They were beautiful, that was beyond question, but Catriona was beautiful too, and had a kind of brightness in her like a coal of fire.

As much as the others cast me down, she lifted me up.

I remembered I had talked easily with her.

If I could make no hand of it with these fine maids, it was perhaps something their own fault.

My embarrassment began to be a little mingled and lightened with a sense of fun; and when the aunt smiled at me from her embroidery, and the three daughters unbent to me like a baby, all with "papa's orders" written on their faces, there were times when I could have found it in my heart to smile myself.
Presently papa returned, the same kind, happy-like, pleasant-spoken man.
"Now, girls," said he, "I must take Mr.Balfour away again; but I hope you have been able to persuade him to return where I shall be always gratified to find him." So they each made me a little farthing compliment, and I was led away.
If this visit to the family had been meant to soften my resistance, it was the worst of failures.