Malise, my man, caa' ye no that an honour, a privileege?
Is that no owing to me being the sister--on my faither's side--o' Ninian Halliburton, merchant and indweller in Dumfries ?" "Nay, nay, good dame," laughed the Earl, "'tis all for the sake of your own very sufficient charms! I trust that your good man here is not jealous, for beauty, you well do ken, ever sends the wits of a Douglas woolgathering.

Nevertheless, let us have a draught of your home-brewed ale, for kissing is but dry work, after all, and little do I think of it save" (he set his cap on his head with a gallant wave of his hand) "in the case of a lady so fair and tempting as Dame Barbara MacKim!" At this the dame cast up her hands and her eyes again.

"Eh, what will Marget Ahanny o' the Shankfit say noo--this frae the Yerl William.

Eh, sirce, this is better than an Abbot's absolution.

I declare 'tis mair sustainin' than a' the consolations o' religion.