“If you think me a spy,” I broke out, and speech stuck in my throat.  I stood and looked murder at the old lady for a space, then bowed and turned away.

“Here!  Hoots!  The callant’s in a creel!” she cried.  “Think ye a spy? what else would I think ye—­me that kens naething by ye?  But I see that I was wrong; and as I cannot fight, I’ll have to apologise.  A bonny figure I would be with a broadsword.  Ay! ay!” she went on, “you’re none such a bad lad in your way; I think ye’ll have some redeeming vices.  But, oh, Davit Balfour, ye’re damned countryfeed.  Ye’ll have to win over that, lad; ye’ll have to soople your back-bone, and think a wee pickle less of your dainty self; and ye’ll have to try to find out that women-folk are nae grenadiers.  But that can never be.  To your last day you’ll ken no more of women-folk than what I do of sow-gelding.”

I had never been used with such expressions from a lady’s tongue, the only two ladies I had known, Mrs. Campbell and my mother, being most devout and most particular women; and I suppose my amazement must have been depicted in my countenance, for Mrs. Ogilvy burst forth suddenly in a fit of laughter.

“Keep me!” she cried, struggling with her mirth, “you have the finest timber face—­and you to marry the daughter of a Hieland cateran!  Davie, my dear, I think we’ll have to make a match of it—­if it was just to see the weans.  And now,” she went on, “there’s no manner of service in your daidling here, for the young woman is from home, and it’s my fear that the old woman is no suitable companion for your father’s son.  Forbye that I have nobody but myself to look after my reputation, and have been long enough alone with a sedooctive youth.  And come back another day for your saxpence!” she cried after me as I left.

My skirmish with this disconcerting lady gave my thoughts a boldness they had otherwise wanted.  For two days the image of Catriona had mixed in all my meditations; she made their background, so that I scarce enjoyed my own company without a glint of her in a corner of my mind.  But now she came immediately near; I seemed to touch her, whom I had never touched but the once; I let myself flow out to her in a happy weakness, and looking all about, and before and behind, saw the world like an undesirable desert, where men go as soldiers on a march, following their duty with what constancy they have, and Catriona alone there to offer me some pleasure of my days; I wondered at myself that I could dwell on such considerations in that time of my peril and disgrace; and when I remembered my youth I was ashamed.  I had my studies to complete; I had to be called into some useful business; I had yet to take my part of service in a place where all must serve; I had yet to learn, and know, and prove myself a man; and I had so much sense as blush that I should be already tempted with these further-on and holier delights and duties.  My education spoke home to me sharply; I was never brought up on sugar biscuits, but on the hard food of the truth.  I knew that he was quite unfit to be a husband who was not prepared to be a father also; and for a boy like me to play the father was a mere derision.