And having quite satisfied myself with this disingenuous debate, I made the better speed of it, and came a little after four to Mrs.Drummond-Ogilvy's.
Both ladies were within the house; and upon my perceiving them together by the open door, I plucked off my hat and said, "Here was a lad come seeking saxpence," which I thought might please the dowager.
Catriona ran out to greet me heartily, and, to my surprise, the old lady seemed scarce less forward than herself.

I learned long afterwards that she had despatched a horseman by daylight to Rankeillor at the Queensferry, whom she knew to be the doer for Shaws, and had then in her pocket a letter from that good friend of mine, presenting, in the most favourable view, my character and prospects.

But had I read it I could scarce have seen more clear in her designs.

Maybe I was _countryfeed_; at least, I was not so much so as she thought; and it was plain enough, even to my homespun wits, that she was bent to hammer up a match between her cousin and a beardless boy that was something of a laird in Lothian.
"Saxpence had better take his broth with us, Catrine," says she.

"Run and tell the lasses." And for the little while we were alone was at a good deal of pains to flatter me; always cleverly, always with the appearance of a banter, still calling me Saxpence, but with such a turn that should rather uplift me in my own opinion.