She held out her fair hand.
"Pardon--nay, a thousand pardons.

I knew not what I said.

I am not acquainted with your Scottish speech nor yet with your Scottish customs.

Do not be angry with me; I am a stranger, young, far from my own people and my own land.

Think me foolish for speaking thus freely if you like, but not wilfully unkind." And when the Earl looked at her, there were tears glittering in her beautiful eyes.
"I _will_ go to Edinburgh," he cried.