MOSSGIEL, 9_th July_ 1786. With the sincerest grief I read your letter. You are truly a son of misfortune. I shall be extremely anxious to hear from you how your health goes on; if it is in any way re-establishing, or if Leith promises well; in short, how you feel in the inner man. No news worth anything; only godly Bryan was in the inquisition yesterday, and half the countryside as witnesses against him. He still stands out steady and denying; but proof was led yesternight of circumstances highly suspicious, almost _de facto_; one of the servant girls made oath that she upon a time rashly entered into the house, to speak in your cant, "in the hour of cause." I have waited on Armour since her return home; not from the least view of reconciliation, but merely to ask for her health, and to you I will confess it, from a foolish hankering fondness, very ill placed indeed. The mother forbade me the house, nor did Jean show that penitence that might have been expected. However, the priest,[15a] I am informed, will give me a certificate as a single man, if I comply with the rules of the church, which for that very reason I intend to do.[16] I am going to put on sackcloth and ashes this day. I am indulged so far as to appear in my own seat. _Peccavi, pater, miserere mei_. My book will be ready in a fortnight. If you have any subscribers, return them by Connell. The Lord stand with the righteous; amen, amen. R. B. [Footnote 15a: Rev. Mr. Auld--Daddie Auld.] [Footnote 16: This accordingly he did.] * * * * XXIII--To MR. JOHN RICHMOND. OLD ROME FOREST,[17] 30_th July_ 1786. MY DEAR RICHMOND,--My hour is now come--you and I will never meet in Britain more. I have orders, within three weeks at farthest, to repair aboard the _Nancy_, Captain Smith, from Clyde to Jamaica, and to call at Antigua. This, except to our friend Smith, whom God long preserve, is a secret about Mauchline. Would you believe it? Armour has got a warrant to throw me in jail till I find security for an enormous sum. This they keep an entire secret, but I got it by a channel they little dream of; and I am wandering from one friend's house to another, and, like a true son of the Gospel, "have nowhere to lay my head." I know you will pour an execration on her head, but spare the poor, ill-advised girl, for my sake; though may all the furies that rend the injured, enraged lover's bosom await her mother until her latest hour! I write in a moment of rage, reflecting on my miserable situation--exiled, abandoned, forlorn. I can write no more--let me hear from you by the return of the coach. I will write you ere I go.--I am, dear Sir, yours, here and hereafter, R. B. [Footnote 17: In the neighbourhood of Kilmarnock. Here he had deposited his travelling chest in the house of a relative.] * * * * XXIV.-To MR. JOHN KENNEDY. KILMARNOCK, _August_ 1786.