The Waverley novels, by Sir Walter Scott, complete in 12 vol., printed from the latest English ed., embracing the author's last corrections, prefaces & notes.

OLD MORTALITY. 619
months, as both went into deep mourning on account of Lord Evandale's
death. They were then wedded."
"I hope, not without Lady Margaret's consent, sir?" said my fair critic.
"I love books which teach a proper deference in young persons to their
parents. In a novel, the young people may fall in love without their countenance, because it is essential to the necessary intricacy of the story; but
they must always have the benefit of their consent at last. Even old Delville received: Cecilia, though the daughter of a man of low birth."
"And even so, madam," replied I, "Lady Margaret was prevailed on to
countenance Morton, although the old Covenanter, his father, stuck sorely with
her for some time. Edith was her only hope, and she wished to see her
happy. Morton, or Melville Morton, as he was more generally called, stood
so high in the reputation of the world, and was in every other respect such
an eligible match, that she put her prejudice aside, and consoled herself
with the recollection, that marriage went by destiny, as was observed to
her, she said, by his most sacred Majesty, Charles the Second of happy
memory, when she showed him the portrait of her grandfather Fergus,
third Earl of Torwood, the handsomest man of his time, and that of Countess Jane, his second lady, who had a hullmp-back and only one eye. This
was his Majesty's observation, she said, on one remarkable morning when
he deigned to take his disjunle""Nay," said Miss Buskbody, again interrupting me, "if she brought
such authority to countenance her acquiescing in a misalliance, there was
no more to be said. -And what became of old Mrs. What's-her-name, the
housekeeper?"
" Mrs. Wilson, madam?" answered I. "She was perhaps the happiest
of the party; for once a-year, and not oftener, Mr. and Mrs. Melville Morton
dined in the great wainscoted-chamber in solemn state,-the hangings being
all displayed, the carpet laid down, and the huge brass-candlestick set on
the table, stuck round with leaves of laurel. The preparing the: room for
this yearly festival employed her mind for six months before it came about,
and the putting matters to rights occupied old Alison the other six; so that
a single day of rejoicing found her business for all the year round."
"And Niel Blane 1" said Miss Buskbody.
"Lived to a good old age, drank ale and brandy with guests of all persuasions, played whig or jacobite tunes as best pleased his customers, and
died worth as much money as married Jenny to a cock laird. I hope,
ma'am, you have no other inquiries to make, for really"" Goose-Gibbie, sir?" said my persevering friend-" Goose-Gibbie, whose
ministry was fraught with such consequences to the personages of the narrative?"
" Consider, my dear Miss Buskbody - (I beg pardon for the familiarity)
-but pray consider, even the memory of the renowned Scheherazade, that
Empress of Tale-tellers, could not preserve every circumstance. I am not
quite positive as to the fate of Goose-Gibbie, but am inclined to think him
the same with one Gilbert Dudden, alias Calf-Gibbie, who was whipped
through Hamilton for stealing poultry."
Miss Buskbody now placed her left foot on the fender, crossed her right
leg over her knee, lay back on the chair, and looked towards the ceiling.
WVhen I observed her assume this contemplative mood, I concluded she was
studyino some farther cross-examination, and therefore took my hat and
wished Tler a hasty good night, ere the Demon of Criticism had supplied
her with any more queries. In like manner, gentle Reader, returning you
my thanks for the patience which has conducted you thus far, I take the
liberty to withdraw myself from you for the present.