gar me marry her when he turned up."

"Enough of this talk," said I. "I will take the young leddy among

better friends. Give me, pen, ink, and paper, and I will leave

here for James More the address of my correspondent in Leyden. He

can inquire from me where he is to seek his daughter."

This word I wrote and sealed; which while I was doing, Sprott of

his own motion made a welcome offer, to charge himself with Miss

Drummond's mails, and even send a porter for them to the inn. I

advanced him to that effect a dollar or two to be a cover, and he

gave me an acknowledgment in writing of the sum.

Whereupon (I giving my arm to Catriona) we left the house of this

unpalatable rascal. She had said no word throughout, leaving me to

judge and speak in her place; I, upon my side, had been careful not

to embarrass her by a glance; and even now, although my heart still

glowed inside of me with shame and anger, I made it my affair to

seem quite easy.

"Now," said I, "let us get back to yon same inn where they can

speak the French, have a piece of dinner, and inquire for

conveyances to Rotterdam. I will never be easy till I have you

safe again in the hands of Mrs. Gebbie."

"I suppose it will have to be," said Catriona, "though whoever will

be pleased, I do not think it will be her. And I will remind you

this once again that I have but one shilling, and three baubees."

"And just this once again," said I, "I will remind you it was a

blessing that I came alongst with you."

"What else would I be thinking all this time?" says she, and I

<<BackPagesTo menuNext>>
 
 

peking2008