Then the Elder rose, and came toward the tea-table, "Maria," he said, "you will not use such like words, whatever your father pleases to do. I hae nae doubt at all that he has chosen a good wife for himsel' and a good mother for you. You had a long letter; what does he say anent her?" "She is a nonesuch, of course. No woman in England, or out of England like her." "I expect as much; my son Alexander has my ain perception concerning women-folk. He would hae the best, or nane at a'. Wha was she? He said in my letter you would gie us a' the particulars." "He has filled six pages about her. She was Miss Elizabeth Spencer. Father says her family is one of the best and oldest in England. The Reverend Oswald Spencer married them; he is rector of St. Margaret's Church in London, and a distant relative." "A very fashionable congregation, and nae doubt the living is according." "Father has become a member of St. Margaret's, and he has a large mansion in the wealthy Bloomsbury district. He tells me that I must come home, the first opportunity that gives me a respectable companion." "And it is just destiny, Maria, and not to be," said her grandmother; "for Mrs. Gordon was here this afternoon to bid me farewell. Colonel Gordon has been exchanged, and has reached New York, and they sail in Saturday's packet for London. She will be delighted to hae your company, and a mair proper person to travel wi' you couldna find in America; for it isna only hersel', you will hae the Colonel also, to watch o'er you baith." "Destiny or not, I won't go, grandmother." "Dinna sow sorrow to yoursel'. They who cross destiny, make a cross for themsel's." "I will hear what Ernest says about it." "You arena your ain mistress yet, and God and man, baith, expect you to put your father's commands before all others," said the Elder. "I think grandmother and you wish to get rid of me," and the tears sprang to her eyes, and she set her cup down with a noisy petulance. There was a moment's silence and then the Elder continued, "Your education isna finished yet, as your father says; it was broken up by the war." "And the lessons at Bradley's house were worse than nane at all," interrupted Madame. "You are to have masters of a' kinds; and your stepmother is a grand musician, I hear, and willing to teach you hersel'." "I will not go to school again. I know all I want to know." "You will hae to be schooled for the station you are to fit; your father has turned his loyalty into gold, for he has got it noticed by His Majesty, and been appointed to a rich place in the government offices. Forbye, he tells me, his new wife has a fortune in her ain right, and sae the world stands straight with him and his. You'll hae society o' the best sort, and I hope you'll do your part, to show all and sundry, that a little Colonial maid isna' behind English girls, in any usefu' or ornamental particular."