The faces of two or three giggling clerks were visible at the barred casements of which we have spoken, much amused at the descent of an old lady from this respectable carriage, whose dress and appearance might possibly have been fashionable at the time when her equipage was new.

A satin cardinal, lined with grey squirrels' skin, and a black silk bonnet, trimmed with crape, were garments which did not now excite the respect, which in their fresher days they had doubtless commanded.

But there was that in the features of the wearer, which would have commanded Mr.Bindloose's best regard, though it had appeared in far worse attire; for he beheld the face of an ancient customer, who had always paid her law expenses with the ready penny, and whose accompt with the bank was balanced by a very respectable sum at her credit.

It was, indeed, no other than our respected friend, Mrs.Dods of the Cleikum Inn, St.Ronan's, Aultoun.
Now her arrival intimated matter of deep import.

Meg was a person of all others most averse to leave her home, where, in her own opinion at least, nothing went on well without her immediate superintendence.
Limited, therefore, as was her sphere, she remained fixed in the centre thereof; and few as were her satellites, they were under the necessity of performing their revolutions around her, while she herself continued stationary.