Presently，inachangedvoice，heofferedmetwentypoundsforthechaise；Iranhimuptotwenty-five，andclosedwiththeoffer：
　　indeed，Iwasgladtogetanything；andifIhaggled，itwasnotinthedesireofgain，butwiththeviewatanypriceofsecuringasaferetreat。Foralthoughhostilitiesweresuspended，hewasyetfarfromsatisfied；andIcouldreadhiscontinuedsuspicionsinthecloudyeyethatstillhoveredaboutmyface。Atlasttheytookshapeinwords。”Thisisallverywell”sayshe：”youcarryitoffwell；butforallthat，Imustdomyduty。”
　　Ihadmystrongeffectinreserve；itwastoburnmyshipswithavengeance！Irose。”Leavetheroom”saidI。”Thisisinsuperable。Isthemanmad？”Andthen，asifalreadyhalf-
　　ashamedofmypassion：”Icantakeajokeaswellasanyone”I
　　added；”butthispassesmeasure。Sendmyservantandthebill。”
　　Whenhehadleftmealone，Iconsideredmyownvalourwithamazement。Ihadinsultedhim；Ihadsenthimawayalone；now，ifever，hewouldtakewhatwastheonlysensibleresource，andfetchtheconstable。Buttherewassomethinginstinctivelytreacherousaboutthemanwhichshrankfromplaincourses。And，withallhiscleverness，hemissedtheoccasionoffame。RowleyandIweresufferedtowalkoutofhisdoor，withallourbaggage，onfoot，withnodestinationnamed，exceptinthevaguestatementthatwewerecome”toviewthelakes”；andmyfriendonlywatchedourdeparturewithhischininhishand，stillmoodilyirresolute。
　　Ithinkthisoneofmygreatsuccesses。Iwasexposed，unmasked，summonedtodoaperfectlynaturalact，whichmustprovemydoomandwhichIhadnottheslightestpretextforrefusing。Ikeptmyhead，stucktomyguns，and，againstalllikelihood，hereIwasoncemoreatlibertyandintheking”shighway。Thiswasastronglessonnevertodespair；and，atthesametime，howmanyhintstobecautious！andwhataperplexedanddubiousbusinessthewholequestionofmyescapenowappeared！ThatIshouldhaveriskedperishinguponatrumperyquestionofaPOURBOIRE，depictedinlivelycolourstheperilsthatperpetuallysurroundedus。Though，tobesure，theinitialmistakehadbeencommittedbeforethat；andifIhadnotsufferedmyselftobedrawnalittledeepinconfidencestotheinnocentDolly，thereneedhavebeennotumbleattheinnofKirkby-Lonsdale。Itookthelessontoheart，andpromisedmyselfinthefuturetobemorereserved。Itwasnoneofmybusinesstoattendtobrokenchaisesorshipwreckedtravellers。
　　Ihadmyhandsfullofmyownaffairs；andmybestdefencewouldbealittlemorenaturalselfishnessandatriflelessimbecilegood-
　　nature。
　　CHAPTERXXV-IMEETACHEERFULEXTRAVAGANT
　　IPASSoverthenextfiftyorsixtyleaguesofourjourneywithoutcomment。Thereadermustbegrowingwearyofscenesoftravel；andformyownpartIhavenocausetorecalltheseparticularmileswithanypleasure。Weweremainlyoccupiedwithattemptstoobliterateourtrail，whichastheresultshowedwerefarfromsuccessful；for，onmycousinfollowing，hewasabletorunmehomewiththeleastpossiblelossoftime，followingtheclaret-colouredchaisetoKirkby-Lonsdale，whereIthinkthelandlordmusthavewepttolearnwhathehadmissed，andtracingusthereaftertothedoorsofthecoach-officeinEdinburghwithoutasinglecheck。
　　Fortunedidnotfavourme，andwhyshouldIrecapitulatethedetailsoffutileprecautionswhichdeceivednobody，andwearisomeartswhichprovedtobeartless？
　　ThedaywasdrawingtoanendwhenMr。RowleyandIbowledintoEdinburghtothestirringsoundoftheguard”sbugleandtheclatteringteam。Iwashereuponmyfieldofbattle；onthesceneofmyformercaptivity，escapeandexploits；andinthesamecitywithmylove。Myheartexpanded；Ihaverarelyfeltmoreofahero。AlldowntheBridgesIsatbythedriverwithmyarmsfoldedandmyfaceset，unflinchinglymeetingeveryeye，andpreparedeverymomentforacryofrecognition。HundredsofthepopulationwereinthehabitofvisitingtheCastle，whereitwasmypracticebeforethedaysofFloratomakemyselfconspicuousamongtheprisoners；andIthinkitanextraordinarythingthatIshouldhaveencounteredsofewtorecogniseme。Butdoubtlessacleanchinisadisguiseinitself；andthechangeisgreatfromasuitofsulphur-yellowtofinelinen，awell-fittingmouse-colouredgreat-
　　coatfurredinblack，apairoftighttrousersoffashionablecut，andahatofinimitablecurl。Afterall，itwasmorelikelythatI
　　shouldhaverecognisedourvisitors，thanthattheyshouldhaveidentifiedthemodishgentlemanwiththemiserableprisonerintheCastle。
　　Iwasgladtosetfootontheflagstones，andtoescapefromthecrowdthathadassembledtoreceivethemail。Herewewere，withbutlittledaylightbeforeus，andthatonSaturdayafternoon，theeveofthefamousScottishSabbath，adriftintheNewTownofEdinburgh，andoverladenwithbaggage。Wecarrieditourselves。I
　　wouldnottakeacab，norsomuchashireaporter，whomightafterwardsserveasalinkbetweenmylodgingsandthemail，andconnectmeagainwiththeclaret-colouredchaiseandAylesbury。
　　ForIwasresolvedtobreakthechainofevidenceforgood，andtobeginlifeafreshsofarasregardscautionwithanewcharacter。
　　Thefirststepwastofindlodgings，andtofindthemquickly。
　　ThiswasthemoreneedfulasMr。RowleyandI，inoursmartclothesandwithourcumbrousburthen，madeanoticeableappearanceinthestreetsatthattimeofthedayandinthatquarterofthetown，whichwaslargelygivenuptofinefolk，bucksanddandiesandyoungladies，orrespectableprofessionalmenontheirwayhometodinner。
　　OnthenorthsideofSt。James”SquareIwassohappyastospyabillinathird-floorwindow。Iwasequallyindifferenttocostandconvenienceinmychoiceofalodging-”anyportinastorm”
　　wastheprincipleonwhichIwaspreparedtoact；andRowleyandI
　　madeatonceforthecommonentranceandsealedthestair。
　　Wewereadmittedbyaverysour-lookingfemaleinbombazine。I
　　gatheredshehadallherlifebeendepressedbyaseriesofbereavements，thelastofwhichmightverywellhavebefallenherthedaybefore；andIinstinctivelyloweredmyvoicewhenI
　　addressedher。Sheadmittedshehadroomstolet-evenshowedthemtous-asitting-roomandbedroominaSUITE，commandingafineprospecttotheFirthandFifeshire，andinthemselveswellproportionedandcomfortablyfurnished，withpicturesonthewall，shellsonthemantelpiece，andseveralbooksuponthetablewhichI
　　foundafterwardstobeallofadevotionalcharacter，andallpresentationcopies，”tomyChristianfriend”or”tomydevoutacquaintanceintheLord，BethiahMcRankine。”Beyondthismy”Christianfriend”couldnotbemadetoadvance：no，noteventodothatwhichseemedthemostnaturalandpleasingthingintheworld-Imeantonameherprice-butstoodbeforeusshakingherhead，andattimesmourninglikethedove，thepictureofdepressionanddefence。ShehadavoicethemostquerulousIhaveeverheard，andwiththissheproducedawholeregimentofdifficultiesandcriticisms。
　　Shecouldnotpromiseanattendance。”Well，madam”saidI，”andwhatismyservantfor？””Him？”sheasked。”Begudetous！IsHEyourservant？””Iamsorry，ma”am，hemeetswithyourdisapproval。””Na，Ineversaidthat。Buthe”syoung。He”llbeagreatbreaker，I”mthinkin”。Ay！he”llbeagreatresponsibeelitytoye，like。
