part like strangers? Because I can never keep my gravity at you five

minutes on end, you must not dream I do not love you very well: I am

all love and laughter, every time I cast an eye on you! And now I will

give you an advice to conclude your education, which you will have need

of before it’s very long. Never _ask_ womenfolk. They’re bound to

answer ‘No’; God never made the lass that could resist the temptation.

It’s supposed by divines to be the curse of Eve: because she did not

say it when the devil offered her the apple, her daughters can say

nothing else.”

“Since I am so soon to lose my bonny professor,” I began.

“This is gallant, indeed,” says she curtseying.

“I would put the one question,” I went on. “May I ask a lass to marry

to me?”

“You think you could not marry her without!” she asked. “Or else get

her to offer?”

“You see you cannot be serious,” said I.

“I shall be very serious in one thing, David,” said she: “I shall

always be your friend.”

As I got to my horse the next morning, the four ladies were all at that

same window whence we had once looked down on Catriona, and all cried

farewell and waved their pocket napkins as I rode away. One out of the

four I knew was truly sorry; and at the thought of that, and how I had

come to the door three months ago for the first time, sorrow and

gratitude made a confusion in my mind.