[The Fair Maid of Perth by Sir Walter Scott]@TWC D-Link book
The Fair Maid of Perth

CHAPTER II
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May I pray you to pass on?
Our pace is too slow for that of your lordship, our company too mean for that of your father's son." "My father's son can best judge of that, old man.

I have business to talk of with you and with my fair St.Catharine here, the loveliest and most obdurate saint in the calendar." "With deep reverence, my lord," said the old man, "I would remind you that this is good St.Valentine's Eve, which is no time for business, and that I can have your worshipful commands by a serving man as early as it pleases you to send them." "There is no time like the present," said the persevering youth, whose rank seemed to be a kind which set him above ceremony.

"I wish to know whether the buff doublet be finished which I commissioned some time since; and from you, pretty Catharine (here he sank his voice to a whisper), I desire to be informed whether your fair fingers have been employed upon it, agreeably to your promise?
But I need not ask you, for my poor heart has felt the pang of each puncture that pierced the garment which was to cover it.

Traitress, how wilt thou answer for thus tormenting the heart that loves thee so dearly ?" "Let me entreat you, my lord," said Catharine, "to forego this wild talk: it becomes not you to speak thus, or me to listen.

We are of poor rank but honest manners; and the presence of the father ought to protect the child from such expressions, even from your lordship." This she spoke so low, that neither her father nor Conachar could understand what she said.
"Well, tyrant," answered the persevering gallant, "I will plague you no longer now, providing you will let me see you from your window tomorrow, when the sun first peeps over the eastern hills, and give me right to be your Valentine for the year." "Not so, my lord; my father but now told me that hawks, far less eagles, pair not with the humble linnet.


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