ever can deny that I was moved besides by my
own interest. There was self-seeking in my heart, and I think shame of
it now. It may be for your lordship's safety to say this fashious Davie
Balfour is your friend and housemate. Say it then; I'll never contradict
you. But as for your patronage, I give it all back. I ask but one
thing--let me go, and give me a pass to see her in her prison."

He looked at me with a hard eye. "You put the cart before the horse, I
think," says he. "That which I had given was a portion of my liking,
which your thankless nature does not seem to have remarked. But for my
patronage, it is not given, nor (to be exact) is it yet offered." He
paused a bit. "And I warn you, you do not know yourself," he added.
"Youth is a hasty season; you will think better of all this before a
year."

"Well, and I would like to be that kind of youth!" I cried. "I have seen
too much of the other party in these young advocates that fawn upon your
lordship, and are even at the pains to fawn on me. And I have seen it
in the old ones also. They are all for by-ends, the whole clan of them!
It's this that makes me seem to misdoubt your lordship's liking. Why
would I think that you would like me? But ye told me yourself ye had an
interest!"

I stopped at this, confounded that I had run so far; he was observing me
with an unfathomable face.

"My lord, I ask your pardon," I resumed. "I have nothing in my chafts
but a rough country tongue. I think it would be only decent-like if I
would go to see my friend in her captivity; but I'm owing you my
life--I'll never forget that; and if it's for your lordship's good, here
I'll stay. That's barely gratitude."

"This might have been reached in fewer words," says Prestongrange
grimly. "It is easy, and it is at times gracious, to say a plain Scots
'ay.'"

"Ah, but, my lord, I think ye take me not yet entirely!" cried I. "For
_your_ sake, for my life-safe, and the kindness that ye say ye bear to
me--for these I'll consent; but not for any good that might be coming to
myself. If I stand aside when this young maid is in her trial, it's a
thing I will be noways advantaged by; I will lose by it, I will never
gain. I would rather make a shipwreck wholly than to build on that
foundation."

He was a minute serious, then smiled. "You mind me of the man with the
long nose," said he; "was you to look at the moon by a telescope, you
would see David Balfour there! But you shall have your wa