But this was not for long.  As I beheld her so regardless of her own interests, which I had jeopardised and was now endeavoring to recover, I redoubled my own boldness in the manner of a lesson to the girl.  The more she came forward, the further I drew back; the more she betrayed the closeness of our intimacy, the more pointedly civil I became, until even her father (if he had not been so engrossed with eating) might have observed the opposition.  In the midst of which, of a sudden, she became wholly changed, and I told myself, with a good deal of relief, that she had took the hint at last.

All day I was at my classes or in quest of my new lodging; and though the hour of our customary walk hung miserably on my hands, I cannot say but I was happy on the whole to find my way cleared, the girl again in proper keeping, the father satisfied or at least acquiescent, and myself free to prosecute my love with honour.  At supper, as at all our meals, it was James More that did the talking.  No doubt but he talked well, if anyone could have believed him.  But I will speak of him presently more at large.  The meal at an end, he rose, got his great coat, and looking (as I thought) at me, observed he had affairs abroad.  I took this for a hint that I was to be going also, and got up; whereupon the girl, who had scarce given me greeting at my entrance, turned her eyes on me wide open, with a look that bade me stay.  I stood between them like a fish out of water, turning from one to the other; neither seemed to observe me, she gazing on the floor, he buttoning his coat:  which vastly swelled my embarrassment.  This appearance of indifferency argued, upon her side, a good deal of anger very near to burst out.  Upon his, I thought it horribly alarming; I made sure there was a tempest brewing there; and considering that to be the chief peril, turned towards him and put myself (so to speak) in the man’s hands.

“Can I do anything for you, Mr. Drummond?” says I.

He stifled a yawn, which again I thought to be duplicity.  “Why, Mr. David,” said he, “since you are so obliging as to propose it, you might show me the way to a certain tavern” (of which he gave the name) “where I hope to fall in with some old companions in arms.”

There was no more to say, and I got my hat and cloak to bear him company.

“And as for you,” he says to his daughter, “you had best go to your bed.  I shall be late home, and Early to bed and early to rise, gars bonny lasses have bright eyes."

Whereupon he kissed her with a good deal of tenderness, and ushered me before him from the door.  This was so done (I thought on purpose) that it was scarce possible there should be any parting salutation; but I observed she did not look at me, and set it down to terror of James More.