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44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | 'Her superior!' cried the Leddy; 'but love's blin' as well as fey, or ye would as soon think o' likening a yird tead to a patrick or a turtle-dove, as Nell Frizel to Beenie Walkinshaw. |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | Eh man! |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | Jamie, but ye hae a poor taste; and I may say, as the auld sang sings, "Will ye compare a docken till a tansie?" |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | I would na touch her wi' the tangs.' |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | 'But you know,' said Walkinshaw, laughing at the excess of her contempt, 'that there is no accounting for tastes.' |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | 'The craw thinks it's ain bird the whitest,' replied the Leddy; 'but, for a' that, it's as black as the back o' the bress; and, therefore, I would advise you to believe me, that Nell Frizel is just as ill-far't a creature as e'er came out the Maker's hand. |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | I hae lived threescore and fifteen years in the world, and surely, in the course o' nature, should ken by this time what beauty is and ought to be.' |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | How far the Leddy might have proceeded with her argument is impossible to say; for it was suddenly interrupted by her grandson bursting into an immoderate fit of laughter, which had the effect of instantly checking her eloquence, and turning the course of her ideas and animadversions into another channel. |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | In the course, however, of a few minutes, she returned to the charge, but with no better success; and Walkinshaw left her, half resolved to come to some explanation on the subject with his uncle. |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | It happened, however, that this discussion, which we have just related, took place on a Saturday night; and the weather next day being bright and beautiful, instead of going to his uncle's at Kittlestonheugh, as he commonly did on Sunday, from the time he had been placed in the counting-house, he rose early, and walked to Camrachle, where he arrived to breakfast, and afterwards accompanied his mother and sister to church. |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | The conversation with the old Leddy was still ringing in his ears, and her strictures on the beauty and person of Ellen Frazer seemed so irresistibly ridiculous, when he beheld her tall and elegant figure advancing to the minister's pew, that he could with difficulty preserve the decorum requisite to the sanctity of the place. |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | Indeed, the effect was so strong, that Ellen herself noticed it; insomuch, that, when they met after sermon in the church-yard, she could not refrain from asking what had tickled him. |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | Simple as the question was, and easy as the explanation might have been, he found himself, at the moment, embarrassed, and at a loss to answer her. |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | Perhaps, had they been by themselves, this would not have happened; but Mrs. Eadie, and his mother and sister, were present. |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | In the evening, however, when he accompanied Mary and her to a walk, along the brow of the hazel bank, which overlooked the village, he took an opportunity of telling her what had passed, and of expressing his determination to ascertain how far his uncle was seriously bent on wishing him to marry Robina; protesting, at the same time, that it was a union which could never be--intermingled with a thousand little tender demonstrations, infinitely more delightful to the ears of Ellen than it is possible to make them to our readers. |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | Indeed, Nature plainly shows, that the conversations of lovers are not fit for the public, by the care which she takes to tell the gentle parties, that they must speak in whispers, and choose retired spots and shady bowers, and other sequestered poetical places, for their conferences. |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | CHAPTER LXVI |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | The conversations between the Leddy and her grandchildren were not of a kind to keep with her. |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | On Monday morning she sent for her son, and, without explaining to him what had passed, cunningly began to express her doubts if ever a match would take place between James and Robina; recommending that the design should be given up, and an attempt made to conciliate a union between his daughter and her cousin Dirdumwhamle's son, by which, as she observed, the gear would still be kept in the family. |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | George, however, had many reasons against the match, not only with respect to the entail, but in consideration of Dirdumwhamle having six sons by his first marriage, and four by his second, all of whom stood between his nephew and the succession to his estate. |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | It is, therefore, almost unnecessary to say, that he had a stronger repugnance to his mother's suggestion than if she had proposed a stranger rather than their relation. |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | 'But,' said he, 'what reason have you to doubt that James and Robina are not likely to gratify our hopes and wishes? |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | He is a very well-behaved lad; and though his heart does not appear to lie much to the business of the counting-house, still he is so desirous, apparently, to give satisfaction, that I have no doubt in time he will acquire steadiness and mercantile habits.' |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | 'It would na be easy to say,' replied the Leddy, 'a' the whys and wherefores that I hae for my suspection. |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | But, ye ken, if the twa hae na a right true love and kindness for ane anither, it will be a doure job to make them happy in the way o' matrimonial felicity; and, to be plain wi' you, Geordie, I would be nane surprised if something had kittled between Jamie and a Highland lassie, ane Nell Frizel, that bides wi' the new-light minister o' Camrachle.' |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | The Laird had incidentally heard of Ellen, and once or twice, when he happened to visit his sister-in-law, he had seen her, and was struck with her beauty. |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | But it had never occurred to him that there was any attachment between her and his nephew. |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | The moment, however, that the Leddy mentioned her name, he acknowledged to himself its probability. |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | 'But do you really think,' said he anxiously, 'that there is anything of the sort between her and him?' |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | 'Frae a' that I can hear, learn, and understand,' replied the Leddy, 'though it may na be probable-like, yet I fear it's oure true; for when he gangs to see his mother, and it's ay wi' him as wi' the saints,--"O mother dear Jerusalem, when shall I come to thee?"