like to change places with one of my own cows."

Midwinter left him to dress, engaging to return when the carriage was at
the door. Allan's toilet did not promise to be a speedy one. He began it
by reading his own visiting cards; and he advanced it a second stage
by looking into his wardrobe, and devoting the resident gentry to the
infernal regions. Before he could discover any third means of delaying
his own proceedings, the necessary pretext was unexpectedly supplied
by Richard's appearance with a note in his hand. The messenger had just
called with Mr. Darch's answer. Allan briskly shut up the wardrobe, and
gave his whole attention to the lawyer's letter. The lawyer's letter
rewarded him by the following lines:

"SIR--I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of to-day's date,
honoring me with two proposals; namely, ONE inviting me to act as your
legal adviser, and ONE inviting me to pay you a visit at your house.
In reference to the first proposal, I beg permission to decline it with
thanks. With regard to the second proposal, I have to inform you that
circumstances have come to my knowledge relating to the letting of the
cottage at Thorpe Ambrose which render it impossible for me (in justice
to myself) to accept your invitation. I have ascertained, sir, that my
offer reached you at the same time as Major Milroy's; and that, with
both proposals thus before you, you gave the preference to a total
stranger, who addressed you through a house agent, over a man who had
faithfully served your relatives for two generations, and who had been
the first person to inform you of the most important event in your life.
After this specimen of your estimate of what is due to the claims of
common courtesy and common justice, I cannot flatter myself that I
possess any of the qualities which would fit me to take my place on the
list of your friends.

"I remain, sir, your obedient servant,

"JAMES DARCH."

"Stop the messenger!" cried Allan, leaping to his feet, his ruddy face
aflame with indignation. "Give me pen, ink, and paper! By the
Lord Harry, they're a nice set of people in these parts; the whole
neighborhood is in a conspiracy to bully me!" He snatched up the pen in
a fine frenzy of epistolary inspiration. "Sir--I despise you and your
letter.--" At that point the pen made a blot, and the writer was seized
with a momentary hesitation. "Too strong," he thought; "I'll give it to
the lawyer in his own cool and cutting