Had our friend Alexander Fairford known the consequences of his son's abrupt retreat from the court, which are mentioned in the end of the last chapter, it might have accomplished the prediction of the lively old judge, and driven him utterly distracted.

As it was, he was miserable enough.

His son had risen ten degrees higher in his estimation than ever by his display of juridical talents, which seemed to assure him that the applause of the judges and professors of the law, which, in his estimation, was worth that of all mankind besides, authorized to the fullest extent the advantageous estimate which even his parental partiality had been induced to form of Alan's powers.

On the other hand, he felt that he was himself a little humbled, from a disguise which he had practised towards this son of his hopes and wishes.
The truth was, that on the morning of this eventful day, Mr.Alexander Fairford had received from his correspondent and friend, Provost Crosbie of Dumfries, a letter of the following tenor: 'DEAR SIR, 'Your respected favour of 25th ultimo, per favour of Mr.Darsie Latimer, reached me in safety, and I showed to the young gentleman such attention as he was pleased to accept of.

The object of my present writing is twofold.