The stranger took two or three turns round the room in silence, but signed to Mrs. Mac-Candlish not to leave it.

‘Did I rightly apprehend,’ he said, ’that the estate of Ellangowan is in the market?’

’In the market?  It will be sell’d the morn to the highest bidder—­ that’s no the morn, Lord help me! which is the Sabbath, but on Monday, the first free day; and the furniture and stocking is to be roupit at the same time on the ground.  It’s the opinion of the haill country that the sale has been shamefully forced on at this time, when there’s sae little money stirring in Scotland wi’ this weary American war, that somebody may get the land a bargain.  Deil be in them, that I should say sae!’—­the good lady’s wrath rising at the supposed injustice.

‘And where will the sale take place?’

’On the premises, as the advertisement says; that’s at the house of Ellangowan, your honour, as I understand it.’

‘And who exhibits the title-deeds, rent-roll, and plan?’

’A very decent man, sir; the sheriff-substitute of the county, who has authority from the Court of Session.  He’s in the town just now, if your honour would like to see him; and he can tell you mair about the loss of the bairn than ony body, for the sheriff-depute (that’s his principal, like) took much pains to come at the truth o’ that matter, as I have heard.’

‘And this gentleman’s name is—­’

‘Mac-Morlan, sir; he’s a man o’ character, and weel spoken o’.’

’Send my compliments—­Colonel Mannering’s compliments to him, and I would be glad he would do me the pleasure of supping with me, and bring these papers with him; and I beg, good madam, you will say nothing of this to any one else.’

’Me, sir? ne’er a word shall I say.  I wish your honour (a courtesy), or ony honourable gentleman that’s fought for his country (another courtesy), had the land, since the auld family maun quit (a sigh), rather than that wily scoundrel Glossin, that’s risen on the ruin of the best friend he ever had.  And now I think on’t, I’ll slip on my hood and pattens, and gang to Mr. Mac-Morlan mysell, he’s at hame e’en now; it’s hardly a step.’

’Do so, my good landlady, and many thanks; and bid my servant step here with my portfolio in the meantime.’

In a minute or two Colonel Mannering was quietly seated with his writing materials before him.  We have the privilege of looking over his shoulder as he writes, and we willingly communicate its substance to our readers.  The letter was addressed to Arthur Mervyn, Esq., of Mervyn Hall, Llanbraithwaite, Westmoreland.  It contained some account of the writer’s previous journey since parting with him, and then proceeded as follows:—­