Glancing wide over hill and dale, the fair bridal procession at last
reached the parish church, which they nearly filled; for, besides
domestics, above a hundred gentlemen and ladies were present upon the
occasion. The marriage ceremony was performed according to the rites
of the Presbyterian persuasion, to which Bucklaw of late had judged it
proper to conform.
On the outside of the church, a liberal dole was distributed to the poor
of the neighbouring parishes, under the direction of Johnie Mortheuch
[Mortsheugh], who had lately been promoted from his desolate quarters
at the Hermitage to fill the more eligible situation of sexton at
the parish church of Ravenswood. Dame Gourlay, with two of her
contemporaries, the same who assisted at Alice's late-wake, seated apart
upon a flat monument, or "through-stane," sate enviously comparing the
shares which had been allotted to them in dividing the dole.
"Johnie Mortheuch," said Annie Winnie, "might hae minded auld lang syne,
and thought of his auld kimmers, for as braw as he is with his new black
coat.
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