irza will exhibit any contumacy.

"Fortunately we are alone at dinner, today. Therefore do you come
down, a quarter of an hour before the usual hour, and we will get
the matter formally settled."

When Fergus went into the drawing room, the count was already
there.

"Thirza shows no unwillingness to carry out our commands in this
matter," he said with a smile, as he held out his hand to Fergus
and shook it very heartily. "I pointed out to her that you would
naturally expect her to accompany you every year to Scotland, and
to spend some months among your people there. She did not seem to
consider that any insupportable objection.

"In one respect, Fergus, I think that it is well for you that I am
comparatively a young man; being now but forty-four, while the
countess is six years younger; thus it may be a good many years
before you will be called upon to assume the control of my estates,
and the position of one of the great landowners of Saxony. One of
these estates will, of course, be Thirza's dowry at once; but that
will not tie you so much, and you will be freer to come and go as
it pleases you."

Two or three minutes later the door opened, and the countess
entered, leading Thirza by the hand. The girl advanced with
downcast eyes, until her father stepped forward and took her left
hand, while he held the right of Fergus.

"My daughter," he said, "your mother and I have chosen for your
husband Colonel Fergus Drummond. We consider the match to be in all
ways a suitable one. We esteem him highly, and are convinced that
he will make you happy; loving you, as he says, tenderly and truly.
In this room where you first saw him, I need not recall to you the
services he rendered to us; and I exhort you to obey this our
order, and to be a true and loving spouse to him."

The girl looked up now.

"That will I, father and mother, and most willingly; and will
always, to my life's end, be a true and loving wife to him."

[Illustration: "Take her, Drummond, you have won your bride
fairly and well"]

"Take her, Colonel," the count said, putting her hand into that of
Fergus. "You have won your bride fairly and well, and I know that
you will be a worthy husband to her."

"That I swear to be," Fergus said, as he stooped and kissed her. "I
feel how great is the boon that you have given me; and shall, to my
life's end, be deeply thankful to you both for the confidence which
you have placed in me, in thus intrusting her