"
Through all this raillery there was something indulgent in the
lady's eye which made me suppose there might be better coming.
"You take a pleasure to torment me," said I, "and I make a very
feckless plaything; but let me ask you to be more merciful. At
this time there is but the one thing that I care to hear of, and
that will be news of Catriona."
"Do you call her by that name to her face, Mr. Balfour?" she asked.
"In troth, and I am not very sure," I stammered.
"I would not do so in any case to strangers," said Miss Grant.
"And why are you so much immersed in the affairs of this young
lady?"
"I heard she was in prison," said I.
"Well, and now you hear that she is out of it," she replied, "and
what more would you have? She has no need of any further
champion."
"I may have the greater need of her, ma'am," said I.
"Come, this is better!" says Miss Grant. "But look me fairly in
the face; am I not bonnier than she?"
"I would be the last to be denying it," said I. "There is not your
marrow in all Scotland."
"Well, here you have the pick of the two at your hand, and must
needs speak of the other," said she.
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