and cunning, not a little aided by certain auxiliaries freely obtained from the Father of Lies.

As our tale proceeds, Joel’s connection with the late movement will become more apparent, and we prefer leaving the remainder of the explanations to take their proper places in the course of the narrative.

Joyce was so completely a matter of drill, that he was in a sound sleep three minutes after he had lain down, the negro who belonged to his guard imitating his industry in this particular with equal coolness.  As for the thoughtful Scotchman, Jamie Allen, sleep and he were strangers that night.  To own the truth, the disaffection of Mike not only surprised, but it disappointed him.  He remained in the court, therefore, conversing on the subject with the “laird,” after his companions had fallen asleep.

“I wad na hae’ thought that o’ Michael,” he said, “for the man had an honest way with him, and was so seeming valiant, that I could na hae’ supposed him capable of proving a desairter.  Mony’s the time that I’ve heard him swear—­for Michael was an awfu’ hand at that vice, when his betters were no near to rebuke him—­but often has he swore that Madam, and her winsome daughters, were the pride of his een; ay, and their delight too!”

“The poor fellow has yielded to my unlucky fortune, Jamie,” returned the captain, “and I sometimes think it were better had you all imitated his example.”