"Then Edward is not so moonstruck as I thought him! And when shall it

be, dearest? Give me as much time as you can. I must go back this day

fortnight."

"I suppose your expectations are not high in the matter of finery," said

Ermine, with a certain archness of voice.

"Those eyes are all the finery I ever see."

"Then if you will not be scandalized at my natural Sunday dress, I don't

see why this day week should not do as well as any other time."

"Ermine, you are the only woman I ever met totally free from nonsense."

"Take care, it is very unfeminine and disagreeable to be devoid of

nonsense."

"Very, and therefore you are talking it now! Ermine, how shall I thank

you? Not only for the sake of the ease of mind to my poor brother; but

in the scenes we are going through, a drop of happiness is wanted as a

stimulant. When I looked at the young couple at Bishopsworthy, I often

felt as if another half-year of suspense was more than I could bear, and

that I must ask you to help me through with at least a definite hope."

"Ah! you have gone through a great deal I am sure it has been a time of

great trouble."

"Indeed it has. The suffering has become unceasing and often most

severe, and there is grievous depression of spirits; I could not have

left him even for a day, if he had not been so fervently bent on this."

"Is he feeling his loss more acutely than at first?"

"Not so much that, as for the poor little boy, who is a heavy burthen on

his mind. He has lived in such a state of shrewd distrust that he has

no power of confidence, and his complications for making all the boy's

guardians check one another till we come to a dead lock, and to make

provision for Isabel out of Menteith's reach, are enough to distract the

brain of a man in health."

"Is he fond of the child?"

"It is an oppressive care to him, and he only once has made up his mind

to see it, though it is never off his mind, and it is very curious how

from the first he has been resolved on your taking charge of it. It is

the most real testimony he could give you."

"It is very comfortable not to be brought in like an enemy in spite of

him, as even a year ago I could have been proud to do."

"And I to have brought you," he answered, "but it is far better as it

is. He is very cordial, and wants to give up the Auchinvar estate to me;

indeed, he told me that he always meant me to have it as soon as I had

washed my hands of you--you wicked syren--but I think you will agree

with me that he had better leave it to his daughter Mary, who has

nothing. We never reckoned on it."




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