iment to my
Catharine, were I to leave a poor creature to be starved to death, that
I might enjoy her company an hour sooner."

So saying, and hardening himself against all anticipations of the ill
consequences or scandal which might arise from such a measure, the manly
hearted smith resolved to set evil report at defiance, and give the
wanderer a night's refuge in his own house. It must be added, that
he did this with extreme reluctance, and in a sort of enthusiasm of
benevolence.

Ere our stout son of Vulcan had fixed his worship on the Fair Maid of
Perth, a certain natural wildness of disposition had placed him under
the influence of Venus, as well as that of Mars; and it was only the
effect of a sincere attachment which had withdrawn him entirely from
such licentious pleasures. He was therefore justly jealous of his
newly acquired reputation for constancy, which his conduct to this
poor wanderer must expose to suspicion; a little doubtful, perhaps, of
exposing himself too venturously to temptation; and moreover in despair
to lose so much of St. Valentine's Day, which custom not only permitted,
but enjoined him to pass beside his mate for the season. The journey to
Kinfauns, and the various transactions which followed, had consumed the
day, and it was now nearly evensong time.

As if to make up by a speedy pace for the time he was compelled to waste
upon a subject so foreign to that which he had most at heart, he strode
on through the Dominicans' gardens, entered the town, and casting his
cloak around the lower part of his face, and pulling down his bonnet to
conceal the upper, he continued the same celerity of movement through
bye streets and lanes, hoping to reach his own house in the Wynd without
being observed. But when he had continued his rate of walking for ten
minutes, he began to be sensible it might be too rapid for the young
woman to keep up with him. He accordingly looked behind him with a
degree of angry impatience, which soon turned into compunction, when
he saw that she was almost utterly exhausted by the speed which she had
exerted.

"Now, marry, hang me up for a brute," said Henry to himself. "Was my
own haste ever so great, could it give that poor creature wings? And she
loaded with baggage too! I am an ill nurtured beast, that is certain,
wherever women are in question; and always sure to do wrong when I have
the best will to act right.

"Hark thee, damsel; let me carry these things for thee.