The Ayrshire Legatees

Mrs. Glibbans received this letter between the preachings, and it was

observed by all her acquaintance during the afternoon service, that she

was a laden woman. Instead of standing up at the prayers, as her wont

was, she kept her seat, sitting with downcast eyes, and ever and anon her

left hand, which was laid over her book on the reading-board of the pew,

was raised and allowed to drop with a particular moral emphasis,

bespeaking the mournful cogitations of her spirit. On leaving the

church, somebody whispered to the minister, that surely Mrs. Glibbans had

heard some sore news; upon which that meek, mild, and modest good soul

hastened towards her, and inquired, with more than his usual kindness,

How she was? Her answer was brief and mysterious; and she shook her head

in such a manner that showed him all was not right. "Have you heard

lately of your friends the Pringles?" said he, in his sedate

manner--"when do they think of leaving London?' "I wish they may ever get out o't," was the agitated reply of the

afflicted lady.

"I am very sorry to hear you say so," responded the minister. "I thought

all was in a fair way to an issue of the settlement. I'm very sorry to

hear this."

"Oh, sir," said the mourner, "don't think that I am grieved for them and

their legacy--filthy lucre--no, sir; but I have had a letter that has

made my hair stand on end. Be none surprised if you hear of the earth

opening, and London swallowed up, and a voice crying in the wilderness,

'Woe, woe.'"

The gentle priest was much surprised by this information; it was evident

that Mrs. Glibbans had received a terrible account of the wickedness of

London; and that the weight upon her pious spirit was owing to that

cause. He, therefore, accompanied her home, and administered all the

consolation he was able to give; assuring her, that it was in the power

of Omnipotence to convert the stony heart into one of flesh and

tenderness, and to raise the British metropolis out of the miry clay, and

place it on a hill, as a city that could not be hid; which Mrs. Glibbans

was so thankful to hear, that, as soon as he had left her, she took her

tea in a satisfactory frame of mind, and went the same night to Miss

Mally Glencairn to hear what Mrs. Pringle had said to her. No visit ever

happened more opportunely; for just as Mrs. Glibbans knocked at the door,

Miss Isabella Tod made her appearance. She had also received a letter

from Rachel, in which it will be seen that reference was made likewise to

Mrs. Pringle's epistle to Miss Mally.