"Alice has gone out," said Mrs. Aytoun: "she will be with us very soon again. They were to watch for your coming, but I fear these young people become engrossed in their own matters sometimes." "They?" said Anne. "Ay, she has a gallant with her you have seen before," said Mrs. Catherine, "be patient--you will find out who he is before long." "Is it Lewis?--is Lewis here?" asked Anne. "Mrs. Catherine wishes to take Alice from us again," said Mrs. Aytoun. "I am afraid, Miss Ross, I can hardly thank you for the barrier you have removed. Alice is so young--little more than a child yet." James Aytoun took up a book, and went away smilingly to a window. He saw that a consultation matrimonial and maternal was impending. "I do think she is too young. I do not approve of too early marriages," said Mrs. Aytoun, shaking her head. "Why, many girls are but leaving school at Alice's age--she is not quite eighteen yet." "She is in no peril," said Mrs. Catherine. "It's my hope, kinswoman, that you do not think you are sending her into a savage country, where there will be but barbarous people to show kindness to the bairn. There is no fear of her--I warrant her in as careful hands, when she is in Lewis's, as she could be under the shadow of my very sel; I would not just have advised you to wed her--a bairn as she undoubtedly is--to the like of Archie Sutherland; but she is in no peril with Lewis." The slightest possible additional color wavered over Anne's face. She did by no means perceive any connexion, logical or otherwise, between the marriage of little Alice Aytoun and Archie Sutherland. "I am not afraid for her," said Mrs. Aytoun: "it is not peril that I mean; but so young a girl entering upon the care of a house--the management of a family--besides the pain of losing her. If it had not been for your mother's presence, and your own, Miss Ross, I should never have consented--at her age." Mrs. Aytoun expressed something of what she felt, but not all. She did not like the idea of Alice entering another family, not as its mistress, but as a younger daughter. She felt sure of Anne; but Alice was by no means so exuberant in her praise of Mrs. Ross. "I do not know what arrangement my mother may make," said Anne, "but, of course, whether we remain in Merkland or not, it must make a very great, and a very pleasant change to us." Mrs. Aytoun smiled a dubious smile--she was not reconciled to it. In any way, parting with the girl-daughter was a great venture, but to send her into the rule of a husband's mother, while even the husband himself was comparatively unknown! Mrs. Aytoun was jealous and afraid for her little clinging Alice, whose life hitherto had been so carefully guarded. "And so you are demurring to the lad's petition?" said Mrs. Catherine. "Well, I do not marvel; but a month or two can make little odds, and you bid to have parted with her soon or syne."