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Updated: June 28, 2025
M'Catchley, much disturbed, and somewhat softened, for she was by no means a woman without feeling; indeed, she considered herself nervous. "Get all your friends all the company, in short-to come back into the tent for refreshments, for anything. I want to say a few words to them." "Bless me! Mr. Avenel a few words!" cried the widow, "but that's just what they're all afraid of.
He approached with a step less assured than usual, and, overhearing Leonard's talk, marvelled much at the boy's audacity. Mrs. M'Catchley had been speaking of Scotland and the Waverley Novels, about which Leonard knew nothing. But he knew Burns, and on Burns he grew artlessly eloquent. Burns the poet and peasant Leonard might well be eloquent on him. Mrs.
There is something in courage and candour in a word, in manliness that all women, the most worldly, do admire in men; and Richard Avenel, humbug though his conscience said he was, seemed to Mrs. M'Catchley like a hero. The host saw his triumph. "Now for another dance!" said he, gayly; and he was about to offer his hand to Mrs.
"Such a sweet poet-Burns!" said she, dropping her glass. "And it is so refreshing to find so much youthful enthusiasm," she added, pointing her fan towards Leonard, who was receding fast among the crowd. "Well, he is youthful, my nephew, rather green!" "Don't say green!" said Mrs. M'Catchley. Richard blushed scarlet. He was afraid he had committed himself to some expression low and shocking.
Richard Avenel, however, though by no means a credulous man, was an implicit believer in Mrs. M'Catchley. He had learned that she was a widow, and honourable by birth, and honourable by marriage, living on her handsome jointure, and refusing offers every day that she so lived. Somehow or other, whenever Richard Avenel thought of a wife, he thought of the Honourable Mrs. M'Catchley.
M'Catchley was amused and pleased with his freshness and naivete, so unlike anything she had ever heard or seen, and she drew him on and on till Leonard fell to quoting. And Richard heard, with less respect for the sentiment than might be supposed, that "Rank is but the guinea's stamp, The man's the gowd for a' that." "Well!" exclaimed Mr. Avenel.
"Hang the fellow!" said the colonel, intrenching himself in his stock, "he is coming here. Low and shocking what shall we do? Let us stroll on." But Richard threw himself in the way of the retreat. "Mrs. M'Catchley," said he, very gravely, and offering her his arm, "allow me three words with you." The poor widow looked very much discomposed. Mrs. Pompley pulled her by the sleeve.
"The colonel was trying this very day to guess what he is worth; but he says it is impossible to guess it." "And the young man is his heir?" "It is thought so; and reading for College, I hear. They say he is clever." "Present him, my love; I like clever people," said Mrs. M'Catchley, falling back languidly.
Richard still stood gazing into her face, with his arm extended. She hesitated a minute, and then took the arm. "Monstrous impudent!" cried the colonel. "Let Mrs. M'Catchley alone, my dear," responded Mrs. Pompley; "she will know how to give him a lesson." "Madam," said Richard, as soon as he and his companion were out of hearing, "I rely on you to do me a favour." "On me?"
After all, I can't have too little of relations till I have fairly secured Mrs. M'Catchley. An Honourable! I wonder if that makes me an Honourable too? This cursed Debrett contains no practical information on those points." The next morning the clothes and the watch with which Mr.
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