The Heart of Mid-Lothian - Penn State University

fairly vanquished the feeling of pique which she naturally
enough entertained, at seeing Effie, so long the
object of her care and her pity, soar suddenly so high
above her in life, as to reckon amongst the chief objects
of her apprehension the risk of their relationship being
discovered.
When this unwonted burst of amour propre was thoroughly
subdued, she walked down to the little parlour
where the gentlemen were finishing their game, and
heard from the Captain a confirmation of the news intimated
in her letter, that the Duke of Argyle was shortly
expected at Roseneath.
“He’ll find plenty of moor-fowls and plack-cock on
the moors of Auchingower, and he’ll pe nae doubt for
taking a late dinner, and a ped at the Manse, as he has
done pefore now.”
“He has a gude right, Captain,” said Jeanie.
“Teil ane potter to ony ped in the kintra,” answered
the Captain. “And ye had potter tell your father, puir
body, to get his beasts a’ in order, and put his tamn’d
Cameronian nonsense out o’ his head for twa or three
Sir Walter Scott
561
days, if he can pe so opliging; for fan I speak to him
apout prute pestil, he answers me out o’ the Pible, whilk
is not using a shentleman weel, unless it be a person of
your cloth, Mr. Putler.”
No one understood better than Jeanie the merit of the
soft answer, which turneth away wrath; and she only
smiled, and hoped that his Grace would find everything
that was under her father’s care to his entire satisfaction.
But the Captain, who had lost the whole postage of
the letter at backgammon, was in the pouting mood not
unusual to losers, and which, says the proverb, must be
allowed to them.
“And, Master Putler, though you know I never meddle
with the things of your kirk-sessions, yet I must pe allowed
to say that I will not be pleased to allow Ailie
MacClure of Deepheugh to be poonished as a witch, in
respect she only spaes fortunes, and does not lame, or
plind, or pedevil any persons, or coup cadger’s carts, or
ony sort of mischief; put only tells people good fortunes,
as anent our poats killing so many seals and doug-fishes,
whilk is very pleasant to hear.”