Old Elspie wanted to know all we could tell her about Flora and Angus, and I promised I would bring Flora to see her some day. She says Mr Keith--Mr Duncan Keith's father, that is--is the squire of Abbotscliff, a very rich man, and a tremendous Tory. "You're vara nigh strangers, young leddies," said Elspie, as she ironed away. "Miss Fanny, she came to see me a twa-three days back, and Miss Bracewell wi' her; and there was anither young leddy, but I disremember her name." "Was it Charlotte Bracewell?" said Sophy. "Na, na, I ken Miss Charlotte ower weel to forget her, though she has grown a deal sin' I saw her afore. This was a lassie wi' black hair, and e'en like the new wood the minister has his dinner-table, wi' the fine name--what ca' ye that, now?" "Mahogany?" said I. "Ay, it has some sic fremit soun'," said old Elspie, rather scornfully. "I ken it was no sae far frae muggins [mugwort]. Mrs Sophy, my dear, ha'e ye e'er suppit muggins in May? 'Tis the finest thing going for keeping a lassie in gude health, and it suld be drinkit in the spring. Atweel, what's her name wi' the copper-colourit e'en?" "Cecilia Osborne," said I. "What did you think of her, Elspie?" The iron went up and down the Vicar's shirt-front, and I saw a curious gathering together of old Elspie's lips--still she did not speak. At last Sophy said,-- "Couldn't you make up your mind about her, Elspie?" "I had nae mickle fash about _that_, Mrs Sophy," said Elspeth, setting down her iron on the stand with something like a bang. "And gin I can see through a millstane a wee bittie, she'll gi'e ye the chance to make up yourn afore lang." "Nay, mine's made up long since," answered Sophy. "I shall see the back of her with a deal more pleasure than I did her face a month ago. Won't you, Cary?" "I don't like her the least bit," said I. "Ye'll be wiser lassies, young leddies, gin ye're no ower ready to say it," said Elspie, coolly. "It was no ane o' _your_ white days when she came to Brocklebank Fells. Ay, weel, weel! The Lord's ower a'." As we went down the road, I said to Sophy, "What did old Elspie mean, do you suppose?" "I am afraid I can guess what she meant, Cary." Sophy's tone was so strange that I looked up at her; and I saw her eyes flashing and her lips set and white. "Sophy! what is the matter?" I cried. "Don't trouble your little head, Cary," she said, kindly enough. "It will be trouble in plenty when it comes." I could not get her to say more. As we reached the door, Hatty came dancing out to meet us. "`The rose is white, the rose is red,'-- The sun gives light, Queen Anne is dead: Ladies with white and rosy hues, What will you give me for my news?" "Hatty, you must have made that yourself!" said Sophy. "I have, just this minute," laughed Hatty. "Now then, who'll bid for my news?" "I dare say it isn't worth a farthing," said Sophy.