“Ye see,” said Miss Insches, “it’s no to be expected but what a young man like Robert should think of settling; though I aye tell him it’s his best way to take his time and look weel about him, for a minister’s wife, ye ken, Mrs Buchanan, is no like a common body’s; and when a lad like Robert is well likit in a place, he has great reason to be canny--for a wife that wasna just richt, would spoil a’.” Mrs Buchanan looked a little piqued--but Helen’s face was lighted up, and she was inclined to be very merry. “You are quite right, Miss Insches,” said Helen. The good little woman looked at her in some surprise, but Helen’s eyes were cast down, and she could not see the laughter which danced under their lids. “Ay, Miss Buchanan, it’s a serious thing,” resumed Miss Insches, “for ye see, a minister maunna think about his ain comfort it’s lane, but about what a’body’ll say; for it’s a wonderful thing to me, how a’body _does_ aye find something to say, whatever folk do; and then forbye being a _lady_--and I aye make a point o’ that--there’s so much needed in a minister’s wife. There’s Robert now--he’s as guid a lad as ever was; but when he’s at his studies, or when he’s dune out wi’ preaching, I’m aye as quiet as poussie--but it’s no every wife that would have that discrimination.” “No indeed,” echoed the mischievous Helen. “And then Robert, puir man, he’s aye been used to have his ain way,” said Miss Insches, becoming disconsolate as the thought again entered her mind that Robert must consent to come down from his shrine, and very probably should have his own way no longer: “and I’m sure I dinna ken onybody that deserves’t as weel; for a better lad--” “Is Mr Insches going to be married?” interrupted Hope. Miss Insches brightened. “Weel, I’ll no say--there _is_ a young lady, I ken--she’s very bonnie, though she’s but a young thing, and they have an unco wark with one another. Ye ken he maun make up his mind for himsel--I wouldna take it upon me to advise him to the like o’ that; but I judge he would get na discouragement yonder, and she’s a lady baith by the faither’s side and the mother’s. There’s nae saying what may come to pass in a while; but the noo, Robert’s gaun away to take a jaunt to himsel--he’s just worn out aye at his duty, puir man, and he’s gaun to London.” “Weel,” added Miss Insches to herself, as she left Mrs Buchanan’s door, “if she ever got the offer of our Robert--maybe she didna--but if she ever did, I kenna what glamour was in the lassie’s e’en, to make her take that muckle dour man when she might have gotten the minister!”