But this affair of young Hazlewood--' 'Was merely accidental,' said Bertram.

'I was travelling in Scotland for pleasure, and, after a week's residence with my friend Mr.Dinmont, with whom I had the good fortune to form an accidental acquaintance--' "It was my gude fortune that," said Dinmont.

"Odd, my brains wad hae been knockit out by twa black-guards if it hadna been for his four quarters." "Shortly after we parted at the town of----I lost my baggage by thieves, and it was while residing at Kippletringan I accidentally met the young gentleman.

As I was approaching to pay my respects to Miss Mannering, whom I had known in India, Mr.Hazlewood, conceiving my appearance none of the most respectable, commanded me rather haughtily to stand back, and so gave occasion to the fray, in which I had the misfortune to be the accidental means of wounding him.

And now, sir, that I have answered all your questions--" "No, no, not quite all," said Pleydell, winking sagaciously; "there are some interrogatories which I shall delay till to-morrow, for it is time, I believe, to close the sederunt for this night, or rather morning." "Well, then, sir," said the young man, "to vary the phrase, since I have answered all the questions which you have chosen to ask to-night, will you be so good as to tell me who you are that take such interest in my affairs, and whom you take me to be, since my arrival has occasioned such commotion ?" "Why, sir, for myself," replied the Counsellor, "I am Paulus Pleydell, an advocate at the Scottish bar; and for you, it is not easy to say distinctly who you are at present, but I trust in a short time to hail you by the title of Henry Bertram, Esq., representative of one of the oldest families in Scotland, and heir of Tailzie and provision to the estate of Ellangowan.