was really overcome, and could not keep my gravity, but laughed loud
out among the graves, and in the face of all my people; who, seeing
how I was vanquished in that unguarded moment by my enemy, made a
universal and most unreverent breach of all decorum, at which Miss
Betty, who had been the cause of all, ran into the first open door,
and almost fainted away with mortification.

This affair was regarded by the elders as a sinful trespass on the
orderlyness that was needful in the Lord's house; and they called on
me at the manse that night, and said it would be a guilty connivance
if I did not rebuke and admonish Lady Macadam of the evil of her
way; for they had questioned daft Jenny, and had got at the bottom
of the whole plot and mischief. But I, who knew her ladyship's
light way, would fain have had the elders to overlook it, rather
than expose myself to her tantrums; but they considered the thing as
a great scandal, so I was obligated to conform to their wishes. I
might, however, have as well stayed at home, for her ladyship was in
one of her jocose humours when I went to speak to her on the
subject; and it was so far from my power to make a proper impression
on her of the enormity that had been committed, that she made me
laugh, in spite of my reason, at the fantastical drollery of her
malicious prank on Miss Betty Wudrife.

It, however, did not end here; for the session, knowing that it was
profitless to speak to the daft mother and daughter, who had been
the instruments, gave orders to Willy Howking, the betheral, not to
let them again so far into the kirk; and Willy, having scarcely more
sense than them both, thought proper to keep them out next Sunday
altogether. The twa said nothing at the time, but the adversary was
busy with them; for, on the Wednesday following, there being a