"True-blue," she said aloud, for her thoughts had reverted to the past; and then, trembling with superstitious dread, "Miss Isa," she said, "throw those flowers away--they're fatal, and bring nothing but misery and despair to those who wear them. All those long years ago, and it seems only yesterday that your poor mamma brought a bunch from the marsh. If he has sent you those, it was cruel and heartless of him, at such a time." And angry with the maid who must have brought them, Jane made as if to take them from her mistress's hand; but she stopped half way, trembling more than ever, as she saw Isa press the simple blossoms to her breast with both hands, her head thrown back, her blue-veined eyelids closed, and her lips moving rapidly--for there, on her knees, she was invoking Heaven's blessing on the sender, and praying for strength to carry her through her trials. Jane's anger had passed away, when, after a few minutes, she assisted Isa to a couch; for there was something in the poor girl's face that troubled her, and kept her hovering round as from a strange kind of fascination. Was she going to be ill? Had her poor nerves been drawn too tightly? And would they snap beneath the unfair tension? At one time it seemed to Jane McCray, when Isa started up as if listening, that there would be no wedding the next morning. But the preparations went on, and Sir Murray entertained a select party at dinner. My lord, the Viscount, was in excellent spirits, and paid frequent visits to the decanters. Certainly, a week had passed since the money was due, but then he had written to Braham, telling him of the day of the wedding; and the money-lender had sent a congratulatory reply, to say that it was "all right," and that he very much regretted his inability to attend himself. The second course was on the table, and McCray was busy handing the wine to the various guests, when a footman, who had just entered the room, pulled him by the sleeve. "Gude-sake, man!" he exclaimed, testily, "ye'll make that wine as thick as mood!" when, hearing the man's whisper, he set the decanter down upon the floor, and ran out.