He, however, did not see her, but there was a
surprise in store for him, for turning round into Swanston Street,
he came across Archie McIntosh. Yes, there he was, with his grim,
severe Scotch face, with the white frill round it, and Gaston smiled
as he saw the old man, dressed in rigid broadcloth, casting
disproving looks on the pretty girls walking along.
'A set o' hizzies,' growled the amiable Archie to himself, 'prancin'
alang wi' their gew-gaws an' fine claes, like war horses--the
daughters o' Zion that walk wi' mincin' steps an' tinklin'
ornaments.'
'How do you do?' said Vandeloup, touching the broadcloth shoulder;
upon which McIntosh turned.
'Lord save us!' he ejaculated, grimly, 'it's yon French body. An'
hoo's a' wi' ye, laddie? Eh, but ye're brawly dressed, my young
man,' with a disproving look; 'I'm hopin' they duds are paid for.'
'Of course they are,' replied Vandeloup, gaily, 'do you think I
stole them?'
'Weel, I'll no gae sa far as that,' remarked Archie, cautiously;
'maybe ye have dwelt by the side o' mony waters, an' flourished. If
he ken the Screepture ye'll see God helps those wha help
themselves.'
'That means you do all the work and give God the credit,' retorted
Gaston, with a sneer; 'I know all about that.'
'Ah, ye'll gang tae the pit o' Tophet when ye dee,' said Mr
McIntosh, who had heard this remark with horror; 'an' ye'll no be
sae ready wi' your tongue there, I'm thinkin'; but ye are not
speerin aboot Mistress Villiers.
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