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{14} I was
told I was now "one of themselves"; I was to taste of their soft
lining, who had already made my own experience of the roughness of
the outer husk; and one, to whom I had been presented in Hope Park,
was so aspired as even to remind me of that meeting. I told him I
had not the pleasure of remembering it.
"Why" says he, "it was Miss Grant herself presented me! My name is
so-and-so."
"It may very well be, sir," said I; "but I have kept no mind of
it."
At which he desisted; and in the midst of the disgust that commonly
overflowed my spirits I had a glisk of pleasure.
But I have not patience to dwell upon that time at length. When I
was in company with these young politics I was borne down with
shame for myself and my own plain ways, and scorn for them and
their duplicity. Of the two evils, I thought Prestongrange to be
the least; and while I was always as stiff as buckram to the young
bloods, I made rather a dissimulation of my hard feelings towards
the Advocate, and was (in old Mr. Campbell's word) "soople to the
laird." Himself commented on the difference, and bid me be more of
my age, and make friends with my young comrades.


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