f my
mind; when, suddenly shifting my eyes, I was aware of the man himself
standing in the doorway, and, to all appearance, quite composed. He had
no sooner met my looks than he stepped across the threshold. The Master
heard him coming, and advanced upon the other side; about four feet
apart, these brothers came to a full pause, and stood exchanging steady
looks, and then my lord smiled, bowed a little forward, and turned
briskly away.

"Mackellar," says he, "we must see to breakfast for these travellers."

It was plain the Master was a trifle disconcerted; but he assumed the
more impudence of speech and manner. "I am as hungry as a hawk," says
he. "Let it be something good, Henry."

My lord turned to him with the same hard smile. "Lord Durrisdeer," says
he.

"O! never in the family," returned the Master.

"Every one in this house renders me my proper title," says my lord. "If
it please you to make an exception, I will leave you to consider what
appearance it will bear to strangers, and whether it may not be
translated as an effect of impotent jealousy."

I could have clapped my hands together with delight: the more so as my
lord left no time for any answer, but, bidding me with a sign to follow
him, went straight out of the hall.

"Come quick," says he; "we have to sweep vermin from the house." And he
sped through the passages, with so swift a step that I could scarce keep
up with him, straight to the door of John Paul, the which he opened
without summons and walked in. John was, to all appearance, sound
asleep, but my lord made no pretence of waking him.

"John Paul," said he, speaking as quietly as ever I heard him, "you
served my father long, or I would pack you from the house like a dog. If
in half an hour's time I find you gone, you shall continue to receive
your wages in Edinburgh. If you linger here or in St. Bride's--old man,
old servant, and altogether--I shall find some very astonishing way to
make you smart for your disloyalty. Up and begone. The door you let them
in by will serve for your departure. I do not choose my son shall see
your face again."

"I am rejoiced to find you bear the thing so quietly," said I, when we
were forth again by ourselves.

"Quietly!" cries he, and put my hand suddenly against his heart, which
struck upon his bosom like a sledge.

At this revelation I was filled with wonder and fear. There was no
constitution could bear so violent a strain--his least of all, that wa