Chapter 19

Now choose thee, gallant, betwixt wealth and honour;
There lies the pelf, in sum to bear thee through
The dance of youth, and the turmoil of manhood,
Yet leave enough for age's chimney-corner;
But an thou grasp to it, farewell ambition,
Farewell each hope of bettering thy condition,
And raising thy low rank above the churls
That till the earth for bread.
OLD PLAY.


It is necessary to dwell for some brief space on the appearance and
demeanour of young Glendinning, ere we proceed to describe his interview
with the Abbot of St. Mary's, at this momentous crisis of his life.

Halbert was now about nineteen years old, tall and active rather than
strong, yet of that hardy conformation of limb and sinew, which
promises great strength when the growth shall be complete, and the
system confirmed. He was perfectly well made, and, like most men who
have that advantage, possessed a grace and natural ease of manner and
carriage, which prevented his height from being the distinguished part
of his external appearance. It was not until you had compared his
stature with that of those amongst or near to whom he stood, that you
became sensible that the young Glendinning was upwards of six feet
high. In the combination of unusual height with perfect symmetry,
ease, and grace of carriage, the young heir of Glendearg,
notwithstanding his rustic birth and education, had greatly the
advantage even of Sir Piercie Shafton himself, whose stature was
lower, and his limbs, though there was no particular point to object
to, were on the whole less exactly proportioned. On the other hand,
Sir Piercie's very handsome countenance afforded him as decided an
advantage over the Scotsman, as regularity of features and brilliance
of complexion could give over traits which were rather strongly marked
than beautiful, and upon whose complexion the "skyey influences," to
which he was constantly exposed, had blended the red and white into
the purely nut-brown hue, which coloured alike cheeks, neck, and
forehead, and blushed only in a darker glow upon the former.--
Halbert's eyes supplied a marked and distinguished part of his
physiognomy. They were large and of a hazel colour, and sparkled in
moments of animation with such uncommon brilliancy, that it seemed as
if they actually emitted light. Nature had closely curled the locks of
dark-brown hair, which relieved and set off the features, such as we
have described them, displaying a bold and animated disposition, much
more than might have been expected from his situation, or from his
previous manners, which hitherto had seemed bashful, homely, and
awkward.

Halbert's dress was certainly not of that description which sets off
to the best