　　Doesheattendtohisreleegion？””Yes，m”m”returnedRowley，withadmirablepromptitude，and，immediatelyclosinghiseyes，asiffromhabit，repeatedthefollowingdistichwithmoreceleritythanfervour：-”Matthew，Mark，LukeandJohnBlessthebedthatIlieon！””Nhm！”saidthelady，andmaintainedanawfulsilence。”Well，ma”am”saidI，”itseemswearenevertohearthebeginningofyourterms，letalonetheendofthem。Come-agoodmovement！
　　andletusbeeitherofforon。”
　　Sheopenedherlipsslowly。”Onyraferences？”sheinquired，inavoicelikeabell。
　　Iopenedmypocket-bookandshowedherahandfulofbankbills。”I
　　think，madam，thattheseareunexceptionable”saidI。”Ye”llbewantin”breakfastlate？”washerreply。”Madam，wewantbreakfastatwhateverhouritsuitsyoutogiveit，fromfourinthemorningtillfourintheafternoon！”Icried。”Onlytellusyourfigure，ifyourmouthbelargeenoughtoletitout！””Icouldnaegiveyesupperthenicht”cametheecho。”Weshallgoouttosupper，youincorrigiblefemale！”Ivowed，betweenlaughterandtears。”Here-thisisgoingtoend！Iwantyouforalandlady-letmetellyouthat！-andIamgoingtohavemyway。Youwon”ttellmewhatyoucharge？Verywell；Iwilldowithout！Icantrustyou！Youdon”tseemtoknowwhenyouhaveagoodlodger；butIknowperfectlywhenIhaveanhonestlandlady！
　　Rowley，unstrapthevalises！”
　　Willitbecredited？Themonomaniacfelltoratingmeformyindiscretion！Butthebattlewasover；thesewereherlastguns，andmoreinthenatureofasalutethanofrenewedhostilities。
　　Andpresentlyshecondescendedonverymoderateterms，andRowleyandIwereabletoescapeinquestofsupper。Muchtimehad，however，beenlost；thesunwaslongdown，thelampsglimmeredalongthestreets，andthevoiceofawatchmanalreadyresoundedintheneighbouringLeithRoad。OnourfirstarrivalIhadobservedaplaceofentertainmentnotfaroff，inastreetbehindtheRegisterHouse。Thitherwefoundourway，andsatdowntoalatedinneralone。Butwehadscarcegivenourordersbeforethedooropened，andatallyoungfellowenteredwithsomethingofalurch，lookedabouthim，andapproachedthesametable。”Giveyougoodevening，mostgraveandreverendseniors！”saidhe。”Willyoupermitawanderer，apilgrim-thepilgrimoflove，inshort-tocometotemporaryanchorunderyourlee？Icarenotwhoknowsit，butIhaveapassionateaversionfromthebestialpracticeofsolitaryfeeding！””Youarewelcome，sir”saidI，”ifImaytakeuponmesofartoplaythehostinapublicplace。”
　　Helookedstartled，andfixedahazyeyeonme，ashesatdown。”Sir”saidhe，”youareamannotwithoutsometinctureofletters，Iperceive！Whatshallwedrink，sir？”
　　ImentionedIhadalreadycalledforapotofporter。”Amodestpot-theseasonablequencher？”saidhe。”Well，IdonotknowbutwhatIcouldlookatamodestpotmyself！Iam，forthemoment，inprecarioushealth。Muchstudyhathheatedmybrain，muchwalkingweariedmy-well，itseemstobemoremyeyes！””Youhavewalkedfar，Idaresay？”Isuggested。”Notsomuchfarasoften”hereplied。”Thereisinthiscity-
　　towhich，Ithink，youareastranger？Sir，toyourverygoodhealthandourbetteracquaintance！-thereis，inthiscityofDunedin，acertainimplicationofstreetswhichreflectstheutmostcreditonthedesignerandthepublicans-ateveryhundredyardsisseatedtheJudiciousTavern，sothatpersonsofcontemplativemindaresecure，atmoderatedistances，ofrefreshment。Ihavebeendoingatrotinthatfavouredquarter，favouredbyartandnature。Afewchosencomrades-enemiesofpublicityandfriendstowitandwine-obligedmewiththeirsociety。“Alongthecool，sequesteredvaleofRegisterStreetwekepttheuneventenorofourway，“sir。””Itstruckme，asyoucamein-”Ibegan。”O，don”tmakeanybonesaboutit！”heinterrupted。”Ofcourseitstruckyou！andletmetellyouIwasdevilishluckynottostrikemyself。WhenIenteredthisapartmentIshone“withallthepompandprodigalityofbrandyandwater，“asthepoetGrayhasinanotherplaceexpressedit。Powerfulbard，Gray！butaniminy-
　　piminycreature，afraidofapetticoatandabottle-notaman，sir，notaman！Excusemeforbeingsotroublesome，butwhatthedevilhaveIdonewithmyfork？Thankyou，Iamsure。TEMULENTIA，QUOADMEIPSUM，BREVISCOLLIGOEST。Isitandeat，sir，inaLondonfog。Ishouldbringalink-boytotablewithme；andI
　　wouldtoo，ifthelittlebruteswereonlywashed！IintendtofoundaPhilanthropicalSocietyforWashingtheDeservingPoorandShavingSoldiers。Iampleasedtoobservethat，althoughnotofanunmilitarybearing，youareapparentlyshaved。Inmycalendarofthevirtuesshavingcomesnexttodrinking。Agentlemanmaybealow-mindedruffianwithoutsixpence，buthewillalwaysbecloseshaved。Seeme，withtheeyeoffancy，inthechillhoursofthemorning，sayaboutaquartertotwelve，noon-seemeawake！Firstthingofall，withoutonethoughtoftheplausiblebutunsatisfactorysmallbeer，orthehealthfulthoughinsipidsoda-
　　water，Itakethedeadlyrazorinmyvacillatinggrasp；Iproceedtoskateuponthemarginofeternity。Stimulatingthought！I
　　bleed，perhaps，butwithmedicablewounds。Thestubblereaped，I
　　passoutofmychamber，calmbuttriumphant。Toemployahackneyedphrase，IwouldnotcallLordWellingtonmyuncle！I，too，havedared，perhapsbled，beforetheimminentdeadlyshaving-table。”
　　Inthismannerthebombasticfellowcontinuedtoentertainmeallthroughdinner，andbyacommonerrorofdrunkards，becausehehadbeenextremelytalkativehimself，leapedtotheconclusionthathehadchancedonverygenialcompany。Hetoldmehisname，hisaddress；hebeggedweshouldmeetagain；finallyheproposedthatI
　　shoulddinewithhiminthecountryatanearlydate。”Thedinnerisofficial”heexplained。”Theoffice-bearersandSenatusoftheUniversityofCramond-aneducationalinstitutioninwhichIhavethehonourtobeProfessorofNonsense-meettodohonourtoourfriendIcarus，attheold-establishedHOWFF，CramondBridge。Oneplaceisvacant，fascinatingstranger，-Iofferittoyou！””AndwhoisyourfriendIcarus？”Iasked，”TheaspiringsonofDaedalus！”saidhe。”IsitpossiblethatyouhaveneverheardthenameofByfield？””Possibleandtrue”saidI。”Andisfamesosmallathing？”criedhe。”Byfield，sir，isanaeronaut。HeapesthefameofaLunardi，andisonthepointofofferingtotheinhabitants-Ibegyourpardon，tothenobilityandgentryofourneighbourhood-thespectacleofanascension。
　　AsoneofthegentryconcernedImaybepermittedtoremarkthatI
　　amunmoved。IcarenotaTinker”sDamnforhisascension。Nomore-Ibreatheitinyourear-doesanybodyelse。Thebusinessisstale，sir，stale。Lunardididit，andoverdidit。Awhimsical，fiddling，vainfellow，byallaccounts-forIwasatthattimerockinginmycradle。Butoncewasenough。IfLunardiwentupandcamedown，therewasthemattersettled。Weprefertograntthepoint。WedonotwanttoseetheexperimentrepeatedADNAUSEAMbyByfield，andBrown，andButler，andBrodie，andBottomley。Ah！iftheywouldgoupandNOTcomedownagain！Butthisisbythequestion。TheUniversityofCramonddelightstohonourmeritintheman，sir，ratherthanutilityintheprofession；andByfield，thoughanignorantdog，isasoundreliabledrinker，andreallynotamissoverhiscups。Undertheradianceofthekindlyjarpartialitymightevencredithimwithwit。”
　　ItwillbeseenafterwardsthatthiswasmoremybusinessthanI
　　thoughtitatthetime。Indeed，Iwasimpatienttobegone。Evenasmyfriendmaunderedaheadasquallburst，thejawsoftherainwereopenedagainstthecoffee-housewindows，andatthatinclementsignalIrememberedIwasdueelsewhere。
