her
courage, and I was afraid that her intelligence would be found to match.
Certainly, Miss Flora had to support some shrewd looks, and certainly
she had been troubled. I could see but the one way before me; to profit
by an excellent bed, to try to sleep soon, to be stirring early, and to
hope for some renewed occasion in the morning. To have said so much and
yet to say no more, to go out into the world upon so half-hearted a
parting, was more than I could accept.

It is my belief that the benevolent fiend sat up all night to balk me.
She was at my bedside with a candle long ere day, roused me, laid out
for me a damnable misfit of clothes, and bade me pack my own (which were
wholly unsuited to the journey) in a bundle. Sore grudging, I arrayed
myself in a suit of some country fabric, as delicate as sackcloth and
about as becoming as a shroud; and, on coming forth, found the dragon
had prepared for me a hearty breakfast. She took the head of the table,
poured out the tea, and entertained me as I ate with a great deal of
good sense and a conspicuous lack of charm. How often did I not regret
the change!--how often compare her, and condemn her in the comparison,
with her charming niece! But if my entertainer was not beautiful, she
had certainly been busy in my interest. Already she was in communication
with my destined fellow-travellers; and the device on which she had
struck appeared entirely suitable. I was a young Englishman who had
outrun the constable; warrants were out against me in Scotland, and it
had become needful I should pass the border without loss of time, and
privately.

"I have given a very good account of you," said she, "which I hope you
may justify. I told them there was nothing against you beyond the fact
that you were put to the horn (if that is the right word) for debt."

"I pray God you have the expression incorrectly, ma'am," said I. "I do
not give myself out for a person easily alarmed; but you must admit
there is something barbarous and mediaeval in the sound well qualified to
startle a poor foreigner."

"It is the name of a process in Scots Law, and need alarm no honest
man," said she. "But you are a very idle-minded young gentleman; you
must still have your joke, I see: I only hope you will have no cause to
regret it."

"I pray you not to suppose, because I speak lightly, that I do not feel
deeply," said I. "Your kindness has quite conquered me; I lay myself at
your disposition, I beg you