THE MANSE AND ITS INMATES. 25 



and appreciating her worth. He certainly would have preferred that 

 a greater share of literary attainments had placed her more upon an 

 equality with himself as a companion; but he liked her so well that 

 when he quitted Larch Hills for Edinburgh with Mr. Maitland, in 

 November, it was a settled thing, and understood by all the family 

 that when he took possession of the manse of Kirkfillan she stood 

 pledged to become his wife. 



When this event took place Ruth had about half completed her 

 twenty-sixth year, and, as the session already mentioned was the last 

 that Mr. Maitland attended in Edinburgh, both she and Mr. M'Neil 

 had ample time to ascertain whether continued domestic association 

 was likely to increase or diminish their regard for each other. With 

 so much real excellence on both sides the latter was scarcely to be 

 apprehended ; and Ruth's meek and affectionate disposition soon 

 led her to pay as much deference to the tastes and opinions of her 

 future husband as if he already held that character. Nor had Mr. 

 M'Neil the want of sense to hold her cheap on that account ; he 

 honoured alike the purity that thought not of concealment and the 

 confidence that was above suspecting misconstruction. 



The living of Kirkfillan was worth something more than three 

 hundred a year, and Mr. M'Neil was possessed of the sum of one 

 thousand pounds advantageously invested, which he was able to leave 

 untouched, because Ruth wa* mistress of three hundred pounds, which 

 she was anxious should be employed in furnishing the marine, a neat 

 and commodious dwelling-house, though neither spacious nor mo- 

 dern. 



And how became Ruth possessed of this sum ? for, though she en- 

 joyed at Larch Hills the liberal salary of one hundred guineas per 

 annum, her whole receipts during the seven years and a half in which 

 she had relied upon her own exertions did not amount to four hun- 

 dred pounds. By economy, Miss Crofts' legacy, and the active kind- 

 nesss of Mrs. Somerive. That lady had soon penetrated the charac- 

 ters and understood the conduct of the Watsons ; and, stating that she 

 had sometimes opportunities of employing money to advantage, had 

 offered to take the management of Ruth's savings, and to be answer- 

 able for their security. No objection could be openly made to such 

 an offer, and it was accordingly acted upon. 



Lady Maitland took her daughters and Ruth to Edinburgh for a 

 fortnight, where the latter procured the few additions she thought 

 necessary to her wardrobe, and purchased such articles of furniture 

 as could be better or more reasonably procured there than at the 

 county town. The young ladies stocked her poultry-yard, and their 

 mamma her linen-press. Mrs. Somerive sent a dinner and tea set, 

 and her parents a silver coffee-pot. The Hursts contributed many 

 little articles, more ornamental perhaps than useful, but showing good 

 will. Mr. Maitland presented his tutor with an excellent horse, and 

 Sir Kenneth made valuable additions to his library. 



The warm and well-merited attachment of Flora and Diana to 

 their governess was not to be satisfied with the little offering already 

 mentioned ; and it was equally demonstrative of the strength of their 

 regard and the delicacy of their feelings that at their instigation it 



