explain our unceremonious visit; you had better have told her
all before."

The Laird informed Shanty that there was no need of going up to the
Tower to inform his aunt, as she and Tamar were gone that day over the
border to visit a friend; but added he, "I take your offer, Shanty, make
the bargain for me if you can, and I shall not appear till I am wanted
to sign and seal," and away marched the Laird nor was he forthcoming
again for some hours.

After he was gone, Shanty begged leave to have a few minutes given him
for washing his hands and face and making himself decent, and then
walked up with the testy old gentlemen to the castle. Little as Shanty
knew of the great and grand world, yet his heart misgave him, lest the
ruinous state of the castle, (although the Tower itself stood in its
ancient and undilapidated strength,) should so entirely disgust the
stranger that he should at once renounce all ideas of the purchase; he
was therefore much pleased when the old gentleman, having gone grumbling
and muttering into every room and every outhouse, crying, it is naught!
it is naught! as buyers generally do, bade Shanty tell the Laird that he
was going to the nearest town, that he should be there till the business
was settled, that he would give the fair valuation for the estate, and
that the payment should be prompt.

Shanty was, indeed astonished; he was all amazement, nor did he recover
himself, till he saw the old gentleman walk away, and get into his
carriage which was waiting on the other side of the moat, it not being
particularly convenient, on account of the total deficiency of anything
like a bridge or passable road? to bring a carriage larger than a
wheel-barrow up to the castle.