“But he talked so sensibly, sir,” continued Miss Brodie; “he spoke even of marriage as plain as a man could speak. ‘Miss Peggy,’ said he, ‘do you remember what Mr Dumdrone, the minister, said last Sabbath? He said marriage was made in heaven; and he said that Solomon, the wisest of men, expressly said, in the Proverbs, he that getteth a good wife getteth a good thing’—Was not that plain speaking, Mr Balgownie?”
“Nothing could be plainer, Miss Peggy; but I’m interested in your story.”
“Weel, sir, he came home to the door wi’ me, and—it’s not for me to tell the endearments that passed between us!—So, sir, I went to sleep wi’ a light heart, an’ was for several days considering and contriving about our marriage, when—what do you think?—in three weeks, word was brought to me that the false and cruel man was married to Jess Barbour!”
“Bless me, Miss Brodie, what a woful story! It’s just like a romance?”
“So it is, Mr Balgownie,” said Miss Peggy, all blubbered with weeping. “It’s perfect romantic. Ye see, sir, what trials I had in love! But you’re not going away in that manner, sir?”
“Oh, yes, Miss Brodie,” said I, taking my hat; “I’m not able to stand it any longer.”
“You’re a feeling man,” said she, shaking me by the hand; “you’re a man o’ sweet feeling, Mr Balgownie.”
“You’re an ill-used woman, Miss Brodie!—Adieu, Miss Brodie!”—The Dominie’s Legacy.
THE DEATH OF A PREJUDICE.
By Thomas Aird.