friends'; I hope you can justify my plural?"

"Perfectly, sir; my purpose is known and approved by more than
one," said I. "And your letter, which I take a pleasure to thank
you for, is all I could have hoped."

"It was all I could squeeze out," said he; "and from what I know of
the matter you design to meddle in, I can only pray God that it may
prove sufficient."



CHAPTER IV--LORD ADVOCATE PRESTONGRANGE



My kinsman kept me to a meal, "for the honour of the roof," he
said; and I believe I made the better speed on my return. I had no
thought but to be done with the next stage, and have myself fully
committed; to a person circumstanced as I was, the appearance of
closing a door on hesitation and temptation was itself extremely
tempting; and I was the more disappointed, when I came to
Prestongrange's house, to be informed he was abroad. I believe it
was true at the moment, and for some hours after; and then I have
no doubt the Advocate came home again, and enjoyed himself in a
neighbouring chamber among friends, while perhaps the very fact of
my arrival was forgotten. I would have gone away a dozen times,
only for this strong drawing to have done with my declaration out
of hand and be able to lay me down to sleep with a free conscience.
At first I read, for the little cabinet where I was left contained