From never seeing money in its own vulgar form, Lady Juliana had learned to consider it as a mere nominal thing; while, on the other hand, her husband, from seeing too much of it, had formed almost equally erroneous ideas of its powers.  By the mistake kindness of General Cameron he had been indulged in all the fashionable follies of the day, and allowed to use his patron’s ample fortune as if it had already been his own; nor was it until he found himself a prisoner at Glenfern from want of money that he had ever attached the smallest importance to it.  In short, both the husband and wife had been accustomed to look upon it in the same light as the air they breathed.  They knew it essential to life, and concluded that it would come some way or other; either from the east or west, north or south.  As for the vulgar concerns of meat and drink, servants’ wages, taxes, and so forth, they never found a place in the calculations of either.  Birthday dresses, fetes, operas, equipages, and state liveries whirled in rapid succession through Lady Juliana’s brain, while clubs, curricles, horses, and claret, took possession of her husband’s mind.

However much they differed in the proposed modes of showing off in London, both agreed perfectly in the necessity of going there, and Henry therefore hastened to inform his father of the change in his circumstances, and apprise him of his intention of immediately joining his regiment, the ——­ Guards.

“Seven hunder pound a year!” exclaimed the old gentleman; “Seven hunder pound!  O’ what can ye mak’ o’ a’ that siller?  Ye’ll surely lay by the half o’t to tocher your bairns.  Seven hunder pound a year for doing naething!”

Miss Jacky was afraid, unless they got some person of sense (which would not be an easy matter) to take the management of it, it would perhaps be found little enough in the long-run.

Miss Grlzzy declared it was a very handsome income, nobody could dispute that; at the same time, everybody must allow that the money could not have been better bestowed.

Miss Nicky observed “there was a great deal of good eating and drinking in seven hundred a year, if people knew how to manage it.”

All was bustle and preparation throughout Glenfern Castle, and the young ladies’ good-natured activity and muscular powers were again in requisition to collect the wardrobe, and pack the trunks, imperial, etc., of their noble sister.

Glenfern remarked “that fules war fond o’ flitting, for they seemed glad to leave the good quarters they were in.”

Miss Grizzy declared there was a great excuse for their being glad, poor things! young people were always so fond of a change; at the same time, nobody could deny but that it would have been quite natural for them to feel sorry too.

Miss Jacky was astonished how any person’s mind could be so callous as to think of leaving Glenfern without emotion.

Miss Nicky wondered what was to become of the christening cake she had ordered from Perth; it might be as old as the hills before there would be another child born amongst them.