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"For God's sake!" I cried, "for God's sake, what is this that I
have done?" and carried my fists to my temples. "What made me do
it? Sure, I am bewitched to say these things!"
"In the name of heaven, what ails you now!" she cried.
"I gave my honour," I groaned, "I gave my honour and now I have
broke it. O, Catriona!"
"I am asking you what it is," she said; "was it these things you
should not have spoken? And do you think I have no honour, then?
or that I am one that would betray a friend? I hold up my right
hand to you and swear."
"O, I knew you would be true!" said I. "It's me--it's here. I
that stood but this morning and out-faced them, that risked rather
to die disgraced upon the gallows than do wrong--and a few hours
after I throw my honour away by the roadside in common talk!
'There is one thing clear upon our interview,' says he, 'that I can
rely on your pledged word.' Where is my word now? Who could
believe me now? You could not believe me. I am clean fallen down;
I had best die!" All this I said with a weeping voice, but I had
no tears in my body.


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