Part 21 (1/2)
”And hly peculiar,” I replied ”No question but I must have touched his heart at our first interview, so that he has since stood entleside poor James For which reason I choose to communicate to him the fact of this memorial as soon as it is copied You are to consider also that this step will make for my protection I have enemies here accustomed to drive hard; his Grace is in his own country, Lovat by his side; and if there should hang any aht very well awake in gaol”
Not finding any very ready answer to these considerations, my company of advisers were at the last persuaded to consent, and made only this condition that I was to lay the paper before Prestongrange with the express compliments of all concerned
The Advocate was at the castle dining with his Grace By the hand of one of Colstoun's servants I sent hi for an interview, and received a summons to meet him at once in a private house of the town Here I found hileaned; yet I was not so unobservant but what I spied soather he was prepared to arrest me there and then, should it appear advisable
”So, Mr David, this is you?” said he
”Where I fear I am not overly welcoo further to express ood offices, even should they now cease”
”I have heard of your gratitude before,” he replied drily, ”and I think this can scarce be the matter you called me from my wine to listen to I would regy foundation”
”Not now, my lord, I think,” said I; ”and if your lordshi+p will but glance an eye along this, you will perhaps think as I do”
He read it sedulously through, frowning heavily; then turned back to one part and another which he seehtened
”This is not so bad but what it h I am still likely to pay dear for my acquaintance with Mr David Balfour”
”Rather for your indulgence to that unlucky young man, my lord,” said I
He still skimmed the paper, and all the while his spirits seemed to mend
”And to whom am I indebted for this?” he asked presently ”Other counsels must have been discussed, I think Who was it proposed this private method? Was it Miller?”
”My lord, it was entlemen have shown me no such consideration, as that I should deny myself any credit I can fairly claim, or spare them any responsibility they should properly bear And the mere truth is, that they were all in favour of a process which should have remarkable consequences in the Parliament House, and prove for the roast Before I intervened, I think they were on the point of sharing out the different law appointments Our friend Mr Sirange smiled ”These are our friends,” said he ”And ere your reasons for dissenting, Mr David?”
I told the, however, with e himself
”You do ht as hard in your interest as you have fought against mine And how caan to grow uneasy that I had clipped the period so fine, and I was even expecting you to-morrow But to-day-I never drea to betray Andie
”I suspect there is some very weary cattle by the road,” said I
”If I had known you were such a er of the Bass,” says he
”Speaking of which, ave him the enclosure in the counterfeit hand
”There was the cover also with the seal,” said he
”I have it not,” said I ”It bore not even an address, and could not compromise a cat The second enclosure I have, and with your perht he winced a little, but he said nothing to the point ”To-morrow,” he resumed, ”our business here is to be finished, and I proceed by Glasgoould be very glad to have you of an
”I do not deny it will be of service to me,” he interrupted ”I desire even that, e shall coht at my house You have very warm friends in the Miss Grants, ill be overjoyed to have you to themselves If you think I have been of use to you, you can thus easily repay e by the way It is not every strange young 's Advocate”