"To Marion Brodie's. She spoke of Flora McLeod being with Marion to-day, and of the necessity of making each of them understand their duties." "Duties?" "As chief bride-maidens." "Yes, yes, of course! But she will be home to dinner?" "Oh, certainly; and Marion may come back with her. If so, how will the plain dinner do?" "Well enough! Marion's mother was brought up on mutton broth and haggis; and the wealth o' the Brodies is o'er young to be in the fashions yet awhile. I will be down at seven, and meanwhile you may speak to Christina anent her duty. I do think her wedding dress ought to be home even the now." "Mother, it will not come until the day before the marriage. She is afraid of it being handled." "Preserve us! Why shouldn't it be handled? It is pure selfishness. She is against sharing her pleasure with any other soul. That is the because of her ill-natured conduct. See that dinner is ready punctual. Your brother was in one of his north-easter tempers this morning, and the day's work isn't likely to have sorted him any better." Then half-reluctantly she went upstairs. She would rather have remained with Isabel and talked affairs over again; but Isabel was depressed and not inclined to conversation. The old lady wondered, as she slowly climbed the stairs, "What the young people of this generation were made of?" She felt that she had more enthusiasm than either of her daughters, and then sighed deeply, because it received so little sympathy. CHAPTER VIII A RUNAWAY BRIDE At seven precisely Mrs. Campbell re-entered the dining-room. Isabel was already there, and Jepson was bringing in the broth. Neither Robert nor Christina was present, and she wondered a little, but asked no questions. In a few moments Theodora took her place, and without remark permitted Jepson to serve her. But she was evidently in trouble, and she did not touch the food before her. At length Mrs. Campbell asked: "Where is Robert? Is he not ready for dinner?" "He is asleep. I suppose he is not ready for dinner." "What time did he return home?" "Very early. He said he was sleepy. He is always sleepy. I fear he is ill, a healthy man cannot always be needing sleep." "The Campbells, all of them, are famous for their ability to sleep. They can sleep at all hours, and in any place--a four-inch-wide plank would suffice them for a sofa. They can order a sleep whenever they desire, and it comes. It is very remarkable." "Very," answered Theodora, in a tone of unavoidable contempt. "I have heard people say it was a great gift, and it is quite a family gift." "I hope my little David will not inherit it," said Theodora. "There is nothing of the Campbell family about the boy," replied Mrs. Campbell. Theodora did not say she was glad, but she looked the words, and her expression of satisfaction was annoying to both Isabel and her mother. The former said with petulant decision: