I therefore assured her my intention, if I could get a suitable habitation, was to remain in the quarter where she at present dwelt.

Janet gave three skips on the floor, and uttered as many short, shrill yells of joy.

Yet doubt almost instantly returned, and she insisted on knowing what possible reason I could have for making my residence where few lived, save those whose misfortunes drove them thither.

It occurred to me to answer her by recounting the legend of the rise of my family, and of our deriving our name from a particular place near Holyrood Palace.

This, which would have appeared to most people a very absurd reason for choosing a residence, was entirely satisfactory to Janet MacEvoy.
"Och, nae doubt! if it was the land of her fathers, there was nae mair to be said.