The Porteous Riot, which occurred in Edinburgh during the reign of George II, is the historical rallying point of this story of Scotch middle life. The narrative, however, harks back several months and also extends forward some years; the present argument, therefore, will be more intelligible if it gives the facts in their proper order, rather than as set forth in the opening chapters of the novel.
David Deans, an honest but stern old Scotch Covenanter and farmer, marries twice in the course of his life, and by each wife has a daughter—Jeanie being some ten years older than her half-sister, Effie. Jeanie has two suitors—a childhood's playmate, Reuben Butler, now a university graduate and candidate for the ministry; and the dull Laird of Dumbiedikes, who is content to come month in and month out and merely look his admiration. Effie grows up into beautiful girlhood, being called the "Lily of St. Leonard's," but is willful and spoiled. Her sister Jeanie has little control over the motherless girl, who secretly frequents dances and other gatherings abhorred by her father ...
