Echoes of the 18th Century. 93 



been more ready, and besides he knew she would have had the 

 consent of all her friends. She told him she never had a court- 

 ship with Mr Veitch, that she liked Mr Veitch much better than 

 the man who was seeking her, and were he on the place, and 

 would take her yet, she would marry him and not Gordon. All 

 this was told to me by Lady Halkerton and Mrs Baillie ; Mrs 

 Baillie adding, as of herself, that she wished you was on the 

 place, it would be in your power to put a stop to the marriage 

 with Gordon. I told her she had many times given me such hints 

 about Lady Harriott in former times, and that I thought it very 

 improper to take notice of it, that Lady Harriott deserved a 

 better match and a younger man ; that for my own part I 

 wished Lady Harriott very well, and if my brother and her had 

 been pleased, I should have been pleased also. Mrs Baillie then 

 expatiated on her good qualities, how well Lady Harriott loved 

 you ; that she was sure, were you here, she would instantly 

 marry you without conditions, and let you make them yourself 

 afterwards. I told her I had never spoke in particular with my 

 brother with regard to Lady Harriott, and could not tell what 

 you thought of her ; but I thought you and she was not well 

 enough acquainted to go so rashly into a marriage, and that your 

 circumstances had not been what would have been felt suitable 

 for the lady. This and every objection I could make, such as 

 her coqueting and hanging on every fellow she met with. Mrs 

 Baillie made light of it, and said it was through the innocence of 

 her heart, and for sport, that she diverted herself with these sort 

 of folk. This conversation only happened on Thursday. Yester- 

 day I went to dine with Miss Preston. I came home at six at 

 night, when Mrs Baillie was in the house almost as soon as 

 myself, and fell immediately on the story, all of which I answered 

 as before. But how was I surprised in about half an hour to 

 see Lady Harriott come in, as it seems it had been concocted 

 between them. She had not mentioned iier story to me, but 

 now she fell to it directly, insomuch that I was quite ashamed of 

 lier. She repeated all Mrs Baillie had said before, and asked if I 

 thought you would accept of her 'I She would allow me to write 

 you the story, and would put delays to the other till Wednesday 

 week, which was the return of this post ; and if you should 

 refuse her, she would theiT go on with the other. Did you ever 

 hear such a story, and how am I to put it to be civil and not tell 

 her my mind 1 However, I did the best I could, and told her if 



