he room on tiptoe. From that hour he
troubled his soul no more with fears that he was unworthy of Greeba's
love, for he looked at his wound in the glass, and remembered her
words, and laughed in his heart.

The Governor was right that there would be no sale for arrears of
tithe charges. After a scene at Bishop's Court the factor went back
to England, and no more was heard of the writs served by the sumner.
But wise folks predicted a storm for Adam Fairbrother, and the great
people were agreed that his conduct had been the maddest folly.

"He'll have to take the horns with the hide," said Deemster Lace.

"He's a fool that doesn't know which side his bread is buttered,"
said Mrs. Fairbrother.

The storm came quickly, but not from the quarter expected.

Since the father of the Duke of Athol had sold his fiscal rights to
the English Crown the son had rued the bargain. All the interest in
the island that remained to him lay in his title, his patronage of
the Bishopric, and his Governor-Generalship. His title counted for
little, for it was unknown at the English Court, and the salary of
his Governor-Generalship counted for less, for, not being resident in
the island, he had to pay a local Governor. The patronage of the
Bishopric was the one tangible item of his interest, and when the
profits of that office were imperilled he determined to part with his
truncated honors. Straightway he sold them bag and baggage to the
Crown, for nearly six times as much as his father had got for the
insular revenues. When this neat act of truck and trade was complete
he needed his deputy no more, and sent Adam Fairbrother an instant
warning, with half-a-year's salary for smart money.

The blow came with a shock on Greeba and her father, but there was no
leisure to sigh over it. Government House and its furniture belonged
to the Government, and the new Governor might take possession of it
at any moment. But the stock on its lands was Adam's and as it was
necessary to dispose of it, he called a swift sale. Half the island
came to it, and many a brave brag came then from many a vain stomach.
Adam was rightly served! What was there to expect when jacks were set
in office? With five hundred a year coming in for twenty years he
was as poor as a church mouse? Aw, money in the hands of some men was
like water in a sieve!

Adam's six sons were there, looking on with sneering lips, as much as
to say, "Let nobody blame us for a mess like this." R