observation which has taken us some time to express, answered, after a moment's
pause, »I am ignorant whom I may have the honour to address,« making a slight
reverence at the same time, »but I am indifferent who knows that I am a cadet of
Scotland; and that I come to seek my fortune in France or elsewhere, after the
custom of my countrymen.«
    »Pasques-dieu! and a gallant custom it is,« said the elder stranger. »You
seem a fine young springald, and at the right age to prosper, whether among men
or women. What say you? I am a merchant, and want a lad to assist in my traffic
- I suppose you are too much a gentleman to assist in such mechanical drudgery?«
    »Fair sir,« said the youth, »if your offer be seriously made - of which I
have my doubts - I am bound to thank you for it, and I thank you accordingly;
but I fear I should be altogether unfit for your service.«
    »What!« said the senior, »I warrant thou knowest better how to draw the bow,
than how to draw a bill of charges, - canst handle a broadsword better than a
pen - ha!«
    »I am, master,« answered the young Scot, »a braeman, and therefore, as we
say, a bowman. But besides that, I have been in a convent, where the good
fathers taught me to read and write, and even to cipher.«
    »Pasques-dieu! that is too magnificent,« said the merchant. »By our Lady of
Embrun, thou art a prodigy, man!«
    »Rest you merry, fair master,« said the youth, who was not much pleased with
his new acquaintance's jocularity; »I must go dry myself, instead of standing
dripping here, answering questions.«
    The merchant only laughed louder as he spoke, and answered, »Pasques-dieu!
the proverb never fails - fier comme un Ecossois - but come, youngster, you are
of a country I have a regard for, having traded in Scotland in my time - an
honest poor set of folks they are; and, if you will come with us to the village,
I will bestow on you a cup of burnt sack and a warm breakfast, to atone for your
drenching. - But, téte-bleu! what do you with a hunting-glove on your hand? Know
you not there is no hawking permitted in a royal chase?«