hose
seven slight encumbrances?"

"Oh, they are your charge," returned Lord Keith, with a twinkle in his
eye. "Besides, most of them are lads, and what with school, sea, and
India, they will be easily disposed of."

"Certainly it has been so in our family," said Colin, rather hoarsely,
as he thought of the four goodly brothers who had once risen in steps
between him and the Master.

"And," added Lord Keith, still without direct answer, "she is so
handsomely provided for, that you see, Colin, I could afford to give you
up the Auchinvar property, that should have been poor Archie's, and what
with the farms and the moor, it would bring you in towards three hundred
a year for your housekeeping."

Colin restrained himself with difficulty, but made quiet answer. "I had
rather see it settled as a provision on Mary and her children."

Lord Keith growled something about minding his own concerns.

"That is all I desire," responded the Colonel, and therewith the
conference ended. Nor was the subject recurred to. It was observable,
however, that Lord Keith was polite and even attentive to Ermine. He
called on her, sent her grouse, and though saying nothing, seemed to
wish to make it evident that his opposition was withdrawn, perhaps as no
longer considering his brother's affairs as his own, or else wishing to
conciliate him. Lady Temple was not molested by any alarming attentions
from him. But for the proclamation, the state of siege might have been
unsuspected. He settled himself at the southern Gowanbrae as if he had
no conquest to achieve but that of the rheumatism, and fell rapidly into
sea-side habits--his morning stroll to see the fishing-boats come in,
his afternoon ride, and evening's dinner party, or whist-club, which
latter institution disposed of him, greatly to Colin's relief. The
brothers lived together very amicably, and the younger often made
himself helpful and useful to the elder, but evidently did not feel
bound to be exclusively devoted to his service and companionship. All
the winter residents and most of the neighbouring gentry quickly called
at Gowanbrae, and Lord Keith, in the leisure of his present life, liked
society where he was the man of most consequence, and readily accepted
and gave invitations. Colin, whose chest would not permit him to venture
out after sunset, was a most courteous assistant host, but necessarily
made fewer acquaintances, and often went his own way, sometimes riding
with his b