She never moved her head off my shoulder, leaning with her elbow on the edge of the settle, and looking away from me out at the door. Neither did she draw her hand from mine, but rather settled it the more kindly, nestling it in my palm. Yet anyone might have knocked me off the oaken settle with a straw. ’Married!’ said I. ’Ay, Kate, lass, of course you are going to be married. ’Tis what you and I must come to. I assure you I oftentimes have been thinking about that. There are not the makings of an old maid about you!’ This I said and waited for the answer of her eyes, in order to laugh again and make my jest. But she did not look at me. I do not think she heard me. ’I am to be married on Thursday!’ she said calmly. ’Kate Allison!’ I said, trying to turn up her head that I might look into her eyes. I thought to see the make-believe in them. But as women know how to do, she evaded me without seeming to be conscious of it. ’Why, Kate Allison, sweetheart!’ said I, ’how can I be ready by Thursday, laid here on my back, with only you to care for me?’ ’I am to be married on Thursday to Robert Harburgh!’ she said. Then I drew my hand away, and sat as erect and stern as the settle and my sickness would let me, for it is hard to appear dignified and like a soldier, lying on a couch and wrapped in women’s shawls. ’I am deceived!’ cried I, ’mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, has betrayed me, coming to steal that which was dear to me when I lay most weak and weary.’ And I think I made as if to rise, for I had an idea that I must go and get my sword—though what for, I cannot now imagine. But Kate Allison gently put me back on the pillows, and sat down beside me, taking one of my hands again, laying it against her cheek, and drawing at the same time her stool nearer to me. I tried to withdraw my hand from hers, but being weak she masterfully kept it, so that the tears sprang to my eyes for very helplessness and anger. ’You have played with me and deceived me, Kate Allison,’ I cried, as soon as I could command my voice; ’you have forgotten the old days and all that we were to one another.’ Nevertheless Kate Allison never winced but let me say my say out. And by this I knew that the old days were gone indeed. She was mightily set in her mind. ’Launce,’ she said gently, ’Launce, dear sweetheart, hearken—I am fond of you. No lass in Carrick but would like you for a lad and a lover, even for your very feults, which are what all may see.’ What she might have meant I have even yet no idea. ’Ye are perfect for a lad that comes courting, and I liked ye fine—ay, and like ye yet. But I saw lang syne that the lads that court best are not the men that marry best.’ ’Women are all traitors!’ said I, with indignation tingling through my body; ’they kiss and they forget. And then in a trice they go kiss another—’ ’Ay,’ replied Kate Allison, with a little more gravity, ’and I mean to have a short word with you on that very thing.’