If Lunardi went up and
came down, there was the matter settled. We prefer to grant the
point. We do not want to see the experiment repeated ad nauseam by
Byfield, and Brown, and Butler, and Brodie, and Bottomley. Ah! if
they would go up and NOT come down again! But this is by the
question. The University of Cramond delights to honour merit in
the man, sir, rather than utility in the profession; and Byfield,
though an ignorant dog, is a sound reliable drinker, and really not
amiss over his cups. Under the radiance of the kindly jar
partiality might even credit him with wit.'
It will be seen afterwards that this was more my business than I
thought it at the time. Indeed, I was impatient to be gone. Even
as my friend maundered ahead a squall burst, the jaws of the rain
were opened against the coffee-house windows, and at that inclement
signal I remembered I was due elsewhere.
CHAPTER XXVI--THE COTTAGE AT NIGHT
At the door I was nearly blown back by the unbridled violence of
the squall, and Rowley and I must shout our parting words. All the
way along Princes Street (whither my way led) the wind hunted me
behind and screamed in my ears. The city was flushed with
bucketfuls of rain that tasted salt from the neighbouring ocean.
It seemed to darken and lighten again in the vicissitudes of the
gusts.
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