Mr Pleydell now dismissed Mrs Rebecca. When she was gone, « I think I know the gypsey woman," said the lawyer. " <«< I was just going to say the same,» replied Mannering. << And her name," said Pleydell—— « Is Meg Merrilies,» answered the Colonel. " Are you avised of that ?» said the counsellor, looking at his military friend with a comic expression of surprise. Mannering answered, that he had known such a woman when he was at Ellangowan twentyfive years before; and then made his learned friend acquainted with all the remarkable particulars of his first visit there. Mr Pleydell listened with great attention, and then replied, << I congratulated myself upon having made the acquaintance of a profound theologian in your chaplain, but I really did not expect to find a pupil of Albumazar or Messahala in his patron. — I have a notion, however, this gypsey could tell us some more of the matter than she derives from astrology or second sight—I had her through hands once, and could then make little of her, but I must write to MacMorlan to stir heaven and earth to find her out.-I will gladly come to-shire myself to assist at her examination-I am still in the commission of the peace there, though I have ceased to be sheriff-I never had any thing more at heart in my life than tracing that murder, and the fate of the child. I must write to the Sheriff of Roxburgh S C W fo I a ad te shire too, and to an active justice of peace in Cumberland.» << I hope when you come to the country you will make Woodbourne your head quarters ?>> Certainly; I was afraid you were going to forbid me—but we must go to breakfast now, or I shall be too late."> On the following day the new friends parted, and the Colonel rejoined his family without any adventure worthy of being detailed in these chap ters. END OF VOLUME SECOND. |