United States or Sint Maarten ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
The laird said never a word, never looked behind him, while she, almost tumbling down his back as she cursed with outstretched arms, deafened him with her raging. He walked steadily down the path to the road, where he stepped into the midst of her goods and chattels. The sight of them diverted a little the current of her wrath. "Where are you going, Macruadh?" she cried, as he walked on.
Macruadh, from Nancy's account and the behaviour of the girls, divined the explanation of their visit; and, as their mother did not follow it up, took no notice of it. In the mind of Mercy, however, lurked a little thorn, with the bluntest possible sting of suspicion, every time she joined in a laugh at the people of the cottage, that she was not quite just to them.
I come to you for the help that was never sought in vain from the Macruadh!" "What help I have is yours without the asking," returned the chief. "I cannot do more than is in my power! One thing only I can promise you that you shall lack neither food nor shelter." "My chief will abandon me to the wolf!" she cried. "Never! But I can only protect you, not your house.
"I would rather have her love, though we should never meet in this world, than the lands of my fathers!" "What will you do then?" "I will go to Mr. Palmer, and say to him: 'Give me your daughter. I am a poor man, but we shall have enough to live upon. I believe she will be happy." "I will answer for him: 'I have the greatest regard for you, Macruadh.
She got her to bed, and sent for Rob of the Angels. With injunctions to silence, she told him to fetch his father, and be ready as soon as possible to drive a cart to the chief's cave, there to make everything comfortable for herself and Miss Mercy Palmer. Mercy slept well, and as the day was breaking Mrs. Macruadh woke her and helped her to dress.
Palmer, and running down the stair, joined Rob of the Angels where he stood at the door in a group composed of the keepers and most of the servants. "Do you know the tool-house?" he said to Rob. "Yes, Macruadh." "Lead the way then. Your father is there." "On no account let them open the door," cried Mr. Palmer. "They may hold through it what communication they please."
Naturally, as they went home, the guests from the New House had much fun over the queer fashions and poverty stricken company, the harp and the bagpipes, the horrible haggis, the wild minor songs, and the unintelligible stories and jokes; but the ladies agreed that the Macruadh was a splendid fellow.
"Please, laird, it was myself brought Craftie; she was not willing to come!" "Craftie," said the chief, "I wish I could make a friend of you! But you know I can't!" "I do know it, Macruadh, and I am sorry for it, many is the good time! But my door never had any latch, and the word is out before I can think to keep it back!" "And so you send another and another to back the first! Ah, Craftie!
He seemed to see much to ponder in the proposal. "Well, Macruadh," he said at length, hesitating with hum and with haw, "the thing is well, to speak the truth, you take me a good deal by surprise! I do not know how the thing may appear to Mrs. Palmer. And then the girl herself, you will allow, ought, in a free country, to have a word in the matter!
While, the southrons would be toiling along to get the wind of him unseen, for the old stag's eyes were as keen as his velvety nose, the father and son would be lying, perhaps close at hand, perhaps far away on some hill-side of another valley, watching now the hunters, now the stag. For love of the Macruadh, and for love of the stag, they had constituted themselves his guardians.
Word Of The Day