occasioned over-ready compliance with the general
defections of the times. He endeavoured to make them aware also, that hasty
wedlock had been the bane of many a savoury professor - that the unbelieving
wife had too often reversed the text, and perverted the believing husband - that
when the famous Donald Cargill, being then hiding in Lee- in Lanarkshire, it
being killing-time, did, upon importunity, marry Robert Marshal of Starry Shaw,
he had thus expressed himself: »What hath induced Robert to marry this woman?
her ill will overcome his good - he will not keep the way long - his thriving
days are done.« To the sad accomplishment of which prophecy David said he was
himself a living witness, for Robert Marshal, having fallen into foul
compliances with the enemy, went home, and heard the curates, declined into
other steps of defection, and became lightly esteemed. Indeed, he observed, that
the great upholders of the standard, Cargill, Peden, Cameron, and Renwick, had
less delight in tying the bonds of matrimony than in any other piece of their
ministerial work; and although they would neither dissuade the parties, nor
refuse their office, they considered the being called to it as an evidence of
indifference, on the part of those between whom it was solemnised, to the many
grievous things of the day. Notwithstanding, however, that marriage was a snare
unto many, David was of opinion (as, indeed, he had showed in his practice) that
it was in itself honourable, especially if times were such that honest men could
be secure against being shot, hanged, or banished, and had ane competent
livelihood to maintain themselves, and those that might come after them. »And,
therefore,« as he concluded something abruptly, addressing Jeanie and Butler,
who, with faces as high-coloured as crimson, had been listening to his
lengthened argument for and against the holy state of matrimony, »I will leave
you to your ain cracks.«
    As their private conversation, however interesting to themselves, might
probably be very little so to the reader, so far as it respected their present
feelings and future prospects, we shall pass it over, and only mention the
information which Jeanie received from Butler concerning her sister's elopement,
which contained many particulars that she had been unable to extract from her
father.
    Jeanie learned, therefore, that, for three days after her pardon had
arrived, Effie had been the inmate of her father's house at St. Leonard's - that
the interviews betwixt David and his erring child