o ye, and I must do my duty by him."

"But just answer me a few questions!" cried Brace, eagerly.

"Na, na!" said McCray, as he leaned against a gate and took snuff. "I'm
sorry for ye--I am indeed, for I ken a' aboot it. I had it frae the
gudewife, who nursed the bairn oop yinder, ever sin' she was a babe--at
a time, too, when my ain hairt was sair. Ye lo'e the sweet flower weel,
I've nae doot; but it canna be, young man--ye must goo awa' and try and
forget her. There's a sair black pit atween ye twain, and I canna see
that it will ever be filled up or bridged ower. Ye must try and bear it
all as weel's ye can."

"But do you believe the story, McCray?" exclaimed Brace.

"I dinna ken--I winna say. All I can say is, I wush ye micht put a'
reet and win the sweet lassie; for yon loon wi' the title--There, dinna
say anither wurd to me, Meester Norton, for I'm forgetting whose
sairvant I am. Tak' my advice: join your ship, and go try and forget it
a'; for it's an awfu' black affair a'thegither, and I'm sair afraid that
the mair ye try to put it reet the waur ye'll mak' it.

"He'd ha'e made her a bonnie jo," muttered McCray, as he went off,
shaking his grey head. "And he's a fine, fair-spoken young fellow; but
Sir Mooray hates him like poison, and it can never be."

He turned once, to see Brace Norton standing against the gate; and his
heart swelled, as he thought of the days of old and his own misery.

"Puir lad--puir lad!" said McCray, as he strode on. "There was a wee
bit of hope for me, but it's a sair case for him, and for her too--bless
her bright e'en! for I fear she lo'es him weel!"

Brace Norton never stirred for an hour, but leaned there, in one of the
most secluded lanes round Merland, trying to form some plan of action,
but in vain. He had determined to see McCray, and had long watched for
the opportunity; while now, that he had had his interview, what had he
gained? If he could obtain an interview with his wife, he might perhaps
learn something of her; but how could he do it? Writing was such poor
satisfaction. Could he do it by other means?--could he depute some one
to question Jane McCray--one who would possess sufficient influence to
gain from her some information? For he felt that it was only by
constant search that the clue could be obtained--for that there was a
clue, and that the mystery might yet be cleared up, he felt sure.

The answer to his question came in a way he little expected