“That’s because it’s not one of your Douglas allies--and you’re full of auld world freats and proverbs about names, but I would like to hear in our family who had anything to say against my husband’s name.” “If you mean Lord John--do you know he has not a good reputation? Very ill things are said of him.” “In London,” said the Lady of Glendochart with a superior smile. “My experience is that there’s just nothing but scandal in London. But in his own country he’s the Duke’s son and one of the first of his name.” “There are some things that one learns in London,” said Kirsteen with a little of that quick growing identification of one’s self with one’s habitation which changes the point of view; “and Mary, if you will let me say it, this is one. The Duke’s son does not match with a country laird’s daughter however bonny she may be, unless he may be one of the romanticks that will make a sacrifice--but Lord John, he is not one.” “I would hope not,” cried Mary. “The romanticks you are meaning are just fools and fantastic persons like--“ she was about to have said like yourself, but forebore. “He would need to be fantastic that went to the Duke his father, and said I am going to be married to Jeanie Douglas of Drumcarro.” “Ye go a little too far, Kirsteen,” said Miss Eelen. “The Douglases might match with princes so far as blood goes. But I’m not saying (for I know their ways) that there is not reason in it. He will just get up a talk about the lassie and then he will go away.” “Ye are two ravens,” said Mary; “he will do nothing of the kind.” “I wish you would take her to Glendochart, Mary. She is not happy. If it is Lord John or something else I cannot tell. She says she would like to come with me--but what would my father say?” “Say! just what we all would say--that we would not permit it. A mantua-maker’s house in London for Jeanie Douglas. Oh, you need not blaze up, Kirsteen; ye have made your bed and ye must lie on it--but Jeanie!” Kirsteen did not blaze up. Her eyes flashed, her colour rose; but she restrained herself with a great effort--for what would be the use? “The more reason,” she said, “that you should step in--you that are no mantua-maker but a lady in your own house. Take Jeanie with you, and keep her safe--and if you will take my advice ask Major Gordon. He is not rich but he has a very good name.” “I mind now,” said Mary, “that these Gordons were friends of yours--and you want to keep Jeanie down, just in a mean position when she might take her place among the highest. I would not have thought ye were so little, Kirsteen. But I have nothing of that. I’ve always been proud of Jeanie and I’m not minding if she’s put over my head. I’ll bring no man here to distract her mind--and I’ll put no spoke in her wheel, my bonny little sister. She shall be the first and grandest of us all, if I can do it. And then her ladyship,” cried Mary, “will know who was her best friend.”