Guy Mannering

Guy Mannering, a novel by Sir W. Scott, published 1815.

The story, set in the 18th century, narrates the fortunes of Harry Bertram, son of the laird of Ellangowan in Dumfriesshire, who is kidnapped as a child and carried to Holland at the instigation of a dishonest lawyer, Glossin, who hopes to acquire the Ellangown estate on easy terms if there is no male heir. Bertram, ignorant of his parentage, goes to India as Vanbeest Brown, joins the army and serves with distinction under Colonel Guy Mannering. He is suspected by Mannering of paying attentions to his wife, is wounded by him in a duel and left for dead. In reality, Bertram loves Julia, Mannering's daughter. Recovering from his wound, he follows her to Ellangowan. Glossin, who has seized the Ellangowan estate, is alarmed by the possibility that Bertram may learn the secret of his parentage. He plots with Dirk Hatteraick, the smuggler who kidnapped him as a child, to carry him off again and kill him. But Bertram is recognised by an old gipsy, Meg Merrilies, who had loved him as a child and, despite having been evicted from the estate by Bertram's father with all her clan, devotes herself to securing his restoration. She frustrates the plot, with the help of Dandie Dinmont, a sturdy Lowland farmer, but loses her own life. Hatteraick and Glossin are captured and Hatteraick, after murdering Glossin in prison, kills himself. Bertram is restored to his property, reconciled with Mannering, and marries Julia.