The Heart of Mid-Lothian - Penn State University

labouring, under the directions of the Captain of
Knockdunder, and at the expense of the Duke of Argyle,
to put it into some order. The old “plenishing” had
been removed, and neat, but plain household furniture
had been sent down by the Duke in a brig of his own
called the Caroline, and was now ready to be placed in
order in the apartments.
The gracious Duncan, finding matters were at a stand
among the workmen, summoned before him the delinquents,
and impressed all who heard him with a sense
of his authority, by the penalties with which he threatened
them for their delay. Mulcting them in half their
charge, he assured them, would be the least of it; for, if
they were to neglect his pleasure and the Duke’s, “he
would be tamn’d if he paid them the t’other half either,
and they might seek law for it where they could get it.”
The work-people humbled themselves before the offended
dignitary, and spake him soft and fair; and at
length, upon Mr. Butler recalling to his mind that it was
the ordination-day, and that the workmen were probably
thinking of going to church, Knockdunder agreed
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to forgive them, out of respect to their new minister.
“But an I catch them neglecking my duty again, Mr.
Putler, the teil pe in me if the kirk shall be an excuse;
for what has the like o’ them rapparees to do at the kirk
ony day put Sundays, or then either, if the Duke and I
has the necessitous uses for them?”
It may be guessed with what feelings of quiet satisfaction
and delight Butler looked forward to spending
his days, honoured and useful as he trusted to be, in this
sequestered valley, and how often an intelligent glance
was exchanged betwixt him and Jeanie, whose goodhumoured
face looked positively handsome, from the
expression of modesty, and, at the same time, of satisfaction,
which she wore when visiting the apartments
of which she was soon to call herself mistress. She was
left at liberty to give more open indulgence to her feelings
of delight and admiration, when, leaving the Manse,
the company proceeded to examine the destined habitation
of David Deans.
Jeanie found with pleasure that it was not above a
musket-shot from the Manse; for it had been a bar to