But he that was minister here then, that's now in a better place, had an opinion that the bairn was only conveyed to fairy-land for a season.' The stranger had smiled slightly at some parts of this recital, but ere he could answer the clatter of a horse's hoofs was heard, and a smart servant, handsomely dressed, with a cockade in his hat, bustled into the kitchen, with 'Make a little room, good people'; when, observing the stranger, he descended at once into the modest and civil domestic, his hat sunk down by his side, and he put a letter into his master's hands.
'The family at Ellangowan, sir, are in great distress, and unable to receive any visits.' 'I know it,' replied his master.

'And now, madam, if you will have the goodness to allow me to occupy the parlour you mentioned, as you are disappointed of your guests--' 'Certainly, sir,' said Mrs.Mac-Candlish, and hastened to light the way with all the imperative bustle which an active landlady loves to display on such occasions.
'Young man,' said the Deacon to the servant, filling a glass, 'ye'll no be the waur o' this, after your ride.' 'Not a feather, sir; thank ye, your very good health, sir.' 'And wha may your master be, friend ?' 'What, the gentleman that was here?
that's the famous Colonel Mannering, sir, from the East Indies.' 'What, him we read of in the newspapers ?' 'Ay, ay, just the same.

It was he relieved Cuddieburn, and defended Chingalore, and defeated the great Mahratta chief, Ram Jolli Bundleman.

I was with him in most of his campaigns.' 'Lord safe us,' said the landlady; 'I must go see what he would have for supper; that I should set him down here!' 'O, he likes that all the better, mother.

You never saw a plainer creature in your life than our old Colonel; and yet he has a spice of the devil in him too.' The rest of the evening's conversation below stairs tending little to edification, we shall, with the reader's leave, step up to the parlour..