mount, our Carrick, and our Snowdown?—Let the strangers be placed at our board, and regaled as beseemeth their quality, and this our high holiday–to-morrow we will hear their tidings."
"So please you, my liege, to-morrow's Sunday," said one of the company.
"Sunday, is it? then we will give no offence to the assembly of the kirk—on Monday shall be their audience."
Mannering, who had stood at first uncertain whether to advance or retreat, now resolved to enter for the moment into the whim of the scene, though internally fretting at Mac-Morlan for sending him to consult with a crack-brained humourist. He therefore advanced with three profound congees, and craved permission to lay his credentials at the feet of the Scottish monarch, in order to be perused at his best leisure. The gravity with which he accommodated himself to the humour of the moment, and the deep and humble inclination with which he at
