But what should be the word ?" "Mr.Balfour," said I, "if I were to tell you my whole story the way it fell out, it's my opinion (and it was Rankeillor's before 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.