"You are a very young maid," said I, "and I am but a very young

callant. This is a great piece of difficulty. What way are we to

manage? Unless indeed, you could pass to be my sister?"

"And what for no?" said she, "if you would let me!"

"I wish you were so, indeed," I cried. "I would be a fine man if I

had such a sister. But the rub is that you are Catriona Drummond."

"And now I will be Catriona Balfour," she said. "And who is to

ken? They are all strange folk here."

"If you think that it would do," says I. "I own it troubles me. I

would like it very ill, if I advised you at all wrong."

"David, I have no friend here but you," she said.

"The mere truth is, I am too young to be your friend," said I. "I

am too young to advise you, or you to be advised. I see not what

else we are to do, and yet I ought to warn you."

"I will have no choice left," said she. "My father James More has

not used me very well, and it is not the first time, I am cast upon

your hands like a sack of barley meal, and have nothing else to

think of but your pleasure. If you will have me, good and well.

If you will not"--she turned and touched her hand upon my arm--

"David, I am afraid," said she.

"No, but I ought to warn you," I began; and then bethought me I was

the bearer of the purse, and it would never do to seem too

churlish. "Catriona," said I, "don't misunderstand me: I am just

trying to do my duty by you, girl! Here am I going alone to this

strange city, to be a solitary student there; and here is this

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