Page:Guy Mannering Vol 3.djvu/322

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312
GUY MANNERING.

and borrow Dan Dunkieson's plated stirrups," and expressing, his regret, "that there was nae time to gie the nag a feed, that the young laird might ken his mettle," Bertram, taking the clergyman by the arm, walked into the vault, and shut the door immediately after them. He gazed in silence for some minutes upon the body of Meg Merrilies, as it lay before him, with the features sharpened by death, yet still retaining the stern and energetic character, which had maintained in life her superiority as the wild chieftainess of the lawless people amongst whom she was born. The young soldier dried the tears which involuntarily rose upon viewing this wreck, which might be said to have died a victim to her fidelity to his family, he then took the clergyman's hand, and asked solemnly, if she appeared able to give that attention to his devotions which befitted a departing person?

"My dear sir," said the good minister;