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good； worthy man； as he continued to expound justification by faith；
what was his true business： to play the part of derivative to a pair of
children at the old game of falling in love。
Christina was greatly relieved at first。 It seemed to her that she was
clothed again。 She looked back on what had passed。 All would have been
right if she had not blushed； a silly fool！ There was nothing to blush
at； if she HAD taken a sugar…bool。 Mrs。 MacTaggart； the elder's wife in
St。 Enoch's； took them often。 And if he had looked at her； what was
more natural than that a young gentleman should look at the best…dressed
girl in church？ And at the same time； she knew far otherwise； she knew
there was nothing casual or ordinary in the look； and valued herself on
its memory like a decoration。 Well； it was a blessing he had found
something else to look at！ And presently she began to have other
thoughts。 It was necessary； she fancied； that she should put herself
right by a repetition of the incident； better managed。 If the wish was
father to the thought； she did not know or she would not recognise it。
It was simply as a manoeuvre of propriety； as something called for to
lessen the significance of what had gone before； that she should a
second time meet his eyes； and this time without blushing。 And at the
memory of the blush； she blushed again； and became one general blush
burning from head to foot。 Was ever anything so indelicate； so forward；
done by a girl before？ And here she was； making an exhibition of
herself before the congregation about nothing！ She stole a glance upon
her neighbours； and behold！ they were steadily indifferent； and Clem had
gone to sleep。 And still the one idea was becoming more and more potent
with her； that in common prudence she must look again before the service
ended。 Something of the same sort was going forward in the mind of
Archie； as he struggled with the load of penitence。 So it chanced that；
in the flutter of the moment when the last psalm was given out； and
Torrance was reading the verse； and the leaves of every psalm…book in
church were rustling under busy fingers； two stealthy glances were sent
out like antennae among the pews and on the indifferent and absorbed
occupants； and drew timidly nearer to the straight line between Archie
and Christina。 They met； they lingered together for the least fraction
of time； and that was enough。 A charge as of electricity passed through
Christina； and behold！ the leaf of her psalm…book was torn across。
Archie was outside by the gate of the graveyard； conversing with Hob and
the minister and shaking hands all round with the scattering
congregation； when Clem and Christina were brought up to be presented。
The laird took off his hat and bowed to her with grace and respect。
Christina made her Glasgow curtsey to the laird； and went on again up
the road for Hermiston and Cauldstaneslap； walking fast； breathing
hurriedly with a heightened colour； and in this strange frame of mind；
that when she was alone she seemed in high happiness； and when any one
addressed her she resented it like a contradiction。 A part of the way
she had the company of some neighbour girls and a loutish young man；
never had they seemed so insipid； never had she made herself so
disagreeable。 But these struck aside to their various destinations or
were out…walked and left behind； and when she had driven off with sharp
words the proffered convoy of some of her nephews and nieces； she was
free to go on alone up Hermiston brae； walking on air； dwelling
intoxicated among clouds of happiness。 Near to the summit she heard
steps behind her； a man's steps； light and very rapid。 She knew the
foot at once and walked the faster。 〃If it's me he's wanting； he can
run for it；〃 she thought； smiling。
Archie overtook her like a man whose mind was made up。
〃Miss Kirstie；〃 he began。
〃Miss Christina； if you please； Mr。 Weir；〃 she interrupted。 〃I canna
bear the contraction。〃
〃You forget it has a friendly sound for me。 Your aunt is an old friend
of mine； and a very good one。 I hope we shall see much of you at
Hermiston？〃
〃My aunt and my sister…in…law doesna agree very well。 Not that I have
much ado with it。 But still when I'm stopping in the house； if I was to
be visiting my aunt； it would not look considerate…like。〃
〃I am sorry；〃 said Archie。
〃I thank you kindly； Mr。 Weir；〃 she said。 〃I whiles think myself it's a
great peety。〃
〃Ah； I am sure your voice would always be for peace！〃 he cried。
〃I wouldna be too sure of that；〃 she said。 〃I have my days like other
folk； I suppose。〃
〃Do you know； in our old kirk； among our good old grey dames； you made
an effect like sunshine。〃
〃Ah； but that would be my Glasgow clothes！〃
〃I did not think I was so much under the influence of pretty frocks。〃
She smiled with a half look at him。 〃There's more than you！〃 she said。
〃But you see I'm only Cinderella。 I'll have to put all these things by
in my trunk； next Sunday I'll be as grey as the rest。 They're Glasgow
clothes； you see； and it would never do to make a practice of it。 It
would seem terrible conspicuous。〃
By that they were come to the place where their ways severed。 The old
grey moors were all about them； in the midst a few sheep wandered； and
they could see on the one hand the straggling caravan scaling the braes
in front of them for Cauldstaneslap； and on the other； the contingent
from Hermiston bending off and beginning to disappear by detachments
into the policy gate。 It was in these circumstances that they turned to
say farewell； and deliberately exchanged a glance as they shook hands。
All passed as it should； genteelly； and in Christina's mind； as she
mounted the first steep ascent for Cauldstaneslap； a gratifying sense of
triumph prevailed over the recollection of minor lapses and mistakes。
She had kilted her gown； as she did usually at that rugged pass； but
when she spied Archie still standing and gazing after her； the skirts
came down again as if by enchantment。 Here was a piece of nicety for
that upland parish； where the matrons marched with their coats kilted in
the rain； and the lasses walked barefoot to kirk through the dust of
summer； and went bravely down by the burn…side； and sat on stones to
make a public toilet before entering！ It was perhaps an air wafted from
Glasgow； or perhaps it marked a stage of that dizziness of gratified
vanity； in which the instinctive act passed unperceived。 He was looking
after！ She unloaded her bosom of a prodigious sigh that was all
pleasure； and betook herself to run。 When she had overtaken the
stragglers of her family； she caught up the niece whom she had so
recently repulsed； and kissed and slapped her； and drove her away again；
and ran after her with pretty cries and laughter。 Perhaps she thought