n the second day! From Hawick we had the most lovely
moonlight, making the river like silver and the fields like snow.
Oh Scotland, bonny, bonny Scotland, dearest and loveliest of lands!
if ever I love thee less than I do now, may I be punished by living
far from thee.

MINTO, _August_ 30, 1840

A great party to Church. Many eyes turned on Lord John as we walked
from it. He was much amused by the remark of one man: "Lord John's
a silly [17] looking man, but he's smart, too!"--which he, of
course, would have understood as an Englishman. In the evening he
gave me a poem he had composed on the subject of my letter from
Lancaster to Mrs. Law [18] announcing ourselves for the next
day.... In the morning [September 1] Lord John begged to sit in our
sitting-room with us.... I told him the library would be more
comfortable, and we were established there (he very kindly reading
the "Lay" aloud), when two Hawick Bailiffs arrived to present him
with the freedom of the town.... After dinner, Miss Lister asked me
so many questions chiefly relating to marrying, that I began to
believe that Lord John's great kindness to us all, but especially
to me, meant something more than I wished. I lay awake, wondering,
feeling sure, and doubting again.

[17] Delicate.

[18] Housekeeper.

MINTO, _September_ 2, 1840

Lord John, Miss Lister, Addy and I went to Melrose Abbey and
Abbotsford.... It was his last evening, and in wishing me good-bye
he said quite enough to make me tell Mama all I thought.... I could
see that she was very glad I did not like him in that way. I am
sure I do in every other.

MINTO, _September_ 3, 1840

Lord John set off before seven this morning. I dreamed about him
and waked about him all night.... Mama gave me a note from Lord
John to me which he had left.... I wrote my answer immediately,
begging him not to come back; but also telling him how grateful I
feel. Had a long talk and walk with Miss Lister, whose _great_
kindness makes it all more painful to me.

Lady Fanny wrote to her sister, Lady Mary Abercromby:

A proposal from Lord John Russell is at this moment lying before
me. I see it lying, and I write to you that it is there, but yet I
do not believe it, nor shall I ever.... Good, kind Miss Lister
positively worships him.

MINTO, _September_ 4,