'And thereby bring scandal on the Government,' Lord Liverpool half whispered in a serious key.

Enough!' said Sidmouth with energy; 'this is not a thing to be longer trifled with. With your leave, my lords, I shall take the birch into my own hands for the future.'

'A good successor,' said Castlereagh; 'a man of action for a man of hope.'

'So be it,' said the Premier decisively.

'Silent and swift!' whispered Castlereagh.

And keen!' replied Sidmouth.

Within sixty minutes from the date of this conversation, a special mail-gig was flying north from London to Edinburgh, the distance between which cities was reduced by several good hours.

Lord-Advocate Macconochy received Sidmouth's missive in bed, which did not, however, in the slightest interfere with the transaction of business. Almost immediately a post-chaise leapt out of Edinburgh westward towards Glasgow, and before the lieges of the latter city had risen from breakfast on the 22d, it whirled along Argyll-street, turned into Queenstreet, and stopped at the mansion of Mr. Finlay.

On receiving the Lord-Advocate's message, Mr. Finlay rushed to Mr. Reddie; then both these gentlemen rushed to Lord-Provost Black, and his lordship at once sent out messengers summoning the magistrates to attend a meeting at his private resi

dence. The summons was obeyed with alacrity by all, from the sheriff to the newest bailie.

A discussion, exciting and picturesque in many of its features, followed the meeting of the magistrates. As an exhibition of local statesmanship, it was nothing; but as a display of individual character it was as entertaining as a play. But it was saved from many moral and some legal extravagances by the presence of a few men of real intellectual strength. In addition to Messrs. Finlay and Reddie, there was Lord Carmyle, who, being a magistrate of the county, and being in Glasgow on this particular day, was eagerly requested to attend the conference. These gentlemen contrived to keep the object of the meeting from vanishing in mere rhetorical mist; so that at length a decision was arrived at, the issue of which will presently be seen.

One point only we shall notice now. In the course of the discussion, Mr. Reddie drew forth a paper containing a list of names, which was handed from one to another, and scanned with peculiar interest. When it reached Lord Carmyle he looked at it with some curiosity. Running down the list, his eye stopped at one name, which made him raise his eyebrows and pause thoughtfully. He seemed puzzled; but beckoning Bailie Strathern aside, he asked in a suppressed tone,

'Am I right, Bailie, in thinking, or am I only

dreaming, that this is the name of the lad who saved my life?'

The same Alan Dalziel, your lordship, I am sorry to say-a fine, brave, clever lad, too, but somehow misled.'

Then the Bailie gave a brief account of Alan's connection with himself, and of the reason of its severance. His lordship, after reflecting some moments, drew Strathern still more apart, and thus addressed him:

'I say, Bailie, we must not let this boy be trapped like a wild beast. He must hold a very subordinate position in this affair; and saving him cannot essentially interfere with justice.'

That may be true, and I should gladly see Alan out of this affair altogether; but how to save him? He is headstrong, and somewhat romantic in his notions. He may decline to be saved, regarding it as cowardly to desert his companions.'

'Where does he live?'

'With a relation of his own in Anderston. But, if your lordship pleases, I shall take the trouble of conveying a hint to him which may have the effect of taking him out of the city before night approaches.'

You might fail again. I should like to see him myself. You know, Bailie, I owe the lad a debt-a debt of life; and perhaps also of something more. Dying is nothing; but the conditions of death!'—

Then, after a pause, he said, 'I shall endeavour quietly to see Alan, and persuade him out of the brewing storm.'

CHAPTER XV.

A GLIMPSE OF AN OLD WOE.

SOME two hours after this meeting Lord Carmyle presented himself at the mansion of Cockmylane, and inquired whether Alan Dalziel was at home. No, he was not; nevertheless, his lordship stepped into the house, and Lizzie Lindsay showed him into the drawing-room, and retired for the purpose of informing Miss Walkingshaw that a visitor had called.

But in the mean time Christine, who had heard some one come in, and imagining that it was her father returned from Millheugh, left May Lintie for a moment, and walked hastily into the drawing-room, eager to hear some farther news about the death of Alan's father.

Now, Lord Carmyle was not unlike Lewis Dundas in appearance; and as his lordship had drawn a chair to the fire, and sat with his back to the door, Christine, not dreaming for a moment that it could be a stranger, went forward hastily, and, as was her

VOL. II.

I

custom with her father, caught his lordship's head gently with her two hands, and kissed his brow, and whispered,

'O father!'

When Lord Carmyle, thus unexpectedly saluted, looked up wonderingly, Christine gave a little scream; but his lordship smiled so kindly and good-humouredly upon her that, in spite of her deep confusion, she could not herself help smiling with the stranger at the curious mistake she had made.

'My dear lady,' he said, dazzled into compliment, 'what would I not give to be your father? A dukedom would be poor value for such a daughter.'

At this moment, happily, Miss Walkingshaw entered, and on seeing who was in the room exclaimed, 'Lord Carmyle!'

The same,' he answered, scanning the speaker with some curiosity; 'I came inquiring for Alan Dalziel, but find that he is not at home. Will he be in the city to-night?'

'It is possible, my lord, but doubtful.'

Miss Walkingshaw then explained how matters stood with Alan, ending by saying that, as the funeral of his father was fixed for Tuesday, he would require to visit the city, but might not come till Monday.

'It may serve my purpose,' said his lordship, if he does not come till then; but in case he does come