CHAPTER II.
Comes me cranking in, And cuts me from the best of all my land A huge half-moon, a monstrous cantle, out Henry IV, Part 1.
The company in the parlour at Ellangowan consisted of the Laird and a sort of person who might be the village schoolmaster, or perhaps the minister's assistant; his appearance was too shabby to indicate the minister, considering he was on a visit to the Laird.
The Laird himself was one of those second-rate sort of persons that are to be found frequently in rural situations.

Fielding has described one class as feras consumere nati; but the love of field-sports indicates a certain activity of mind, which had forsaken Mr.Bertram, if ever he possessed it.

A good-humoured listlessness of countenance formed the only remarkable expression of his features, although they were rather handsome than otherwise.

In fact, his physiognomy indicated the inanity of character which pervaded his life.

I will give the reader some insight into his state and conversation before he has finished a long lecture to Mannering upon the propriety and comfort of wrapping his stirrup-irons round with a wisp of straw when he had occasion to ride in a chill evening.
Godfrey Bertram of Ellangowan succeeded to a long pedigree and a short rent-roll, like many lairds of that period.