incompetent.

It was a wonder to many that she had married - seeming so wholly of the

stuff that makes old maids. But chance cast her in the path of Adam

Weir, then the new Lord-Advocate, a recognised, risen man, the conqueror

of many obstacles, and thus late in the day beginning to think upon a

wife. He was one who looked rather to obedience than beauty, yet it

would seem he was struck with her at the first look. "Wha's she?" he

said, turning to his host; and, when he had been told, "Ay," says he,

"she looks menseful. She minds me - "; and then, after a pause (which

some have been daring enough to set down to sentimental recollections),

"Is she releegious?" he asked, and was shortly after, at his own

request, presented. The acquaintance, which it seems profane to call a

courtship, was pursued with Mr. Weir's accustomed industry, and was long

a legend, or rather a source of legends, in the Parliament House. He

was described coming, rosy with much port, into the drawing-room,

walking direct up to the lady, and assailing her with pleasantries, to

which the embarrassed fair one responded, in what seemed a kind of

agony, "Eh, Mr. Weir!" or "O, Mr. Weir!" or "Keep me, Mr. Weir!" On the

very eve of their engagement, it was related that one had drawn near to

the tender couple, and had overheard the lady cry out, with the tones of

one who talked for the sake of talking, "Keep me, Mr. Weir, and what

became of him?" and the profound accents of the suitor reply, "Haangit,

mem, haangit." The motives upon either side were much debated. Mr.

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