‘Ye’re a parent, Mr. Walkinshaw,’ replied the old lady seriously, ‘and I think ye hae a fatherly regard for Charlie; but I’ll be plain wi’ you. I doubt ye hae na a right consideration for the gentle nature of the poor lad; and it’s that which gars me doubt and fear that what I hae to say will no be agreeable.’ Claud said nothing in answer to this, but sat down in a chair on the right side of his mother-in-law, his wife having in the meantime taken a seat on the other side.--The old lady continued,-- ‘At the same time, Mr. Walkinshaw, ye’re a reasonable man, and what I’m come about is a matter that maun just be endured. In short, it’s nothing less than to say, that, considering Fatherlans’ misfortunes, ye ought to hae alloo’t Charlie and Isabella to hae been married, for it’s a sad situation she was placed in--a meek and gentle creature like her was na fit to bide the flyte and flights o’ the Glasgow leddies.’ She paused, in the expectation that Claud would make some answer, but he still remained silent.--Mrs. Walkinshaw, however, spoke,-- ‘’Deed, mither, that’s just what I said--for ye ken it’s an awfu’ thing to thwart a true affection. Troth is’t, gudeman; and ye should think what would hae been your ain tender feelings had my father stoppit our wedding after a’ was settled.’ ‘There was some difference between the twa cases,’ said the Dowager of Plealands dryly to her daughter;--‘neither you nor Mr. Walkinshaw were so young as Charlie and Miss Fatherlans--that was something--and maybe there was a difference, too, in the character of the parties. Hows’ever, Mr. Walkinshaw, marriages are made in heaven; and it’s no in the power and faculty of man to controvert the coming to pass o’ what is ordained to be. Charlie Walkinshaw and Bell Fatherlans were a couple marrowed by their Maker, and it’s no right to stand in the way of their happiness.’ ‘I’m sure,’ said Claud, now breaking silence, ‘it can ne’er be said that I’m ony bar till’t. I would only fain try a year’s probation in case it’s but calf-love.’ Mrs. Hypel shook her head as she said,--‘It’s vera prudent o’ you, but ye canna put auld heads on young shouthers. In a word, Mr. Walkinshaw, it’s no reasonable to expek that young folk, so encouraged in their mutual affection as they were, can thole so lang as ye would wish. The days o’ sic courtships as Jacob’s and Rachel’s are lang past.’ ‘I but bade them bide a year,’ replied Claud. ‘A year’s an unco time to love; but to make a lang tale short, what might hae been foreseen has come to pass, the fond young things hae gotten themselves married.’ ‘No possible!’ exclaimed Claud, starting from his chair, which he instantly resumed.-- ‘Weel,’ said Mrs. Walkinshaw,--‘if e’er I heard the like o’ that!--Our Charlie a married man! the head o’ a family!’