CHAPTER XXIX.
Still harping on my daughter.
Hamlet.
Two hours before the black cock crew, Simon Glover was wakened by a well known voice, which called him by name.
"What, Conachar!" he replied, as he started from sleep, "is the morning so far advanced ?" and, raising his eyes, the person of whom he was dreaming stood before him; and at the same moment, the events of yesterday rushing on his recollection, he saw with surprise that the vision retained the form which sleep had assigned it, and it was not the mail clad Highland chief, with claymore in hand, as he had seen him the preceding night, but Conachar of Curfew Street, in his humble apprentice's garb, holding in his hand a switch of oak.

An apparition would not more have surprised our Perth burgher.

As he gazed with wonder, the youth turned upon him a piece of lighted bog wood which he carried in a lantern, and to his waking exclamation replied: "Even so, father Simon: it is Conachar, come to renew our old acquaintance, when our intercourse will attract least notice." So saying, he sat down on a tressel which answered the purpose of a chair, and placing the lantern beside him, proceeded in the most friendly tone: "I have tasted of thy good cheer many a day, father Simon; I trust thou hast found no lack in my family ?" "None whatever, Eachin MacIan," answered the glover, for the simplicity of the Celtic language and manners rejects all honorary titles; "it was even too good for this fasting season, and much too good for me, since I must be ashamed to think how hard you fared in Curfew Street." "Even too well, to use your own word," said Conachar, "for the deserts of an idle apprentice and for the wants of a young Highlander.

But yesterday, if there was, as I trust, enough of food, found you not, good glover, some lack of courteous welcome?
Excuse it not--I know you did so.

But I am young in authority with my people, and I must not too early draw their attention to the period of my residence in the Lowlands, which, however, I can never forget." "I understand the cause entirely," said Simon; "and therefore it is unwillingly, and as it were by force, that I have made so early a visit hither." "Hush, father--hush! It is well you are come to see some of my Highland splendour while it yet sparkles.