INTRODUCTION

xvii

afterwards-U it would have been easy to have written to enquire
into your intèntions, indeed I intended to do so, but the thing had
gone out of my head." Why did you intend to write to me, Sir
Walter, about intentions which you have said you were unconscious
hadanyexistence? But who can dare to be angry with Sir Walter
Scott ? "'ho could be savage enough to be angry with the meanest
individual who could write with so much good nature and bon-
hommie as he displays in his letter ? Had one particle of angr,-
feeling lurked in my bosom against him, 1 should have merited
scourging. My answer was as follows.

Sir Thomas was unable to accept Sir Walter's inv itation, but
proposed to calt on him, and received the following reply
1 My DUR SIR THoHAs,-I am much mortified at finding that by
u peremptory message from my builder at Abbotsford, who is
erecting an addition to my house, I must set out there to-morrow
at twelve. But we must meet for all that, and I hope you will
do me the honour to breakfast here, though at the unchristian
hour of A'irre o'clock, and if you come as soon after eight as you
will, you will find'me ready to receive you. I mention this because
1 must be in the court at Terr. I hope this will suit you till
time permits a longer interview. 1 shall therefore expect you
accordingly.-Yours very sincerely, \V ALTER Scoz-r.
Castle Street, Friday.'

It gives me sincere regret that this unexpected news 1 prevents
my having the pleasure of receiving you on ~Zonday.'
Sir Thomas proceeds in his narrativ e

`l~3.-I keht my appointment accurately to the hour and
minute, and found the Great Unknown dashing off long foolscap
sheds of what was soon to interest the eyes, and the minds, and
the hearts of the whole reading world; preparing a literary food
for the voracious maw of the many-headed monster, every mouth
of w hich was gaping wide in expectation of it He received me
most kindly, though 1 could not help secretly grudging, more than
1 have no doubt he did, every moment of the time he so good-
naturedly sacrificed to me. He repented in words, and, if possible,
in stronger terms, the apologies contained in his letter. 1 offered

1 This word doubtfu It is indistinctly written.