t at night, my poor
Charlot?"

"And now, mistress," said the smith, not churlishly, for it was not in
his nature, but bluntly, as one who is desirous to finish a disagreeable
employment, "which way lies your road?"

Louise looked on the ground and was silent. On being again urged to say
which way she desired to be conducted, she again looked down, and said
she could not tell.

"Come--come," said Henry, "I understand all that: I have been a
galliard--a reveller in my day, but it's best to be plain. As matters
are with me now, I am an altered man for these many, many months; and
so, my quean, you and I must part sooner than perhaps a light o' love
such as you expected to part with--a likely young fellow."

Louise wept silently, with her eyes still cast on the ground, as one
who felt an insult which she had not a right to complain of. At length,
perceiving that her conductor was grown impatient, she faltered out,
"Noble sir--"

"Sir is for a knight," said the impatient burgher, "and noble is for
a baron. I am Harry of the Wynd, an honest mechanic, and free of my
guild."

"Good craftsman, then," said the minstrel woman, "you judge me harshly,
but not without seeming cause. I would relieve you immediately of my
company, which, it may be, brings little credit to good men, did I but
know which way to go."

"To the next wake or fair, to be sure," said Henry, roughly, having no
doubt that this distress was affected for the purpose of palming
herself upon him, and perhaps dreading to throw himself into the way
of temptation; "and that is the feast of St. Madox, at Auchterarder. I
warrant thou wilt find the way thither well enough."

"Aftr--Auchter--" repeated the glee maiden, her Southern tongue in vain
attempting the Celtic accentuation. "I am told my poor plays will not be
understood if I go nearer to yon dreadful range of mountains."

"Will you abide, then, in Perth?"

"But where to lodge?" said the wanderer.

"Why, where lodged you last night?" replied the smith. "You know where
you came from, surely, though you seem doubtful where you are going?"

"I slept in the hospital of the convent. But I was only admitted upon
great importunity, and I was commanded not to return."

"Nay, they will never take you in with the ban of the Douglas upon you,
that is even too true. But the Prince mentioned Sir John Ramorny's; I
can take you to his lodgings through bye streets, though it is short of
an honest burgher's office,