telling it to Marjory; the power of discrediting her old admirer in her eyes was quite grateful to him; he was spitefully delighted--there is no other word that can describe his feelings. If Fanshawe had but thought of it, he might have felt himself quite delivered from the danger of being too amiable by this vigorous outburst of dislike and feelings quite un-evangelical. But somehow it did not occur to him to judge his own sentiments in that uncompromising way. He had a hostile reception; from the moment of his appearance the ladies at Pitcomlie made sure that he was coming on no friendly errand. Verna came in from the cliff through the open window, having caught a glimpse of him; she was very pale, with a scared look which Fanshawe could not understand. They both looked at him with a stare of something like defiance, but took no other notice of his presence. This was very embarrassing at first. He faltered a little as he drew near, being very pervious to incivility, and all the smaller pricks by which the mind can be assailed. “I have come to execute a commission from Mr. Charles Hay-Heriot,” he said, looking round him almost pitifully for support. Johnnie Hepburn afforded none. He even turned his back and gazed out of one of the windows. He did not stand by a brother in distress. He was too much frightened for the women, if truth must be told. “Oh, yes; to be sure; and I think we could guess what it was,” said Matilda. “Pray speak out. Don’t be afraid. You need not have too much consideration, or that sort of thing, for me.” “Indeed, I was told to have every consideration,” said Fanshawe, perplexed. “Mr. Charles----” “Oh, why keep up the farce of Mr. Charles?” cried Matilda. “Say Marjory at once. We know it is all her hatching, this conspiracy; and oh! you may be quite sure whatever can be done, by law, against conspiracy--” “Hold your tongue, Matty,” said Verna, in a sharp whisper. “You fool! don’t be always showing your hand.” “As if I cared!” cried Matilda; “as if I did not see Marjory’s hand! Besides, it is well known that she keeps him to run errands for her, and do whatever she tells him. Oh! say it out! We are prepared for everything you have to say.” “Then my errand may be all the shorter,” said Fanshawe. “It is only to tell you, from Mr. Hay-Heriot, that a discovery has been made about your brother-in-law, Tom Heriot. It has been found out that he was married, and has left a son--” Here he was interrupted by a defiant peal of laughter, and looking up, surprised, saw both ladies laughing almost violently, as at the most excellent joke. “Oh! this is too good,” the one said to the other; “too good; just what we expected. But Marjory might have invented something better,” said Matilda. “I could have made up a better story myself.”