Her hair, a natural ornament which woman seeks
much to improve, was of bright glossy brown, and encumbered rather than
adorned with a snood, set thick with marine productions, among which
the small clear pearl found in the Solway was conspicuous. Nature had
not trusted to a handsome shape, and a sylph-like air, for young
Barbara's influence over the heart of man; but had bestowed a pair of
large bright blue eyes, swimming in liquid light, so full of love and
gentleness and joy, that all the sailors from Annanwater to far Saint
Bees acknowledged their power, and sung songs about the bonnie lass
of Mark Macmoran. She stood holding a small gaff-hook of polished steel
in her hand, and seemed not dissatisfied with the glances I bestowed
on her from time to time, and which I held more than requited by a single
glance of those eyes which retained so many capricious hearts in
subjection.
The tide, though rapidly augmenting, had not yet filled the bay at our
feet. The moon now streamed fairly over the tops of Caerlaverock pines,
and showed the expanse of ocean dimpling and swelling, on which sloops
and shallops came dancing, and displaying at every turn their extent
of white sail against the beam of the moon.
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