Yet Mrs.Scott was not devoid of spirit and self-control.

For instance, when Mr.Jeffrey, having reviewed _Marmion_ in the _Edinburgh_ in that depreciating and omniscient tone which was then considered the evidence of critical acumen, dined with Scott on the very day on which the review had appeared, Mrs.Scott behaved to him through the whole evening with the greatest politeness, but fired this parting shot in her broken English, as he took his leave,--"Well, good night, Mr.Jeffrey,--dey tell me you have abused Scott in de _Review_, and I hope Mr.Constable has paid you very well for writing it." It is hinted that Mrs.Scott was, at the time of Scott's greatest fame, far more exhilarated by it than her husband with his strong sense and sure self-measurement ever was.

Mr.Lockhart records that Mrs.Grant of Laggan once said of them, "Mr.Scott always seems to me like a glass, through which the rays of admiration pass without sensibly affecting it; but the bit of paper that lies beside it will presently be in a blaze, and no wonder." The bit of paper, however, never was in a blaze that I know of; and possibly Mrs.Grant's remark may have had a little feminine spite in it.

At all events, it was not till the rays of misfortune, instead of admiration, fell upon Scott's life, that the delicate tissue paper shrivelled up; nor does it seem that, even then, it was the trouble, so much as a serious malady that had fixed on Lady Scott before Sir Walter's troubles began, which really scorched up her life.

That she did not feel with the depth and intensity of her husband, or in the same key of feeling, is clear.