e sort. All I insist,
however, on my reader's believing is, that it showed, in a youth like
Robert, not less but more love that he could go against love's sweetness
for the sake of love's greatness. Literally, not figuratively, Robert
would kiss the place where her foot had trod; but I know that once he
rose from such a kiss 'to trace the hyperbola by means of a string.'

It had been arranged between Ericson and Robert, in Miss Napier's
parlour, the old lady knitting beside, that Ericson should start, if
possible, a week earlier than usual, and spend the difference with
Robert at Rothieden. But then the old lady had opened her mouth and
spoken. And I firmly believe, though little sign of tenderness passed
between them, it was with an elder sister's feeling for Letty's
admiration of the 'lan'less laird,' that she said as follows:--

'Dinna ye think, Mr. Ericson, it wad be but fair to come to us neist
time? Mistress Faukner, honest lady, an' lang hae I kent her, 's no sae
auld a frien' to you, Mr. Ericson, as oorsel's--nae offence to her, ye
ken. A'body canna be frien's to a'body, ane as lang 's anither, ye ken.'

''Deed I maun alloo, Miss Naper,' interposed Robert, 'it's only fair. Ye
see, Mr. Ericson, I cud see as muckle o' ye almost, the tae way as the
tither. Miss Naper maks me welcome as weel's you.'

'An' I will mak ye welcome, Robert, as lang's ye're a gude lad, as ye
are, and gang na efter--nae ill gait. But lat me hear o' yer doin' as
sae mony young gentlemen do, espeacially whan they're ta'en up by their
rich relations, an', public-hoose as this is, I'll close the door o' 't
i' yer face.'

'Bless me, Miss Naper!' said Robert, 'what hae I dune to set ye at me
that gait? Faith, I dinna ken what ye mean.'

'Nae mair do I, laddie. I hae naething against ye whatever. Only ye see
auld fowk luiks aheid, an' wad fain be as sure o' what's to come as o'
what's gane.'

'Ye maun bide for that, I doobt,' said Robert.

'Laddie,' retorted Miss Napier, 'ye hae mair sense nor ye hae ony richt
till. Haud the tongue o' ye. Mr. Ericson 's to come here neist.'

And the old lady laughed such good humour into her stocking-sole, that
the foot destined to wear it ought never to have been cold while it
lasted. So it was then settled; and a week before Robert was to start
for Aberdeen, Ericson walked into The Boar's Head. Half-an-hour after
that, Crookit Caumill was shown into the ga'le-room with the message to
Maister Robert th