This coup d'aeil, which still subsists in a certain degree, was then more imposing, owing to the uninterrupted range of buildings on each side, which, broken only at the space where the North Bridge joins the main street, formed a superb and uniform place, extending from the front of the Lucken-booths to the head of the Canongate, and corresponding in breadth and length to the uncommon height of the buildings on either side.
Mannering had not much time to look and to admire.

His conductor hurried him across this striking scene, and suddenly dived with him into a very steep paved lane.

Turning to the right, they entered a scale staircase, as it is called, the state of which, so far as it could be judged of by one of his senses, annoyed Mannering's delicacy not a little.

When they had ascended cautiously to a considerable height, they heard a heavy rap at a door, still two stories above them.

The door opened, and immediately ensued the sharp and worrying bark of a dog, the squalling of a woman, the screams of an assaulted cat, and the hoarse voice of a man, who cried in a most imperative tone, 'Will ye, Mustard?
Will ye?
down, sir, down!' 'Lord preserve us!' said the female voice, 'an he had worried our cat, Mr.Pleydell would ne'er hae forgi'en me!' 'Aweel, my doo, the cat's no a prin the waur.