The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-01-01

twice or long. L was AFRAID eno mlgnb nave
seen me there. looking down upon her from
that chamber OF music. and she without and
her father In the same house perhaps begging
for his life with tears and myself como but
newly from rejecting his petitions. But even
that glance set me in q better concsit OF N.Y.
self. and much less awe OF the young ladies'.
They were beautiful. that was beyond ques-
tion. but Catriona was beautiful. too. and had
q kind OF brightness In her like a coal OF fire.
As much as the others cast me down she
lifted me UP. / remembered I had talked
easily with her. II I could make no hand Of
with these fine maids 1t was. perhaps. some
thing their W fault. My embarrassment be-
gan to be a little mingled and llehtened with q
sense OF fun: and when the mother smiled ut
me from her embroidery. and the three daugh-
tiers unbent to mo like q baby. all with ~"papa's
orders" written On their faces. there were
times when I could have found 1t In my heart
to smile myself.
Presently papa returned. the Same kind.
happy-liko. plensant-spoken man.
Now. girls said no. II must take Mr..
Balfour away again: but 1 hope you have been
able to persuade him to return whore I shall
BIO always gratifed to find him."
So they each made me a little farthing COM
pliment. and I was led away.
II this visit to the family had been meant to
soften my resistance. 1t was the worst OF fail
ures. l was no such ass but what I under
stood how poor q figure I had made. and that
the girls would be yawning their jaws of as
soon as my stiff back was turned. I felt I had
shown how little / had in me OF what was soft
and GRACEFUL: and 1 longed for q chance to
prove that I had something OF the other stun.
the stern and dangerous.
Well, 1 was to be served to my desire. for the
scene to which he was conducting me was Of
a different character.
CHAPTER vi. -UMoUILE THE MASTER OF
LovAT.
There was a man waiting us in Preston
oranges study. whom I distasted at the first
look, as we distaste O ferret or On earwig. He
was bitter ugly. but seemed very much OF a
gentleman: had still manners. but capable Of
sudden leaps and vlolences: and q small
voice. which could ring out shrill and danger
Gus when he 80 desired.
The Advocate presented us in . familiar.
friendly way.
Here. Fraser" said he. "here is Mr.. Bal
four whom we talked about. Mr.. David. this
Is Mr.. Symon Fraser. whom We used to call
by another title. but that is an old song. Mr..
Fraser has an GRAND to YOU"
With that he stopped aside to his book
shelves. and made believe to consult q Quarto
volume in the far end.
was thus left Tin q senss) alone with per-
haps the last person in the world l had ex-
pected. There was no doubt upon the terms
Of introduction: this could be no other than
the forfeited Master OF Lovat ana chief OF tho
great clan Fraser. knew no had led his men
In the rebellion: 1 knew his fathers head-my
old lords. that gray fox OF the mountains-to
have fallen on the block for that offence. the
lands Of the family to have been seized, and
their nobility attainted. Icould not conceive
what he should BIO doing in Grants house: I
could not conceive that he had been called to
tho bar. had eaten all his principles. and was
now curryinC favor with the Government evon
to the extent Of acting Advocate-Depute In the
Appin murder.
well. Mr.. Balfour." said he. what Is oil
this l hear Of ye?"
"Itwould not become mo to PREJUDICE" said
I. but II the Advocate was your authority he
is fully possessed Of my opinions
"Imay tell you I am engaged In the Appin
case."ke went on: II am to appear under
PrestongranGs: and from my study OF the
precoenitlons I can assure you your opinions
are erroneous. Tho guilt OF Brock is manifest:
and your testimony. in which you admit you
saw him on the hill at the very moment. will
certify his hanging"
1T will be rather Ill to hang him till you
catch him." I observed. And for other mat
ters I very willingly leave you to your own i'm
pressions."
1.-THE Duke has boon informed" he went on.
Il have just como from his Grace. and he ex-
pressed himself before me with an honest
freedom like the great nobleman no Is. He
spoke Of you by name. Mr.. Ba!four. and lde-
clared his gratitude beforehand in case you
would be led by those who understand your
" interests and those OF tho country 30
much botter than yourself. Gratitude is no
empty expression In that mouth: er-
perto crede. 1 daresay you know some
thing Of my name and clan. and the
damnable example and lamented end OF my
late father. to say nothing OF my own errata.
Well. 1 have made my peace with that good
Duke: he has interviewed for me with our
friend P~restongrange: and here I am with my
foot In tho stirrup again. and some OF the re-
sponsibility shared into my hand OF prosecut-
ing King Georges enemies and avenging the
daring and barefaced insult to his Majesty.
Doubtless a proud position for your fathers
son." says ].
He wagged his bald eyebrows at mo. You
are pleased to make experiments In tho mimi
cal. 1 think" said he. But am here upon
duty. I am here to discharge my orrand In good
| faith. It Is in vain you think to divert me. And
let me tell you. for a young fellow OF spirit and
ambition like yourself. a good shove In the
| beginning will do more than ten years drudg-
| cry. The shove is now at your command;
| choose what you will to be advanced in. tho
Duke will watch upon you with the affection.
ate disposition Of a father"
I'll am thinking that I lack the docility Of the
son." says !.
And do you really suppose. sir. hat tho
whole policy Of this country is to be suffered
to trip up and tumble down for an ill-man-
nered colt ola boy 2" he cried. This has been