Prestongrange! Doubtless that is easily given. But what should be
the word?"

"Mr. Balfour," said I, "if I were to tell you my whole story the
way it fell out, it's my opinion (and it was Rankeillor's before
me) that you would be very little made up with it."

"I am sorry to hear this of you, kinsman," says he.

"I must not take that at your hands, Mr. Balfour," said I; "I have
nothing to my charge to make me sorry, or you for me, but just the
common infirmities of mankind. 'The guilt of Adam's first sin, the
want of original righteousness, and the corruption of my whole
nature,' so much I must answer for, and I hope I have been taught
where to look for help," I said; for I judged from the look of the
man he would think the better of me if I knew my questions. {11}
"But in the way of worldly honour I have no great stumble to
reproach myself with; and my difficulties have befallen me very
much against my will and (by all that I can see) without my fault.
My trouble is to have become dipped in a political complication,
which it is judged you would be blythe to avoid a knowledge of."

"Why, very well, Mr. David," he replied, "I am pleased to see you
are all that Rankeillor represented. And for what you say of
political complications, you do me no more than justice. It is my
study to be beyond suspicion, and indeed outside the field of it.
The question is," says he, "how, if I am to know nothing of the
matter, I can very well assist you?"

"Why sir," said I, "I propose you should write to his lordship,