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

806 DAVID BALFOUK
the first time. I am cast upon your hands like a sack
of barley meal, and have nothing else to think of but
your pleasure. If you will have me, good and well.
If you will not " — she turned and touched her hand
upon my arm — " David, I am afraid," said she.
" No, but I ought to warn you," I began ; and then
bethought me that I was the bearer of the purse, and
it would never do to seem too churlish. " Catriona,"
said I, " don't misunderstand me : I am just trying to
do my duty by you, girl ! Here am I going alone to
this strange city, to be a solitary student there ; and
here is this chance arisen that you might dwell with
me a bit, and be like my sister : you can surely under-
stand this much, my dear, that I would just love to
have you ? "
"Well, and here I am," said she. '"'So that's soon
settled."
I know I was in duty bound en to have spoke more
plain. I know this was a great blot on my character
for which I was lucky that I did not pay more dear.
But I minded how easy her delicacy had been startled
with a word of kissing her in Barbara's letter ; now
that she depended on me, how was I to be more bold ?
Besides, the truth is, I could see no other feasible
method to dispose of her. And I daresay inclination
pulled me very strong.
A little beyond the Hague she fell very lame and
made the rest of the distance heavily enough. Twice