were come to that. Thorbiorn, the Danish armourer, spoke of a spell
he had for making breastplates, by singing a certain song while the
iron was heating. I told him that his runic rhymes were no proof
against the weapons which fought at Loncarty--what farther came
of it it is needless to tell, but the corselet and the wearer,
and the leech who salved his wound, know if Henry Gow can break a
spell or no."

Catharine looked at him as if about to return an answer little
approving of the exploit he had vaunted, which the downright smith
had not recollected was of a kind that exposed him to her frequent
censure. But ere she had given words to her thoughts, her father
thrust his head in at the door.

"Henry," he said, "I must interrupt your more pleasing affairs, and
request you to come into my working room in all speed, to consult
about certain matters deeply affecting the weal of the burgh."

Henry, making his obeisance to Catharine, left the apartment upon
her father's summons. Indeed, it was probably in favour of their
future friendly intercourse, that they were parted on this occasion
at the turn which the conversation seemed likely to take. For, as
the wooer had begun to hold the refusal of the damsel as somewhat
capricious and inexplicable after the degree of encouragement
which, in his opinion, she had afforded; Catharine, on the other
hand, considered him rather as an encroacher upon the grace which
she had shown him than one whose delicacy rendered him deserving
of such favour. But there was living in their bosoms towards each
other a reciprocal kindness, which, on the termination of the
dispute, was sure to revive, inducing the maiden to forget her