er Mary was there already. A fair, slender woman with a delicate face,
was holding out her hand to Allison.

"I am glad to see the Allison of whom my mother has so often told me,"
said she.

"And I am glad you are come home for her sake," said Allison.

There was no long discussion of the matter needed after this. Mr Rainy
might be trusted to complete all arrangements as speedily as might be,
and it was with a lightened heart that Allison saw one after another of
those concerned take their departure.

Captain Douglas had still something to say to Allison, and he came and
sat down by the side of his wife.

"Have you heard from your brother lately? Do you know that I went to
see him before I left America?"

"No," said Allison in surprise. "I have had no letter for a month and
more. Was it by chance that you met in that great country?"

"Oh! no. When Mr Rainy told me of your decision, he also told me that
you had a brother in America, and gave me his address. The place was
not very faraway from the town where we were stationed, and I made up my
mind to see him before I returned home. Mr Rainy could not tell me
whether you had consulted with your brother or not, and I thought it was
right for your sake as well as for my own, that I should see him and
learn _his_ opinion of the matter."

"Well?" said Allison anxiously.

"Well, he answered me scornfully enough, at first, and told me I was
welcome to take possession of a bad man's ill-gotten gains, and more
angry words he added. But that was only at first. He had a friend with
him who sent me away, and bade me come again in the morning. From him I
heard something of the cause of your brother's anger against my uncle.
We were on better terms, your brother and I, before I left."

"And was he angry with me? I mean, was he angry that I was with your
uncle at the end?"

"He did not speak of that. You must let me thank you for all you did
for my uncle in his last days."

"Oh! no. You must not thank me. It was only my duty; I could not have
done otherwise," said Allison. "And did Willie not speak of me at all?"

"Yes. He said that there was not in all Scotland another woman like his
sister Allie, nor in America either."

Allison, smiled at that.

"And did he send no letter to me?"

"Yes, he sent a letter. I have it with me. No, I gave it to a friend,
who said he would put it into your own hand."

"It was to your brother's friend that he gave th