Page:Tales of my landlord (Volume 4).djvu/311

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
OLD MORTALITY.
303

overwhelmed in the abyss below, bidding foemen on the farther side stand at defiance, and leaving enemies on this at the mercy of one who never yet met his equal in single fight."

"Of such defences," said Morton, "I should have thought you would now have had little need."

"Little need?" said Burley impatiently, "What little need, when incarnate fiends are combined against me on earth, and Sathan himself—but it matters not," added he, checking himself—"Enough that I like my place of refuge—my cave of Adullam, and would not change its rude ribs of limestone rock for the fair chambers of the castle of the Earls of Torwood, with their broad bounds and barony. Thou, unless the foolish fever-fit be over, mayst think differently."

"It was of these, very possessions I came to speak," said Morton, "and I doubt not to find Mr Balfour the same rational and reflecting person which I knew him