"Here I am, Edward, you perceive," said his old friend; "but why I should be sent for at this express rate is more than a quiet person like me can divine. Because Susan feels awkward at having a young man to entertain, and no other woman in the house? Nonsense! Susan is just the last girl in the world to be so foolish. What's a young man more than any other person? It's your punctilios, Edward, that put things into the bairns' heads; but I'm here, for all that. If the truth must be told, I am growing very fond of that young creature myself." "I am very glad to hear it," said Colonel Sutherland, conducting that short, bright, pleasant figure most carefully and gallantly through the garden; for Mrs. Melrose was older than the Colonel, and owned to a good many infirmities, and had almost given up walking by this time. Then he began to recommend Roger very specially to her notice; and then he had to hear Mrs. Melrose's news; that the mail which came in yesterday had brought a joint letter from Charlie and his wife, and that the regiment was ordered to Outerabad, "where we were when my poor General got his first step," said the old lady. "I hope it will be as fortunate with his son," answered Uncle Edward; and so they entered the house, to receive Susan's glad, astonished welcome. The advent of Mrs. Melrose almost delivered Susan from that rare fit of romantic and heroical sullenness. There was no necessity _now_ for Mr. Musgrave being specially civil to herself. Now she had some one to talk to, to release "the gentlemen" from the imperative claims of politeness. She seized upon the old lady with all the fervour of pique, resolved to show Roger that if she was in _his_ way, he was an object of great indifference to _her_; and succeeded so well in this laudable attempt, that before the two ladies left the dining-room poor Roger was as _distrait_ and silent as ever. Susan's cruel experiment, like the surprise of her first appearance, had puffed him out. "But, my dear boy," said Colonel Sutherland, "you must do something in this matter. I wrote to Armitage about it, but, considering how he managed matters when you went, I can't say I have much confidence in him. And he is not married yet, the poor old sinner! My nephew, Musgrave, is--my nephew, as you said to-day, but I don't know the boy at all. I don't understand him, and therefore I don't know what to think of this concealed matter, which evidently concerns yourself, whatever it is." Roger made no answer. He had not a vestige of belief in his heart that anything could be found out to his benefit, and he was consequently careless of it. "What I should recommend you to do," continued the Colonel, "would be to go at once to Kenlisle, to see this lawyer whom Sir John has written to, Mr. Pouncet. Most likely he had the management of your godfather's affairs as well--and urge him to take all possible steps for hunting out the mystery."