　　CHAPTERXXVI-THECOTTAGEATNIGHT
　　ATthedoorIwasnearlyblownbackbytheunbridledviolenceofthesquall，andRowleyandImustshoutourpartingwords。AllthewayalongPrincesStreetwhithermywayledthewindhuntedmebehindandscreamedinmyears。Thecitywasflushedwithbucketfulsofrainthattastedsaltfromtheneighbouringocean。
　　Itseemedtodarkenandlightenagaininthevicissitudesofthegusts。Nowyouwouldsaythelampshadbeenblownoutfromendtoendofthelongthoroughfare；now，inalull，theywouldrevive，re-multiply，shineagainonthewetpavements，andmakedarknesssparinglyvisible。
　　BythetimeIhadgottothecorneroftheLothianRoadtherewasadistinctimprovement。Foronething，Ihadnowmyshouldertothewind；forasecond，Icameintheleeofmyoldprison-house，theCastle；and，atanyrate，theexcessivefuryoftheblastwasitselfmoderating。ThethoughtofwhaterrandIwasonre-awokewithinme，andIseemedtobreasttheroughweatherwithincreasingease。Withsuchadestination，whatmatteredalittlebuffetingofwindorasprinkleofcoldwater？IrecalledFlora”simage，Itookherinfancytomyarms，andmyheartthrobbed。AndthenextmomentIhadrecognisedtheinanityofthatfool”sparadise。IfI
　　couldspyhertaperasshewenttobed，Imightcountmyselflucky。
　　Ihadabouttwoleaguesbeforemeofaroadmostlyuphill，andnowdeepinmire。SosoonasIwasclearofthelaststreetlamp，darknessreceivedme-adarknessonlypointedbythelightsofoccasionalrusticfarms，wherethedogshowledwithupliftedheadsasIwentby。Thewindcontinuedtodecline：ithadbeenbutasquall，notatempest。Therain，ontheotherhand，settledintoasteadydeluge，whichhadsoondrenchedmethoroughly。Icontinuedtotrampforwardinthenight，contendingwithgloomythoughtsandaccompaniedbythedismalululationofthedogs。Whatailedthemthattheyshouldhavebeenthuswakeful，andperceivedthesmallsoundofmystepsamidthegeneralreverberationoftherain，wasmorethanIcouldfancy。IrememberedtaleswithwhichIhadbeenentertainedinchildhood。Itoldmyselfsomemurdererwasgoingby，andthebrutesperceiveduponhimthefaintsmellofblood；andthenextmoment，withaphysicalshock，Ihadappliedthewordstomyowncase！
　　Herewasadismaldispositionforalover。”Waseverladyinthishumourwooed？”Iaskedmyself，andcamenearturningback。Itisneverwisetoriskacriticalinterviewwhenyourspiritsaredepressed，yourclothesmuddy，andyourhandswet！Buttheboisterousnightwasinitselffavourabletomyenterprise：now，orperhapsnever，ImightfindsomewaytohaveaninterviewwithFlora；andifIhadoneinterviewwetclothes，lowspiritsandall，Itoldmyselftherewouldcertainlybeanother。
　　Arrivedinthecottage-gardenIfoundthecircumstancesmightyinclement。Fromtheroundholesintheshuttersoftheparlour，shaftsofcandle-lightstreamedforth；elsewherethedarknesswascomplete。Thetrees，thethickets，weresaturated；thelowerpartsofthegardenturnedintoamorass。Atintervals，whenthewindbrokeforthagain，therepassedoverheadawildcoilofclashingbranches；andbetweenwhilesthewholeenclosurecontinuouslyandstridentlyresoundedwiththerain。Iadvancedclosetothewindowandcontrivedtoreadthefaceofmywatch。Itwashalf-pastseven；theywouldnotretirebeforeten，theymightnotbeforemidnight，andtheprospectwasunpleasant。InalullofthewindI
　　couldhearfromtheinsidethevoiceofFlorareadingaloud；thewordsofcourseinaudible-onlyaflowofundecipherablespeech，quiet，cordial，colourless，moreintimateandwinning，moreeloquentofherpersonality，butnotlessbeautifulthansong。Andthenextmomenttheclamourofafreshsquallbrokeoutaboutthecottage；thevoicewasdrownedinitsbellowing，andIwasgladtoretreatfrommydangerouspost。
　　ForthreeegregioushoursImustnowsuffertheelementstodotheirworstuponme，andcontinuetoholdmygroundinpatience。I
　　recalledtheleastfortunateofmyservicesinthefield：beingout-sentryofthepicketsinweathernolessvile，sometimesunsupperedandwithnothingtolookforwardtobywayofbreakfastbutmusket-balls；andtheyseemedlightincomparison。Sostrangelyarewebuilt：somuchmorestrongistheloveofwomanthanthemereloveoflife。
　　Atlastmypatiencewasrewarded。Thelightdisappearedfromtheparlourandreappearedamomentafterintheroomabove。Iwasprettywellinformedfortheenterprisethatlaybeforeme。Iknewthelairofthedragon-thatwhichwasjustilluminated。IknewthebowerofmyRosamond，andhowexcellentlyitwasplacedontheground-level，roundtheflankofthecottageandoutofearshotofherformidableaunt。Nothingwasleftbuttoapplymyknowledge。
　　Iwasthenatthebottomofthegarden，whetherIhadgoneHeavensavethemark！forwarmth，thatImightwalktoandfrounheardandkeepmyselffromperishing。Thenighthadfallenstill，thewindceased；thenoiseoftherainhadmuchlightened，ifithadnotstopped，andwassucceededbythedrippingofthegardentrees。
　　Inthemidstofthislull，andasIwasalreadydrawingneartothecottage，Iwasstartledbythesoundofawindow-sashscreaminginitschannels；andasteportwobeyondIbecameawareofagushoflightuponthedarkness。ItfellfromFlora”swindow，whichshehadflungopenonthenight，andwhereshenowsat，roseateandpensive，intheshineoftwocandlesfallingfrombehind，hertressesdeeplyemboweringandshadingher；thesuspendedcombstillinonehand，theotheridlyclingingtotheironstanchionswithwhichthewindowwasbarred。
　　Keepingtotheturf，andfavouredbythedarknessofthenightandthepatteroftherainwhichwasnowreturning，thoughwithoutwind，IapproacheduntilIcouldalmosthavetouchedher。ItseemedagrossnessofwhichIwasincapabletobreakupherreveriebyspeech。Istoodanddrankherinwithmyeyes；howthelightmadeagloryinherhair，andwhatIhavealwaysthoughtthemostravishingthinginnaturehowtheplanesranintoeachother，andweredistinguished，andhowthehuesblendedandvaried，andwereshadedoff，betweenthecheekandneck。AtfirstIwasabashed：
　　sheworeherbeautylikeanimmediatehaloofrefinement；shediscouragedmelikeanangel，orwhatIsuspecttobethenextmostdiscouraging，amodernlady。ButasIcontinuedtogaze，hopeandlifereturnedtome；Iforgotmytimidity，IforgotthesickeningpackofwetclotheswithwhichIstoodburdened，Itingledwithnewblood。
　　Stillunconsciousofmypresence，stillgazingbeforeherupontheilluminatedimageofthewindow，thestraightshadowsofthebars，theglintingofpebblesonthepath，andtheimpenetrablenightonthegardenandthehillsbeyondit，sheheavedadeepbreaththatstruckuponmyheartlikeanappeal。”WhydoesMissGilchristsigh？”Iwhispered。”Doessherecallabsentfriends？”
　　Sheturnedherheadswiftlyinmydirection；itwastheonlysignofsurpriseshedeignedtomake。AtthesametimeIsteppedintothelightandbowedprofoundly。”You！”shesaid。”Here？””Yes，Iamhere”Ireplied。”Ihavecomeveryfar，itmaybeahundredandfiftyleagues，toseeyou。Ihavewaitedallthisnightinyourgarden。WillMissGilchristnotofferherhand-toafriendintrouble？”
