Page:King James and the Egyptian robbers, or, The court cave of Fife (1).pdf/15

OR THE COURT CAVE OF FIFE.15 stranger, yet a vague and almost latent hope of still obtaining Edith never entirely forsook him.

He conducted the stranger through the wood, therefore, by the path which led most directly to the house of Balmeny. On reaching the skirt of the forest, it was agreed that the former should proceed alone to the dwelling of Colville, and that Arthur should remain where he was, and await the result.

The stranger set out on his voluntary mission at a rapid pace, and soon arrived at the house. The door stood open, and he entered with the careless sauntering air of one entirely indifferent as to the welcome he might be greeted with. He found Walter seated apparently in no very pleasant humour, and his daughter bustling about among the serving-maidens, wearing on her flushed cheek and suffused eye undoubted symptoms of the sorrow with which the morning's adventure had afflicted her.

'Give you good-e'en, gudeman of Balmeny,' said the stranger, seating himself, without waiting an invitation, on the bench opposite Walter.

'The same to you, neebour,' said the landlord, in a tone that had little of welcome in it.

A few moments' silence now ensued—Walter evidently waiting with some impatience for the tidings which the other seemed in no haste to communicate to him. But this could not last.

'Have you anything to tell, ask, or deliver, friend,' at last said Walter.

'This bright-e'ed maiden is the bonny lass of Balmeny, I'm thinking,' was the unreplying answer.

'That is my daughter, truly,' said Walter, becoming more and more impatient. 'Does your coming concern her?'

'That it does,' replied the stranger. 'There's an auld byword, that foul fish and fair daughters are nae keeping ware. This fair May is the object of my visit; in short, gudeman, I come a-wooing.'

At the sound of this magnetic word, an universal commotion arose in the dwelling of Colville. The maiden, who was its object, surveyed the stranger with indignation and surprise; the servants whispered and tittered amongst each other; and Walter seemed for a moment about to give vent to the feelings of his anger, when the current of his feelings suddenly changed, and, directing a look of malicious joy to his daughter, he addressed the stranger—

'Welcome, wooer—welcome. Come, lasses, set meat and drink before this gentle here; as the auld Earl of Douglas said,—It's ill arguing between a fu'man and a fasting.'