Page 118 (1/2)

He was irritable, too, with exhaustion, though he was doing his best to

keep himself in control and when , Neil, that the bad news has made you ill; you arena at a' like

yoursel'," he asked without much interest, "What bad news?"

"The news anent Katherine Van Heemskirk"

He had supposed it was some political disappointrew suddenly crimson

"What of her?" he asked

"Didna you hear? She ran awa' last night wi' Captain Hyde; stole awa'

wi' hio with hiuarded calmness

"Do you really think she was his wife?"

"If she ith him, I am sure she was" He dropped the words with

an elooloo to face a future in which

there was no hope His

as she filled the elder's cup, "If there had been any wedding worth the

na, ould hae been bidden to it I dinna believe she

is married"

"Are you sure that she sailed with Captain Hyde in 'The Dauntless,' or

is it a pack of women's tales?"

"The news cam' wi' your fayther the elder," answered madam, much