Robert Falconer

about six o'clock, in Gracechurch Street. It was a fine summer evening. The street was less crowded than earlier in the afternoon, although there was

r can keep the shadows out. Look: wherever a space is for a moment vacant, there falls a shadow, as

as if it belonged to the world I was born in, but my own shadow. In such a street as this, h

, to show that London cannot hurt them, for it too is within the Kingdom of God-to teach the lovers

g with wide eyes into, not at the crowd of vehicles that filled the s

th you?' Robert asked

wed Shargar's gaze, and saw a

she struck him now and then, but which she oftener waved over his head like the truncheon of an excited marshal on the battle-field, accompanying its movements now with loud cries to the animal, now with loud response to the chaff of the omnibus conductor, the dray driver, and the tradesmen in carts about her. She was followed by a very handsome, olive-complexioned, wild-l

a moment. The same moment

ed, and darted under a horse's

abman whose wheel had caught the point of her donkey's shaft, and was hauling

er! m

, with a vigorous throw and a wriggle, she free

l her hand closing and relaxing and closing again, as if she were trying to force her long nails into his flesh. He stood motionless, waiting the result of her scrutiny, utterly unconscious that he cause

had been in altercation with the woman. Bursting into an insulting laugh, he used words with regard to her which it is b

e that was not the less impres

ed his horse. Shargar sprung on the box

d, 'beg my mo

do, &c., &c.,'

urself,' said S

g it all, and was by

hting shape. He looked one of those insolent fellows whom none see discomfited more glad

an rose bleeding, and, desiring no more of the same, climbed on his box, and went off, belabouring h

id Shargar, panti

of being defended as if the coarse words of her assailant ha

t fo

gentleman

in?' returned Shargar

father was ane ony gait-gin

ers, and whispered some words

n her fine features. 'But ye can be naebody but my Geordie. Haith, man!' she went on, regarding him once more fr

half mechanically towards Robert. H

in to her, and speaking English now, 'it was I

have no idea o

an' tak a glaiss, wuman,' said Falcon

of them, caused an instant acquiescence. She said a few words to the young woma

said the elder, turn

Churchyard, and the woman followed faithf

to their private room. When the whisky arrived, she toss

e up, I'm thinkin', laddie?'

, gloomily. 'There's t

e?' she asked, tu

oner,' sa

kner?' she asked again,

,' answer

once more to her son, 'it's like mi

father?' asked

him she made anothe

ur company, ony gait-queer

of my company,' said S

now answering Robert-'mair by token 'at I saw

his seat, and cau

sic a flurry. He'll no co

Where did you see him? I'll gie ye a'

or a thrum in a hay-sow?' returned she

e it was him?'

eneuch,' s

ks ye sa

atween my twa een, an' that 'll be twa 'at k

u speak

. I didna come here to

ke,' said Robert, agi

t 'deed ye'll ken what he's like whan ye fa' in wi' him,' she added, with a vin

the same moment to detain her. Like one who knew at once to

yours, Geordie. She'll be worth siller by

the door, and, parting, searched in both directions. But they were soon satisfied that it was of