 master of my acres, man -
there is the advantage of being descended from a man of more sense than pride -
they cannot oblige me to transmit my goods chattels, and heritages, any way but
as I please. No string of substitute heirs of entail, as empty and unsubstantial
as the morsels of paper strung to the train of a boy's kite, to cumber my
flights of inclination, and my humours of predilection. Well, - I see you won't
be tempted at present - but Caledonia goes on I hope?«
    »O certainly,« said Lovel; »I cannot think of relinquishing a plan so
hopeful.«
    »It is indeed,« said the Antiquary, looking gravely upward, - for, though
shrewd and acute enough in estimating the variety of plans formed by others, he
had a very natural, though rather disproportioned good opinion of the importance
of those which originated with himself - »it is indeed one of those undertakings
which, if achieved with spirit equal to that which dictates its conception, may
redeem from the charge of frivolity the literature of the present generation.«
    Here he was interrupted by a knock at the room door, which introduced a
letter for Mr. Lovel. The servant waited, Mrs. Hadoway said, for an answer. »You
are concerned in this matter, Mr. Oldbuck,« said Lovel, after glancing over the
billet, and handing it to the Antiquary as he spoke.
    It was a letter from Sir Arthur Wardour, couched in extremely civil
language, regretting that a fit of the gout had prevented his hitherto showing
Mr. Lovel the attentions to which his conduct during a late perilous occasion
had so well entitled him - apologizing for not paying his respects in person,
but hoping Mr. Lovel would dispense with that ceremony, and be a member of a
small party which proposed to visit the ruins of Saint Ruth's priory on the
following day, and afterwards to dine and spend the evening at Knockwinnock
Castle. Sir Arthur concluded with saying, that he had sent to request the
Monkbarns family to join the party of pleasure which he thus proposed. The place
of rendezvous was fixed at a turnpike-gate, which was about an equal distance
from all the points from which the company were to assemble.
    »What shall we do?« said Lovel, looking at the Antiquary, but pretty certain
of the part he would take.
    »Go, man - we'll go, by all means. Let me see - it will cost a post-chaise
though, which will hold you and me
