The latter--a _rara avis_, scarce as the dodo and his kindred--was intensely national--a lover of his country and of everything Scottish; an enthusiast at Burns' festivals, and singularly patriotic to be what is locally termed a 'Parliament House bred man.' Thus the anti-nationality or utter indifference of Lord Fettercairn was a frequent bone of contention between them; and so bitterly did they sometimes argue about Scotland and her neglected interests, that it is a marvel the Peer did not seek out a more obsequious agent. 'Like his uncle, the late Master of Melfort, Mr. Shafto must go into Parliament,' said old Mr. Kippilaw; 'but I hope he will make a better use of his time.' 'What do you mean?' asked Lord Fettercairn coldly. 'By attending to Scottish affairs, and getting us equal grants with England and Ireland for public purposes.' 'Stuff--the old story, my dear sir. Who cares about Scotland or her interests?' 'Ay, who indeed!' exclaimed old Kippilaw, growing warm. 'She is content to be a mere province now.' 'The more shame for her--a province that contributes all her millions to the Imperial Exchequer and gets nothing in return.' 'A sure sign she doesn't want anything,' replied the peer, with one of his silent laughs. 'I wish you would not worry me with this patriotic "rot," Kippilaw--excuse the vulgarity of the phrase; but so long as I can get my rents out of Craigengowan and Finella, I don't care a jot if all the rest, Scotland with all its rights and wrongs, history, poetry and music, was ten leagues under the sea!' So thus, for two reasons, political and personal, the 'Fettercairns' just then did not go to 'town.' On the terrace this very afternoon Lady Fettercairn was watching Finella and Dulcie, linked arm in arm conversing apart from all, and her smooth brow clouded; for she knew well that the fact of Hammersley owing his life to Florian MacIan would make--as it did--a new tie between the two girls. 'You see, Shafto,' said she, 'how more than ever does Finella put that girl out of her place. Though most useful as she is to me, always pleasant and irreproachably lady-like, I think I must get rid of her.' 'Not yet--not yet, grandmother,' said Shafto, who did not just _then_ wish this climax; 'do give her another chance.' 'To please you, I will, my dear boy; but I fear I am rash.' 'I wish Finella were not so beastly rich!' he exclaimed. 'Do not use such shocking terms, Shafto! But why?' 'It makes me look like a fortune-hunter, being after her.' '"After her"? Another vulgarism--impossible--you--you--the heir of Fettercairn!' 'Well, it gives one no credit for disinterested affection,' said this plausible young gentleman. We have said that Lady Fettercairn was irrepressible in seeking to control Finella. 'How quiet and abstracted you seem! Why don't you entertain our friends?' said she, as the girl drew near her in an angle of the terrace, where they were alone.