“Here we are,” said Lindsay, triumphantly. “How you may feel on the matter, I can’t tell, Mr. Muir, but this seems very fine to me; and the windows behind look out on the Forth.” Harry was half-ashamed of his ill-humour, but for the moment he could not conquer it. “We’ll give this room to the bonniest ane,” said the Dragon, with his feeble smile. “Whilk ane’s that, Mr. Hairy? and you’ll no be for ony mair windows for your Lady Rose,” added the old man, turning sharply round on Cuthbert. Cuthbert had been investigating the apartment behind. “The very brightest of drawing-rooms,” said the advocate, with a warmth which made Harry still more ashamed of himself. “You have nothing to do but take down this partition, and throw the two into one room.” The poor old guardian of these dim walls clenched his hand, and shook it with feeble vehemence in Cuthbert’s face: “Would ye put such radical notions into the innocent lad’s head? Would ye daur?” CHAPTER II. Lord what a nothing is this little span We call a man! How slight and short are his resolves at longest, How weak at strongest! QUARLES. CUTHBERT CHARTERIS returned to Edinburgh that night, but not until he had first made a rude outline--he was no artist, but could use his pencil enough for this--of Allenders, with its eccentric turret and shady mall, and the boat--a very crazy, incompetent boat as it turned out--lying under the saugh tree upon the quiet water. He showed it to Harry, as they eagerly consulted about the necessary improvements, and Harry thought it quite a remarkable production; but Cuthbert greatly doubted as he enclosed it to Martha Muir. The deed almost lost its original intention of simple kindness, as he pondered over it, and feared that _they_ might think his drawing a very poor affair; but it was sent at last.