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

DAVID BALFOUR 307
she must rest by the wuysido, which she did with pretty
apologies, calling herself a shame to the Highlands and
the race she came of, and nothing but a hindrance to
myself. It was her excuse, she said, that she was not
much used with walking shod. I would have had her
strip off her shoes and stockings and go barefoot. But
she pointed out to me that the women of that country,
even in the landward roads, appeared to be all shod.
"I must not be disgracing my brother," said she,
and was very merry with it all, although her face told
tales of her.
Tliere is a garden in that city we were bound to,
sanded below with clean sand, the trees meeting over-
head, some of them trimmed, some pleached, and the
whole place beautified with alleys and arbours. Hei'e I
left Catriona, and went forward by myself to find my
correspondent. There I drew on my credit, and asked
to be recommended to some decent, retired lodging.
My baggage not being yet arrived, I told him I sup-
posed I should require his caution with the people of
the house ; and explained that, my sister being come
for a while to keep house with me, I should be wanting
two chambers. This was all very well ; but the
trouble was that Mr. Balfour in his letter of recom-
mendation had condescended on a great deal of partic-
ulars, and never a word of any sister in the case. I
could see my Dutchman was extremely suspicious ; and
viewing me over the rims of a great paii- of spectacles —