　　Sheextendeditbetweenthebars，andIdroppedupononekneeonthewetpathandkissedittwice。Attheseconditwaswithdrawnsuddenly，methoughtwithmoreofastartthanshehadhithertodisplayed。Iregainedmyformerattitude，andwewerebothsilentawhile。Mytimidityreturnedonmetenfold。Ilookedinherfaceforanysignalsofanger，andseeinghereyestowaverandfallasidefrommine，auguredthatallwaswell。”Youmusthavebeenmadtocomehere！”shebrokeout。”Ofallplacesunderheaventhisisnoplaceforyoutocome。AndIwasjustthinkingyouweresafeinFrance！””Youwerethinkingofme！”Icried。”Mr。St。Ives，youcannotunderstandyourdanger”shereplied。”I
　　amsureofit，andyetIcannotfinditinmyhearttotellyou。
　　O，bepersuaded，andgo！””IbelieveIknowtheworst。ButIwasneveronetosetanunduevalueonlife，thelifethatwesharewithbeasts。Myuniversityhasbeeninthewars，notafamousplaceofeducation，butonewhereamanlearnstocarryhislifeinhishandaslightlyasaglove，andforhisladyorhishonourtolayitaslightlydown。
　　Youappealtomyfears，andyoudowrong。IhavecometoScotlandwithmyeyesquiteopentoseeyouandtospeakwithyou-itmaybeforthelasttime。Withmyeyesquiteopen，Isay；andifIdidnothesitateatthebeginningdoyouthinkthatIwoulddrawbacknow？””Youdonotknow！”shecried，withrisingagitation。”Thiscountry，eventhisgarden，isdeathtoyou。Theyallbelieveit；I
　　amtheonlyonethatdoesnot。Iftheyhearyounow，iftheyheardawhisper-Idreadtothinkofit。O，go，gothisinstant。Itismyprayer。””Dearlady，donotrefusemewhatIhavecomesofartoseek；andrememberthatoutofallthemillionsinEnglandthereisnootherbutyourselfinwhomIcandareconfide。Ihavealltheworldagainstme；youaremyonlyally；andasIhavetospeak，youhavetolisten。Allistruethattheysayofme，andallofitfalseatthesametime。IdidkillthismanGoguelat-itwasthatyoumeant？”
　　Shemutelysignedtomethatitwas；shehadbecomedeadlypale。”ButIkilledhiminfairfight。Tillthen，Ihadnevertakenalifeunlessinbattle，whichismytrade。ButIwasgrateful，I
　　wasonfirewithgratitude，toonewhohadbeengoodtome，whohadbeenbettertomethanIcouldhavedreamedofanangel，whohadcomeintothedarknessofmyprisonlikesunrise。ThemanGoguelatinsultedher。O，hehadinsultedmeoften，itwashisfavouritepastime，andhemightinsultmeashepleased-forwhowasI？Butwiththatladyitwasdifferent。IcouldneverforgivemyselfifI
　　hadletitpass。Andwefought，andhefell，andIhavenoremorse。”
　　Iwaitedanxiouslyforsomereply。Theworstwasnowout，andI
　　knewthatshehadheardofitbefore；butitwasimpossibleformetogoonwithmynarrativewithoutsomeshadowofencouragement。”Youblameme？””No，notatall。ItisapointIcannotspeakon-Iamonlyagirl。Iamsureyouwereintheright：Ihavealwayssaidso-toRonald。Not，ofcourse，tomyaunt。IamafraidIletherspeakasshewill。Youmustnotthinkmeadisloyalfriend；andevenwiththeMajor-Ididnottellyouhehadbecomequiteafriendofours-MajorChevenix，Imean-hehastakensuchafancytoRonald！ItwashethatbroughtthenewstousofthathatefulClauselbeingcaptured，andallthathewassaying。Iwasindignantwithhim。Isaid-IdaresayIsaidtoomuch-andI
　　mustsayhewasverygood-natured。Hesaid，“YouandI，whoarehisfriends，KNOWthatChampdiversisinnocent。Butwhatistheuseofsayingit？“Allthiswasinthecorneroftheroominwhattheycallanaside。Andthenhesaid，“Givemeachancetospeaktoyouinprivate，Ihavemuchtotellyou。”Andhedid。Andtoldmejustwhatyoudid-thatitwasanaffairofhonour，andnoblameattachedtoyou。O，ImustsayIlikethatMajorChevenix！”
　　AtthisIwasseizedwithagreatpangofjealousy。Irememberedthefirsttimethathehadseenher，theinterestthatheseemedimmediatelytoconceive；andIcouldnotbutadmirethedogfortheusehehadbeeningeniousenoughtomakeofouracquaintanceinordertosupplantme。Allisfairinloveandwar。Forallthat，IwasnownolessanxioustodothespeakingmyselfthanIhadbeenbeforetohearFlora。Atleast，IcouldkeepclearofthehatefulimageofMajorChevenix。AccordinglyIburstatonceonthenarrativeofmyadventures。Itwasthesameasyouhaveread，butbriefer，andtoldwithaverydifferentpurpose。Noweveryincidenthadaparticularbearing，everyby-waybranchedofftoRome-andthatwasFlora。
　　WhenIhadbeguntospeakIhadkneeleduponthegravelwithoutsidethelowwindow，restedmyarmsuponthesill，andloweredmyvoicetothemostconfidentialwhisper。Floraherselfmustkneelupontheotherside，andthisbroughtourheadsuponalevelwithonlythebarsbetweenus。Soplaced，soseparated，itseemedthatourproximity，andthecontinuousandlowsoundsofmypleadingvoice，workedprogressivelyandpowerfullyonherheart，andperhapsnotlesssoonmyown。Forthesespellsaredouble-edged。Thesillybirdsmaybecharmedwiththepipeofthefowler，whichisbutatubeofreeds。Notsowithabirdofourownfeather！AsIwenton，andmyresolvestrengthened，andmyvoicefoundnewmodulations，andourfacesweredrawnclosertothebarsandtoeachother，notonlyshe，butI，succumbedtothefascination，andwerekindledbythecharm。Wemakelove，andtherebyourselvesfallthedeeperinit。Itiswiththeheartonlythatonecapturesaheart。”Andnow”Icontinued，”Iwilltellyouwhatyoucanstilldoforme。Irunalittleriskjustnow，andyouseeforyourselfhowunavoidableitisforanymanofhonour。Butif-butincaseoftheworstIdonotchoosetoenricheithermyenemiesorthePrinceRegent。Ihaveherethebulkofwhatmyunclegaveme。Eightthousandoddpounds。Willyoutakecareofitforme？Donotthinkofitmerelyasmoney；takeandkeepitasarelicofyourfriendorsomepreciouspieceofhim。Imayhavebitterneedofiterelong。Doyouknowtheoldcountrystoryofthegiantwhogavehishearttohiswifetokeepforhim，thinkingitsafertoreposeonherloyaltythanhisownstrength？Flora，Iamthegiant-averylittleone：willyoubethekeeperofmylife？ItismyheartIofferyouinthissymbol。InthesightofGod，ifyouwillhaveit，Igiveyoumyname，Iendowyouwithmymoney。Iftheworstcome，ifImayneverhopetocallyouwife，letmeatleastthinkthatyouwillusemyuncle”slegacyasmywidow。””No，notthat”shesaid。”Neverthat。””Whatthen？”Isaid。”Whatelse，myangel？Whatarewordstome？
　　ThereisbutonenamethatIcaretoknowyouby。Flora，mylove！””Anne！”shesaid。
　　Whatsoundissofullofmusicasone”sownnameutteredforthefirsttimeinthevoiceofherwelove！”Mydarling！”saidI。
　　Thejealousbars，setatthetopandbottominstoneandlime，obstructedtheraptureofthemoment；butItookhertomyselfaswhollyastheyallowed。Shedidnotshunmylips。Myarmswerewoundroundherbody，whichyieldeditselfgenerouslytomyembrace。Aswesoremained，entwinedandyetsevered，bruisingourfacesunconsciouslyonthecoldbars，theironyoftheuniverse-
　　orasIprefertosay，envyofsomeofthegods-againstirreduptheelementsofthatstormynight。Thewindblewagaininthetree-tops；avolleyofcoldsea-raindelugedthegarden，and，asthedeucewouldhaveit，agutterwhichhadbeenhithertochokedupbegansuddenlytoplayuponmyheadandshoulderswiththevivacityofafountain。Wepartedwithashock；Isprangtomyfeet，andshetohers，asthoughwehadbeendiscovered。Amomentafter，butnowbothstanding，wehadagainapproachedthewindowoneitherside。”Flora”Isaid，”thisisbutapoorofferIcanmakeyou。”
　　Shetookmyhandinhersandclaspedittoherbosom。”Richenoughforaqueen！”shesaid，withaliftinherbreathingthatwasmoreeloquentthanwords。”Anne，mybraveAnne！Iwouldbegladtobeyourmaidservant；IcouldenvythatboyRowley。But，no！”shebrokeoff，”Ienvynoone-Ineednot-Iamyours。””Mine”saidI，”forever！Bythisandthis，mine！””Allofme”sherepeated。”Altogetherandforever！”
