wrung from a million or two guiltless people, whose country the cowards chose to select as their field? If you wish to avenge me, track the dastards, and give them into my power."
The statesman listened as they stood alone in the library, and looked at his guest, with humour lighting up his blue eyes.
"Erceldoune, if you hadn't that stiff-necked Scottish pride, which would make you knock me down, in all probability, if I offered it, I would give you three thousand a year to live with me and speak your mind," laughed his lordship, meaning his words too. "You are a miracle in your generation; you're not a bit like this age, sir; not a whit more than the Napiers; you speak rarely, and never speak but the truth; you have to choose between your life and your trust, and, as a matter of course, give up your life; you are moneyless, and refuse money the state would tender you, because you think it gained neither by justice nor dignity; you have dined at my house in town, you have stayed in my house in the country; you know that I like you, and yet you are the only man of my acquaintance who has never asked me for anything! On my life, sir, you don't do for this century."
"Unfit for my century, my lord, because I value
