"It is a melancholy thing to think of the downfall of an old family!" "Hout! Mrs. Bairnsfather," said Mr. Coulter; "you are taking it too seriously. Strathoran can stand a good deal. It will take more than one lad's extravagance to bring down the family, I trust; and young Sutherland used to have good sense and discretion. I spoke to him of draining Loelyin before he went away, and he really had very just ideas on the subject. No, no; let us hope there will be no ruin in the case." Mrs. Bairnsfather shook her head again. "I have no objection to hope the best, Mr. Coulter; but it is no uncommon thing to be disappointed in hopes; and, if what I hear be true, there is more room for fear." "What's this," said Mr. Ambler, approaching the little group, as he made a leisurely, chatting, circuit round the room--"hoping and fearing, Mrs. Bairnsfather? Is it about these happy-looking young people of ours, and the future matches that may spring from their pairings--eh, Mrs. Coulter?" Mrs. Coulter smiled, and glanced over to where Walter Foreman lingered by her Jeanie's side. They were a handsome couple, and Walter had a nice little improvable property, inherited from his mother. There was no saying what might come to pass. "No, Mr. Ambler," said Mrs. Bairnsfather, "we were speaking of poor young Strathoran;" and, from the depths of her fat bosom there came a mysteriously pathetic sigh. "Strathoran! what's happened to the lad?" exclaimed Mr. Ambler. "Lewis Ross left him well and merry--no accident I hope; but Lewis has not been a week at home yet: there is little time for any change in his fortunes." "Ah, Mr. Ambler," said Mrs. Bairnsfather, "it is not aye well to be merry. I have heard from those who know, that young Mr. Sutherland's gay life is putting his lands in jeopardy; they say he'll spend a whole year's income sometimes in a single night, poor ill-advised lad! I happened to mention it to Mrs. Catherine, but she turned about upon me, as if _I_ was to be any better of Strathoran's downfall, which I am sure I never meant, nor anything like it." "Bless me!" said Mr. Ambler, "I am concerned to hear that--I am grieved, do you know, to hear that. Is it possible? Why, I always thought Archie Sutherland was a wise lad--a discreet lad of his years." Mrs. Bairnsfather shook her head. "Archibald Sutherland ruined!" continued Mr. Ambler, "no, it's surely not possible--it must have been an ill-wisher that said that. Why, Strathoran is as big as Falcon's Craig and Smoothlie put together--ay, and even ye might slip in a good slice off Merkland. Ruined! it's not possible. When I came home from India I heard of old Strathoran saying--I do not recollect the amount, I always had a bad memory for figures--but a great sum every year. It must be a false alarm, Mrs. Bairnsfather." "Very well, gentlemen," said Mrs. Bairnsfather, "it's no concern of mine; but a little time will show that I am correct."