Ye say ye've seen her but the once..." "Spoke with her but the once, I should have said," I interrupted.

"I saw her again this morning from a window at Prestongrange's." This I daresay I put in because it sounded well; but I was properly paid for my ostentation on the return.
"What's this of it ?" cries the old lady, with a sudden pucker of her face.

"I think it was at the Advocate's door-cheek that ye met her first." I told her that was so.
"H'm," she said; and then suddenly, upon rather a scolding tone, "I have your bare word for it," she cries, "as to who and what you are.

By your way of it, you're Balfour of the Shaws; but for what I ken you may be Balfour of the Deevil's oxter.

It's possible ye may come here for what ye say, and it's equally possible ye may come here for deil care what! I'm good enough whig to sit quiet, and to have keepit all my men-folk's heads upon their shoulders.