And one of the verses ran: 

    Then up and spak the Duke, and flyted on his cook,
      I regaird it as a sensible aspersion,
    That I would sup ava’, an’ satiate my maw,
      With the bluid of ony clan of my aversion.

James was as fairly murdered as though the Duke had got a fowling-piece and stalked him.  So much of course I knew:  but others knew not so much, and were more affected by the items of scandal that came to light in the progress of the cause.  One of the chief was certainly this sally of the justice’s.  It was run hard by another of a juryman, who had struck into the midst of Colstoun’s speech for the defence with a “Pray, sir, cut it short, we are quite weary,” which seemed the very excess of impudence and simplicity.  But some of my new lawyer friends were still more staggered with an innovation that had disgraced and even vitiated the proceedings.  One witness was never called.  His name, indeed, was printed, where it may still be seen on the fourth page of the list:  “James Drummond, alias Macgregor, alias James More, late tenant in Inveronachile”; and his precognition had been taken, as the manner is, in writing.  He had remembered or invented (God help him) matter which was lead in James Stewart’s shoes, and I saw was like to prove wings to his own.  This testimony it was highly desirable to bring to the notice of the jury, without exposing the man himself to the perils of cross-examination; and the way it was brought about was a matter of surprise to all.  For the paper was handed round (like a curiosity) in court; passed through the jury-box, where it did its work; and disappeared again (as though by accident) before it reached the counsel for the prisoner.  This was counted a most insidious device; and that the name of James More should be mingled up with it filled me with shame for Catriona and concern for myself.

The following day, Prestongrange and I, with a considerable company, set out for Glasgow, where (to my impatience) we continued to linger some time in a mixture of pleasure and affairs.  I lodged with my lord, with whom I was encouraged to familiarity; had my place at entertainments; was presented to the chief guests; and altogether made more of than I thought accorded either with my parts or station; so that, on strangers being present, I would often blush for Prestongrange.  It must be owned the view I had taken of the world in these last months was fit to cast a gloom upon my character.  I had met many men, some of them leaders in Israel whether by their birth or talents; and who among them all had shown clean hands?  As for the Browns and Millers, I had seen their self-seeking, I could never again respect them.  Prestongrange was the best yet; he had saved me, had spared me rather, when others had it in their minds to murder me outright; but the blood of James lay at his door; and I thought his present dissimulation with myself a thing below