The Heart of Mid-Lothian - Penn State University

elow the right ane. But luckily for Mrs. Crombie, I just
chanced to come in in time to break aff the communing,
for it’s a pity the point suldna be tried. We had Mrs.
MacPhail into the Ten-Mark Court—The Hieland
limmer of a lass wanted to swear herself free—but haud
ye there, says I.”
The detailed account of this important suit might have
lasted until poor Butler’s hour of rest was completely
exhausted, had not Saddletree been interrupted by the
noise of voices at the door. The woman of the house where
Butler lodged, on returning with her pitcher from the well,
whence she had been fetching water for the family, found
our heroine Jeanie Deans standing at the door, impatient
of the prolix harangue of Saddletree, yet unwilling to
enter until he should have taken his leave.
The good woman abridged the period of hesitation by
inquiring, “Was ye wanting the gudeman or me, lass?”
“I wanted to speak with Mr. Butler, if he’s at leisure,”
replied Jeanie.
“Gang in by then, my woman,” answered the goodwife;
and opening the door of a room, she announced the ad-
The Heart of Mid-Lothian
334
ditional visitor with, “Mr. Butler, here’s a lass wants to
speak t’ye.”
The surprise of Butler was extreme, when Jeanie, who
seldom stirred half-a-mile from home, entered his apartment
upon this annunciation.
“Good God!” he said, starting from his chair, while alarm
restored to his cheek the colour of which sickness had deprived
it; “some new misfortune must have happened!”
“None, Mr. Reuben, but what you must hae heard of—
but oh, ye are looking ill yoursell!”—for the “hectic of a
moment” had not concealed from her affectionate eyes
the ravages which lingering disease and anxiety of mind
had made in her lover’s person.
“No: I am well—quite well,” said Butler with eagerness;
“if I can do anything to assist you, Jeanie—or your
father.”
“Ay, to be sure,” said Saddletree; “the family may be
considered as limited to them twa now, just as if Effie
had never been in the tailzie, puir thing. But, Jeanie
lass, what brings you out to Liberton sae air in the morning,
and your father lying ill in the Luckenbooths?”