You might be glad of it, I think: it is your own protection; the facts are heavy against you; and if I am still trying to except you from a very dangerous place, it is in part of course because I am not insensible to your honesty in coming here; in part because of Pilrig's letter; but in part, and in chief part, because I regard in this matter my political duty first and my judicial duty only second.

For the same reason--I repeat it to you in the same frank words--I do not want your testimony." "I desire not to be thought to make a repartee, when I express only the plain sense of our position," said I."But if your lordship has no need of my testimony, I believe the other side would be extremely blythe to get it." Prestongrange arose and began to pace to and fro in the room.

"You are not so young," he said, "but what you must remember very clearly the year '45 and the shock that went about the country.

I read in Pilrig's letter that you are sound in Kirk and State.

Who saved them in that fatal year?
I do not refer to his Royal Highness and his ramrods, which were extremely useful in their day; but the country had been saved and the field won before ever Cumberland came upon Drummossie.