　　Andifthegodwereenvious，hemusthaveseenwithmortificationhowlittlehecoulddotomarthehappinessofmortals。Istoodinamerewaterspout；sheherselfwaswet，notfrommyembraceonly，butfromthesplashingofthestorm。Thecandleshadgutteredout；
　　wewereindarkness。Icouldscarceseeanythingbuttheshiningofhereyesinthedarkroom。ToherImusthaveappearedasasilhouette，haloedbyrainandthespoutingoftheancientGothicgutterabovemyhead。
　　Presentlywebecamemorecalmandconfidential；andwhenthatsquall，whichprovedtobethelastofthestorm，hadblownby，fellintoatalkofwaysandmeans。ItseemedsheknewMr。Robbie，towhomIhadbeensoslenderlyaccreditedbyRomaine-waseveninvitedtohishousefortheeveningofMonday，andgavemeasketchoftheoldgentleman”scharacterwhichimpliedagreatdealofpenetrationinherself，andprovedofgreatusetomeintheimmediatesequel。Itseemedhewasanenthusiasticantiquary，andinparticularafanaticofheraldry。Ihearditwithdelight，forIwasmyself，thankstoM。deCulemberg，fairlygroundedinthatscience，andacquaintedwiththeblazonsofmostfamiliesofnoteinEurope。AndIhadmadeupmymind-evenasshespoke，itwasmyfixeddetermination，thoughIwasahundredmilesfromsayingit-tomeetFloraonMondaynightasafellow-guestinMr。Robbie”shouse。
　　Igavehermymoney-itwas，ofcourse，onlypaperIhadbrought。
　　Igaveither，tobehermarriage-portion，Ideclared。”Notsobadamarriage-portionforaprivatesoldier”Itoldher，laughing，asIpasseditthroughthebars。”O，Anne，andwhereamItokeepit？”shecried。”Ifmyauntshouldfindit！WhatwouldIsay！””Nextyourheart”Isuggested。”Thenyouwillalwaysbenearyourtreasure”shecried，”foryouarealwaysthere！”
　　Wewereinterruptedbyasuddenclearnessthatfelluponthenight。
　　Thecloudsdispersed；thestarsshoneineverypartoftheheavens；
　　and，consultingmywatch，Iwasstartledtofinditalreadyhardonfiveinthemorning。
　　CHAPTERXXVII-THESABBATHDAY
　　ITwasindeedhightimeIshouldbegonefromSwanston；butwhatI
　　wastodointhemeanwhilewasanotherquestion。Rowleyhadreceivedhisorderslastnight：hewastosaythatIhadmetafriend，andMrs。McRankinewasnottoexpectmebeforemorning。A
　　goodenoughtaleinitself；butthedreadfulpickleIwasinmadeitoutofthequestion。IcouldnotgohometillIhadfoundharbourage，afiretodrymyclothesat，andabedwhereImightlietilltheywereready。
　　Fortunefavouredmeagain。IhadscarcegottothetopofthefirsthillwhenIspiedalightonmyleft，aboutafurlongaway。
　　Itmightbeacaseofsickness；whatelseitwaslikelytobe-insorusticaneighbourhood，andatsuchanungodlytimeofthemorning-wasbeyondmyfancy。Afaintsoundofsingingbecameaudible，andgraduallyswelledasIdrewnear，untilatlastI
　　couldmakeoutthewords，whichweresingularlyappropriatebothtothehourandtotheconditionofthesingers。”Thecockmaycraw，thedaymaydaw”theysang；andsangitwithsuchlaxitybothintimeandtune，andsuchsentimentalcomplaisanceintheexpression，asassuredmetheyhadgotfarintothethirdbottleatleast。
　　Ifoundaplainrusticcottagebythewayside，ofthesortcalleddouble，withasignboardoverthedoor；and，thelightswithinstreamingforthandsomewhatmitigatingthedarknessofthemorning，Iwasenabledtodeciphertheinscription：”TheHunters”
　　Tryst，byAlexanderHendry。PorterAles，andBritishSpirits。
　　Beds。”
　　Myfirstknockputaperiodtothemusic，andavoicechallengedtipsilyfromwithin。”Whogoesthere？”itsaid；andIreplied，”Alawfultraveller。”
　　Immediatelyafter，thedoorwasunbarredbyacompanyofthetallestladsmyeyeshadeverrestedon，allastonishinglydrunkandverydecentlydressed，andonewhowasperhapsthedrunkestofthelotcarryingatallowcandle，fromwhichheimpartiallybedewedtheclothesofthewholecompany。AssoonasIsawthemI
　　couldnothelpsmilingtomyselftoremembertheanxietywithwhichIhadapproached。Theyreceivedmeandmyhastily-concoctedstory，thatIhadbeenwalkingfromPeeblesandhadlostmyway，withincoherentbenignity；jostledmeamongthemintotheroomwheretheyhadbeensitting，aplainhedgerowalehouseparlour，witharoaringfireinthechimneyandaprodigiousnumberofemptybottlesonthefloor；andinformedmethatIwasmade，bythisreception，atemporarymemberoftheSIX-FEET-HIGHCLUB，anathleticsocietyofyoungmeninagoodstation，whomadeoftheHunters”Trystafrequentresort。TheytoldmeIhadintrudedonan”all-nightsitting”followinguponan”all-daySaturdaytramp”
　　offortymiles；andthatthememberswouldallbeupand”asrightasninepence”forthenoondayserviceatsomeneighbouringchurch-
　　Collingwood，ifmemoryservesmeright。AtthisIcouldhavelaughed，butthemomentseemedill-chosen。For，thoughsixfeetwastheirstandard，theyallexceededthatmeasurementconsiderably；andItastedagainsomeofthesensationsofchildhood，asIlookeduptoalltheseladsfromalowerplane，andwonderedwhattheywoulddonext。ButtheSix-Footers，iftheywereverydrunk，provednolesskind。ThelandlordandservantsoftheHunters”Trystwereinbedandasleeplongago。Whetherbynaturalgiftoracquiredhabittheycouldsufferpandemoniumtoreignalloverthehouse，andyetlierankedinthekitchenlikeEgyptianmummies，onlythatthesoundoftheirsnoringroseandfellceaselesslylikethedroneofabagpipe。HeretheSix-Footersinvadedthem-intheircitadel，sotospeak；countedthebunksandthesleepers；proposedtoputmeinbedtooneofthelasses，proposedtohaveoneofthelassesouttomakeroomforme，felloverchairs，andmadenoiseenoughtowakenthedead：thewholeilluminatedbythesameyoungtorch-bearer，butnowwithtwocandles，andrapidlybeginningtolooklikeamaninasnowstorm。
　　Atlastabedwasfoundforme，myclotheswerehungouttodrybeforetheparlourfire，andIwasmercifullylefttomyrepose。
　　Iawokeaboutninewiththesunshininginmyeyes。Thelandlordcameatmysummons，broughtmemyclothesdriedanddecentlybrushed，andgavemethegoodnewsthattheSix-Feet-HighClubwereallabedandsleepingofftheirexcesses。WheretheywerebestowedwasapuzzletomeuntilasIwasstrollingaboutthegardenpatchwaitingforbreakfastIcameonabarndoor，and，lookingin，sawalltheredfacemixedinthestrawlikeplumsinacake。Quoththestalwartmaidwhobroughtmemyporridgeandbademe”eatthemwhiletheywerehot””Ay，theywerea”ontheran-danlastnicht！
　　Hout！they”refinelads，andthey”llbenanethewaurofit。ForbyFarbes”scoat。Idinnaseewha”stogetthecreishoffthat！”sheadded，withasigh；inwhich，identifyingForbesasthetorch-
　　bearer，Imentallyjoined。
　　ItwasabravemorningwhenItooktheroad；thesunshone，springseemedintheair，itsmeltlikeAprilorMay，andsomeover-
　　venturousbirdssanginthecoppicesasIwentby。Ihadplentytothinkof，plentytobegratefulfor，thatgallantmorning；andyetIhadatwitteratmyheart。Toenterthecitybydaylightmightbecomparedtomarchingonabattery；everyfacethatIconfrontedwouldthreatenmelikethemuzzleofagun；anditcameintomyheadsuddenlywithhowmuchbetteracountenanceIshouldbeabletodoitifIcouldbutimproviseacompanion。HardbyMerchistonIwassofortunateastoobserveabulkygentlemaninbroadclothandgaiters，stoopingwithhisheadalmostbetweenhisknees，beforeastonewall。Seizingoccasionbytheforelock，IdrewupasIcamealongsideandinquiredwhathehadfoundtointeresthim。
