But he'll see you--I got that job cookit.

He was like a man awa frae himsell for mony minutes, and I thought he wad hae swarv't a'thegither,--and fan he cam to himsell, he asked fae brought the packet--and fat trow ye I said ?" "An auld soger," says Edie--"that does likeliest at a gentle's door; at a farmer's it's best to say ye're an auld tinkler, if ye need ony quarters, for maybe the gudewife will hae something to souther." "But I said neer ane o' the twa," answered Francis; "my lord cares as little about the tane as the tother--for he's best to them that can souther up our sins.

Sae I e'en said the bit paper was brought by an auld man wi' a long fite beard--he might be a capeechin freer for fat I ken'd, for he was dressed like an auld palmer.

Sae ye'll be sent up for fanever he can find mettle to face ye." "I wish I was weel through this business," thought Edie to himself; "mony folk surmise that the Earl's no very right in the judgment, and wha can say how far he may be offended wi' me for taking upon me sae muckle ?" But there was now no room for retreat--a bell sounded from a distant part of the mansion, and Macraw said, with a smothered accent, as if already in his master's presence, "That's my lord's bell!--follow me, and step lightly and cannily, Edie." Edie followed his guide, who seemed to tread as if afraid of being overheard, through a long passage, and up a back stair, which admitted them into the family apartments.

They were ample and extensive, furnished at such cost as showed the ancient importance and splendour of the family.