'My good girl, I wish I had you in my own house at Inverness (I am a quiet old bachelor), that I might teach you the folly of believing in such personages as St. Colme, and in these old remnants of popery and superstition, which warp the ideas of the people, and prevent the diffusion of a purer religion into these barbarous districts. Be assured, my dear girl, "that when religion is neglected," as the divine Blair says, "there can be no regular or steady practice of the duties of morality."'
'But how about my poor old uncle, sir?' she urged again, with tears in her eyes.
'Gillespie Ruadh is long—very long in arrear,' said Snaggs, pretending to consult his note-book, while squinting over it, at the pretty face that was so anxiously upturned to his; 'let me see—let me see—'
'In arrears?'
'Ay, heavily—not a payment has he made since Whitsunday was two years.'
'Alas! I know that,' said Minnie, beginning to weep.
'Now, don't spoil those pretty eyes of yours, Minnie—'
'What shall I tell my uncle?'
'Oho,' whispered Snaggs, over whose eyes there shot a strange and baleful gleam; 'he asked you to intercede with me?'
'Yes, sir,' replied Minnie, with hesitation.