Stand Fast, Craig-Royston! (Volume II)

gay and animated; for the wintry sunlight was shining on the big shop-fronts, and on the busy pavements, and on the open carriages that rolled by with their occupants gorgeous in velvet and silk an

e heed to the passers-by; he was singing alo

cks at the p

wind blaws fr

des by the

leave my bo

ught by a window, or rather a series of windows, c

se varied wares and fabrics, "couldn't you-

dfather?"

rms, to my thinking-and-and as you are going to call on him for the first time, you might show him you are not ashamed of your country. Isn't there something there, Maisrie?" he continued, still regardin

be Scotch, grandfather, whe

angry: he

ou are not Scotch? Where got you your name? What is your lineage-your blood-your right and title to the lands of Balloray and Ballingean? And I may see you there yet, Maisrie; I may see you there yet. S

marching along, with fearless eye and undaunted

t the roar o

langer wis

' war that's

g thee, my

angular-boned man, who had shrewd grey eyes that were also good-humoured. Much too good-humoured they were in Maisrie's estimation, when they chanced to regard her grandfather: they seemed to convey a sort of easy patronage, almost a

e tall, raw-boned, newspaper proprietor, eyeing this proud-featured old man with a not unkindly scrutiny, was referring to the

rtune next time. By the way, there is another little circumstance connected with that book-perhaps I should not mention it-but I

at Maisrie began to lis

rk; and he went on to explain that as certain things had happened to prevent your bringing it out, he wished to be allowed to refund the money. Oh, yes, a very generous offer; for all was to be done in t

"And Vincent never told me a word," she was saying to herself, with her heart beating warm and fast. But t

t fell cruelly on Maisrie's ear, "still less to pay money for me on the ass

he did not pay any money at all. I did not allow him. I said 'Thank you; but this is a private arrangement between Mr. Bethune and myself; and if he co

material-the finest in the world!-the elemental passions, the tragic situations that are far removed from any literary form or fashion, that go straight to the heart and the imagination. Each of them a splendid text!" he proceeded, with an ever-increasing enthusiasm. "Think of Edom o' Gordon, and the Wife of Usher's Well, and the Baron o' Brackla; Annie of Lochryan, Hynde Etin, the piteous cry of 'Helen of Kirkconnell,' and the Rose of Yarrow seeking her slain lover by bank and brae. And what could be more interesting than the col

ul eye she l

ith laughte

nd impossible. But turn to our Scottish version! When Sir John Graeme o' the West Countrie, lying sore sick, sends for his swee

ind, young ma

ed wine ye

e healths gae r

ted Barba

possible cruelty; but a quarrel between two fond lovers that becomes suddenly

his face u

was with h

eu, my dear

to Barba

is the story of a tragic quarrel between two true lovers: it is not the im

s latest scheme, would have gone on to give further instances of the value of collation and comparison, but that Mr. Carm

on of a Scotch paper; and I will give you carte blanche as to the number of articles. Who knows," he added, with a co

were leaving, he said in

the question of terms, especially before a young

with you: quite," interposed the

ire a good deal of research and trouble: so that, when the reckoning comes, I will see you are put on the

he was talking, it was all of this new project that had seized his imagination. They had to make one or two calls, in the now gathering dusk; but ever, as they came out again into the

I could search out things for you, or copy, or help you in the smallest way. And I know it will be a labour of love for you; it will be a constant delight; and all the more that the days are getting short now, and we shall have

such an undertaking. When I write, it is not with an eye to the kitchen. Unless some nobler impulse propels, then be sure the result will be despicable. However, I suppose women are like that; when you are thinking of the literature of y

not disconcerted

t involve any expense of travelling, like the other book you thought of, about the Scotland of Scotch songs. The winter evenings won't be so dull, grandfather, when you have this to occupy you; you will forge

before then. When Maisrie and her grandfather re

what books they have; but I'm afraid I shall have to get Motherwell, and Pinkerton, and All

it seemed. She was sitting thus absorbed in silent fancies, when a familiar sound outside startled her into attention; she sprang to her feet; the next instant the door was opened; the next ag

his hands for more than a second or two, and her grateful eyes were fixed on his without any thought of embarrassment.

ude, when she took both his hands in hers, she had come quite close to him; and the scent of a sandal-wood necklace that she wore seemed to touch him as with a touch of herself. He knew those fragrant beads; more than once he had perceived

mote. Perhaps it was the loneliness of her position, perhaps it was the uncertainty of her future, and those vague possibilities of which her grandfather had spoken, or perhaps it was the reverence of undivided and unselfish love on his part; but at all events she seemed

on account of that American book: and though he did not mention any name, do you think I did not know who it was, Vincent? Be sure I knew-in a moment! And you never said a word about it!

