It was pure loyalty which had made her repress Barclay, for curiosity was strong in her, and it had cost her something to forego the pleasure of extracting what knowledge she could. But though she had denied herself this, she meant to speak freely to Gilbert. The lawyer had escaped through her fingers and robbed her of further sport, but she was determined that Speid should know of his questions. She resented them as a great impertinence to him, and as an even greater one to herself. She was inclined to be suspicious of people in general, and everything connected with her landlord made her smell the battle afar off, like Job’s war-horse, and prepare to range herself on his side. ‘Laird, are ye to get married?’ said she, seating herself opposite to the young man. ‘Not that I am aware of,’ said Gilbert. ‘Why do you ask, Granny? Do you think I ought to?’ ‘A’ couldna say as to that, but Mr. Barclay says ye should.’ ‘What has he to do with it?’ exclaimed Gilbert, his brows lowering. ‘Fegs! A’ would hae liked terrible to ask him that mysel’. He came ben an’ he began, an’ says he, “A’ve heard tell he’s to get married,” says he; an’ “What do ye think about it?” says he. A’ was that angered, ye ken, laird, an’ a’ just says till him, “Just wait,” says I, “an’ a’ll speir at him,” says I, “an’ then ye’ll ken. A’ll tell him ye’re terrible taken up about it--impident deevil that ye are.” A’ didna say “deevil” to him, ye ken, laird, but a’ warrant ye a’ thocht it. What has the likes of him to do wi’ you? Dod! a’ could see by the face o’ him he wasna pleased when a’ said a’d tell ye. “My good woman,” says he--here Granny stuck out her lips in imitation of Barclay’s rather protrusive mouth, “dinna fash yersel’ to do that;” an’ syne when ye came in-by, he was roond about an’ up the road like an auld dog that’s got a skelp wi’ a stick.’ ‘Did he say anything more?’ inquired Gilbert gravely. ‘Ay, did he--but maybe a’ll anger ye, Whanland.’ ‘No, no, Granny, you know that. I have a reason for asking. Tell me everything he said.’ ‘Ye’ll see an’ no be angered, laird?’ ‘Not with you, Granny, in any case.’ ‘Well, he was sayin’ a’body says ye’re courtin’ Miss Raeburn. “Let me get a sicht o’ the roof,” says he “that’s what a’ come here for.” By Jarvit! he didna care very muckle about that, for a’ the lang words he was spittin’ out about it!’ Gilbert got up, and stood on the hearth with his head turned from the old woman. ‘A’ve vexed ye,’ she said, when she saw his face again. ‘Listen to me, Granny,’ he began slowly; ‘I am very much annoyed that he--or anyone--should have joined that lady’s name and mine together. Granny, if you have any friendship for me, if you would do me a kindness, you will never let a word of what you have heard come from your lips.’ As he stood looking down on the Queen of the Cadgers the light from the evening sun was full upon her marked features and the gold ear-rings in her ears. ‘Ye needna fear, Whanland,’ she said simply.