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.

THE HEART OF MID-LOTHIAN. 575
Jeanie was ane, like the angels in heaven, that rather weep for sinners, than
reckon their transgressions. But she should never see Jeanie ony mair, and
that was the thought that gave her the sairest heart of a' that had come and
gane yet. On her bended knees would she pray for Jeanie, night and day,
baith for what she had done, and what she had scorned to do, in her behalf;
for what a thought would it have been to her at that moment o' time, if that
upright creature had made a fault to save her! She desired her father
would give Jeanie a' the gear - her ain (i. e. Effie's) mother's and a'- She
had made a deed, giving up her right, and it was in Mr. Novit's hand -
Warld's gear was henceforward the least of her care, nor was it likely to be
muckle her mister - She hoped this would make it easy for her sister to
settle;" and immediately after this expression, she wished Butler himself
all good things, in return for his kindness to her. "For herself," she said,
" she kend her lot would be a weasome ane, but it was of her own framing,
sae she desired the less pity. But, for her friends' satisfaction, she wished
them to know that she was gaun nae ill gate-that they who had done her
maist wrong were now willing to do her what justice was in their power;
and she would, in some warldly respects, be far better off than she deserved.
But she desired her family to remain satisfied with this assurance, and give
themselves no trouble in making farther inquiries after her."
To David Deans and to Butler this letter gave very little comfort; for
what was to be expected from this unfortunate girl's uniting her fate to that
of a character so notorious as Robertson, who they readily guessed was
alluded to in the last sentence, excepting that she should become the partner
and victim of his future crimes. Jeanie, who knew George Staunton's
character and real rank, saw her sister's situation under a ray of better
hope. She augured well of the haste he had shown to reclaim his interest
in Effie, and she trusted he had made her his wife. If so, it seemed improbable that, with his expected fortune, and high connexions, he should
again resume the life of criminal adventure which he had led, especially
since, as matters stood, his life depended upon his keeping his own secret,
which could only be done by an entire change of his habits, and particularly by avoiding all those who had known the heir of Willingham under
the character of the audacious, criminal, and condemned Robertson.
She thought it most likely that the couple would go abroad for, a few
years, and not return to England until the affair of Porteous was totally forgotten. Jeanie, therefore, saw more hopes for her sister than Butler or her
father had been able to perceive; but she was not at liberty to impart the
comfort which she felt in believing that she would be secure from the pressure of poverty, and in little risk of being seduced into the paths of guilt.
She could not have explained this without making public what it was essentially necessary for Effie's chance of comfort to conceal, the identity,
namely, of George Staunton and George Robertson. After all, it was
dreadful to think that Effie had united herself to a man condemned for
felony, and liable to trial for murder, whatever might be his rank in life,
and the degree of his repentance. Besides, it was melancholy to reflect,
that, she herself being in possession of the whole dreadful secret, it was
most probable he would, out of regard to his own feelings, and fear for his
safety, never again permit her to see poor Effie. After perusing and re-perusing her sister's valedictory letter, she gave ease to her feelings in a flood
of tears, which Butler in vain endeavoured to check by every soothing attention in his power. She was obliged, however, at length to look up and
wipe her eyes, for her father, thinking he had allowed the lovers time enough
for conference, was now advancing towards them from the Lodge, accompanied by the Captain of Knockdunder, or, as his friends called him for
brevity's sake, Duncan Knock, a title'which some youthful exploits had
rendered peculiarly appropriate.
This Duncar of Knockdunder was a person of first-rate importance in