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 weel as me, that, be his ain principles' as they will, he was nae ill friend to our folk when he could protect us, and far kinder, than Basil Olifant that aye keepit the coble head doun the stream. But he was set by and ill looked on, and his word ne'er asked; and then Basil, wha's a revengefu' man, set himsel to vex him in a' shapes, and specially by oppressing and despoiling the auld widow, Bessie Maclure, that saved Lord Evandale's life, and that he was sae kind to. But he's mista'en, if that's his end; for it will be lang or Lord Evandale hears a word frae me about the selling my kye for rent or e'er it was due, or the putting the dragoons on me when the country's quiet, or ony thing else that will vex him—I can bear my ain burden patiently, and warld's loss is the least part o't."

Astonished and interested at this picture of patient, grateful, and disinterested resignation, Morton could not help be stowing an execration: upon the poor-spi-