"
"Never yerl o' Colonsay had a better," said Miss Horn.
"Softly, softly, ma'am," returned the marquis. "I did not say he
should go in that style."
"He s' gang as my lord o' Colonsay or he s' no gang at _your_ expense,
my lord," said his antagonist.
"Really, ma'am, one would think you were my grandmother, to hear you
order my affairs for me."
"I wuss I war, my lord: I sud gar ye hear risson upo' baith sides o'
yer heid, I s' warran'."
The marquis laughed. "Well, I can't stand here all day," he said,
impatiently swinging one leg.
"I'm weel awaur o' that, my lord," answered Miss Horn, rearranging her
scanty skirt.
"How long are you going to keep me, then?"
"I wadna hae ye bide a meenute langer nor's agreeable to yersel'. But
_I_'m in nae hurry sae lang's ye're afore me. Ye're nae ill to luik
at, though ye maun hae been bonnier the day ye wan the hert o' my
Grizel."
The marquis uttered an oath and left the door. Miss Horn sprang to it,
but there was the marquis again. "Miss Horn," he said, "I beg you will
give me another day to think of this."
"Whaur's the use? A' the thinkin' i' the warl' canna alter a single
fac'. Ye maun do richt by my laddie o' yer ainsel', or I maun gar ye."
"You would find a lawsuit heavy, Miss Horn."
"An' ye wad fin' the scandal o' 't ill to bide, my lord. It wad come
sair upo' Miss--I kenna what name she has a richt till, my lord."
The marquis uttered a frightful imprecation, left the door, and,
sitting down, hid his face in his hands.
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