ue of a competence to a young woman like Allison Bain."

"Does Mistress Allison know anything of this nephew of Brownrig's?"

"All that she knows is that there are folk who can claim kinship with
her husband."

"Well, I hope he is a good man if this money is to go to him, as I
cannot but think it may."

Mr Rainy said nothing for a moment, but looked doubtfully at the
doctor.

"He is an unworldly kind of a man," said he to himself, "and though he
has not said as much, I daresay he is thinking in his heart that it is a
fine thing in Allison Bain to be firm in refusing to take the benefit of
what was left to her. And if I were to tell who the next of kin is, it
might confirm her in her foolishness. But I'll say nothing to him, nor
to Mrs Esselmont."

Then he added aloud:

"Speak you a word to her. She will hear you if she will hear any one.
Make her see that it is her _duty_ to give up her own will, and take
what is hers, and help other folk with it. She is one of the kind that
thinks much of doing her duty, I should say."

Doctor Fleming smiled.

"Yes, that is quite true; if I were only sure as to what is her duty, I
would set it before her clearly. I will speak to her, however, since
you wish it, but I will let a few days pass first."

That night Robert Hume looked in upon Allison, as was his custom now and
then. Marjorie's letter lay on the table.

"There is no bad news, I hope?" said he as he met Allison's glance.

"No. Marjorie would like me to come `home,' as she calls it. Or, if
that canna be, she would like to come here."

"She could hardly come here, but you should go to the manse. You _must_
go when spring comes."

"I would like to go for some reasons. But--I would like to see my
Marjorie, and the sight of your mother would do me good, and yet I canna
think of going with any pleasure. But I may feel differently when the
spring comes."

"You went back to your auld wives too soon," said Robin.

"No, it is not that. If I am not fit to go to them, what am I fit for?"
And, to Robert's consternation, the tears came into her eyes.

"Allie," said he, "come away home to my mother."

But when Allison found her voice again, she said "no" to that.

"I havena the heart to go anywhere. My auld wives are my best friends
now. I must just have patience and wait."

"Allison," said Robert gravely, "would you not like to come with me to
America?"

Allison looked at him in astonishment.

"Wi