He must conceive
that my imprisonment had incensed me. Perhaps this little jesting,
friendly message was intended to disarm my rancour?
I will be honest--and I think it did. I felt a sudden warmth
towards that beautiful Miss Grant, that she should stoop to so much
interest in my affairs. The summoning up of Catriona moved me of
itself to milder and more cowardly counsels. If the Advocate knew
of her and our acquaintance--if I should please him by some of that
"discretion" at which his letter pointed--to what might not this
lead! IN VAIN IS THE NET PREPARED IN THE SIGHT OF ANY FOWL, the
Scripture says. Well, fowls must be wiser than folk! For I
thought I perceived the policy, and yet fell in with it.
I was in this frame, my heart beating, the grey eyes plain before
me like two stars, when Andie broke in upon my musing.
"I see ye has gotten guid news," said he.
I found him looking curiously in my face; with that there came
before me like a vision of James Stewart and the court of Inverary;
and my mind turned at once like a door upon its hinges. Trials, I
reflected, sometimes draw out longer than is looked for.
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