no more of business. The very sight of Torrance brings in my head a

little droll matter of some years ago, when I had made a tryst with the

poor oaf at the cross of Edinburgh. Each had gone his proper errand; and

when it came four o'clock, Torrance had been taking a glass and did

not know his master, and I, who had forgot my spectacles, was so blind

without them, that I give you my word I did not know my own clerk." And

thereupon he laughed heartily.

I said it was an odd chance, and smiled out of politeness; but what held

me all the afternoon in wonder, he kept returning and dwelling on this

story, and telling it again with fresh details and laughter; so that I

began at last to be quite put out of countenance and feel ashamed for my

friend's folly.

Towards the time I had appointed with Alan, we set out from the house,

Mr. Rankeillor and I arm in arm, and Torrance following behind with the

deed in his pocket and a covered basket in his hand. All through the

town, the lawyer was bowing right and left, and continually being

button-holed by gentlemen on matters of burgh or private business; and I

could see he was one greatly looked up to in the county. At last we were

clear of the houses, and began to go along the side of the haven and

towards the Hawes Inn and the Ferry pier, the scene of my misfortune. I

could not look upon the place without emotion, recalling how many that

had been there with me that day were now no more: Ransome taken, I could

hope, from the evil to come; Shuan passed where I dared not follow him;

and the poor souls that had gone down with the brig in her last plunge.

<<BackPagesTo menuNext>>