--I am most creditably informed that the twa do nothing but sauly forth hand in hand to walk in the green valleys, singing, "Low down in the broom," and "Pu'ing lilies both fresh and gay,"--which is as sure a symptom o' something very like love, as the hen's cackle is o' a new-laid egg.' |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | 'Nevertheless,' said the Laird, 'I should have no great apprehensions, especially when he comes to understand how much it is his interest to prefer Robina.' |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | 'That's a' true, Geordie; but I hae a misdoot that a's no right and sound wi' her mair than wi' him; and when we reflek how the mim maidens nowadays hae delivered themselves up to the little-gude in the shape and glamour o' novelles and Thomson's _Seasons_, we need be nane surprised to fin' Miss as headstrong in her obdooracy as the lovely young Lavinia that your sister Meg learnt to 'cite at the boarding-school.' |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | 'It is not likely, however,' said the Laird, 'that she has yet fixed her affections on any one; and a very little attention on the part of James would soon overcome any prejudice that she may happen to have formed against him,--for now, when you bring the matter to mind, I do recollect that I have more than once observed a degree of petulance and repugnance on her part.' |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | 'Then I mak no doot,' exclaimed the old lady, 'that she is in a begoted state to another, and it wou'd be wise to watch her. |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | But, first and foremost, you should sift Jamie's tender passion--that's the novelle name for calf-love; and if it's within the compass o' a possibility, get the swine driven through't, or it may work us a' muckle dule, as his father's moonlight marriage did to your ain, worthy man!--That was indeed a sair warning to us a', and is the because to this day o' a' the penance o' vexation and tribulation that me and you, Geordie, are sae obligated to dree.' |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | The admonition was not lost; on the contrary, George, who was a decisive man of business, at once resolved to ascertain whether there were indeed any reasonable grounds for his mother's suspicions. |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | For this purpose, on returning to the counting-house, he requested Walkinshaw to come in the evening to Kittlestonheugh, as he had something particular to say. |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | The look and tone with which the communication was made convinced James that he could not be mistaken with respect to the topic intended, which, he conjectured, was connected with the conversation he had himself held with the Leddy on the preceding Saturday evening; and it was the more agreeable to him, as he was anxious to be relieved from the doubts which began to trouble him regarding the views and motives of his uncle's partiality. |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | For, after parting from Ellen, he had, in the course of his walk back to Glasgow, worked himself up into a determination to quit the place, if any hope of the suggested marriage with Robina was the tenure by which he held her father's favour. |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | His mind, in consequence, as he went to Kittlestonheugh in the evening, was occupied with many plans and schemes--the vague and aimless projects which fill the imagination of youth, when borne forward either by hopes or apprehensions. |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | Indeed, the event contemplated, though it was still contingent on the spirit with which his uncle might receive his refusal, he yet, with the common precipitancy of youth, anticipated as settled, and his reflections were accordingly framed and modified by that conclusion. |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | To leave Glasgow was determined; but where to go, and what to do, were points not so easily arranged; and ever and anon the image of Ellen Frazer rose in all the radiance of her beauty, like the angel to Balaam, and stood between him and his purpose. |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | The doubts, the fears, and the fondness, which alternately predominated in his bosom, received a secret and sympathetic energy from the appearance and state of external nature. |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | The weather was cloudy but not lowering--a strong tempest seemed, however, to be raging at a distance; and several times he paused and looked back at the enormous masses of dark and troubled vapour, which were drifting along the whole sweep of the northern horizon, from Ben Lomond to the Ochils, as if some awful burning was laying waste the world beyond them; while a long and splendid stream of hazy sunshine, from behind the Cowal mountains, brightened the rugged summits of Dumbuck, and, spreading its golden fires over Dumbarton moor, gilded the brow of Dumgoin, and lighted up the magnificent vista which opens between them of the dark and distant Grampians. |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | The appearance of the city was also in harmony with the general sublimity of the evening. |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | Her smoky canopy was lowered almost to a covering--a mist from the river hovered along her skirts and scattered buildings, but here and there some lofty edifice stood proudly eminent, and the pinnacles of the steeples glittering like spear-points through the cloud, suggested to the fancy strange and solemn images of heavenly guardians, stationed to oppose the adversaries of man. |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | A scene so wild, so calm, and yet so troubled and darkened, would, at any time, have heightened the enthusiasm of young Walkinshaw, but the state of his feelings made him more than ordinarily susceptible to the eloquence of its various lights and shadows. |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | The uncertainty which wavered in the prospects of his future life, found a