In the morning Colonel Mannering appeared at the Counsellor's
chambers, although cursing the raw air of a Scottish morning in
December. Mr. Pleydell had got Mrs. Rebecca installed on one side
of his fire, accommodated her with a cup of chocolate, and was
already deeply engaged in conversation with her. 'O no, I assure
you, Mrs. Rebecca, there is no intention to challenge your
mistress's will; and I give you my word of honour that your legacy
is quite safe. You have deserved it by your conduct to your
mistress, and I wish it had been twice as much.'

'Why, to be sure, sir, it's no right to mention what is said
before ane; ye heard how that dirty body Quid cast up to me the
bits o' compliments he gied me, and tell'd ower again ony loose
cracks I might hae had wi' him; now if ane was talking loosely to
your honour, there's nae saying what might come o't.'

'I assure you, my good Rebecca, my character and your own age and
appearance are your security, if you should talk as loosely as an
amatory poet.'

'Aweel, if your honour thinks I am safe--the story is just this.
Ye see, about a year ago, or no just sae lang, my leddy was
advised to go to Gilsland for a while, for her spirits were
distressing her sair. Ellangowan's troubles began to be spoken o'
publicly, and sair vexed she was; for she was proud o' her family.
For Ellangowan himsell and her, they sometimes 'greed and some
times no; but at last they didna 'gree at a' for twa or three
year, for he was aye wanting to borrow siller, and that was what
she couldna bide at no hand, and she was aye wanting it paid back
again, and that the Laird he liked as little. So at last they were