"What for wad she be doing with a sweetheart? She has muckle else to think on. There's a young man that's baith braw an' bonny, a great scholar frae Enbra' toon that comes gye an' aften frae the manse o' Dullarg, whaur he's bidin' a' the simmer for the learnin'. He comes whiles, an' Winsome kind o' gies him a bit convoy up the hill." "Jess Kissock," said the young man passionately, "tell me no lies, or--" "Nane o' yer ill tongue for me, young man; keep it for yer mither. I'm little feared o' ye or ony like ye. Ye'll maybe get a bit dab frae the neb o' a jockteleg [point of a sheath-knife] that will yeuk [tickle] ye for a day or twa gin ye dinna learn an' that speedily, as Maister Welsh wad say, to keep yer Han's aff my faither's dochter." Jess's good Scots was infinitely better and more vigorous than the English of the lady's maid. "I beg your pardon, Jess. I am a passionate, hasty man. I am sure I meant no harm. Tell me more of this hulking landlouper [intruder], and I'll give you a kiss." "Keep yer kisses for them that likes them. The young man's no landlouper ony mair nor yersel'--no as mickle indeed, but a very proper young man, wi' a face as bonny as an angel--" "But, Jess, do you mean to say that you are going to help him with Winsome?" asked the young man. "Feint a bit!" answered the young woman frankly. "She'll no get him gin I can help it. I saw him first and bid him guid-day afore ever she set her een on him. It's ilka yin for hersel' when it comes to a braw young man," and Jess tossed her gipsy head, and pouted a pair of handsome scarlet lips. Greatorix laughed. "The land lies that way, does it?" he said. "Then that's why you would not give me a kiss to-day, Jess," he went on; "the black coat has routed the red baith but an' ben--but we'll see. You cannot both have him, Jess, and if you are so very fond of the parson, ye'll maybe help me to keep Winsome Charteris to myself." "Wad ye mairry her gin ye had the chance, Agnew Greatorix?" "Certainly; what else?" replied the young man promptly. "Then ye shall hae her," replied Jess, as if Winsome were within her deed of gift, "And you'll try for the student, Jess?" asked the young man. "I suppose he would not need to ask twice for a kiss?" "Na, for I would kiss him withoot askin'--that is, gin he hadna the sense to kiss ME," said Jess frankly. "Well," said Greatorix, somewhat reluctantly, "I'm sure I wish you joy of your parson. I see now what the canting old hound from the Dullarg Manse meant when he tackled me at the loaning foot. He wanted Winsome for the young whelp." "I dinna think that," replied Jess; "he disna want him to come aboot here ony mair nor you." "How do you know that, Jess?" "Ou, I juist ken." "Can you find out what Winsome thinks herself?"