The lady greeted him warmly. "Ye are welcome to our fireside, Roland; but ye maun be very hungry;" and the good lady hastened away, to order a warm supper for the weary guest. The door opened softly, and a young face peeped shyly in. "Come in, Annot," said her uncle; and a little fairy of fifteen, with a profusion of light, curly hair, and a dancing step, advanced shyly to the couch. "Shake hands wi' Mr. Bruce, Annot; he has come to stay wi' us, my luve; he is the chiel o' a vera dear friend of Uncle Malcolm." "I am glad to see ye, sir; I luve ilka body that Uncle Malcolm loves." Another applicant for introduction, in the form of a large family dog that lay ensconced on a rug by the fire, had long been asserting his claims to notice, by repeatedly putting up his shaggy paw, and looking up in his master's face, for his share in the ceremonies. "I maun na' forget auld Lion, Roland; come here, auld fellow!" and the dog, wagging his tail, put up his rough paw to salute Roland; at the same time, expressing his satisfaction by a low growl, that he meant to be musical--at any rate, it expressed good-will. Soon a neat-looking Highland girl entered, and spreading the table, she placed upon it sundry grateful viands. "Hannah!" said Mrs. Lindsay, "tell Dugald to kindle a fire in the minister's room." "And now, Roland, see if ye can tak' some supper," said the master, as he led his young friend to the table. He ate sparingly of the profusion spread around him, for his appetite had not yet returned, but the feeling of perfect comfort was such a rest, that it was refreshment enough for Roland, for some hours at least. "We shall not keep ye late to-night, Roland; ye need rest, and, to-morrow, ye shall tell me a' your story." A bell summoned the family for evening worship; two or three Highland men and women came in from the kitchen, and took their seats reverently with the family. Annot opened the piano, Malcolm read a chapter in the Bible, with some simple comments; Annot played a beautiful Psalm, in which all joined heartily; and the master concluded the exercises by a solemn, earnest prayer, in which Roland was most affectionately remembered. Taking a light, he said, "Come, Roland, I will tak' ye to yer room;" and Malcolm led the way to a bright cheerful chamber, where a glowing fire blazed upon the hearth, for the master was a great advocate of wood fires. A warm feather bed, plenty of blankets, with chintz curtains, an easy rocking-chair, and writing-table, made up a whole of home comforts, such as Roland had never, in all his life, enjoyed before. Fixing the lamp with old bachelor exactness several times before it suited him, Malcolm left the room, saying, "Is there onything that ye want, Roland? dinna be afraid to ask." "Nothing, sir; I am perfectly comfortable; good-night, sir."