I saw him stoop, and lay bare the fish, and the eggs set a little way from them and in my simple heart, I thought that now he knew all about me.

But to my surprise, he seemed well-pleased; and his harsh short laughter came to me without echo,-- 'Ha, ha! Charlie boy! Fisherman Charlie, have I caught thee setting bait for Lorna?
Now, I understand thy fishings, and the robbing of Counsellor's hen roost.

May I never have good roasting, if I have it not to-night and roast thee, Charlie, afterwards!' With this he calmly packed up my fish, and all the best of dear Annie's eggs; and went away chuckling steadfastly, to his home, if one may call it so.

But I was so thoroughly grieved and mortified by this most impudent robbery, that I started forth from my rocky screen with the intention of pursuing him, until my better sense arrested me, barely in time to escape his eyes.

For I said to myself, that even supposing I could contend unarmed with him, it would be the greatest folly in the world to have my secret access known, and perhaps a fatal barrier placed between Lorna and myself, and I knew not what trouble brought upon her, all for the sake of a few eggs and fishes.