　　Heturneduponmeacountenancenotmuchlessbroadthanhisback。”Why，sir”hereplied，”Iwasevenmarvellingatmyownindefeasiblestupeedity：thatIshouldwalkthiswayeveryweekofmylife，weatherpermitting，andshouldneverbeforehaveNOTTICED
　　thatstone”touchingitatthesametimewithagoodlyoakstaff。
　　Ifollowedtheindication。Thestone，whichhadbeenbuiltsidewaysintothewall，offeredtracesofheraldicsculpture。Atoncetherecameawildideaintomymind：hisappearancetalliedwithFlora”sdescriptionofMr。Robbie；aknowledgeofheraldrywouldgofartoclinchtheproof；andwhatcouldbemoredesirablethantoscrapeaninformalacquaintancewiththemanwhomImustapproachnextdaywithmytaleofthedrovers，andwhomIyetwishedtoplease？Istoopedinturn。”Achevron”Isaid；”onachiefthreemullets？LookslikeDouglas，doesitnot？””Yes，sir，itdoes；youareright”saidhe：”itDOESlooklikeDouglas；though，withoutthetinctures，andthewholethingbeingsobatteredandbrokenup，whoshallventureanopinion？Butallowmetobemorepersonal，sir。InthesedegeneratedaysIamastonishedyoushoulddisplaysomuchproficiency。””O，Iwaswellgroundedinmyyouthbyanoldgentleman，afriendofmyfamily，andImaysaymyguardian”saidI；”butIhaveforgottenitsince。GodforbidIshoulddeludeyouintothinkingmeaherald，sir！Iamonlyanungrammaticalamateur。””Andalittlemodestydoesnoharmeveninaherald”saysmynewacquaintancegraciously。
　　Inshort，wefelltogetheronouronwardway，andmaintainedveryamicablediscoursealongwhatremainedofthecountryroad，pastthesuburbs，andonintothestreetsoftheNewTown，whichwasasdesertedandsilentasacityofthedead。Theshopswereclosed，novehicleran，catssportedinthemidstofthesunnycauseway；
　　andourstepsandvoicesre-echoedfromthequiethouses。Itwasthehigh-water，fullandstrange，ofthatweeklytrancetowhichthecityofEdinburghissubjected：theapotheosisoftheSAWBATH；
　　andIconfessthespectaclewantednotgrandeur，howevermuchitmayhavelackedcheerfulness。Therearefewreligiousceremoniesmoreimposing。Aswethuswalkedandtalkedinapublicseclusionthebellsbrokeoutringingthroughalltheboundsofthecity，andthestreetsbeganimmediatelytobethrongedwithdecentchurch-
　　goers。”Ah！”saidmycompanion，”therearethebells！Now，sir，asyouareastrangerImustofferyouthehospitalityofmypew。IdonotknowwhetheryouareatallusedwithourScottishform；butincaseyouarenotIwillfindyourplacesforyou；andDr。HenryGray，ofSt。Mary”sunderwhomIsit，isasgoodapreacheraswehavetoshowyou。”
　　Thisputmeinaquandary。ItwasadegreeofriskIwasscarcepreparedfor。Dozensofpeople，whomightpassmebyinthestreetwithnomorethanasecondlook，wouldgoonfromthesecondtothethird，andfromthattoafinalrecognition，ifIweresetbeforethem，immobilisedinapew，duringthewholetimeofservice。Anunluckyturnoftheheadwouldsufficetoarresttheirattention。”Whoisthat？”theywouldthink：”surelyIshouldknowhim！”and，achurchbeingtheplaceinalltheworldwhereonehasleasttothinkof，itwastentoonetheywouldendbyrememberingmebeforethebenediction。However，mymindwasmadeup：Ithankedmyobligingfriend，andplacedmyselfathisdisposal。
　　Ourwaynowledusintothenorth-eastquarterofthetown，amongpleasantnewfaubourgs，toadecentnewchurchofagoodsize，whereIwassoonseatedbythesideofmygoodSamaritan，andlookeduponbyawholecongregationofmenacingfaces。Atfirstthepossibilityofdangerkeptmeawake；butbythetimeIhadassuredmyselftherewasnonetobeapprehended，andtheservicewasnotintheleastlikelytobeenlivenedbythearrestofaFrenchspy，IhadtoresignmyselftothetaskoflisteningtoDr。
　　HenryGray。
　　Aswemovedout，afterthisordealwasover，myfriendwasatoncesurroundedandclaimedbyhisacquaintancesofthecongregation；
　　andIwasrejoicedtohearhimaddressedbytheexpectednameofRobbie。
　　Sosoonaswewereclearofthecrowd-”Mr。Robbie？”saidI，bowing。”Theverysame，sir”saidhe。”IfImistakenot，alawyer？””AwritertoHisMajesty”sSignet，atyourservice。””Itseemswewerepredestinedtobeacquaintances！”Iexclaimed。”Ihavehereacardinmypocketintendedforyou。Itisfrommyfamilylawyer。Itwashislastword，asIwasleaving，toasktoberememberedkindly，andtotrustyouwouldpassoversoinformalanintroduction。”
　　AndIofferedhimthecard。”Ay，ay，myoldfriendDaniel！”sayshe，lookingonthecard。”AndhowdoesmyoldfriendDaniel？”
　　IgaveafavourableviewofMr。Romaine”shealth。”Well，thisiscertainlyawhimsicalincident”hecontinued。”Andsincewearethusmetalready-andsomuchtomyadvantage！-thesimplestthingwillbetoprosecutetheacquaintanceinstantly。
　　Letmeproposeasnackbetweensermons，abottleofmyparticulargreenseal-andwhennobodyislookingwecantalkblazons，Mr。
　　Ducie！”-whichwasthenameIthenusedandhadalreadyincidentallymentioned，inthevainhopeofprovokingareturninkind。”Ibegyourpardon，sir：doIunderstandyoutoinvitemetoyourhouse？”saidI。”ThatwastheideaIwastryingtoconvey”saidhe。”Wehavethenameofhospitablepeopleuphere，andIwouldlikeyoutotrymine。””Mr。Robbie，Ishallhopetotryitsomeday，butnotyet”I
　　replied。”Ihopeyouwillnotmisunderstandme。Mybusiness，whichbringsmetoyourcity，isofapeculiarkind。Tillyoushallhaveheardit，and，indeed，tillitsissueisknown，IshouldfeelasifIhadstolenyourinvitation。””Well，well”saidhe，alittlesobered，”itmustbeasyouwish，thoughyouwouldhardlyspeakotherwiseifyouhadcommittedhomicide！Mineistheloss。Imusteatalone；averyperniciousthingforapersonofmyhabitofbody，contentmyselfwithapintofskinkingclaret，andmeditatethediscourse。Butaboutthisbusinessofyours：ifitissoparticularasallthat，itwilldoubtlessadmitofnodelay。””Imustconfess，sir，itpresses”Iacknowledged。”Then，letussayto-morrowathalf-pasteightinthemorning”
　　saidhe；”andIhope，whenyourmindisatrestanditdoesyoumuchhonourtotakeitasyoudo，thatyouwillsitdownwithmetothepostponedmeal，notforgettingthebottle。Youhavemyaddress？”headded，andgaveitme-whichwastheonlythingI
　　wanted。
　　Atlast，atthelevelofYorkPlace，wepartedwithmutualcivilities，andIwasfreetopursuemyway，throughthemobsofpeoplereturningfromchurch，tomylodgingsinSt。James”Square。
　　AlmostatthehousedoorwhomshouldIovertakebutmylandladyinadressofgorgeousseverity，anddraggingaprizeinherwake：nolessthanRowley，withthecockadeinhishat，andasmartpairoftopstohisboots！WhenIsaidhewasinthelady”swakeIspokebutinmetaphor。Asamatteroffacthewassquiringher，withtheutmostdignity，onhisarm；andIfollowedthemupthestairs，smilingtomyself。
　　BothwerequicktosalutemeassoonasIwasperceived，andMrs。
　　McRankineinquiredwhereIhadbeen。Itoldherboastfully，givingherthenameofthechurchandthedivine，andignorantlysupposingIshouldhavegainedcaste。Butshesoonopenedmyeyes。IntherootsoftheScottishcharacterthereareknotsandcontortionsthatnotonlynostrangercanunderstand，butnostrangercanfollow；hewalksamongexplosives；andhisbestcourseistothrowhimselfupontheirmercy-”JustasIam，withoutoneplea”acitationfromoneofthelady”sfavouritehymns。
