incredible part
of the story--had blown up the whole affair, made her way into the
penetralia of the asylum, and rescued two female 'prentices, so nearly
whipped to death that it took an infinitesimal quantity of Rachel's
homoeopathy to demolish one entirely, and that the virtuous public was
highly indignant that there was no inquest nor trial for manslaughter;
but that it was certain that Rachel had been extremely ill ever since.
Poor Rachel, there must be some grain of truth in all this, but one
would like to be able to contradict it. I wrote to ask Alick the rights
of the story, but he has not vouchsafed me a line of reply; and I should
take it as very kind in you to let me know whether he is in the land
of the living or gone to Edinburgh--as I hear is to be the lot of the
Highlanders--or pining for the uncroquetable lawn, to which I always
told him he had an eye.'"

"She may think herself lucky he has not answered," said Ermine; "he
has always been rather unreasonably angry with her for making the
introduction."

"That is the reason he has not," added Alison, "for he is certainly not
far off. He has been over almost every day to inquire, and played German
tactics all Saturday afternoon with Francis to our great relief. But I
have stayed away long enough."

"I will walk back with you, Ailie. I must see the good little heroine of
the most incredible part of the story."

Lady Temple looked a good deal paler than when he had last seen her, and
her eyelids still showed that they had long arrears of sleep to make up;
but she came down with outstretched hands and a sunny smile. "They are
so much better, and I am so glad you were not at home in the worst of
it."

"And I am sorry to have deserted you."

"Oh, no, no, it was much better that you should be away. We should all
have wanted you, and that would have been dangerous, and dear, dear Miss
Williams did all that could be done. Do you know, it taught me that you
were right when you told me I ought never to rest till the boys learnt
to obey, for obedience' sake, at a word. It showed what a bad mother I
am, for I am sure if dear Conrade had been like what he was last year,
even she could not have saved him," said Fanny, her eyes full of tears.

Then came her details, to which he listened, as ever, like the brotherly
friend he was, and there was a good deal said about restoring the little
ones, who were still at Gowanbrae, to which he would by no means as yet
conse