« said Ravenswood; »my connection with him was of the most
temporary nature possible; and yet I was very foolish to hold any communication
with him at all. - What did he say of me?«
    »Enough,« said the Keeper, »to excite the very loyal terrors of some of our
sages, who are for proceeding against men on the mere grounds of suspicion or
mercenary information. - Some nonsense about your proposing to enter into the
service of France, or of the Pretender, I don't recollect which, but which the
Marquis of A--, one of your best friends, and another person, whom some call one
of your worst and most interested enemies, could not, somehow, be brought to
listen to.«
    »I am obliged to my honourable friend - and yet« - shaking the Lord Keeper's
hand - »and yet I am still more obliged to my honourable enemy.«
    »Inimicus amicissimus,« said the Lord Keeper, returning the pressure; »but
this gentleman - this Mr. Hayston of Bucklaw - I am afraid the poor young man -
I heard the fellow mention his name - is under very bad guidance.«
    »He is old enough to govern himself,« answered the Master.
    »Old enough, perhaps, but scarce wise enough, if he has chosen this fellow
for his fidus Achates. Why, he lodged an information against him - that is, such
a consequence might have ensued from his examination, had we not looked rather
at the character of the witness than the tenor of his evidence.«
    »Mr. Hayston of Bucklaw,« said the Master, »is, I believe, a most honourable
man, and capable of nothing that is mean or disgraceful.«
    »Capable of much that is unreasonable, though; that you must needs allow,
Master. Death will soon put him in possession of a fair estate, if he hath it
not already; old Lady Girnington - an excellent person, excepting that her
inveterate ill-nature rendered her intolerable to the whole world - is probably
dead by this time. Six heirs-portioners have successively died to make her
wealthy. I know the estates well; they march22 with my own - a noble property.«
    »I am glad of it,« said Ravenswood, »and should be more so, were I confident
that Bucklaw would change his company and habits with his fortunes. This
appearance of Craigengelt, acting in the capacity of his friend, is a most vile
augury for his future respectability.«
    »He is a bird
