But when you are out of your canonicals, the case is altered.

How come you, sir, to suppose that I have any business with this riotous proceeding, or should know more than you do what happened there?
the question proceeds on an uncivil supposition.' 'I will explain,' said Alan, determined to give Mr.Maxwell no opportunity of breaking off the conversation.

'You are an intimate of Mr.Redgauntlet--he is accused of having been engaged in this affray, and of having placed under forcible restraint the person of my friend, Darsie Latimer, a young man of property and consequence, whose fate I am here for the express purpose of investigating.

This is the plain state of the case; and all parties concerned,--your friend, in particular,--will have reason to be thankful for the temperate manner in which it is my purpose to conduct the matter, if I am treated with proportionate frankness.' 'You have misunderstood me,' said Maxwell, with a tone changed to more composure; 'I told you I was the friend of the late Sir Henry Redgauntlet, who was executed, in 1745, at Hairibie, near Carlisle, but I know no one who at present bears the name of Redgauntlet.' 'You know Mr.Herries of Birrenswork,' said Alan, smiling, 'to whom the name of Redgauntlet belongs ?' Maxwell darted a keen reproachful look towards the provost, but instantly smoothed his brow, and changed his tone to that of confidence and candour.
'You must not be angry, Mr.Fairford, that the poor persecuted nonjurors are a little upon the QUI VIVE when such clever young men as you are making inquiries after us.

I myself now, though I am quite out of the scrape, and may cock my hat at the Cross as I best like, sunshine or moonshine, have been yet so much accustomed to walk with the lap of my cloak cast over my face, that, faith, if a redcoat walk suddenly up to me, I wish for my wheel and whetstone again for a moment.