Collected works > Edinburgh edition, 1894-98 - Works of Robert Louis Stevenson > Volume 26, 1897 - Romances, Volume VII

THE GREAT NORTH ROAD
CHAPTER I
NANCE AT THE GREEN DRAGON
Nance Hold away was on her knees before the fire
blowing the green wood that voluminously smoked
upon the dogs, and only now and then shot forth a
smothered flame ; her knees already ached and her
eyes smarted, for she had been some while at this
ungrateful task, but her mind was gone far away to
meet the coming stranger. Now she met him in
the wood, now at the castle gate, now in the kitchen
by candle-light ; each fresh presentment eclipsed the
one b'efore ; a form so elegant, manners so sedate, a
countenance so brave and comely, a voice so win-
ning and resolute — sure such a man was never seen !
The thick- coming fancies poured and brightened in
her head like the smoke and flames upon the hearth.
Presently the heavy foot of her uncle Jonathan
was heard upon the stair, and as he entered the
room she bent the closer to her work. He glanced
at the green fagots with a sneer, and looked
askance at the bed and the white sheets, at the
strip of carpet laid, like an island, on the great
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