you before I should have thought of publishing the letter on the
Revolution, and hoped to _whet your almost blunted purpose about doing that
and some_ other things yourself." And again afterwards--"it would have been
easy to have written to enquire into your intentions, indeed _I intended to
do so_, but the thing had gone out of my head." Why did you intend to write
to me, Sir Walter, about intentions which you have said you were
unconscious had any existence? But who can dare to be angry with Sir Walter
Scott? Who could be savage enough to be angry with the meanest individual
who could write with so much good nature and bonhommie as he displays in
his letter? Had one particle of angry feeling lurked in my bosom against
him, I should have merited scourging. My answer was as follows....'

[14] _sic_ for 22nd May.

Sir Thomas was unable to accept Sir Walter's invitation, but proposed to
call on him, and received the following reply:--

'My dear Sir Thomas,--I am much mortified at finding that by a
peremptory message from my builder at Abbotsford, who is erecting an
addition to my house, I must set out there to-morrow at twelve. But we
must meet for all that, and I hope you will do me the honour to
breakfast here, though at the unchristian hour of _Nine o'clock_, and if
you come as soon after eight as you will, you will find me ready to
receive you. I mention this because I must be in the court at _Ten_. I
hope this will suit you till time permits a longer interview. I shall
therefore expect you accordingly.--Yours very sincerely,

WALTER SCOTT.

'_Castle Street, Friday_'