blunt question, 'And what's to come o' this poor lassie then,
Jenny Gibson? Sae mony o' us as thought oursells sib to the family
when the gear was parting, we may do something for her amang us
surely.'

This proposal seemed to dispose most of the assembly instantly to
evacuate the premises, although upon Mr. Protocol's motion they
had lingered as if around the grave of their disappointed hopes.
Drumquag said, or rather muttered, something of having a family of
his own, and took precedence, in virtue of his gentle blood, to
depart as fast as possible. The tobacconist sturdily stood forward
and scouted the motion--'A little huzzie like that was weel eneugh
provided for already; and Mr. Protocol at ony rate was the proper
person to take direction of her, as he had charge of her legacy';
and after uttering such his opinion in a steady and decisive tone
of voice, he also left the place. The buck made a stupid and
brutal attempt at a jest upon Mrs. Bertram's recommendation that
the poor girl should be taught some honest trade; but encountered
a scowl from Colonel Mannering's darkening eye (to whom, in his
ignorance of the tone of good society, he had looked for applause)
that made him ache to the very backbone. He shuffled downstairs,
therefore, as fast as possible.

Protocol, who was really a good sort of man, next expressed his
intention to take a temporary charge of the young lady, under
protest always that his so doing should be considered as merely
eleemosynary; when Dinmont at length got up, and, having shaken
his huge dreadnought great-coat, as a Newfoundland dog does his
shaggy hide when he comes out of the water, ejaculated, 'Weel,
deil hae me then, if ye hae ony fash wi' her, Mr. Protocol, if she