had altogether three letters in the time of our separation. One
was to announce their arrival in the town of Dunkirk in France, from
which place James shortly after started alone upon a private mission.
This was to England and to see Lord Holderness; and it has always been a
bitter thought that my good money helped to pay the charges of the same.
But he has need of a long spoon who sups with the deil, or James More
either. During this absence, the time was to fall due for another
letter; and as the letter was the condition of his stipend, he had been
so careful as prepare it beforehand and leave it with Catriona to be
despatched. The fact of our correspondence aroused her suspicions, and
he was no sooner gone than she had burst the seal. What I received began
accordingly in the writing of James More:

"My dear Sir,--Your esteemed favour came to hand duly, and I have to
acknowledge the inclosure according to agreement. It shall be all
faithfully expended on my daughter, who is well, and desires to be
remembered to her dear friend. I find her in rather a melancholy
disposition, but trusts in the mercy of Grod to see her re-established.
Our manner of life is very much alone, but we solace ourselves with the
melancholy tunes of our native mountains, and by walking upon the margin
of the sea that lies next to Scotland. It was better days with me when I
lay with five wounds upon my body on the field of Gladsmuir. I have found
employment here in the _haras_ of a French nobleman, where my experience
is valued. But, my dear Sir, the wages are so exceedingly unsuitable that
I would be ashamed to mention them, which makes your remittances the more
necessary to my daughter's comfort, though I daresay the sight of old
friends would be still better.

"My dear Sir, "Your affectionate obedient servant,

"JAMES MACGREGOR DRUMMOND."

Below it began again in the hand of Catriona:--

"Do not be believing him, it is all lies together.
"C.M.D."

Not only did she add this postcript, but I think she must have come near
suppressing the letter; for it came long after date, and was closely
followed by the third. In the time betwixt them, Alan had arrived, and
made another life to me with his merry conversation; I had been
presented to his cousin of the Scots-Dutch, a man that drank more than I
could have thought possible and was not otherwise of interest; I had
been entertained to many jovial dinners and given some myself, all with