appear on the street in their shirts, with swords and targets, and some of them with torches. The assailants now endeavoured to make their escape, which all of them effected excepting the man who had been thrown down along with the ladder. Him the intrepid armourer had caught by the throat in the scuffle, and held as fast as the greyhound holds the hare. The other wounded men were borne off by their comrades.

"Here are a sort of knaves breaking peace within burgh,' said Henry to the neighbours, who began to assemble; make after the rogues. They cannot all get off, for I have maimed some of them; the blood will guide you to them.' "Some Highland catherans' said the citizens, up and chase, neighbours!'

Villain, thou hast done thou knowest not what! But let me go, and I will fill thy bonnet with gold pieces.'

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"I shall fill thy bonnet with a cloven head presently,' said the armourer, un less thou stand still as a true prisoner.' "What is the matter, my son Harry,' said Simon, who now appeared at the window. I hear thy voice in another tone than I expected.-What is all this noise; and why are the neighbours gathering to the affray?'

"There have been a proper set of limmers about to scale your windows, father Simon; but I am like to prove godfather to one of them, whom I hold here, as fast as ever vice held iron.'

"Hear me, Simon Glover,' said the prisoner; let me but speak one word with you in private, and rescue me from the gripe of this iron-fisted and leadenpated clown, and I will show thee, that no harm was designed to thee or thine; and, moreover, tell thee what will much advantage thee,'

"I should know that voice,' said Simon Glover, who now came to the door with a dark lantern in his hand. Son

Smith, let this young man speak with me. There is no danger in him, I promise you. Stay out an instant where you are, and let no one enter the house, either to attack or defend." I will be answerable that this galliard meant but some St Valentine's jest.'

"So saying, the old man pulled in the prisoner, and shut the door, leaving Henry a little surprised at the unexpected light in which his father-in-law had viewed the affray.

The party of citizens, who made chace after the runagates, return unsuccessful, for they have made good their retreat. In this scene we are introduced to Oliver Proudfute, a bonnet maker and burgher of the city-a character which serves as a foil to the undaunted bravery of Harry the Smith, of whose prowess Master Oliver is a great admirer, but a very indifferent and inefficient imitator. Oliver discovers, on the ground where the onset lately took place, the hand of a man, and, apparently, of a gentleman, by the jewelled ring on one of its fingers. This was the hand struck off in the affray, by the whinger" of the Smith ; and much apprehension of the consequences is entertained by the burghers. After the matter is duly discussed, the neighbours retire to finish their night's rest.

"They were scarce gone ere the door of Glover's house opened, and seizing the Smith by the hand, the old man pulled him in.

"Where is the prisoner?' demanded the armourer.

"He is gone-escaped-fled-what do I know of him?' said the Glover. "He got out of the back door, and so through the little garden-Think not of him, but come and see the Valentine, whose honour and life you have saved this morning.'

Let me but sheathe my weapon,' said the Smith-"let me but wash my hands.'

"There is not an instant to lose, she is up and almost dressed.-Come on, man. She shall see thee with thy good weapon in thy hand, and with villain's blood on thy fingers, that she may know what is the value of a true man's service. She has stopped my mouth over long with her pruderies and her scruples. I will have her know what a brave man's love is worth, and a bold burgess's to boot.'

"Startled from her repose by the noise of the affray, the Fair Maid of Perth had listened in breathless terror to the sounds of violence and outcry which arose from the street. She had sunk on her knees to pray for assistance, and when she dis

"Not thus-father,' replied Catharine. 'I can see-can speak to no one now. I am not ungrateful-perhaps I am too thankful to the instrument of our safety; but let me thank the guardian Saint who sent me this timely relief, and give me but a moment to don my kirtle.'.

"Nay, God-a-mercy, wench, it were hard to deny thee time to busk thy body-clothes, since the request is the only words like a woman that thou hast uttered for these ten days.-Truly, son Harry, I would my daughter would put off being entirely a saint, till the time comes for her being canonized for St. Catharine the Second.'

"Nay, jest not, father; for I will swear she has at least one sincere adorer already, who hath devoted himself to her pleasure, so far as sinful man may.Fare-thee-well then, for the moment, fair maiden,' he concluded, raising his voice, ⚫ and Heaven send thee dreams as peaceful as thy waking thoughts. I go to watch thy slumbers, and woe with him that shall intrude on them!'

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Nay, good and brave Henry, whose warm heart is at such variance with thy reckless hand, thrust thyself into no farther quarrels to-night; but take the kindest thanks, and with these, try to assume the peaceful thoughts which you assign to me. To-morrow we will meet, that I may assure you of my gratitude-Farewell.'

