A few moments’ silence now ensued, Colville evidently waiting with some impatience for the tidings which the other seemed in no haste to communicate to him. But this could not last.
“Have you anything to tell, ask, or deliver, friend?” at last said Colville.
“This bright-e’ed maiden is the bonny lass of Balmeny, I’m thinking,” was the unreplying answer.
“That is my daughter, truly,” said the landlord, becoming more and more impatient; “does your coming concern her?”
“That it does,” replied the stranger. “There’s an auld bye word, that ‘foul fish and fair daughters are nae keeping ware.’ This fair May is the object of my visit; in short, gudeman, I come awooing.”
At the sound of this magnetic word, a universal commotion arose in the dwelling of Colville. The maiden, who was its object, surveyed the stranger with indignation and surprise; the servants whispered and tittered among each other; and Colville seemed for a moment about to give vent to the feelings of his anger, when the current of his feelings suddenly changed, and, directing a look of malicious joy to his daughter, he addressed the stranger—
“Welcome, wooer—welcome. Come, lasses, set meat and drink before this gentle here; as the auld Earl of Douglas said, ‘It’s ill arguing between a fu’ man and a fasting.’”
The order was obeyed with great readiness by the serving maidens, who set before the stranger the household bread and cheese, and a bicker of no scanty dimensions, containing the reaming ale for which Scotland has been so long famous. There was a malicious merriment twinkling from every eye as the scene went on; for all knew well that the over-strained kindness of the host was soon to be converted into outrageous and overwhelming abuse of the guest. The stranger, however, seemed either not to notice or to slight these indications. He partook heartily of the good cheer set before him, and amused himself by returning with good-humoured smiles the stolen looks of the simpering maidens. He looked in vain, however, for Edith, who had retired from the place.
“And now,” said Colville, who began to think the stranger somewhat more at ease than he could have wished, “Your name, wooer?”
“My name?” said the stranger, somewhat embarrassed.