My attention shall make amends for my want of experience.' 'I have no doubt of either,' said the lady, in a grave tone, calculated to restrain the air of gallantry with which I had endeavoured to address her.

'But when you have received my letter you will find good reasons assigned why a written communication will best suit my purpose.

I wish you, sir, a good morning.' And she left the apartment, her poor baffled counsel scraping, and bowing, and apologizing for anything that might have been disagreeable to her, although the front of my offence seems to be my having been discovered to be younger than my father.
The door was opened--out she went--walked along the pavement, turned down the close, and put the sun, I believe, into her pocket when she disappeared, so suddenly did dullness and darkness sink down on the square, when she was no longer visible.

I stood for a moment as if I had been senseless, not recollecting what a fund of entertainment I must have supplied to our watchful friends on the other side of the green.
Then it darted on my mind that I might dog her, and ascertain at least who or what she was.

Off I set--ran down the close, where she was no longer to be seen, and demanded of one of the dyer's lads whether he had seen a lady go down the close, or had observed which way she turned.
'A leddy!'-- said the dyer, staring at me with his rainbow countenance.
'Mr.Alan, what takes you out, rinning like daft, without your hat ?' 'The devil take my hat!' answered I, running back, however, in quest of it; snatched it up, and again sallied forth.