laws - What
shall we do? - What can we do?«
    Jeanie, it must be observed, had no hesitation whatever about the mere act
of appearing in a court of justice. She might have heard the point discussed by
her father more than once; but we have already noticed that she was accustomed
to listen with reverence to much which she was incapable of understanding, and
that subtle arguments of casuistry found her a patient, but unedified hearer.
Upon receiving the citation, therefore, her thoughts did not turn upon the
chimerical scruples which alarmed her father's mind, but to the language which
had been held to her by the stranger at Muschat's Cairn. In a word, she never
doubted but she was to be dragged forward into the court of justice, in order to
place her in the cruel position of either sacrificing her sister by telling the
truth, or committing perjury in order to save her life. And so strongly did her
thoughts run in this channel, that she applied her father's words, »Ye are aware
of the matter,« to his acquaintance with the advice that had been so fearfully
enforced upon her. She looked up with anxious surprise, not unmingled with a
cast of horror, which his next words, as she interpreted and applied them, were
not qualified to remove.
    »Daughter,« said David, »it has ever been my mind, that in things of ane
doubtful and controversial nature, ilk Christian's conscience suld be his ain
guide - Wherefore descend into yourself, try your ain mind with sufficiency of
soul exercise, and as you sall finally find yourself clear to do in this matter
- even so be it.«
    »But, father,« said Jeanie, whose mind revolted at the construction which
she naturally put upon his language, »can this - THIS be a doubtful or
controversial matter? - Mind, father, the ninth command - Thou shalt not bear
false witness against thy neighbour.«
    David Deans paused; for, still applying her speech to his preconceived
difficulties, it seemed to him as if she, a woman, and a sister, was scarce
entitled to be scrupulous upon this occasion, where he, a man, exercised in the
testimonies of that testifying period, had given indirect countenance to her
following what must have been the natural dictates of her own feelings. But he
kept firm his purpose, until his eyes involuntarily rested upon the little
settle-bed, and recalled the form of the child of his old age, as she sate upon
it, pale, emaciated, and broken