Those more immediately around the marquis were soon laughing over the story of the trick he had played the blind piper, and the apology he had had to make in consequence; and perhaps something better than mere curiosity had to do with the wish of several of the guests to see the old man and his grandson. The marquis said the piper himself would take care they should not miss him, but he would send for the young fellow, who was equally fitted to amuse them, being quite as much of a character in his way as the other. He spoke to the man behind his chair, and in a few minutes Malcolm made his appearance, following the messenger. “Malcolm,” said the marquis kindly, “I want you to keep your eyes open, and see that no mischief is done about the place.” “I dinna think there’s ane o’ oor ain fowk wad dee ony mischeef, my lord,” answered Malcolm; “but whan ye keep open yett, ye canna be sure wha wins in, specially wi’ sic a gowk as Johnny Bykes at ane o’ them. No ’at he wad wrang yer lordship a hair, my lord!” “At all events you’ll be on the alert,” said the marquis. “I wull that, my lord. There’s twa or three aboot a’ready ’at I dinna a’thegither like the leuks o’. They’re no like country-fowk, an’ they’re no fisher-fowk. It’s no far aff the time o’ year whan the gipsies are i’ the w’y o’ payin’ ’s a veesit, an’ they may ha’ come in at the Binn yett (_gate_), whaur there’s nane but an auld wife to haud them oot.” “Well, well,” said the marquis, who had no fear about the behaviour of his guests, and had only wanted a colour for his request of Malcolm’s presence. “In the meantime,” he added, “we are rather short-handed here. Just give the butler a little assistance--will you?” “Wullin’ly, my lord,” answered Malcolm, forgetting altogether, in the prospect of being useful and within sight of Lady Florimel, that he had but half finished his own dinner. The butler, who had already had an opportunity of admiring his aptitude, was glad enough to have his help; and after this day used to declare that in a single week he could make him a better servant than any of the men who waited at table. It was indeed remarkable how, with such a limited acquaintance with the many modes of an artificial life, he was yet, by quickness of sympathetic insight, capable not only of divining its requirements, but of distinguishing, amid the multitude of appliances around, those fitted to their individual satisfaction.