it was, for all
the old servants had left the mansion, every one on hearing of the
death of the late laird, and those who had come knew none of the people
in the neighbourhood. From several circumstances, I had suspicions of
private confabulations with women, and refused to go to her, but bid
the servant inquire what she wanted. She would not tell, she could only
state the circumstances to me; so I, being sensible that a little
dignity of manner became me in my elevated situation, returned for
answer that, if it was business that could not be transacted by my
steward, it must remain untransacted. The answer which the servant
brought back was of a threatening nature. She stated she must see me,
and, if I refused her satisfaction there, she would compel it where I
should not evite her.

My friend and director appeared pleased with my dilemma, and rather
advised that I should hear what the woman had to say; on which I
consented, provided she would deliver her mission in his presence. She
came with manifest signs of anger and indignation, and began with a
bold and direct charge against me of a shameful assault on one of her
daughters; of having used the basest of means in order to lead her
aside from the paths of rectitude; and, on the failure of these, of
having resorted to the most unqualified measures.

I denied the charge in all its bearings, assuring the dame that I had
never so much as seen either of her daughters to my knowledge, far less
wronged them; on which she got into great wrath, and abused me to my
face as an accomplished vagabond, hypocrite, and sensualist; and she
went so far as to tell me roundly that if I did not marry her daughter,
she would bring me to the gallows and that in a very short time.

"Marry your daughter, honest woman!" said I, "on the faith of a
Christian, I never saw your daughter; and you may rest assured in this,
that I will neither marry you nor her. Do you consider how short a time
I have been in this place? How much that time has been occupied? And
how there was even a possibility that I could have accomplished such
villainies?"

"And how long does your Christian reverence suppose you have remained
in this place since the late laird's death?" said she.

"That is too well known to need recapitulation," said I. "Only a very
few days, though I cannot at present specify the exact number; perhaps
from thirty to forty, or so. But in all that time, certes, I have never
seen either you