father. The king's attendants handed me this proclamation.

Lord Nigel read the proclamation, and its contents filled him with shame and indignation. It stated: "That in consideration of idle persons of low condition from Scotland coming to the English court with suits and supplications, and dishonoring the royal presence with their base, poor and beggarly persons, to the disgrace of their country in the estimation of the English, these are to prohibit makers of vessels from bringing such miserable creatures up to court, under penalty of fine and imprisonment. Such idle suitors are to be transported back to Scotland at his Majesty's expense, and punished for their audacity. Especially odious to the king are those who are so hold as to approach him, under the pretext of seeking payment of old debts due to them by the king.

At this moment an elderly respectable man knocked at the door. Lord Nigel did not know him, but Richie recognized in him the friendly Scotchman whom he had met the preceding evening at Ramsay's booth. Not desiring his share in the visit should be detected, he withdrew from the room before the visitor entered.

IV. THE young Scottish nobleman received the citizen with distant politeness and offered him a chair. Looking attentively at Lord Nigel, he said: "You will forgive me this rudeness, my lord, but I am seeking to trace in your face the features of your excellent father. My name is George Heriot, warmly befriended and introduced into the employment of the royal family of Scotland twenty years ago by your father. Learning from your follower that your lordship was in the city on important business, it is my duty and pleasure to wait on the son of my respected patron, and to offer you my services."

"I thank you heartily for your good-will," said the nobleman; "but my business at court is ended, and I intend to leave here for foreign travel and military service.

Pardon my saying that I have little time at my disposal."

Master Heriot, somewhat embarrassed, replied: "You are fortunate in having so soon despatched your business at court, as your landlady tells me you have been but a fortnight in the city. It is usually months and years ere the court and suitor shake hands and part. "My business, sir, was summarily despatched," said Lord Nigel, abruptly. Still Master Heriot remained seated, and asked if his lordship had visited the theatres of the city. "Oh," said Lord Nigel impatiently, while he threw the proclamation on the floor, "I have seen an excellent piece, 'A New Way to Pay Old Debts.'" The visitor looked at the discarded paper, and said: "I trust this prohibition does not extend to your person or your claims.”

"So it proves. His Majesty has sent me this proclamation in answer to a respectful supplication for the repayment of large loans advanced by my father for the service of the state in the king's utmost emergencies. "It is im

possible," said the citizen; "the king could not be so flagrantly unjust to the memory of your father, who, though dead in the body, will long live in the memory of the Scottish people."

Lord Nigel then showed Master Heriot the original draft of his petition to the king, stating that "his Majesty refused to receive it, and sent for answer this proclamation, in which he classes me with the paupers and mendicants of Scotland. Had not my father stood by him with heart, sword and fortune, he might never have seen the court of England himself.

"The supplication was presented by my servant, whom you saw. Every attempt made by me to lay my case before the king has miscarried, and my petitions got no further than clerks and secretaries, and this fellow of mine pretended he had a friend in the household who would bring him into the king's presence, as I myself had no dress suitable for appearing at court."

Upon Master Heriot desiring to question Richie Moniplies, this servant was summoned, and finally admitted that he had handed the king two papers, one of which was a claim due to his father's estate by the king's mother for provisions supplied to her when she lived at the castle. "I crammed both papers into the king's hand at the same moment," said he; "and as mine was on top, I suppose he looked at mine and did not read my master's."

"I am sorry that I have done injustice to my sovereign, Master Heriot," said Lord Nigel; "but my petition has been repressed, and my only resource is to enter the army and die in battle."

"It were better to live and serve your country like your noble father, my lord; the king has not repressed your supplication, for he has never seen it. The king is disposed to hold the scales of justice even; but there are those around him who urge their own selfish wishes and base interests."

"I am surprised, Master Heriot," said the young lord, "at your familiarity with my affairs." "My lord," replied the goldsmith, "the nature of my employment affords me direct access to the interior of the palace, where I am known to be no meddler in intrigues or party affairs, so that no favorite has shut against me the door of the royal closet. I have told you why I am interested in your lordship's fortunes; although it was only last night that I learned that you were in the city, yet I have been able to gain for you some information respecting the impediments to your suit."

"Sir, I am obliged by your zeal, however little it may be merited," answered Nigel; "yet I hardly know how I deserve such interest."

zen.

"First let me satisfy you that it is real," said the citi"There is a mortgage on your father's extensive estate, due ostensibly to Peregrine Peterson, but really to the Lord Chancellor of Scotland, who hopes, under cover of this debt, to gain possession of the land himself, or perhaps to gratify a yet more powerful party.

"Can this be possible?" said Lord Nigel. "The Chan

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cellor wept when I took leave of him; called me his cousin, his son, and furnished me with letters, which thus far, it is true, have only produced cold deeds and fair words. It is because of this mortgage that I press the king's government for a settlement of the debts due my father, that I may be able to redeem my land from this rapacious creditor. I will go to him at this instant," said the incensed youth, "and tell him my view of his baseness.'

"Do not do so," exclaimed Heriot. "By a quarrel, you would ruin me, the informer; and though I would venture half my shop to do you a service, I think you could hardly wish me damage.'

The word shop sounded harshly in the ears of the young nobleman, who said hastily: "Damage, sir; I would to Heaven you would cease your fruitless efforts of serving me!" "Leave me alone for that," said the citizen. "Permit me to take this petition; I will have it suitably engrossed, and place it with more prudence, I trust, than that used by your follower, in the king's hand, who, I think, will examine it at once.

11

"Sir," said Lord Nigel, "your speech is so friendly, and my own state so hopeless, that I must accept your offer, though you be a stranger and I a bad paymaster. "Will you dine with me to-morrow at my lodging near by on Lombard Street ?" said the citizen. "Two of our countrymen will join us, and possibly my housewife may invite one or two Scottish lasses. I owed your father some moneys; and as your lordship should attend court in a manner beseeming your quality, I wish to loan you one hundred pounds till your affairs are settled. I am a goldsmith, and have the money at hand."

He then counted out the money, and Lord Nigel signed an acknowledgment. The citizen thereupon departed, leaving with Dame Christie his good wishes for her husband, with whom he had business dealings. He told her to be attentive to her lodger, who was a Scotch lord, and if he wanted aught to send word to him by her husband.