or
rewarding loyalty, as it was termed at the period, and the story went
the round of the papers. Now, I fancy Crofts would just as soon not see
you back again; he has made all he can of the adventure, and would as
lief have it quietly forgotten."

"But can I suffer it to rest here? Is such an imputation to lie on my
character as he would cast on me?"

"Take no steps in the matter on that score: vindication is time enough
when the attack is made directly; besides, where should you find your
witness? where is the third party who could prove your innocence, and
that all you did was in self-defence? Without his testimony, your
story would go for nothing. No, no; be well satisfied if the charge is
suffered to sleep, which is not unlikely. Crofts would scarcely like to
confess that his antagonist was little more than a child; his prowess
would gain nothing by the avowal. Besides, the world goes well with him
latterly; it is but a month ago, I think, he succeeded unexpectedly to a
large landed property."

The stranger, whose name was M'Dougall, continued to talk for some time
longer; most kindly volunteered to advise me in the difficult position
I found myself; and having given me his address in town, wished me a
goodnight and departed.

It was to no purpose I laid my head on my pillow. Tired and fatigued
as I was, I could not sleep; the prospect of fresh troubles awaiting
me made me restless and feverish, and I longed for day to break, that
I might manfully confront whatever danger was before me, and oppose a
stout heart to the arrows of adverse fortune. My accidental meeting with
the stranger also reassured my courage; and I felt gratified to think
that such _rencontres_ in life are the sunny spots which illumine our
career in the world, the harbingers of bright days to come.

This feeling was still more strongly impressed on me as I entered the
small room on the ground-floor at the Castle, where was the secretary's
office, and beheld M'Dougall seated in an armchair, reading the
newspaper of the day. I could not help connecting his presence there
with some kindly intention towards me, and already regarded him as my
friend. Major Barton stood at the secretary's side, and whispered from
time to time in his ear.

"I have before me certain information, sir," said the secretary,
addressing me, "that you were connected with parties who took an active
part in the late rebellion in this country, and by them sent over to
Fra