Guy Mannering.

224 WAVERLEY NOVELS.
CHAPTER XX.
A gigantic genius, fit to grapple with whole libraries.
BOSWELL's LIFE OF JOHNSON.
THE appointed day arrived, when the Colonel and
Miss Miannering were expected at Woodbournne. The
hour was fast approaching, and the little circle within
doors had each their separate subjects of anxiety. MacMorlan naturally desired to attach to himself the patronage and countenance of a person of Mannering's
wealth and consequence. He was aware, from his
knowledge of mankind, that MIannering, though generous
and benevolent, had the foible of expecting and exacting
a minute compliance with his directions. He was therefore racking his recollection to discover if everything
had been arranged to meet the Colonel's wishes and
instructions, and, under this uncertainty of mind, he
traversed the house more than once from the garret to
the stables. Mrs. Mac-AMorlan revolved in a lesser orbit,.comprehending the dining parlour, housekeeper's room,
and kitchen. She was only afraid that the dinner might
be spoiled, to the discredit of her housewifery accomplishments. Even the usual passiveness of the Dominie
was so far disturbed, that he twice went to the window,
which looked out upon the avenue, and twice exclaimed,
"Why tarry the wheels of their chariot?" Lucy, the
most quiet of the expectants, had her own melancholy