Donald had not seen her father treat her so harshly, but he saw the torn dress and the tears.  It was obvious that the girl had been ill used.  He pulled the girl into his arms and cradled her.  "Dinna cry lass.  There's nothing do but can be forgiven."  He rocked her back and forth, unsure of what to do next.<br/><br/>The truth was, he was beyond exhausted, and he did not have to will to take her back just yet.  She had been missing for over four hours already, so surely a bit longer would not matter.  Instead of immediately taking her back, he simply knelt in the clearing and held her.  As her crying continued, he wondered that she was so unused to the idea of her marriage.  Surely she had been arranged to be married from her childhood, and had been prepared for the idea.