"A weary place, yon Glasgow! But what a day have I had for my homecoming, and what a bonny evening!" "Indeed, it was a wonderful day," said Archie.

"I think I will remember it years and years until I come to die.

On days like this--I do not know if you feel as I do--but everything appears so brief, and fragile, and exquisite, that I am afraid to touch life.

We are here for so short a time; and all the old people before us--Rutherfords of Hermiston, Elliotts of the Cauldstaneslap--that were here but a while since riding about and keeping up a great noise in this quiet corner--making love too, and marrying--why, where are they now?
It's deadly commonplace, but, after all, the commonplaces are the great poetic truths." He was sounding her, semi-consciously, to see if she could understand him; to learn if she were only an animal the colour of flowers, or had a soul in her to keep her sweet.

She, on her part, her means well in hand, watched, womanlike, for any opportunity to shine, to abound in his humour, whatever that might be.