because of the smallness of the occasion.
She had not gone far, I assure you, before the Advocate was wholly
sober, to see his inmost politics ravelled out by a young lass and
discovered to the most unruly of his daughters. But we took him in hand,
the pair of us, and brought that matter straight. Properly managed--and
that means managed by me--there is no one to compare with my papa."

"He has been a good man to me," said I.

"Well, he was a good man to Katrine, and I was there to see to it," said
she.

"And she pled for me!" said I.

"She did that, and very movingly," said Miss Grant. "I would not like to
tell you what she said, I find you vain enough already."

"God reward her for it!" cried I.

"With Mr. David Balfour, I suppose?" says she.

"You do me too much injustice at the last!" I cried. "I would tremble to
think of her in such hard hands. Do you think I would presume, because
she begged my life? She would do that for a new whelped puppy! I have
had more than that to set me up, if you but ken'd. She kissed that hand
of mine. Ay, but she did. And why? because she thought I was playing a
brave part and might be going to my death. It was not for my sake, but I
need not be telling that to you that cannot look at me without laughter.
It was for the love of what she thought was bravery. I believe there is
none but me and poor Prince Charlie had that honour done them. Was this
not to make a god of me? and do you not think my heart would quake when
I remember it?"

"I do laugh at you a good deal, and a good deal more than is quite
civil," said she; "but I will tell you one thing: if you speak to her
like that, you have some glimmerings of a chance."

"Me?" I cried, "I would never dare. I can speak to you, Miss Grant,
because it's a matter of indifference what ye think of me. But her? no
fear!" said I.

"I think you have the largest feet in all broad Scotland," says she.

"Troth, they are no very small," said I, looking down.

"Ah, poor Catriona!" cried Miss Grant.

And I could but stare upon her; for though I now see very well what she
was driving at (and perhaps some justification for the same), I was
never swift at the uptake in such flimsy talk.

"Ah well, Mr. David," she said, "it goes sore against my conscience, but
I see I shall have to be your speaking board. She shall know you came to
her straight upon the news of her imprisonment; she shall know you would
not pause to eat; and of your convers