The woman was young and wonderfully pretty, and Crawford soon began to watch her with a genuine interest.
"She'll be ane o' the Hopes o' Beaton," he thought; "she is vera like them." At any rate he improved under her sway, for being thoroughly comfortable himself, he was inclined to have consideration for others.
One afternoon, as he came from the works, it began to snow.

He turned aside to the manse to borrow a plaid of Tallisker.

He very seldom went to the manse, but in the keen, driving snow the cheerful fire gleaming through the window looked very inviting.

He thought he would go in and take a cup of tea with Tallisker.
"Come awa in, laird," cried old Janet, "come awa in.

You are a sight good for sair e'en.