He had not expected Alexander Keith to be as well pleased as he was
himself, but he was not prepared for his strong disapprobation, and
earnest desire to find some means of prevention, and he began to
reassure him upon the placability of Mrs. Comyn Menteith, the daughter,
as well as upon his brother's kindness to the objects of his real
affection.

"Oh, I am not afraid of that. She will manage him fast enough."

"Very likely, and for his good. Nor need you question his being a safe
guide for her in higher matters. Perhaps you are prejudiced against him
because his relations with me have not been happy, but candidly, in them
you know the worst of him; and no doubt he thought himself purely acting
for my welfare. I know much more of him now that I have been at home
with him, and I was greatly struck with his real consideration for the
good of all concerned with him."

"No, I am not thinking of Lord Keith. To speak it out, I cannot believe
that my sister has heart enough in this to justify her."

"Young girls often are more attracted by elderly men than by lads."

"You do not know Bessie as, I am sorry to say, I do," said Alick,
speaking slowly and sadly, and with a flush of shame on his cheek. "I do
not say that she says anything untrue, but the truth is not in her.
She is one of those selfish people who are infinitely better liked
than those five hundred times their worth, because they take care to be
always pleased."

"They give as much pleasure as they take."

"Yes, they take every one in. I wish to my heart I could be taken in
too, but I have seen too much of her avoidance of every service to my
uncle that she did not like. I verily believe, at this moment, that one
great inducement with her is to elude the care of him."

"Stern judgments, Alick. I know you would not speak thus without
warrant; but take it into account that marriage makes many a girl's
selfishness dual, and at last drowns the self."

"Yes, when it is a marriage of affection. But the truth must be
told, Colonel. There was a trumpery idle fellow always loitering at
Littleworthy, and playing croquet. I set my face against it with all
my might, and she always laughed to scorn the notion that there was
anything in it, nor do I believe that she has heart enough to wish to
marry him. I could almost say I wish she had, but I never saw her show
the same pleasure in any one's attentions, and I believe he is gone out
to Rio in hopes of earning mean