‘I am sure you have yourself experienced,’ replied Robina, ‘what it is to entertain a true affection, and to know that our wishes and inclinations are not under our own control.--How would you have liked had your father forced you to marry a man against your will?’ ‘Lassie, lassie!’ exclaimed the Leddy, ‘if ye live to be a grandmother like me, ye’ll ken the right sense o’ a lawful and tender affection. But there’s no sincerity noo like the auld sincerity, when me and your honest grandfather, that was in mine, and is noo in Abraham’s bosom, came thegither--we had no foistring and parleyvooing, like your novelle turtle-doves--but discoursed in a sober and wise-like manner anent the cost and charge o’ a family; and the upshot was a visibility of solid cordiality and kindness, very different, Beenie, my dear, frae the puff-paste love o’ your Clarissy Harlots.’ ‘Ah! but your affection was mutual from the beginning--you were not perhaps devoted to another?’ ‘Gude guide us, Beenie Walkinshaw! are ye devoted to another?--Damon and Phillis, pastorauling at hide and seek wi’ their sheep, was the height o’ discretion, compared wi’ sic curdooing. My lass, I’ll let no grass grow beneath my feet, till I hae gi’en your father notice o’ this loup-the-window, and hey cockalorum-like love.’ ‘Impossible!’ exclaimed the young lady; ‘you will never surely be so rash as to betray me?’ ‘Wha is’t wi’--But I need na speer; for I’ll be none surprised to hear that it’s a play-actor, or a soldier officer, or some other clandestine poetical.’ Miss possessed more shrewdness than her grandmother gave her credit for, and perceiving the turn and tendency of their conversation, she exerted all her address to remove the impression which she had thus produced, by affecting to laugh, saying,-- ‘What has made you suppose that I have formed any improper attachment? I was only anxious that you should speak to my father, and try to persuade him that I can never be happy with my cousin.’ ‘How can I persuade him o’ ony sic havers? or how can ye hope that I would if it was in my power--when ye know what a comfort it will be to us a’, to see such a prudent purpose o’ marriage brought to perfection?--Na, na, Beenie, ye’re an instrument in the hands o’ Providence to bring aboot a great blessing to your family; and I would be as daft as your uncle Watty, when he gaed out to shoot the flees, were I to set mysel an adversary to such a righteous ordinance--so you maun just mak up your mind to conform. My word, but ye’re weel an to be married in your teens--I was past thirty before man speer’t my price.’ ‘But,’ said Robina, ‘you forget that James himself has not yet consented--I am sure he is devoted to Ellen Frazer--and that he will never consent.’