Had not Bell's light-headedness driven him away, the grieve would have soon followed up his gift with an offer of his hand.

Some night Bell would have "seen him to the door," and they would have stared sheepishly at each other before saying good-night.

The parting salutation given, the grieve would still have stood his ground, and Bell would have waited with him.

At last, "Will ye hae's, Bell ?" would have dropped from his half-reluctant lips; and Bell would have mumbled "Ay," with her thumb in her mouth.

"Guid nicht to ye, Bell," would be the next remark--"Guid nicht to ye, Jeames," the answer; the humble door would close softly, and Bell and her lad would have been engaged.
But, as it was, their attachment never got beyond the silhouette stage, from which, in the ethics of the Auld Lichts, a man can draw back in certain circumstances, without loss of honour.