ionable inhabitants of Edinburgh. A singularity in a military
prison, that it should command a view on the chief thoroughfare!

It is not necessary that I should trouble you with the train of my
reflections, which turned upon the interview I had just concluded and
the hopes that were now opening before me. What is more essential, my
eye (even while I thought) kept following the movement of the passengers
on Princes Street, as they passed briskly to and fro--met, greeted, and
bowed to each other--or entered and left the shops, which are in that
quarter, and, for a town of the Britannic provinces, particularly fine.
My mind being busy upon other things, the course of my eye was the more
random; and it chanced that I followed, for some time, the advance of a
young gentleman with a red head and a white greatcoat, for whom I cared
nothing at the moment, and of whom it is probable I shall be gathered to
my fathers without learning more. He seemed to have a large
acquaintance: his hat was for ever in his hand; and I dare say I had
already observed him exchanging compliments with half-a-dozen, when he
drew up at last before a young man and a young lady whose tall persons
and gallant carriage I thought I recognised.

It was impossible at such a distance that I could be sure, but the
thought was sufficient, and I craned out of the embrasure to follow them
as long as possible. To think that such emotions, that such a concussion
of the blood, may have been inspired by a chance resemblance, and that I
may have stood and thrilled there for a total stranger! This distant
view, at least, whether of Flora or of some one else, changed in a
moment the course of my reflections. It was all very well, and it was
highly needful, I should see my uncle; but an uncle, a great-uncle at
that, and one whom I had never seen, leaves the imagination cold; and if
I were to leave the Castle, I might never again have the opportunity of
finding Flora. The little impression I had made, even supposing I had
made any, how soon it would die out! how soon I should sink to be a
phantom memory, with which (in after days) she might amuse a husband and
children! No, the impression must be clenched, the wax impressed with
the seal, ere I left Edinburgh. And at this the two interests that were
now contending in my bosom came together and became one. I wished to see
Flora again; and I wanted some one to further me in my flight and to get
me new clothes. The conclusio