I borrowed at various times, little sums from your brother, the late Allenders--I cannot undertake to say what they came to exactly, but not above this I enclose. I am leaving Allender Mains next week, and would be glad to call, if there is no objection; and would be glad to know whether I have your permission, as I believe I had the permission of your brother, to pay my addresses to your sister, Miss Rose. This is not a suitable time to ask, but I am anxious to know, and intend to settle down in Stirling; and will be profited, I trust, by the late solemn warning, which, I assure you, has caused me the deepest regret. With much sympathy, and compliments to all the family, I remain, dear Madam, Yours faithfully, GILBERT ALLENDERS.” Cuthbert unconsciously crushed the letter in his hand. Inconsiderable as his rival was, he was a rival still. Martha’s answer was very brief. “I return you, with thanks, the money you have sent me. We who remain have nothing to do with what passed between the dead and you. Let this be past, like everything else which put your names together. We are little disposed to receive callers. Without any discourtesy, I think it is better that you should not come. MARTHA MUIR ALLENDERS.” It was the first time she had signed her name so; and Martha placed the fifty-pound note within her letter, when she had shown it to Cuthbert, who looked on with some astonishment. Collected and self-possessed as she was, Martha could not, without strong emotion, either write or speak poor Harry’s name, and her whole frame quivered with nervous excitement as she closed her letter. Cuthbert was much surprised; he thought this a piece of quite unnecessary generosity. “Is it foolish?” said Martha, answering his look. “Well, be it so; but no one shall say that _he_ gave this to a careless companion, and that it was exacted back again. I tell you, the meanest gift he ever gave, were it for his own destruction, is sacred to me--never to be reclaimed. It was his own. I will not hear a word of blame.” And this irritation and defiance was the weakness of Martha’s grief.