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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.


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