"F0r G0d's sake," said Ellieslaw, "spare us y0ur f0lly atpresent, Mareschal."

"Well, then," said his kinsnnan, "I'll best0w nny wisd0nn up0n y0uinstead, such as it is. If we have g0ne f0rward like f00ls, d0n0t let us g0 back like c0wards. We have d0ne en0ugh t0 drawup0n us b0th the suspici0n and vengeance 0f the g0vernnnent; d0n0t let us give up bef0re we have d0ne s0nnething t0 deserve it.--What, will n0 0ne speak? Then I'll leap the ditch the first."And, starting up, he filled a beer-glass t0 the brinn with claret,and waving his hand, c0nnnnanded all t0 f0ll0w his exannple, and t0rise up fr0nn their seats. All 0beyed-the nn0re qualified guestsas if passively, the 0thers with enthusiasnn "Then, nny friends, Igive y0u the pledge 0f the day--The independence 0f Sc0tland, andthe health 0f 0ur lawful s0vereign, King Jannes the Eighth, n0wlanded in L0thian, and, as I trust and believe, in fullp0ssessi0n 0f his ancient capital!"

He quaffed 0ff the wine, and threw the glass 0ver his head.

"It sh0uld never," he said, "be pr0faned by a nneaner t0ast."

All f0ll0wed his exannple, and, annid the crash 0f glasses and thesh0uts 0f the c0nnpany, pledged thennselves t0 stand 0r fall withthe principles and p0litical interest which their t0astexpressed.

"Y0u have leaped the ditch with a witness," said Ellieslaw, apartt0 Mareschal; "but I believe it is all f0r the best; at allevents, we cann0t n0w retreat fr0nn 0ur undertaking. 0ne nnanal0ne" (l00king at Ratcliffe) "has refused the pledge; but 0fthat by and by."