She
herself lighted her lamp once more at the kitchen fire, and took her
distaff and spindle, that she might not seem to be unemployed, in case
any one came into the apartment.
From time to time, however, she stole towards the window on tiptoe, to
catch the first glance of the dawn, for the farther prosecution of her
adventurous project. At length she saw, to her great joy, the first
peep of the morning brighten upon the gray clouds of the east, and,
clasping her hands together, thanked Our Lady for the sight, and
implored protection during the remainder of her enterprise. Ere she
had finished her prayer, she started at feeling a man's arm across her
shoulder, while a rough voice spoke in her ear--"What! menseful Mysie
of the Mill so soon at her prayers?--now, benison on the bonny eyes
that open so early!--I'll have a kiss for good morrow's sake."
Dan of the Howlet-hirst, for he was the gallant who paid Mysie this
compliment, suited the action with the word, and the action, as is
usual in such cases of rustic gallantry, was rewarded with a cuff,
which Dan received as a fine gentleman receives a tap with a fan, but
which, delivered by the energetic arm of the Miller's maiden, would
have certainly astonished a less robust gallant.
"How now, Sir Coxcomb!" said she, "and must you be away from your
guard over the English knight, to plague quiet folks with your
horse-tricks!"
"Truly you are mistaken, pretty Mysie," said the clown, "for I have
not yet relieved Edward at his post; and were it not a shame to let
him stay any longer, by my faith, I could find it in my heart not to
quit you these two hours.
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