Certain names were put down as a matter of course; those of adjacent landholders or the renters of shootings--many of whom were English idlers of good position; also 'a paper lord,' who lived in the vicinity, for, in absence of the real article, as Sir Redmond said, with a laugh, 'the factitious rank that accrues to the Scottish bench was always acceptable in Scotland.' But though Sir Redmond was a baronet, he came of a family which, like that of Mrs. Grizzle Pickle, 'was not to be traced two generations back by all the powers of heraldry or tradition.' A country doctor and a clergyman or two, with their families, come next, including the Rev. Dr. Wodrow, of course. 'The Misses Wellwood, mamma?' said Blanche, inquiringly, as she looked up from her list. 'I saw them at church on Sunday.' 'Are these girls living alone--still?' asked Lady Dunkeld, 'without even an old maid to play propriety.' 'It is clearly against the rules of society, mamma.' 'As laid down by Mrs. Grundy. Have them, by all means,' said Lord Dunkeld; 'but for their extreme goodness, charity, and spotless lives, uncharitable people might say uncharitable things. We must have them, Blanche; their father was a brave old officer.' Whether it was some French associations and his half-blood that influenced him, we cannot say; but Lord Dunkeld by no means shared in the prejudices of his wife and daughter against the two orphan girls at Birkwoodbrae, more especially, as he admitted, their father had been, like himself and his fathers before him, a man of the sword. 'Put their names down, Blanche,' said Lady Dunkeld; adding mentally, 'men like Sir Redmond will be sure to get up a flirtation, which these cottage girls will be sure to misunderstand.' 'But will they come, mamma?' said Blanche. 'You know we have never called on them.' 'That is a matter easily remedied--deliver your invitations in person,' said old Lord Dunkeld. 'And if we invite them here, are we also to invite the elder girl's shadow?' asked Blanche. 'Her shadow!' exclaimed Lady Dunkeld. Who do you mean?' 'That young man--I do not rightly know his name--to whom she is, Rosette tells me, engaged.' 'Of course not; where would your list end if we went on thus?' Blanche either meant Ellinor's lover, or made a mistake; but somehow both Colville and Sir Redmond Sleath noted her words. After a time it was discovered that 'the young man' referred to was Dr. Wodrow's only son, so his name was included in the list. 'How many such acquaintances as these people are made in a year and then dropped,' observed Blanche, unaware that Captain Colville coloured with something of pain and even annoyance at her remark.