It was but one moment but it might have been more, had not Ginevra walked slowly up to him, saying in a trembling voice, as if she expected the blame of all that had happened, "I couldn't help it, papa." He took her in his arms, and, for the first time since the discovery of her atrocious familiarity with Donal, kissed her.

She clung to him, trembling now with pleasure as well as apprehension.

But, alas! there was no impiety in the faithlessness that pronounced such a joy too good to endure, and the end came yet sooner than she feared.

For, when the father rose erect from her embrace, and was again the laird, there, to his amazement, still stood the odd-looking, outlandish intruder, smiling with the most impertinent interest! Gibbie had forgotten himself altogether, beholding what he took for a thorough reconciliation.
"Go away, boy.

You have nothing to do here," said the laird, anger almost overwhelming his precious dignity.
"Oh, papa!" cried Ginevra, clasping her hands, "that's Gibbie! He saved my life.