mystical reflex in the swift and stormy wrack of the carry, that some unfelt wind was silently urging along the distant horizon. |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | The still and stationary objects around--the protected city and the everlasting hills, seemed to bear an assurance, that, however obscured the complexion of his fortunes might at that moment be, there was still something within himself that ought not to suffer any change, from the evanescent circumstances of another's frown or favour. |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | This confidence in himself, felt perhaps for the first time that evening, gave a degree of vigour and decision to the determination which he had formed; and by the time he had reached the porch of his uncle's mansion, his step was firm, his emotions regulated, and a full and manly self-possession had succeeded to the fluctuating feelings with which he left Glasgow, in so much that even his countenance seemed to have received some new impress, and to have lost the softness of youth, and taken more decidedly the cast and characteristics of manhood. |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | CHAPTER LXVII Walkinshaw found his uncle alone, who, after some slight inquiries, relative to unimportant matters of business, said to him,-- 'I have been desirous to see you, because I am anxious to make some family arrangements, to which, though I do not anticipate any objection on your part, as they will be highly advantageous to your interests, it is still proper that we should clearly understand each other respecting. |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | It is unnecessary to inform you, that, by the disinheritance of your father, I came to the family estate, which, in the common course of nature, might have been yours--and you are quite aware, that, from the time it became necessary to cognosce your uncle, I have uniformly done more for your mother's family than could be claimed or was expected of me.' |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | 'I am sensible of all that, sir,' replied Walkinshaw, 'and I hope there is nothing which you can reasonably expect me to do, that I shall not feel pleasure in performing.' |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | His uncle was not quite satisfied with this; the firmness with which it was uttered, and the self-reservation which it implied--were not propitious to his wishes, but he resumed,-- 'In the course of a short time, you will naturally be looking to me for some establishment in business, and certainly if you conduct yourself as you have hitherto done, it is but right that I should do something for you--much, however, will depend, as to the extent of what I may do, on the disposition with which you fall in with my views. |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | Now, what I wish particularly to say to you is, that having but one child, and my circumstances enabling me to retire from the active management of the house, it is in my power to resign a considerable share in your favour--and this it is my wish to do in the course of two or three years; if'--and he paused, looking his nephew steadily in the face. |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | 'I trust,' said Walkinshaw, 'it can be coupled with no condition that will prevent me from availing myself of your great liberality.' |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | His uncle was still more damped by this than by the former observation, and he replied peevishly,-- 'I think, young man, considering your destitute circumstances, you might be a little more grateful for my friendship. |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | It is but a cold return to suppose I would subject you to any condition that you would not gladly agree to.' |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | This, though hastily conceived, was not so sharply expressed as to have occasioned any particular sensation; but the train of Walkinshaw's reflections, with his suspicion of the object for which he was that evening invited to the country, made him feel it acutely, and his blood mounted at the allusion to his poverty. |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | Still, without petulance, but in an emphatic manner, he replied,-- 'I have considered your friendship always as disinterested, and as such I have felt and cherished the sense of gratitude which it naturally inspired; but I frankly confess, that, had I any reason to believe it was less so than I hope it is, I doubt I should be unable to feel exactly as I have hitherto felt.' |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | 'And in the name of goodness!' exclaimed his uncle, at once surprised and apprehensive; 'what reason have you to suppose that I was not actuated by my regard for you as my nephew?' |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | 'I have never had any, nor have I said so,' replied Walkinshaw; 'but you seem to suspect that I may not be so agreeable to some purpose you intend as the obligations you have laid me under, perhaps, entitle you to expect.' |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | 'The purpose I intend,' said the uncle, 'is the strongest proof that I can give you of my affection. |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | It is nothing less than founded on a hope that you will so demean yourself, as to give me the pleasure, in due time, of calling you by a dearer name than nephew.' |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | Notwithstanding all the preparations which Walkinshaw had made to hear the proposal with firmness, it overcame him like a thunder-clap--and he sat some time looking quickly from side to side, and unable to answer. |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | 'You do not speak,' said his uncle, and he added, softly and inquisitively, 'Is there any cause to make you averse to Robina?