Blair Collection > Popular tales of the West Highlands > Volume 1

282 WEST HIGHLAND TALES.
to France, and then he went to Spain, and all over the
world, but he could not find the lady he had seen in
his sleep. At last he came to London, and he had
spent all his money, and his clothes were worn, and he
did not know what he should do for a night's lodging.
Well, as he was wandering about the streets, whom
should he see but a quiet-looking respectable old
woman ; and he spoke to her ; and, from less to more,
he told her all that had happened to him ; and she
was well pleased to see a countryman, and she said,
" I, too, am a Highland woman, though I am in
this town." And she took him to a small house that
.she had, and she gave him meat and clothes.
And she said, " Go out now and take a walk ;
maybe thou mayest see here in one day what thou
mightest not see in a year."
On the next day he was out taking a walk about the
town, and he saw a woman at a window, and he knew
her at once, for she was the lady he had seen in his
sleep, and he went back to the old woman.
" How went it with thee this day, Gael Ì " said
she.
" It went well," said he.
" Oh, I have seen the lady I saw in my sleep,"
said he. And he told her all about it.
Then the old woman asked about the house and the
street ; and when she knew — " Thou hast seen her,"
said she. "That is all thou wilt see of her. That is
the daughter of the Bailie of London ; but I am her
foster mother, and I would be right glad if she would
marry a countryman of my own. Now, do thou go
out on the morrow, and I will give thee fine highland
clothes, and thou wilt find the lady walking in such a
street ; herself and three maidens of company will go
out together ; and do thou tread on her gown ; and