disgust and misery, and though popularly believed to have died of an injury to the spine got in the hunting-field, had in reality succumbed to the severer malady of a broken heart; and how there was now a baby produced, who was said to be Tom’s heir, to the great trouble of the family. “I hear there’s a great body of witnesses all ready to swear to it,” said Dr. Murray; “but our old friend Charles, Miss Jean, as I need not tell you, is not of a very determined character, and perhaps if there was a bold front put upon it, we might hear another story. The worst is, there’s nobody that I know of, unless it was a man of business, that has energy to take the matter up.” “Energy!” said Miss Jean, “it’s not energy that’s wanting. Marjory’s a young woman, and will think it’s not her place to interfere; but I’m not young to speak of, and I’ll not see the old house pass to a gamekeeper’s daughter without rhyme or reason. Hey, Bell! go and call John out of the kailyard, and bid him dress himself, and put to the horse. I’m going to St. Andrews; and put me up a change of linen, and a clean cap. Charlie’s an old fool! but I hope you’ll no say that I’m not a determined character, Doctor. I’ll know the rights of this before I’m a day older--and she’ll be a clever lass, cleverer than I have ever seen one of her kind, if she imposes upon me.” “My dear Miss Jean,” said Dr. Murray, “we all bow to your sense and your experience; but these kind of cutties are often very clever. I would not encounter one of them myself unless it was strictly in the way of duty--and you know a lady--” “Oh, ay! I know your opinion of a lady,” said Miss Jean, “which is very pleasant, and very fine, if we were all under five-and-twenty; but when a woman comes to be five-and-seventy, as I’m saying, that makes a difference. Johnnie Hepburn, this will be sore news for your friends up at Pitcomlie,” she added, quickly turning, with a gleam of enjoyment, to the other visitor, who had been listening with consternation to the strange story. “Ye’ll have a grand excuse to go and comfort Mrs. Chairles.” “I don’t think my comfort is very much to Mrs. Charles,” said Hepburn, with rising colour; “but surely you don’t believe, for a moment, that such a story as this can be true.” “Why should I no believe it?” said Miss Jean. She was profoundly sceptical, but she could not relinquish the opportunity of demolishing her adversaries, “these young women” at Pitcomlie. “We’re a great people, Johnnie, and Scotland, though she’s small, holds up her head with the best, and for my part I know none that can hold a candle to her--” “That’s true--that’s very true,” said the Minister, “but when you think of all our spiritual advantages, and what Providence has done for us, it’s a terrible addition to our responsibility. That is what I always think of--a land that has been so favoured for generations--”