but why? It may be that she hasna confidence in
herself. But that would come. There is no fear of a fine, stately
woman like her. It is a pity that the poor man didna get to his own
house to die."

"Yes, it was Brownrig's sole reason for wishing to go, that all might be
made easier for her. He was eager to see her in the possession of all
he had to give. It was too late, however. He failed rapidly, after he
told me his wish. Still, I do not think that her being there would have
made any difference in the end."

"Do you mean that she would have said the same in those circumstances,
and that she will hold out now? That she will go her own ways, and earn
her bread, and call herself Allison Bain to the end of her days? No,
no! she will come round. We'll give her time, and she'll come round,
and ken her ain mind better. A year and a day I'll give her, and by
that time she will be wiser and less--less, what shall I call it? Less
scrupulous."

"There are, doubtless, folk ready to put in a claim for a share of what
is left, should she refuse."

"There is one man, and he has a family. I have had my eye on him for a
while. He knows his connection with Brownrig. I don't think he is
proud of it. But he will have no scruples about taking all that he can
get, I daresay. The will, as it stands, is not to be meddled with. I
hope he may have to content himself with his five hundred pounds."

Doctor Fleming smiled.

"I should say that he stands a fair chance of taking that and all else
besides. Time will show."

"I think, doctor," said Mr Rainy gravely, "if you were to give your
mind to it, you could make her see her interest, and her duty as well."

"I am not so sure of that. Nor would I like to say, that to take _your_
way, would be either her interest or her duty."

"Nonsense, man! Consider the good a woman like that might do. I think
I'll send a letter to her friend Mr Hume. He can set her duty before
her, as to the spending of the money. They are good at that, these
ministers. And there is Mrs Esselmont! If she were to take up Allison
Bain, it would be the making of her. And she might well do it. For
John Bain came of as good a stock as any Esselmont of them all. Only of
late they let slip their chances--set them at naught, I daresay, as
Mistress Allison is like to do. Yes, I'll write to Mrs Esselmont. She
has taken to serious things of late, I hear, but she kens as weel as
anither the val