Scotland/Scots > Reminiscences of a Highland parish

200
A HIGHLAND PARISH.
ably married. All the pros and cons having been
set before her, Mary smiled, hung her head, pulled
her fingers until every joint cracked, and, after a
number of “ could not really say’s,” and “ really
did not know’s,” and “ wondered why he had asked
her,” and “ what was she to do,” &c., followed
by a few hearty tears, she left her mistress, and
left the impression that she would in due time
be Mrs Duncan Stewart. Her sister Peggy ap¬
peared on the scene, and, strange to say, urged
the suit with extraordinary vehemence. She
spoke not of love, but of honour, rank, position,
comfort, influence, as all shining around on the
Braes of Lochaber. Peggy never heard of the
shepherd; but had she done so, the knowledge
would have only moved her indignation. Dun¬
can’s cousinship made his courtship a sort of
family claim—a social right. It was not possible
that her sister would be so foolish, stupid, selfish,
as not to marry a rich man like Mr Stewart. Was
she to bring disgrace on herself and people by re¬
fusing him ? So Mary was too gentle for Peggy,
and she bent like a willow beneath the breeze of
her appeals. She would have given worlds to