But hark ye, Lovel;--you are a quiet, gentle-tempered lad; had not you better set up your staff at Monkbarns for a month or two, since I conclude you do not immediately intend to leave this country ?--I will have a door opened out to the garden--it will cost but a trifle--there is the space for an old one which was condemned long ago--by which said door you may pass and repass into the Green Chamber at pleasure, so you will not interfere with the old man, nor he with you.

As for your fare, Mrs.Hadoway tells me you are, as she terms it, very moderate of your mouth, so you will not quarrel with my humble table.

Your washing"-- "Hold, my dear Mr.Oldbuck," interposed Lovel, unable to repress a smile; "and before your hospitality settles all my accommodations, let me thank you most sincerely for so kind an offer--it is not at present in my power to accept of it; but very likely, before I bid adieu to Scotland, I shall find an opportunity to pay you a visit of some length." Mr.Oldbuck's countenance fell.

"Why, I thought I had hit on the very arrangement that would suit us both,--and who knows what might happen in the long run, and whether we might ever part?
Why, I am master of my acres, man--there is the advantage of being descended from a man of more sense than pride--they cannot oblige me to transmit my goods chattels, and heritages, any way but as I please.

No string of substitute heirs of entail, as empty and unsubstantial as the morsels of paper strung to the train of a boy's kite, to cumber my flights of inclination, and my humours of predilection.