Page:Guy Mannering Vol 1.djvu/231

Rh ,–pennyless,—when I took ye by the hand—and are ye not expelling me—me, and that innocent girl—friendless, houseless, and pennyless, from the house that has sheltered us and ours for a thousand years?"

Had Glossin been alone, he would probably have slunk off; but the consciousness that a stranger was present, besides the person who came with him (a sort of land-surveyor,) determined him to resort to impudence. The task, however, was almost too hard, even for his effrontery—"Sir—Sir—Mr Bertram—Sir, you should not blame me, but your own imprudence, sir" The indignation of Mannering was mounting very high. "Sir," he said to Glossin, "without entering into the merits of this controversy, I must inform you, that you have chosen a very improper place, time, and presence, for it. And you will oblige me by withdrawing without more words."