 me out of it?«
    No doubt but there was much of the truth in what he said; if James was past
helping, whom was it more natural that I should turn to help than just the man
before me, who had helped myself so often, and was even now setting me a pattern
of patience? I was besides not only weary, but beginning to be ashamed of my
perpetual attitude of suspicion and refusal.
    »If you will name the time and place, I will be punctually ready to attend
your lordship,« said I.
    He shook hands with me. »And I think my misses have some news for you,« says
he, dismissing me.
    I came away, vastly pleased to have my peace made, yet a little concerned in
conscience; nor could I help wondering, as I went back, whether, perhaps, I had
not been a scruple too good-natured. But there was the fact, that this was a man
that might have been my father, an able man, a great dignitary, and one that, in
the hour of my need, had reached a hand to my assistance. I was in the better
humour to enjoy the remainder of that evening, which I passed with the
advocates, in excellent company no doubt, but perhaps with rather more than a
sufficiency of punch: for though I went early to bed I have no clear mind of how
I got there.
 

                                 Chapter XVIII

                                 The Tee'd Ball

On the morrow, from the justices' private room, where none could see me, I heard
the verdict given in and judgment rendered upon James. The Duke's words I am
quite sure I have correctly; and since that famous passage has been made a
subject of dispute, I may as well commemorate my version. Having referred to the
year 'Forty-five, the chief of the Campbells, sitting as Justice General upon
the Bench, thus addressed the unfortunate Stewart before him: »If you had been
successful in that rebellion, you might have been giving the law where you have
now received the judgment of it; we, who are this day your judges, might have
been tried before one of your mock courts of judicature; and then you might have
been satiated with the blood of any name or clan to which you had an aversion.«
    »This is to let the cat out of the bag indeed,« thought I. And that was the
general impression. It was extraordinary how the young advocate lads took hold
and made a mock of this speech, and how scarce a meal passed
