'Set them up indeed,' she muttered; 'wha are the Melforts o' Fettercairn, that they should slight you--_laoghe mo chri_?' she added, softly (calf of my heart). 'What a pity it is ye canna fling at their heads the gold they love, for even a Lowland dog winna yowl gin ye pelt him wi' banes. But you've begun wi' love and marriage, and a gude beginning mak's a gude ending.' 'But we shall be so poor, Nursie Madelon, and I have ruined my poor Lennard,' urged Flora, as the kind woman caressed her. 'They say a kiss and a cup of water mak' but a wersh breakfast,' laughed Madelon; 'but you're no sae puir as that comes to, my darling.' 'Not quite' said Flora, laughing faintly, in turn. 'Yet I have sorely injured my husband's prospects.' 'Tut, tut, my bairn. Ony man can woo, but he weds only whar his weird lies; and so Captain Melfort wedded you, and wha better? Then what is a Lord that we should _lippen_ to _him_? As long as ye serve a tod ye maun carry his tail? And your father's daughter may carry her head wi' the highest.' Lennard Melfort now resolved neither verbally nor by letter to have further intercourse with his family at Craigengowan or elsewhere, but before he could make up his mind what to do or could betake him south, as he meant to quit Scotland without delay, on the day subsequent to the stormy interview Madelon announced a visitor, and on a salver brought in a card inscribed--'MR. KENNETH KIPPILAW, W.S.' CHAPTER III. THE SPURNED OFFER. 'The family agent from Edinburgh, Flora,' said Lennard, in answer to her inquiring glance. 'Mrs. Melfort,' he added, introducing her to their visitor, who bowed with a critical glance and appreciative smile. 'I have been telegraphed for by your father, Captain Melfort,' said Mr. Kippilaw, as they shook hands and he was motioned to a chair. A hale, hearty, unpretentious, business-like man, about forty years of age, Mr. Kenneth Kippilaw was too well-bred and too sensible to begin the matter in hand by any remarks about youthful imprudence, early marriages, or so forth, as he knew the pride and temperament of the young man before him, but laid down his hat, and, after some of that familiar weather talk which is the invariable prelude to any conversation over all the British Isles, he gently approached the object of his mission, which Flora, in the simplicity and terror of her heart, never doubted was a separation of some kind between herself and Lennard, so with a pallid face she bowed and withdrew. 'To what am I indebted for the pleasure of this--a--unexpected interview?' asked Lennard, a little stiffly. 'Instructions just received from your father, Captain Melfort.' 'Then you have come from Craigengowan?' 'Straight.' 'Has he made up his mind to accept my wife as his daughter-in-law?' 'Quite the reverse, I regret to say.' Lennard's face darkened with indignation, and he gave his moustache an angry twist.