f he were perfectly contented, and saw every chance of
happiness."

"None the less for having followed his father's wishes--I am glad he
did," said Ethel, coming to her brother's side.

"I dare say you are right," was Meta's answer; "but I am disappointed in
him. He always promised to come and stay with you, and made such friends
at Oxford, and he never came."

"I fancy there was a good deal to hinder him," said Norman; and, as Mrs.
Arnott proceeded to inquiries after the Ogilvies in general, the master
of Glenbracken was allowed to drop.

Meta, however, renewed the subject when walking to the minster that
evening with Norman.

"You may defend Mr. Ogilvie, Norman, but it is not what I should have
expected from him. Why did he make promises, and then neglect his
relations?"

"I believe that conscientiously he did not dare to come," said Norman.
"I know that he was greatly struck with Ethel at the time of the
Commemoration, and therefore I could never again press him to come
here."

"Oh, Norman, you hard-hearted monster! What a bad conductor!"

"I do not wish to be a conductor," said Norman. "If you had seen
Glenbracken and the old people, you would perceive that it would not
have been suitable on our part to promote anything of the kind."

"Would they have been so violent?"

"Not violent, but it would have been a severe struggle. They are good,
kind people, but with strong prejudices; and, though I have no doubt
they would have yielded to steady attachment on their son's part,
and such conduct as Ethel's would have been, I could not lead in that
direction."

"Is that pride, Norman?"

"I hope not."

"It is doing by others as you were doing by yourself," half whispered
Meta; "but, after all, if he had no constancy, Ethel had an escape."

"I was afraid that she had been rather touched, but I am glad to find
myself mistaken."

"If you thought so, how could you make such a public announcement?"

He laughed. "I had made myself so nervous as to the effect, that,
in desperation, I took her own way, and came out at once with it as
unconsciously as I could."

"Very naturally you acted unconsciousness! It was better than insulting
her by seeming to condole. Not that I do, though, for she deserves more
steadiness than he has shown! If a man could appreciate her at all, I
should have thought that it would have been once and for ever."

"Remember, he had barely known her a fortnight, and probably had no
reason