laid the papers before her on
the table, and left her to her reading. Of what that was, I am now to
give you some idea; and the best will be to reproduce a letter of my own
which came first in the budget, and of which (according to an excellent
habitude) I have preserved the scroll. It will show, too, the moderation
of my part in these affairs, a thing which some have called recklessly
in question.

Durrisdeer, 1757.

HONOURED MADAM,

I trust I would not step out of my place without occasion; but I see
how much evil has flowed in the past to all of your noble house from
that unhappy and secretive fault of reticency, and the papers on
which I venture to call your attention are family papers, and all
highly worthy your acquaintance.

I append a schedule with some necessary observations,

And am,
Honoured Madam,

Your ladyship's obliged, obedient servant,
EPHRAIM MACKELLAR.

_Schedule of Papers_.

A. Scroll of ten letters from Ephraim Mackellar to the Hon. James
Durie, Esq., by courtesy Master of Ballantrae, during the latter's
residence in Paris: under dates ... (_follow the dates_) ... _Nota_:
to be read in connection with B and C.

B. Seven original letters from the said M^r of Ballantrae to the
said E. Mackellar, under dates ... (_follow the dates_).

C. Three original letters from the said M^r of Ballantrae to the
Hon. Henry Durie, Esq., under dates ... (_follow the dates_)....
_Nota_: given me by Mr. Henry to answer: copies of my answers A 4, A
5, and A 9 of these productions. The purport of Mr. Henry's
communications, of which I can find no scroll, may be gathered from
those of his unnatural brother.

D. A correspondence, original and scroll, extending over a period of
three years till January of the current year, between the said M^r
of Ballantrae and ---- ----, Under Secretary of State; twenty-seven
in all. _Nota_: found among the Master's papers.

Weary as I was with watching and distress of mind, it was impossible for
me to sleep. All night long I walked in my chamber, revolving what
should be the issue, and sometimes repenting the temerity of my
immixture in affairs so private; and with the first peep of the morning
I was at the sick-room door. Mrs. Henry had thrown open the shutters,
and even the window, for the temperature was mild. She looked
steadfastly before her; where was nothing to se