The quixotic, the generous, the hopeless, the successful; laughter and tears; death and birth; the warm hearth and the open road--all seemed blent for the moment into one great zest for living.
"I'll to Lochiel and Appin and kneel to them," he was humming aloud, when suddenly his bridle was caught and a man's hand was at his knee.
"Lewie," cried Wratislaw, "gracious, man! have you been drinking ?" And then seeing the truth, he let go the bridle, put an arm through the stirrup leathers, and walked by the horse's side.

"So that's the way you take it, old chap?
Do you know that you are a discredited and defeated man?
and yet I find you whistling like a boy.

I have hopes for you, Lewie.

You have the Buoyant Heart, and with that nothing can much matter.

But, confound it! you are hours late for dinner.".