It was so now; but the more
part melted away incontinent until but three were left. One was a
girl; she was dressed like a lady, and had a screen of the Drummond
colours on her head; but her comrades or (I should say) followers
were ragged gillies, such as I had seen the matches of by the dozen
in my Highland journey. They all spoke together earnestly in
Gaelic, the sound of which was pleasant in my ears for the sake of
Alan; and, though the rain was by again, and my porter plucked at
me to be going, I even drew nearer where they were, to listen. The
lady scolded sharply, the others making apologies and cringeing
before her, so that I made sure she was come of a chief's house.
All the while the three of them sought in their pockets, and by
what I could make out, they had the matter of half a farthing among
the party; which made me smile a little to see all Highland folk
alike for fine obeisances and empty sporrans.
It chanced the girl turned suddenly about, so that I saw her face
for the first time. There is no greater wonder than the way the
face of a young woman fits in a man's mind, and stays there, and he
could never tell you why; it just seems it was the thing he wanted.
She had wonderful bright eyes like stars, and I daresay the eyes
had a part in it; but what I remember the most clearly was the way
her lips were a trifle open as she turned. And, whatever was the
cause, I stood there staring like a fool. On her side, as she had
not known there was anyone so near, she looked at me a little
longer, and perhaps with more surprise, than was entirely civil.
It went through my country head she might be wondering at my new
clothes; with that, I blushed to my hair, and at the sight of my
colouring it is to be supposed she drew her own conclusions, for
she moved her gillies farther down the close, and they fell again
to this dispute, where I could hear no more of it.
I had often admired a lassie before then, if scarce so sudden and
strong; and it was rather my disposition to withdraw than to come
forward, for I was much in fear of mockery from the womenkind. You
would have thought I had now all the more reason to pursue my
common practice, since I had met this young lady in the city
street, seemingly following a prisoner, and accompanied with two
very ragged indecent-like Highlandmen. But there was here a
different ingredient; it was plain the girl thought I had been
prying in her secrets; and with my new clothes and sword, and at
the top of my new fortunes, this was more than I could swallow.
The beggar on horseback could not bear to be thrust down so low,
or, at least of it, not by this young lady.
I followed, accordingly, and took off my new hat to her the best
that I was able.
"Madam," said I, "I think it only fair to myself to let you
understand I have no Gaelic. It is true I was listening, for I
have friends of my own across the Highland line, and the sound of
that tongue comes friendly; but for your private affairs, if you
had spoken Greek, I might have had more guess at them."
She made me a little, distant curtsey. "There is no harm done,"
said she, with a pretty accent, most like the English (but more
agreeable). "A cat may look at a king."
"I do not mean to offend," said I. "I have no skill of city
manners; I never before this day set foot inside the doors of
Edinburgh. Take me for a country lad--it's what I am; and I would
rather I told you than you found it out."
"Indeed, it will be a very unusual thing for strangers to be
speaking to each other on the causeway," she replied. "But if you
are landward {2} bred it will be different. I am as landward as
yourself; I am Highland, as you see, and think myself the farther
from my home."
"It is not yet a week since I passed the line," said I. "Less than
a week ago I was on the braes of Balwhidder."
"Balwhither?" she cries. "Come ye from Balwhither! The name of it
makes all there is of me rejoice.