"These rascals, the post-nati, get the better of us of the old school at every turn," said Mr. Pleydell. "But she must convey and make over her interest in me to Lucy."
"To tell you the truth, I am afraid your flank will be turned there too," replied the Colonel.
"Indeed?"
"Here has been Sir Robert Hazlewood," said Mannering, "upon a visit to Bertram, thinking, and deeming, and opining—"
"O Lord I pray spare me the worthy Baronet's triads!"
"Well, sir," continued Mannering to make short, he conceived that as the property of Singleside lay like a wedge between two farms of his, and was four or five miles separated from Ellangowan, something like a sale, or exchange, or arrangement might take place. to the mutual convenience of both parties."
"Well, and Bertram—"
"Why, Bertram replied, that he considered the original settlement of Mrs. Margaret Bertram as the arrangement most proper in the circumstances of the family, and that therefore the estate of Singleside was the property of his sister."
"The rascal!" said Pleydell, wiping his spectacles, "he'll steal my heart as well as my mistress—Et puis?"
"And then, Sir Robert retired after many gracious speeches; but last week he again took the field in force, with his coach and six horses, his laced scarlet waistcoat, and best bob-wig—all very grand, as the good-boy books say."