that I had bought for her; and I thought this contrast of poverty

and prodigality bore an ill appearance.

He looked all about the chamber for a seat, and finding nothing

else to his purpose except my bed, took a place upon the side of

it; where, after I had closed the door, I could not very well avoid

joining him. For however this extraordinary interview might end,

it must pass if possible without waking Catriona; and the one thing

needful was that we should sit close and talk low. But I can

scarce picture what a pair we made; he in his great coat which the

coldness of my chamber made extremely suitable; I shivering in my

shirt and breeks; he with very much the air of a judge; and I

(whatever I looked) with very much the feelings of a man who has

heard the last trumpet.

"Well?" says he.

And "Well," I began, but found myself unable to go further.

"You tell me she is here?" said he again, but now with a spice of

impatience that seemed to brace me up.

"She is in this house," said I, "and I knew the circumstance would

be called unusual. But you are to consider how very unusual the

whole business was from the beginning. Here is a young lady landed

on the coast of Europe with two shillings and a penny halfpenny.

She is directed to yon man Sprott in Helvoet. I hear you call him

your agent. All I can say is he could do nothing but damn and

swear at the mere mention of your name, and I must fee him out of

my own pocket even to receive the custody of her effects. You

speak of unusual circumstances, Mr. Drummond, if that be the name

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