regshoe

I think these two chapters are great fun :D

Epigraph notes: The epigraph to part II is from the Jacobite song 'To Daunton Me', which was published in 'Jacobite Relics of Scotland', second series, by James Hogg (1819), here. Not to be confused with the Robert Burns poem of the same title, which is otherwise completely different! The Scots word 'wanton' means 'overjoy, delight'. Hogg gives his source as 'Mr Moir's collection', but if this collection was ever published I haven't been able to find any record of it, so the actual origin of the song remains mysterious. I'm not aware of any recordings.

First, an important question: What is the 'short, pregnant word' beginning with S that Charles was about to call Ewen? I don't know, it's been bugging me ever since I first read the book and if anyone here can figure it out I'll be very grateful!

Anyway—we move forward in time and history, the Jacobites are doing well, and chapter 1 opens with one of Broster's lovely and lively passages of historical detail. It's possible I have a high tolerance for historical exposition in general, but I do think this is how to do it right. She conveys a lovely sense of Edinburgh as a setting, as well, for all that it's very different from the wild Highland landscape of Part I—all too-tall houses and winding streets and shadowy corners.

And now that the Jacobites have secured their early successes, Ewen too is doing well, and we're back in his POV again for the first time since the prologue. I do like seeing him here in his full triumphant Jacobite setting: proud and happy and responsible; being rude to Strickland, even prepared to argue with the Prince himself.

Speaking of which, the Prince himself! The man all this fuss was about finally appears, and I think Broster paints a very vivid picture of him in these chapters: quick-tempered but not without enough political shrewdness to keep it under control; charming (I like his swift recovery from learning that his errand in search of Craigmains is pointless: 'Have I not gained the pleasure of your acquaintance, and of Miss Cochran’s, not to speak of drinking the best claret I have tasted since I came to Edinburgh?'); full of gaiety, high spirits, ready classical and Biblical references and a sense of adventure. I think he comes across as very much someone who knows he's the main character of this bit of history.

I love Ewen and Charles's interactions, from their argument onwards—and poor Ewen's frustration at being forced to become the wise and moderate voice of reason ('old head on young shoulders') is terribly funny. Broster uses her omniscient POV very effectively here to comment on the characters and their situation from the outside, both seriously ( Their eyes met, the warm Southern brown and the blue—I wonder what Ewen is actually thinking in this moment) and for humour (During this touching scene of reconciliation it was evident from various discreet but not too patient taps upon the door that the excluded person on the other side still desired admittance).

I like Isobel Cochran! Both ardently loyal and sensible.

Secret passages with a hidden entrance in the panelling :D This book is so much fun. I love the tense adventure of the second half of chapter 2, when we get some quick thinking from Ewen—and then that amazing cliffhanger of an ending!...