After we had enjoyed our laugh, the minister proposed that he and I should take a turn in the provost's garden, whilst the provost apprised the town's folk that the affair was a matter of moonshine, and so procure a dispersion of the crowd, which, by this time, to the number of many hundreds, were assembled before the door.

“Mr. Todd,” said he, “I hope you will pardon the freedom I am about to take. Both by duty and feeling, I am as little disposed as any man to overlook violations of propriety. The first report of this business was very bad; but, knowing the character of poor Miss Beeny, I did not put much faith in it. Still, with reference to the station she occupies, it must be considered, that you took a most unusual liberty. Unless, therefore, some means can be devised to produce a proper extenuation, I doubt it will affect your intercourse with the good society of the town, among whom delicacy of manners is particularly observed and cultivated.”

The best answer I could give, was to acknowledge the plain truth, that perhaps I had used a freedom beyond propriety; but my mind was innocent of all intentional rudeness. “I was not, Doctor,” said I, “fed with a silver spoon in my youth, nor have I since been much in the way of ceremonious company; besides I am naturally of a light familiar humour. These things should plead for me with ‘the good society’ of the place.”

“Yes,” replied the Doctor, “they will do so, and will procure you pardon, I doubt not; but they will become reasons against taking you into fellowship, unless, as I have already hinted, you can devise some method of convincing them with whom you would desire to associate, that you possess redeeming qualities. Excuse my freedom; for although I confess this affair has been eminently absurd on the part of that fantastical old woman, I yet know it may essentially impair your comfort amongst us; and were you hastily to leave the town, it might ever remain as a stain upon your character.”