 fanatical enthusiasm by reason and mildness,
        instead of driving it to frenzy by persecution and intolerance.
            With these sentiments, you may conceive with what pain I appear in
        arms before the house of your venerable relative, which we understand
        you propose to hold out against us. Permit me to press upon you the
        assurance, that such a measure will only lead to the effusion of blood -
        that if repulsed in the assault, we are yet strong enough to invest the
        place, and reduce it by hunger, being aware of your indifferent
        preparations to sustain a protracted siege. It would grieve me to the
        heart to think what would be the sufferings in such a case, and upon
        whom they would chiefly fall.
            Do not suppose, my respected friend, that I would propose to you any
        terms which could compromise the high and honourable character which you
        have so deservedly won, and so long borne. If the regular soldiers (to
        whom I will ensure a safe retreat) are dismissed from the place, I trust
        no more will be required than your parole to remain neuter during this
        unhappy contest; and I will take care that Lady Margaret's property, as
        well as yours, shall be duly respected, and no garrison intruded upon
        you. I could say much in favour of this proposal; but I fear, as I must
        in the present instance appear criminal in your eyes, good arguments
        would lose their influence when coming from an unwelcome quarter. I
        will, therefore, break off with assuring you, that whatever your
        sentiments may be hereafter towards me, my sense of gratitude to you can
        never be diminished or erased; and it would be the happiest moment of my
        life that should give me more effectual means than mere words to assure
        you of it. Therefore, although in the first moment of resentment you may
        reject the proposal I make to you, let not that prevent you from
        resuming the topic, if future events should render it more acceptable;
        for whenever, or howsoever I can be of service to you, it will always
        afford the greatest satisfaction to
                                                                  HENRY MORTON.«
 
Having read this long letter with the most marked indignation, Major Bellenden
put it into the hands of Lord Evandale.
    »I would not have believed this,« he said, »of Henry Morton, if half mankind
had sworn it! The ungrateful, rebellious traitor! - rebellious in cold blood,
and without even the pretext of enthusiasm, that warms the liver of such a
crack-brained fop as our friend the envoy there. But I should have remembered he
was a Presbyterian - I ought to have been
