"But, my dear sir, you take me so very short--I said some persons might make such a claim--I mean for payment of the expenses of the deed, trouble in the affair, etc. But I, for my own part, only wish Miss Bertram and her friends to be satisfied that I am acting towards her with honour. There's the paper, sir! It would have been a satisfaction to me to have delivered it into Miss Bertram's own hands, and to have wished her joy of the prospects which it opens. But since her prejudices on the subject are invincible, it only remains for me to transmit her my best wishes through you, Colonel Mannering, and to express that I shall willingly give my testimony in support of that deed when I shall be called upon. I have the honour to wish you a good morning, sir." This parting speech was so well got up, and had so much the tone of conscious integrity unjustly suspected, that even Colonel Mannering was staggered in his bad opinion. He followed him two or three steps, and took leave of him with more politeness (though still cold and formal) than he had paid during his visit. Glossin left the house half pleased with the impression he had made, half mortified by the stern caution and proud reluctance with which he had been received. "Colonel Mannering might have had more politeness," he said to himself--"it is not every man that can bring a good chance of 400L a year to a penniless girl. Singleside must be up to 400L a year now--there's Reilageganbed, Gillifidget, Loverless, Liealone, and the Spinster's Knowe--good 400L a year. Some people might have made their own of it in my place--and yet, to own the truth, after much consideration, I don't see how that is possible." Glossin was no sooner mounted and gone, than the Colonel despatched a groom for Mr. Mac-Morlan, and, putting the deed into his hand, requested to know if it was likely to be available to his friend Lucy Bertram. Mac-Morlan perused it with eyes that sparkled with delight, snapped his fingers repeatedly, and at length exclaimed, "Available!--it's as tight as a glove--naebody could make better wark than Glossin, when he didna let down a steek on purpose.--But (his countenance falling) the auld b--, that I should say so, might alter at pleasure!" "Ah! And how shall we know whether she has done so?" "Somebody must attend on Miss Bertram's part, when the repositories of the deceased are opened." "Can you go?" said the Colonel. "I fear I cannot," replied Mac-Morlan; "I must attend a jury trial before our court." "Then I will go myself," said the Colonel; "I'll set out to-morrow. Sampson shall go with me--he is witness to this settlement. But I shall want a legal adviser?" "The gentleman that was lately Sheriff of this county is high in reputation as a barrister; I will give you a card of introduction to him."