If the two last years passed o'er the heads of me and my people
without any manifest dolour, which is a great thing to say for so
long a period in this world, we had our own trials and tribulations
in the one of which I have now to make mention. Mungo Argyle, the
exciseman, waxing rich, grew proud and petulant, and would have
ruled the country side with a rod of iron. Nothing less would serve
him than a fine horse to ride on, and a world of other conveniences
and luxuries, as if he had been on an equality with gentlemen. And
he bought a grand gun, which was called a fowling-piece; and he had
two pointer dogs, the like of which had not been seen in the parish
since the planting of the Eaglesham-wood on the moorland, which was
four years before I got the call. Every body said the man was fey;
and truly, when I remarked him so gallant and gay on the Sabbath at
the kirk, and noted his glowing face and gleg een, I thought at
times there was something no canny about him. It was indeed clear
to be seen, that the man was hurried out of himself; but nobody
could have thought that the death he was to dree would have been
what it was.

About the end of summer my Lord Eaglesham came to the castle,
bringing with him an English madam, that was his Miss. Some days
after he came down from London, as he was riding past the manse, his
lordship stopped to enquire for my health, and I went to the door to
speak to him. I thought that he did not meet me with that blithe
countenance he was wont, and in going away, he said with a blush, "I
fear I dare not ask you to come to the castle." I had heard of his
concubine, and I said, "In saying so, my lord, you show a spark of
grace; for it would not become me to see what I have heard; and I am