 costumes de Normandie, c'est
l'homme ki se bast et ki conseille; or, as is yet more ungallantly expressed by
other authorities, all of whose barbarous names he delighted to quote at full
length, because a woman could not serve the superior, or feudal lord, in war, on
account of the decorum of her sex, nor assist him with advice, because of her
limited intellect, nor keep his counsel, owing to the infirmity of her
disposition. He would triumphantly ask, how it would become a female, and that
female a Bradwardine, to be seen employed in servitio exuendi, seu detrahendi,
caligas regis post battaliam? that is in pulling off the king's boots after an
engagement, which was the feudal service by which he held the barony of
Bradwardine. »No,« he said, »beyond hesitation, procul dubio, many females, as
worthy as Rose, had been excluded, in order to make way for my own succession,
and Heaven forbid that I should do aught that might contravene the destination
of my forefathers, or impinge upon the right of my kinsman, Malcolm Bradwardine
of Inchgrabbit, an honourable though decayed branch of my own family.«
    The Bailie, as prime minister, having received this decisive communication
from his sovereign, durst not press his own opinion any farther, but contented
himself with deploring, on all suitable occasions, to Saunderson, the minister
of the interior, the Laird's self-willedness, and with laying plans for uniting
Rose with the young laird of Balmawhapple, who had a fine estate, only
moderately burdened, and was a faultless young gentleman, being as sober as a
saint - if you keep brandy from him, and him from brandy - and who, in brief,
had no imperfection but that of keeping light company at a time; such as Jinker,
the horse-couper, and Gibby Gaethroughwi't, the piper o' Cupar; »o' whilk
follies, Mr. Saunderson, he'll mend, he'll mend,« - pronounced the Bailie.
    »Like sour ale in simmer,« added Davie Gellatley, who happened to be nearer
the conclave than they were aware of.
    Miss Bradwardine, such as we have described her, with all the simplicity and
curiosity of a recluse, attached herself to the opportunities of increasing her
store of literature which Edward's visit afforded her. He sent for some of his
books from his quarters, and they opened to her sources of delight of which she
had hitherto had no idea. The best English poets, of every
