of the lasses round the maypole; but somehow, when I approach
Catharine, I feel myself an earthly, coarse, ferocious creature,
scarce worthy to look on her, much less to contradict the precepts
which she expounds to me."

"You are an imprudent merchant, Harry Smith," replied Simon, "and
rate too high the goods you wish to purchase. Catharine is a good
girl, and my daughter; but if you make her a conceited ape by your
bashfulness and your flattery, neither you nor I will see our wishes
accomplished."

"I often fear it, my good father," said the smith; "for I feel how
little I am deserving of Catharine."

"Feel a thread's end!" said the glover; "feel for me, friend Smith
--for Catharine and me. Think how the poor thing is beset from
morning to night, and by what sort of persons, even though windows
be down and doors shut. We were accosted today by one too powerful
to be named--ay, and he showed his displeasure openly, because I
would not permit him to gallant my daughter in the church itself,
when the priest was saying mass. There are others scarce less
reasonable. I sometimes wish that Catharine were some degrees less
fair, that she might not catch that dangerous sort of admiration, or
somewhat less holy, that she might sit down like an honest woman,
contented with stout Henry Smith, who could protect his wife against
every sprig of chivalry in the court of Scotland."

"And if I did not," said Henry, thrusting out a hand and arm which
might have belonged to a giant for bone and muscle, "I would I may
never bring hammer upon anvil again! Ay, an it were come but that