'Scornful dogs will eat dirty puddings, cousin Crosbie--ye little ken what some of your friends were obliged to do yon time for a sowp of brose, or a bit of bannock.

G--d, I carried a cutler's wheel for several weeks, partly for need, and partly for disguise--there I went bizz--bizz--whizz--zizz, at every auld wife's door; and if ever you want your shears sharpened, Mrs.Crosbie, I am the lad to do it for you, if my wheel was but in order.' 'You, must ask my leave first,' said the provost; 'for I have been told you had some queer fashions of taking a kiss instead of a penny, if you liked your customer.' 'Come, come, provost,' said the lady; rising, 'if the maut gets abune the meal with you, it is time for me to take myself away--And you will come to my room, gentlemen, when you want a cup of tea.' Alan Fairford was not sorry for the lady's departure.

She seemed too much alive to the honour of the house of Redgauntlet, though only a fourth cousin, not to be alarmed by the inquiries which he proposed to make after the whereabout of its present head.

Strange confused suspicions arose in his mind, from his imperfect recollection of the tale of Wandering Willie, and the idea forced itself upon him that his friend Darsie Latimer might be the son of the unfortunate Sir Henry.

But before indulging in such speculations, the point was to discover what had actually become of him.