imself might have been a better and
a happier man, had his own beautiful Sybilla been more like Alison
Balfour.

This chance news of her awakened memories connected with other scenes
and characters, which had gradually melted away from Angus Rothesay's
life, or been enveloped in the mist of selfishness and worldliness which
had gathered over it and over him. He thought of the old uncle, Sir
Andrew Rothesay, whose pride he had been; of the sweet aunt Flora, whose
pale beauty had bent over his cradle with a love almost like a mother's,
save that it was so very very sad. One had died estranged; the other--he
would not let many weeks pass before he sought out Miss Flora Rothesay:
that he was determined on! And to do so, the best plan would be first to
go and see Alison--Mrs. Gwynne.

Captain Rothesay always kept his intentions to himself, and transacted
his matters alone. Therefore, without the aid of wife or daughter, he
soon discovered in what region lay Mr. Gwynne's curacy, and determined
to hasten his customary journey to London, that he might visit the place
on his way.

The night before his departure came. It was really a melancholy evening;
for he had stayed at home so long, and been most of the time what his
wife called "so good," that she quite regretted his going. The more
so, as he was about to travel by the awful railway--then newly
established--which, in the opinion of poor Mrs. Rothesay, with her
delicate nerves and easily-roused terrors, entailed on him the certainty
of being killed. She pleaded so much and so anxiously--even to the
last--that when, in order to start at daybreak, he bade "good-bye"
to her and Olive overnight, Captain Rothesay was softened even to
tenderness.

"Do you really care so much about me, Sybilla?" said he, half
mournfully.

She did not spring to his arms, like the young wife at Stirling, but she
kissed his hand affectionately, and called him "Angus!"

"Olive!" said the father, when having embraced his wife, he now turned
to his daughter, "Olive, my child! take care of your mother! I shall be
at home soon, and we shall be very happy again--all three!"

As they ascended the staircase, they saw him watching them from below.
Olive so content, even though her father was going away. She kissed
her hand felt to him with a blithe gesture, and then saw him go in and
close the door. When the house sank into quietness, a curious feeling
oppressed Captain Rothesay. It seemed to take ris