He is your friend, I think ?" Simon Glover longed to punish this affectation of a boy who had been scolded four times a day for running into the street to see Sir Patrick Charteris ride past; but he checked his spirit of repartee, and simply said: "Sir Patrick Charteris has been provost of Perth for seven years, and it is likely is so still, since the magistrates are elected, not in Lent, but at St.Martinmas." "Ah, father Glover," said the youth, in his kinder and more familiar mode of address, "you are so used to see the sumptuous shows and pageants of Perth, that you would but little relish our barbarous festival in comparison.

What didst thou think of our ceremonial of yesterday ?" "It was noble and touching," said the glover; "and to me, who knew your father, most especially so.

When you rested on the sword and looked around you, methought I saw mine old friend Gilchrist MacIan arisen from the dead and renewed in years and in strength." "I played my part there boldly, I trust; and showed little of that paltry apprentice boy whom you used to--use just as he deserved ?" "Eachin resembles Conachar," said the glover, "no more than a salmon resembles a gar, though men say they are the same fish in a different state, or than a butterfly resembles a grub." "Thinkest thou that, while I was taking upon me the power which all women love, I would have been myself an object for a maiden's eye to rest upon?
To speak plain, what would Catharine have thought of me in the ceremonial ?" "We approach the shallows now," thought Simon Glover, "and without nice pilotage we drive right on shore." "Most women like show, Eachin; but I think my daughter Catharine be an exception.

She would rejoice in the good fortune of her household friend and playmate; but she would not value the splendid MacIan, captain of Clan Quhele, more than the orphan Conachar." "She is ever generous and disinterested," replied the young chief.

"But yourself, father, have seen the world for many more years than she has done, and can better form a judgment what power and wealth do for those who enjoy them.