　　Thesoundshemadewasunmistakableinmeaning，thoughitwasimpossibletobewrittendown；andIatonceexecutedthemanoeuvreIhaverecommended。”YoumustrememberIamaperfectstrangerinyourcity”saidI。”IfIhavedonewrong，itwasinmereignorance，mydearlady；andthisafternoon，ifyouwillbesogoodastotakeme，IshallaccompanyYOU。”
　　Butshewasnottobepacifiedatthemoment，anddepartedtoherownquartersmurmuring。”Well，Rowley”saidI；”andhaveyoubeentochurch？””Ifyouplease，sir”hesaid。”Well，youhavenotbeenanylessunluckythanIhave”Ireturned。”AndhowdidyougetonwiththeScottishform？””Well，sir，itwaspretty”ard，theformwas，andreethernarrow”
　　hereplied。”Idon”tknoww”yitis，butitseemstomelikeasifthingswereagoodbitchangedsinceWilliamWallace！Thatwasamainqueerchurchshetookmeto，Mr。Anne！Idon”tknowasI
　　couldhavesatitout，ifshe”adn”t”a”givemepeppermints。Sheain”tabadoneatbottom，theoldgirl；shedopounceabit，andshedoworry，but，lawblessyou，Mr。Anne，itain”tnothinkreally-shedon”tMEANit。W”y，shewasdownonmelikea”undredweightofbricksthismorning。Yousee，lastnightshe”admeintosupper，and，Ibegyourpardon，sir，butItookthefreedomofplayingherachuneortwo。Shedidn”tmindabit；sothismorningIbegantoplaytomyself，andsheflouncedin，andflewup，andcarriedonnoendaboutSunday！””Yousee，Rowley”saidI，”they”reallmaduphere，andyouhavetohumourthem。Seeanddon”tquarrelwithMrs。McRankine；and，aboveall，don”targuewithher，oryou”llgettheworstofit。
　　Whatevershesays，touchyourforelockandsay，“Ifyouplease！“or“Ibegpardon，ma”am。”Andletmetellyouonething：Iamsorry，butyouhavetogotochurchwithheragainthisafternoon。That”sduty，myboy！”
　　AsIhadforeseen，thebellshadscarcebegunbeforeMrs。McRankinepresentedherselftobeourescort，uponwhichIsprangupwithreadinessandofferedhermyarm。Rowleyfollowedbehind。IwasbeginningtogrowaccustomedtotherisksofmystayinEdinburgh，anditevenamusedmetoconfrontanewchurchful。Iconfesstheamusementdidnotlastuntiltheend；forifDr。Graywerelong，Mr。McCrawwasnotonlylonger，butmoreincoherent，andthematterofhissermonwhichwasadirectattack，apparently，onalltheChurchesoftheworld，myownamongthenumber，whereithadnotthetonicqualityofpersonalinsult，ratherinclinedmetoslumber。ButIbracedmyselfformylife，keptupRowleywiththeendofapin，andcamethroughitawake，butnomore。
　　Bethiahwasquiteconqueredbythis”markofgrace”though，Iamafraid，shewasalsomovedbymoreworldlyconsiderations。Thefirstis，theladyhadnottheleastobjectiontogotochurchonthearmofanelegantlydressedyounggentleman，andbefollowedbyaspruceservantwithacockadeinhishat。Icouldseeitbythewayshetookpossessionofus，foundustheplacesintheBible，whisperedtomethenameoftheminister，passeduslozenges，whichIformyparthandedontoRowley，andateachfreshattentionstolealittleglanceaboutthechurchtomakesureshewasobserved。Rowleywasaprettyboy；youwillpardonmeifIalsorememberedthatIwasafavourable-lookingyoungman。Whenwegrowelderly，howtheroombrightens，andbeginstolookasitoughttolook，ontheentranceofyouth，grace，health，andcomeliness！Youdonotwantthemforyourself，perhapsnotevenforyourson，butyoulookonsmiling；andwhenyourecalltheirimages-again，itiswithasmile。Idefyyoutoseeorthinkofthemandnotsmilewithaninfiniteandintimate，butquiteimpersonal，pleasure。
　　Well，eitherIknownothingofwomen，orthatwasthecasewithBethiahMcRankine。Shehadbeentochurchwithacockadebehindher，ontheonehand；ontheother，herhousewasbrightenedbythepresenceofapairofgood-lookingyoungfellowsoftheothersex，whowerealwayspleasedanddeferentialinhersocietyandacceptedherviewsasfinal。
　　Theseweresentimentstobeencouraged；and，onthewayhomefromchurch-ifchurchitcouldbecalled-Iadoptedamostinsidiousdevicetomagnifyherinterest。Itookherintotheconfidence，thatis，ofmyloveaffair，andIhadnosoonermentionedayoungladywithwhommyaffectionswereengagedthansheturneduponmeafaceofawfulgravity。”Isshebonny？”sheinquired。
　　Igaveherfullassurancesuponthat。”Towhatdenoaminationdoesshebeloang？”camenext，andwassounexpectedasalmosttodeprivemeofbreath。”Uponmyword，ma”am，Ihaveneverinquired”criedI；”IonlyknowthatsheisaheartfeltChristian，andthatisenough。””Ay！”shesighed，”ifshehastherootofthemaitter！There”saremnantpracticallyinmostofthedenoaminations。There”ssomeintheMcGlashanites，andsomeintheGlassites，andmonyintheMcMillanites，andthere”saleevenevenintheEstayblishment。””IhaveknownsomeverygoodPapistseven，ifyougotothat”saidI。”Mr。Ducie，thinkshametoyoursel”！”shecried。”Why，mydearmadam！Ionly-”Ibegan。”Youshouldnaejestinsairiousmaitters”sheinterrupted。
　　Onthewhole，sheenteredintowhatIchosetotellherofouridyllwithavidity，likeacatlickingherwhiskersoveradishofcream；and，strangetosay-andsoexpansiveapassionisthatoflove！-thatIderivedaperhapsequalsatisfactionfromconfidinginthatbreastofiron。Itmadeanimmediatebond：fromthathourweseemedtobeweldedintoafamily-party；andIhadlittledifficultyinpersuadinghertojoinusandtopresideoverourtea-table。Surelytherewasneversoill-matchedatrioasRowley，Mrs。McRankine，andtheViscountAnne！ButIamoftheApostle”sway，withadifference：allthingstoallwomen！WhenIcannotpleaseawoman，hangmeinmycravat！
　　CHAPTERXXVIII-EVENTSOFMONDAY：THELAWYER”SPARTY
　　BYhalf-pasteighto”clockonthenextmorning，Iwasringingthebellofthelawyer”sofficeinCastleStreet，whereIfoundhimensconcedatabusinesstable，inaroomsurroundedbyseveraltiersofgreentincases。Hegreetedmelikeanoldfriend。”Comeaway，sir，comeaway！”saidhe。”Hereisthedentistreadyforyou，andIthinkIcanpromiseyouthattheoperationwillbepracticallypainless。””Iamnotsosureofthat，Mr。Robbie”Ireplied，asIshookhandswithhim。”Butatleastthereshallbenotimelostwithme。”
　　Ihadtoconfesstohavinggonea-rovingwithapairofdroversandtheircattle，tohavingusedafalsename，tohavingmurderedorhalf-murderedafellow-creatureinascuffleonthemoors，andtohavingsufferedacoupleofquiteinnocentmentoliesometimeinprisononachargefromwhichIcouldhaveimmediatelyfreedthem。
　　AllthisIgavehimfirstofall，tobedonewiththeworstofit；
　　andallthishetookwithgravity，butwithouttheleastappearanceofsurprise。”Now，sir”Icontinued，”Iexpecttohavetopayformyunhappyfrolic，butIwouldlikeverywellifitcouldbemanagedwithoutmypersonalappearanceoreventhementionofmyrealname。Ihadsomuchwisdomastosailunderfalsecoloursinthisfoolishjauntofmine；myfamilywouldbeextremelyconcernediftheyhadwindofit；butatthesametime，ifthecaseofthisFaahasterminatedfatally，andthereareproceedingsagainstToddandCandlish，Iamnotgoingtostandbyandseethemvexed，farlesspunished；andI
　　authoriseyoutogivemeupfortrialifyouthinkthatbest-or，ifyouthinkitunnecessary，inthemeanwhiletomakepreparationsfortheirdefence。Ihope，sir，thatIamaslittleanxioustobeQuixotic，asIamdeterminedtobejust。””Veryfairlyspoken”saidMr。Robbie。”Itisnotmuchinmyline，asdoubtlessyourfriend，Mr。Romaine，willhavetoldyou。I
