l himself was of her intimates; and she had early
word of Mr. Bally's presence at the house. In my opinion, she had long
ceased to care two straws for the Master's person; but it was become her
habit to connect herself continually with the Master's name; that was
the ground of all her play-acting; and so now, when he was back, she
thought she owed it to herself to grow a haunter of the neighbourhood of
Durrisdeer. The Master could scarce go abroad but she was there in wait
for him; a scandalous figure of a woman, not often sober; hailing him
wildly as "her bonny laddie," quoting pedlar's poetry, and, as I receive
the story, even seeking to weep upon his neck. I own I rubbed my hands
over this persecution; but the Master, who laid so much upon others, was
himself the least patient of men. There were strange scenes enacted in
the policies. Some say he took his cane to her, and Jessie fell back
upon her former weapons--stones. It is certain at least that he made a
motion to Captain Crail to have the woman trepanned, and that the
Captain refused the proposition with uncommon vehemence. And the end of
the matter was victory for Jessie. Money was got together; an interview
took place, in which my proud gentleman must consent to be kissed and
wept upon; and the woman was set up in a public of her own, somewhere on
Solway side (but I forget where), and, by the only news I ever had of
it, extremely ill-frequented.

This is to look forward. After Jessie had been but a little while upon
his heels, the Master comes to me one day in the steward's office, and
with more civility than usual, "Mackellar," says he, "there is a damned
crazy wench comes about here. I cannot well move in the matter myself,
which brings me to you. Be so good as to see to it: the men must have a
strict injunction to drive the wench away."

"Sir," said I, trembling a little, "you can do your own dirty errands
for yourself."

He said not a word to that, and left the room.

Presently came Mr. Henry. "Here is news!" cried he. "It seems all is not
enough, and you must add to my wretchedness. It seems you have insulted
Mr. Bally."

"Under your kind favour, Mr. Henry," said I, "it was he that insulted
me, and, as I think, grossly. But I may have been careless of your
position when I spoke; and if you think so when you know all, my dear
patron, you have but to say the word. For you I would obey in any point
whatever, even to sin, God pardon me!" And thereupon I