ilian was made to understand that ministers were not just like other
men, and must be suffered to go their "ain gait."

And the upshot of this conversation was that Fay found herself
confronted at the wooden gate one day by a tall, broad-shouldered
young man, who she knew was the young minister. Of course he was going
to see the falls, and she was about to pass him with a slight bow,
when he stopped her and offered his hand. "I think we know each other,
Mrs. St. Clair, without any introduction. I am Fergus Duncan, and I
have long wanted to be acquainted with Aunt Jeanie's guest;" and then
he held open the gate and escorted her back to the Manse.

Fay could not find fault with the young man's bluntness; she had no
right to hold herself aloof from Mrs. Duncan's nephew. He must know
how she had avoided him all these months, but he seemed too
good-humored to resent it. He talked to her very pleasantly about the
weather and the falls and his uncle's health, and Fay answered him
with her usual gentleness.

They parted in the porch mutually pleased with each other; but the
young man drew a long breath when he found himself alone.

"Ech, sirs! as Jean says, but this is the bonniest lass I have ever
set eyes on. Poor little Lilian! no wonder she felt herself a bit
upset. Come, I must get to the bottom of this; Aunt Jeanie is too soft
for anything. Why, the sables she wore were worth a fortune; and when
she took off her gloves her diamond and emerald rings fairly blinded
one."

Fergus arrived at the Manse with all his traps about a fortnight after
this; and when the first few days were over, Fay discovered that she
had no reason to dislike Mr. Fergus's company.

He was always kind and good-natured, and took a great deal of notice
of the baby. Indeed, he never seemed more content than when baby Hugh
was on his knee, pulling his coarse reddish hair, and gurgling
gleefully over this new game. Fay began to like him very much when she
had seen him with her boy; and after that he found little trouble in
drawing her into conversation.

His first victory was inducing her to make friends with Lilian. Fay,
who shrunk painfully from strangers, acceded very nervously to this
request. But when Lilian came, her shy, pretty manners won Fay's
heart, and the two became very fond of each other.

Fergus used to have long puzzled talks with Aunt Jeanie about her
protege. "What is to be done about Mrs. St. Clair when Lilian and I
are marrie