　　rarelymixmyselfupwithanythingonthecriminalside，orapproachingit。However，forayounggentlemanlikeyou，Imaystretchapoint，andIdaresayImaybeabletoaccomplishmorethanperhapsanother。IwillgoatoncetotheProcuratorFiscal”sofficeandinquire。””Waitamoment，Mr。Robbie”saidI。”Youforgetthechapterofexpenses。Ihadthought，forabeginning，ofplacingathousandpoundsinyourhands。””Mydearsir，youwillkindlywaituntilIrenderyoumybill”
　　saidMr。Robbieseverely。””Itseemedtome”Iprotested，”thatcomingtoyoualmostasastranger，andplacinginyourhandsapieceofbusinesssocontrarytoyourhabits，somesubstantialguaranteeofmygoodfaith-””NotthewaythatwedobusinessinScotland，sir”heinterrupted，withanairofclosingthedispute。”Andyet，Mr。Robbie”Icontinued，”Imustaskyoutoallowmetoproceed。Idonotmerelyrefertotheexpensesofthecase。I
　　havemyeyebesidesonToddandCandlish。Theyarethoroughlydeservingfellows；theyhavebeensubjectedthroughmetoaconsiderabletermofimprisonment；andIsuggest，sir，thatyoushouldnotsparemoneyfortheirindemnification。Thiswillexplain”Iaddedsmiling，”myofferofthethousandpounds。ItwasinthenatureofameasurebywhichyoushouldjudgethescaleonwhichIcanaffordtohavethisbusinesscarriedthrough。””Itakeyouperfectly，Mr。Ducie”saidhe。”ButthesoonerIamoff，thebetterthisaffairisliketobeguided。Myclerkwillshowyouintothewaiting-roomandgiveyoutheday”sCALEDONIAN
　　MERCURYandthelastREGISTERtoamuseyourselfwithintheinterval。”
　　IbelieveMr。Robbiewasatleastthreehoursgone。Isawhimdescendfromacabatthedoor，andalmostimmediatelyafterIwasshownagainintohisstudy，wherethesolemnityofhismannerledmetoaugurtheworst。Forsometimehehadtheinhumanitytoreadmealectureastotheincrediblesilliness，”nottosayimmorality”ofmybehaviour。”Ihavethesatisfactionintellingyoumyopinion，becauseitappearsthatyouaregoingtogetoffscotfree”hecontinued，where，indeed，Ithoughthemighthavebegun。”Theman，Faa，hasbeendischargedcured；andthetwomen，ToddandCandlish，wouldhavebeenleeberatedloneagoifithadnotbeenfortheirextraordinaryloyaltytoyourself，Mr。Ducie-orMr。St。
　　Ivey，asIbelieveIshouldnowcallyou。Neverawordwouldeitherofthetwooldfoolsvolunteerthatinanymannerpointedattheexistenceofsuchaperson；andwhentheywereconfrontedwithFaa”sversionoftheaffair，theygaveaccountssoentirelydiscrepantwiththeirownformerdeclarations，aswellaswitheachother，thattheFiscalwasquitenonplussed，andimaiginedtherewassomethingbehindit。YoumaybelieveIsoonlaughedhimoutofthat！AndIhadthesatisfactionofseeingyourtwofriendssetfree，andverygladtobeonthecausewayagain。””Oh，sir”Icried，”youshouldhavebroughtthemhere。””Noinstructions，Mr。Ducie！”saidhe。”HowdidIknowyouwishedtorenewanacquaintancewhichyouhadjustterminatedsofortunately？And，indeed，tobefrankwithyou，Ishouldhavesetmyfaceagainstit，ifyouhad！Letthemgo！Theyarepaidandcontented，andhavethehighestpossibleopinionofMr。St。Ivey！
　　WhenIgavethemfiftypoundsapiece-whichwasrathermorethanenough，Mr。Ducie，whateveryoumaythink-themanTodd，whohastheonlytongueoftheparty，struckhisstaffontheground。
　　“Weel，“sayshe，“Iayesaidhewasagentleman！““Man，Todd，“
　　saidI，“thatwasjustwhatMrSt。Iveysaidofyourself！“””Soitwasacaseof“Complimentsflywhengentlefolkmeet。”””No，no，Mr。Ducie，manToddandmanCandlisharegoneoutofyourlife，andagoodriddance！Theyarefinefellowsintheirway，butnoproperassociatesforthelikeofyourself；anddoyoufinallyagreetobedonewithalleccentricity-takeupwithnomoredrovers，ortinkers，butenjoythenaituralpleesuresforwhichyourage，yourwealth，yourintelligence，andifImaybeallowedtosayityourappearancesocompletelyfityou。Andthefirstofthese”quothhe，lookingathiswatch，”willbetostepthroughtomydining-roomandshareabachelor”sluncheon。”
　　Overthemeal，whichwasgood，Mr。Robbiecontinuedtodevelopthesametheme。”You”re，nodoubt，whattheycalladancing-man？”saidhe。”Well，onThursdaynightthereistheAssemblyBall。Youmustcertainlygothere，andyoumustpermitmebesidestodothehonoursoftheceetyandsendyouaticket。Iamathoroughbelieverinayoungmanbeingayoungman-butnomoredroversorrovers，ifyouloveme！TalkingofwhichputsmeinmindthatyoumaybeshortofpartnersattheAssembly-oh，Ihavebeenyoungmyself！-andifyecaretocometoanythingsoportentiouslytediousasatea-partyatthehouseofabachelorlawyer，consistingmainlyofhisniecesandnephews，andhisgrand-niecesandgrand-nephews，andhiswards，andgenerallythewholeclanofthedescendantsofhisclients，youmightdropinto-nighttowardsseveno”clock。IthinkIcanshowyouoneortwothatareworthlookingat，andyoucandancewiththemlateronattheAssembly。”
　　Heproceededtogivemeasketchofoneortwoeligibleyoungladies”whomImightexpecttomeet。”Andthenthere”smyparteecularfriend，MissFlora”saidhe。”ButI”llmakenoattemptofadescription。Youshallseeherforyourself。”
　　ItwillbereadilysupposedthatIacceptedhisinvitation；andreturnedhometomakeatoiletteworthyofherIwastomeetandthegoodnewsofwhichIwasthebearer。Thetoilette，Ihavereasontobelieve，wasasuccess。Mr。Rowleydismissedmewithafarewell：”Crikey！Mr。Anne，butyoudolookprime！”EventhestonyBethiahwas-howshallIsay？-dazzled，butscandalised，bymyappearance；andwhile，ofcourse，shedeploredthevanitythatledtoit，shecouldnotwhollypreventherselffromadmiringtheresult。”Ay，Mr。Ducie，thisisapooremploymentforawayfaringChristianman！”shesaid。”Wi”ChristdespisedandrejectitinallpairtsoftheworldandtheflagoftheCovenantflungdoon，youwillbemucklebetteronyourknees！However，I”llhavetoconfessthatitsetsyouweel。Andifit”sthelassieye”regauntoseethenicht，IsupposeI”lljusthavetoexcuseye！Bairnsmaunbebairns！”shesaid，withasigh。”ImindwhenMr。McRankinecamecourtin”，andthat”slangby-gane-ImindIhadagreengown，passementit，thatwasthochttobecomemetoadmiration。Iwasnaejustexactlywhatyewouldca”bonny；butIwaspale，penetratin”，andinterestin”。”
　　Andsheleanedoverthestair-railwithacandletowatchmydescentaslongasitshouldbepossible。
　　ItwasbutalittlepartyatMr。Robbie”s-bywhich，Idonotsomuchmeanthattherewerefewpeople，fortheroomswerecrowded，asthattherewasverylittleattemptedtoentertainthem。Inoneapartmentthereweretablessetout，wheretheeldersweresolemnlyengageduponwhist；intheotherandlargerone，agreatnumberofyouthofbothsexesentertainedthemselveslanguidly，theladiessittinguponchairstobecourted，thegentlemenstandingaboutinvariousattitudesofinsinuationorindifference。Conversationappearedthesoleresource，exceptinsofarasitwasmodifiedbyanumberofkeepsakesandannualswhichlaydisperseduponthetables，andofwhichtheyoungbeauxdisplayedtheillustrationstotheladies。Mr。Robbiehimselfwascustomarilyinthecard-room；
　　onlynowandagain，whenhecutout，hemadeanincursionamongtheyoungfolks，androlledaboutjoviallyfromonetoanother，theverypictureofthegeneraluncle。