Scotland/Scots > Wilson's tales of the Borders and of Scotland > Volume 3

176
TALES OP THE BOKDERS.
at length an almost confidential tone. To a person of a
romantic disposition, Jones’ conversation was in a high de¬
gree fascinating ; and his companion in this delightful walk
did not conceal the pleasure with which she listened to it.
His candour and unreserve she admired; his misfortunes
she commiserated; and, with much that he said she could
not fail to be both interested and flattered. Nevertheless,
she avoided any word by which she thought she might
give encouragement to his hopes; while he, on the other
hand, although freely expressing his passion, was careful
to avoid a syllable which might lead her to believe that,
in his present disgrace and poverty, he presumed to the
honour of her hand. After wandering about for some time,
their souls melting into each other, Miss Manners could
not resist inviting him into the house to rest. Scarcely,
however, had they seated themselves in the parlour, when
Mr. Manners appeared. He entered with rather a hasty
step, and his manner was a good deal agitated. On per¬
ceiving Jones, he bowed to him, then turning to his
daughter—
“My child!” he said.
“What is it?” inquired Miss Manners, in a tone of
alarm.
“ Have you,” he continued, “ forgotten my injunctions ?”
Miss Manners cast her eyes on the ground, and seemed
displeased at being taken to task before a stranger.
Jones, observing her embarrassment, said—
“ Sir, I shall be sorry if my presence here should occa¬
sion you any uneasiness. Believe me, I am the last person
in the world to intrude where I am not welcome. It
will, no doubt, cost me a pang, sir; but if it be your wish
that I should not see your daughter more, I shall try to
tear my heart from her—I shall go and hide myself in
obscurity, and endeavour to forget all I have most loved
in this world! ”