But you may be well assured that the wedding cannot go on till the affair of Palm Sunday be over; and I advise you to take no step till we learn the circumstances of the matter, for certainty is most desirable, even when it is painful.

Go you to the council house," he added, after a pause, "to speak about the preparations for the lists in the North Inch?
You will be welcome there." "No, my good lord." "Well, Smith, I judge by your brief answer that you are discomposed with this matter; but, after all, women are weathercocks, that is the truth on't.

Solomon and others have proved it before you." And so Sir Patrick Charteris retired, fully convinced he had discharged the office of a comforter in the most satisfactory manner.
With very different impressions did the unfortunate lover regard the tidings and listen to the consoling commentary.
"The provost," he said bitterly to himself, "is an excellent man; marry, he holds his knighthood so high, that, if he speaks nonsense, a poor man must hold it sense, as he must praise dead ale if it be handed to him in his lordship's silver flagon.

How would all this sound in another situation?
Suppose I were rolling down the steep descent of the Corrichie Dhu, and before I came to the edge of the rock, comes my Lord Provost, and cries: 'Henry, there is a deep precipice, and I grieve to say you are in the fair way of rolling over it.

But be not downcast, for Heaven may send a stone or a bush to stop your progress.