A love of letters, though kept in subordination to his clerical studies and duties, also distinguished the pastor of Cairnvreckan, and had tinged his mind in earlier days with a slight feeling of romance, which no after incidents of real life had entirely dissipated.  The early loss of an amiable young woman, whom he had married for love, and who was quickly followed to the grave by an only child, had also served, even after the lapse of many years, to soften a disposition naturally mild and contemplative.  His feelings on the present occasion were therefore likely to differ from those of the severe disciplinarian, strict magistrate, and distrustful man of the world.

When the servants had withdrawn, the silence of both parties continued, until Major Melville, filling his glass, and pushing the bottle to Mr. Morton, commenced.  ’A distressing affair this, Mr. Morton.  I fear this youngster has brought himself within the compass of a halter.’

‘God forbid!’ answered the clergyman.

‘Marry, and amen,’ said the temporal magistrate; ’but I think even your merciful logic will hardly deny the conclusion.’

‘Surely, Major,’ answered the clergyman, ’I should hope it might be averted, for aught we have heard to-night?’

‘Indeed!’ replied Melville.  ’But, my good parson, you are one of those who would communicate to every criminal the benefit of clergy.’

’Unquestionably I would:  mercy and long-suffering are the grounds of the doctrine I am called to teach.’

’True, religiously speaking; but mercy to a criminal may be gross injustice to the community.  I don’t speak of this young fellow in particular, who I heartily wish may be able to clear himself, for I like both his modesty and his spirit.  But I fear he has rushed upon his fate.’

’And why?  Hundreds of misguided gentlemen are now in arms against the Government; many, doubtless, upon principles which education and early prejudice have gilded with the names of patriotism and heroism;—­Justice, when she selects her victims from such a multitude (for surely all will not be destroyed), must regard the moral motive.  He whom ambition, or hope of personal advantage, has led to disturb the peace of a well-ordered government, let him fall a victim to the laws; but surely youth, misled by the wild visions of chivalry and imaginary loyalty, may plead for pardon.’

’If visionary chivalry and imaginary loyalty come within the predicament of high treason,’ replied the magistrate, ’I know no court in Christendom, my dear Mr. Morton, where they can sue out their Habeas Corpus.’

’But I cannot see that this youth’s guilt is at all established to my satisfaction,’ said the clergyman.