inmates are so much indebted to you, can provide in their present
circumstances. For my ain part, I like to see young folk take some refection
before they ride out upon their sports or their affairs, and I said as much to
his most sacred Majesty when he breakfasted at Tillietudlem in the year of grace
sixteen hundred and fifty-one; and his most sacred Majesty was pleased to reply,
drinking to my health at the same time in a flagon of Rhenish wine, Lady
Margaret, ye speak like a Highland oracle. These were his Majesty's very words;
so that your lordship may judge whether I have not good authority to press young
folk to partake of their vivers.«
    It may be well supposed that much of the good lady's speech failed Lord
Evandale's ears, which were then employed in listening for the light step of
Edith. His absence of mind on this occasion, however natural, cost him very
dear. While Lady Margaret was playing the kind hostess, a part she delighted and
excelled in, she was interrupted by John Gudyill, who, in the natural phrase for
announcing an inferior to the mistress of a family, said, »There was ane wanting
to speak te her leddyship.«
    »Ane! what ane? Has he nae name? Ye speak as if I kept a shop, and was to
come at everybody's whistle.«
    »Yes, he has a name,« answered John, »but your leddyship likes ill to hear
it.«
    »What is it, you fool?«
    »It's Calf-Gibbie, my leddy,« said John, in a tone rather above the pitch of
decorous respect, on which he occasionally trespassed, confiding in his merit as
an ancient servant of the family, and a faithful follower of their humble
fortunes - »It's Calf-Gibbie, an your leddyship will hae't, that keeps Edie
Henshaw's kye down yonder at the Brigg-end - that's him that was Guse-Gibbie at
Tillietudlem, and gaed to the wappinschaw, and that« --
    »Hold your peace, John,« said the old lady, rising in dignity; »you are very
insolent to think I wad speak wi' a person lake that. Let him tell his business
to you or Mrs. Headrigg.«
    »He'll no hear o' that, my leddy; he says, them that sent him bade him gie
the thing to your leddyship's ain hand direct, or to Lord Evandale's, he wots na