Mrs. Dunlop came back and softly closed the door on the sacred stillness that followed. Then she slowly wended her way down to her sitting-room and sat down with a deep sigh. “What a sad old world this is,” she thought. The time dragged along very slowly as she patiently waited for Robert to come down. Presently she heard the door above close ever so gently, and then his low footfall down the thick stair carpet. She rose and met him in the reception hall. He stood on the lowest step, his hand on the balustrade, his breast heaving with the strain of his emotions. Mrs. Dunlop took his hand tenderly and pressed it in loving sympathy. By and by he spoke, and the intense suffering in his voice touched her keenly. “As ye sow, so shall ye reap,” he muttered brokenly. She could only press his hand in silent sympathy. Gradually his grief became quiet and a look of melancholy resignation came over his expressive face. “When will you leave the city?” she asked quietly. He thought a moment. “My affairs will be settled by the week’s end,” he replied, “then I shall go straight to Ellisland. I——” He paused a moment, then straightened himself, and continued in a firm voice, “Jean has gone to Mauchline. She will remain there until the house at Ellisland is in condition to receive her.” He held out his hand. “And now, dear, good friend, good-by.” “No, not good-by, laddie,” she answered tearfully. “Just _au revoir_, for I mean to visit you some day,” and she smiled through her tears. With a last shake of the hand, he left her, while above stairs a sweet, wan, tear-stained face, pressed close against the pane, watched his bowed figure striding moodily toward his lodging, watched it as it faded, growing dimmer and dimmer, till it was lost to sight. [Illustration: Robert Burns] BOOK III CHAPTER XX Now spells of mightier power prepare, Bid brighter phantoms round him dance; Let flattery spread her viewless snare, And fame attract his vagrant glance; Let sprightly pleasure too advance, Unveiled her eyes, unclasped her zone; Till last in love’s delicious trance He scorns the joys his youth has known.