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

DAVID BALFOUR 305
"It is what we have to speak of,'" said I, "and tlie
sooner yet the better. I can come by money in Ley-
den ; that will be all well. But the trouble is how
to dispose of you until your father come. I thought
last night you seemed a little sweir to part from me ? "
'' It will be more than seeming then," said she.
"You are a very young maid," said I, "and I am
but a very young callaut. This is a great piece of
difficulty. What way are we to manage ? Unless,
indeed, you could pass to be my sister ? "
"And what for no ? " said she, "if you would let
me !"
" I wish you were so, indeed ! " I cried. " I would
be a fine man if I had such a sister. But the rub is
that you are Catriona Drummond."
"And now I will be Catrine Balfour," she said.
"And who is to ken? They are all strange folk
here."
" If yol^ think that it would do," says I. "I own it
troubles me. I would like it very ill, if I advised you
at all wrong."
" David, I have no friend here but you," she said.
" The mere truth is, I am too young to be your
friend," said I. "I am too young to advise you, or
you to be advised. I see not what else we are to do,
and yet I ought to warn you."
" I will have no choice left," said she. " My father
James More has not used me very well, and it is not
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