But though I knew what breed she was of, and that was a breed of thieves, I could never look in Catriona's face and disbelieve her.
"I must not ask ?" says she, eagerly, the same moment we were left alone.
"Ah, but to-day I can talk with a free conscience," I replied.

"I am lightened of my pledge, and indeed (after what has come and gone since morning) I would not have renewed it were it asked." "Tell me," she said.

"My cousin will not be so long." So I told her the tale of the lieutenant from the first step to the last of it, making it as mirthful as I could, and, indeed, there was matter of mirth in that absurdity.
"And I think you will be as little fitted for the rudas men as for the pretty ladies, after all!" says she, when I had done.

"But what was your father that he could not learn you to draw the sword?
It is most ungentle; I have not heard the match of that in anyone." "It is most misconvenient at least," said I; "and I think my father (honest man!) must have been wool-gathering to learn me Latin in the place of it.

But you see I do the best I can, and just stand up like Lot's wife and let them hammer at me." "Do you know what makes me smile ?" said she.