But
do you know, Mr. David? this seems to me a very enterprising lass.
She crops up from every side. The Government of Scotland appears
unable to proceed for Mistress Katrine Drummond, which was somewhat
the case (no great while back) with a certain Mr. David Balfour.
Should not these make a good match? Her first intromission in
politics--but I must not tell you that story, the authorities have
decided you are to hear it otherwise and from a livelier narrator.
This new example is more serious, however; and I am afraid I must
alarm you with the intelligence that she is now in prison."
I cried out.
"Yes," said he, "the little lady is in prison. But I would not
have you to despair. Unless you (with your friends and memorials)
shall procure my downfall, she is to suffer nothing."
"But what has she done? What is her offence?" I cried.
"It might be almost construed a high treason," he returned, "for
she has broke the king's Castle of Edinburgh."
"The lady is much my friend," I said. "I know you would not mock
me if the thing were serious."
"And yet it is serious in a sense," said he; "for this rogue of a
Katrine--or Cateran, as we may call her--has set adrift again upon
the world that very doubtful character, her papa.
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