Do you now pity and forgive me ?" "My lord," answered the Antiquary, much affected, "my pity--my forgiveness, you have not to ask, for your dismal story is of itself not only an ample excuse for whatever appeared mysterious in your conduct, but a narrative that might move your worst enemies (and I, my lord, was never of the number) to tears and to sympathy.

But permit me to ask what you now mean to do, and why you have honoured me, whose opinion can be of little consequence, with your confidence on this occasion ?" "Mr.Oldbuck," answered the Earl, "as I could never have foreseen the nature of that confession which I have heard this day, I need not say that I had no formed plan of consulting you, or any one, upon affairs the tendency of which I could not even have suspected.

But I am without friends, unused to business, and, by long retirement, unacquainted alike with the laws of the land and the habits of the living generation; and when, most unexpectedly, I find myself immersed in the matters of which I know least, I catch, like a drowning man, at the first support that offers.

You are that support, Mr.Oldbuck.I have always heard you mentioned as a man of wisdom and intelligence--I have known you myself as a man of a resolute and independent spirit;--and there is one circumstance," said he, "which ought to combine us in some degree--our having paid tribute to the same excellence of character in poor Eveline.
You offered yourself to me in my need, and you were already acquainted with the beginning of my misfortunes.

To you, therefore, I have recourse for advice, for sympathy, for support." "You shall seek none of them in vain, my lord," said Oldbuck, "so far as my slender ability extends;--and I am honoured by the preference, whether it arises from choice, or is prompted by chance.