Guy ManneringThe tale was originally told me by an old servant of my father's, an excellent old Highlander, without a fault. He believed as firmly in the story as in any part of his creed. A grave and elderly person, according to old John MacKinlay's account, while traveling in the wilder parts of Galloway, was benighted. With difficulty he found his way to a country seat, where he was readily admitted. The owner of the house was much struck by the reverend appearance of his guest, and apologized to him for a certain degree of confusion which must unavoidably attend his reception. The lady of the house was, he said, confined to her apartment, and on the point of making her husband a father for the first time. Not so, sir, said the stranger; my wants are few, and easily supplied, and I trust the present circumstances may even afford an opportunity of showing my gratitude for your hospitality. Let me only request that I may be informed of the exact minute of the birth. I will not conceal from you that I am skillful in understanding and interpreting the movements of those planetary bodies which exert their influences on the destiny of mortals. competent estate, and only use the knowledge I possess for the benefit of those in whom I feel an interest... |
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Page ix
... Sampson is a somewhat exaggerated likeness of the good man who acted as tutor to Scott's own sons . Sir Walter's esteem had been gained by his conduct after an accident , which , as a boy at school , deprived him of a limb . He ...
... Sampson is a somewhat exaggerated likeness of the good man who acted as tutor to Scott's own sons . Sir Walter's esteem had been gained by his conduct after an accident , which , as a boy at school , deprived him of a limb . He ...
Page 12
... Sampson , commonly called , from his occupation as a pedagogue , Dominie Sampson . He was of low birth , but having evinced , even from his cradle , an uncommon seriousness of disposition , the poor parents were encouraged to hope that ...
... Sampson , commonly called , from his occupation as a pedagogue , Dominie Sampson . He was of low birth , but having evinced , even from his cradle , an uncommon seriousness of disposition , the poor parents were encouraged to hope that ...
Page 13
... Sampson either exhibited irritability at this ill usage , or made the least attempt to retort upon his tormenters . He slunk from college by the most secret paths he could discover , and plunged himself into his miserable lodging ...
... Sampson either exhibited irritability at this ill usage , or made the least attempt to retort upon his tormenters . He slunk from college by the most secret paths he could discover , and plunged himself into his miserable lodging ...
Page 14
... Sampson bore a disappointment which supplied the whole town with a week's sport . It would be endless even to mention the numerous jokes to which it gave birth , — from a ballad called " Sampson's Riddle , " written upon the subject by ...
... Sampson bore a disappointment which supplied the whole town with a week's sport . It would be endless even to mention the numerous jokes to which it gave birth , — from a ballad called " Sampson's Riddle , " written upon the subject by ...
Page 17
... Sampson , in a voice whose untuneable harshness corresponded with the awkwardness of his figure . They were the first words which Mannering had heard him speak ; and as he had been watching with some curiosity when this eating ...
... Sampson , in a voice whose untuneable harshness corresponded with the awkwardness of his figure . They were the first words which Mannering had heard him speak ; and as he had been watching with some curiosity when this eating ...
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Common terms and phrases
Allonby answered appearance auld Aweel bairn better called Captain castle character Charles Hazlewood Charlies-hope Colonel Mannering counsellor Dandie dear Derncleugh deyvil Dinmont Dirk Hatteraick Dominie Sampson door e'en Ellangowan eyes father favour fear feelings fellow frae gentleman gipsy Glossin gude Guy Mannering hand head heard honour hope horse Julia justice justice of peace Kennedy Kippletringan Laird land lawyer Liddesdale light look Lucy Bertram lugger Mac-Candlish Mac-Guffog Mac-Morlan mair Mannering's Matilda maun Merrilies Mervyn's mind Miss Bertram Miss Mannering morning muckle never night occasion ower person Pleydell poor Portanferry postilion prisoner replied round ruin Sampson scene Scotland Scottish seemed Singleside smugglers stranger supposed tell there's thought tion turned Vanbeest Brown voice Warroch weel window woman wood Woodbourne ye'll young Hazlewood young lady younker