dry before the
parlour fire, and I was mercifully left to my repose.

I awoke about nine with the sun shining in my eyes. The landlord came at
my summons, brought me my clothes dried and decently brushed, and gave
me the good news that the Six-Feet-High Club were all abed and sleeping
off their excesses. Where they were bestowed was a puzzle to me until
(as I was strolling about the garden patch waiting for breakfast) I came
on a barn door, and, looking in, saw all the red faces mixed in the
straw like plums in a cake. Quoth the stalwart maid who brought me my
porridge and bade me "eat them while they were hot," "Ay, they were a'
on the ran-dan last nicht! Hout! they're fine lads, and they'll be nane
the waur of it. Forby Farbes's coat: I dinna see wha's to get the creish
off that!" she added, with a sigh; in which, identifying Forbes as the
torch-bearer, I mentally joined.

It was a brave morning when I took the road; the sun shone, spring
seemed in the air, it smelt like April or May, and some over-venturous
birds sang in the coppices as I went by. I had plenty to think of,
plenty to be grateful for, that gallant morning; and yet I had a twitter
at my heart. To enter the city by daylight might be compared to marching
on a battery; every face that I confronted would threaten me like the
muzzle of a gun; and it came into my head suddenly with how much better
a countenance I should be able to do it if I could but improvise a
companion. Hard by Merchiston I was so fortunate as to observe a bulky
gentleman in broadcloth and gaiters, stooping, with his head almost
between his knees, before a stone wall. Seizing occasion by the
forelock, I drew up as I came alongside and inquired what he had found
to interest him.

He turned upon me a countenance not much less broad than his back.

"Why, sir," he replied, "I was even marvelling at my own indefeasible
stupeedity; that I should walk this way every week of my life, weather
permitting, and should never before have _notticed_ that stone,"
touching it at the same time with a goodly oak staff.

I followed the indication. The stone, which had been built sideways into
the wall, offered traces of heraldic sculpture. At once there came a
wild idea into my mind: his appearance tallied with Flora's description
of Mr. Robbie; a knowledge of heraldry would go far to clinch the proof;
and what could be more desirable than to scrape an informal acquaintance
with the man whom I must app