Robert Falconer

lconer had not even known that he was coming home, for he had outstripped the

Falconer, start

ve me all my honours, Robert,' sa

oy. Well, this is delight

ll you about it by and by. I am too full of something else

. It could not be but that she had had many offers. She was an heiress, too, but that Shargar felt to be a disadvantage for him. All the progress he could yet boast of was that his attentions had not been, so far as he could judge, disagreeable to her. Robert thought even less of the latter fact than Shargar himself, for he di

e she's not an adv

', Robert, in sic a case. But I'll manage, somehoo, 'at ye sall

tauld her a' a

ver thocht aboot that. But I had no richt, for a' th

weigh weel against a' that. There's this comfort in 't, that gin

emainder of the day. In the morning he was in wild spirits again. Just be

a' at ance-already-ab

hat.-We'll think that ower.-Whan ye gang doon the stair, ye'll see a bit brougham at the door waitin' for ye. Gie

ert's truth to meet his fate with something of composure. Bu

otch with the pure tone of a gentlewoman, he said-a treat not to be had once in a twelvemonth. She had asked him to go to dinner in the evenin

m. It was two o'clock before he came home. Shargar told him there was to be a large party at Lady

, but she thought she could manage it for him. He told her all about Shargar, for whose sake he wished to see Miss Hamilton before consenting to be introduced to her. Miss St. J

while he caught sight of Shargar. He stood alone, almost in a corner, with a strange, rather raised expression in his eyes. Falconer could not see the object to which the

, Robert!

ave you seen her

a minute? Look there!' Shargar said in a low vo

get a peep, a handsome elderly man, who looked more fashionable than his years justified, and whose countenance had an expressi

he's been hingin' aboot her ever sin' she cam in. But I d

till her yersel', man? I wa

ible gleg. A' the Morays are gleg, a

Ye hae dune naething to

frae that boar's mou' o' his first. I wad hae her hear 't f

gar, receiving no reply, looked round at Robert. It wa

obert?' he said. 'What gar

e one I knew. But I'm not sure. I'll tell you afterwards. We've

group in front, like the moon dawning out of a cloud. He stopped at once, saying to himself, 'I was right;' and rising, mingled again with the crowd. A few minutes after, he saw Shargar leading Miss Hamilton out of the room, and Lady Janet following. He did not intend to wait his return, but got near the door, that he might slip out when he should re-enter. But Shargar did not return. For, the moment she reached the fresh air, Miss Hamilton was so much better that Lady Janet, whose heart was as young tow

morning, and sent in his card to Miss Hamilton. He w

acquaintance?' he aske

ietly, took his hand, pre

d a right, Mr. Fal

chair for he

t's silence o

Miss-?' he sai

'I was Miss Lindsay when you knew me so

ectation she awaited th

milton, that I am Major

and delighted to know it.

at this answer,

communicate with you con

He told

gain silent fo

I venture to conclude that my fri

blush that in old times used to overspread the lovely wh

time to be lost,

al code far less severe than that which prevails in England, would take for gr

I could not meet Major Moray's hon

rment. But Miss Hamilton did not in the least enjoy his perplexity, and made haste to

ever been out of Aberdeen before. I did not know even a word of French. I was altogether in Lord Rothie's power. I thought I loved him, but it was not much of love that sea-sickness could get the better of. With a heart full of despair I went on shore. The captain slipped a note into my hand. I put it in my pocket, but pulled it out with my handkerchief in the street. Lord Rothie picked it up. I begged him to give it me, but he read it, and then tore it in pieces. I entered the hotel, as wretched as girl could well be. I began to dislike him. But during dinner he was so kind and attentive that I tried to persuade myself that my fears were fanciful. After dinner he took me out. On the stairs we met a lady whose speech was Scotch. Her maid called her Lady Janet. She looked kindly at me as I passed. I thought she could read my face. I remembered afterwards that Lord Rothie turned his head away when we met her. We went into the cathedral. We were standing under that curious dome, and I was looking up at its strange lights, when down came a rain of bell-notes on the roof

k her hand a

indeed the haunt of angels as I fanc

e to think about it; but at the time I took it for a di

id Falconer. 'I little thought during my imprisonment because

t her ha

aved me, Mr

o was dying and could n

g with wonder. It was evident she had h

was another in it, without wh

was t

ge Mo

know m

of me. He is the truest fellow in the world, and altogether worthy of you, Miss Hami

ange in your voice. You suspected me of h

coner's silence ac

ed his claim to some disputed estates. Sir John had lost his only son, and he had no daughter. He was a kind-hearted old man, rather like my own father. He took to me, as they say, and made me change my name to his, leaving me the

pping to ask no questions, 'Ye see I'm to hae a name o' my ain efter a',' h

with him, and wishe

added, 'that day 'at ye pat bonnets

se from her seat, and advanced to meet the marquis, who entered behind the

ust have seen that I had no wish to renew the acquaintance I

lton. One word in priv

rd,' retu

whom I have not the honour of

be to wrong myself even more

g, and stood beside him. The evil spirit

said, 'that your reputation

Mysie, with a scornful smile. 'But you

marquis. 'What do you m

e ken o', Lord Sandy, and I'

who had not been brought up in a school of which either self

lf for a moment, and

alive to face him this day.-No liar, my lord, but a bastard, thank heaven.' Then, with a laugh, he inst

said the marquis, and, lifting his riding-whip from th

rang t

fearsome foes than you. But I hae some faimily-feelin',

epped between, laid one of his great hands on the marquis's chest, and flung him to the o

ige me by coming to the d

his presence of mind when Lady Janet entered.

ask the Marquis of Boarshead t

cousin o' my ain. Gang yer wa's, Sandy. Ye're no fit company for decent fowk;

er, the marquis w

card

et follo

cairds here,' she sai

se as they please, cousin Janet?' said the marquis, who

nor I think. Gang awa', an' repen

e had yet received. He left

m; but what came of

hin three months, and went out to India