"As my Bombshell saith, marriage is an honourable and godly estate——"
"But a deuced poor one, sometimes, Mr. Ichabod. I am about to be married to Lilian, of Bruntisfield, and thou shalt espouse us, because the citizens hold thee to be their first preacher, and it will increase my influence among them."
"But, my Lord," began Mr. Ichabod, bowing.
"But me nothing—'tis my non-attendance at kirk and my old tricks you aim at—pho! I am a thorough Reformado—but, Mr. Ichabod, hast never a drop of wine about thee?—'tis a hot forenoon."
"My dwelling contains nothing but water, and it is a plack the runlet in these dear years; but, my Lord," continued the divine, after sundry gasps and contortions of visage, "if I lend all my influence to render popular this intended espousal, whilk I perceive to be the main object of your visit, may I crave your Lordship's favour in another particular?"
"Command me in all things save my purse, for 'tis a mere vacuum, if thy philosophy will admit of such a thing. Say forth, my Apostle!"
"I love the maiden called Meinie Elshender—yea, I love her powerfully with the carnal love of this world, and the maiden is not altogether indisposed to view me favourably."
"Zounds!" said Clermistonlee, while the minister looked complacently down on his long spindle shanks; "in the name of mischief, who is Meinie Elshender?"
"Handmaiden to the young Madam Lilian, who views me as an abomination——"
"By all the devils, thou shalt have her, bongré, malgré, and after I am fairly wedded, the best kirk in the Lothians to boot—even should I make Juden shoot the present incumbent."