Chapter 14 THE GOWANBRAE BALL.

"Your honour's pardon,

I'd rather have my wounds to heal again,

Than hear say how I got them."-Coriolanus.

"Yes, I go the week after next."

"So soon? I thought you were to stay for our ball."

"Till this time next year! No, no, I can't quite do that, thank you."

"This very winter."

"Oh, no-no such thing! Why, half the beauty and