IV.
Having prospered under Charles and James, Lord David prospered underWilliam. His Jacobite feeling did not reach to the extent of followingJames into exile. While he continued to love his legitimate king, he hadthe good sense to serve the usurper; he was, moreover, althoughsometimes disposed to rebel against discipline, an excellent officer. Hepassed from the land to the sea forces, and distinguished himself in theWhite Squadron. He rose in it to be what was then called captain of alight frigate. Altogether he made a very fine fellow, carrying to agreat extent the elegancies of vice: a bit of a poet, like every oneelse; a good servant of the state, a good servant to the prince;assiduous at feasts, at galas, at ladies' receptions, at ceremonies,and in battle; servile in a gentlemanlike way; very haughty; witheyesight dull or keen, according to the object examined; inclined tointegrity; obsequious or arrogant, as occasion required; frank andsincere on first acquaintance, with the power of assuming the maskafterwards; very observant of the smiles and frowns of the royal humour;careless before a sword's point; always ready to risk his life on a signfrom his Majesty with heroism and complacency, capable of any insult butof no impoliteness; a man of courtesy and etiquette, proud of kneelingat great regal ceremonies; of a gay valour; a courtier on the surface, apaladin below; quite young at forty-five. Lord David sang French songs,an elegant gaiety which had delighted Charles II. He loved eloquence andfine language. He greatly admired those celebrated discourses which arecalled the funeral orations of Bossuet.
From his mother he had inherited almost enough to live on, about L10,000a year. He managed to get on with it--by running into debt. Inmagnificence, extravagance, and novelty he was without a rival. Directlyhe was copied he changed his fashion. On horseback he wore loose bootsof cow-hide, which turned over, with spurs. He had hats like nobodyelse's, unheard-of lace, and bands of which he alone had the pattern.