"But I will do you right, Palfour.

Lead on!" If I had walked slowly on the way into that accursed park my heels were light enough on the way out.

They kept time to a very good old air, that is as ancient as the Bible, and the words of it are: "_Surely the bitterness of death is passed_." I mind that I was extremely thirsty, and had a drink at Saint Margaret's well on the road down, and the sweetness of that water passed belief.

We went through the sanctuary, up the Canongate, in by the Netherbow, and straight to Prestongrange's door, talking as we came and arranging the details of our affair.

The footman owned his master was at home, but declared him engaged with other gentlemen on very private business, and his door forbidden.
"My business is but for three minutes, and it cannot wait," said I."You may say it is by no means private, and I shall be even glad to have some witnesses." As the man departed unwillingly enough upon this errand, we made so bold as to follow him to the antechamber, whence I could hear for a while the murmuring of several voices in the room within.