r I have made inquiries,
and find that his marriage to your grandmother to which her mother who
still lives can bear witness, was duly registered--then _you_ are the
Baroness Glenthirsk of Glenthirsk, and I, the descendant of a younger
son, am only Lieutenant Ralph Mackenzie of Her Majesty's--Highlanders."

"Oh! Ralph, how can this be?" I gasped. "I thought that in England men
took rank, not the women."

"So they do generally," he answered; "but as it happens in our family
the title descends in the female line, and with it the entailed estates,
so that you would succeed to your father's rights although he never
enjoyed them. Suzanne, I am not speaking lightly; all this while that I
have kept away from you I have been inquiring in Scotland and the Cape,
for I sent home photographs of those miniatures and a statement of the
facts, and upon my word I believe it to be true that you and no other
are the heiress of our house."

Almost mechanically, for I was lost in amazement, I translated his
words. My great-grandmother thought a while and said:

"Wonderful are the ways of the Lord who thus in my old age answers my
prayers and rolls from my back the load of my sin. Suzanne, ask that
Scotchman if he still means to marry you," and seeing me hesitate, as
well I might, she struck her stick upon the floor and added, "Obey,
girl, and ask."

So with great shame I asked, explaining that I was forced to it.

"Do I still mean to marry you, Suzanne?" he said, astonished. "Why
surely you must understand that the question is, do you still intend
to marry me? When I begged you to take me some months ago I had much to
offer; to-day if things be as I am sure they are, I am but a penniless
Scottish gentleman, while you are one of the richest and most noble
ladies in Great Britain."

By way of answer I looked at him in a fashion which I trust he
understood, but before I could speak, Vrouw Botmar broke in, for, as
usual, I had translated.

"Tell the man to stop talking about money and rank after his godless
English manner. I wish to inquire of his character and religion." And so
she did clearly and at length, but I do not think that I need set down
her questions or his answers.

At last, when we were both overwhelmed and gasping for breath, I refused
flatly to ask anything more, whereon she ceased her examinations,
saying:

"Well, if he speaks the truth, which is doubtful, he does not seem to
be any worse than other men, though th