unwearable, and the fourth I tied in a ‘beau-knot’ in despair.  The frill o’ my sark-breast wadna lie in the position in which I wanted it!  For the first time my very hair rose in rebellion—­it wadna lie right; and I cried, ’The mischief tak’ the barber!’ The only part o’ my dress wi’ which I was satisfied, was a spotless pair o’ nankeen pantaloons.  I had a dog they ca’ed Mettle—­it was a son o’ poor Rover, that I mentioned to ye before, Weel, it had been raining through the night, and Mettle had been out in the street.  The instinct o’ the poor dumb brute was puzzled to comprehend the change that had recently taken place in my appearance and habits, and its curiosity was excited.  I was sitting before the looking-glass, and had just finished tying my cravat, when Mettle cam bouncing into the room; he looked up in my face inquisitively, and, to unriddle mair o’ the matter, placed his unwashed paws upon my unsoiled nankeens.  Every particular claw left its ugly impression.  It was provoking beyond endurance.  I raised my hand to strike him, but the poor brute wagged his tail, and I only pushed him down, saying, ‘Sorrow tak’ ye, Mettle, do ye see what ye’ve dune?’ So I had to gang to the kitchen fire and stand before it to dry the damp, dirty footprints o’ the offender.  I then found that the waistcoat wadna sit without wrinkles, such as I had ne’er seen before upon a waistcoat o’ mine.  The coat, too, was insupportably tight below the arms; and, as I turned half round before the glass, I saw that it hung loose between the shouthers!  ’As sure as a gun,’ says I, ‘the stupid soul o’ a tailor has sent me hame the coat o’ a humph-back in a mistak’!’ My hat was fitted on in every possible manner, ower the brow and aff the brow, now straight, now cocked to the right side and again to the left, but to no purpose; I couldna place it to look like mysel’, or as I wished.  But half-past eight chimed frae St. Giles’.  I had ne’er before spent ten minutes to dress, shaving included, and that morning I had begun at seven!  There was not another moment to spare; I let my hat fit as it would, seized my gloves, and rushed down stairs, and up to the Lawnmarket, where I knocked joyfully at the door o’ my bonny bride.

“When we were about to depart for the chapel, the auld leddy rose to gie us her blessing, and placed Jeannie’s hand within mine.  She shed a few quiet tears (a common circumstance wi’ mithers on similar occasions); and ‘Now, Jeannie,’ said she, ’before ye go, I have just anither word or twa to say to ye’—­

“‘Dearsake, ma’am!’ said I, for I was out o’ a’ patience, ’we’ll do very weel wi’ what we’ve heard just now, and ye can say onything ye like when we come back.’