Guy Mannering.

186 YWAVERLEY NOVELS.
thought how to prevent that. But, as Ruth said unto
iNaomi,' Entreat me not to leave thee, nor to depart fiom
thee; for whither thou goest I will go, and where thou
dwellest I will dwell; thy people shall be my people, and
thy God shall be my God. Where thou diest will I die,
and there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and
more also, if aught but death do part thee and me.'"
During this speech, the longest ever Dominie Sampson
was known to utter, the affectionate creature's eyes
streamed with tears, and neither Lucy nor Mlac-Morlan
could refrain from sympathizing with this unexpected
burst of feeling and attachment. "Mr. Sampson," said
Mac-Morlan, after having had recourse to his snuff-box
and handkerchief alternately, " my house is large enough,
and if you will accept of a bed there, while Miss Bertram
honours us with her residence, I shall think myself very
happy, and my roof much favoured by receiving a man
of your worth and fidelity." And then, with a delicacy
which was meant to remove any objection on Miss Bertram's part to bringing with her this unexpected satellite,
he added, "M y business requires my frequently having
occasion for a better accountant than any of my present
clerks, and I should be glad to have recourse to your
assistance in that way now and then."
" Of a surety, of a surety," said Sampson eagerly; " I
understand book-keeping by double entry and the Italian
method."
Our postilion had thrust himself into the room to announce his chaise and horses; he tarried, unobserved,
during this extraordinary scene, and assured Mrs. MacCandlish it was the most moving thing he ever saw; " the
death of the grey mare, puir hizzie, was naething till't."
This trifling circumstance afterwards had consequences
of greater moment to the Dominie.