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,

that I am a young man of reasonable good family and of good means:

both of which I believe to be the case."

"I have Rankeillor's word for it," said Mr. Balfour, "and I count

that a warran-dice against all deadly."

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