His lordship was a slight-built man, of about forty, with pleasing hazel eyes and large moustache. He had retired from the army, and was much liked for his frank manner and good humour. Seeing his keeper in such perplexity, accompanied by so disreputable-looking a person, he said, "Hollo, Spence! whom have you got here? I hope not a poacher, eh?" "I humbly beg your lordship’s pardon; but, my lord, the fac’ is----" stammered Hugh. "Is that his lordship?" whispered Jock. "Haud yer tongue!" replied Hugh in an undertone of intense vehemence. Then addressing his lordship, he said, "He’s no poacher, my lord; no, no, but only----" "Oh! an acquaintance, I suppose." "No’ that either, no’ that either," interrupted Hugh, as his dignity was frying on account of his companion, whom he wished a hundred miles away, "but an acqua’ntance o’ an acqua’ntance o’ my faither’s lang syne--a maist respectable man--Sergeant Mercer, in Drumsylie, and I took the leeberty, thinking yer lordship was oot, to----" "To show him the house. Quite right, Spence; quite right; glad you did so." Then addressing Jock, he said, "Never here before, I suppose?" Jock drew himself up, placed his hands along his sides, heels in, toes out, and gave the military salute. "Been in the army? In what regiment? Have you seen service?" "Yes, sir--yes, my lord," replied Jock; "as yer honour says, I ha’e seen service." This was information to Spence, who breathed more freely on hearing such unexpected evidence of Jock’s respectability. "Where?" inquired his lordship, seating himself on one of the lobby chairs, and folding his arms. "In the berrick-yaird o’ Stirlin’, yer honour," replied Jock; "but in what regiment I dinna mind. It was a first, second, or third something or anither; but I hae clean forgotten the name and number." "The barrack-yard?" said his lordship, laughing; "pray how long did you serve his Majesty in that severe campaign?" "Aboot a fortnicht," said Jock. "What!" exclaimed his lordship; "a fortnight only? And what after that?" "I ran aff as fast as I could," said Jock; "and never ran faster a’ my days, till I reached Drumsylie." Hugh turned his back as if also to run away, with sundry half-muttered exclamations of horror and alarm. His lordship burst into a fit of laughter, and said,--"On my honour, you’re a candid fellow!" But he evidently assumed that Jock was probably a half-witted character, who did not comprehend the full meaning of his admission. He was confirmed in his supposition by Jock going on to give a history of his military life in the most easy and simple fashion,--