they are now, they were in Abraham's time, and they will be when time
shall be nae langer. Is not that so, mother?"

"Maybe; but you'll tak' notice, they hae suited a' kinds o' men, in a'
countries and in a' ages. I dare say our little Maria will hae her
lovers as well as the lave o' them, and her uncle Neil will be to keep
an eye on them. But I'm weary and sleepy, and if you men are going to
talk the fire out I'll awa' to my room and my bed."

"I have something to say to father," answered Neil, "about the
Government, and so----"

"Oh, the Government!" cried Madame, as she stood with her lighted candle
in her hand at the open door; "dinna call it a government, Neil; call it
a blunderment, or a plunderment, if you like, but the other name is out
o' all befitting."

"Mother, wait a moment," said Neil. "You were saying that Maria would
want to be taken to dances; I got an invitation to-day. What do you say
to this for an introduction?" As he spoke he took out of his pocket a
gilt-edged note tied with transverse bands of gold braid and narrow red
ribbon. Madame watched him impatiently as he carefully and deliberately
untied the bows, and his air of reverential regard put her in a little
temper.

"Cut the strings and be done wi' it, Neil," she said crossly. "There is
nae invite in the world worth such a to-do as you are making. And dinna
forget, my lad, that you once nearly threw your life awa' for a bit o'
orange ribbon! Maybe the red is just as dangerous."

Then Neil took the red ribbon between his finger and thumb, and dropping
it into the fire looked at his mother with the denial in his face. "It
is from Mrs. Percival," he said; and she nodded her understanding, but
could not help giving him a last word ere she closed the door:

"If you hae a fancy for ribbons, Neil, tak' my advice, and get a blue
one; a' the good men in the country are wearing blue."

CHAPTER II.
THE FAIR AND THE BRAVE.

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