"Accidents, Madam! Do you call _that_ an accident--the massacreing of a delicate animal like a trout? No, I send Forsyth to the kitchen every morning to superintend; and Forsyth, by long practice, has arrived at perfiteness, as the old proverb says.--Better try a bit of one though, Lewis, mangled though they be, than hurt your stomach with these eggs; they're indigestible, man--like lead. Send me your plate; here is not a bad bit." "There is a kipper beside you, more carefully cooked, Mr. Ambler," said Anne, smiling. "Thank you, Anne, my dear; but I never take kippered trout when I can get fresh, fit for the eating. Lewis, man, what makes you yawn so much? It's very ill-bred." Lewis laughed. Mrs. Ross looked displeased. "Poor boy, he is fatigued. No wonder, after all his exertions yesterday." "Fatigued! Nonsense. What should fatigue him?" said Mr. Ambler. "Take my word for it, Mrs. Ross, it's just an idle habit, and not genuine weariness. A young man, like Lewis, fatigued with enjoying himself!--on his one-and-twentieth birthday, too! Who ever heard the like? When I was in India (which is neither the day nor yesterday) I have seen me up till far on in the night, and yet astir and travelling a couple of hours before sunrise.--What would you say to that, Lewis? No; so far as I can see, our young generation are more likely to be spoiled by indolence than overwork." "Indolence! that's quite too bad, Mr. Ambler," said Lewis.--"Bear me witness, Anne, how I have been running about since I arrived at Merkland. I don't think I have had a couple of hours to myself since I came home." "Lewis," said Mr. Ambler, "what was yon I heard last night of Archie Sutherland? That little round body, Mrs. Bairnsfather, was enlightening us all as to Strathoran's affairs. She says the lad is ruined." Lewis shrugged his shoulders. "I can't say, Mr. Ambler. I am not so deeply read in economics as the good lady. Archie's an extravagant fellow: but--oh! if I say any more, I shall have Anne upon me. Never mind, he's a fine fellow, Archie." "Anne?" said Mr. Ambler, inquisitively. "Ay, what is Anne's special interest in Archie Sutherland? Well, I will ask no questions." "My special interest in Archie Sutherland, is a figment of my brother's lively imagination, Mr. Ambler," said Anne, quietly, "produced by what inspiration I do not know; but repeated, I suppose, because it annoys me." "Well, you can pay him back in his own coin," said the old gentleman. "Oh, you need not look innocent, Lewis. Do you think nobody noticed you last night hanging about that pretty little girl of Mrs. Catherine's? Bless me! Anne, my dear, what is the matter?" Anne had turned very pale, and felt a deadly sickness at her heart, as she saw the color rising over Lewis's cheek, and the conscious smile of pleasure and embarrassment hovering about his lip. But Mrs. Ross spoke before she could render any reason for her change of countenance.