--I trust I may say to you, as a young man of discretion and good sense, that there is no green and foolish affection which ought for a moment to weigh with you against the advantages of a marriage with your cousin--Were there nothing else held out to you, the very circumstance of regaining so easily the patrimony, which your father had so inconsiderately forfeited, should of itself be sufficient. |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | But, besides that, on the day you are married to Robina, it is my fixed intent to resign the greatest part of my concern in the house to you, thereby placing you at once in opulence.' |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | While he was thus earnestly speaking, Walkinshaw recovered his self-possession; and being averse to give a disagreeable answer, he said, that he could not but duly estimate, to the fullest extent, all the advantages which the connexion would insure; 'But,' said he, 'have you spoken to Robina herself?' |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | 'No,' replied his uncle, with a smile of satisfaction, anticipating from the question something like a disposition to acquiesce in his views. |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | 'No; I leave that to you--that's your part. |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | You now know my wishes; and I trust and hope you are sensible that few proposals could be made to you so likely to promote your best interests.' |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | Walkinshaw saw the difficulties of his situation. |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | He could no longer equivocate with them. |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | It was impossible, he felt, to say that he would speak on the subject to Robina, without being guilty of duplicity towards his uncle. |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | Besides this, he conceived it would sully the honour and purity of his affection for Ellen Frazer to allow himself to seek any declaration of refusal from Robina, however certain of receiving it. |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | His uncle saw his perplexity, and said,-- 'This proposal seems to have very much disconcerted you--but I will be plain; for, in a matter on which my heart is so much set, it is prudent to be candid. |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | I do not merely suspect, but have some reason to believe, that you have formed a schoolboy attachment to Mrs. Eadie's young friend. |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | Now, without any other remark on the subject, I will only say, that, though Miss Frazer is a very fine girl, and of a most respectable family, there is nothing in the circumstances of her situation compared with those of your cousin, that would make any man of sense hesitate between them.' |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | So thought Walkinshaw; for, in his opinion, the man of sense would at once prefer Ellen. |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | 'However,' continued his uncle,--'I will not at present press this matter further. |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | I have opened my mind to you, and I make no doubt, that you will soon see the wisdom and propriety of acceding to my wishes.' |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | Walkinshaw thought he would be acting unworthy of himself if he allowed his uncle to entertain any hope of his compliance; and, accordingly, he said, with some degree of agitation, but not so much as materially to affect the force with which he expressed himself,-- 'I will not deny that your information with respect to Miss Frazer is correct; and the state of our sentiments renders it impossible that I should for a moment suffer you to expect I can ever look on Robina but as my cousin.' |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | 'Well, well, James,' interrupted his uncle,--'I know all that; and I calculated on hearing as much, and even more; but take time to reflect on what I have proposed; and I shall be perfectly content to see the result in your actions. |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | So, let us go to your aunt's room, and take tea with her and Robina.' 'Impossible!--never!' exclaimed Walkinshaw, rising;--'I cannot allow you for a moment longer to continue in so fallacious an expectation. |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | My mind is made up; my decision was formed before I came here; and no earthly consideration will induce me to forgo an affection that has grown with my growth, and strengthened with my strength.' |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | His uncle laughed, and rubbed his hands, exceedingly amused at this rhapsody, and said, with the most provoking coolness,-- 'I shall not increase your flame by stirring the fire--you are still but a youth--and it is very natural that you should have a love fit--all, therefore, that I mean to say at present is, take time--consider--reflect on the fortune you may obtain, and contrast it with the penury and dependence to which your father and mother exposed themselves by the rash indulgence of an inconsiderate attachment.' |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | 'Sir,' exclaimed Walkinshaw, fervently, 'I was prepared for the proposal you have made, and my determination with respect to it was formed and settled before I came here.' 'Indeed!' said his uncle coldly; 'and pray what is it?' |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | 'To quit Glasgow; to forgo all the pecuniary advantages that I may derive from my connexion with you--if'--and he made a full stop and looked his uncle severely in the face,--'if,' he resumed, 'your kindness was dictated with a view to this proposal.' |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | A short silence ensued, in which Walkinshaw still kept his eye brightly and keenly fixed on his uncle's face; but the Laird was too much a man of the world not to be able to endure this scrutiny. |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | 'You are a strange fellow,' he at last said, with a smile, that he intended should be conciliatory; 'but as I was prepared for a few heroics I can forgive you.' |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | 'Forgive!' cried the hot and indignant youth; 'what have I done to deserve such an insult? |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | I thought your kindness merited my gratitude. |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | I felt towards you as a man should feel towards a great benefactor; but now it would almost seem that you have in all your kindness but pursued some sinister purpose. |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | Why am I selected to be your instrument? |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | Why are my feelings and affections to be sacrificed on your sordid altars?' |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | He found his passion betraying him into irrational extravagance, and, torn by the conflict within him, he covered his face with his hands, and burst into tears. |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | 'This is absolute folly, James,' said his uncle soberly. |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | 'It is not folly,' was again his impassioned answer. |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | 'My words may be foolish, but my feelings are at this moment wise. |
44,573 | The Entail; or, The Lairds of Grippy | I cannot for ten times all your fortune, told a hundred times, endure to think I may be induced to barter my heart. |
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