"And farewell, lady and light of my heart!' said the armourer, and descending the stair which led to Catharine's apart ment, was about to sally forth into the

street, when the Glover caught him by the arm.

"I shall like the ruffle of to-night," said he, better than I ever thought to do the clashing of steel, if it brings my daughter to her senses, Harry, and teaches her what thou art worth.

"So saying, he drew Henry, nothing loath, into the same apartment where they had supped, and where the old woman, who was on foot, disturbed as others had been by the nocturnal affray, soon roused up the fire.

"And now, my doughty son,' said the Glover, what liquor wilt thou pledge thy father in?"

"Henry Smith had suffered himself to sink mechanically upon a seat of old black oak, and now gazed on the fire, that flashed back a ruddy light over his manly features. He muttered to himself half audibly-" Good Henry-brave Henry,-Ah! had she but said, dear Henry!'

"What liquors be these?' said the old Glover, laughing. 'My cellar holds none such; but if sack, or rhenish, or wine of Gascony can serve, why, say the word and the flagon foams,—that is all'

"The kindest thanks," said the armourer, still musing; that's more than she ever said to me before-the kindest thanks-what may not that stretch to?"

"It shall stretch like kid's leather, man,' said the Glover, if thou wilt but be ruled, and say what thou wilt take for thy morning's draught.'

"Whatever thou wilt, father,' answered the armourer carelessly, and relapsed into the analysis of Catharine's speech to him. She spoke of my warm heart but she also spoke of my reckless hand. What earthly thing can I do to get rid of that fighting fancy? Certainly I were best strike my right hand off, and nail it to the door of a church, that it may never do me discredit more."

"Harry is still depressed with despair of succeeding in his heart's dearest hope, but receives every encouragement that his admiring father and friend can suggest, and they part.

"The Glover retired to his bed, and, it is to be supposed, to rest. The lover was not so fortunate. His bodily frame easily bore the fatigue which he had encountered in the course of the night, but his mind was of a different and more delicate mould. In one point of view, he was but the stout burgher of his period, proud alike of his art in making weapons, and wielding them when made; his pro

fessional jealousy, personal strength, and skill in the use of arms, brought him into many quarrels, which had made him generally feared, and in some instances disliked. But with these qualities were united the simple good-nature of a child, and at the same time an imaginative and enthusiastic temper, which seemed little to correspond with his labours at the forge, or his combats in the field. Perhaps a little of the hair-brained and ardent feeling which he had picked out of old ballads, or from the metrical romances, which were his sole source of information or knowledge, may have been the means of pricking him on to some of his achievements, which had often a rude strain of chivalry in them; at least, it was certain that his love to the fair Catharine had in it a delicacy such as might have become the squire of low degree, who was honoured, if song speaks truth, with the smiles of the King of Hungary's daughter. His sentiments towards her were certainly as exalted as if they had been fixed upon. an actual angel, which made old Simon, and others who watched his conduct, think that his passion was too high and devotional to be successful with maiden of mortal mould. They were mistaken, however. Catharine, coy and reserved as she was, had a heart which could feel and understand the nature and depth of the armourer's passion; and whether she was able to repay it or not, she had as much secret pride in the attachment of the redoubted Henry Gow, as a lady of romance may be supposed to have in the company of a tame lion, who follows to provide for and defend her. It was with sentiments of the most sincere gratitude that she recollected, as she awoke at dawn, the services of Henry during the course of the eventful night, and the first thought which she dwelt upon, was the means of making him understand her feelings.

"Arising hastily from bed, and half blushing at her own purpose-"I have been cold to him, and perhaps unjust; I will not be ungrateful,' she said to herself, though I cannot yield to his suit, I will not wait till my father compels me to receive him as my Valentine for the year; I will seek him out, and choose him myself. I have thought other girls bold, when they did something like this, but I shall thus best please my father, and but discharge the rites due to good Saint Valentine by showing my gratitude

stairs and opened the door of the chamber, in which, as she had guessed, her lover had passed the hours after the fray. Catharine paused at the door and became half afraid of executing her purpose, which not only permitted but enjoined the Valentines of the year to begin their connexion with a kiss of affection. It was looked upon as a peculiarly propitious omen, if the one party could find the other asleep, and awaken him or her by performance of this interesting ceremony.

"Never was a fairer opportunity offered for commencing this mystic tie, than that which now presented itself to Catharine, After many and various thoughts, sleep had at length overcome the stout armourer in the chair in which he had deposited himself. His features, in repose, had a more firm and manly cast than Catharine had thought, who, having generally seen them fluctuating between shamefacedness and apprehension of her displeasure, had been used to connect with them some idea of imbecility.

