s to justify his addresses."

Colonel Keith sat gravely considering what he knew would not be spoken
lightly. "Do you mean that there was attachment enough to make it
desirable that you should tell my brother?"

"No, I could say nothing that she could not instantly contradict with
perfect truth, though not with perfect sincerity."

"Let me ask you one question, Alick--not a flattering one. May not some
of these private impressions of yours have been coloured by your long
illness!"

"That is what Bessie gives every one to understand," said Alick,
calmly. "She is right, to a certain degree, that suffering sharpened my
perceptions, and helplessness gave me time to draw conclusions. If I had
been well, I might have been as much enchanted as other people; and
if my uncle had not needed her care, and been neglected, I could have
thought that I was rendered exacting by illness. But I imagine all I
have said is not of the slightest use, only, if you think it right
to tell your brother to talk to me, I would rather stand all the
vituperation that would fall on me than allow this to take place."

Colonel Keith walked up and down the room considering, whilst Alick
sat in a dejected attitude, shading his face, and not uttering how
very bitter it had been to him to make the accusation, nor how dear the
sister really was.

"I see no purpose that would be answered," said Colonel Keith, coming to
a pause at last; "you have nothing tangible to mention, even as to the
former affair that you suspect. I see a great deal in your view of
her to make you uneasy, but nothing that would not be capable of
explanation, above all to such a man as my brother. It would appear like
mere malevolence."

"Never mind what it would appear," said Alick, who was evidently in such
a ferment as his usually passive demeanour would have seemed incapable
of.

"If the appearance would entirely baffle the purpose, it must be
considered," said the Colonel; "and in this case it could only lead to
estrangement, which would be a lasting evil. I conclude that you have
remonstrated with your sister."

"As much as she gave me time for; but of course that is breath spent in
vain."

"Your uncle had the same means of judging as yourself."

"No, Colonel, he could do nothing! In the first place, there can be no
correspondence with him; and next, he is so devotedly fond of Bessie,
that he would no more believe anything against her than Lady Temple
would. I have