The Earl leaned upon one of the wooden chairs of the hut, drew his hat over his face, clenched his hands together, set his teeth like one who summons up courage to undergo a painful operation, and made a signal to her to proceed. “I say, then,” she resumed, “that my disgrace with my mistress was chiefly owing to Miss Eveline Neville, then bred up in Glenallan House as the daughter of a cousin-german and intimate friend of your father that was gane. There was muckle mystery in her history,--but wha dared to inquire farther than the Countess liked to tell?--All in Glenallan House loved Miss Neville--all but twa, your mother and mysell--we baith hated her.” “God! for what reason, since a creature so mild, so gentle, so formed to inspire affection, never walked on this wretched world?” “It may hae been sae,” rejoined Elspeth, “but your mother hated a’ that cam of your father’s family--a’ but himsell. Her reasons related to strife which fell between them soon after her marriage; the particulars are naething to this purpose. But oh! doubly did she hate Eveline Neville when she perceived that there was a growing kindness atween you and that unfortunate young leddy! Ye may mind that the Countess’s dislike didna gang farther at first than just showing o’ the cauld shouther--at least it wasna seen farther; but at the lang run it brak out into such downright violence that Miss Neville was even fain to seek refuge at Knockwinnock Castle with Sir Arthur’s leddy, wha (God sain her!) was then wi’ the living.” “You rend my heart by recalling these particulars--But go on,--and may my present agony be accepted as additional penance for the involuntary crime!”