Chapter 14 - Page 2

was in their presence applied to the young lady, Edward was
wont to check the petulance of those who used it by strength of
argument, and Halbert by strength of arm. In such cases Halbert had
this advantage, that although ho could render no aid to his brother's
argument, yet when circumstances required it, he was sure to have that
of Edward, who never indeed himself commenced a fray, but, on the
other hand, did not testify any reluctance to enter into combat in
Halbert's behalf or in his rescue.

But the zealous attachment of the two youths, being themselves, from
the retired situation in which they dwelt, comparative strangers in
the Halidome, did not serve in any degree to alter the feelings of the
inhabitants towards the young lady, who seemed to have dropped amongst
them from another sphere of life. Still, however, she was regarded
with respect, if not with fondness; and the attention of the Sub-Prior
to the family, not to mention the formidable name of Julian Avenel,
which every new incident of those tumultuous times tended to render
more famous, attached to his niece a certain importance. Thus some
aspired to her acquaintance out of pride while the more timid of the
feuars were anxious to inculcate upon their children the necessity of
being respectful to the noble orphan. So that Mary Avenel, little
loved because little known, was regarded with a mysterious awe, partly
derived from fear of her uncle's moss-troopers, and partly from her
own retired and distant habits, enhanced by the superstitious opinions
of the time and country.

It was not without some portion of this awe, that Mysie felt herself
left alone in company with a young person so distant in rank, and so
different in bearing, from herself; for her worthy father had taken
the first opportunity to step out unobserved, in order to mark how the
barnyard was filled, and what prospect it afforded of grist to the
mill. In youth, however, there is a sort of free-masonry, which,
without much conversation, teaches young persons to estimate each
other's character, and places them at ease on the shortest
acquaintance. It is only when taught deceit by the commerce of the
world, that we learn to shroud our character from observation, and to
disguise our real sentiments from those with whom we are placed in
communion.

Accordingly, the two young women were soon engaged in such objects of
interest as best became their age. They visited Mary Avenel's pigeons,
which she nursed with the tenderness of a mother; they turned over her
slender stores of finery, which yet contained some articles that
excited the respect of her companion, though Mysie was too
good-humoured to nourish envy. A golden rosary, and some female
ornaments marking