The family appeared all well pleased with the unexpected appearance
of an old friend. Simon Glover shook his hand again and again,
Dorothy made her compliments, and Catharine herself offered freely
her hand, which Henry held in his massive grasp, as if he designed
to carry it to his lips, but, after a moment's hesitation, desisted,
from fear lest the freedom might be ill taken. Not that there was
any resistance on the part of the little hand which lay passive
in his grasp; but there was a smile mingled with the blush on her
cheek, which seemed to increase the confusion of the gallant.

Her father, on his part, called out frankly, as he saw his friend's
hesitation: "Her lips, man--her lips! and that's a proffer I
would not make to every one who crosses my threshold. But, by good
St. Valentine, whose holyday will dawn tomorrow, I am so glad to
see thee in the bonny city of Perth again that it would be hard to
tell the thing I could refuse thee."

The smith, for, as has been said, such was the craft of this
sturdy artisan, was encouraged modestly to salute the Fair Maid,
who yielded the courtesy with a smile of affection that might
have become a sister, saying, at the same time: "Let me hope that
I welcome back to Perth a repentant and amended man."

He held her hand as if about to answer, then suddenly, as one who
lost courage at the moment, relinquished his grasp; and drawing
back as if afraid of what he had done, his dark countenance glowing
with bashfulness, mixed with delight, he sat down by the fire on
the opposite side from that which Catharine occupied.

"Come, Dorothy, speed thee with the food, old woman; and Conachar