ploringly exclaimed Isa.

Sir Murray rose, his face working and his whole aspect speaking of the
careworn, broken man. Then waiting a few moments, he stood with one
hand shading his eyes, before again speaking.

"Isa," he said, "Jane McCray has acted the part of a mother to you, at
your own mother's wish; and I have ever kept her at your side. Go to
her now, and ask her why I have never shown you a father's love--a
parent's tender care; and though she will utter a strenuous defence of
the dead, you may read in her words my reason for saying that Brace
Norton can never be your husband. You will know yourself that it is
impossible that such an union can take place; for, before Heaven, my
child, I believe every word I utter to be true!"

Book 2, Chapter XXVII.

WITH TROUBLE LOOMING.

"Dinna be fashed with me, lassie, I ainly say what I think and feel, and
I do believe that it is perhaps better things should tak' their course.
If ye could ha' married the man ye chose, Jenny, first aff, I dinna
think, my lassie, there'd ha' been this nice, smooth auld face under
your cap, and the grey ainly sprunk lightly among your hair, just like
to set it aff. Why, your e'en are bright as ay they were, when I had a
sair heart aboot Jock Gurdon, who's got well again, and Sir Mooray is na
gane to prosecute him; but, Jenny, lassie, he's na sae bad a man, aifter
all, Sir Mooray is na, for there, lassie--there they air, ten new crisp
five-pound notes, and all for Jock Gurdon, to take him ower to America,
and start life as a new man."

"Heaven bless Sir Murray for it!" said Jane, fervently.

"Amen to that, lassie; and I hope Jock Gurdon will mend his ways. And
I've been thinking, lassie, that if I tak' the money, it will rise up
some of the auld anger in the man, so ye shall e'en do it yer ainsel',
and give him a few words for his benefit; for ye're a gude woman, Jane,
and Heaven was verra kind to me when He gave me sic a wife."

Jane McCray did not speak, but her comely face was raised to her
husband's, and a few bright tears fell from her eyes as she returned his
loving kiss.

"I should be a happy woman if it were not for that poor bairn," said
Jane. "She believes it, though I scolded her, and told her how cruel
and false it all was, and that my own dear, sweet lady--"

"Hoot, lassie! ye're getting excited. The puir child has said `yes' to
his lordship at last, and they're to be married. Marriages air made in
heaven, lassi