“It was onything but that; and mind, if you dinna gie’t in my favour, I’ll no be sair pleased.”
‘Mr Jeffrey smiled, and said he would not promise to do that, and then inquired if she had any papers.
“Ou ay, I have a great bundle of papers, and I’ll come back at any hour you please to appoint, and bring them wi’ me.”
“It will not be necessary for you to return yourself; you can send them to me.”
“And wha would you recommend to me for an agent in the business?”
“That I cannot tell; it is not my province to recommend an agent.”
“Then how will Robert Smith of Balharry do?”
“Very well; very good man indeed; and you may bid him send me the papers.”
‘Meantime her Ladyship drew from her pocket a large old-fashioned leather pocket-book with silver clasps, out of which she presented him a letter directed to himself. He did not look into it, but threw it carelessly on the table. She now offered him a pinch of snuff from a massive gold box, and then selected another folded paper from the pocket-book, which she presented to him, saying: “Here is a prophecie that I would like you to look at and explain to me.”
‘He begged to be excused, saying: “I believe your Ladyship will find me more skilled in the law than the prophets.”