escue. "You have nothing to thank me for-nothing! It is true I made the off

kindness. To save my grandfather's self-respect-to prevent him being misunderstood by-by strangers-because-because he is so forgetful: do you think, Vincent, I cannot see your motive, and be very, very g

make a fuss about no

u had lived as we have lived-wandering from place to place-you would set more st

have I done?-nothing! I wish there was some real thing I could do to pr

y hour almost, since ever we have know

short; for here was old George Bethune, with half-a-dozen volumes under

-hearted and happy; and she was particularly kind to him; when she regarded him, there still seemed to be a mild gratitude shining in the clear and eloquent deeps of her eyes. Gratitude for what!-he asked himself, with a touch of scorn. It was but an ordinary act of acquaintanceship: why should this beautiful, sensitive

e so bravely confident about any of

then, although grandfather says I take a low and mercenary view of literature, all the same I am glad he is to be well-paid for the articles; and there are to be as many as he likes; and when they are completed, then comes the publication of the book, which should be as interesting to Mr. Carmic

would be possible to classify them into ballads of action and ballads of the supernatural. I imagine the former belong more to the

dreamed a d

e Isle o

eid man w

nk that m

d has seldom anything of that kind in it. The bold Buccleuch and Kinmont Willie were too much in the saddle to have time for wra

the table w

e red wine s

upon my hea

on Lord Scr

snet a wid

a wand of th

a lady's

sh lord shoul

mystery and imagination and supernatural terrors you must turn to the brooding and darkened regions of the north. The Demon Lover is cle

mountain's y

y wi' fros

mountain o' he

u and I m

ut notice how skilfully and sedulously she fanned the old man's inter

ngerous position-if he wishes her to go away with him; for a woman never forgets her first lover; what is more, she attributes all the natural and inevitable disillusionment of marriage to her husband, whilst the romance attaching to her fir

o leave my

twa bab

it you woul

h thee s

ay on a strange ship, until they descry the mountains of

she turned he

he seemed

e tops o' tha

er were

he topmast

mast wi'

hat gallant s

her in

). "And an édition de luxe? For that, I imagine, is where my co-operation might c

of such an undertaking as that,"

t have him lapse int

ing the kitchen is my department?-Oh, very well!-somebody must look to that. It will be a labour of love for you, grandfather, all the way through; and then, when the book is nearing completion, just think of the pride you will have in choosing someone, some distinguished person, for the dedication. It will be far more your own work than merely giving spec

time for preparation. We promised to show you the streets lit up. And min

cloak, and made ready to go out into the dusky and glaring t

o very dense crowd, though here and there the front of a tall

d I will take your arm on the one side and Vincent's on the other; and

er way of holding on to you-" and therewith he made bold to pass his hand underneath the hanging sleeve of her cloak, and

t as though she would draw both her companions closer to

reast, they then went diagonally for a second or so, and were not separated. Of course, Vincent had to hold Maisrie a little more firmly now; his arm was parallel with hers, and his hand had hold of her wrist; and there was an intoxicating sense of warmth as well as of close companionship in this mutual clinging. Thus they slowly and idly passed away down Regent-street, well content with their own silence and the brilliant sights around them. Then a little incident occurre

fingers, so that his should interclasp with hers! Nay, she opened them again, and shut them again, the better to adjust that gentle clasp; and every touch thrilled through him, so that he walked as one in a dream. He dared hardly breathe, he durst not speak, lest some stray word of his might startle her into consciousness, and shatter this miracle. She did not seem to be in the least aware: it was "Which way, grandfather?" or "Take care, grandfather!" and her eyes were turned to the brilliant and parti-coloured devices in front of the Pall Mall clubs, and not at all to the handsome lad who walked so close to her that now and again he could detect some faint trace of the odou

us night. When at last they drew away from the crowded streets and found themselv

as if we had been out on a roaring sea, and ha

, grandfather," said she, cheer

was Vincen

r separate," said he. "Friends

him in that swift second as if the scales had fallen from his eyes. To him she was no longer an elusive phantom-a mirage-a vision-pensive, and mysterious, and remote; now he saw her a beautiful young creature of flesh and blood, whose hands and heart were warm, who could cling for help and companionship and sympathy, who was not afraid to speak and act, when love or gratitude prompted her. No longer the strangely isolated maiden: the unapproachable had all at once come near; so near that the scent of sandalwood touched him

ple, unpremeditated, even unconscious, act of mere friendliness and sympathy? Did she know that she had done it? Would she repeat it? Would she give

age to send. Alas! she did not yield to the mute invitation. Perhaps she did not comprehend it. For here they were at the corner of the little street in which they lived; and she unclasped her fingers, so that his also might be released from their too happ