Fiction > Book editions > New York, 1893 - David Balfour

84 DAVID BALFOUR
" There is just where you are wrong,*' said I ; "for I
was as uncouth as a sea-fish upon the brae of a moun-
tain. The truth is that I am better fitted to go about
with rudas men than pretty ladies."
'• Well, I would think so too, at all events ! " said she,
at which we both of us laughed.
"It is a strange thing, now,'' said I. *'I am not
the least afraid with you, yet I could have run from
the Miss Grants. And I was afraid of your cousin
too."
"0, I think any man will be afraid of her/'' she
cried. " My father is afraid of her himself."
The name of her father brought me to a stop. I
looked at her as she walked by my side ; I recalled the
man, and the little I knew and the much I guessed of
him ; and comparing the one with the other, felt like a
traitor to be silent.
'* Speaking of which," said I, "I met your father no
later than this morning."
*' Did you ? " she cried, with a voice of joy that
seemed to mock at me. " You saw James More ? You
will have spoken with him, then ? "
*'T did even that," said I.
Then I think things went the worst way for me that
was humanly possible. She gave me a look of mere
gratitude. ''Ah, thank 3'ou for that ! " says she.
" You thank me for very little," said I, and then
stopped. But it seemed when I was holding back so