I'd help him to the best of my power."

"Nay--nay--nay! your tongue's gane wild, lassie."

"Wouldn't you, then?" said Mrs McCray.

"Weel, I'll na say," said the cautious Scot. "Ye see, lassie, there's
for and against; and in spite of a' ye say about crule suspeeshons, I
think, as I said before, that it's our duty to all we know to haud our
peace and let matters tak' their course."

And matters were taking their course rapidly; for as time passed on,
Brace Norton roamed the lanes like the ghost of his former self; but
never once did he meet poor Isa.

The wedding-day was fixed, and the dresses were ordered, and once more
Merland was to be the scene of festivity and rejoicing. After the
wedding Lord and Lady Maudlaine, people said, were to start for the
Continent, and Sir Murray intended to go alone to Italy to reside, while
the Castle was to be the home of my lord and my lady.

"And you'll have fine doings there, I suppose," said one of two strange
men who had come down to stay at old Chunt's inn--surveyors they said
they were, perhaps connected with the working on the marsh.

"Yes," said Chunt, who was stout now, and hardly ever left his chair;
"the Castle will be again what it ought to be, for the new master, they
say, can make the shiners fly. I see he's come down again."

"Yes," said one of the men, taking his pipe from his month; "I see he's
come down."

"Ah, you know him, do you?" said Chunt.

"Know him? Well, so far as having him pointed out to me goes, I know
him. Fine thing for him, they say."

"Bless you," said Chunt, "I believe there's no end to the money he'll
have; but I hope it'll be a happy marriage, that's all I've got for to
say." And in spite of people trying to draw Chunt out, that _was_ all
he had to say, and he tightened his lips for fear another word should
escape. "Wanted, eh?" said Chunt--"I'm coming," and he waddled out to
speak to a new-comer.

"How do, sir? Post-chaise and pair, sir. Oh, yes, sir; any time you
like. You'll give your orders? Thanky, sir."

Mr Chunt waddled back as his visitor departed, and one of the
frequenters of the bar asked who that gentleman was.

"That gent?" said Chunt. "Oh! that's Master Brace Norton."

Book 2, Chapter XXVIII.

PREPARATIONS.

The day before the wedding, and traces everywhere at Merland village of
the grand doings to come, even a score of white-smocked navvies, with
their rolled-up trousers, great laced boots, and huge st