Mr. O'Rourke, conceiving himself by his marriage not merely the heir but the rightful proprietor of the Etterick fortune, had chosen to assume the state and importance he considered befitting such a character. Being naturally arrogant and overbearing, he treated Etterick with an insolence and contempt which he could not bear. This deportment rather gave a shake to the laird's new religion, which, hastily built, and on a very slight foundation, had never been secure. Moreover he happened to get an insight into the preacher's real dispositions and morals, and had evidence which he could not possibly doubt, that this saint, like many other saints, was a profligate sinner. This discovery (being a quiet and peaceable man) he did not communicate to the females of the family; but, renouncing Methodism, he immediately repaired to his old friend
