I would remember also, if I were you, that you still
stand on a very boggy foundation."
"Not now, my lord, I think," said I; "and if your lordship will but
glance an eye along this, you will perhaps think as I do."
He read it sedulously through, frowning heavily; then turned back
to one part and another which he seemed to weigh and compare the
effect of. His face a little lightened.
"This is not so bad but what it might be worse," said he; "though I
am still likely to pay dear for my acquaintance with Mr. David
Balfour."
"Rather for your indulgence to that unlucky young man, my lord,"
said I.
He still skimmed the paper, and all the while his spirits seemed to
mend.
"And to whom am I indebted for this?" he asked presently. "Other
counsels must have been discussed, I think. Who was it proposed
this private method? Was it Miller?"
"My lord, it was myself," said I. "These gentlemen have shown me
no such consideration, as that I should deny myself any credit I
can fairly claim, or spare them any responsibility they should
properly bear. And the mere truth is, that they were all in favour
of a process which should have remarkable consequences in the
Parliament House, and prove for them (in one of their own
expressions) a dripping roast.
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