We go by the law, my good friend; we leave the gospel to you.' The very mention of this man's name had been of late a subject of the most violent irritation to the unfortunate patient.

The sound of his voice now produced an instantaneous effect.

Mr.Bertram started up without assistance and turned round towards him; the ghastliness of his features forming a strange contrast with the violence of his exclamations.--'Out of my sight, ye viper! ye frozen viper, that I warmed, till ye stung me! Art thou not afraid that the walls of my father's dwelling should fall and crush thee limb and bone?
Are ye not afraid the very lintels of the door of Ellangowan Castle should break open and swallow you up?
Were ye not friendless, houseless, penniless, when I took ye by the hand; and are ye not expelling me--me and that innocent girl--friendless, houseless, and penniless, from the house that has sheltered us and ours for a thousand years ?' Had Glossin been alone, he would probably have slunk off; but the consciousness that a stranger was present, besides the person who came with him (a sort of land-surveyor), determined him to resort to impudence.

The task, however, was almost too hard even for his effrontery--'Sir--sir--Mr.Bertram, sir, you should not blame me, but your own imprudence, sir--' The indignation of Mannering was mounting very high.

'Sir,' he said to Glossin, 'without entering into the merits of this controversy, I must inform you that you have chosen a very improper place, time, and presence for it.