"He looks very stern,' she said; if he should be angry-and then when he awakes-we are alone-if I should call Dorothy-if I should wake my father --but no! it is a thing of custom, and done in all maidenly and sisterly love and honour. I will not suppose that Henry can misconstrue it, and I will not let a childish fear put my gratitude to sleep.'

"So saying, she tripped along the floor of the apartment with a light, though hesitating step, and a cheek crimsoned at her own purpose; and gliding to the chair of the sleeper, dropped a kiss upon his lips as light as if a rose leaf had fallen on them. The slumbers must have been slight which such a touch could dispel, and the dreams of the sleeper must needs have been connected with the cause of the interruption, since Henry, instantly starting up, caught the maiden in his arms, and attempted to return in ecstasy the salute which had broken his repose. But Catharine struggled in his embrace, and as her efforts implied alarmed modesty, rather than maidenly coyness, her bashful lover suffered her to escape a grasp, from which twenty times her strength could not have extricated her.

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Nay, be not angry, good Henry,' said Catharine, in the kindest tone, to her surprised lover. I have paid my vows to Saint Valentine, to show how I value the mate which he has sent me for the vear. Let but my father be present, and I will not dare to refuse thee the revenge you may clain for a broken sleep.'

"Let not that be a hindrance,' said the old Glover, rushing in ecstasy into the room" to her, Smith-to her strike while the iron is hot, and teach her what it is not to let sleeping dogs lie still.'

"Thus encouraged, Henry, though perhaps with less alarming vivacity, again seized the blushing maiden in his arms, who submitted with a tolerable grace to receive repayment of her salute, a dozen times repeated, and with an energy very different from that which had provoked such severe retaliation. At length, she again extricated herself from her lover's arms, and, as if frightened and repenting what she had done, threw herself into a seat, and covered her face with her hands.

"Cheer up, thou silly girl,' said her father, and be not ashamed that thou hast made the two happiest men in Perth, since thy ola father is one of them. Never was kiss so well bestowed, and meet it is that it should be suitably returned. Look up, my darling! look up, and let me see thee but give one smile. By my honest word, the sun that now rises over our fair city shows no sight that can give me greater pleasure. What,' he continued, in a jocose tone, 'thou thoughtst thou hadst Jamie Keddie's ring, and couldst walk invisible? but not so, my fairy of the dawning. Just as I was about to rise, I heard thy chamber door open, and watched thee down stairs-not to protect thee against this sleepy-headed Henry, but to see with my own delighted eyes, my beloved girl do that which her father most wished. Come, put down these foolish hands, and though thou blushest a little, it will only the better grace St. Valentine's morn, when blushes best become a maiden's cheek.'

She

"As Simon Glover spoke, he pulled away, with gentle violence, the hands which hid his daughter's face. blushed deeply, indeed, but there was more than maiden's shame in her face, and her eyes were fast filling with tears.

"What! weeping, love?' continued her father, 'nay, nay, this is more than need-Henry, help me to comfort this little fool.'

"Catharine made an effort to collect herself and to smile, but the smile was of a melancholy and serious cast.

"I only meant to say, father,' said the Fair Maid of Perth, with continued exertion, that in choosing Henry Gow for my Valentine, and rendering to him the rights and greeting of the morning, according to wonted custom, I meant but to show my gratitude to him for his manly

and faithful service, and my obedience to you.-But do not lead him to think-and oh, dearest father, do not yourself entertain an idea, that I meant more than what the promise to be his faithful and affectionate Valentine through the year requires of me.'

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Ay-ay-ay-ay-we understand it all,' said Simon, in the soothing tone which nurses apply to children-We understand what the meaning is, enough for once, enough for once. Thou shalt not be frightened or hurried.-Loving, true, and faithful Valentines are ye, and the rest as Heaven and opportunity shall permit. Come, prithee, have donewring not thy tiny hands, nor fear farther persecution now. Thou hast done bravely, excellently-And now, away to Dorothy, and call up the old sluggard, we must have a substantial breakfast, after a night of confusion and a morning of joy, and thy hand will be needed to prepare for us some of these delicate cakes, which no one can make but thyself; and well hast thou a right to the secret, seeing who taught it thee.-Ah! health to the soul of thy dearest mother,' he added, with a sigh; 'how blithe would she have been to see this happy St. Valentine's morn ing!'

"Catharine took the opportunity of escape which was thus given her, and glided from the room.'