And I
daresay inclination pulled me very strong.
A little beyond the Hague she fell very lame and made the rest of
the distance heavily enough. Twice she must rest by the wayside,
which she did with pretty apologies, calling herself a shame to the
Highlands and the race she came of, and nothing but a hindrance to
myself. It was her excuse, she said, that she was not much used
with walking shod. I would have had her strip off her shoes and
stockings and go barefoot. But she pointed out to me that the
women of that country, even in the landward roads, appeared to be
all shod.
"I must not be disgracing my brother," said she, and was very merry
with it all, although her face told tales of her.
There is a garden in that city we were bound to, sanded below with
clean sand, the trees meeting overhead, some of them trimmed, some
preached, and the whole place beautified with alleys and arbours.
Here I left Catriona, and went forward by myself to find my
correspondent. There I drew on my credit, and asked to be
recommended to some decent, retired lodging. My baggage being not
yet arrived, I told him I supposed I should require his caution
with the people of the house; and explained that, my sister being
come for a while to keep house with me, I should be wanting two
chambers.
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