Page:Guy Mannering Vol 1.djvu/95

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GUY MANNERING.
85

CHAPTER Vl.

——Next the Justice,
With fair round belly, with good capon lined,
With eyes severe, and beard of formal cut,
Full of wise saws, and modern instances:
And so he plays his part.——

When Mrs Bertram of Ellangowan was able to hear the news of what had passed during her confinement, her apartment rung with all manner of gossiping respecting the handsome young student from Oxford, who had told such a fortune by the stars to the young Laird, "blessings on his dainty face." The form, accent, and manners, of the stranger, were expatiated upon. His horse, bridle, saddle, and stirrups, did not remain unnoticed. All this made a great impression upon the mind of Mrs Bertram, for the good lady had no small store of superstition.