Ossian Collection > Romance of the Highlands

244
THE ROMANrE OF THE HIGHLANDS.
His attentions soon became more marked, and though not
actually engaged, thev already were by heart. Her own
words on the matter were — "I resolved to accept the love
of no man while Allan MacDonald was single ; no
promise was given, but my heart was pledged."
Flora had received a good education, which was an
accomplishment not neglected in even the more remote
of the islands. vShe had studied under a governess, and
appears to have attended a select school for young ladies
in Old Stamp Close, Edinburgh. She could both sing
and play. In appearance she was reported as having "a
graceful person, a good complexion, regular features,
mixed with majesty in her countenance, her deportment
rather graver than becomes her years." Dr. Johnson
described her as "a pleasing person with elegant
behaviour." She, no doubt, gratified the vanity of that
ponderous individual with her greeting that she felt
herself honoured by his visit. Boswell wrote that she
was "a little woman of genteel appearance, and
uncommonly mild and well bred." The Lyon in
Mourning gives it that her behaviour in company was so
easy, modest and well adjusted, that her action caused
much surprise, for she had never been out of the islands
till about a year before the Prince arrived. Her portraits
present her as a pleasing young lady. She had been well
brought up in moderately comfortable circumstances,
which helped to mould her character. Environment has
much to do in making the individual, though it is really
the individual who makes the environment. As Dr.
Johnson wrote, on rising out of Prince Charlie's bed,
"With virtue weighed, what worthless trash is gold."
Flora had gone to consult the wife of Clanranald
at Ormadale as to whether she had better return to Skye,
owing to the disturbed state of South Uist consequent
on so many of the militia searching the island. It was