has been employed as that of a champion in the good cause of the
burgh? And shouldst not thou, of all women, deem thyself honoured
and glorious, that so true a heart and so strong an arm has termed
himself thy bachelor? In what do the proudest dames take their
loftiest pride, save in the chivalry of their knight; and has the
boldest in Scotland done more gallant deeds than my brave son Henry,
though but of low degree? Is he not known to Highland and Lowland
as the best armourer that ever made sword, and the truest soldier
that ever drew one?"

"My dearest father," answered Catharine, "your words contradict
themselves, if you will permit your child to say so. Let us thank
God and the good saints that we are in a peaceful rank of life,
below the notice of those whose high birth, and yet higher pride,
lead them to glory in their bloody works of cruelty, which haughty
and lordly men term deeds of chivalry. Your wisdom will allow that
it would be absurd in us to prank ourselves in their dainty plumes
and splendid garments; why, then, should we imitate their full blown
vices? Why should we assume their hard hearted pride and relentless
cruelty, to which murder is not only a sport, but a subject of
vainglorious triumph? Let those whose rank claims as its right such
bloody homage take pride and pleasure in it; we, who have no share
in the sacrifice, may the better pity the sufferings of the victim.
Let us thank our lowliness, since it secures us from temptation.
But forgive me, father, if I have stepped over the limits of my
duty, in contradicting the views which you entertain, with so many
others, on these subjects."

"Nay, thou hast even too much talk for me, girl," said her father,
somewhat angrily. "I am but a poor workman, whose best knowledge