The Ayrshire Legatees

Mrs. Tod, the mother of Miss Isabella, a respectable widow lady, who had

quiescently joined the company, proposed that they should now drink

health, happiness, and all manner of prosperity, to the young couple; and

that nothing might be wanting to secure the favourable auspices of good

omens to the toast, she desired Miss Isabella to draw fresh bottles of

white and red. When all manner of felicity was duly wished in wine to

the captain and his lady, the party rose to seek their respective homes.

But a bustle at the street-door occasioned a pause. Mrs. Tod inquired

the matter; and three or four voices at once replied, that an express had

come from Garnock for Nanse Swaddle the midwife, Mrs. Craig being taken

with her pains. "Mr. Snodgrass," said Mrs. Glibbans, instantly and

emphatically, "ye maun let me go with you, and we can spiritualise on the

road; for I hae promis't Mrs. Craig to be wi' her at the crying, to see

the upshot--so I hope you will come awa."

It would be impossible in us to suppose, that Mr. Snodgrass had any

objections to spiritualise with Mrs. Glibbans on the road between Irvine

and Garnock; but, notwithstanding her urgency, he excused himself from

going with her; however, he recommended her to the special care and

protection of Mr. Micklewham, who was at that time on his legs to return

home. "Oh! Mr. Snodgrass," said the lady, looking slyly, as she

adjusted her cloak, at him and Miss Isabella, "there will be marrying and

giving in marriage till the day of judgment." And with these oracular

words she took her departure.